Keith Reid ...
... who founded Procol Harum together with Gary Brooker in 1967 and created rock classics such as A Whiter Shade Of Pale.
John Waite ...
... solo artist and former member of Bad English and The Babys, sang worldwide hits such as When I See You Smile, Missing You and Mr Wonderful.
Chris Thompson ...
... THE VOICE of Manfred Manns Earth Band, who recorded such classics as Blinded By The Light and Davys On The Road Again.
Southside Johnny ...
... The Godfather of New Jersey Rock, acknowledged by Jon Bon Jovi as My Reason For Singing.
Terry Reid ...
... Mr. Super Lungs has one of the most remarkable voices in rock.
Steve Booker ...
... currently enjoying huge success as producer and co-writer of Duffys No 1 hit, Mercy. He has also recorded with and produced Natalie Imbruglia and Paul Young.
Chaz Jankel ...
... founding member of Ian Dury And The Blockheads and writer of all their chart hits. Besides film music he also wrote Quincy Jones worldwide hit Ai No Corrida.
Bernie Shanahan ...
... singer/songwriter, he has worked with artists such as Alice Cooper, Cher and Michael Bolton.
Michael Saxell ...
... singer/songwriter, has had more than 250 of his songs recorded by other artists such as Randy Bachman (Bachman Turner Overdrive) and Eric Bazilian (The Hooters).
Sounds Like
Classic Rock, Folk-Rock, Americana, AOR-Worldmusic
Keith Reid and Gary Brooker founded Procol Harum in 1967. With the worldwide chart breaker A Whiter Shade Of Pale the writer/lyricist-duo Brooker/Reid wrote an all time rock classic.
For The Keith Reid Project, Keith Reid has gathered together a highly impressive group of singers and songwriters around him. The album The Common Thread has made a dream become reality, for these songs have accompanied Keiths life like “a common thread”.
In all, there are eight singers/songwriters to interpret Keith Reids lyrics and stories. There is Chris Thompson (the voice of Manfred Manns Earth Band) and John Waite (Bad English, The Babys and a very fine solo artist) – they are both among THE worlds great voices of rock – having stamped their unique character on worldwide hits such as Blinded By The Light (C. Thompson), Mr Wonderful and Missing You (J. Waite). There is Southside Johnny, also known as The Godfather Of New Jersey Sound, acknowledged by Jon Bon Jovi as My Reason For Singing. And also, there is the legendary Terry Reid, who has firmly stamped his name in Rock history and continues to enjoy high status among music critics. Also, Steve Booker, producer & co-writer of Duffys current No 1 hit Mercy, wrote and sings two songs on the album.
The achievement is a singer/songwriter album containing timeless beautiful rock music, tailor made for great voices. In the finest classic tradition, Rock, Pop & Folk are tied together harmoniously. Here and there you can find some Americana, Blues, Latin and Irish influences. Anyone between the ages of 8 and 80 in the mood for great handmade music should listen to The Common Thread.
Also: A very special rarity is the song Youre The Voice, a worldwide hit by John Farnham in 1986, co-written by Chris Thompson & Keith Reid. The Common Thread contains the previously unreleased original version of Youre The Voice, recorded by Chris Thompson himself in early 1986.
THE CREATORS
Keith Reid:
Keith Reid and Gary Brooker founded Procol Harum in 1967. From then on, Keith Reids surreal lyrics defined the “intellectual identity” of the band. With the worldwide chartbreaker A Whiter Shade Of Pale Brooker/Reid created an all time rock classic. And with Homburg, A Salty Dog, Conquistador, Pandora’s Box, Grand Hotel, and the Live With The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra album Procol Harum became one of Rocks defining bands. Keith Reid wrote all Procol Harum lyrics from 1967 until now. Besides Bob Dylan there is barely any artist, whose lyrics are as important for the songs intentions as Keith Reids words are for the art of Procol Harum.
Chris Thompson:
The Voice Of Manfred Manns Earth Band gave unmistakable identity to worldwide chart breakers like Blinded By The Light and Davys On The Road Again. Chris Thompson worked with Alan Parsons, Mike Oldfield, Sarah Brightman, and has been extremely successful as a solo artist. Thompson/Reid co-wrote the song Youre The Voice, a worldwide hit by John Farnham in 1986. The Common Thread contains the previously unreleased original version of Youre The Voice, recorded by Chris Thompson himself in early 1986.
John Waite:
No matter if John Waite performs as the singer of Bad English, The Babys or as a solo artist: His voice is unmistakable. Mr Wonderful, Missing You and When I See You Smile are only some of John Waites worldwide hits.
Southside Johnny:
By the mid 70s, Southside Johnny along with Bruce Springsteen defined the sound of The New Jersey Sound Music Scene. Consequently his early albums contain some songs written by Bruce Springsteen. Southside was rightly called “The Godfather Of New Jersey Sound”, and Jon Bon Jovi has acknowledged him as “my reason for singing”. In 1982, Rolling Stone voted his album Hearts Of Stone among the top 100 of the 70s and 80s. Southside Johnny has released over 20 albums.
