ELP Digest 13 December 2003 Volume 13 : Issue 14 The "Wind Of Laughter Blows Cold" Edition Today's Topics: Breaking News, Rumors, Etc. - Greg Lake 'From The Underground Vol. 2' available - 2 new ELPowell 'official bootlegs' available - Greg Lake Finishing New Classics Album (November 24, 2003) - WHO'S NEXT - For Greg Lake.... (November 24, 2003) - GL/THE WHO (November 18, 2003) - Carl Palmer in Germany (December 3, 2003) Reader Commentary - Re: Greg Lake Debate (November 18, 2003) - Re: ELP Digest Vol. 13 #13 (Fate stepping in) (November 18, 2003) - Re: ELP Digest Vol. 13 #13 (Daltrey and BSS) (November 18, 2003) - comments from within (November 18, 2003) - Caustic remarks (November 19, 2003) - response to Lake bashing (November 19, 2003) - Re: ELP Digest Vol. 13 #13 (more on Greg) (November 22, 2003) - greg lake (November 30, 2003) - ELP in the lists (December 1, 2003) - Keith's biography (December 2, 2003) - Prog and prejudice - take four (December 4, 2003) - Prog and prejudice - take five (December 5, 2003) - Shaun Baxter's Tinnitus Problem (December 6, 2003) Questions (and Answers!) - "Memoirs Of An Officer And A Gentleman" (November 18, 2003) - memoirs of a officer and gentleman (November 24, 2003) - Looking for a used copy of Keith's book (November 28, 2003) - strange ELP hungarian tribute band (November 30, 2003) - Classic Rock Legends DVDs (December 3, 2003) ELP-related products, tribute bands, promoters (The ELP Digest does not endorse, etc.) - (no items this issue) =========================== Prelude =========================== Lots of news this time around. A new release from Greg and 2 new ELPowell releases. Both scheduled to ship this week! More about Greg's current work with The Who and a news release about his work on a new Greg 'Classics' album slated for 2004. And lots more. Thanks to all of you who sent in your memories of 'Brain Salad Surgery'. There were enough responses that I'm going to dedicate the entire next Digest to them. So, watch for that edition of the Digest in the next week or so. Read on! - John - ------------------------------ Latest News from the Official ELP sites .... Just in time for the holidays, the Official Global ELP site has some new group and solo merchandise available. (See below for more details.) Check out the details at http://www.emersonlakepalmer.com/elp2.html or http://www.greglake.com ------------------------------ A new feature has been added to Keith's site - Emo's Memos, which will feature comments direct from the man himself. Click on: http://www.keithemerson.com/EmosMemos/EmosMemos.html Elsewhere on the site, more tour pix have been added to: http://www.keithemerson.com/Gallery/Nice2003/2003Tour.html ------------------------------ All kinds of news has been posted on Greg's Web site on "The Hot Sheet:" http://greglake.com/newsite/newhotsheet.asp ...including two news releases that are posted in this Digest under "Breaking News ..." and more! ------------------------------ Carl's site, http://www.carlpalmer.com/palmer.html, has a tantalizing banner that reads: "//////News flash//////I am now rehearsing new guitar player////// Working Live Vol. 2 ready for release in 2004 and UK tour in May //////Watch this space for more dates still coming in//////" We will! Enjoy. =========================== Breaking News, Rumors, Etc. =========================== The Greg Lake Gift Shop has announced the release of Volume 2 of Greg's 'From The Underground' CD series. Its web site, too, has an audio clip preview. It is scheduled to ship this week. Access the Greg Lake Gift Shop via www.greglake.com CD: From The Underground Vol II - Deeper Into The Mine (GL-CD 0117) From The Underground Volume 2 – Deeper Into The Mine, is a second collection of rare and previously unreleased recordings dating back to 1969 and Greg Lake's days in King Crimson. Also included are several never before-heard finished studio recordings taken from the sessions for Lake’s two Chrysalis solo albums released in the 1980s; rare live recordings from Emerson, Lake & Palmer; and unreleased tracks from two Greg Lake splinter projects, ELPowell and Greg Lake’s Ride The Tiger (which included Yes/Buggles/Asia keyboardist, Geoff Downes). Among the most rare of the recordings found on From The Underground Volume 2 – Deeper Into The Mine are several finished studio masters of outtakes from the two Lake Chrysalis solo albums. He was backed by his 1981/83 solo band featuring guitarist Gary Moore and also by the Grammy Award winning pop band, Toto. Also included is a 1971 studio-quality live recording of Lake’s most popular group, Emerson, Lake & Palmer, doing a previously unreleased song entitled "Preacher Blues." From The Underground Vol II - Deeper Into The Mine is an official bootleg album. This album is a follow up to the original From The Underground collection released in 1998, which has remained popular with Lake’s fans. The extensive liner notes were written by Greg Lake, himself. All tracks on FROM THE UNDERGROUND 2 have been digitally remastered Full Track listing includes: 1.) Black Moon -(rare live version) EMERSON LAKE & PALMER 2.) Check It Out (previously unreleased) GREG LAKE'S RIDE THE TIGER Love Under Fire (previously unreleased version) GREG LAKE'S RIDE THE TIGER 3.) Cold Side Of A Woman (previously unreleased) GREG LAKE (with TOTO) 4.) Step Aside (previously unreleased studio rehearsal) EMERSON LAKE & POWELL 5.) Preacher Blues (rare live unreleased song from) EMERSON LAKE & PALMER 6.) Hold Me (previously unreleased) GREG LAKE 7.) Heart On Ice (rare live version) GREG LAKE and Band 9.) Blue Light (previously unreleased version) GREG LAKE'S RIDE THE TIGER 10.) You're Good With Your Love (previously unreleased) GREG LAKE (with TOTO) 11.) You Really Got A Hold On Me (previously unreleased) GREG LAKE (with TOTO) 12.) Epitaph (rare live version from 1969 Hyde Park show) KING CRIMSON 13.) Fanfare For The Common Man (rare live version) GREG LAKE Band (featuring Gary Moore) --------------------------------------------- Also, the ELP Gift Shop has 2 new CDs from the Emerson, Lake & Powell era that have been released on the Manticore Label. The web site also has some audio previews of these new releases! Both are scheduled to ship this week. Access the ELP Gift Shop from www.emersonlakepalmer.com CD 1: EMERSON LAKE & POWELL - THE SPROCKET SESSIONS (Manticore CD3008) Available for the first time ever! This is an Official Bootleg by Emerson, Lake & Powell, the mid-1980s ELP-splinter group, formed when Carl Palmer was still contractually obligated to record with Asia. The Sprocket Sessions, features a rare inside look at a full band rehearsal done at a recording studio in London in the summer of 1986. These sessions are complete with new arrangements of ELP classics, material from the only ELPowell album and verbal comments from the band as they rehearsed. The Sprocket Sessions was taken from the band's personal archives and has been digitally re-mastered for this release. TRACK LISTING: 1). THE SCORE 2.) LEARNING TO FLY 3.) THE MIRACLE 4.) KNIFE EDGE 5.) TARKUS 6.) PICTURES AT AN EXHIBITION 7.) LUCKY MAN (Excerpt) 8. STILL YOU TURN ME ON 9. LOVE BLIND 10. MARS BRINGER OF WAR 11. TOUCH & GO 12. PIRATES. The line-up for Emerson, Lake & Powell: Keith Emerson - Keyboards, synths, piano // Greg Lake - Vocals, bass, acoustic and electric guitars // Cozy Powell - Drums and percussion. This is an official bootleg released at the budget-line list price of only $14.95. RELEASE DATE: Dec 12th 2003. CD 2: EMERSON LAKE & POWELL - LIVE IN CONCERT (Manticore CD3009) Available for the first time ever! This is an Official Bootleg by Emerson, Lake & Powell, the mid-1980s ELP-splinter group, formed when Carl Palmer was still contractually obligated to record with Asia. Live In Concert, features a rare live recording from the group's only tour in 1986, from recently discovered recordings in Greg Lake's personal archives. With Palmer’s blessing Emerson and Lake recruited fellow Brit Cozy Powell to handle the drums on new material the two had written and were planning to record. Powell, whose drumming style was very powerful and considerably different than Palmer’s, helped create a new sound for the progressive music written by Emerson & Lake. Prior to ELPowell, the popular drummer had played in The Jeff Beck Group, Black Sabbath and Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow. Live In Concert, taken from a 1986 show recorded in Lakeland, Florida and has been digitally re-mastered. TRACK LISTING: 1.) THE SCORE 2.) TOUCH & GO 3.) KNIFE EDGE 4.) PIRATES 5.) FROM THE BEGINNING 6.) LUCKY MAN 7.) FANFARE FOR THE COMMON MAN 8.) MARS BRINGER OF WAR / DRUM SOLO 9.) MEDLEY: KARN EVIL 9 (2ND IMPRESSION) / AMERICA/ RONDO The line-up for Emerson, Lake & Powell: Keith Emerson - Keyboards, synths, piano // Greg Lake - Vocals, bass, acoustic and electric guitars // Cozy Powell - Drums and percussion. This is an official bootleg released at the budget-line list price of only $14.95 -------------------------------------------- [ Editor's Note: I received this information from Greg's management team. - John - ] For Immediate Release November 24, 2003 Greg Lake Finishing New Classics Album. Legendary British rock singer/songwriter returns with all new surround-sound recordings of his greatest songs. Greg Lake, solo artist and founding member of both King Crimson and Emerson, Lake and Palmer is presently finishing up an album of brand new recordings of his most legendary songs. The album, which has the working title of "Classics - Songs Of A Lifetime" was recorded in upstate New York and England and features a full digital 5.1 surround sound mix of 12 memorable songs from Lake's entire career. Lake has spent the better part of two years recording Classics, which contains material such as 'In The Court of The Crimson King," "21st Century Schizoid Man," and "Epitaph," which date back to the late-1960s and his period with the innovative progressive band, King Crimson. In addition to some re-worked hits from Lake's solo career, the majority of the tracks on Classics are made up of songs he originally performed as part of the multi-platinum band, Emerson, Lake & Palmer, including "Lucky Man," "From The Beginning," "Knife Edge," and "Still You Turn Me On." "Although I am very proud of the original recordings that were made of these songs, some date back to a time when we were still using eight tracks in the studio," says Lake. "I always wondered what it would be like if we could have had today's technology back in the days when these songs were originally cut. In addition, while performing these songs with a band I had assembled and as a member of Ringo Starr & His All Starr Band during the 2001 tour, I had created different arrangements for some of these favorites. With this album, I have been able to capture those." A