45 R.P.M.: A WHITER SHADE OF PALE

HIT-7021 S, King Record Co. Ltd., Japan. P '74-2. Recorded by Riviera (France)

1. A Whiter Shade of Pale (2:42) (F)
   
2. Aranjuez (2:44) (L)
   

    SLEEVE NOTES:

    The Raymond Lefebvre Grand Orchestra, well-known to pop music fans in France and around the world for its many hit numbers such as "Âme Câline," "Queen of Sheba," and "Concerto Pour Une Voix," will visit Japan in March when the country is in full bloom.

    Here is one of the six recordings of Lefebvre's hit numbers organized to commemorate the orchestra's visit to Japan.

    The charm of Lefebvre's orchestras lies in their sound, which is composed of lyrical melodies created by strings and wrapped in a rock 'n' roll oblique. In his youth, Lefèvre, the creator of this rich musical sound, dreamed of becoming a classical musician and performing on stage.

    However, while studying at a music conservatory, he fell under the spell of jazz at a nightclub where he worked part-time.

    Lefebvre's entry into the world of pop music, accompanied by Dalida, gave him the opportunity to make a great leap forward in the pop music world, and he has established his current position as the top maestro of easy listening. I believe that he reached this point not only because he was blessed with good opportunities, but also because of his own abundant musicality and creativity.

    I am looking forward to hearing what he has in store for us during his visit to Japan.

    Well, this coupling is two songs based on classical melodies, but you can enjoy the unique sound of Lefebvre's orchestra.

A Whiter Shade of Pale:
    This song is well known as the debut hit number of the popular British group Procol Harum, with lyrics by Kace Laird and music by the group's leader, Gary Brooker.

    Brooker incorporated the melody from Bach's Cantata No. 140, "Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme, BWV 140," into the song, creating a unique sound that combined baroque and rock music, which may have been the reason the song became a hit in the UK and the US in the summer of 1967, It was a huge hit, especially in the U.S., and catapulted Procol Harum to stardom.

    Raymond Lefebvre and his orchestra create a haunting sound on top of the wonderful mood of baroque music.

Aranjuez:
    Aranjuez is the name of an old Spanish town, and this song is based on the melody of the theme of the second movement of the "Aranjuez Concerto" composed for guitar and orchestra by Joaquin Rodrigo, a Spanish blind composer and guitarist born in 1902. It began to become a hit in the beginning of 1968.

    Lefebvre, making use of the classical guitar, creates a romantic mood.

Fumio Ueki

Recorded by RIVIERA, France

Note: Translation made by online translator.