Terry Reid:
One of the most remarkable voices in Rock. His career lasting over 40 years has seen many notable moments: His definitive early recording of Season Of The Witch; his great songs Friends and (the much covered) Rich Kid Blues, his famous classic album The River, and - one of Keith’s favourites - The Fifth Of July. He has toured with The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, Jethro Tull and Fleetwood Mac. His warm and emotional voice mark him among the greatest.
Steve Booker:
Steve Booker is an English singer, songwriter & producer. He is currently enjoying huge success with Duffy, having co-written and produced her No 1 hit, Mercy. He’s written country music in Nashville and has had many of his songs recorded by some of Country Music’s biggest names. He has also received a BMI Most Performed Song award for the Kinleys hit Somebody ‘s Out There Watching. He also recorded with and produced artists such as Natalie Imbruglia, Heather Small, Marti Pellow and Paul Young.
Bernie Shanahan:
Bernie Shanahan signed his first major deal in 1989 with Atlantic Records. He is successfully working as a singer/songwriter and has recorded with such artists as Alice Cooper, Cher and Michael Bolton.
Chaz Jankel:
Founder member of Ian Dury And The Blockheads and writer of all their chart hits in the British funk/new wave of the late 70s. Including Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick, Reasons To Be Cheerful, Sweet Gene Vincent, etc. Chaz is a solo artist and also writes for other artists (e.g. Quincy Jones worldwide chart hit Ai No Corrida), as well as being a successful writer of film music (e.g. Number One from the film Real Genius.).
Michael Saxell:
Highly respected singer/songwriter. More than 250 of his songs were recorded by other artists such as Randy Bachman (Bachman Turner Overdrive) and Eric Bazilian (The Hooters).
THE SONGS & THE SINGERS
01 In Gods Shadow (singer: John Waite)
02 Youre The Voice (original version, singer: Chris Thompson)
03 The Heartbreak House (singer: Michael Saxell)
04 A Common Thread (singer: Southside Johnny)
05 Potters Field (singer: Bernie Shanahan)
06 Gold Fever (singer: John Waite)
07 Venus Exploding (singer: Bernie Shanahan)
08 The Only Monkey (singer: Chaz Jankel)
09 It Might Be Your Heart (singer: Chris Thompson)
10 Silver Town (singer: Steve Booker)
11 Ninety-Nine Degrees In The Shade (singer: Southside Johnny)
12 Too Close To Call (singer: Terry Reid)
13 Right About Now (singer: Steve Booker)
Hey The Keith Reid Project If you have a minute, please come check out the new song Alex Hirsch wrote after reading Einstein's private manuscripts and quoting his memoirs directly. The song is called, The Stormy Seas of Time and features Ken Oak on the Cellos, Bionik on the Drums and Production, and of course, Alex Hirsch on the guitars pianos and singing. And remember, all it takes is 3 little dollars to get any of his full albums at www.keywinsproductions.com.
A fair price for up to 17 songs! Finally, good music that is priced correctly, not another record company rip off!
Come take a ride on a rocket ship with me to the outer reaches of the cosmos. We can take the time to look around and find out all the great and magical things about Einstein and physics and the universe!
Listen to our "Featured Artist" segment on The Keith Reid Project all this week on Classic Artists Today, syndicated radio show! Interview, "new" song and "classic" track by Keith/Procol Harum.
Hi guys and thanks for being our friends,
Finally our recording sessions and mixing are done and our EP is ready now!
If you want you can listen to the songs in our profile and tell us what you think about them!
If you like our stuff say to your friends about us...Your support is very important!
Thanks
Cheers from Italy
Thanks for the add and Keith has had a profound influence on my lyric writing. Procol Harum remains one of the most memorable bands that I have heard on record or have seen live.
Thanks for all of the extraordinary words over the years, Keith and all of the wondrous thoughts and images that have emanated from them. I wish you all the best with, 'The Common Thread' and all of your future endeavours! Best wishes, Elizabeth
Hope all is well! We got you covered in our new issue.
Greetings form Germany!
ROCKS Nr. 6 out NOW with interviews and features on Thin Lizzy, Joe Bonamassa, The Quireboys, Golden Earring, Uriah Heep, Extreme, Atomic Rooster, Ron Wood, Black Stone Cherry, Nils Lofgren, Blue Oyster Cult, Starbreaker, Substyle, Cog, Demains, The Hold Steady, Judas Priest, The Keith Reid Project, Rose Hill Drive, Backyard Babies & more.
I wish your project a grand success! Keith has been one of my heroes right from the start, i.e. the first Procul Harum hit 'A whiter shade of pale'. His lyrics where the reason which made me try writing my own stuff. Thanks for this - and thanks for adding me as friend.