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the Pale 

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Cover versions of Procol Harum songs

A Whiter Shade of Pale as played by other musicians 


The entries in this colour are by Martin Awsop and relate to his own huge AWSoP collection, you can also visit his own amazing website dedicated to AWSoP covers, or view some picture-sleeves here. Read Ozzy Osbourne's comments about covering this song, here

101 Strings Orchestra

Album entitled Sounds of Today; released c 1967. "Shimmering and dazzling Sitar and Harpsichord Psychedelic exploitation..." with electric guitars, drums, bass and the 101 Strings Orchestra (Jonny Moen)

Memories Are Made Of This ...The 60s 2.27 1993 CD 

Agbo, Francais

On the soundtrack from the movie Gazon Maudit

Gazon Maudit - Soundtrack 4.48 1993 CD

Aki, Angela

New words, Blue Shadow

Aldrich Ronnie

Focus on Ronnie Aldrich 1986 FOS 13/14 Double Album 

Allniters & Sir Shawn & Lady Knight

100 % BLACK 3.56 1998 CD RAP & HIP HOP BASE MELODIA A Whiter Shade Of Pale (THE STORY OF MY LIFE)

Althea

Whiter Shade of Pale (Dance Remix) Euro Dance version: hear it here
'We always loved this song, its beautiful melody and its melancholic lyric ... then we thought to make a dance remix.....we hope you like as us !!' [sic]
Produced by A Iacovaccio, from the CD A Whitr Shade of Pale (thanks, Sam)

Aquellos

60 SLOWS - MAGAZINE 60 0.25 1981 LP POP 80'S ORGANO / INSTRUMENTAL A Whiter Shade Of Pale

ASA

In 1967, ASA (real name Asbjørn Krogtoft) made a single sung in Norwegian: Kvinne i Sort (= Woman Dressed in Black) backed with Da var hun atter like blek (= Again She Was Just As Pale) - RCA NA 1325. The B-side is A Whiter Shade Of Pale in Norwegian. 

ASA is one of the most famous names from the Norwegian beat scene of the 60s. He was the leader (and songwriter) of the group 1-2-6 ("One Two Six") of Graveyard Paradise fame. He also made solo-singles and -albums, and has also played in other groups. (Tormod Ringvold)

Ashworth, Nigel

ROMANTIC FLUTE 2 3.43 1996 CD 

Austin, Derek

Derek Austin's Red Hot Hammond Band - Red Hot Hammond, Select : SELCD 534] 'Derek Austin studied classical pipe organ at Christ's Hospital College before moving on to his true love, the Hammond Organ. This superb recording has been officially endorsed by Hammond as the perfect showcase for the unique sound of the Hammond organ' (Sam Cameron) 

Austin, Sil

On the album Honey Sax on International Records, catalog no.: SSS #4 "If you haven't heard this man and his "honey sax", you haven't heard a real sax player! (Sorry, Kenny G.)" (Jonny Moen)

Baksh, Sammy

Classic Moods CD: with a reggae / Caribbean influence: A Whiter Shade Of Pale, To Be Lonely, I Stand Alone, Vanity, Shooting Star, This Is Where I Belong, Ready For Love, Soldier Of Fortune, Out Of Control, No Time To Say Goodbye

Bamse

Flemming "Bamse" Jørgensen, on the covers album Stand By Me, RecArt / EMI Denmark 1999: full details here (Niels-Erik Mortensen)

Barlow, Gary

Not a recorded cover: but the former 'Take That' star came second in a talent contest doing AWSoP when he was 14, I think (Sam Cameron) 

Barrabas

VIVE 4.08 1999 CD A Whiter Shade Of Pale (CON SU BLANCA PALIDEZ)

Barrabas

VIVE 4.20 1999 CD A Whiter Shade Of Pale

Barroso, Narciso

ORGANO HAMMOND 4.00 1998 CD EASY LISTENING ORGANO / INSTRUMENTAL A Whiter Shade Of Pale

Bats

As Senza Luce: Italian words by 'Mogol' (Giulio Rapetti)

Batt, Mike

On Philharmania - Mike Batt and the London Philharmonic Orchestra, All Time Great Rock Hits volume one [Stella Music 559 618-2] 

AWSoP is sung by John Farnham: other singers are : Roger Daltrey, Colin Blunstone, Midge Ure, Paul Carrack, Kim Wilde, Marc Almond, to name only some of them. Henry Spinetti plays drums on all tracks ! Quite a lot of money has gone into this project: all recordings were done at Abbey Road. It seems to target the German market, with all liner notes in German. I hope they will not be so cruel as to record a Vol II indeed! (Hermann Braunschmidt)

Beesley, John

Orchestrally Organised CD 1994 OS 204 

Belmonde, Pierre

On the album Themes For Dreams

The Magic Sound Of The Panpipes 2.37 1984 CD

Bilk, Acker

ALL THE HITS PLUS MORE 3.49 1997 CD 

Bill Black's Combo

Bill Black's Beat Goes On - 1968 - London Records SHU 8367 - Not out on CD in the UK. (Or USA?) Instrumental version from Elvis Presley's former bass player. Quite slow and a bit Las Vegas! (thanks, Henry Scott-Irvine)

Bobby Johnson,
and The Atoms

Bobby Johnson and The Atoms on the French EP Fontana 460.226 ME, issued in 1967 (I think ...). If the man on the photo on the cover is Bobby Johnson than he is a black man.The EP includes WSOP, Another Mann, Do It Again A Little Bit Slower and Tramp (the last two songs were also issued on a single in the UK in 1967 : Ember EMB S 245) (António Alfaiate)

Bolton, Michael

Timeless The Classics Vol. 2 4.45 1999 Cd Pop Rock Voz & Organo & Guitarra A Whiter Shade Of Pale

Bonfiglio

On Live at the Grand Canyon (High Harmony 1003), 1994 (Jorge Alberto Rivera Rojas)

Bonilla, Marc

American Matador: Vocals are by Glenn Hughes (Hughes has been in Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, Trapeze, Hughes / Thrall, and many other lead vocal roles and guest appearances): more information hereSam Cameron)

American Matador 4.56 1993 CD

Keith Emerson has played AWSoP with Bonilla, live: Emerson doesn't try to do anything particular with it, other than play the chords. It is guitar-introduced, and vocal-led. Read more here and listen to it here(thanks, Ken)

Box Tops

The Letter - 1967 - EMI Stateside - SL 10218: Great version from FAB vocalist Alex Chilton. This is how Joe Cocker should have done it! (thanks, Henry Scott-Irvine)

The Ultimate Box Tops 4.27 1967 CD

Brightman, Sarah

On her 2000 album La Luna
You can order this CD from Amazon USA or from Amazon UK

Brooker, Gary

On a CD Cropredy - The Best and the Guests which was given away as a limited bonus with the 4CD Fairport Unconventional set. It has AWSoP - with Gary Brooker (1990) on it, amongst more of the usual Fairporty subjects. (Alick Leslie)

Brown, O'Chi

The Netherlands: a reggae version of AWSoP in 1984: 12" dance single released in UK in 1983 

A Whiter Shade Of Pale 6.30 1983

Bruno Bertone Orchestra

FEELINGS 3.31 1997 CD EASY LISTENING SAXO & ORGANO & ORQUESTA A Whiter Shade Of Pale

Buckingham, Lindsey

On the album Out of the Cradle (Reprise 1998) 

Buddy

Senza Luce: Kappa-O ES20129, 1967 (Pierangelo Valenti)

Caine, Buddy

Tränen im Gesicht (translation is like "tears in (my) face", and it does sound pretty sad!), 7" single from Germany. The cover says "Deutsche Original-Aufnahme des Welthits A Whiter Shade Of Pale: "German original recording of worldwide hit AWSoP"). Because of the additional German lyrics the record credits "K.Reid / G.Grooke (r is missing!) / M.Kunze / R.Siegel jr." Kunze / Siegel are two very successful German song writers / music publishers in Germany till these days. The version is 3:35; cat.no. Philips 346063PF. Although no year is listed, it came out at the time the original was issued (Juergen Thielisch). Message from Buddy himself here.

