The Keith Reid Project

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?.

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)