ELP Digest 06 July 2004
Volume 14 : Issue 5
The "If You Like The House" Edition
Today's Topics:
Breaking News, Rumors, Etc.
- Moogfest and a take on Keith/ELP (May 19, 2004)
- Keith At Starland Ballroom (May 21, 2004)
- What a Show! Emo band at BB King's (May 24, 2004)
- Greg Lake live on UK radio 2 (May 26, 2004)
- Emerson at BB Kings (May 26, 2004)
- Keith Emerson Band in NYC --- Setlist and Review (June 3, 2004)
- The Keith Emerson Band Set List, B.B. King Bar, NY, May 21, 2004
(June 12, 2004)
Reader Commentary
- Elp and Tv Final episodes (May 15, 2004)
- Re: Nick Zales comments: (May 16, 2004)
- Friends/Welcome Back (May 17, 2004)
- ELP & R&RhoF (May 22, 2004)
- Poteet Percussion Ensemble (May 28, 2004)
- ELP digest entry (June 2, 2004)
- A desperate Plea (June 3, 2004)
- Poteet Pirate Band (June 11, 2004)
- "The Ultimate Collection Limited Edition" (June 15, 2004)
Questions (and Answers!)
- Re: ELP Digest Vol. 4 #14 (Montreal 1977 Concert - DVD Release?)
(May 15, 2004)
- ELP Transcriptions (May 15, 2004)
- The ELP pendant circa 1974 (May 16, 2004)
- Live Asia with Greg Lake (May 17, 2004)
- Hard Rock Cafe puzzle (June 9, 2004)
ELP-related products, tribute bands, promoters (The ELP Digest does
not endorse, etc.)
- Purchased "Nighthawks" and "Iron Man volume one" soundtracks on
CD via GEMM and New DVD missing part of the music (June 13, 2004)
===========================
Prelude
===========================
Hi.
My apologies for the delay in getting this edition of the ELP Digest
out on time. I'm sure many of you have been waiting to hear about the
Keith Emerson Band shows and related appearances in late May. Well,
better late than never (I hope). Also, I want to say 'hi!' and
'thanks!' to all of the ELP Digest readers who recognized me and
introduced themselves at the BB King club show. Alas, I lost my voice
on the drive to NYC and couldn't really talk to you. But I appreciated
all the kind words and hope to be able to talk to all of you in the
future.
In this issue, we have news about those shows and more. Greg Lake on
UK radio, more on the ELP references in 'Friends', questions and
comments about various DVDs and CDs, and a high school band playing
ELP.
Thanks for your patience. I won't waste any more time so let's get
on with it.
- John -
P.S. I know that a few of you have sent me photos of the various
Keith Emerson appearances. I have almost run out of disk space on
the site that hosts brain-salad.com and I'm deciding whether to
weed the collection of stuff there or pony up some more money to
get more disk space. I'll try to get that resolved soon. In the
meantime, there are a number of good photos from the shows on the
keithemerson.com site.
[ Note to AOL readers and some other...
When I switched to sending the Digest from a different internet
address (IP address) last issue, I have started getting some
warnings that indicate that not every ELP Digest subscriber is
receiving the message correctly. I believe that some Spam
detectors are thinking the ELP Digest is spam, etc. I am
working with some ISPs (including my own) to try to determine
the cause of this.
However, I want to let you know (at least) 2 things:
* Since January of this year, I have detected a number of spam
messages for which I receive the bounce messages that are
spoofed to appear to come from the reluctant dot com domain.
Some of these appear to be spoofed to come from non-existent
reluctant dot com addresses. Others appear to be crafted such
that they appear to come from otherwise real email addresses
such as elp-digest and elp-digest-request at reluctant dot com.
Believe me when I tell you that absolutely no spam has ever
been sent by me. And since I have control over the domain
name, no one authorized has ever sent any spam from a real
reluctant dot com address. If you receive anything from
a reluctant dot com address that has a suspicious attachment,
etc., please do not open it. If you think it might really be
from me, feel free to email me and ask. But, it is almost
100% certain that it's not a legitimate message from me.
* If you believe that you are signed up for the ELP Digest
mailing list and do NOT receive the Digest by email but see
that a newer issue is available on the web site, please let
me know. That way, I'll be able to investigate the logs and
see if your ISP is, perhaps, blocking the Digest from getting
delivered.
Thanks for your continued support and cooperation.
- John -
===========================
Latest News from the Official ELP sites ...
===========================
TONS of stuff on Keith's site following the recent concerts ...
