ELP Digest Wednesday, 8 Jul 1992 Volume 2 : Issue 15 The "Runway lights in blue and red" Edition Today's Topics: Re: My life as an ELP fan... Miscellaneous (ticket update, drumming, etc.) Re: ELP Digest V2 #14 (bolero) Box Set (Read on...) re: buyer beware Opening Act for ELP at Great Woods... "ELP: Up Close" and "ELP: The Atlantic Years..." ELP Info Service... Yet Another Black Moon Review (YABMR) 2-CD ELP Retrospective ELP Radio activity Survey Digest, mailing address, and administrative stuff to: J.Arnold@bull.com\ = for now, these are the same ELP-related info that you / want to put in the digest to: J.Arnold@bull.com Note: The opinions, information, etc. contained in this digest are those of the original message sender listed in each message below. They are not necessarily those of the mailing list/digest administrator or those of any institution through whose computers/networks this mail flows. ------------------------------------------------------------ Date: Tue, 23 Jun 92 16:31:17 -0400 From: barrett@astro.cs.umass.edu (Daniel Barrett) Subject: Re: My life as an ELP fan... arnold@thira.ma30.bull.COM writes: >We started to gather up albums by the Nice, the early King Crimson, >and Atomic Rooster. A collector is born. What Atomic Rooster albums are the best? I saw a few in a store recently, but didn't know which ones would be most representative. Dan //////////////////////////////////////\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ | Dan Barrett -- Dept of Computer Science, Lederle Graduate Research Center | | University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003 -- barrett@cs.umass.edu | \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\///////////////////////////////////// ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 23 Jun 92 15:03:43 pdt From: Jim Smith Subject: elp >Atsushi Shionozaki writes: >Tour dates for concerts in Tokyo have been announced and will go on >sale this upcoming Sat. ELP will be playing in Tokyo on the Sept. 16, >18, 19. This news caused me to go to my phone immediately and call the local BASS ticket agent, who disclosed this information: Tickets for the Concord (California) Pavilion ELP concert on September 2nd go on sale August 2nd. The Sacramento performance scheduled for September 1st was not in the BASS computer. Does anyone else have information about ticket release dates? >after the ASIA concert was over concert promoters were showing the >video for Black Moon in the lobby of the concert hall. Tons of people >were gathering around to get a peak! It's been 20 years since ELP last >came to Japan, and we can't wait! >shio Shio, did you get to see "The Best" when they were in Japan? Andy Moore writes: >Another topic: Doesn't Carl's drumming sound especially precise on the >new album? Some parts almost sound quantized, but I wouldn't believe >that he would do that. Still, it's quite a contrast to me; his early >drumming had a certain amount of 'looseness' to it... Maybe he just got tighter! :-> Also, it's now common practice to move tracks around in time to adjust the "feel" (among other things) of the music. This was not common practice in the early 70's. Perhaps this was done. >Yet another topic: Where's my best bet for seeing the "Black Moon" video? I'm also curious about this. Although I saw the "In Concert" premiere of the video, has anyone seen it broadcast anywhere since then? Regards, - Jim smithj@hpsad.sad.hp.com ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 23 Jun 92 15:54 PDT From: Terry Carroll Subject: Re: ELP Digest V2 #14 hoyme@src.honeywell.com (Ken Hoyme) quoted a 1977 Time Magazine review that said: > From 40 huge loudspeaker enclosures suspended from the ceiling > came the mighty sounds of "Abaddon's Bolero", a work Composer-Pianist > Keith Emerson has based on the same Spanish rhythm as the Ravel classic. Sniff. Shows what the reviewer knows. "Abaddon's Bolero" wasn't even in 3/4 time, as a true bolero is. ------------------------------ From: Keeper@world.std.com Subject: Box Set Date: Wed, 24 Jun 92 12:27:13 EDT I heard there was going to be an ELP Box set coming out next month, does anyone know hwat's going to be on it? Frank ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 24 Jun 1992 15:09:02 EDT From: mcintyre@msupa.pa.msu.edu Subject: re: buyer beware >Subject: "More of the Best of British Rock" - buyer beware... >About a month ago, I bought a CD titled "More of the Best of British Rock" >on the Special Music Company Label (catalog # SCD-4941). It was in a CD >`cut-out' section so only cost ~$6. The list on the CD claims to include 2 >tunes by The Nice: I'm Not Saying and America. "I'm Not Saying" is by Nico. It was released on Immediate Records which was The Nice's label. It is not the best example of her music, but it is fairly rare. Since she never recorded an album for Immediate, it is only available on the single or on Immediate Compilation albums. John McIntyre Physics - Astronomy Dept Michigan State University ------------------------------ Subject: Opening Act for ELP at Great Woods... Date: Mon, 29 Jun 92 10:24:26 -0400 From: arnold An advertisement for the summer concert series at Great Woods (Mansfield, MA), lists ELP's opening act as "Bonham" (Jason Bonham's band; Janson is the son of late Led Zeppelin drummer, John Bonham). Don't know if they will be the opening act for the whole tour, a portion of the tour, or just this one night. = John = ------------------------------ Subject: "ELP: Up Close" and "ELP: The Atlantic Years..." Date: Mon, 29 Jun 92 10:32:33 -0400 From: arnold While trolling around the dial for King Biscuit Flower Hour last night, I stumbled across a radio program called "Up Close" that was featuring ELP. I managed to tape all but the first 15 minutes (of the 2 hour prgram). It was your typical pre-packaged radio program that featured pieces of an interview structured around playing songs from the albums and the history of the Band. The "interview" part of the show probably totalled at most 30 minutes of the 2 hours. Mostly the usual questions and answers. (Note: in the closing credits, the show claims that it is distributed on CD to stations that subscribe to the program. Thus, it may be played on a random schedule (unlike satellite feeds that usually are scheduled for a particular week; you may want to look for it in your area). The most interesting "new news" I heard was that they played "Karn Evil 9, 1st impression, part 2" and said that it was from the 2-disc ELP: The Atlantic Years anthology that was dur to be released July 14. Can anyone confirm this release date. Of course, I'm willing to believe that the July 14 date was a scheduled release at some point but they also claimed that ELP is touring the USA "as we speak" which we know isn't true yet since the first concerts are in late July. Unfortunately, no more details about whether there would be any alternate takes or unreleased track in this anthology. = John = ------------------------------ Subject: ELP Info Service... Date: Mon, 29 Jun 92 10:46:42 -0400 From: arnold I'm sure many of you noticed the address for "ELP Info" in the Black Moon CD insert. Well, I sent away for information and received it in the mail on Saturday, June 27. Here is the text of the one page letter I received in reply: "Hello - Welcome back my friends... Thank you very much for your letter and your interest in ELP. This is the official ELP Information Service which has been formed to establish the closest possible contact between their friends and fans and the band themselves. It is organised with the full approval and assistance of Emerson Lake & Palmer, their management and their record companies. Members receive regular newsletters and magazines in their subscription, which cover current and advance news, historic articles, reviews and interviews. Song lyrics are also included in the newsletters. The introductory package includes a photograph, membership card, discography, and ELP stickers. Offers on t-shirts, videos, posters, and other relevant items are also included. There is a special service that provides members with advance details of concerts and tours. Membership in the ELP Information Service is ELP Info Service is (British pounds) 9.50. For AIRMAIL outside Europe please add (British pounds) 3.00. We do our best to runa good service, and are always keen to hear your comments and suggestions. We look forward to having you join us. [ There is a scanned photo of ELP standing in what appears Best wishes and regards, to be a rehearsal hall here. ] (a signature that looks like "Geff"). ==== coupon cut line ===== Send to ELP Information Service, PO Box 48, London, N6 5RU, U.K. Please enrol me as a member of the ELP Info Service. I enclose Intl Money Order/Eurocheque for (British pounds) 9.50 ((British pounds) 12.50 for AIRMAIL outside Europe) made payable to "SHOOTING STAR". Please print clearly: NAME ADDRESS " =============== Please note that I am in no way connected with this service but am just saving everyone the cost/time of sending their own request for info over to England. So, this is NOT an endorsement or advertisement. This week, I plan to track down an international money order and see what happens. I'll keep the list apprised as I learn what it means to be a "member". (Do you think there will be a close-out special on any left-over "Love Beach" tour jackets, etc. Yes, I do remember the flyer in the original Love Beach album and am only a little sorry I didn't order anything from it!) Just for your information, = John = [ Editor's note: After I filed this mail, I proceeded to get an international money order. After all was said and done, the 12.50 britich piunds translated to somewhere between $20 and 30 US dollars. But, every bank around here charged $20 flat fee for the money order. So this whole proposition is costing me ~$40-50. Ouch! - John - ] ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 30 Jun 92 13:50:56 -0400 From: barrett@astro.cs.umass.edu (Daniel Barrett) Subject: Yet Another Black Moon Review (YABMR) Here is my review of ELP's latest, BLACK MOON. It discusses each song on the album, and then gives some overall impressions. I rate each song on a scale of 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent). These ratings are with respect to OTHER ELP SONGS that I enjoy. For example, here are ratings of some of their older material, to give you an idea of my tastes: 5 Karn Evil 9, 1st and 2nd impressions Eruption/Stones of Years The Sage (from PICTURES AT AN EXHIBITION) The Endless Enigma 4.5 Trilogy KE9 3rd impression Take a Pebble Hoedown 4 Benny The Bouncer The Sheriff Knife Edge 3.5 Pirates 3 Jeremy Bender Fanfare for the Common Man 2 Are You Ready Eddie Tiger in a Spotlight Living Sin Lake's side of WORKS VOL 1 1 LOVE BEACH side 1 Anyway, here goes! (1) Black Moon This song has a creative and driving beginning, but the relentless BOOM BOOM BAP of the drums gets tiring halfway through the song. I found the drums very distracting, since they are prominent in the mix and never vary -- they sound like a machine. This, combined with an uninteresting harmony (almost everything played on the tonic chord) makes for a dull tune. The vocal melody is uninspired -- almost spoken rather than sung. It sounds like an afterthought "tacked on" after the instrumentals were written. To summarize: the song consists of little keyboard "fiddlybits" played over an unceasing BOOM BOOM BAP. It reminds me a bit of ELPowell's "Touch and Go", with the same boring synth-horn played over an eternal tonic. In an interview in KEYBOARD magazine (June 1992), Keith describes how Greg and Carl loved the "main figure" of the song. Keith responded with, "That? Is that all you want?" I agree with Keith. Rating: 1.5 out of 5 (2) Paper Blood Should have been called "Black Moon Part 2" -- again, we have a merciless drumthud (BOOM BAP BOOM BAP, this time) played over a simple, 6-note bass motive and a 5-note chorus. Even more "pop" than "Black Moon". The organ sounds cool, but it is nearly drowned out by the reverb-soaked drums. Keith, in the KEYBOARD interview, called this song "too simple. We can't just have this." But Greg and Carl said "No, no, no! Keep it like that!" Once again, I'm with Keith. Rating: 1 out of 5 (3) Affairs of the Heart This Greg Lake ballad was co-written with Geoff Downes (of Asia, Yes, and The Buggles). The lyrics are really corny; they sound like grade-school poetry. The acoustic guitar plays only straight, unadorned strumming of a few chords. And the vocal melody is just plain boring. I tried to identify exactly why the vocal melody is so dull, and I figured it out: no jumps! All the singing is either repeated notes, or simple scalewise (up/down) motion. There is no interval greater than a major second! The keyboards are tastefully played but uninteresting. Rating: 1.5 out of 5 (4) Romeo and Juliet This adaptation of Prokofiev's piece is so bad it is laughable. The combination of BOOM BAP BOOM BAP with the fat Moog solo makes the whole piece sound ponderous and (yes) pretentious. They should have titled it "March of the Pregnant Elephants." THIS is the same band that gave us the remarkable adaptations of "Hoedown", "Fanfare", "Jerusalem", and "Toccata"?!? It's hard to believe. Rating: 0 out of 5 (5) Farewell to Arms This Lake ballad has a more interesting melody than "Affairs of the Heart." Greg's singing is particularly pretty on the chorus, especially at the end when he uses his upper register. Nice!! Overall, though, it's not that good. The music sounds a bit like a typical movie background. Keith's synth solo at the end, except for 1 measure that is "trademarked Keith", could have been played by anybody. Rating: 2 out of 5. (2.5 for Greg's high singing.) (6) Changing States This is an instrumental pseudo-Rondo (that is, ABACADA form) mostly in 3/4 time. My first thought during the introduction was, "Finally! Some interesting chordal harmony!" The frequently repeated "A" section consists of a noble-sounding horn synth solo (shades of "Touch and Go" again) over changing harmony. Section "B" brings in the Hammond and sounds a bit like "Pirates." Section "C" develops the main themes and jumps from key to key. Markedly different is section "D", which is slower and not very interesting, with horn and organ melodies playing over very plain drums and bass. This builds to a conclusion which is reminiscent of section "A" but faster. Criticisms include the drumming (especially the machine-like tom-tom fills), section "D", and the fact that the band never really "lets loose" during the tune. Rating: 2.5 out of 5 (7) Burning Bridges This song was written by Mark Mancina, the producer. It is typical pop, but sufficiently different from previous tunes that it's almost like a breath of fresh air. The vocal melody is markedly different from Greg'ss previous ballads (and better). The drumming gets interesting just before the keyboard solo, for a change. The keyboard solo is not bad, but the harmony is so dead at that point that the overall effect is uninspiring. Rating: 