Emerson Lake and Palmer

[gryphon]

The Beginners Guide To Emerson Lake and Palmer (1969-1975)





In 1969 three musicians sat in the following positions:




Keith Emerson : Keyboard player with the Nice.


Carl Palmer: Drummer with Atomic Rooster.


Greg Lake : Guitar player with King Crimson.






All three thinking that they had taken their current vehicles as far as they could without significant change. All three had proved themselves significantly as being good at what they do.They had also played on the same bill at times and admired each other’s styles.
Supergroups were on the agenda at this time, not always successfully but they were possible.
Negotiations were initialed and the three decided to give it a try. ( It is interesting to note that E, L and P were not the only possibilities: They could have been: Emerson Lake and Mitchell ( Mitch Mitchell from The Jimi Hendrix Experience was a contender) Intriguing would have been HELP ELP with Jimi Hendrix ……………Maybe we are only left to dream…………..Our would we ? After the second concert at the Isle Of Wight festival the four did jam together……………..However 26 day later Jimi died !


So , ELP took to the stage in The Guildhall, Plymouth, on Sunday 23 August 1970, at 7.30pm and a super group was born............. Here we can have some idea of what audiences saw at the Isle Of Wight festival.............However, the track Rondo is an old “Nice” favourite adapted by ELP and put back to back with some embryonic ELP tracks in the making.
[URL="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKnKswIrZh0&feature=related"]
[/URL]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKnKswIrZ...re=related

In the first few months ELP relied on live performance to build a reputation. Emerson had already managed to build a reputation as live performer with the Nice ( He used to play the keyboards with daggers thrown from the other side of he stage!!!!)


Captured below is what is thought to be part of their first ever performance ( I’m not too sure it’s the first !!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvni9YK9E...re=related


However they entered a studio quite quickly to produce a first album and I think this is the best starting point for a beginner:


Starting point CD
·

EmEmerson Lake and Palmer By Emerson Lake and Palmer

Videos


ELP are by their nature alive band and it is both in this area and in the studio that they excel
The following give some idea of the power of their stage show and the bands ability to improvise in the traditions of Jazz:


The old B.Bumble and The Stingers track given arework:
· http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rX0vOYwHj...re=related


The trade mark ELP show opener
· http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0FuFfcCZiE


The softer side:
· http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRFpXPu_7wE
· http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gm1OJ0LAgt4

One interesting one! The following is a Honky Tonk Classic .......many accomplished pianists would find this a great challenge to play well ...........Watch Emmo manage this with ease and with the best !
· http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvQIobg0BwU

Further Listening:

· Trilogy
· Brain Salad Surgery
· Tarkus


Books
· Emerson, Lake & Palmer - The Show That Never Ends by George Forrester, Martyn Hanson, and Frank Askew
· Pictures of an Exhibitionist by Keith Emerson


DVDs
· Pictures At An Exhibition
Website
· http://www.emersonlakepalmer.com/
· http://www.brain-salad.com/

For Carbon P

[carbon_psycho]

nice.. thank you sir

[Drealm]

I remember that the same guy who made me discover Mike Oldfield made me also listen to the song Tarkus and I remember liking it at the time. I guess it's the time to try it again. Can Tarkus be a good starting point or I should really begin by their fist album?

[gryphon]

Hi Drealm

MmmmmmmH That's a tough one..............I got into ELP in my teens and it was through friends who liked them............took me a while .........I had to re-listen a few times to get the idea and before anything hooked me...................From where I stand now 35 years later I can see that there could be several ways in

Tarkus is a concept album which has its feet in the 70's , the basic idea is a mythical battle between two between tow techno beasts ................Its very keyboard centered and it shows Emerson at his flamboyant best BUT that is not all ELP have to offer

The "First Album" has a more balanced approach , it shows three sides to the band but does contain some more balanced parts too ........"Take A Pebble" is a wonderful starting point and it as that ,that really sold me on ELP along with Lucky Man....................There is also the fresh feel of the band exploring there talents in away that does not allow total self indulgence.

So, I guess go for the fist album but, be prepared to listen seveal tims over before it really makes an impression

[Jerome]

'Works Volume 1' is an absolute masterpiece - listen to the orchestral arrangements. Pure genius!