There are new pix of the exhibitionist from a variety of sources
in the Photo Gallery:
http://www.keithemerson.com/Gallery/GalleryMain.html
There's a link to a review of Moogfest at Wired.com and more
in Emo's Memos:
http://www.keithemerson.com/EmosMemos/EmosMemos.html
Products back in stock! Autographed copies of "Emerson Plays
Emerson" (CD), "Vivacitas" (CD), and "Pictures of an
Exhibitionist" (paperback) are in stock in the KeithEmerson.com
Store:
http://www.keithemerson.com/Store/KE-store.html
------------------------------
Be sure to visit Greg's site to check out his work with The Who,
CDs and DVDs and much more at:
http://www.greglake.com/newsite/index.asp
The latest issue of Greg's 'Inside Track' (#4) is available at:
http://www.greglake.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2561
------------------------------
Carl's site has a whole new look! See it at:
http://www.carlpalmer.com/
News flashes include the upcoming release of "Working Live Vol. 2"
on July 19, 2004 - see the cover art at:
http://www.carlpalmer.com/workinglivevol2.html
And ... there's a link to more info about the new ELP
compilation "Ultimate Collection:"
http://www.workhardpr.com/
Enjoy!
===========================
Breaking News, Rumors, Etc.
===========================
From: Nicholas Sizow
Sent: Wednesday, May 19, 2004 3:47 PM
To: elp-digest
Subject: Moogfest and a take on Keith/ELP
Went to Moogfest. NYC 5/18/04
The best work of the night was Rick Wakeman doing a piece off of his
6 Wives album, accompanied by the excellent Jordan Rudess of Dream
Theater.
Rick was great, he did some very funny off the cuff standup comedy
and his playing was tight, fast and powerful. After watching the
two up close, Rick's technique and virtuosity has held up better
than Keith's. Keith's injury ravaged right hand was noticeably slow
and sloppy.
A nice touch was Keith leading the audience in a heartfelt happy
birthday for Wakeman, followed by a bikini babe with a cake. :-)
A disappointment was Emerson, Wakeman, and Rudess not doing
something together.
A decent showing, Keith's band was the closer, of course.
Dave Kilminster is an amazing guitarist.
A short set; Rondo (America), Hoedown, some Tarkus and Fanfare.
I'll go see Keith and his band perform their full set on May 20.
I'll write a synopsis after the show.
My take on Keith Emerson, my favorite musician since 1971.
ELP was Keith.
Keith should have been more assertive and hooked up with other
state of the art writers and musicians many years ago.
I don't know Keith at all, but I think he is a really good guy who
probably boozed too much. The ravages of years of alcohol use on
his face don't lie.
Lake:
Lets face it, put a good sax player or guitarist doing and adapting
Greg's melodies ... and few of us would miss the actual words. There
are some exceptions to this, but Greg was a very easily replaceable
part, even in the early days. He had a lovely voice that
desperately needed training, but he was the never the song writer
he thought he was.
Carl:
It would have been great to see Carl stay with Keith, his
strength was in adaptations and working them off of Keith.
Pictures, especially live in the early 70's was just so damn
good, same for Toccata on BSS, even Canario on the mostly
corny Love Beach. Mars with Cozy was baad, late, but baad.
(the good baad)
Keith was absolutly amazing on the Hammond but he got too cute
with all the "tronics". His musical journey has left me somewhat
baffled and disappointed. The things he could achieve on a plain
old Hammond C-3, without abusing it, were incredible. The analog
synth work on albums 1-5 was groundbreaking.
His live shows became too many loops and gadgets, it's like he
didn't trust his phrasing and attacks anymore, which were amazing
"68"-"74". His trash the Hammond bit was a good and genuine
musical expression in the EARLY Nice days. It got old a long
time ago.
Hendrix was an icon, now a martyr. Why is the man whose name
was once on level with Jimi's,be so marginalized and basically
forgotten today? That Keith is not in the shameful "Rock" HOF
is an insult and a joke.
America seems to worship mediocrity.
There are many, many people who can play old Page, Clapton or
even Hendrix note for note. I've yet to see anyone who could do
what a young Keith Emerson could do; LEFT hand and right hand,
without tricks.
I guess Keith's great moments have always made me want more.
With Keith I always have so many "what ifs".
---------------------------------------------
From: Nicholas Sizow
Sent: Friday, May 21, 2004 12:28 PM
To: elp-digest
Subject: Keith At Starland Ballroom
Keith at the Starland Ballroom, Sayreville NJ, May 20, 2004
This show was a vast improvement over the truncated show at
MoogFest. Keith looks his best in years. A far cry from the
Changing States days. The band was tight and the guys,
esp. Keith, looked to be having a blast. Keith's playing was
crisp, he rubbed his right hand a lot, but he played great. His
left, as always, is the best.
The Sound; Loud! Keith's synths sounded great with only a few
glitches which Will fixed on the spot. The mixing on the GEM
during piano solos could have been better. The drums were
spot on loud, same for the bass, Kilminster's clean guitar
work was occasionally drowned out.
The Music (not a total list): Rondo/America, Hang On To A Dream,
Touch and Go. A spirted Hoedown and Bitches Crystal. A great
rendition of Lucky Man with Keith on the GEM, Dave on acoustic
and vocals, the snyth sound was the most accurate to the original
that I've ever heard Keith do live.