2 out of 5 (8) Close to Home Keith's solo piano piece. It sounded to me like a digitally sampled piano rather than an acoustic one, but Keith says it's a Yamaha grand. The piece has a slow, somewhat pretty theme, as well as some interesting dissonances. Still, it's not an Emerson tune that I'd be interested in learning to play myself (in contrast with, say, "Take a Pebble", "KE9 second impression", "Trilogy", and "Infinite Space"). In general, I've heard better Emerson improvisations than this "planned" piece, like on the triple-live WELCOME BACK MY FRIENDS.... Rating: 2.5 out of 5 (9) Better Days This is the best rock song on the album. The beat, for once, is very appropriate and quite catchy. It is similar to Pink Floyd's "Run Like Hell" from THE WALL. The organ playing at times reminds me of "Knife Edge", and the ending organ solo is well done (and played over non-boring chordal harmony... yay....) Rating: 3 out of 5 (10) Footprints in the Snow The best Lake ballad on the album. It sounds like a "real" Lake ballad (like "Lucky Man" and "Still You Turn Me On") rather than the throwaway sap from Lake's side of WORKS VOLUME 1. The keyboard work is very tasteful and subdued; some of it is quite beautiful. Rating: 3 out of 5 OVERALL IMPRESSIONS Since no song rated higher than 3 out of 5, I'd call this a below average ELP album. My biggest criticisms are: o The lack of interesting (chordal) harmony and variety. For many of these songs, if you hear the first minute of music, you've essentially heard the whole thing. You can't say that about "Eruption" from TARKUS. o I am *sick* of ELP (and ELPowell and "3") tunes that are nothing but "noble-sounding horn solos played over static, tonic chords". They are a hollow substitute for the progressive rock style. Hell, I can write better music than that. o The pounding, gated-reverb-soaked, boring drum parts. Come on, Carl! If you're going to play like that, just buy a drum machine and save yourself some work. o Some lyrics are very corny. Bring back Pete Sinfield! o There are too many "bloom" effects; enough to make them a cliche. In case you don't know the term, a "bloom" is a sound that rises in volume and comes to an abrupt halt, like "wwwwwWWWWWWTT!!!" It appears in at least 3 or 4 songs. Overall, I was very disappointed with BLACK MOON. I recommend that fans buy it, but it's not going to get much play on my stereo. I am still looking forwarding to seeing ELP in concert on this tour -- I expect they'll take more liberties with the music. ALTERNATE RECOMMENDATIONS If you're a die-hard 1970's progressive rocker and you need a fix, check out the incredible wealth of little-known music created in Italy during that decade: PFM, Area, New Trolls, Il Balletto di Bronzo, etc. Recommendations on request. Also, pick up the new release from MVP (The Mark Varney Project), "Truth in Shredding", with Allan Holdsworth and Frank Gambale playing prominent roles. The playing just RIPS! The solos have to be heard to be BELIEVED! Modern jazz-fusion at its best!! And here's one album that miked the drums JUST RIGHT in the mix -- not straight in your face soaking in gated reverb. Finally, check out the 1992 album A PICTURE OF NECTAR by Phish. I would call this album the "opposite" of BLACK MOON. The band plays in many different styles, has good musicianship and lots of solos, and has a weird sense of humor. They take chances and stretch the definition of "pop" to new dimensions. I wish all modern music were this inventive. Dan //////////////////////////////////////\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ | Dan Barrett -- Dept of Computer Science, Lederle Graduate Research Center | | University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003 -- barrett@cs.umass.edu | \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\///////////////////////////////////// ------------------------------ From: marshall@emavp04.webo.dg.com (Marshall Wood) Subject: Submission: 2-CD ELP Retrospective Date: Tue, 7 Jul 92 9:34:54 EDT According to the latest issue of Goldmine magazine, a 2-CD ELP retrospective will be released on July 14. They didn't go into much detail, but it sounds like it'll be a greatest hits package with a couple of rare tracks to force people like us to buy it. The brief blurb did say that one of the rare tracks would be Greg Lake's single version of "I Believe in Father Christmas." Only 22 more days until the ELP concert! --MWood ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 6 Jul 92 12:06:43 EDT From: Brian=Podesta%COMPUTER%UMASS@BANYAN.UMMED.EDU Subject: ELP Radio activity Note for Digest: I have been bending my ear to a variety of radio stations in the MA/NH/RI/CT area, and have not heard much of Black_Moon. WBCN in Boston has been playing it the most, but I have not heard any other songs elsewhere. Also, I have not seen any word on MTV - no video or news events presented. (They are usually good about reporting new music). Maybe it takes a bit more time from the release date. -Bye [ Editor's