Exotic Birds and Fruit

Exotic Birds and Fruit is the seventh full-length studio album by British progressive rock band Procol Harum. It was released in 1974. Of special note is the release of the album in Argentina, calling the album "Pájaros Y Frutas Exóticas" (literally translated as "Birds and Exotic Fruit"). The cover artwork for the album is by Jakob Bogdani, a noted Hungarian artist whose paintings centred on exotic birds and fruit.

Exotic Birds and Fruit
Studio album by
Procol Harum
ReleasedApril 1974
Recorded1973–1974
StudioAir Studios, London
GenreProgressive rock, symphonic rock
Length37:00
LabelChrysalis
ProducerChris Thomas
Procol Harum chronology
Grand Hotel
(1973)		 Exotic Birds and Fruit
(1974)		 Procol's Ninth
(1975)
Singles from Exotic Birds and Fruit
  1. "Nothing but the Truth"
    Released: 1974
  2. "As Strong as Samson"
    Released: 1974
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
Rolling Stone(not rated)[2]

Recording

Collaborating again with producer Chris Thomas, Procol Harum the band recorded the album at George Martin's Air London Studios in London. According to singer/songwriter/piano player and band leader 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

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 nearly a year later 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" back with the single only B-side track "Drunk Again".

2009 Salvo reissue

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

All music by Gary Brooker, all lyrics by Keith Reid.

Side one
No.TitleLength
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
Side two
No.TitleLength
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
Bonus tracks on 2000 and 2009 reissue:
No.TitleLength
10."Drunk Again" (B-side)4:31
11."As Strong as Samson" (single version)3:46
Bonus tracks on 2004 reissue:
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
11."The Blue Danube"Johann Strauss II; arranged by Gary Brooker9:12

Personnel

Production

Release history
Region Date Label Format Catalog
Spain 1974 Chrysalis Records stereo LP 63 07 531
North America 2004 Friday Music remastered CD Friday Music 1021
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References
  1. https://www.allmusic.com/album/exotic-birds-and-fruit-mw0000236650
  2. Niester, Alan (2011). "Rolling Stone : Procol Harum: Exotic Birds & Fruit : Music Reviews". web.archive.org. Archived from the original on 2 June 2007. Retrieved 12 August 2011.
  3. Brooker interview, Patrick Humphries 2009 for Salvo reissue of "Exotic Birds and Fruits"
  4. Patrick Humphries, 2009
  5. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 1 October 2009. Retrieved 30 July 2019.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  6. http://danskehitlister.dk/?song_id=1863
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