A fantastic Tarkus, powerful and tight, with Kilminster doing a
lovely guitar in place of "has the dawn ever seen..." This was
the best live Tarkus that I can recall, a powerful piece of music,
worth the admission alone.
Ditto for Fanfare.
This was a great, great show. Dave Kilminsterand the new band
mates seem to have breathed a breath of fresh air into Keith
and his music, I hope they continue to work together and tour
more often.
Nick Sizow,
Bayville, NJ
---------------------------------------------
From: Allegra, Paul (Exchange)
Sent: Monday, May 24, 2004 10:20 AM
To: elp-diges
Subject: What a Show! Emo band at BB King's
Hey John, Great Show!
I got to BB King's at 5:15 and it was pretty crowded, but I
managed to get seated right in front of the "monolith". It
was great to meet a bunch of good fans and hear lots of stories
from the old days. I spread good cheer about the Digest and told
folks about Brain-Salad.com. And now for some highlights:
I was sitting right next to Will Alexander and thanked him at the
end of the show for keeping the modular up to pace. I told him
rumors were flying around that the modular was just a "dummy",
and that he (Will) was running soft-synths. He laughed and said that
we were getting the real thing. He said it was running good, and if
I gave him $10,000 it would run great! lol.
The Set List: Not neccesarily in this order
America/Rondo (with Dave tapping out the Sabre Dance).
Country Pie (perfect!)
Hang on to a Dream
Bitches Crystal
Touch and Go
When Dave Kilmister's amp fried, Keith jumped on the GEM and
played "Hide-away".
Karelia Suite (Fantastic!)
Dave did an acoustic song that was eh- ok but not my cup of tea.
Lucky Man (very good)
Solos Emo did:
A Blade of Grass
A Cajun Alley
Creole Dance
Tarkus (instrumental! Not entirely, Dave played the Stones of
Years melody on guitar and sang most of the other verses, big
surprise.... Epitaph at the end of Battlefield like the
live version!)
Hoedown (Dave is a killer guitar player, the "turkey in the
straw" part on guitar was perfect! Keith please put leave the
harmonica at home!)
Fanfare for the Common Man (Keith told a story about how he went
to see Qango w/Carl Palmer and John Wetton and how he met Dave,
very funny story. Mentioned how he knew Carl for over 30 years,
and the guy has never bought him a drink, and to make matters
worse, Keith had to buy his own ticket to Qango after Carl
told him about the gig. Keith had snuck back stage during
Fanfare and surprised Carl as he came out and finished the
tune with the band.)
At the very end of Fanfare, Keith summoned up the sequence
finale from 3rd Impression.
A real blast. I was sitting right next to a stack of Bass Bins
- my kidneys never felt better! I assure you that the Modular
was doing what it was supposed to and a lot of what it
shouldn't.
Honky Tonk Train Blues (encore).
What I began to notice is that Keith has changed his playing
style due to his injury. Most of his right hand work is thumb,
index and middle finger, while his ring and pinky are curled up.
He didn't play clawed the whole time, but it was something I
noticed. He did not shake his arms at any point in the show,
so it looks like the pain and discomfort is far behind and the
right hand has adapted to the limitations of the ulnar nerve
injury.
Well I hope Keith is back soon and I hope we can all celebrate
one last go for ELP before the clock runs out.
When Is Carl Palmer Band coming around?
Thanks - Paul Allegra
---------------------------------------------
From: Graham Telfer
Sent: Wednesday, May 26, 2004 4:19 PM
To: elp-digest
Subject: Greg Lake live on UK radio 2
Hello John
GL was live on radio 2 today 26.5.04 for approximately 20min , he
discussed a new compilation 2Cd of ELP material ,also his recent
work with The Who. He was also enthusiastic about the forthcoming
DVD which contains footage he has not seen ! He also went onto say
there is no rift between himself and CP and KE and that it is
possible they may reunite to promote the DVD.
I was also fortunate enough to see Carl Palmer band at Liverpool
and Rotherham. The new guitarist is excellent and the Rotherham
show was the best CP band gig I have seen.
Best Regards, Graham
---------------------------------------------
From: John Wraga
Sent: Wednesday, May 26, 2004 10:28 PM
To: ELP digest
Subject: Emerson at BB Kings
All in all, a good show....
Nice small club, although there are a lot of reserved seats and
booths for a place that advertises "open seating". Lots to be said
about getting there 1/2 hour before showtime; someone posted that,
they were right, thanks.
Great to see Emerson playing again, I was afraid he was becoming
a myth. Musicians play, after all. I wonder what he's afraid of.
It seemed like he can't play much with the right hand anymore,
lots 'a block chord stuff, but not much RH runs. would've been
nice to hear a piano, but I guess that's tough on the bottom line.
