ELP Digest Tuesday, 6 May 1997 Volume 7 : Issue 8 The "Best Is Yet To Come" Edition Today's Topics: ELP-ATLANTA ELP in Atlanta elp tour germany, elp video ELP in Germany Another ELP-gig ELP in Europe Re: European dates European dates ELP LIVE RAH Video A Review of the ELP Live Video ELP Video Prelude ======= Will Alexander asked me to mention that there has been another major update to Keith Emerson's Close To Home page on the web. So, you should definitely check it out, some of the recent additions include a column from Bob Moog and more historical information on The Nice, ELP, etc. Also, this issue starts to bring us details about a single ELP performance in Atlanta (mid-June) and the growing list of dates for the tour in Germany. I'd advise ELP Digest readers to watch the ELP web site (http://bliss.berkeley.edu/elp) between issues of the Digest since I've been trying to keep that list up-to-date as European readers send me details of shows they've seen advertised. Reviews of the "Live at Royal ALbert Hall" video are starting to roll in. I haven't seen it, so I can't chime in with my opinion yet. And, before you ask... No, I don't know of a source for it in the US yet but I'm trying to find one and, barring that, I'll see if I can get some US-compatible tapes sent to me so I can act as a US distributor. Finally, I want to explain that this issue is short because I've been experiencing some pretty severe hardware/network problems with the machines I've been using to adminster the ELP Digest. I got this issue put together a bot more hastily that I wanted since the timing of the ELP tour dates, etc. is very important to all of us. However, I will be acting in the next month to remedy the situtation and get back to a more normal schedule. Here's what I'll be doing... I'll be moving the ELP Digest off from this work account to my own personal account (where I have more control of machines, etc.) in the next month. Once I get all the necessary software established, I'll tell everyone what the new ELP Digest e-mail address will be. But don't worry. This account will be auto-forwarded there for a while once the move happens. The reason behind this move is that the network of Unix machines I've been running the ELP Digest from has been having some problems lately and some of the machines are being phased out. Rather than run the risk of having mail/connectivity problems during that transition, I'm just going to switch all of my "ELP activity" over to machines that I own and have direct control over. Thanks for your patience in advance. Worst case, there will always be an up-to-date e-mail address for me and the ELP Digest on the ELP web site. - John - ------------------------------------------------------------ From: Doh93@aol.com Date: Mon, 28 Apr 1997 15:35:20 -0400 (EDT) To: arnold@dartmouth.coordinate.com Subject: ELP-ATLANTA Dear Mr. Arnold, Emerson, Lake & Palmer will indeed be playing their only U.S. date in Atlanta, June 16, 1997 at Coca Cola Lakewood Ampitheatre. The show will also feature Kansas and will be free to listeners of WZGC, Atlanta. The 2nd annual Z-90 "free" concert originally was to feature Yes, but due to philosophical differences within the band and current management changes, Yes has postponed their tour until Nov/Dec 1997 (as per Jon Anderson). ELP was gracious in accepting our invitation to headline this show, much to the delight of our listeners. The show is sponsored by Budweiser. Thank You, Liz West Z93, Atlanta [ Editor's Note: This show has been confirmed via ELP's management. Since Z93 (a radio station) seems to give away all the tickets via promotions that it does, I don't know of any way for non-Z93-listening audience members to get tickets. However, I have put a link to the Z93 web site on the ELP web site if anyone wants to watch there, call, etc. to see if there are other ways to get tickets. Good luck! - John - ] ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 24 Apr 1997 17:12:46 -0400 From: "Nita Almand" To: arnold@dartmouth.coordinate.com Subject: ELP in Atlanta John, Local classic rock radio station Z93 has announced that ELP will do a free concert here in Atlanta on June 16th. The opening act will be 'local band' Kansas (I understand members of Kansas now live in the Atlanta area). The radio station has not yet indicated how they plan to distribute the free tickets... only that we should stay tuned. Their announcement states that this will be the only North American stop on their 1997 tour. (I've never missed an Atlanta ELP concert, starting with a fabulous show in -- I'm guessing -- 1971 when YES was the opening act!) This is a rather frustrating announcement since I can't just run out and buy the tickets! I've enjoyed reading the digest. I appreciate the information you share with us. I don't know where else I would have heard of the 1996 tour. My brother and I traveled to California for the San Diego and Irvine shows and are anxious to see a full length show! [ ... ] Thanks again! Nita Almand ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 24 Apr 1997 08:28:19 +0200 From: Maier Bruno 2507 To: arnold@dartmouth.coordinate.com Subject: elp tour germany, elp video a quick drop in with respect to the upcoming elp tour through germany. one of the confirmed dates is the 1st of july in nuernberg. for those who want to see elp there, tickets can be order from : wurzburger kartenvorverkauf, eichhornstr. 