Bullock, Hiram and Kankawa Project

Jam Jam – The Heavy Cats : live at STB 139: 2004 release. Funk fusion guitar heavyweight Hiram Bullock and Japan's king of the Hammond B-3, Kankawa, recorded live in Japan performing originals and heavy renditions of Procol Harum's Whiter Shade of Pale, Smoke on the Water by Deep Purple, and California Dreamin' by the Mamas and Papas! Hiram Bullock, guitar, vocals; Kankawa, keys; with Kenji Hino on bass, and Fuyu, on drums (thanks, Bert)

Canadian Brass Champions

On the 1983 Sony cassette PMT 37797. This bizarre version starts rather straight with the Brooker-melody backed by the Fisher introduction; then some ham-fisted percussion beefs it up a bit; there's a 'development' section with deviant, Swingle-type chords that are faded before they have a chance to make their mark: the familiar material doesn't return. File under 'perplexing'. (Thanks, Sam)

Canciones De Nuestra Vida

CANCIONES DE NUESTRA VIDA 3.53 1997 CD POP ESPAÑOL VOZ & ORGANO A Whiter Shade Of Pale

Carrisi, Albano

Carrisi is a very well-known singer in Italy: Senza Luce (Italian words for AWSoP) (thanks, Pio)

Cash, Kristofferson, Jennings, Nelson

Highwaymen Ride Again 1987 Album 4504311 

Cator, Jimmy

On Dimension 3 (RCA 10103), 1973 (Jorge Alberto Rivera Rojas) 

Chadbourne, Eugene

... in a medley of four 'country' standards: details here: I believe it is a raucous send-up of country matters (Sam Cameron)

Charmaine

No fewer than four mixes on the wittily-titled album A White Shade of Paler (thanks, PDC)

Chavez, Pepe 
his Mariachi Ensemble

There is a version of AWSoP titled Cada Vez Más Pálida, '[She's] Getting Paler Everytime" in a record called Mariachi Barroco ['Mariachi Goes Baroque'] Epic 
DS 8031 (the catalogue number comes from a Peruvian release) in which Matthew Fisher's organ line is taken on the first verse by a trumpet usual on the 
typical mariachi line-up. The backing is provided by a harpischord (played by Tusnelda Nieto) and a piano (played by Enrique Nery) going on arpeggios. 

The second verse features piano and harsichord on lead and trumpet and strings as backing. This recording is a little more uptempo than the original. The album contains also renditions of The Sound of Silence, Hey Jude among others. Although there is no release date, in the liner notes (by Raúl Velasco, a popular Mexican MC) 1968 is mentioned as the date for the album conception, so it must be 1969 or 1970. Jorge A Rivera Rojas

Chus Martinez Y Su Conjunto

MUSICAL HITS 2.47 1968 LP POP ESPAÑOL 60'S ORGANO / INSTRUMENTAL A Whiter Shade Of Pale (CON SU BLANCA PALIDEZ)

Clayderman, Richard

A Little Night Music 1990 Album 8281251 

16 LOVE SONGS 4.25 1991 CD 

Cleaver, Robinson

Three Score Years And Twenty Cassette AC172 

Coates, Mike & Linda
and Friends

On the album Fall In Love, 1996, Barking Dog Records. It reportedly includes two versions of AWSoP - one with the extra 'mermaid' verse - as well as a bit of history about Matthew Fisher's contributions to the song, etc. Full review here(Pat Keating)

Sound sample and more detail here(thanks, Sam)

Cocker, Joe

The recently-issued (2001) Joe Cocker double CD Standing Here (Live in Denver, Colorado, May 2nd 1981 (Pilot 63) features our beloved BJ Wilson on drums, and includes a live version of the Cocker A Whiter Shade of Pale (António Alfaite)

Standing Here can be ordered from Amazon here

Luxury You Can Afford, 1978: Unfortunately, BJ didn't join his band until 1979 There are LIVE versions of AWSoP with Joe and BJ (which put this album version to shame - largely due to BJ and guitarist Cliff Goodwin) on the audio and video performances listed in BJ Wilson - Recorded Works Outside of PH - Joan May

Luxury You Can Afford 5.22 1978 LP Order it from Amazon here

Cole, Bobby

Music to Motor By 1982 cassette CSM1 

Colosseum

Beware the Ides of March: AWSoP cover by any other name?

'I have a live bootleg, where they play AWSoP, and a second bootleg where they just play excerpts from it inside one of their songs' Miguel Terol

The Ides of March 5.34 1969 CD

There is also an extended release on Sanctuary Midline: Those Who Are About to Die Salute You [Deluxe Expanded Edition] 'All but one of those bonus cuts are taken from late-'60s BBC radio broadcasts ... the oddest, and from a collector standpoint perhaps most interesting, of the BBC tracks is A White Spade from Mayall, a song not included on Those Who Are About to Die Salute You. As the humorous title suggests, it borrows some of its melody from A White [sic] Shade of Pale," also briefly quoting from the Rolling Stones' "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction"; perhaps it was felt to be too much of a goof-off to merit consideration for placement on the LP. This and the rest of the BBC material boasts excellent sound ... ' (thanks, Ross)

Constanten, Tom

Tom Constanten (keyboardist for the Grateful Dead in some of their earlier times), on his 1992 CD Nightfall of Diamonds. His AWSoP (like most of the album) is solo piano. It is telescoped into about a minute and a half. Interesting and pleasant. 

Constanten is a pretty interesting guy, in case you've never paid attention to him. He's currently (or at least lately) living in North Carolina and playing organ in a Baptist Church, according to this article Snake Robertson

Costa Barbé, Antonio

On the 40-track Procol tribute 2CD, Lost in the Looking-Glass, from the Palers' Project, 2002. Click here for sound-sample and full line-up details; online ordering here.

Curtis, King

1968 album King Curtis and the Kingpins Kingsize Soul King Curtis 1968; and Live At The Fillmore East - Atco (Atlantic) Records: Henry Scott-Irvine considers this the definitive cover: also appeared in the film Withnail & I. (see here)

LIVE AT FILLMORE WEST 5.15 1971 CD

As part of its 50th anniversary Atlantic Records re-released 50 of its most notable albums. King Curtis Live at the Fillmore West features a performance of AWSoP, quite different from PH, with saxophonist Curtis backed by an absolutlely stellar band including Billy Preston (Organ), Cornell Dupree (Guitar), Bernard Purdie (Drums), Truman Thomas (Elactric Piano) and Jerry Jemmott (Bass) - as well as The Memphis Horns. CD NO AMCY-2905. (Peter Cullivan)

This reissue puts two of the tenor sax legend's best albums back in circulation, effectively doubling the meager catalog of quality King Curtis CDs. (Remarkably, 1994's 23-song Instant Soul compilation on Razor & Tie is the only other thoughtful King Curtis CD retrospective.) The first of two albums recorded for Atco Records in 1967, Plays The Great Memphis Hits features the hit-making Muscle Shoals rhythm section, and was recorded by Tom Dowd and Arif Mardin, with Jerry Wexler producing. The material is well-chosen; standout tracks include When Something Is Wrong With My Baby, I've Been Loving You Too Long, and You Don't Miss Your Water, all in versions that compare well with the originals. King Size Soul, recorded six months later in Memphis, offers brilliant instrumental covers of Ode to Billy Joe, A Whiter Shade of Pale, I Was Made To Love Her, and the original studio recording of Memphis Soul Stew, which made the R&B Top Ten. In fact, the ten-song album spawned three chart hits and was Curtis' best seller for Atco until 1971's Live at Fillmore West

Liner notes are comprehensive and include original cover art. Koch is to be congratulated for tackling the long-anticipated King Curtis CD reissue program with style-more, please. 

Producers: Jerry Wexler, Tom Dowd and Tommy Cogbill. Engineers: Tom Dowd, Arif Mardin, Chips Moman and Darryl Carter. Studios: Atlantic (New York) and Stax-Volt (Memphis). Reissue producer: David Nives. (Chris Michie, in Cool Spins: The Mix Staff Members Pick Their Favorite CDs in Mix Magazine)

Daniel

On CD "1999" of Brazilian very pop signer called Daniel. This cover is a free version in Portuguese language (this version is very bad and nothing there of a original, it's a crime!). The Portuguese name give a song is Ao Meu Lado Outra Vez. A traduction aproximate is In My Side Again. The company is WEA/Continental.(Aurélio Ferreira Migueis)

Dave Anthony's Moods

On Joker 

David & Miryam

LUZ DONDE NO HAY 4.29 1995 CD POP ESPAÑOL VOZ & ORGANO A Whiter Shade Of Pale (CON SU BLANCA PALIDEZ)

Dells, The

Cadet Records: the flip side (which might very well have been the 'A' side) is The Glory of Love. The record was manufactured by Chess Productions Corp. The producer is Bobby Miller, with arrangement by Charles Stopney. This is one of the most soulful renditions of the song that I have heard. The vocalist sounds like a cross between Levi Stubbs and Otis Redding. The arrangement features background violin and perhaps 'cello, then keyboards. Suddenly, out of nowhere, comes a psychedelic electric guitar solo, followed by haunting background vocals as the song fades out. Also appears on Cadet Album LPS 829, Love is Blue (Robert Moselle

The picture shows the Dells, but the title is evidently the Spanish lyric. Possibly this is a faked sleeve to fool collectors on eBay - it happens, and everyone knowns who does it ... so be careful!