group of top New York and London-based studio musicians was assembled for the recordings done for Classics. The album was done in studios both in the US and England, including Oceanside Studios, owned and operated by The Who, in the Richmond Park district of London, where it is being mixed for surround sound on the same equipment used to create the audio DVD version of Tommy. Most of the vocals on Classics were recorded in Lake's own state-of-the-art studio inside his home. "Hearing these songs in their new recorded versions has been a very fulfilling experience for me, " says Lake. "The songs will always evoke the same great memories for me, but to hear them with today's technology and with some new arrangements have given them a whole new life." Lake will also continue writing and recording new material for other album projects currently in the works. Classics is expected to be released in 2004. For more information: Please contact Bruce Pilato or Michele Kaptein At Pilato Entertainment (585) 454-2756 or visit www.greglake.com --------------------------------------------- For Immediate Release November 24, 2003 WHO'S NEXT - For Greg Lake.... Guitarist Pete Townshend and vocalist Roger Daltrey recruit Greg Lake to help complete the next album by The Who. Greg Lake has just completed a week of recording in London with Guitarist/ songwriter Pete Townshend and vocalist Roger Daltrey cutting material scheduled to be part of the next Who album. Also involved in the sessions were longtime Who musicians, drummer Zak Starkey, keyboardist John "Rabbit' Bundick and guitarist Simon Townshend (Pete's brother). "I was asked by Roger Daltrey to participate in his benefit concert for the National Teenage Cancer Trust last month with an great band made of other musicians such as Gary Moore, Gary Brooker, Simon Townshend and others," says Lake. "And, of course, we did a healthy amount of Who classics in the show. A week later, Roger called me at home and asked if I was interested in playing bass on the next sessions for The Who. I immediately said 'yes,' since The Who were among the bands I have always admired. Being asked to play with them has been a tremendous honor and wonderful experience, although filling the shoes of the late John Entwistle has not been easy. He was one of the greatest bassists of all time." Although it is not clear how many additional Who recordings will feature Lake on bass or whether he will tour with the band in the future, Lake completed his work on one new Who song entitled "Good Looking Boy." On the official Peter Townsend and Who websites, Townshend issued the following entry in his diary: "Looks like we're on.... Greg Lake filled in beautifully. Smashing fellow. Zak, Rabbit and my brother Simon played brilliantly and Roger and I were bloody useless. But what do you expect of two such creaky old tossers? I am back in my own studio again preparing songs and visual material for some kind of future project, which I hope will provide a pathway of some kind for Roger and me in the future. Whatever happens, Roger and I are facing our 'new' Everly Brothers format with excitement and trepidation. I sense great chaotic madness ahead.......Is that good?" Lake also continues to finish his own solo album and has also resumed work on other projects. For more information: Please contact Bruce Pilato or Michele Kaptein At Pilato Entertainment (585) 454-2756 or visit www.greglake.com --------------------------------------------- From: Tony Ortiz [elptony@msn.com] Sent: Tuesday, November 18, 2003 7:01 PM To: elp-digest-request@reluctant.com Subject: GL/THEWHO Hi John This is a reply from Greg about working with THE WHO. (From the greglake.com web site) I enjoy working with Pete and Roger, apart from both being extremely friendly people, as you would expect they are both highly talented and experienced musicians. It was also a buzz to play with Zak who is a really great drummer and a cool person. We got on particularly well (a bass player/drummer thing I suppose). Apart from that, what made it particularly nice was that I had toured with his father not so long ago and I really felt a strong family connection. Also in the band were Pete's brother Simon, like Pete a great guitar player and first class guy and on keyboards as always, the talented and often entertaining "Rabbit", beautiful touch, great player. BEST, GREG. --------------------------------------------- From: Ralph Sommer [ralph.sommer@gmx.net] Sent: Wednesday, December 03, 2003 4:21 PM To: elp-digest@reluctant.com Subject: Carl Palmer in Germany Carl Palmer in Germany On 01.12.2003 Carl visited Ludwigsburg near Stuttgart in Southern Germany for a Masterclass and a Drum Clinic organized by Marcel Vogelmann (You can imagine what drumsets Marcel is selling if You know where the Clinic was.) Carl played a double bass drumset of this manufacturer this evening made of metal, I think from the 70s, but the snare was his own from Paiste - You know the one especially made for him from Paiste Cymbals, series 2002. In his Masterclass, he explained the difference between playing with the wrist on the one hand and finger-controlling of the sticks on the other to increase speed. Snare drum rudiments were the mean aspects of the Masterclass, i.e. Paradiddles, Triplets, Flams and Daddy/Mummy with different accents. Great fun was playing these exercises together with the students: There was only one who