Blade of Grass was nice, no one wanted to hear it though...
I'm a big fan, long time and all that, pushin' 50 now...so let me
rant a little...
Still can't figure out why a bunch of people will pay good money
and stand on line and yell for Emerson....and then talk thru the
whole show...? really an annoying bunch in the rear left corner
by us. I hope the rest of you had better manners.
Drummer plays a GREAT, MUSICAL solo, and the boob at my table
says "he's no Carl Palmer". Well, TFG, I've heard CP's solo for
30 years, nice to hear something original.
Didn't miss Lake at all...neither do the Who, apparently.
Best wishes to the 10 year old at our table. Nice kid, hope you
enjoyed the french fries.
some more on seeing Emerson at BB King's place:
KE shows up in NY, advertised as his only US appearance, and people
treat it like they're 16 year old girls. Not very PC, huh?
Can you SHUT UP during the show!?
You blabbed through "Take a Pebble" in the 70's...
"Close to Home" at Radio City in the 90's....
Stay home!
You're all supposed to be such fans, why don't you shut up and
listen? If all you want to see is Emo thowing an old organ around
on stage, well you've seen it before...some of you 20 times.
watch the DVD...
stay home...
Go see Brittany Spears and scream with the other tweenies....
Go see "rocky Horror" and throw bread....
Leave us alone.
Grow up.
I'm tired of Creole Dance. Didn't like it when I first heard it,
still don't. kind of noisy and aimless, IMHO.
John
---------------------------------------------
From: Ed Burke
Sent: Thursday, June 03, 2004 7:10 PM
To: elp-digest
Subject: Keith Emerson Band in NYC --- Setlist and Review
John,
Here's the set list and a review of the Keith Emerson Band at BB
Kings in NYC on 21 May 2004. I believe the set list is accurate,
except I missed one tune between "Karelia Suite" and "Cajun Alley".
1. America
2. Country Pie
3. Hang On To A Dream
4. Bitches Crystal
5. Touch and Go
6. Piano Improvisation (as Dave Kilminster's blown amp
was replaced!)
7. Karelia Suite
8. [I think I missed one here]
9. Cajun Alley
10. Excerpt from Piano Concerto No. 1
11. Just Crazy - Dave Kilminster
12. Lucky Man
13. Hoedown
14. Tarkus
15. Fanfare for the Common Man / Rondo
16. ENCORE: Honky Tonk Train Blues - first the slow train
and then the fast train!!
For me, the show was simply awesome. My small group was #2 into
the concert room and we grabbed a table right in front of Keith's
gear, about three feet away from him on stage. I was thrilled
to be able to see and hear him in such a wonderful and relatively
intimate venue. The few stories he related about first meeting
Dave K and surprising Carl (then with Qango) onstage were quite
humorous. I not sure many folks in the audience knew what he
meant when he said early on that BSS was originally titled "Whip
Some Skull On Yer", and what that refers to!
Anyway, the blend of Nice, ELP, and the individual solos were
a lot of fun. The sound was great. Performing for the first
time in "America", I would guess that Dave K might have initially
been intimidated by a NY crowd expecting him to sound like Greg
Lake. His voice is, of course, quite different than Greg's and
I think we all know that Greg's voice can't be copied that easily.
So, when Dave K sang away, he seemed to do it his own way, and I
think he did a great job at it and everyone loved him. He has
a fantastic future in his own right and hopefully he will
continue to visit us here in the USA. His "Just Crazy" was
excellent. [The next week I did pick up the Qango Live in the Hood
CD on which he appears with Carl.]
Keith was in great spirits and seemed to enjoy being back on stage
in the US, as you can attest since you also were there. He was
incredibly well received by the audience. I was just in awe at
seeing him again, banging away and sweeping those magic fingers
over the organ, Moog, and piano. He even cranked on the harmonica!
His piano improvisation when Dave K's amp blew just after "Touch And
Go" was a cool handling of the unpredictable. The Moog segment at
the end of "Lucky Man" was built with "promise and anticipation" as
the crowd cheered when Emo approached the synth for the final
segment. I always loved "Karelia Suite" and it sounded fantastic!
The Tarkus medley was grand. Not sure why Dave K didn't start the
vocals until the "Battlefield" segment.
I hope fellow Digest readers can take a minute to view the photos
from the show that I sent in to the Digest. [ Editor's Note: I'll
try to get them uploaded soon. - John - ] And after the show,
Keith did sign my ELP Tarkus jacket backstage for me (actually for
my sister, who also was there, and is a much better smooth talker
than I, to get the jacket backstage!). A photo of the CP and KE
signed Tarkus jacket is also posted at the "Ladies of the Lake"
website under "Archives & Collectibles".
So, John, now how do we satiate our renewed cravings for live ELP
performances? When is Greg coming ashore with his remade Classics?
