ELP Digest Sunday, 27 September 1998 Volume 8 : Issue 11 The "Walking By The River One September Eve" Edition Today's Topics: Rock Family Trees ELP on BBC2 October 2nd ELP on Rock Family Trees ELP on the BBC UK - GENERATION GAME THEME MUSIC ELP and Generation Game Karnevil 9 and Major league Baseball Baseball Playoffs Fox TV ELP Videos... Harmagedon CD We got a clue! Three-To The Power of Three Interviews with Lake and Palmer Carl Palmer article and ELP concert in Hinkley, MN Keith Emerson's modular Moog synthesizer Keith plays the blues! Manticore Records prices Prelude ======= I know you're all sick and tired about my apologies but this time I really owe you one. I'm sorry that this is the first ELP Digest since mid-August (when ELP was in mid-tour) and that I haven't been able to keep the web site's Tour Reviews up to date. August and September proved to be the home of some of the most hectic weeks of my career and work and family obligations left me with scarcely any free time. The good news is that the load is lightening and I'm getting this Digest out (finally). And I think I'll get the reviews updated in a few days. Thanks, as always, for bearing with me. I appreciate the fact that all of the notes I received asking "what's happened to the Digest" or "what happened to the tour reviews" were polite rather than flames. Thanks for your understanding. Now, I'll concentrate my energies on getting caught up-to-date rather than apologizing. - John - ------------------------------------------------------------ From: Laurie Wedd <101776.3062@compuserve.com>, on 9/17/98 12:45 PM: To: ELP Digest Subject: Rock Family Trees UK Digest readers will want to know that the Rock Family Trees programme on ELP and Yes etc is scheduled to go out on October 2nd at 11.15 on BBC2. (I mentioned this when it was trailed nearly a year ago.) Set the video! Laurie ------------------------------ From: WilsonAWM@aol.com, on 9/26/98 11:49 AM: To: elp-digest-web@reluctant.com Subject: ELP on BBC2 October 2nd Just a note to remind Brit readers that at 23:15 on the 2nd October there is a chance to see ELP on "Rock Family Trees" on BBC2. Some French and Dutch viewers who can pick up the BBC will also be able to see it. Andy Wilson London WILSONAWM@AOL.COM ------------------------------ From: "Andrew Johnson" , on 9/26/98 8:25 PM: To: "John Arnold" Subject: ELP on Rock Family Trees [...] I've discovered that footage of ELP will be on British television next week on Friday 2 October at 11.15 p.m BST. A programme called "Rock Family Trees"(you may be aware of the series of books of rock family trees) will be shown on BBC2. The weeks episode is entitled "The Prog Rock Years" and will include clips of ELP, Yes etc. Regards Andrew Johnson Cardiff Wales UK Andrew.Johnson1@tesco.net ------------------------------ From: Barry Turner , on 9/12/98 2:36 PM: To: ELP-digest Subject: ELP on the BBC Hi John Just a quick note to let you know that ELP's Karn Evil 9 1st impression pt 2, is currently being used as the theme tune for Jim Davidsons Generation game, a saturday night prime time programme on BBC1. There are also snippets of the same tune used for incidental music. Jim Davidson is a big ELP fan and has had Keith performing on several shows of his, including the theme tune for a comedy sitcom. Keep up the good work with the digest, hopefully one day, you'll have some concert reports from the UK!! ------------------------------ From: Graham Seaman , on 9/14/98 6:03 PM: To: John Arnold Subject: UK - GENERATION GAME THEME MUSIC John. Have any Brits reported a subtle change in the theme music to the BBC's 'Jim Davidson's Generation Game' in the UK? Not only does he now lock his hapless victims up in the 'ELP Room' to keep them out of earshot of their partners, (complete with 'heavy metal kid' fitted with long straight wig, thrashing the hell out of what looks like an original MiniMoog). Now the 'crafty cockney' has succeeded at last in bringing 'Karn Evil 9 - First Impression' to the attention of all peak-time BBC1 viewers! My daughter Jenna, keen to ensure that I didn't miss the event two weeks running, screamed a warning up the stairs as the programme started. Gone at last are the purile musical prattlings originated by Bruce Forsythe (British Comedian - long chin, old humour). With great delight I heard a few familiar 'progressive' bars open and then close the show - you can probably guess what they would be, but if I said 'WBMFTTSTNE...' you'll no doubt get the message. All I can say is....well done Jim! Let's campaign to have ELP music open up all the shows on the BBC! How about 'Fanfare for the Common Man' opening up 'The Terry Wogan Show'; or 'Pirates' bringing a bit of life into that lack-lustre soap 'Eastenders'. I won't even mention themes from 'Brain Salad Surgery' (or is that 'Lay Some Skull On Me'), being used to introduce documentaries about the Bill Clinton and Monica L. affair! This could be a most interesting