Procol Harum

Artist: Procol Harum

LP: Exotic Birds and Fruit

Song: "As Strong As Samson"

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Song: "The Thin End of the Wedge"

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Song: "Fresh Fruit"

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Speaking of classic bands I'm just now finally getting into: Digging up a terrific Procol Harum single (no, not "A Whiter Shade of Pale") at my local record store a month or two ago prompted me to embark on a mini-binge, buying just about all of the group's early LPs, which the store just happened to have used copies of in stock. "Exotic Birds and Fruit" is Procol Harum's 7th LP, released in 1974. Peaking at only #86 on the US album charts, it was their least successful record up to that point...which, as we now know, probably means it was their best one so far!

Formed in 1967, Procol Harum is one of those bands whose name I'd heard and whose records I'd seen over the years, but I'd just never bothered looking into them. (Others are Three Dog Night, UFO, Uriah Heep...there are a bunch of them.) Anyway, these guys are good. I'm glad I've finally added some of their stuff to my collection! You can read about Procol Harum here, and there's info on this particular record right here.

 

[ Procol Harum ]

Paul Parker

Artist: Paul Parker

LP: Too Much to Dream
Song: "Baby You Can Have My Lovin' Anytime"
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Song: "Too Much to Dream"
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Song: "Nighthawk"
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It took three gay disco songs to wake me up this morning. Paul Parker's invigorating LP was produced by Patrick Cowley and released on Castro Street's Megatone Records in 1983. You can read a little about Parker's music and career here and then read a lot more here, while listening to some auto-play '80s radio. You can visit Paul Parker's webpage and hear samples of his new songs "Don't Stop (What You're Doing to Me)," "I'm Letting Go" and "I'll Be That Man" by clicking here. LP cover photo by Garry Gay.

Armenia

while posting the Armen tracks below, I discovered I was a little mixed up as to Armenia's location in the world (I was confusing it with Albania). I did a Google image search and found some maps and also this beautiful picture of Armenia's Mount Ararat with a guy holding some grapes.