note: "Affairs of the Heart" seems to be getting pretty heavy play on WBOS in Boston. In a few brief scans of the dial, I've heard it twice and an acquaintance who works at a place where they play WBOS during the day says it gets played quite frequently. - John - ] ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 25 Jun 92 13:48:49 -0400 From: barrett@astro.cs.umass.edu (Daniel Barrett) Subject: Survey [ Editor's note: I've put this survey LAST in this issue since some of you may want to skim over it and not miss any of the ELP-specific articles. Please send your replies to Dan directly since he's compiling people's responses. I guess we'll let Dan get away with this in spite of his review of Black Moon (insert smiley face here). - John - ] Hi John: Is this survey appropriate for the ELP mailing list? I already sent it out to the Gibraltar mailing list, and rec.music.misc. If you think it's appropriate, please include it in the next ELP digest. Thanks! Dan ------------8<----------------- cut here ----------------8<------------------ I'd like to take a survey of everyone's progressive rock likes and dislikes. Before you say "Oh no, not another survey!", let me say that I've designed this one to be FUN. You get to vote for both good and bad albums, and some of the categories might be controversial. It also does NOT ask the question, "What is the best progressive rock album?" You may list up to THREE (3) answers for each question. Please send responses to: barrett@cs.umass.edu DO NOT send them to the ELP list! Thanks. PART I: Best album ------------------- (1) Best MAINSTREAM progressive rock album A classic prog rock album by an artist/band that everybody knows about. You even hear it on the radio sometimes. Album: Artist: (2) Best OBSCURE progressive rock album Nobody else has heard of it, but it's one of your all-time favorites. You play it for your friends, who exclaim "Wow!! What IS this??" Album: Artist: (3) Best IN-BETWEEN progressive rock album It's not mainstream, but it's not totally obscure either. Album: Artist: PART II: Particular kinds of albums ------------------------------------ (4) Most BEAUTIFUL (sounding) progressive rock album You love to listen to it. You are unable to function or do anything else while this album is playing because the music captures your heart. It makes you smile. It makes you cry. Album: Artist: (5) Most OVERRATED progressive rock album The album that everybody else loves, but you hate. Album: Artist: (6) Most UNDERRATED progressive rock album The album that everybody else hates, but you love. Album: Artist: (7) Best "CONCEPT" album in progressive rock All music on this album is based on a central theme, story, historical event, etc. Album: Artist: (8) Most COMPLEX progressive rock album The music on this album is so complex that you cannot understand what is going on. A Ph.D. in music theory might help. It doesn't matter whether you like or dislike the music. Don't confuse this with "Most virtuosic." (But it is possible to have the same answer for both categories.) Album: Artist: (9) Most VIRTUOSIC progressive rock album The performance on this album is unbelievable -- surely no human being could have played it! The keyboardist has at least four hands. The singer has a 12-octave range. No matter how good you get on your own instrument, you know that you'll NEVER be able to duplicate this playing. Don't confuse this with "Most complex." (But it is possible to have the same answer for both categories.) Album: Artist: (10) Most PRETENTIOUS progressive rock album This album is so "full of itself" that it's disgusting. It's self-serving or self-worshipping. The artist obviously believes that the music and/or lyrics are "deep", but they are actually very shallow. (You might like or dislike it.) Album: Artist: (11) Biggest RIPOFF album in progressive rock There are no original ideas on this album -- it is a blatant copy of another album or another band's style. (You might like or dislike it.) Album: Artist: Ripped-off album: Ripped-off artist: (12) Best STUDIO TECHNIQUE in a progressive rock album The production on this album has to be heard to be believed: sound effects, mixing, etc. Maybe this is an old album that was years ahead of its time, or a new album with impeccable recording quality. Album: Artist: PART III: Singing ------------------ (13) Best vocal harmonies in a progressive rock album Album: Artist: (14) Best male vocalist in progressive rock Name: Representative album: (15) Best female vocalist in progressive rock Name: Representative album: Dan //////////////////////////////////////\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ | Dan Barrett -- Dept of Computer Science, Lederle Graduate Research Center | | University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003 -- barrett@cs.umass.edu | \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\///////////////////////////////////// ------------------------------ End of ELP Digest [Volume 2 Issue 15] *************************************