topic for discussion....has anybody else got any other suggestions? regards - Graham Seaman [babayaga@compuserve.com] ------------------------------ From: "Andrew Johnson" , on 9/23/98 7:33 PM: To: Subject: ELP and Generation Game Are you aware that ELP have re-worked a new version of Karn Evil 9 (i.e. Welcome Back My Friends ... etc) as the theme tune to the new series of a British TV game show called "The Generation Game" shown on the BBC on Saturday evenings. The host of the game is called Jim Davidson, I believe he is a close friend of Keith Emerson. ELP also contribute some incidental music. Emerson has previously contributed and performed at Davidson's live stage shows. Regards Andrew Johnson ------------------------------ From: "Jeff Marx" , on 9/20/98 11:37 AM: To: "ELP Digest" Subject: Karnevil 9 and Major league Baseball Hi John, Just a quick note of interest; Fox Sports is using a big chunk of Karnevil 9 1st Impression as the background music advertising the upcoming Major League Baseball playoffs. It's good to see the lads get some residuals and to have their music back on American prime time television. Cheers, Jeff --- Karnevilj's Progressive Music Site http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Frontrow/7806/ sic itur ad astra ------------------------------ From: SWhalen116@aol.com, on 9/23/98 8:27 PM: To: arnold@reluctant.com Subject: Baseball Playoffs Last Sunday during the Tampa Bay Bucs/Chicago Bears game on Fox there was a commercial break with an advertisement to watch the upcoming baseball playoffs. There were clips of baseball plays mixed in with carnival type scenes. The music used was ELP's Karn Evil 9 Ist Impression, Part 2. It's about time that ELP's music is used in mainstream promotions! ------------------------------ From: ELP73LIVE@aol.com, on 9/26/98 4:11 PM: To: elp-digest-web@reluctant.com Subject: Fox TV Hi John, I just heard some snippets from Ke9 1st imp...part two. It was on Fox TV for the divisional baseball playoffs. "Welcome back my friends to the show that never ends" And some KILLER Carl riffs too! It gave me goosebumps to hear it. I am a big baseball fan, best game out there. [...] Thanks , Mark Passarelli ------------------------------ From: Laurie Wedd <101776.3062@compuserve.com>, on 8/28/98 12:22 PM: To: ELP Digest Subject: ELP Videos... I don't suppose I'm the first to spot that the two promised videos are now on sale on the official website. If the experience of the Isle of Wight CD is anything to go by, early action is recommended! They are in stock as I write - 28 August 98. Laurie Wedd [ Editor's Note: The 2 videos are the Manticore Documentary and the 1977 Montreal Concert with the Orchestra. - John - ] ------------------------------ From: Akiko Hada , on 8/17/98 9:58 AM: To: elp-digest@reluctant.com Subject: Harmagedon CD Dear John, Further info on the "Harmagedon" soundtrack CD: It contains 6 tracks by Keith (Theme of Floi, Joe and Michiko, Children of the Light, Sonny's Skate State, Zamedy Stomp and Challenge of the Psionics Fighters) as well as Bach's "Toccata and Fugue in D-Minor" which I suspect is played by him, and 5 pieces by the film's other composer, Nozomu Aoki. (Keith is credited as the "Musical Director".) The colour inlet includes various stills from the film, lyrics to "Children of the Light" and liner notes (only one paragraph about Keith). The catalogue number is CPC8-3003. It's part of the Kadokawa Film Soundtracks series on the Volcano label, released by Culture Publishers Inc. and distributed by Warner Music Japan. Best, Akiko Hada. ------------------------------ From: melis@cagliari.st.com (Adriano Melis), on 8/18/98 9:53 PM: To: elp-digest@reluctant.com Subject: We got a clue! Hello everybody, Having read the reviews and the track listing of the early shows of the current tour your humble fellow ELP fan went on deep thoughts..... Since the passing of the Rubicon was the first step in the civil war between Gaius Julius Caesar and Rome (January 11 49 BC) we can speculate on this fact and argue that ELP are working on a concept album based on ancient Rome history.... Veeeery interesting........ Adriano -- ------------------------------ From: Aaron Bergner , on 9/8/98 9:48 PM: To: elp-digest-web@reluctant.com Subject: Three-To The Power of Three Just thought I'd let ELP'ers know that I went to my local Sam Goody over the weekend and found a brand new copy of Three's, "To The Power of Three" on the shelf. The back of the CD looks a little different than mine, so it looks like a rerelease. For those of you who don't know, this was an album done by Emerson, Palmer, and Robert Berry, that quickly went out of print when it was released in the late 80's (or was it the early 90's?). It wasn't a bad album (better than "Love Beach" or "In the Hot Seat", IMHO), and worth the $8.99 they had it priced at. ------------------------------ From: hslawlor@hotmail.com, on 8/24/98 11:05 PM: To: elp-digest-web@reluctant.com