Lost in the Looking-Glass

Review Elizabeth Bryson [USA]

On first listening to Lost in the Looking Glass, the first words that come to mind are, imaginative and genuine. After repeated listenings, these same words come to mind. This 2CD collection of fans doing their own interpretations of Procol Harum songs is wonderfully wide-ranging in approach. Highly enjoyable listening from start to finish.

Many of the arrangements are particularly outstanding. There's a lovely, smokey-jazz club feel to Milk of Human Kindness, followed by a rocking version of Cerdes, with some great guitar work. Right after that there is a fun, quirky version of Quite Rightly So, followed by a beautifully intimate recording of The Pursuit of Happiness. There is a beautiful horn arrangement on Wreck of the Hesperus and the version of Shine On Brightly by (Get Out of My) Fishtank has a compelling string arrangement complementing the vocals and acoustic guitar. The reworking of A Whiter Shade of Pale is beautifully done; the vocal performance is particularly moving. It's only fitting that the collection ends on a very uplifting and inspired performance of Learn to Fly.

Each of the forty different performance has unique qualities that stand out. In addition, there is a love for the music of Procol Harum that comes through on every different song interpretation. It only makes sense that because the music of Procol Harum is so varied, genuine and often very moving as well as inspiring, the interpretations of the songs maintain those same qualities, but in very individual and unique ways.

Tracklisting | About the performers | Reviews | Order the album