Lead me to the water - Gary Brooker

'Lead me to the water' was Gary Brooker's second solo album, released in 1982. The title track was released as a single, but like most of his solo singles, it didn't chart. What's interesting about the sleeve of this single, is that it's very similar to the one of 'The Angler'. 

While Gary Brooker wasn't that successful as a solo artist, he was a much sought after musician, appearing on albums by Alan Parsons Project and Kate Bush. He remains best known, of course, for founding Procol Harum, the band which he reformed in 1991 and toured with during the three decades that followed until his untimely death on 19 February 2022.

My collection: 7" single no. 7137
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 13 April 2024
Tracks: 'Lead me to the water' / 'Badlands'

(No more) Fear of flying - Gary Brooker

'(No more) Fear of flying' is taken from the album of the same name, which was Gary Brooker's debut solo album. Unlike 'The Angler', this single was a hit in the Netherlands. Then again, it was Gary Brooker's only hit in this country. Despite releasing four albums and eight singles, Brooker never found commercial success again.

I heard this song on the radio lots of times during the eighties. For a long time I didn't know what it was called and who performed it. When I found out, I still needed a lot of time to find the single. Obviously, when I found it, I was very glad.

My collection: 7" single no. 2128

Found: Record Palace, Amsterdam, July 30, 1994

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: '(No more) Fear of flying' / 'S.S. Blues'

Download: here

The Angler - Gary Brooker

Gary Brooker was born on May 29, 1945 in Hackney, East London. He founded Procol Harum in 1966 with his friend Keith Reid. They are best known for their worldwide hit 'A whiter shade of pale'. The band broke up in 1977. In 1979, Brooker joined Eric Clapton's band. When Clapton fired his entire band two years later, Gary Brooker decided to record a solo album. 'Lead me to the water' was released in 1982 and contained this single, 'The angler'. Amazingly, it didn't become a hit.

I have no idea where I heard 'The angler' for the first time, all I know is that I was very impressed when I did hear it. And I was really glad to find this single cheaply shortly afterwards.

My collection: 7" single no. 933

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1989

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'The angler' / 'Badlands'

Download: here