When is Carl and the band setting sail for the US? Why not just do
it, reunion for God's sake! No one expects the 1970's all over
again. We just want one more opportunity to see them together live
once more before our hearing goes!
Take care, John, and thanks for all the great stuff you do for us!
Ed Burke
Hamilton, NJ
---------------------------------------------
From: kawamoto
Sent: Saturday, June 12, 2004 2:28 PM
To: elp-digest
Subject: The Keith Emerson Band Set List, B.B. King Bar, NY,
May 21, 2004
Dear John and the readers of ELP Digest:
I think the setlist of the Keith Emerson Band performed at the
B.B. King Bar in New York, May 21, looks like the one below. But I
am not sure about the items with "(?)" in it (#6, 8, 10, and 11).
Someone, help me complete/correct the list!
---------------------------------------
The Keith Emerson Band Set List, May 21, 2004
---------------------------------------
1. America/Rondo
2. Country Pie/Brandenburg Concerto
3. Hang On To A Dream/ Sombrero Sam
4. Bitches Crystal
5. Touch and Go
6. Blues Piano Solo (?)
7. Intermezzo from the Karelia Suite
(Intermission)
8. (?)
9. Cajun Alley
10. (?)
11. Dave Solo (?)
12. Lucky Man
13. Hoedown
14. Tarkus
(Encore 1)
15. Fanfare for the Common Man
(Encore 2)
16. Honky Tonk Train Blues
---------------------------------------
Again, I would appreciate if someone could complete/correct
the list above. Thanks.
Aki Kawamoto
===========================
Reader Commentary
===========================
From: Drumrolls3
Sent: Saturday, May 15, 2004 6:58 PM
To: elp-digest
Subject: Elp and Tv Final episodes
(re: comments about ELP audio clip on "Friends" finale in the U.S.)
Hi John,
I didn't get to watch the show, since I was at work, but, now that
you mention this, I think it's ironic that when the final episode
of "Cheers" aired years ago, Emerson, Lake and Palmer were mentioned
by name as the "firm" where Rebecca "worked" as a "corporate
attorney", when asked by Dianne Chambers (Shelly Long) what she did
for a living.
Thanks for mentioning this, as I will now have to watch for the
reruns!!! I was never a fan of the show, but anytime I see/hear
ELP get a plug, I make certain I see it!
Thanks!
Steve Barber
---------------------------------------------
From: mflorio
Sent: Sunday, May 16, 2004 1:44 PM
To: elp-digest
Subject: Re: Nick Zales comments:
>> "Getting Peter Sinfield to help is a sign of weakness, not strength.
>> In Prog, you either have the chops or you don't. "
To the contrary ! Unselfishly striving to make your music better
shows strength of character and artistic integrity. What's wrong with
bringing in outside help if the music will be improved ? So, it's ok
for the Beatles to utilize George Martin and Billy Preston (since
they're not 'prog'), but not ok for ELP to bring in Peter Sinfield?
Should Emerson not have brought in John Mayer to help orchestrate
his concerto?
>> "He [Greg] often simply plays doubled lines or runs that Emerson must
>> have written."
Why would playing a part written by someone else diminish the
contribution in any way? ELP were not like Yes. They didn't
group-compose. The musical direction almost always followed
Emerson's lead (except for Lake album sides on "Works 1" and
"Love Beach", and the other songs that made their way onto albums).
Mike
---------------------------------------------
From: Eamonn Mac
Sent: Monday, May 17, 2004 12:16 PM
To: elp-digest
Subject: Friends/Welcome Back
In an earlier Friends episode, 'the one where Chandler gets stuck in
a bank'?? The name of the bank is the Emerson Bank. Is this the same
fan. There are fans everywhere.
Eamonn
---------------------------------------------
From: TARKUSHEAD
Sent: Saturday, May 22, 2004 11:56 PM
To: elp-digest
Subject: ELP & R&RHoF
Wow! I Stand Corrected! Last ELP Digest, in response to a previous
post about ELP not being in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, I wrote,
among other things, that I thought they had been inducted sometime
after "Black Moon". All I can say is I must have succumbed to a
severe case of wishful thinking!
Aloha! Rick Alhadeff, Honolulu
[ Editor's Note: I think you and a number of fans are recalling
ELP getting a star on the 'Walk of Fame' in LA.
In the 'Black Moon' era, there were, indeed, photos
of ELP getting a star there. For all of us, after a
while, it all blurs together. - John - ]
---------------------------------------------
From: Mike Myers
Sent: Friday, May 28, 2004 10:35 PM
To: John Arnold
Subject: Poteet Percussion Ensemble
Hi John,
Thanks for the announcement in the ELP Digest about my percussion
ensemble performing Karn Evil 9 and Lucky Man. The concert was last
week and was a big hit.
We now have streaming web video uploaded for fans all over the world
to enjoy. You will need a high speed connection for it to play
smoothly.
