ELP Digest Monday, 20 Jun 1994 Volume 4 : Issue 8 The "E-E-F#-E-G-E-A-G#" (Peter Gunn, I think) Edition in memory of Henry Mancini Today's Topics: ELP Sheet Music (1st entry for a FAQ) re: "Running with the Devil" Works Live re: recent questions to the Digest Classical music in rock Greg's voice Letter to the editor (of a "real" magazine) Classical interpretations and recording of Brain Salad Surgery re: Golliwog Cake Walk Doom and Gloom Revisted Trivia: BSS's other title Music for Bach Before the Mast Greg Lake at Junefest II ELP related article citation Best Seat in The House ALBUM/TOUR UPDATE ELP on Regis/Kathie again ELP on Regis & Kathie Lee Tuesday!?! Dali: The Endless Enigma Box set, Works 3 and female ELP fans Digest, mailing address, and administrative stuff to: J.Arnold@ma30.bull.com ==\ => the same for now ELP-related info that you / want to put in the digest to: J.Arnold@ma30.bull.com =/ Back issues available via anonymous ftp: ftp site: ftp.uwp.edu user name: anonymous password: provide a full email address path: /pub/music/lists/elp/digests/1991/elp-digest-1.* /pub/music/lists/elp/digests/1992/elp-digest-2.* /pub/music/lists/elp/digests/1993/elp-digest-3.* /pub/music/lists/elp/digests/1994/elp-digest-4.* 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. Unless otherwise noted, the individual authors of each entry in the Digest are the copyright holders of that entry. Please respect that copyright and act accordingly. I especially ask that you not redistribute the ELP Digest in whole or in part without acknowledging the original source of the digest and each author. Thanks! Prelude ======= Well, there's more conflicting information about the release of the new album and tour. (Most of it near the end of this issue.) We'll have to wait and see, I guess. Of most critical short-term interest is the report that ELP may be on "Regis and Kathy Lee" tomorrow (June 21, 1994) though this may be a re-run of their appearance last winter. I guess I'll have to set up the VCR just in case. Also, I may be changing my e-mail address for the ELP Digest. So, I'll keep you posted and send out a "special issue" if it changes. - John - ------------------------------------------------------------ Date: Sat, 28 May 1994 15:45:00 -0400 From: "gregory (g.r.) utas" To: j.arnold@ma30.bull.com Subject: ELP Sheet Music Here's an entry for the FAQ on ELP sheet music. Cheers, Greg Utas utas@bnr.ca ========================================================================= Q: What ELP sheet music is available? Three sheet music books were published by Warner Brothers. The transcriptions are extremely good--unlike the garbage published as Yes or Genesis sheet music, for example. Unfortunately, all of them are currently out of print: 1. Emerson, Lake, and Palmer [VF0392] (C) 1977, Manticore Music Limited Take A Pebble Jeremy Bender The Endless Enigma (Part I) The Endless Enigma (Part II) The Sheriff Trilogy Benny The Bouncer 2. Tarkus [VF0752] (C) 1971, 1980 Manticore Music Limited Tarkus (Suite): Eruption Stones Of Years Iconoclast Mass Manticore Battlefield Aquatarkus Jeremy Bender Bitches Crystal The Only Way (Hymn) Infinite Space (Conclusion) A Time And A Place Are You Ready Eddie? 3. Emerson, Lake, and Palmer Anthology [VF0857] (C) 1977, 1981 Palm Beach International Recordings Limited Lucky Man The Great Gate Of Kiev Fugue (from The Endless Enigma) Still...You Turn Me On Pirates Love Beach Memoirs Of An Officer And A Gentleman (Suite): Prologue/The Education Of A Gentleman Love At First Sight Letters From The Front Honourable Company (A March) Warner Brothers' address is Warner Brothers Publications Inc. 75 Rockefeller Plaza New York, NY 10019 The piano part for Piano Concerto #1 can be purchased from Theodore Presser for about US$17. They also rent the conductor's score for US$25 per month, plus shipping and handling. Their address is Theodore Presser Company Presser Place Bryn Mawr, PA 19010 (215) 525-3636 or 527-4242 (Note: the 215 area code will soon change to 610.) An excerpt from Barrelhouse Shakedown was published in Keyboard magazine in 1977, when it was known as Contemporary Keyboard. From The Beginning was published in Guitar For The Practicing Musician in 1991; a version is also available on the nevada.edu anonymous FTP site (131.216.1.11). ELP have also borrowed extensively from various composers. Here is a partial list. Most of these should be available, although some may be hard to find: The Barbarian B.Bartok: Allegro Barbaro (piano solo) Knife Edge L.Janacek: Sinfonietta (orchestral) J.S.Bach: Allemande from French Suite #1 (harpsichord solo) The Only Way J.S.Bach: Toccata in F Major (organ solo) J.S.Bach: Prelude in F Major (harpischord solo) Pictures