ended the exercise with increasing speed - Carl ;-) Playing these rudiments not only on the snare drum but also on the drum kit Carl showed the students how different these exercises could sound on the drum set. Practicing is one of the most important things a drummer has to do in his career - and not only a drummer, but all musicians - if he wants to keep his condition. Even Carl practices before he is doing a Masterclass or Clinic. Also these practicing techniques are important. Take the same position as sitting on the real drumset and use a practicing pad on the snare in the same position as if You are playing the set. Holding the sticks Carl made some interesting comments: If he would start again nowadays he would hold the sticks in modern way. When he started playing at the age of 11 he thought it looks "cool" to play with traditional grip, but it is a hard way to control the sticks this way. The most difficult thing in playing with traditional grip seems to be the control of the middle finger of the left hand at higher speed. The modern grip is much easier, because the control is mostly done by the thumb and the forefinger. The Drum Clinic started with a solo on the snare drum. Carl´s techniques were superb. Different stickings were shown and You could follow them when he repeated it a little bit more slowly. Followed by a solo on the Hi-Hat Carl demonstrated the use not only of the two cymbals but also the use of the Hi-Hat stand. "I have stolen all, but I try to play it better", he introduced a solo on the drumset which he created after walking on an African market listening to different African drum groups and recording these sounds and rhythms with his dictaphone. "Sounds Of A Maroccian Market" was a brilliant solo and for the first time I saw Carl playing double bass and Djembe. In todays drumming the brushes have no major role and You won´t see a drummer working with them very often, as Carl sayed, so he took the chance to show his technique. You may remember "Take A Pebble" when he first used them, today he is playing faster and more different with the brushes. Great solo. A complete solo on the drumset finished the Clinic (Marcel made the gong burning) and Carl once again showed the audience that he is a world top drummer. So many different styles in so many different ways played with such a dynamic pressure, not only loud, but also very sensitive, this is Carl Palmer. After the Clinic Carl gave a lot of autographs and answered some questions. Concerning ELP he explained that they have a lot of footage and they are collecting material for a DVD to be published in 2004. There will be some unreleased material on it. Another interesting aspect is that Carl started writing his autobiography as he said. Let´s hope that these things come true. An evening with Carl Palmer, so great this man not only on the drums, but also very kind in talking to each other. If you have a chance to see Carl Palmer live on the drums take the time and listen to him - You will then know what it means being a great drummer. Maybe we will see "An Evening With ELP" touring with BSS or PAAE in future. In a few days You will find some pictures of this Masterclass and Drum Clinic on the following site: www.carlpalmer-fansite.de Ralph Sommer =========================== Reader Commentary =========================== From: Hrshkvtz@aol.com Sent: Tuesday, November 18, 2003 1:33 PM To: ELP-digest@reluctant.com Subject: Re: Greg Lake Debate Let's try to add a little objectivity regarding the fan anguish and admiration of Greg Lake. No one will dispute the enormous contributions Lake has made to ELP and music in general, however much of the fan frustration today can be attributed to the expectations for which Lake himself is solely responsible. Fans are not critical of musicians (or athletes for that matter) that have gracefully retired from public life with only their work to mark their accomplishments. In fact, we admire them more later in life. On the other hand, you will recall the reference to Lennon's "Imagine" and the implications that Lake will go on to bigger and better things. Lake would have been better served by leaving the impression that only time will tell if he will follow Lennon's example. How many of us were overjoyed to see the "Ask Greg" section of his website. Were we to expect a few answers a couple times a year, or a couple answers every few years? Anyone recall the references to the studio album in the works years ago. Since that never materialized, would it not have been better to update the fans, even if only to say that it wasn't good enough for recording? Life is full of things we can no longer do like we did in our youth. Lake is no exception and should remain guiltless. Writers block, creativity blocks are normal and expected. Unfortunately, he seems to imply otherwise. Michael Hershkovitz Chicago --------------------------------------------- From: Stuart Clarke [Stuart.Clarke@havering.gov.uk] Sent: Tuesday, November 18, 2003 2:12 PM To: ELP-digest@reluctant.com Subject: Re: ELP Digest Vol. 13 #13 Is fate taking a hand? Carl's Band suffers the loss of the excellent Shaun Baxter. Talk emerges that Greg has not pulled his weight for years. People praise the Dave Kilminster vocals and guitar playing with Nice - he sings like Greg used to in the 70's. Reference is made to other ELP lineups eg ELPowell. Get it on Emerson, Kilminster and Palmer. It would