Subject: Interviews with Lake and Palmer I'm a reporter with the Warren Tribune Chronicle out here in Ohio, and I just reviewed the DT/ELP/DP show from Aug. 21 at Blossom Music Center. For the review, I interviewed Greg Lake and Carl Palmer about a 1/2 hour after they completed their set. Some of my interview didn't make it to print (after all, I had to review DP and DT, too), so I thought I'd pass along some of the information to the Faitfhul Readers of the Digest. Although both Lake and Palmer seemed to be under some kind of orders from management not to talk about a new album, it seemed to be foremost in their minds. Unprompted, one of the first things Greg Lake said when he sat down for the interview was, ``We've got to get in the studio and put out some new material, that's all there is to it.'' Lake went on to say they planned to record after the touring session was over, but then clammed up after that. He said they haven't put out a good record ``in a while.'' Palmer, when asked about a new record, said their intention was to get in the studio and record what they've been writing. The new song, ``Crossing the Rubicon'' is a snippet of what they've been working on, he said. He also said they have some conceptual ideas about songs that they haven't gotten around to writing. Asked to describe the new music, Palmer suddenly didn't want to talk much about it. But he revealed that the new album could be have a more ``orchestral'' feel, but not to the extreme of Pirates, for instance. It sounded like they were looking at using orchestral sounds from synthesizers, but he was kind of vague on that point, and he named some instruments I had never heard of! ``It's going to be us, that's the best way I can put it,'' Palmer said. When asked about touring, Palmer mentioned that they would consider augmenting their next tour, maybe bringing along a horn section, or a small string section, or some combination. If it comes true, it sounds like it could be an exciting album for ELP fans.... By the way, I gave the boys and Dream Theater a good review....although I panned Deep Purple a little bit....is it just me, or does anybody else find lead singer Ian Gillan untolerably obnoxious... Joe Lawlor Warren OH ------------------------------ From: "poch.fam" , on 8/30/98 9:07 AM: To: elp-digest-web@reluctant.com Subject: Carl Palmer article and ELP concert in Hinkley, MN Hi John: I wanted to let the Digest readers know that a short "update" piece that I wrote on Carl Palmer will appear in the December issue of Modern Drummer magazine (due out in October). Material for the article came from a phone interview that I did with Carl last month. As usual, he was very kind and insightful. I had the opportunity to see ELP with Dream Theater and Deep Purple in Hinkley, MN last week (August 23) and they gave a superb show. They integrated some new material with classics from the 70's. My wife and I met Carl backstage and he showed us the scars from the carpal tunnel operations he had approximately three years ago. His performance is as strong as ever. I also had the chance to see Keith for a few minutes. He hammered the keyboards as in the years past and shows no lingering problems with his arm. Greg's vocal and guitar performances were excellent in Hinkley. ------------------------------ From: Frank Sonnenberg , on 9/21/98 4:57 PM: To: elp-digest@reluctant.com Subject: Keith Emerson's modular Moog synthesizer In the last issue of the Digest, I asked for any pictures and information about Keith Emerson's modular Moog synthesizer. The response was overwhelming and helpful way beyond what I expected. I thought I would share what I've learned with the other readers. Please indulge me if I'm presenting things that are obvious to you. First, it is important to note that Emerson's Moog synthesizer is an analog, modular, monophonic synthesizer. Analog, because all of the sounds are created and controlled by electrical voltage control. There isn't a single integrated circuit in the entire thing. Modular, because it, like all original Moog synthesizers was created from an assortment of standard components (oscillators, amplifiers and filters) that could be combined in various ways to create and control sounds. (That's the reason for the patch cords). Monophonic because it can play only one note at a time. Emerson's synthesizer is unique and historically important. It started out as one of four identical synthesizers, specially designed by Moog for public demonstrations by having presets to quickly change voices. After the demonstrations were over, Moog wanted to sell the synthesizers. Someone suggested Emerson, and apparently, he bought it immediately reportedly for $4,000 (this was circa 1970). In its original configuration, which can be seen clearly on the Pictures at an Exhibition video recorded at London's Lyceum in 1970, it consisted of only a single a cabinet. Later, Emerson added additional modules including