At An Exhibition M.Mussorgsky (piano solo) Nutrocker P.Tchaikovsky: Nutcracker Suite (orchestral) Hoedown A.Copland: Rodeo (orchestral) Jerusalem W.Parry (piano solo) Toccata A.Ginastera: Piano Concerto #1, 4th movement Piano Improvisations F.Gulda: Fugue (piano solo) J.Sullivan: Little Rock Getaway The Enemy God Dances With The Black Spirits S.Prokofiev: Scythian Suite (orchestral) Two-Part Invention In D Minor J.S.Bach (harpsichord solo) Fanfare For The Common Man A.Copland (orchestral) Maple Leaf Rag S.Joplin (piano solo) Honky Tonk Train Blues M.L.Lewis (piano solo) Show Me The Way To Go Home I.King Canario J.Rodrigo: Fantasia Para Un Gentilhombre Peter Gunn H.Mancini (orchestral) Creole Dance A.Ginastera (piano solo) Mars, The Bringer Of War G.Holst: The Planets (orchestral) Romeo And Juliet P.Tchaikovsky (orchestral) Rondo D.Brubeck: Blue Rondo A La Turk (piano) America L.Bernstein: West Side Story ========================================================================= ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 1 Jun 94 10:24:36 -0400 From: barrett@astro.cs.umass.edu (Daniel Barrett) To: J.Arnold@ma30.bull.com Subject: Re: ELP Digest V4 #7 >The "Running with the Devil" Edition AwwRIGHHHHT!!! GO EDDIE!!! Oh wait... you mean this isn't the "Van Halen" mailing list? Sheesh, I'm embarrassed. And all this time, I thought that's what the song "Are You Ready, Eddie" was all about! Dan :-) //////////////////////////////////////\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ | Dan Barrett -- Dept of Computer Science, Lederle Graduate Research Center | | University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003 -- barrett@cs.umass.edu | \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\///////////////////////////////////// ------------------------------ From: "Paul D. Eccles" Subject: Works Live To: j.arnold@ma30.bull.com Cc: WCHALLENGE@aol.com Works Live is available from cdconnection.com for $20.11. They have all the Victory releases of ELP including the BSS digipak. You can telnet to cdconnection.com. Or you can use a modem for free access. I'll give you one number but be advised there are many numbers that you can use (hopefully some local). You can see these once you get access. 1. Set your communications program to 8 data bits, no parity, and 1 stop bit. 2. Have your modem dial the number closest to you from the list below. 3. Once connected, press the ENTER or RETURN key until the host responds. 4. Enter "CDC" and you will be connected to the Compact Disc Connection. Highest Phone Number Location Hours Available Speed ------------ -------- --------------- ------- 201 / 623-5666 Newark, NJ 24 hrs 9600 They say that the above number is valid until 31 July 94. Paul Eccles (pde@sd.inri.com) ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 2 Jun 94 10:41:43 CDT From: "gird@twsuvm.uc.twsu.edu" Subject: For the Digest... To: john arnold A couple of questions were posed in recent issues...the following info is from the "Fanzine for the Common Man", which, if you Digest-ers haven't heard of, is a great source for tidbits, history, discographies, and such about ELP. Re: Question about "Scott Joplin Rag" appearing at the end of the "Wel- come Back" video... I don't own a VCR right now (someone decided I had become too materialis- tic and decided to help humble me by stealing it)...so I only get to watch the video on rare occasions when I'm visiting an indulgent friend or family member...anyway, if it's the same thing that is used for the credits of the "Manticore Documentary" from 73, according to the Fanzine the piece is called "Black and White Rag" by Botsford. Re: Question about Keith Emerson's appearance on Peter Hammill's "and close as this" album... This is reproduced directly from the Fanzine for the Common Man Issue #11... Another confirmed report about KE's involvement with Pete Hammill - In a UK Peter Hammill fanzine called "Pilgrims" (issue #8), Hammill said the following: Interviewer: The "Emerson" on "Empire of Delight" is... Hammill: Keith Emerson Interviewer: How did that come about? Hammill: I wrote three lyrics for him. I don't think the other two ever saw the light of day. That must have been four years ago now. "Empire of Delight", I thought, was a very fine tune, fine song, so I recorded it...I didn't tell him about it until I recorded it, which I should have done really. Very fine pianist. Hope this info is of service. Keep up the good work, John; the Digest is great! --Suzanne ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 3 Jun 1994 10:51:34 +0200 To: j.arnold@ma30.bull.com From: pal.gjortz@samfunnsmed.uio.no Subject: Classical music in rock Thanks God we are different ! In one of the