be awesome! --------------------------------------------- From: DanielAusten@aol.com Sent: Tuesday, November 18, 2003 2:20 PM To: ELP-digest@reluctant.com Subject: Re: ELP Digest Vol. 13 #13 Roger Daltry is also the voice over on a new Yes video. I thought BSS was one of the best albums ever, shame they didn't keep recording more records at that peak, but the tours they did instead must have been amazing. Dan --------------------------------------------- From: CKMYST@aol.com Sent: Tuesday, November 18, 2003 5:00 PM To: ELP-digest@reluctant.com Subject: comments from within John, I have been receiving your newsletter for a number of years and commend you on your devotion and professionalism. I am writing in regard to the recent flurry of E-mails that have been referred to as "Greg bashing". My purpose is to possibly shed a little light on all parties concerned (including the "bashers"). My name is Carl Kennedy and I was fortunate to have worked closely with ELP nearly seven days a week for over a year during the creation of "Return of The Manticore". I know Keith, Carl and Greg very well and can speak to numerous points which relate to your readers concerns. First of all what is happening here is common to the computer age and I call it murder by memo (or E-mail). It is human nature to be a bit over the top with E-mails due to their anonymous nature. We all get passionate about music or we would not be reading this newsletter in the first place. This being said, I take some of the posted opinions with a grain of salt as I do not believe that these guys really mean any harm. I am certain that they would phrase things a little differently in a face to face discussion. As for Keith, Greg and Carl, it is tough for most people to put themselves in a star's shoes. Whether you are talking about a football star, movie star, rock star or whomever, they live in a different world. In the case of ELP they are on the backside of their careers which makes their world even more bizarre. Part of their life is star-like and part is that of a commoner. Frankly it can mess pretty badly with the head. The worst part may be that everyone they run into has a need to share their views on how the star can get back to the top of their game. Imagine if everyone you ran into was forcing their views on you as to how you could have a 32 inch waist again (like you did in high school). It sucks. You end up constantly being reminded of the fact that you are no longer the man you used to be. Moving on, Carl, Greg and Keith (honestly) are very intelligent and complex individuals who still have a deep passion for music and they demand excellence of themselves. This creative energy is tough to manage whether you are young or old, beginning your career or fully retired. This particular group of guys have very, very high standards for themselves and do not pull any punches. They make mistakes like anyone else and when they do they are far harder on themselves than any outsider could ever be. Lastly, ELP without Greg is like any other supergroup minus one-third of the original band. ELP, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin and any other such band is more than the sum of it's parts. As badly as we want for ELP and bands like them to entertain us as they have in the past, they can only do it on their terms and in their time. I would say that we as ELP fans are lucky that they are all healthy and able to perform when they so choose. It may be best for us to offer our heartfelt support and cross our fingers. I can assure you that these three guys are all fully capable of taking any other musical entity out back and kick some musical and performing ass. Am I the biggest ELP fan of all time? Certainly not. I enjoy much of what they have done over the years and enjoy them on a personal level very much. What I can promise you is that each of them is truly a hugely talented star and quality human being second to none, Greg included. When you are in Greg's presence, there is no denying that this man is the real deal. Vocally, musically and personally he is much bigger than life. I place each of the members of ELP in the same company as Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison and John Lennon yet there is one key difference. We are fortunate enough to have ELP alive. I have some of my fondest music industry memories of these three fellows and am truly grateful for the experience. I too hope to see them onstage again as ELP and hope to see you all there when this happens. Carl Kennedy --------------------------------------------- From: Jimcam62@aol.com Sent: Wednesday, November 19, 2003 11:05 AM To: ELP-digest@reluctant.com Subject: Caustic remarks Further to some of the mail written in reply to me in a previous digest I wish categorically to state that I did not wish to harm anyones feelings whatsoever. The fact that I may have appeared to "upset" one third of ELP is merely nonsense. Personally I think that Greg is a lot more thickskinned than you would suggest. As for the right to produce what would have been the most recent album (1998) I merely reiterated what ELP management suggested in their Press release regarding the demise of the group at that time that Greg had not demonstrated any development in his production skills since the very early days nor had he undertaken anything significant in what was a very large lull in his production career. I wholeheartedly