sequencers until the unit towered more than four feet above the top of the Hammond C-3 and weighed several hundred pounds. Some interesting facts are that the modules on the bottom row are dummies (just face plates without electronics) and that the TV screen at the upper right just displays a sine wave that is keyed to the frequency of the sequencer. Emerson worked directly with Robert Moog to develop some of the additional modules, one of which even bears his name. The synthesizer is unique; none like it were ever sold by Moog. I did not come across any estimates of how much was spent on it altogether and I would imagine that it would be impossible to estimate. It is interesting that Robert Moog never considered his synthesizer to be a performance instrument and thought Emerson was crazy for attempting it. However, after hearing about Emerson, Moog traveled to New York to watch ELP play and was astonished by what he saw. To understand how impressive it was that Emerson played the Moog live, consider that the instrument made no sounds whatsoever unless patched together in precisely the right way and that very tiny adjustments to the many knobs and switches could completely change the sound. Prior to acquiring the preset module, there was no way of even storing sounds. Furthermore, the oscillators that generated the sound were unstable and could rapidly go out of tuning. To see for yourself what a challenge it was, view the 1970 Pictures video. You will see Emerson scampering about the stage, turning knobs, flipping switches, and generally not getting it right all the time. On occasions, no note comes out, on others a horrible sound comes out and has to be adjusted and sometimes, the thing is just out of tune. Contrast this with the commercially released recording of Pictures in which basically the same equipment was used, but nearly flawlessly. It is also impressive when you consider that the synthesizer is monophonic. It could simulate chords by combining notes at appropriate intervals, but couldn't trigger from more than one key at a time. The fortunes of the Keith's modular synthesizer began to decline in the mid-70's when he acquired the triple manual Yamaha GX-1, which reportedly cost $50,000 (then) and also of which only a handful were made. The Yamaha GX-1 can be seen in the Pirates video. It's also in the Black Moon video, but it is my understanding that he no longer played it by then and my guess is the video is just using it as a prop. One story says that the GX-1 was destroyed in Keith's barn by a runaway piece of farm equipment. After the GX-1 appeared, the Moog began to be neglected and by the mid 1980's Keith left it home when he went on tour. It spent one winter outdoors in Buffalo, New York. Around 1990, Will Alexander got ahold of it and kept in his living room for over a year while he gradually rehabilitated it. (Just think what it would be like to have Keith Emerson's Moog synthesizer in your living room!) It reappeared 1992 (it can be seen in the RAH concert video) and accompanies him now on most tours. Notably, it was not on stage in 1996 when ELP toured with Jethro Tull but reappeared in the 1997 and 1998 tours. It now functions primarily as a decorative backdrop on the stage and a convenient place to set down the ribbon controller, but my understanding is that it works. Most of the original sounds of the Moog are programmed into other devices. Interestingly, Keith's current rig contains two "MinimidiMoogs" which are rack mounted, MIDI'd versions of the MiniMoog. As far as I know the "big Moog" is not connected to any other keyboard devices. The single most helpful source of information came from the June 1992 issue of Keyboard magazine which devoted the cover and a large part of the issue to Keith Emerson and contained 3 articles: 1. Keith Emerson & ELP Again 2. Keith Emerson & ELP Again: Emo's Gear Man Will Alexander 3. Keith Emerson & ELP Again: The World's Most Dangerous Synth The third article shows how the big rig is constructed (what modules) and gives a fascinating history of the synthesizer. The other resource that is well worth having is the book "Vintage Synthesizers" edited by Mark Vail who wrote the "Most Dangerous Synth" article which is included in slightly altered format in the book. This book is easily available from online booksellers (e.g. Amazon.com) for about $18.95. Thanks to the many people who responded to my original request. Many of them not only gave me suggestions, but e-mailed me digital photographs and offered to send me copies of articles. This shows how the ELP Digest readers function as a virtual community and the power of the Internet. People from all over the world helped me to find very quickly exactly the answers I wanted and I think everyone enjoyed the exchange. ------------------------------ From: , on 9/11/98 8:11 AM: To: elp-digest@reluctant.com Subject: Keith plays the blues! Here's an interesting review of Keith playing with