A Whiter Shade of Pale

[ossiblue]

One of my all time favorite songs from any era.

The lines of the chorus,

"Her face, at first just ghostly,
Turned a whiter shade of pale."

are brilliant, IMO. I thought the original recording was perfect, but the clip you posted is even better.

Thanks, Mark.

[flatbutt]

Can't remember the year (maybe '68?) but we were rehearsing this song and I had done some transcribing to make my bass line more resonant. It was one of those summer nights when everything was just right. A group of kids wandered into the yard to listen to us and this hippy chick sat down in front of me. She was my kind of pretty you know, and we dated for the rest of the year. It's a good memory.

[M.D. Holloway]

Top ten all time best songs, thanks Mark!

[ckelly78z]

Wow, he can still nail the high notes....what a perfect rendition, thanks.

[jyl]

Classic song. Over produced but I think that every time someone brings an entire orchestra and choir to back up a five man band playing a three minute pop tune. Voice, well, any one of the choir could sing circles around him.

[shadowjack1]

Vestal Virgins( Latin: Vestales) were the priestesses of the Roman goddess of the hearth, Vesta, in the state religion of ancient Rome.

[stealthn]

Thanks for that

[ossiblue]

Just a note.

The song, is about a drunken attempt at seduction, gone awry, and includes two more verses that have never been recorded together. Interesting to read them, but I would like to hear a complete version just because...

[Rodsrsr]

I always liked Sarah Brightmans version. Plus she's easier on the eyes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ToU5OshV4g

[tabs]

"Cerdes (Outside The Gates Of)"

Outside the gates of Cerdes sits the two-pronged unicorn
who plays at relaxation time a rhinestone flugelhorn
whilst mermaids lace carnations into wreaths for ailing whales
and Neptune dances hornpipes while Salome sheds her veils
Phallus Phil tries peddling his pewter painted pot
but Sousa Sam can only hear the screams of Peep the sot
who only sips his creme de menthe from terra cotta cups
and exhales menthol scented breath whilst spewing verbiage up
Down technical blind alleys live the wraiths of former dreams
And Greeps who often crossed them are no longer what they seem
And even Christian Scientists can but display marble plaques
Which only retell legends whilst my eyes reach out for facts
Yeah, my eyes reach out for facts


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBpK-AKlGtw

[flatbutt]

Originally Posted by Rodsrsr

I always liked Sarah Brightmans version. Plus she's easier on the eyes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ToU5OshV4g

yes she is but talk about over production.

[cstreit]

This one makes me meloncholy every time. No idea why... love it though.

[Rtrorkt]

"as the miller told his story". Canterbury Tales reference methinks

[esample]

Great song but I'll take the Hammond version. Thank you very much.

[M.D. Holloway]

Originally Posted by ossiblue

Just a note.

The song, is about a drunken attempt at seduction, gone awry, and includes two more verses that have never been recorded together. Interesting to read them, but I would like to hear a complete version just because...

Here ya go

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4TtgUncy6M

[shadowjack1]

^^^^ That was great, never heard the other verses.
Thanks Mr. Holloway

[ossiblue]

Originally Posted by M.D. Holloway

Here ya go

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4TtgUncy6M

Thanks for that, M.D. I've never heard it all together before.

[kach22i]

Good stuff, thanks for the posts guys.