Gary Brooker‘s passing on February 19th, 2022 robbed the world of one of the greatest songwriters and a fabulous human being, and staging a concert dedicated to his memory and featuring many of his friends was merely a matter of time. It took quite a long time, though, to arrange for the many musicians to come together and remember their fallen comrade, the star-studded show eventually unfolding on December 4th, 2023, when rock elite, including Roger Taylor and Mike Rutherford, descended on Guildford’s “G Live” for a couple hours of celebrating the life of a legend. And now the recording of that night’s event is ready for release as a deluxe set comprising two CDs, DVD and Blu-ray.
Remembering Gary Brooker:
The Concert
Titled “Remembering Gary Brooker: The Concert” and scheduled to be out on August 29th, it captures the magic of that night and, for those who weren’t there, seems quite surprising because one would expect the guests to play a lot of PROCOL HARUM material of which they performed just a few pieces, alongside a smattering of The Commander’s solo numbers, and a selection of his pals’ own classics from the catalogues of DIRE STRAITS and MIKE + THE MECHANICS to name but two. Also surprising feels the absence of Brooker’s group’s former members, apart from Geoff Whitehorn. With the same songs on video and audio discs, there’s a variety of musical experiences to choose; and with some funds from the set going towards The Royal Marsden and Cure Parkinson’s charities, it’s a proposition nobody should ignore.
1. Poison Ivy – Andy Fairweather Low & Band
2. High School Confidential – Mike Sanchez
3. I’m Ready (To Rock N’ Roll) – Mike Sanchez
4. Sultans Of Swing – John Illsley
5. Money For Nothing – John Illsley
6. No More Fear Of Flying – Nikki Lamborn
7. Two Fools In Love – Olivia Keast & Andy Fairweather Low
8. Let Me In – Sam Tanner
9. Wall Street Blues – Nikki Lamborn
10. Wide Eyed And Legless – Andy Fairweather Low
11. How Long? – Paul Carrack
12. (If Paradise Is) Half As Nice – Andy Fairweather Low
13. Pandora’s Box – Sam Tanner, Josh Phillips & Geoff Whitehorn
14. Homburg – Paul Carrack, Sam Tanner, Josh Phillips & Geoff Whitehorn
15. Conquistador – Sam Tanner, Josh Phillips & Geoff Whitehorn
16. A Salty Dog – Roger Taylor
17. The Living Years – Paul Carrack & Mike Rutherford
18. Over My Shoulder – Paul Carrack & Mike Rutherford
19. Lead Me To The Water – Andy Fairweather Low & Sam Tanner
20. Gin House – Andy Fairweather Low
21. Blueberry Hill – Mike Sanchez
22. A Whiter Shade Of Pale – Gary Brooker & Ensemble