Denis, Sergio

on album Sergio Denis, CBS 19236 (1972), Spanish lyrics by Ben Molar (Jorge Alberto Rivera Rojas)

Depree, Michigan Mark

On the CD album Hi, released in 1998: more info here

Desayles, Sylvia

RECITAL DE EXITOS 4.10 1967 LP POP 60'S VOZ & ORGANO A Whiter Shade Of Pale

Difference

(Norway) on an album called Jubileum 1967-1977. Record company is Mercury and the order no is 9114 201. Release year was of course 1977 (Per Hermansen)

Dik Dik

I SUCCESSI DEI DIK DIK 5.00 1968 CD 

Dik Dik

SAPORE D'ITALIA 4.08 1970 CD 

Dik-Dik

As Senza Luce (1967, Ricordi) Italian words by 'Mogol' (Giulio Rapetti) 

Dodd, Dorsey

L'ORGANO HAMMOND DI DORSEY DODD 3.27 1969 LP EASY LISTENING ORGANO / INSTRUMENTAL A Whiter Shade Of Pale

Don Reeve Sound, The

LP MFP 50013 1972 UK: Don Reeve playing a Hammond A-100 (Jonny Moen)

Donato & Estefano

ENTRE LA LINEA DEL BIEN Y LA LINEA DEL MAL 5.11 1997 CD POP LATINO VOCES & TECLADOS A Whiter Shade Of Pale (CON SU BLANCA PALIDEZ)

Doomsday Nau

B-3 - 8º ANIVERSARIO 5.22 1998 CD MAQUINA MEZCLAS A Whiter Shade Of Pale

Doro

video called Kerrang Ladykillers 1990 MVP 9912203, and on an album called Force Majeure in 1989 [which coincidentally features a song called Under the Gun, not the Trower / Reid one]. I have not heard this AWSoP but the words of the version as printed have the 'and so it was when later' section appearing three times at the end.
Doro is a death-metal band fronted by a Dorothee Pesch, born in Dusseldorf in 1964. Not only do they cover A Whiter Shade of Pale but their compilation of their first four albums [1995] is called A Whiter Shade of Pale. The cover features Doro with long blonde hair and in a leather bra-type garment. In an interview with Raw magazine (date unknown) the following Procol-relevant exchange occurs:
If you were a man, who would you like to be?
Marc Bolan from T Rex. I know he's dead, but it doesn't matter. He's just one guy I really like.
Whose bath water would you like to drink?
There's no-one I adore so much that I'd drink his bath water! But you know in A Whiter Shade of Pale there is a line about 16 Vestal Virgins? I'd like to drink the bath water of 16 Vestal Virgins! (Sam Cameron)

Doro Pesch, the leading light and vocalist of the German heavy metal band Warlock, dissolved the band after the release of 1987's Triumph And Agony. She released her solo album Force Majeure offering a departure from her previous heavy style, moving almost towards more mainstream type of work. Nevertheless, Mercury Records issued this sucker, complete with Doro as a blacksmith on the cover, in early 1989 (catalog number: 838 016). Track included - well of course: A Whiter Shade of Pale. (Jonny Moen)

Listen to Doro's version of A Whiter Shade of Pale online here (full version) or a 19 second sample here(Ilya Rudev)

CLOSER TO YOU - WRAP YOUR ARMS AROUND ME 3.56 1989 CD 

Downes, Geoff

On Evolution (1989): an all-covers album on the solo album from the keyboardist in Asia (Miguel Terol)

Drueding, Richard & Ferraro, Stephen

on album Insomniacs Lullaby, Orchard 3181 (1999) (Jorge Alberto Rivera Rojas) (Jorge Alberto Rivera Rojas)

Duran , Elena

on album Light & Latin, ASV/Living Era 2059 (1991) (Jorge Alberto Rivera Rojas)

Electric Wind Ensemble

MELODIAS 2.41 1988 LP EASY LISTENING ORQUESTA / INSTRUMENTAL A Whiter Shade Of Pale

Eliseo Del Toro Y Los 5 Musicales Vaya

VAYA Nº 2 2.46 1968 LP POP ESPAÑOL 60'S VOZ & ORGANO A Whiter Shade Of Pale (CON SU BLANCA PALIDEZ)

Ellis, Alton

Sings Rock and Soul (Coxsone) 1967: Rock Steady / reggae version with no respect to the original words, but quite FAB says Henry Scott-Irvine (see here)

Engelberg Roar & Iver Kleive

(Norway) on their album Alveland (released: 17 Nov 1997) (Mattias Gidlof)

English Congregation, The

... American LP Softly Whispering I Love You (Signpost SP 7217),1972. The English Congregation were Brian Keith on vocals (the singer on The Plastic Penny success Everything I Am) and Alan Parker on guitar. The producer was John Burgess and the orchestra and the choral were arranged and conducted by Andrew Pryce Jackman. (António Alfaiate)

Also on Softly Whispering I Love You (Columbia SCX 6490), 1972 (Tormod Ringvold)

English Philharmonic Orchestra

PHILHARMONIC ROCK 3.33 1989 CD EASY LISTENING ORQUESTA / INSTRUMENTAL A Whiter Shade Of Pale

Evans, Sara/ McBride, Martina / McReady, Midy

on album Girls' Night Out, BMG Special Products 45615, (1999) (Jorge Alberto Rivera Rojas)

Everly Brothers

on Everly Brothers Sing, Warner Bros 1708, (1967)  More on Everly Brothers here

Exitos En Blanco Y Negro

EXITOS EN BLANCO Y NEGRO 3.55 1981 K7 POP ESPAÑOL VOZ & ORGANO A Whiter Shade Of Pale (CON SU BLANCA PALIDEZ)

Felix

on album The History of Michigan Garage Bands in the 60s Vol. 1, Collectables Records 8818 (1994) (Jorge Alberto Rivera Rojas)

Flash Cadillac

live, on an album called A Night At The Symphony (no more information available) (Jonny Moen)

Flute Moods

All you could ever want to know about this is here (Sam Cameron)

Gabriel, Peter

He performed A Whiter Shade of Pale on his tour in 1978, writes Marcel Solca. It was a punk-rock version, in that way not very flattering, but still, it's AWSoP. Mention of informal recording of this here (thanks, Sam)

Peter Gabriel himself writes (here) ... 'in the early days of punk ... we used to do a sort of punk version of Whiter Shade of Pale, which is probably safely eroded in the mists of time ...' (thanks, Jason Scruton)

Gadd Gang

Here and Now 1988 Album 4610011 : musicians on the live performance (Live in Japan) from 1988 are: Steve Gadd (Drums), Cornell Dupree (Guitar), Eddie Gomez (Bass), Richard Tee (Piano), Ronny Cuber (Saxophone). (Jonny Moen)

Here & Now 3.48 1988 CD 

Gary Brooker Ensemble, the

An excellent live version, with strings, church organ, and so forth, on Gary's own label

Ghigo

On a live LP, Ghigo e i Goghi, 'a rare and pecious document ... from the years '65,'66 e '67': details here and here(thanks, Sam)

Gigi dei Quetzal

COCKTAIL 4.02 1988 K7 POP ITALIANO VOZ & ORGANO A Whiter Shade Of Pale (SENZA LUCE)

Gigi dei Quetzal

SPECIAL COCKTAIL 3.56 1998 K7 POP ITALIANO VOZ & ORGANO A Whiter Shade Of Pale (SENZA LUCE)

Giovanni

on an album called Memories (no more information available) (Jonny Moen)

Go-Go, Los

Grabaciones Completas Y Rarezas Vol. 1 3.13 1967 Lp Pop Español 60's Voz & Organo A Whiter Shade Of Pale (Con Su Blanca Palidez)

Golden Gitarre, die

Amiga 855 764, East Germany, 1980

Golden Sounds Pops Orchestra & Singers

GOLDEN MILLION SELLER HITS 4.00 1974 LP POP 70'S VOZ & ORGANO A Whiter Shade Of Pale

Greaves, RB

Single, Atco 6789, 1970 Jorge A. Rivera Rojas

POP EXPLOSION 3.47 1970 CD 

Guillory, Isaac

On the Days of 49 CD (Personal Records PRCD006): It features Isaac on guitar and is a lovely acoustic version; more information about Isaac from www.isaacguillory.com
(Kenny Kerr)

Guitarra Contemporanea

The Universal Collection Vol. 2 4.06 2000 Cd Easy Listening Guitarra Española Instrumental A Whiter Shade Of Pale

Guitars Unlimited

Album entitled: Fantastic Sounds of; released 1970, London (Phase 4) #SP 44147; AWSoP appears among pop classics like Bridge Over Troubled Water, House Of The Rising Sun, I'll Never Fall In Love Again, Come Together, Let It Be, Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da among others (Jonny Moen)

Harrison, Noel

on the first Golden Throats CD 

Golden Throats : The Great Celebrity Sing Off! 2.54 1969 CD

Also on Collage, Reprise 6263, 1967 (TV actor in the mid sixties. Son of actor Rex Harrison) Jorge A. Rivera Rojas

Hayward, Justin

With Mike Batt

Classic Blue 1989 Modem 1040  (backed by the London Philharmonic) 

