Classic Song 36 - Procol Harum "In Held 'Twas In I"

Let's talk about classic music.

And when I say classic, I mean progressive.

Introducing the very first 'prog rock' masterpiece:

"In Held 'Twas In I" by the immortal Procol Harum.

Recorded and released in '68, "IHTII" is a five movement,

17 minute suite that set a new standard for rock music,

heralding the coming of a vital and very complex 

style of music, which came to be known

as progressive or prog rock.

When my brother Rod bought and brought home 

Procol Harum's second album, Shine On Brightly,

neither he nor I had any inkling as to the content

on side two of the LP, since side one consisted 

of five powerful, yet concise compositions,

including the single,"Quite Rightly So".

As with their debut album (as well as with 

all of their subsequent releases), all lyrics were 

penned by Procol Harum's sixth band member, 

leader/composer Gary Brooker's trusty and 

enigmatic writing partner, Keith Reid.

Originally entitled "Magnum Harum", 

Reid retitled the piece, using the first lyric 

of each movement to form the acronym,

"In Held 'Twas In I".

Cited by The Who's Pete Townshend as a 

major inspiration for his band's masterpiece, 

the rock opera Tommy, "IHTII" hit this very

impressionable British Columbian square between 

the ears. During my very first listen (through Rod's 

headphones), I can still remember getting totally 

swept away by the emotional, near-symphonic 

fifth movement, "Grand Finale".

To say I was completely overwhelmed 

would be a major understatement.

As the final notes of the piece faded and I 

took off the headphones, I started to cry.

I guess I'm still just a sappy, ol' prog dawg.

Here's one of my all time favourite 

pieces of music, "In Held 'Twas In I", 

posted for you in two sections.

Mozz the Elder

www.vapormusic.com