last issues of the digest, a wroter told how he hates the classical-adapted parts of ELP-music. I do agree that rock and classical music are quite different musical styles, and it is hard to combine classical music in any other musical styles with succes. There are a lot of horrible examples of that, both inside and outside rock. Being very fond of a lot classical music and rock, I almost feel raped by some of the slick muzak-like versions we are being exposed to on different occations. At the other hand, using themes and ideas from others has always being done in composing, also by "the old, big masters" - the only difference is that nowadays you are supposed to TELL who you are stealing from. I think ELP are managing the hard task to combine the classical adaptations into their own very personal musical expression. Myself, I have not found of if I prefer the ELP orchestration of "Pictures.." or Maurice Ravel's (Mussorgsky wrote it for piano). I play them both, and it actually doesn't matter. Same with Copeland's "Fanfare..". ELP are really adding a lot to the piece, like in the medley from the last tour, making it to something different, that are not competeing with another. The pointy is to accept that when pieces are converted from one style to another, they are becomeing something new and are not to be compared as such. Paul Giortz Instituttgruppe for samfunnsmedisinske fag Postboks 1130 Blindern 0318 Oslo, Norway Telefon (+47) 22 85 05 81 eller (+47) 22 85 06 00 Fax (+47) 22 85 05 90 E-post paalgj@samfunnsmed.uio.no ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 3 Jun 1994 11:03:29 +0200 To: j.arnold@ma30.bull.com From: pal.gjortz@samfunnsmed.uio.no Subject: Greg's voice I agree with those who are not panicing over the changes of Greg's voice, as long as it is not detoriating because of smoking and lack of care. The man must be permitted to get older, and it would be a little patetic if he in his age should sound like a member of a boys church choir. However, sometimes I feel he takes some short-cuts, even in studio, when I think he could have done better with the expence of some heavy work. Paul Giortz Instituttgruppe for samfunnsmedisinske fag Postboks 1130 Blindern 0318 Oslo, Norway Telefon (+47) 22 85 05 81 eller (+47) 22 85 06 00 Fax (+47) 22 85 05 90 E-post paalgj@samfunnsmed.uio.no ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 3 Jun 1994 10:47:16 +0200 From: bjorn-are.davidsen@s.televerket.tele.no To: J.Arnold@ma30.bull.com Subject: Letter to the editor Hi John! [ other unrelated stuff deleted ] Another thing: I made a short response on the very condescending treatment of prog rock in VOX magazine's Special on that this winter, and was fortunate enough to get it printed. I have put it at the end of this message. Yours Bjorn Are, Oslo, Norway To: VOX Prog Rock - More Than a Joke Your Prog Rock special in the January issue left me a bit puzzled. I enjoy most kinds of rock music - Red Hot Chilli Peppers as much as XTC and Emerson, Lake and Palmer - and have really never understood why one in the post punk 90's can't listen to the prog rock of the 70's. After all, the groups (or some of them) took more musical risks, not to say commercial, than most groups today. The groups also differed noticeable in style and quality. And some of them still hit you in the guts, musically. Some even had humour. For unknown reasons this last fact seems to have escaped your reviewer. With statements like "there weren't many jokes on Tarkus" he missed the fact that two whole songs on that ELP album was jokes ("Jeremy Bender" and "Are You Ready Eddy"). I also seem to remember that ELP albums always contained at least one silly song, besides the ballads, jazz and classical oriented rock music. However, it may still be prudent to make some kind of distinction between Monthy Pyton and Emerson, Lake and Palmer. Yours Bjorn Are Davidsen, Norway ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 2 Jun 1994 15:48:15 +0200 From: bjorn-are.davidsen@s.televerket.tele.no To: J.Arnold@ma30.bull.com Subject: Classical interpretations and recording of Brain Salad Surgery Two comments on ELP Digest Vol 4, Issue 7: To Mike Orsborn on ELP's versus original verions of classical compositions I think you do have a point regarding your preferance of the original classical versions to ELP's versions. However, one of the reasons why I enjoy ELP so immensely is that they are one of the VERY few (perhaps the only one?) rock (or jazz (or whatever)) groups who are able to make valid interpretations of classical compositions. They do not just play Bach with drums. ELP's personal interpretations of Bartok, Janacek, Ginastera, Mussorgsky a.s.o. are in quite a different