Exotic Birds and Fruit
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (June 2023) |
| Exotic Birds and Fruit | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | April 1974 | |||
| Recorded | 1973–1974 | |||
| Studio | AIR, London | |||
| Genre | Progressive rock, symphonic rock | |||
| Length | 37:00 | |||
| Label | Chrysalis | |||
| Producer | Chris Thomas | |||
| Procol Harum chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Singles from Exotic Birds and Fruit | ||||
| ||||
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |    [1] |
| Rolling Stone | (not rated)[2] |
Exotic Birds and Fruit is the seventh studio album by British progressive rock band Procol Harum. It was released in 1974. The cover artwork for the album is by Jakob Bogdani, a noted Hungarian artist whose paintings centred on exotic birds and fruit.
In Argentina, the album was titled Pájaros Y Frutas Exóticas (literally translated as "Birds and Exotic Fruit").
Recording[edit]
| This section needs additional citations for verification. (January 2019) |
Collaborating again with producer Chris Thomas, Procol Harum recorded the album at George Martin's Air London Studios in London. According to singer/songwriter/piano player and bandleader Gary Brooker, the album was recorded in reaction to the two preceding albums which used extensive orchestration. Brooker stated, "We made the live album with an orchestra. We'd then taken the orchestra into the studio for 'Grand Hotel'...we'd had enough of orchestras".[3]
The album features the song "Butterfly Boys", written about the founders of the band's record label at the time, Chrysalis. The band were unhappy with the terms of their contract and expressed that frustration in song.
Reception[edit]
Exotic Birds and Fruit met with a good critical reception[4] but only rose to No. 86 on the Billboard album charts.[5] In Denmark, it peaked at #9 upon release, and in early 1975 it re-entered the Top 20 peaking at #19.[6] The album was preceded by the single release of the opening track, "Nothing but the Truth", backed with the single-only B-side track "Drunk Again".
2009 Salvo reissue[edit]
In 2009 Salvo reissued Procol Harum's entire discography on CD remastered by Nick Robbins. The reissue for Exotic Birds and Fruit included two bonus tracks selected by Brooker and Keith Reid. "Drunk Again", the B-side to the single "Nothing but the Truth", appeared on CD along with an alternate mix of "As Strong as Samson".
Track listing[edit]
All music by Gary Brooker, all lyrics by Keith Reid.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Nothing but the Truth" | 3:13 |
| 2. | "Beyond the Pale" | 3:03 |
| 3. | "As Strong as Samson" | 5:05 |
| 4. | "The Idol" | 6:38 |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 5. | "The Thin End of the Wedge" | 3:44 |
| 6. | "Monsieur R. Monde" | 3:40 |
| 7. | "Fresh Fruit" | 3:05 |
| 8. | "Butterfly Boys" | 4:25 |
| 9. | "New Lamps for Old" | 4:07 |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 10. | "Drunk Again" (B-side) | 4:31 |
| 11. | "As Strong as Samson" (single version) | 3:46 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11. | "The Blue Danube" | Johann Strauss II; arranged by Gary Brooker | 9:12 |
Charts[edit]
| Chart (1974) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (Kent Music Report)[7] | 82 |
| United States (Billboard 200) | 86 |
Personnel[edit]
- Procol Harum
- Gary Brooker – vocals, piano
- Mick Grabham – guitar
- BJ Cole – pedal steel guitar track 3
- Chris Copping – organ
- Alan Cartwright – bass guitar
- B. J. Wilson – drums
Production[edit]
- Produced By Chris Thomas
- Engineer: John Punter
Release history[edit]
| Region | Date | Label | Format | Catalog |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spain | 1974 | Chrysalis Records | stereo LP | 63 07 531 |
| North America | 2004 | Friday Music | remastered CD | Friday Music 1021 |
References[edit]
- ^ "Exotic Birds and Fruit – Procol Harum | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic.
- ^ Niester, Alan (2011). "Rolling Stone : Procol Harum: Exotic Birds & Fruit : Music Reviews". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 2 June 2007. Retrieved 12 August 2011.
- ^ Brooker interview, Patrick Humphries 2009 for Salvo reissue of "Exotic Birds and Fruits"
- ^ Patrick Humphries, 2009
- ^ "Allmusic". Archived from the original on 1 October 2009. Retrieved 30 July 2019.
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 10 April 2016. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 241. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
External links[edit]
- ProcolHarum.com – ProcolHarum.com's page on this album