4.28 1989 CD

Heath, Ted

On The Big Ones by Ted Heath (London Phase 4, SP-44140), published in 1970. This is a more uptempo version in big band style, with the intro played on organ but with a more churchy sound. The organ part during the verses is in charge of a brass section with a saxophone playing the melody line. Includes also a jazzy sax solo. (Jorge Alberto Rivera Rojas)

Hesitations

Single, Kapp 948, 1968 Jorge A. Rivera Rojas

Hietanen, Pentti

from the album On the Rocks issued by EMI Finland (Henrik Gøttrup)

Hollies, the

MC (bootleg) Human Wings HWR 302 1990 (Italy) (Jonny Moen)

Honey Moon

NECESITAS AMOR 4.02 1994 CD EASY LISTENING VOZ & ORGANO A Whiter Shade Of Pale

Hooked On Number Ones

100 NON STOP HITS 0.50 1984 LP EASY LISTENING ORQUESTA / INSTRUMENTAL A Whiter Shade Of Pale

Horea, Crishan

Magic of the Pan Pipes 1983 Album 2372161 

HSAS

Hagar / Schon / Aaronson / Shrieve

Geffen (US) 4023, (GB, D) 25893 P 1983/84 (thanks, Hermann)

A fairly heavy, guitar-dominated version. The self-titled album HSAS spelled out the first letters of the last names of the band members, including: Sammy Hagar (vocals; Van Halen vocals, guitar); Neal Schon (Journey, guitar) Kenny Aronson (John Mellencamp, bass); Michael Shrieve (drums)

It's supposed to be a live album, although I don't remember hearing applause. It sounds as being heavily edited (Miguel Terol)

Through The Fire 4.46 1984 CD
You can listen to a sound sample and/or buy the CD from Amazon here
And you can even see a live video of HSAS performing AWSoP here (thanks Blair Myers)

I Ragazzi Italiani

ERAVAMO COSI 4.55 1996 CD POP ITALIANO VOZ & ORGANO A Whiter Shade Of Pale (SENZA LUCE)

Impact, The

7" EP Juke Box EP JSEP-5565 1967 (Sweden)(Jonny Moen)

In, Los

An Argentine group: did two singles in 1967/8, on the label CBS, distributed in Argentina and other Latin America Countries, the 'A' sides were AWSoP and Homburg; the 'B' sides were Nights in White Satin (The Moody Blues' hit) and In the Wee Small Hours of Sixpence

Indios Tabajaras, Los

LO QUE EL MUNDO NECESITA AHORA 3.30 1971 LP EASY LISTENING FLAUTA DE PAN / INSTRUMENTAL A Whiter Shade Of Pale

Inspirational Sax

Another muzak saxophone cover of AWSoP: Inspirational Sax. 2CDs at £5.99 on Luton's industrious Tring label: features other musts-to-avoid such as Ebony and Ivory, Moonlight Shadow, Feelings, Mandy. Will the people who buy this stuff please donate their brains to science (Sam Cameron)

Jamaica's Band

LO MEJOR DEL REGGAE 3.52 1999 CD REGGAE VOZ & ORGANO A Whiter Shade Of Pale

James Last

Another release is naturally from James Last, the German big band leader. I've only seen it on a LP box released by Readers' Digest, so I can't tell on which album it appears originally. But that this man has recorded it, should come as no surprise! (Jonny Moen)

Jovenes, Los

SELECCION DE EXITOS - VUELVEN LOS 60´S 4.35 1968 CD POP ESPAÑOL 60'S VOZ & ORGANO & GUITARRA A Whiter Shade Of Pale (CON SU BLANCA PALIDEZ)

Just 4 Fun

(Norway) - 1991 

Kahn, George

on album Out of Time, Orchard 1076 (2000) (Jorge Alberto Rivera Rojas)

Kawnik, Jakup and 
Michalik, Maciej

Vibraphone & Guitar. (No label) 
Jens writes: I was sitting in a street restaurant at Aker Brygge, Oslo, sipping a beer. Suddenly two guys lined up and started to play on the street, Vibraphone & Guitar. I could not understand why anybody would want to buy the CD they were offering, but when they suddenly started to play AWSoP, I knew I needed to buy it for my collection. Actually much better than many of the AWSoP covers around.

Keith Mansfield Orchestra, the

Promit, SXL 0986, Poland [date not given]

Kelly, Pat

In a 4 CD Box, Real Reggae, Disky Records. HR 852532. 1999; full details of variant words here (Sam Cameron).

Los 100 Mayores Exitos Del Reggae 3.11 1997 CD 

Kobialka, Daniel

on the album Fragrances Of A Dream

Komm mit Mann's, Die

Live, produced 1992 / 93 for MCP rec. (Number unknown) None of the musicians was known to me, or seems to have appeared on other albums ... probably a private production (thanks, Hermann)

Lafayette

On Lafayette Apresenta Os sucessos, Volume IV (EPIC, DS-8017). Lafayette was a Brazilian keyboadist and arranger from the mid sixties. This version has a steady guitar rhythmic pattern and an organ in charge of the melodic line. Again this is a little more uptempo. (Jorge Alberto Rivera Rojas)

Landslaget

7" single EMI 4E 006-34999 1974 (Sweden) (Jonny Moen)

Lane, Lana

CD entitled Winter Sessions (2003) on Think Tank Mediam, recorded in Canada. (Sanford Shapiro)

Lanz, David

RETURN TO THE HEART 7.03 1991 CD NEW AGE PIANO SOLO A Whiter Shade Of Pale

Lanz, David

Cristofori's Dream, 1988: this is an instrumental version with guest Matthew Fisher playing his famous solo on his ethereal Hammond, and Lanz adding some nice piano countermelodies MF doesn't play throughout the entire piece, but where he does play is very enjoyable The album was a Hit, débuting at Number One on the Billboard New Age Chart, and remaining on the Chart for six months. It's Lanz's most successful album, and I'm sure AWSoP and the guest organist contributed to its success. Lanz acknowledged Fisher in his Liner Notes: 'Special thanks to Matthew Fisher, Procol Harum's original organist, for his magic touch on A Whiter Shade of Pale ' (Joan May)See Fisher and Lanz

Cristofori's Dream 6.46 1988 CD 

Lanz, David

7" single, USA. It has AWSoP on both sides: Side 1 is a 4:11 Special Edited Airplay Version (Full length version available on album, see above); Side 2 is a Special Solo Piano Version (Not available on album) and runs 5:11 min. My promotional copy says Narada Lotus Label, cat. no. N-53378, dated 1988 (Juergen Thielisch)

Lanz, David

An Evening With David Lanz (Narada 72438-47024-2-7), USA,1999 (it includes a live version of 6' 48'' of AWSoP, recorded on 24 April 1989 in Houston,USA). (António Alfaiate)

Last, James

VIOLINS IN LOVE 3.20 1989 LP EASY LISTENING ORQUESTA / INSTRUMENTAL A Whiter Shade Of Pale

Leali, Fausto

as Senza Luce (1967, Ri-fi) Italian words by 'Mogol' (Giulio Rapetti) 

I Grandi Successi 3.16 1967 CD

Lee, Byron

The Best of Soft Lee - Series One Dynamic (CD) DYCD 3468 (no year) The title of the album and the tracklist indicates that this album could be some sort of easy listening . (thanks, Hermann)

Lee, Byron & The Dragonaires

Soft Lee Vol. 3 3.45 1988 LP 

Lefevre, Raymond

Soul Coaxing (Ame Caline), 4 Corners 4244, 1968 Jorge A. Rivera Rojas

Lennox, Annie

Medusa (Arista) 'In their (Procol's) version, the heavy reliance on the church organ sound successfully created a somber and haunting backdrop Lennox loses the organ and instead uses synthesizers for the background music As a result, the song loses its power While there's certainly no denying the quality of her voice, its ethereal sound does not work with this song But, unlike the original, at least you can understand all of the words in her version ' R J Natlus / The Yale Herald, Inc

MEDUSA 5.17 1995 CD A Whiter Shade Of Pale

Loffler, Jaromir
and Flamingo

Ikony (Czech version of A Whiter Shade of pale), 45 rpm single released in 1969 on Supraphon 043 0666; but soon after was cancelled, so only a few copies exist (thanks, Radim)

London Symphony Orchestra

Love Classics 1990 Album STAR 2440 

Fred Schröter adds: The London Symphony Orchestra with The Royal Choral Society: Recorded in 1977 "Classic Rock". I think I saw this version mentioned as being part of "Love Classics" collection in the AWSoP-cover-list, but I think the album title is a mistake. This is the original record that started the London Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra playing pop-music. This take was arranged and conducted by Martyn Ford.

