The organist in Procol Harum just won a court case, granting him 40% copyright ownership of the song. Who knows what the real story is but the lead singer is pissed. The organist waited 40 years to gripe about it? Whatever... the British court ruled for the organist. Millions are at stake, I am sure. The singer can appeal, though.

Funny, they barely mention the other copyright co-owner, the lyricist. They didn't break it down but I guess it means the organist gets 40% and the singer and lyricist split the other 60%? I dunno... that would make the organist the largest share-holder.

The singer claimed that the song was written before the organist joined the band. It would be interesting to actually read the transcript of the three weeks of testimony.

Case background

Case settled

------------------
Bill
SmallGig.com

Bill ... I was just looking at your smallgigs site ... I think you want the first word in the 'greeting' to be "Hello", not "Hell", no ?!? ...
t.

Oops. Will fix.

------------------
Bill
SmallGig.com

I've been in love with that song since 1968 or so, and it's BECAUSE of the organ. I have NO idea what the hell I'm singing about, but I just love the classic
(Bach-inspired ?) organ riff.
....Do you think the "Miller's Tale" line is about the Chaucer story ? ( VERY funny tale ! )

Isn't it called "Whiter shade of pale"

Actually it is called "A Whiter Shade of Pale"...often abbreviated to the acronym "AWSoP".

Great tune and required repetoire of every keyboardist.

All the best,

Ian

------------------
Remember to leave good news alone.

I can't type lately, but, even more noteworthy, I can't edit a title, as far as I can tell.

------------------
Bill
SmallGig.com

. . . and wouldn't it be even more interesting if an early demo, sans organ riff, showed up?

Wow, here is a detailed opinion of the trial. I'm talking about... it's like a small book!

------------------
Bill
SmallGig.com

Zuki,
Were you refering to my "Miller's Tale" referance? I'm talking about a line from the song,a nd not the title.

UD - No, I was just teasing Semi-Live

Happy Holidays,

zuki

Time to stir the pot....

Quite a few years ago, when "Phantom" was in performance, they were telecasting the various film versions, going all the way back to the silent era. (with piano accompanyment.)
I was surprised to hear two distinct melodic chord progressions. One was definitely what we've come to know and love as "Whiter Shade of Pale" the other was what we have heard as Barry Manillow's "Could This Be The Magic".
I'm sitting there with 2 of my bandmates (we're all theatre buffs) and we all looked at one another at the same time as if to say "Are you hearing....what I'm hearing?"
If I could ever find the soundtrack to the silent film of Phantom of the Opera, I'd post it for you to hear.

okay....I'll crawl back in my hole now....


------------------
...shboom