class from ELO and Ekseption's versions, not to say from "Hooked on Classics" (disco versions). ELP are in a world of their own within rock music in this regard! And even classical compositions get very different interpretations from other classical composers/arrangers. To take a obvious example: Mussorgsky's "Pictures" has been adapted from the original piano version to orchestra several times and in different ways. Personally I really enjoy both Mussorgsky's version, Ravel's and ELP's (I have not listened to Tomita's versions very much). In a very serious Nordic TV-show on classical music ("Kontrapunkt", a competition between teams from each of the Nordic countries on who knew most about classical music) one question was who has made this arrangement of "Pictures" they played part of. After giving the correct answer one of the teams pointed out ELP's version as one of the very interesting ones. So even if you are quite in your right to like the originals best, one should consider ELP's versions not so much as "classical covers" as valid interpretations. The question one must ask is not if this is the "original" or not, but if it has "caught the mood of the piece" (to quote Ginastera). To Gordon on the origin of Brain Salad Surgery: I am a bit puzzled by the story that ELP went into the studio to record BSS with "very little material". The recording sessions of BSS was to my knowledge between June and September 1973. Well before that they played Karn Evil 9 and Still You Turn Me On live! I have personally heard a tape from their concert in Stockholm, April 18, 1973 where they played part one of KE9. And they played SYTMO in Germany some days earlier. That leaves Jerusalem, Toccata and Benny the B. (and possible part 2 and 3 of KE9?) as the ones they may not have had in June. However, they did have what to me seems like much of the core material of BSS very early. Concidering the way BSS sounds as a very thoroughly composed, arranged and produced album, it's rather a surprise if they really didn't do a thorough job with it (or went to the studio with very few ideas). Another thing which may cause one to ponder a bit is the time between ELP's recordings/releases. ELP was released in Nov 70 (recorded July-Sep). Tarkus was released June 71 (rec mainly in January) and Pictures released Nov 71 (rec of course live March 71). Then Trilogy was published in July 72 (recorded Nov 71-Jan 72). This is given in more detail in my "A Time and a Place" list. That leaves about 6-7 months between each of the albums ELP, Tarkus, Pictures and Trilogy (what other rock groups ever had that kind of speed/energy in their releases - no wonder ELP kind of burned out in the mid 70's!!!). And then one has to wait a year and a half for BSS (well worth the wait, by the way!)! It would be a surprise if they during that time did not compose several songs for BSS and was well prepared before entering the studio... Well, I may be wrong, but it still puzzles me a bit if what you tell really turns out to be true! By the way, would it be possible for you to send me a copy of the Melody Maker interview you refer to? Bjorn Are, Oslo, Norway ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 03 Jun 94 08:36 CDT From: Janell Duxbury Subject: Re: ELP Digest V4 #7 To: J.Arnold@ma30.bull.com X-Vms-To: IN%"J.Arnold@ma30.bull.com",DUXBURY In ELP Digest vol.4, issue 7, Dave Bentley wrote: < ... The Manhattan Collection. By the way, "Golliwog's Cakewalk" on < that Cd is played by Derek Austin not Keith (a question from Rainer K. < in vol.3 #17)." I've seen that piece referred to as "The Golliwog Cake Walk". Is that the correct title? Is it based on the Debussy piece? What evidence that Keith did not actually play it? (I can't get into the archives to check that earlier issue during work time where my email access is.) Any other classical covers on that CD? Thanks, Janell Duxbury ------------------------------ From: Maureen@eworld.com To: j.arnold@ma30.bull.com Date: Sat, 04 Jun 94 00:17:55 PDT Subject: Doom and Gloom Revisted Robert Gatto reports on Prodigy, 5-31: "Performance Magazine (it's a trade mag. published weekly geared to touring artist industry) published the following notice: "'ELP cancelled their summer tour. Keith Emerson's hand didn't heal correctly after an operation and he wouldn't be able to perform the one-and-a-half to two-hour show.' "JUST REPORTING WHAT THE ARTICLE STATED... OF COURSE HOPE IT'S WRONG." On the other hand, there were other postings that weren't so definitely negative. Who knows? Sla/n, Mo! ------------------------------ From: dave.bentley@ps.com (Dave Bentley) Subject: Trivia: BSS's other title Date: Thu, 2 Jun 1994 16:43:00 GMT To: j.arnold@ma30.bull.com In