wish the 3 of them to unite all I was trying to suggest was that Greg should get a reality check and listen to the other two thirds of what was a truly great band and realise that the time is now right for a reunion. Both Keith and Carl have proved, both live and on record, that they have progressed and adapted their sound to suit the 21st century and are at the very pinnacle of their creativity. The fact that he hasn't suggests either lethargy or inability. It's been 5 years at least, come on!!!!!!!!! PS I still stand by the phrase that the "Bass player does not come out too well". For further evidence read Pictures of an Exhibisionist, I did. --------------------------------------------- From: Chris Logan [clogan181@hotmail.com] Sent: Wednesday, November 19, 2003 10:08 PM To: elp-digest@reluctant.com Subject: response to Lake bashing Dear ELP Digest readers... Mostly I am not a regular contributor to this forum, but I have to say, I was quite dismayed at a couple of the offensive comments made against Greg Lake by who appear to be hard core Keith fans. Though I think some disagreement is necessary to keep forums informative and interesting, these attacks seem to me to be absolutely baseless and quite unfair. None of us really know the whole picture. It seems that the reader saying the most offensive things about Greg seem to be upset that he left the group in 1998 when the others were unwilling to let him produce a new studio album. The same reader feels Greg is in the way of any possible reunion. What I believe this reader is really angry about, is the fact that he dreams of an ELP reunion but has had to settle for the reality of Keith Emerson's old Nice and new Solo Band tour. Even with two bands, it wasn't as good as Keith just playing with Greg and Carl. I, for one, understand Greg Lake not wanting to waste his time making an album that he feels could not succeed. It seems that the person writing this rubbish has completely forgotten who wrote most of the radio hits, and who produced all the bands most meaningful records. Looking back through my collection it is clear that when Greg Lake produced ELP they had nothing but platinum records, Emerson Lake and Palmer, Tarkus, Trilogy, Brain Salad Surgery, Pictures at an Exhibition etc, when he did not... they had albums that were, by most standards, failures, or at least far less popular. As far as I can see Greg, like Carl and Keith, has remained active. According to his website says he is completing a solo album, and he certainly did an amazing tour with Ringo Starr. Now, news is leaking that he is currently in the studio recording with The Who. Not exactly chopped liver. We would all like to see ELP get back together and make another great LP and tour. But, if the compromise is to get products like In The Hot Seat with the production talents of Greg Lake being totally dismissed because of internal ego struggles, what is the point? I'm sure ELP will reunite if it is meant to be. In the meantime, let's give artists like Greg Lake the respect they deserve for the decades of great music they have given us. Regards Chris L., Chicago, IL --------------------------------------------- From: David Wilson-Holmes [w.enterprises@myaccess.com.au] Sent: Saturday, November 22, 2003 10:43 PM To: ELP-digest@reluctant.com Subject: Re: ELP Digest Vol. 13 #13 Hi All, We have to heed the words expressed in the last edition. It is not for any of us to condemn, criticise or complain; the past is gone the present is here and now. The bottom line is that as individual masters of their respective musical fields and collectively the masterpieces they have created, the combined efforts of Messeurs Emerson Lake and Palmer have challenged the music establishment of their time. Torn down walls and have given us a heritage of music neither any of us will ever forget. For this we owe them our deepest gratitude. As artists and individuals they have served well and as such fully deserve to be appreciated. Having been introduced to this highly original band back in high school just prior to the release of WBMFTTSTNE by a buddy of mine Clive Durham, I was captivated; but once round his place he put on BSS. I was in absolute awe. Never had I heard anything like it or even remotely close. This message comes with the deepest expression of the heart. I personally would like to thank you Keith, Greg and Carl for everything you have contributed. Cheers David --------------------------------------------- From: George and Karen Adams [Karen.Adams6@comcast.net] Sent: Sunday, November 30, 2003 11:38 AM To: elp-digest@reluctant.com Subject: greg lake While Lake does come off as a prima donna in Emersons book and his bass playing was never that creative in having a listen to "Pirates" (which I had not heard for years) I have to say there wasn't a better singer to be found than Greg Lake. As a kid when BSS came out and saw him playing a Gibson "Ripper" I had to go buy one, sold my precison bass and six months later my Gibson arrives, I wish I still had it! George PS Has anyone seen a photo of that double neck guitar he tried out in the early 70's ? [ Editor's Note: I was just listening to the Audio DVD of BSS this morning and noticed that some of the photos and video clips on that show Greg playing a 2-neck guitar (6-string and bass) during a clip. - John - ] --------------------------------------------- From: bjorn-are.davidsen@telenor.com