John Mayall recently! Bjorn Are bjorn-are.davidsen@s.nett.telenor.no - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - I Contain Multitudes - Walt Whitman - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - L.A.Times article/Mayall,Peter Green et al. Email:alora@purplemtn.comDate:1998/09/08 Forums:bit.listserv.blues-l view for bookmarking text only ------------------------------------------------------------------------ >From this morning's L.A. Times: BRITISH BRAND OF BLUES IS CELEBRATED AT LONG BEACH FEST By Natalie Nichols "We've got the limey brigade on stage tonight," John Mayall quipped at the 19th annual Long Beach Blues Festival on Sunday, as the show-closing "British Blues Reunion" jam session took shape at the Cal State Long Beach Athletic Field. If the legendary father of British blues wasn't exactly surrounded by the many proteges he's nurtured since the 60's in his band the Bluesbreakers, his presence helped coalesce a bill that focused on seminal U.K. artists. The most anticipated appearance was that of singer-guitarist Peter Green, the Fleetwood Mac co-founder who recently returned to per- forming after decades of mental illness. In the 60's, he succeeded Eric Clapton in the Bluesbreakers, with a slow-blues style that was both powerful and particularly lovely. On Saturday with his Splinter Group, the 51-year-old musician played traditional numbers and his own early tunes, such as "Black Magic Woman." Green appeared distant at times, and his singing voice, never more than serviceable, sounded froggy. But his musical voice rang true, especially on the spooky, moody instrumentals "Albatross" and "Super- natural," in which his signature style emerged intact. Filling the air with sweet, sad, beautiful sounds, Green not only reminded us of what he had been, but showed us of what he could yet be again. Original members Jim McCarty (drums) and Chris Dreja (guitar) formed the core of the refurbished Yardbirds, but the quintet's raucous, crowd-pleasing set of such hits as "For Your Love" was less a return to the blues it began with in 1963 than an emphasis on its legacy as a psychedelic-rock innovator and heavy-metal harbringer. Backed by his current Bluesbreakers, the 64-year-old Mayall offered the most dynamic and varied set, a blend of standard blues, newer material and early classics such as "Room to Move." He proved an adept ringleader for the jam session, casually assemb- ling some incredible fire-power, including Green, Dreja, McCarty, organist Keith Emerson and American guitarist Ronnie Earl, as well as former Bluesbreaker and Rolling Stones guitarist Mick Taylor and Savoy Brown leader Kim Simmonds. Rather than concentrating on some of the assembled players' most memorable moments, however, the musicians pursued classic blues, celebrating their own roots rather than their contributions to the form. It would have been interesting to hear their take on one of Green's compositions, but this was more about having a bit of good, dirty fun with old mates. And in that regard, it was one fine party. ------------------------------ From: Andy Acunzo , on 8/21/98 6:41 PM: To: arnold@reluctant.com Subject: Manticore Records prices Hello, I thought I'd vent my feelings of both happiness and frustration with Manticore Records. First off, I bought the Isle of Wight CD when it came out and I love it. It's nice and live, warts and all. I thought the price with shipping was a little much for a single disc, but I bought it anyway (as a New York resident, I have to pay sales tax also). Now I see that, much to my delight, they've finally released official videos of the 1973 Manticore special and the 1977 Montreal concert. Just what fans have waited years for, right? Unfortunately, the Manticore special is $30 and the Montreal video is $40. And unless you plan on picking them up in person, plan on adding a ridiculous $5 shipping fee per item (that's in the U.S.; it's more elsewhere). In addition to these is what looks to be a great new Greg Lake official bootleg CD, for $20 plus $5 shipping. As a big ELP fan, I'd love to buy all of these items, but for the two videos and one CD, one would have to pay $90 plus an insane $15 for shipping, bringing the total to $105. NY residents can tack on $8+ for sales tax. Don't get me wrong; I'm glad ELP is finally releasing this stuff, but it'd be nice if they were priced more realistically. The prices for the items are high enough; the shipping is two or three times what it should be. If they're too lazy to put out new music, they should at least show respect, not contempt, for their fans when they release the old stuff. ttyl, Andy Acunzo aacunzo@sbchem.sunysb.edu P.S. For comparison, check out Robert Fripp's DGM Records. Two videos and a CD typically run $52-$55, plus about $8 shipping. That's over $40 less than what Manticore are charging. ------------------------------ End of ELP Digest [Volume 8 Issue 11] *************************************