A Whiter Shade of Pale

Recorded but not released by Fudge guitarist

Tony Allen writes to BtP:

My favourite US LP of all time is Vanilla Fudge's Renaissance: I wonder if any other Procol fan has noted the similarites with this great US group.

The guitarist from Vanilla Fudge - Vince Martell - recently announced his first solo LP which consisted, amongst many original compositions, two of his favourite sixites songs, In the Court of the Crimson King and A Whiter Shade of Pale.

When he announced on the Fudge website that he had recorded it, I suggested (hopefully with tact) that a re-recording of AWSoP might not be a good idea since the original was so perfect.

I don't know whether he took any notice of my comment but when the CD came out two months ago Crimson King was on it (with author and original mellotron / woodwinder Ian McDonald playing), but AWSoP was missing (Vince is a great guitarist but I don't think he could have added anything to this song).