Sent: Monday, December 01, 2003 5:37 AM To: elp-digest-web@reluctant.com Subject: ELP in the lists I guess ELP fans with good reason didn't even bother to check the latest Rolling Stone list on the "500 Best albums", however there's more reason to look into the one the leading Norwegian Business Magazine made last weekend, on the 200 Best. I felt rather happy to discover that for once it was made by someone, though more than touched by, still not completely destroyed by the Fashion Police. See the list at http://www.dn.no/forsiden/etterBors/article122922.ece Neither here are there any ELP among the top 50, however its good to see * In the Court of the Crimson King as 78 * Pictures as 84 * Yes Album as 91 * Ars Longa Vita Brevis as 124 (I couldn't believe my eyes!) * Close to the Edge as 194 And there's a lot of Floyd and Tull, though no Genesis... Well, I guess "popular in Norway" may not convince regular RS-readers, still its a ray of hope. Bjorn Are --------------------------------------------- From: BJCPIK@aol.com Sent: Tuesday, December 02, 2003 1:15 PM To: elp-digest@reluctant.com Subject: Keith's biography I have just finished reading Keith's biography and enjoyed the insights. I'm an old forty something fan who first saw them at the Glasgow Green's playhouse in the early seventies and was hooked from the first moog ripples of Hoedown. I knew there was some friction between Keith & Greg but was it really as bad as the biographer made out? I actually wondered how much input Keith had to the book or even if he proof read? How could so much good music come out of such a disharmonious pairing. And why are the last twenty-five years crammed into the last couple of pages? I can't wait to see Greg's version of event's or even Carl's for that matter. Keep up the good work at the digest by the way. Brian Crook Prestwick Scotland [ Editor's Note: My understanding is that Keith wrote most of if not the entire thing in longhand and that, some of the typos are attributed to the process of transcribing the handwriting. Supposedly, the 2nd printing will fix the typos. - John - ] --------------------------------------------- From: bjorn-are.davidsen@telenor.com Sent: Thursday, December 04, 2003 6:24 AM To: elp-digest-web@reluctant.com Subject: Prog and prejudice - take four Here's another of those world famous letters of mine, this one mailed yesterday. Bjorn Are ------------------------ Prog and Prejudice Its a fresh touch to see that Your reviewer admits he is "higly subjective and shamelesly biased" in his comments on prog in December Mojo (p. 76). However when he adds "But, hey, what did you expect?" the retort is easy: Something a tad less made up, please. Its hillarious to read that "Unfortunately, rather than pillaging Bartok or even Richard Strauss, they leaned to the pop classics, like Ravel, or even more obvious Elgar". Especially as Keith Emerson (who is among those proggers blamed, nice picture, though) in fact never even touched Ravel or Elgar, as he was too busy "pillaging" Bartok and other modernists like Ginastera and Janacek. While not writing rather dark pieces himself, or sometimes even as amusing ones as a Mojo review. The only reason I can see for this blunder is that Progressive rock is the only musical style one is allowed to slam, without checking facts. An amend for this would be to ask Your reviewer to tell Sir Paul McCartney to start singing in English and stop pillaging the French language. Bjørn Are --------------------------------------------- From: bjorn-are.davidsen@telenor.com Sent: Friday, December 05, 2003 10:30 AM To: elp-digest-web@reluctant.com Subject: Prog and prejudice - take five Todays' letter is to letters@rollingstone.com, on the noble subject of "Not among the best 500 magazines": "Its sad to see your distortion of music history with the list over the so-called "best 500 albums ever". The reason for writing off major bands is beyond me, if its not some kind of manic attempt at being political correct. Or a schoolboy's joy of once again being able to diss people like Keith Emerson, by pretending he never existed. Hopefully its plain forgetfullness and distortion of perpective. More than twenty five years post punk, its rather embarrassing to see RS still acting like the 1978 music police. As long as any list of yours on "best 500" avoids even mentioning groups like Yes, ELP and Genesis, the bands most consistently winning reader's polls from about 1970-76, and selling tens of millions of records, through the viscious crime of being good, you're not on my list of top 500 magazines." Yours Bjørn Are --------------------------------------------- From: mflorio@bestweb.net on behalf of Mike Florio [mflorio@bestweb.net] Sent: Saturday, December 06, 2003 6:48 PM To: elp-digest@reluctant.com Subject: Shaun Baxter's Tinnitus Problem The following is from a personal friend of mine who is an audio engineer. I haven't had occasion to try this myself, but I trust his findings. Perhaps you can forward this to Mr. Baxter or post it in the journal for the many musicians who may be interested: *** CURE FOR TINNITUS!!!! Listen up: (if you can still hear!) There is no cure for nerve-damage or early-fatigue, but I swear you can "cure" tinnitus. The theory here stated may or may not be correct, but the cure has worked for me and for dozens of musician riends over the years who had given up hope. I'm not a doctor, but I came up