Scroll halfway down on this page and click on the percussion
ensemble pictures.
http://poteetpirateband.org
Hope you enjoy it!
Mike Myers
---------------------------------------------
From: Robert Matthews
Sent: Wednesday, June 02, 2004 2:03 PM
To: elp-digest
Subject: ELP digest entry
Re: the Emo was ELP myth, continued:
The best way to settle this, is to watch Masters from the Vaults. I
just got the DVD yesterday and was blown away. At age 38, I am one
of those fans who got into ELP just as they were near breaking up
in the late '70's. I have my older sister to thank for being
the real fan before me.
She got to see them live in Toronto during their BSS tour and again
during their Works tour. I was considered too young to go to either
concert, being just 12 at the time of the latter. So, I never got
to see the original ELP at the start or height of their career
-- until now.
Seriously, check out Masters from the Vaults and you'll see what
is real ELP. It shows a band that pulls out all the stops -- a band
that was doing their best to break into the scene.
I couldn't believe the solo by Carl Palmer. How could anyone in
their right mind say that he was "along for the ride"? It's not just
the fury and energy of the solo itself, but if you watch and listen,
Carl is playing with similar gusto through the entire set, save for
parts of Take a Pebble.
So, one might disregard Greg Lake because his voice is only
featured intermittently. But, not only is his voice impeccable
(despite screwing up the lines in Knife Edge), it is during his
featured pieces that the audience becomes the most involved. Compare
the audience during Pebble, when they were hooting and clapping
along, to a shot from behind Keith during his synth noodling on
Knife Edge, where they can be scene quietly watching with their
hands on their laps.
If anything, Greg could be seen or criticized as the weakest
link, because he's just the singer, right? But it's all about
balance.
Listen again to when his voice first comes in on Trilogy or Tarkus
after the opening "overtures". He unifies the apparent chaos. I agree
with his comments in the documentary track on the BSS re-release,
that his role was to add the calmer moments between all the
agression and that it was this quality that provided ELP its
balance. Keith and Carl may take the audience out there, but Greg
brings them back in, so to speak. And this point was made all the
more clear to me when I saw the real, classic ELP.
You know the expression, "the whole is greater than the sum of
its parts"? ELP was a prefect example of this. Each member was a
key player for very different reasons. Go back in time and watch
them. No one was along for the ride.
Sean Matthews
---------------------------------------------
From: Drumrolls3
Sent: Thursday, June 03, 2004 12:29 AM
To: elp-digest
Subject: A desperate Plea
Hi John, and all:
Through the wonderful kindness and consideration of the Website
mistress at the most awesome ELP related website in the world, Eileen,
the Website Mistress has donated a space to my ongoing endeavor to
A. Find ELP musicians to perform with, and
B. To gather good quality photos of Carl's stainless steel drum
set to hopefully enable me to complete my attempt at replicating
that drum set which is all explained at:
http://valseven.tripod.com/ladiesofthelake2/id10.html.
Then click go to:
http://valseven.tripod.com/ladiesofthelake2/id10.html
I know that over the past couple of years I have submitted posts to
this great ELP Digest (Thank you, John Arnold) just hoping, wishing
and struggling to find some musicians who are willing to put
together an ELP tribute band-no matter what it takes-to keep the
music alive and to enjoy performing it for those who love and
appreciate beyond any limits-the music of Emerson, Lake and Palmer.
I am so very sorry if I seem persistent, and keep posting the same
requests over and over, but I know that someday, someplace, sometime,
I am going to be able to fulfill my dream to perform Karn Evil 9
3rd Impression (with the computer voice featuring the Ring Modulator)
(And if I didn't personally email to say Thanks, **Thank you ** ALL
who responded to my question as to what what used to create the
computer voice). I know that sooner or later, **someone** is going
to take me up on this, and we are going to have a hay day!
I was fortunate enough, in 1998, through a gentleman who used to
submit articles here, to connect with two musicians here in Ohio
(while I lived briefly in Grand Rapids, MI) in a town called
Barberton. We recorded 5 ELP tunes: Hoedown, Tarkus, Pirates,
Jerusalem, and the entire 1st impression of Karn Evil 9. The
keyboardist said something, that to this day has stuck in my
head: "You are the first drummer who has played Karn Evil 9 in
its entirety without running out of breath". (All the practicing
paid off!! :^)
We rehearsed them once before recording them, and then went for it.
I was asked to play on a 5 piece drum set provided in the studio, so
it was rather limiting when I was used to having the "gusto" with my
replicated Carl set, but nonetheless, did it. To my sorrow, the
drum set did not have the much used cowbell Carl used, plus the guy
who mixed 3 of the five songs did a poor job on Tarkus, Jerusalem,
and KE9. Pirates and Hoedown are mixed perfectly. This audio
recording, plus, a DVD of the out-takes taped of me drum soloing
(when people from Court TV's "Forensic Files" came to tape me for
the JFK assassination special which aired last November) is my best
testimony, should anyone at all want to see or hear it. Hopefully,
I can cut the mustard.