Classic Rock - Symphonic Rock 3.51 1982 LP A Whiter Shade Of Pale

Long, Shorty

Prime of Shorty Long 1970 Album STML 11144 (see here

Also on 7" single, on the American Motown label "Soul" 
(S-35064), released in 1969. This version starts with a female choir singing the line A Whiter Shade of Pale twice, before a solo fiddle enters the stage building up with full orchestration! Then there's some singing by Shorty, and the whole version (2:57) ends up with a trumpet solo by the same man. (Jonny Moen)

Also on Prime of Shorty Long (Soul SS 719), 1969 (Jorge Alberto Rivera Rojas)

Lynott, Phil
Grand Slam

After Thin Lizzy Phil Lynott had a band called Grand Slam, and they performed AWSoP at the Marquee, London on 12.4.84 [US dating-system, I assume]. This was released on a CD called Finyl Slam in 1997. However it seems fairly likely that the CD is a bootleg, not an official release. (Sam Cameron) 

Phil Lynott's Grand Slam's Whiter Shade of Pale version was recently (October 2002) released as a single, and included in the Grand Slam album Studio Sessions . (Martyn Hewitt)

Majestic Wind Ensemble

Pan Flute Favourites 1986 Cassette SHTC 155 

Malcolm, Johnny

Master Performances 1983 Vol 4 Cassette AIM98 

Malta

CINEMATRIX 5.12 1997 CD JAZZ & FUNK SAXO & ORGANO A Whiter Shade Of Pale

Malta

on album Summer Dreamin', Projazz 609 (1999)

Mann, Herbie

on the 1976 album Herbie Mania, on Atlantic: flute, Hammond, percussion and bass. 

And on London Underground, Atlantic 1648, 1974 Jorge A. Rivera Rojas

LONDON UNDERGROUND 4.47 1974 CD (Instrumental) A Whiter Shade Of Pale

Mantovani Orchestra

on the 1997 compilation The Way We Were (Castle Communications PDS.CD 510) 

A Legend of Music 2.44 1980 CD 

Marfil

LOS SESENTA 1.08 1980 LP POP ESPAÑOL VOCES & SINTETIZADOR A Whiter Shade Of Pale (CON SU BLANCA PALIDEZ)

Martell, Vince

Read about the Vanilla Fudge guitarist and his AWSoP version here

Martin, George
and his orchestra

May 1999 Record Collector published a letter from David Wells which referred to "... British Maid, a 1968 album credited to George Martin and his Orchestra. Apart from the original Radio One tune, Theme One, the album includes interpretations of various Summer of Love hits - Itchycoo Park, A Whiter Shade of Pale, Hole in My Shoe ..." (Thanks, Sam)

Masekela, Hugh

Hugh Masekela Is Alive And Well At The Whisky on Universal City Records, a division of MCA Inc: Stereo 73015 / Mono 3015 
Side 1, cut #3: A Whiter Shade of Pale (2:58) (Ken Holm)

McCoy Freddy

On Beans and Greens (Prestige PRST-7542), 1968 (Jorge Alberto Rivera Rojas)

McFarland-Johnson, Jeffrey

Jeffrey McFarland-Johnson performs AWSoP on electric 'cello to MIDI accompaniment: recordings listed here

Midnight Sax

'Late night' version, one of eighteen such: details here(Thanks, Sam)

Miki Dallon Orchestra, The

German 7" single, cat. Vogue DV14668. The cover lists San Francisco bigger than AWSoP, but nevertheless, AWSoP is Side A, while San Francisco is on Side B. The promo copy I own is from 1967: no running time mentioned (Juergen Thielisch)

Mikkelsen, Sven-Ingvart and Brusch, Jochen On the CD RetroRock by the Danish organist Mikkelsen and the violinist Brusch. It was released on Classico Records in 2007. It contains instrumental versions of four Procol Harum numbers besides A Whiter Shade of Pale, as well as songs by the Doors, Paul Simon and Jethro Tull. The two musicians are classically-trained and the music is a bit (or rather a lot) too gutless for my taste but may be to the taste of many others. (Per Ryolf)

Milian, Thomas (or Tomas)

In the autumn 1967 he and his group performed AWSoP at least once on Italian TV broadcasting network RAI. TM was not a musician or a singer, he really was an actor, actually very popular in Italy. He originated from Central America (Cuba?). I don't know if he recorded AWSoP, it may be possible. (Leonardo Viani)

Mittoo, Jackie

On Jackie Mittoo in London (1967) reissued by Coxsone's Music City 8009 (Jorge Alberto Rivera Rojas)

Mohawks, the

I've never heard nor seen it, but it is written that "This is a Reggae version of the song. It is on the Star label, released as a 12" maxi for sure. There is no release date on the record, but I would calculate it to be about 1976." I've never heard of The Mohawks before. Maybe they have something to do with Essra Mohawk? (Jonny Moen)

Moore, R Stevie

On his latest album called Special Needs.  In case you are not familiar with Moore, you can learn pretty much all you need to know about this reclusive and mostly unknown genius. (Somewhat gnomic info from William McDonald)

Moore's eccentric version is well worth a listen as it is the only cover we know of that uses all four verses; also apparently on this compilation

Moreno, Mariano

ULTRA LOUNGE - ON THE ROCKS - PART ONE 2.51 1968 CD EASY LISTENING CLAVICEMBALO & VIOLIN A Whiter Shade Of Pale

Mr Sunshine

Recently issued in Eire: cover of AWSoP on 2-track CD by sixties-influenced Mr Sunshine (they also have a song called Fly Too Near the Sun) (Thanks, Sam)

Munich Machine introducing Chris Bennett

1978 produced by Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte on Hansa Records OASIS 5A; this got to No 42 in the UK charts in November 1978 ... the only cover of a PH record (apart from Annie Lennox's AWSoP and the Marc Almond featuring A Salty Dog, qv) to get in the top 50. (Thanks, Sam)

DISCOBOOM 5.30 1978 LP A Whiter Shade Of Pale

Nelson, Willie

on his 1982 You Were Always On My Mind album (Columbia 37951) did a duet version of AWSoP with fellow country legend and 'Outlaw' Waylon Jennings. If I'm not mistaken, the album may have gone platinum, even though Willie claims that 'The mirror told his tale', according to Gary Brooker. Read here why Nelson recorded AWSoP

Always On My Mind 4.02 1982 LP A Whiter Shade Of Pale

New Jordal Swingers

(Norway) on a special fanclub EP in 1980. Order no.is NJSFK 01.(Per Hermansen)

Here is a link to the song: Som skygger i et speil

New York Rock And Roll Ensemble, The

From their fifth and last album, Freedomburger, released in January, 1972. The band came out of the Julliard School of Music in 1967 as the New York Rock and Roll Ensemble, interspersing their brand of dance music with classical selections (mostly Bach), very often in the same song. They scored few FM hits such as Studeo Atlantis and Anaconda and were widely known for wearing tuxes and tails on stage. This version of AWSoP, which substitutes their oboe ensemble for the organ line, is no doubt a tribute to PH but there is little else in parallel between the two groups. The song features a soulful vocal by Michael Kamen (INSERT LINK HERE: Michael Kamen who continues to this day in a long career as a composer and arranger. He has also written dozens of movie scores, including such diverse films as Brazil, Lethal Weapon (1 to 40), and he put the opus in Mr. Holland's Opus. (Peter Froning, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA)

There is a 7" single (AWSoP on Side 1) from Germany dated 1972, CBS S8188, 3:35 min; side 2 is called Roll Over. (Juergen Thielisch)

Freedomburger 3.35 1972 LP A Whiter Shade Of Pale

Nicolletta

1967 / 68 A French version 'from the très belle chanteuse who sings with full Piaf - meets-Françoise Hardy French soul gusto with the full mouton. (Henry Scott-Irvine, see here); Sam Cameron says 'Nicoletta has 60s tracks on a series called Get Easy: The French Pops Collection: I don't know if AWSoP is on any of these; most likely the same Nicoletta has four CDs released in France and described as 'World Music': Gospel Voices, J'Attends J'apprend, Maser Serie, Ses plus grands suces

Nilsson,
Tommy

2005: Tommy Nilsson's Amelia on Sony/BMG contains the self-penned eponymous track (3.52) and a live A Whiter Shade of Pale (5:23) (Anders Johansson)

Click to see who played what ... Click to see handsome Tommy properly!

Nordisle Bois Orchestra

Twilight Sounds 1988 CD DC 8507 

Twilight Sounds 3.32 1987 CD Easy Listening Orquesta / Instrumental A Whiter Shade Of Pale

Norge, Kaare

The Danish classical guitarist has recently (1997) recorded a CD containing covers of well-known rock tunes such as Stairway To Heaven (used by the Danish equivalent to Telecom as a 'phone jingle). On this album he also recorded AWSoP, arranged for accoustic guitar and string quartet. Despite his name (Norge = Norway) he is not of Norwegian origin. More details here . (Niels-Erik Mortensen)

Nova Baroque Ensemble, The

Album: Those Were the Days on Superscope, Cassette number: A033-K (My copy is a typical American packed cassette, a plastic tray wrapped in the cardboard cover). Made in the USA. in the early 70s, doesn't say the year of release. 