reply to Gordon's trivia question in the last digest, I seem to recall that there was some talk about it being called "Get Me a Ladder". I think the idea was dropped after somebody brought some ladders to let Greg off a plane at some airport somewhere..or something like that. On a different note. Q Magazine in the U.K. has an advert from Compact Disc Services in Dundee. ELP "The Best Seat in the House" produced by Whitsnake's Keith Olsen L12.99 (why does my pound symbol always appear as an L?!). I gave them a ring and they said that they didn't have a release date for the U.K. but In Japan it's 9th July! and they will be selling the Jap Imports at L28 or thereabouts. * OLX 2.1 TD * ................. and came out with a TON OF IDEAS ------------------------------ From: Burch Seymour Subject: Music for Bach Before the Mast To: J.Arnold@ma30.bull.com Date: Tue, 7 Jun 1994 11:33:00 -0400 (EDT) Does anyone know where I can find the music for the piece Bach Before the Mast, which Keith recorded on his LP Honkey? It's a neat little Fugue based on the Sailor's Hornpipe. Thanks, -Burch Seymour- bseymour@encore.com ================================================================ [ Editor's note: I've been looking for it for a while. Perhaps someone in London could call Boosey & Hawkes (I think they're the one who are credited as publishers of the piece according to the liner notes of "Honky" and find ou if it's available. - John - ] ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 14 Jun 94 14:50:08 CDT From: Doug Subject: Greg Lake at Junefest II To: J.ARNOLD@ma30.bull.com I don't have any details but I understand Greg Lake appeared at Junefest II in Las Vegas. It was billed as a special guest appearance and he was never mentioned by name beforehand. Nice surprise! He played several songs solo, but only Lucky Man and Still You Turn Me On were recognized by my informant. Anyone have the track listing for the Return to Manticore Promo CD, it has 6 new and 6 old songs? My real question is this ALL the new songs from the Box? Doug PS thanks for the video info Bjorn ! ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 16 Jun 94 13:37 CDT From: Janell Duxbury Subject: ELP related article citation To: J.ARNOLD@ma30.bull.com The following article may be of interest: "Pictures in the Round" STUDIO SOUND AND BROADCAST ENGINEERING (May 1994) pp.29-32 Article gives details of the new studio recording in Dolby Surround sound of ELP's "Pictures at an Exhibition" that appears on RETURN OF THE MANTICORE. Comments are from the recording studio staff and from Greg Lake. Bye, Janell Duxbury ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 17 Jun 1994 08:36:26 +0200 From: bjorn-are.davidsen@s.televerket.tele.no To: J.Arnold@ma30.bull.com (Non Receipt Notification Requested) Subject: Best Seat in The House Just thought I should mention that The Best Seat In The House already is being marketed! I may of course have missed an earlier release date than expected, but if not it is interesting that in the latest Q Magazine (July 94) TBSIH is advertised for sale by "Compact Disc Services", Magnum House, 140 Seagate, Dundee DD1 2HF (Phone (0382) 76595, Fax (0382) 736702). This company also has a direct mailing information service with a regular 40 page progressive/symphonic rock booklet. The prize is L12.99 + postage L1.00. Bjorn Are ------------------------------ From: dave.bentley@ps.com (Dave Bentley) Subject: ALBUM/TOUR UPDATE Date: Fri, 17 Jun 1994 15:26:00 GMT To: j.arnold@ma30.bull.com I've just spoken to Brian Emerson at Part Rock re ELP's current status.......slightly depressing news. The title of the album has now been changed to "In the Hot Seat" and to quote Brian.."there's alot of Greg vocals". When I asked him if it was "classic ELP" he wouldn't say. Much Hammond?...." a bit". Anything like "Black Moon" or "Changing States"?......"No!" Release dates Japan Aug 3rd may have bonus piano solo track. USA Aug 23rd The rest of the World no date fixed yet. When I asked If there were even PLANS for a tour......"No" He wouldn't elaborate on the reasons why. He mentioned that the box set didn't make a profit and I am beginning to think that even if Keith's arm is recovering they may wait to see how the album sells before touring. The "lots of Greg vocals" and possibly small amount of Hammond makes me fear that this album could be another Love Beach. Let's face it, unless the tracks were recorded before Keiths operation the keyboard parts are going to be "padding" for Greg's vocals rather than up front with loads of heavy licks which is what I presume most of the fans wish to hear. Lets hope that my fears are unfounded David Bentley ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 19 Jun 94 10:41:43 -0700 From: "David M. Tratt" To: j.arnold@ma30.bull.com Subject: ELP on Regis/Kathie again TV Guide has ELP on Regis & Kathie Lee this Tuesday (June 21, ABC-TV, 9-10 am). Don't know if it's a new appearance or a repeat of the last one, but several other musical guests are listed so an "anthology" is possible. ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 19 Jun 1994 14:07:21 -0400 (EDT) From: Damien DeSimone Subject: ELP on Regis & Kathie Lee Tuesday!?! To: "ELP (John Arnold)" I just was glancing through this week's new issue of TV Guide (Northern New Jersey edition), and, to my surprise, I saw the following entry for Tuesday, June 21: Regis & Kathie Lee ------------------ Scheduled guests: Johnny Mathis, EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER, Tony Bennett (Live) I consider myself to be extremely well-informed about these kinds of things, but this really caught me off guard! :-) My first thought was that this might be a repeat of the show that ELP did last November, but it does say 'live,' and on the previous show neither Mathis nor Bennett were guests... Perhaps ELP is starting a promotional tour for their forthcoming album? That's the only reason I can think of why they'd be in New York at this time... Anyone else have any further info?! -Damien- | Damien DeSimone | "People go out to be entertained; they don't go out | | Mahwah, NJ USA | to see some keyboard boffin with his head buried in | | glennpa@nic.com | a load of computers and synthesizers." GEOFF DOWNES | | "Yet another mindless Cozy Powell double-bass drum flapper." LEWIS BEARD | ------------------------------ From: mathias@tarkus.ocis.temple.edu (mathias thallmayer) Subject: Dali: The Endless Enigma To: j.arnold@bull.com (ELP List) Date: Mon, 20 Jun 94 0:33:45 EDT I just saw an ad for an album called "Dali: The Endless Enigma". It is an album by ambient electronic artists such as Klaus Schulz in hommage to Dali. I thought it is amusing that they used a song title from a group that is so intense and anti-ambient. -- Mathias ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 20 Jun 1994 10:09:17 +0200 From: bjorn-are.davidsen@s.televerket.tele.no To: J.Arnold@ma30.bull.com (Non Receipt Notification Requested) Subject: Box set, Works 3 and female ELP fans This is my first shot at writing anything on ELP digest. I don't have Internet access myself, so I thank my friend Bjorn Are Davidsen warmly for letting me access this superb digest through him! Having read a few ELP Digests, I do have some comments to make: Jeff Lawrence asks in issue 3 if "Greg Lake" is available on CD - it is, I've got it and you can get it on Japanese import. For some reason, "Manouvres" has never been released on CD. Spike wrote in the same issue that he was disappointed with the new versions of old material on Box set. I don't agree - "Pictures" is BRILLIANT and has not been murdered at all. The sound quality is superb! And they didn't try to fix old material that was not broken - the original Pictures is still brilliant! But they used today's technology to ENHANCE the sound and I think the result is very good! The only criticism I have of new version of Pictures (and the new verion of I Believe in Father Christmas) is the gospel choir during The Sage! Who needs a gospel choir, when you have Greg Lake? And this brings us to Greg's voice - yes, it is deeper and hoarser, but - oh - - I still like it! Remember - he's not 20 anymore! Spike also queries ELP convention in issue 4. The latest I heard from ELP News Service is that they are hoping to arrange it for August/September. But don't hold your breath, will you....! If it takes place, it will most probably be held in Birmingham, England. And on that subject - an ELP tribute band has been formed in Portsmouth, England and they will play at the convention, if it happens. They are called Works 3 and their next concert is in Theatre Royal, Portsmouth on 2nd July. They are very good and they play ELP music only! One person queried where he can get hold of Keith Emerson's "Christmas Album". The best place to try for ANYTHING with ELP is: COMPACT DISC SERVICES Magnum House, 140 Seagate Dundee DD1 2HF, SCOTLAND, UK Tel: 0382-76595 They can get hold of anything worldwide which has not been deleted. They are VERY good! Lastly, I would love to hear form ANY ELP fans out there, maybe in particular females! Us ladies are few and far between on the ELP front, I think! So get that pen rolling! Bye for now! Liv. G. Whetmore, 28 Stonebanks, Manor Road, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey KT12 2QE, ENGLAND ------------------------------ End of ELP Digest [Volume 4 Issue 8] ************************************