with a theory about ten years ago after developing REALLY BAD tinnitus. Modern science still doesn't know exactly how hearing works. I'm talking about the ear/brain connection, not the mechanics of the ear canal. My theory is that we are all borne with an imperceptable "pilot tone" which the brain uses as a reference. All vibrations are percieved by the brain as sound by the way they relate to this pilot tone. As your ears get damaged over time, it becomes harder for the brain to make this connection, and hence it "turns up the volume" on the pilot tone. Based on that theory, I came up with a simple cure. Try it, it certainly can't hurt: The idea is to make it easier for the brain to hear the "pilot-tone." Try this experiment: When your ears are ringing badly, stick your fingers in your ears and MENTALLY CONCENTRATE on making the sound dissapear, just for a few seconds. I bet you can. If so, go to CVS and buy a whole bunch of those cheap foam earplugs. NOT the fancy kind with the holes in them. Stick-em deap into your ears (obviously don't push against the eardrum) every night before you go to sleep. Your brain will have no choice but to hear the ringing more clearly, and will thus, over time, lower it again. It should take about two days. PS: Use a new set every night, they get dirty quickly!!! -they're cheap enough. I'm sure audiologists may have concerns about wax build-up, etc but I've been doing this for ten years with no build-up, no infections, etc. =========================== Questions (and Answers!) =========================== From: Janell Duxbury [jduxbury@library.wisc.edu] Sent: Tuesday, November 18, 2003 12:03 PM To: elp-digest-request@reluctant.com Cc: dominik.brueckner@germanistik.uni-freiburg.de Subject: "Memoirs Of An Officer And A Gentleman" Hi Dominik, You wrote: > I have often thought about "Memoirs Of An Officer And A Gentleman" > from ELP's Love Beach, and wondered, if there is any connection to > literature. It's a common military aphorism, not something invented by any literature. Janell Duxbury --------------------------------------------- From: ds [phineas1_98@yahoo.com] Sent: Monday, November 24, 2003 7:51 PM To: elp-digest@reluctant.com Subject: memoirs of a officer and gentleman keith gets the credit for this one. he was reading david nivans' book "the moon is a balloon" . (cool book by the way) anyway, in the book nivan describes his schooling at sandhurst--he graduated as "an officer and a gentleman" and went to war. good question ---good song, that got slammed along with the album---on the other hand brain salad surgery!!!!! my very very favorite ELP album. naturally it's the one they got hammmered the most about, but the critics don't know everything do they? favorite part? karn evil nine 2nd Impression----this album came out as I was a senior in HS and had mono. home all day alone with this album on the headphones! need I say more? had to replace the album(!) after 8 weeks as I had wore it out! can't give a nicer compliment than that on an album! --------------------------------------------- From: Girard, Claude [Girard.Claude@ireq.ca] Sent: Friday, November 28, 2003 10:59 AM To: elp-digest-request@reluctant.com Subject: Looking for a used copy of Keith's book Bonjour, Anybody would like to sell his (her) copy of Keith's recent autobiography?? Private email to cgirard@videotron.ca Thanks Claude --------------------------------------------- From: DORO [philippedoro@wanadoo.fr] Sent: Sunday, November 30, 2003 3:27 PM To: arnold@reluctant.com Subject: strange ELP hungarian tribute band Bonjour, I've got a very strange single at home. It's a Hungarian 7" single, which seems to have been released in 1971. there's no pic sleeve, but the record reference is Balkanton BTK 3229. The A side is of no real interest, but the B side is a cover version of LIVING SIN, from the Trilogy album, sung in hungarian ! Have you ever heard about this record ? could you please tell me which band it was ? thanks. cheers, philippe --------------------------------------------- From: Eriko Yatabe-Waldock [miroopy@attglobal.net] Sent: Wednesday, December 03, 2003 10:07 PM To: elp-digest@reluctant.com Subject: Classic Rock Legends DVDs Hi John I got the Classic Rock Legends catalog (winter 2003) in my mailbox. There is a DVD entitled "Keyboard Wizards" (http://www.classicrockproductions.com/storen/keyboardwizards.html) that includes Keith Emerson. Also another DVD "Progressive Rock Anthology" features ELP as one of the artists. However, there is no song list. Any idea which music of Keith and ELP featured in these DVDs? Eriko Yatabe-Waldock =========================== ELP-related products, tribute bands, promoters (The ELP Digest does not endorse, etc.) =========================== * See earlier notes about 2 new 'official bootlegs' from ELPowell and Volume 2 of Greg Lake's From The Underground. =========================== Digest subscription, mailing address, and administrative stuff to: elp-digest-request@reluctant.com ELP-related info that you want to put in the digest to: elp-digest@reluctant.com Back issues are available from the ELP Digest web site: URL: http://www.brain-salad.com/ Note: The opinions, information, etc. contained in this digest are those of the original message sender listed in each message. 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! End of ELP Digest [Volume 13, Issue 14] ***************************************