A Whiter Shade of Pale is first track on side 2. In addition to the Mary Hopkin title track, you also find Largo (Handel), Yesterday (L/McC), Spring (from The Four Seasons) by Vivaldi, and two Bach compositions, among others. (Jonny Moen)

Nulle og Verdensorkestret

On the CD Little Yellow House by the band Nulle og Verdensorkestret (Nulle and the World Orchestra). The main man in this experienced combo is Elith 'Nulle' Nykjær, and judging from what I can find about this CD AWSoP is interpreted as a solo piece for clarinet. However Kjeld Lauritsen, an experience jazz Hammond organ player is also part of the band that for more than a decade has dabbled in World music with warmth, so one never knows.
 
The record is released by Olufen Records, Cat no. DOCD 5638 and can be ordered here, a website belonging to the label and its classical sister company. (thanks, Per)

Ohta, Herb

Read more about the work of this artist, who has over 40 albums to his credit, here

Overland

7" single, 3.14 minutes: Philips 1975, Nr: 6003 485. 'B' side: Still Waters (thanks, Hans)

P, Tommy

The first Danish version of AWSoP was recorded on an album by Tommy P (Petersen): Syng En Sang Om Evig Fred (Sing a Song of Eternal Peace), Starbox LX 72 005. This 1980-version is - according to my source - quite intolerable. The Danish words, by Tommy P. himself, translate AWSoP as Lev Hvert Sekund (Live In Every Second). (Lars Banke / Niels Erik Mortensen)

Pacemakers, Gerry and the

On 20 years, 20 songs: AWSOP, 4:29 long. This album seems a compilation, but I'd say it's more a re-recorded album instead of original takes. It must be from the 80s (sorry, my LP doesn't put any year of release) (Miguel Terol)

Maybe it's also on their 1986 self-titled album that came out on CD in 1994? (see here)

DEB1101 November 1982 UK: 20 year Anniversary Album, appears between I'll Be There and If on the running order ... and ... 

Gerry and the Pacemakers: 25th Anniversary Album. PACER PAC01 March 1987 UK appears between Oh My Love and Unchained Melody
It is extremely unlikely that AWSoP was ever recorded by the original lot of Pacemakers as they had pretty much ceased studio work by March 1967 so this will be a 1980s line up of Gerry and a bunch of young blokes brought in to back him. (thanks, Sam)

Todos Sus Exitos 4.34 1969 CD POP 60'S VOCES & ORGANO A Whiter Shade Of Pale

Palers' Band, the

The internationally-constituted scratch-band of Procoholics who played at the BtP Fans' Convention in Guildford 2000, tackled this and 24 other Procol numbers, now available on Nothing But The Sea Between Us, a legitimate souvenir double CD (GB contributes a track too): order online here.

Palers' Band, the

It was also played by the Palers' Band in Norway, May 2001: available on the CD How Far Can Sailors Fly, a legitimate souvenir CD: order online here.

Pan Pipe Favourites

2.50 1997 CD EASY LISTENING
A Whiter Shade Of Pale

Papetti, Fausto

Sax player. On the album All Time Favourits (1990) - Busy Music 845 002. Song is faultily-credited to Reeds / Broker

40 Canciones Para Recordar 2.37 1989 LP 

Pegah

16 year-old Pegah, a German girl of Iranian origin, now living in Berlin, has a local hit with this song: more detail here

Pepinos

Norwegian band in the 60s from the Hønefoss area. AWSoP recorded live 12.9.1998, and released on a Various Artists' CD called Reunion 1998 Live.

Pitts, Trudy and Martino, Pat

on CD Legend of Acid Jazz (Prestige PRCD 24208, 1999, reissue of old 1967 Prestige LP): Trudy Pitts: organ, vocals; Pat Martino: guitar; Bill Carney: drums; Abdu Johnson: conga. (Pierangelo Valenti); review here (thanks, Sam)

Legends Of Acid Jazz - Trudy Pitts With Pat Martino 3.10 1967 CD Jazz Voz & Organo A Whiter Shade Of Pale

This version was released originally in 1967 credited solely to Trudy Pitts (Although Marino appears along with Pitts and Bill Carney as part of the trio of performers) on These blues of mine (Prestige 7538) (Jorge Alberto Rivera Rojas)

Pop Tops, Los

LOS POP TOPS 4.00 1967 SG POP ESPAÑOL 60'S VOZ & ORGANO A Whiter Shade Of Pale (CON SU BLANCA PALIDEZ)

Portsmouth Sinfonia

20 Classic Rock Classics 1979 Album 

Potter, Nic

played bass for Van der Graaf Generator, later for Peter Hammil; made three solo albums, and AWSoP is on The Blue Zone (1990) DATE / LINE DACD 900891 with Peter Hammil and Snowy White on guitar. (thanks, Hermann)

Potts, Paul

Joan May draws our attention to an unusual cover in which an English singer (brought up in Bristol) performs the Italian version, Senza Luce. Joan writes, 'The song was recorded in grand operatic fashion,  complete with key change, and released in 2009 by on his CD Passione.  You may recognise him as the 2007 Britain's Got Talent  winner. Here he is on TV singing a slightly shorter version than on the album.'

Premiers

Senza Luce: Musical 101 PA, 1967 (Pierangelo Valenti)

Price, David

Accordion Magic 1986 PD004A Cassette 

Pro Cromagnum

Released in July 1967 in Germany, France, Spain and the Netherlands (all in different picture sleeves). Just a couple of British guys trying to make a quick buck. The b-side, Neurotic Saga, was written by one Blakeley according to the German and Dutch labels, by Burt Blakey and William Bennett according to the French and Spanish labels. On the French picture sleeve it even says: No. 1 au Hit-parade! (Frans Steensma)

Illustrated: A Whiter Shade of Pale ... on Polydor 9 108 in Germany, backed with Neurotic Saga

Like Probus Harlem and Prock Harson (qv) this is evidently a band hoping their soundalike name will cause them to be mistaken for the real thing.

Probus Harlem

This is an Italian band listed on a CD called Magic Bitpop # 18 (OSM 051) with cover versions of both AWSoP and Homburg. (Henrik Gottrup)

Prock Harson

on Stateside, and in Germany in June 1967 (Cornet 3030) (Frans Steensma)

Psychograss

on the album Psychograss Windham Hill CD 01934 11132 (1993): Tim O'Brien guest vocalist (of Tim and Molly O'Brien): review by Michael Parrish refers to '... a diverting, complex brand of acoustic swing that ... manages a stately, lyrical classicism all its own ... a counter-intuitive reworking of Procol Harum's Whiter Shade of Pale (classic rock as sentimental jazz ballad ...) ... evocative, compelling music ...' However it's hard to be impressed by O'Brien's 25th-anniversary opening verse:
Now it's twenty-five years later, for this crazy, loony song.
And I can't quite understand why it's been my head so long,
But the melody is perfect, and those times were crazy too. (How 'bout you?)
So let's sail off to that bar on Jupiter, because the crew is me and you.

Psychograss 5.54 1993 CD New Age - Cajun voz & violin A Whiter Shade Of Pale

Puhdys

The most famous and successful rock band of the German Democratic Republic released a "jubilee" album in 1989 (double vinyl) Jubilaeumsalbum AMIGA 856447/448. The 25 tracks of the album contained 13 rock classics, among these Born to be wild, Black Night, Paint it Black and AWSoP (thanks, Hermann)

If you follow this link you will find out that one of the writers is missing from A Whiter Shade of Pale! (Niels-Erik Mortensen)

Rebeldes, Los

Basicamente...Rebeldes 4.11 1995 Cd Pop Español Voz & Organo & Saxo A Whiter Shade Of Pale (Con Su Blanca Palidez)

Reflection

On the French 12" Atlantic 50 480 (1978), arranged by Jean Musy (António Alfaiate)

Revere, Paul, and the Raiders

Pseudonymously as Uncle Paul ? (see here)

Riot

NIGHT BREAKER 4.59 1994 CD HARD ROCK VOZ & GUITARRA A Whiter Shade Of Pale

Rivers, Johnny

1968 on the Realization Album - 1968 - Imperial Records (A Division of Liberty Records) - check out the boxed set on CD. Weedy vocals but pure 1960's big-sound-trash-pop with awe inspiring Hammond playing. Cheesy but really brilliant! (thanks, Henry Scott-Irvine)

Anthology 1964 - 1977 5.38 1968 CD rock 60s voz & organo A Whiter Shade Of Pale

Roos, Lars

Roos 'is a Swedish "Richard Clayderman"' (Bengt Mjöberg)