Always worried about sounding like I am "ringing my own bell", I
carefully say that I have each and every ELP tune down to the "T".
I have spent the past 30 years practicing-religiously-ALL ELP tunes,
studying Carl's drumming methods, physically excersized to get the
strength and stamina needed to perform this type of drumming-
you name it. I wore my way through TONS of copies of their LP's
because I wanted to duplicate every move Carl made on the drums,
on my own drums and duplicate the tune they were performing to the
"T". I scratched and ruined many a records and needles at that time,
but it was been worth every penny. This, all in the hope that I
would somehow, some way get to fulfill my dream of performing the
music of ELP.
Again, I am asking, if there are any ELP -like keyboardists,
bassist/vocalist who are willing and interested in performing or
putting together and ELP Tribute band, or, what ever we can do, I
urge you to please-PLEASE contact me. I had a couple of people who
contacted me after my last request was posted, but one keyboardsman
was dedictad to his drummer, and another wasn't sure about timing
since we live miles apart.
I just hope that someone who may feel as frustrated and sad about
wanting to play but who can't locate the musicians, will reply.
Not giving up!
Thank you all who read this!!
Keep up the great work, John!! Thank you for this terrific Digest!
Sincerely yours,
Steve Barber
Drumrolls3@WMconnect.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Ben Stein
Sent: Friday, June 11, 2004 4:12 PM
To: elp-digest
Subject: Poteet Pirate Band
Dear John,
I am sure that many other ELP digest contributors have already
commented on the wonderful performances by the Poteet Pirate Band,
so I won't be redundant, but I just wanted to mention some information
that I learned from Mike Myers, the talented person who conducted
and arranged Karn Evil 9 and Lucky Man for the high-school ensemble.
Mr. Myers told me that he arranged an excerpt from Pirates 20 years
ago and it has been performed by several college percussion ensembles.
He hopes to expand it to a full length piece someday and perform it
with his group.
I think it's absolutely fantastic how Mr. Myers has transmitted
ELP music to younger generations through his work!
Ben
---------------------------------------------
From: Dave Bailey
Sent: Tuesday, June 15, 2004 12:34 AM
To: ELP-digest
Hi John
On Monday 14th June I bought the latest ELP cd, "The Ultimate
Collection Limited Edition" on the Sanctuary label. This is a double
cd with a bonus disc "Live At Anaheim 73/74". The sleeve says this
was recorded live at Anaheim Music Centre, Anaheim, Los Angeles, CA
during the 1973-1974 world tours. But there is an obvious error that
should have been spotted by the record company. There are two tracks,
"Tiger In The Spotlight" and "C'est La Vie" from "Works 1 & 2", which
were not written until 1977, and so could not have been recorded
in 1973/74.
I know I'm being fussy, but as an ELP fan, I want the record company
to get these small details right. Having said that, this is an
album worth having in my collection.
Dave Bailey
Stoke-on-Trent
UK
===========================
Questions (and Answers!)
===========================
From: Peter Wilton
Sent: Saturday, May 15, 2004 3:14 AM
To: ELP-digest
Subject: Re: ELP Digest Vol. 4 #14
> From: Michael SELWYN
> To: elp-digest-request@reluctant.com
> Subject: Montreal 1977 Concert - DVD Release?
>
> Is there any chance of the 1977 Montreal concert video getting a Led
> Zeppelin-style makeover, and being released on DVD? Will the Montreal
> concert be included on the forthcoming ELP retrospective DVD?
Manticore did release a double-sided DVD with Montreal & The Manticore
Special, though I suppose you mean you would like to see an "improved"
version released?
Peter Wilton
The Gregorian Association Web Site:
http://www.beaufort.demon.co.uk
---------------------------------------------
From: Mike Le Voi
Sent: Saturday, May 15, 2004 9:34 PM
To: elp-digest
Subject: ELP Transcriptions
Just a short note for Mike Myers who was looking for ELP
transcriptions this month. My web site has many MID files of ELP
masterpieces. The last 2 that I posted were the 2nd and 3rd movements
of the Piano Concerto No 1. Will Alexander kindly let me post them
and asked me to remind people that they are for personal use only!
Any decent sequencer program can turn a MID file back into a score.
However, if you want to use these "scores" for public performance,
you must pay the appropriate royalties.
Cheers,
Mike Le Voi
Visit my Sound and MIDI Home Page
http://modemss.brisnet.org.au/~mlevoi
---------------------------------------------
From: Col
Sent: Sunday, May 16, 2004 6:09 AM
To: ELP-digest
Subject: The ELP pendant circa 1974
Hey guys and gals
No, I'm not Alan Freeman, just an isolated Aussie (ex-Pom) fan who
would love to get hold of that pendant sold in 74 at the Wembley gigs.
It was a necklace chain pendant shaped around as the elp motif,
"silver" with black embossing of the motif itself. Just imagine the
ELP motif on a chain!
Safe email: letmein1957@hotmail.com created for replies to this
request only, so spam isn't a problem!
Also, I was at the first of the gigs at Wembley, and I remember
Keith or Greg introducing Tarkus by saying "This piece has changed
a lot since it came out" - and it was VERY, VERY different in my
memory. Does anyone have a comment or any recording of this?
John, A1 job, keep it up.
Col Dyer
Brisbane Oz
---------------------------------------------
MessageFrom: Dan Krause
Sent: Monday, May 17, 2004 8:47 AM
To: elp-digest
Subject: Live Asia with Greg Lake
A few years ago I happened upon a live Asia cd with Greg Lake on
bass and vocals. The cover looked pretty cheesy and the sound quality
was equally bad. There was a constant hiss throughout. I just found
another live Asia cd with the same lineup, "Asia Live at Budokan."
I think it was released in 2003 and it has a more professional look.
Has anyone purchased this cd? I'd hate to bring it home and find that
the sound quality is as bad as the one I purchased a few years ago.
Thanks,
Dan
---------------------------------------------
From: Eriko Yatabe-Waldock
Sent: Wednesday, June 09, 2004 12:53 AM
To: ELP-digest
Subject: Hard Rock Cafe puzzle
Hi John
I still cannot get over the fact that the concert is over.
Hopefully they will be back in the summer!
[ Editor's Note: This message refers to an image of some
Hard Rock Cafe pins of which the 'keyboard'
pin looks a lot like a representation of
the way Keith plays. See the image at
http://www.brain-salad.com/Graphics/Misc/HardRockPins2001.jpg
- John - ]
Have you seen these pins that were issued for Hard Rock Cafe
30 year anniversary in 2001? I was just surfing in the net, and
I stumbled onto the pin that looks like Keith. I did not know
that HRC pins are hot item to collect - I even did not know that
HRC has pins. So I went to one Japanese site to see if anybody
would sell one for me.
This is what they told me -- These pins were issued at many HRCs in
the world in 2001. Some collectors call the 2nd C pin as Keith Emerson
pin, while others just refer it to "Keyboard musician." I managed to
find somebody who would be willing to trade the "Emerson" pin with
one pin sold at HRC in NYC.
The keyboard musician looks nobody but Keith! I wonder if HRC did
issue the pin explicitly as the Keith Emerson pin.... I could not
find the answer in their website. Do you recognize others?
H - Steven Tyler?
A (1st) - Joe Perry?
O - Stevie Nicks?
K - Tina Turner?
A (2nd) - Eddie Van Halen?
Hope all is well!
===========================
ELP-related products, tribute bands, promoters
(The ELP Digest does not endorse, etc.)
===========================
From: Martin A. Totusek
Sent: Sunday, June 13, 2004 6:05 PM
To: ELP Digest
Subject: Purchased "Nighthawks" and "Iron Man volume one"
soundtracks on CD via GEMM and New DVD missing part of
the music
I couldn't find them for purchase in the USA (nor did my orders in
the past ever process successfully through Keith Emerson's old site's
previous ordering page of: http://www.e-zstore.com/emerson/).
However, I was able to purchase "Nighthawks" and "Iron Man volume one"
new/unsold CDs, through a GEMM request
(a marketplace in which you deal directly with many different sellers)
from:
"BESTCD" .
Unlike the new DVD "zone 1" widescreen re-issue of the actual
"Nighthawks" movie:
Nighthawks
Directed by:
Bruce Malmuth
Staring:
Sylvester Stallone,
Rutger Hauer,
Billy Dee Williams,
Persis Khambatta,
Nigel Davenport,
Lindsay Wagner
Issued in theaters: 1981
MCA Home Video/Universal Studios Home Video DVD Encoding:
Region 1 DVD
release date: May 11, 2004
Rating: R (MPAA)
Also Known As:
Night Hawks; Hawks
Running Time: 100 Minutes
Color;
Closed Captioned;
French Subtitled;
Spanish Subtitled;
Widescreen
DVD Features:
Region 1 Keep Case Anamorphic Letterboxed Widescreen-
1.85 Single Layer
Audio: Dolby Surround Sound - English
the opening 46 seconds (the intro) of the main theme "Nighthawks"
IS indeed on the CD (just like on the old vinyl LP releases)...
I really don't know why the opening 46 seconds of the main theme,
is missing from the the beginning of the new "Nighthawks" widescreen
DVD release, nor how MCA Home Video/Universal Studios Home Video
could make such a careless blunder, and leave it out...
- Martin A. Totusek
(Seattle, Washington, USA)
===========================
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End of ELP Digest [Volume 14, Issue 5]
**************************************