Roses of Romance Orchestra

7" single 1982: Luna 3 

Roth, Arlen

on the album Toolin' Around

Toolin' Around 5.22 1993 CD

Royal Marines Commando Forces Band

Kaleidoscope 1992 CD BNA 5064 

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

Click the image of 15 Pop Greats for further information, including a sound-clip (Niels-Erik Mortensen)

Ryan, Lloyd

The Pulse of Time 1977 Album SPVK 003 

Sabine

A Whiter Shade Of Pale 6.52 1995 MX MAQUINA VOZ & SINTETIZADOR A Whiter Shade Of Pale

Sadden & DJ Guille

BLANCO Y NEGRO MIX 2 6.21 1995 CD MAQUINA MEZCLAS A Whiter Shade Of Pale

Sahm, Doug

Live 1988 BTCD 971401 CD 

Live 5.07 1988 CD Tex-mex voz & organo A Whiter Shade Of Pale

Salvajes, Los

LOS SALVAJES 5.50 1994 CD POP ESPAÑOL VOZ & ORGANO & GUITARRA A Whiter Shade Of Pale (CON SU BLANCA PALIDEZ)

Sands, Tommy

On the album To Shorten The Winter: An Irish Christmas. This isn't the same Tommy Sands (writes Joan May) who was a famous American teeny-bop star in the 50s or early '60s, but rather a contemporary Irish (I think) gent. You can hear his whole cover online: AWSoP is 12 minutes and 40 seconds in, and lasts almost 6 minutes. Interesting sound on those pipes. Nice ending. It's also available from Amazon.com.

Living Tradition magazine (Issue 48) has a review of Tommy Sands's new album To Shorten the Winter, Green Linnet GLCD 1212. Part of the review reads: 'While none of Tommy's songs really stood out for me, a couple of tracks really blew me away. Both were old favourites: but the first rarely heard in a folk club. A Whiter Shade of Pale always WAS, of course, high class HOKUM. But wonderfully heady stuff, as performed by Procol Harum. Surely, they laid down the definitive version, some 35 years ago? Well, yes. That is what I always thought. Until I heard this. Lordy, Lordy! Instead of the organ break, you have Liam O'Flynn's uillean pipes. Golly, you don't need to read the liner notes: as soon as he arrives on the scene, from the first note you just know it is O'Flynn!' (Alick Leslie)

Sax'n'Drawbars

For the first time (June 1999), a Danish band has recorded AWSoP. The magnificent event occurs on a début album of some kind of a "laid-back" jazz-party CD including (only) medleys of 50 (!) popular songs with a jazzy feel. This is how the recording company, Sundance Records, presents the CD: "The CD dances through a forest of beautiful melodies from every corner of the world. And every tune is a picture of daring. Benjamin's sax capers as deftly through the Rod Stewart classic Do You Think I'm Sexy as it does through Sinatra's immortal New York, New York. It's laid-back and audacious all at once. It's Music to Watch Girls or Boys By", it's music for a bottle of vintage red wine, a long car ride or a good pair of headphones. It's a swinging and pleasant musical alternative. Benjamin Koppel - Saxophone, Dan Hemmer - Hammond organ, Jacob Andersen - Percussion, Jesper Mechlenburg - Drums; "Party music for Skyscrapers!" - and others! 50 tracks - 80 minutes of music! It's Now, It's Wow!" (Niels-Erik Mortensen)

Schneider, Helge
and the Firefuckers

The Helge Schneider cover of AWSoP is quite funny. It's sung in English, but in a very thick German accent. It's played fast in an almost disco-reggae (!) style. Very funny trumpet and vocal lines echo the organ theme. The CD also features similar treatments of Knights in White Satin, Ebony & Ivory, Copacabana and the old classic Whispering. Think Spike Jones / Zappa / Weird Al Yankovich and Corporal Klinger ... you'll begin to get the idea! (Bert Saraco)

Shadows, The

I've got two different albums, and both feature AWSoP : the songs contained in both CDs sound exactly the same. Same running length too (4:59). But the musicians listed are different! One credits Alan Hawkshaw as keyboardist, the other assumes it's Cliff Hall.

The Shadows - XXV (copyright: 1983 Roll Over Records Limited, copyright: Polydor Ltd (London) 1987): in fact, it's a Polydor release: 815 607-2, Made in West Germany.
Relevant musicians credits: Guitar & vocals: Hank Marvin, Bruce Welch; Drums & percussion: Brian Bennett; Bass guitar: Alan Jones; all keyboards: Cliff Hall, except in 3 songs, one being AWSoP: keyboards on this are credited to Alan Hawkshaw. 

The Shadows - Moonlight Shadows
"This compilation, production: 1986 Roll Over Records Ltd, Copyright: Polydor Ltd. London" But the musicians credits are slightly different:
Hank Marvin: lead guitar; Bruce Welch: rhythm guitar; Brian Bennett: drums & percussion; Cliff Hall: keyboards; with Paul Westwood: bass guitar (except some tracks, played by Alan Jones, and Jones is credited on AWSoP). The reference is a Polydor album: "829 358-2 Made in W.Germany by PolyGram" (Miguel Terol)

Dancing In The Dark 5.02 1983 Cd Pop Rock Guitarra & Organo / Instrumental A Whiter Shade Of Pale

Shearston, Gary

1976 BIG559 Transatlantic: single produced by Hugh Murphy. This did get radio play in the UK though not a hit. I've just played my original copy: Noel Coward in an Australian accent with silly 'light' music backing vocals chorusing at various unexpected points in the words (e g 'truth is plain to see') set to a neo-reggae beat with a pedal steel guitar (surely not BJ Cole?) which plays a solo in the middle (Sam Cameron)

Shelly, Alan, and
Manu Dibango's Brothers


On the EP Les Orgues d'Antan "La Premiere Version Francaise de A Whiter Shade Of Pale" (France: Philips 437.362 BE) EP. There is no year of publication on this EP, writes Lars Banke, but on the rear sleeve the date "26.7.67" is added in handwriting. This certainly tallies with the boast that it is 'the first French version of AWSoP'

Sir Doug Saldana

Deep in the Heart of Texas Various Artists 1994 CDZ2016 

Sir Douglas Quintet

late 1970s / early 1980s (see here): Sam Cameron tells us that Sir Douglas does not seem to have done it with SDQ: rather it is on Doug Sahm Live (see above)

Kansas City 5.11 1992 CD Tex-Mex Voz & Organo A Whiter Shade Of Pale

Sledge, Percy

1967 on Stax / Volt (Atlantic). Released and deleted within two weeks, Henry Scott-Irvine advises us. It also slipped out by accident on a 1970s compilation which, when discovered, was subsequently deleted. Apparently this a quite brill version! Re-recorded by Percy in 1991 / 92 in LA as a quite dire syrupy technically muso piece of sterile perfection. (see here)

24 Greatest Hits 3.43 1967 Cd Pop 60's Voz & Organo A Whiter Shade Of Pale

Slovacek, Felix

The Very Best of, Supraphon 1113 2713: Czech, 1980

Sonnier, Jo-El

on the album Here to Stay, 1998, Platinum / Intersound Country 15095 9296 2. They list the song as Whiter Shade of Pale: except for this, as noted below, it's a pretty good Cajun / Country album. It includes a song called No More One More Time, which was apparently a favorite audience shout during some of those '90s Procol shows! WSoP [sic] is, unfortunately, the second worst song on the album, beat out only by I Can Help (Billy Swan). Musically, WSoP [sic] is actually pretty promising, featuring some nice accordion, organ, and drums. Lyrically, it falls apart, as we get what sounds like (and I'm not making this up):
'....And so he was the waiter 
As the mirror told its tale 
That our faces first just ghostly 
Turned a whiter shade of pale'
(With 'the mirror told its tale,' I guess that Jo-El thought he was actually covering Willie Nelson's cover of AWSoP) (Pat Keating)

Here To Stay 4.54 1998 CD Country Cajun Voz & Acordeon A Whiter Shade Of Pale

Sormorock

Slidin' in the Sand (2013) Band from Italy: CD here

Stars Unlimited

SINGERS YOUR SONG-20 GOLDEN ROMANTIC SONGS 4.06 1985 CD EASY LISTENING VOCES & ORQUESTA A Whiter Shade Of Pale

Stop Singles Collection, Los

3.43 1968 CD POP ESPAÑOL 60'S VOZ & ORGANO A Whiter Shade Of Pale (CON SU BLANCA PALIDEZ)

Stop, Los

A Spanish band who sing (in Spanish) Con Su Blanca Palidez on the Spanish EP Belter 51.835 (1967) (António Alfaiate)

Strong, Barrett

On the album Strong Hold 2 (2001?) on his own label. Heavy pounding gospel piano. (Unsteady Freddie)

Stucky, Erika

Erika Stucky is a Swiss-American performer between Jazz & Pop, only accompanied by a little bit of brass, on her 2004 CD Lovebites. Strange, but true. (Jochen Schmoldt) 

Sullivan, Big Jim

on an abomination called Sitar Beat; he is a musician who was often featured on the Tom Jones show, and yes, it's all pop sitar music. Yes, it's as lame as you might guess. All instrumental. Even at twelve, when I first heard it, I was perversely amused by how horrible it was as a concept. My brother brought this one home from college. I believe it came out on Mercury Records very late '67 or early '68. (Oleh Bandura)

Sylvester

On Scratch my flower (BTS 45), 1973 (Jorge Alberto Rivera Rojas) 

Syme, David

on album Rock Formations, JB-1005-2 (1995) (Jorge Alberto Rivera Rojas)

Tea Rose Duo

on the album Easy Winners, arranged by John Drake, alongside Debussy, Brahms, Strauss, Gershwin, Mozart, Mascagni, and lots of light music (thanks, Kerry)

Telstars, The

A band from Sweden, who released AWSoP (b/w Whole Lot Of Shakin' Going On) on Nashville Records (NS 859) in 1967

Time Machine

Summer of Love 1988 Mini LP NRIC 056 

Titiyo

This young Swedish soul (and sometimes rap / hip-hop / whatever) singer (generally saluted as the best in the country) used AWSoP for Before The Day on the CD Extended, released late 1997.

This is not a cover, and not really a sampling either. Titiyo is singing her own melody over Matthew's organ melody which in this context has the character of a second part, counterpoint-type melody. It's rather tasteful and not very obvious. The chords and bassline are the same, but the orchestration / arrangement (and text!) is quite different. So AWSoP is not used in the way many other artists sample well-known tunes, simply to attract recognition; but rather as a basis for an independent work of art.

There single and album versions of this song differs, the album version being much closer to AWSoP than the other. In that recording, Matthew's melody can be heard continously, played on an synth / organ with a glockenspiel-type sound (maybe Titiyo had heard the Annie Lennox version first). At the end the other instruments fade out and the melody becomes very obvious.

In the single version, you can't hear Matthew's melody at all (but the harmonies are the same, of course). It is faster, with a lot of kettledrums, and made the Swedish charts late in 1997, but not for long and not very high. Can't help thinking the album version would have been a greater success.

There is no credit on the CD cover for PH, for Brooker, Reid (and sadly of course not for Matthew either!) or any other mention of AWSoP. That would have been appropriate, IMO. (Jonas Søderstrøm)

Topmost

1967 as Merisairaat Kasvot (Finnish lyrics by Jyrki Lindström)

Toussaint, Allen

see here; in 1992 the Allen Toussaint Orchestra put out two potboilers called 20 Golden Love Themes and The Sound of Movies on CD: fair chance it's on the first of those as AWSoP does crop up on 'love' albums (Sam Cameron)

Trim, Phill

SENTADO EN EL MUELLE DE LA BAHIA 5.02 1994 CD POP ESPAÑOL VOZ & ORGANO & GUITARRA A Whiter Shade Of Pale (CON SU BLANCA PALIDEZ)

Tyler, Bonnie

on Nightriding: Bonnie Tyler 1990 CD 10020 and It's a Heartache 1994 CD 5507282 but (says Sam Cameron) these are compilations, not the original source: it was first released on Goodbye to the Island. 1981 RCALP 5002; it's out again (November 1998) on SELCD [Sequel] Heartbreakers 

GOODBYE TO THE ISLAND 4.29 1981 CD POP ROCK VOZ & PIANO & GUITARRA A Whiter Shade Of Pale

van Dyke, Louis

On When a man loves a woman (CBS 63833) - no date (Jorge Alberto Rivera Rojas)

Van Leer, Thijs

best known for his work with the Dutch group 'Focus'. The song is on his CD Bolero

Vandelli - Dik Dik - Camaleonti

MIXAGE 93 4.43 1993 K7 Pop Italiano Base Melodia A Whiter Shade Of Pale (Come Passa Il Tempo)

Vanlla Fudge

From Vanilla Fudge's LP, released 2015, Spirit of'67  Barcode: 741157221916 (thanks, Lars Johansson) Listen here ... lots of Hammond but no sign of the original intro music

Various Artists

Get on Down 1983 LP BATLM 1: when Paul Gambaccini interviewed GB on BBC Radio 4's arts programme, Kaleidoscope, just before the Barbican concert in 1996 Gary said a French disco version had just appeared in a film. This is a rap album and could therefore be the rap version, although its AWSoP is listed as by Procol Harum on reference works (Sam Cameron)

Various Artists

Karaoke Top 10 Hits of the 60's 1994/10 CD CC8246: ASWoP comes between : Private Number and Seven Little Girls Sitting in the Back Seat (Sam Cameron)

Various Artists

80 Super Backtracks 1989 SBTCD 801: AWSoP comes between If You're Going to San Francisco and Daydream Believer (Sam Cameron)

Vibrating Egg

On the 12" EP entitled Come On In Here If You Want To. Released in 1988 on the obscure, independent "Dog Gone Records" label from Athens, Georgia, #333. 

Beautiful black on white labels with picture of dog and ducks in a field! Self-produced. Members include "such household names" as Herculon Velveteen, Poopalop and the Eunuch Bastard Choir ! 5 great tunes, in total 20 minutes of music, including "a cool, unique rendition of the classic AWSoP". Amazing mix of psych with some fuzz, punk, sort of a punk-rockabilly hybrid and a weird spiritual with great, echoey harmony! Major garage, but with really inventive arranging and some excellent playing!

Vikingarna

A version by the Swedish dance band ...

Vou, Daniel

LEVANDO A VIDA 5.02 1999 CD POP BRASILEÑO VOZ & ORGANO A Whiter Shade Of Pale (AO MEU LADO OUTRA VEZ)

Wailing Souls

Psychedelic Souls 1998 

Joan May writes: I love this version - more for the reggae stylings than for the arrangement of AWSoP. I think no-one can top the original version of that song, not even Procol, definitely not another band, but I'm crazy about Roots Reggae and this beautifully represents that style (or stylee <G>). 

Psychedelic Souls 4.16 1998 CD REGGAE VOZ & ORGANO A Whiter Shade Of Pale

Webber, Merlene

A reggae version. See John Peel's opinion on cover versions here (thanks Ian)

Wendroff, Michael

Kiss The World Goodbye on Ariola (Number unknown, 1978); Wendroff sang and produced an album in 1975 Café de Paris with Les Variations and sang on Lou Reed's Coney Island Baby in 1976. On Kiss the World Goodbye later Kiss member Bruce Kulick plays guitar. (thanks, Hermann)

Werner, Muller, & His Orchestra

Golden Sounds 1988 426649 Cassette 

Wess (Johnson)

as Senza Luce (1967, Durium) Italian words by 'Mogol' (Giulio Rapetti) 

I Love Italia 4.00 1970 CD (Senza Luce)

I Miei Giorni Felici 4.10 1999

Williams, Pat

On the album entitled: Heavy Vibrations on Verve Catalog no.: Lp #V6-5075 (Stereo, blue label) (Jonny Moen)

Wunderlich, Klaus

Wersi Time 2, Wersi Records, Germany (197?) 
Songs included, among others: The Theme from Shaft, Rock around the Clock, AWSoP and Deep Purple, all performed on the Wersi Organ. 

It comes in a gate-fold cover which includes an 8 page music booklet written in both German and English. It also has photos of the electronic components within the organ. (Jonny Moen)

The Very Best Of Klaus Wunderlich 1.42 1989 CD Easy Listening Organo Instrumental A Whiter Shade Of Pale

Wylde, Zakk
and Black Label Society

The Ozzy Osbourne axeman records AWSoP as a hugely-emoted ballad with solo piano backing on his Hangover Music VI album (2004)

Xavi Garriga

100 ANYS DE CANÇONS 3.30 1999 VHS POP ESPAÑOL VOZ & ORGANO A Whiter Shade Of Pale

Yo La Tengo

Radio Broadcast. WFMU Studios. East Orange. New Jersey. March 8 1997. File under 'disrespectful'. 

No official release of this exists. This is 90 minutes of Yo La Tengo mostly larking round with covers from a ludicrously diverse range of artists. The AWSoP cover comes in a segment, where they don't seem to know the original works, which begins with Madonna's Like a Virgin. AWSoP is fairly shambolic with the 'organ' part sounding like a children's toy Bontempi organ as long-ago marketed in the UK. The guitarist seems to be taking it seriously but the drumming is of a derisory sarcastic 'do I have to play this rubbish' idiom. The (male) vocal starts fairly seriously but degenerates into deliberate out-of-tune mockery. If you are even a moderately-easily-offended Procol Harum sanctifier then you don't want to hear this. (Sam Cameron)

Zsapka, Josef

Golden Era Opus 9313, in Czechoslovakia, 1985

Zucchero

(all other particulars unknown)

Zulema

ZULEMA 5.27 1975 LP SOUL VOZ & PIANO A Whiter Shade Of Pale

 


More covers of different PH songs

 


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