21, 97070 wurzburg, germany, tel: 0931-55554. the concert will take place in the serenatenhof at 7:30 pm, tickets cost 54,-DM. These were the information i got from this agency when i ordered my ticket. by the way i just received my copy of the elp at the royal albert hall video. with respect to the critics of the japanese issue i can say, none of the flaws are with the pal version, so the remastering was a success. video and audio tracks are perfectly in line now. my first impression is , technically the video is ok, musically the video is great. in my opinion the pieces are better than the similar songs from the live at albert hall cd. best wishes bernd prott ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 01 May 1997 02:38:04 +0200 From: watzinger To: arnold@dartmouth.coordinate.com Subject: ELP in Germany Hi John! Here are the quite official tour dates for Germany: 24.6. München, Tollwood 28.6. Kassel, Hof der Stadthalle 1.7. Nürnberg, Serenadenhof 4.7. Halle, Peisnitzinsel 5.7. Dortmund, Westfalenpark 11.7. Fulda, Museumshof 13.7. Dresden, Elbufer Tickets: 0711-954 74 74 [ Editor's Note: Although I have no reason to doubt these tour dates, they have not yet been confirmed with ELP's management. - John - ] ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 01 May 1997 18:32:10 +0200 From: Urs Freytag Subject: Another ELP-gig To: arnold@dartmouth.coordinate.com There are another two ELP-gigs announced, which are both missing in your tour-list yet. They will play in Lahr / Germany on the Daytona-Open Air 97 (July 4-6). Top acts are Deep Purple, Scorpions and another one. For further information, contact http://www.daytona-europe.com Furthermore, ELP are supposed to play in Krakow / Poland, sometimes in the second half of June. I don't know whether these dates are confirmed. Bye, Urs ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 05 May 1997 17:10:45 +0200 From: "M. Oeschger" To: arnold@dartmouth.coordinate.com Just in case of interest: On July 4th and 5th ELP will be sharing the bill with Barclay James Harvest (seventies band big in Europe), Foreigner and Art Garfunkel. On July 7th they will appear at the Jazz Festival in Montreux along with Supertramp. All the best yours Matthias ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 23 Apr 1997 20:37:34 +0200 From: Akiko Hada To: John Arnold Subject: European dates Dear John, Further to Andreas Turner's contributions in the ELP Digest V7 #6, here are the updates on the German leg of the European tour. The following dates are confirmed, ie. the tickets are already on sale. 24.06. Munich 01.07. Nurenberg 04.07. Halle (Out-In-The-Green-Festival) 05.07. Dortmund (festival) 11.07. Fulda 13.07. Dresden The rest of the tour dates seem yet to be confirmed - ie. still keep changing every week - but the last I heard is that there is a big chance that they will also play in the UK, which did not seem to be the case only a couple of weeks ago. Well, let's all hope... Best Regards, Akiko Hada. ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 24 Apr 1997 18:35:04 +0100 (BST) To: John Arnold From: Malcolm Oliver Subject: ELP LIVE RAH Video I've just received my copy of the video, ELP Live at the Royal Albert Hall. I am pleased to report that it is of reasonably good audio and visual quality. The track listing is: Introduction: By veteran UK DJ Alan Freeman Karn Evil Pt. 2/Tarkus/Knife Edge (Medley) Paper Blood Creole Dance From The Beginning Lucky Man Honky Tonk Train Blues Romeo & Juliet Pirates Pictures At An Exhibition (Inc. drum solo) Fanfare For The Common Man/America/Rondo (90 minutes playing time approx.) This video recording is the 2nd October 1992 RAH concert, minus STILL YOU TURN ME ON and BLACK MOON , which are on the RAH live CD, but are not on the video tape. (Why must they always omit tracks?) Likewise fans will be aware that: PICTURES, IN THE BEGINNING and HONKY TONK are not on the RAH live CD! CLOSE TO HOME was performed too at the RAH, but is on neither video or CD. However it was featured in the live radio broadcast. On a number of occasions, between his playing, Emerson can clearly be seen flexing his wrists and fingers, as if he was experiencing some discomfort. Never the less, his performance is excellent, as is Lakes and Palmers. The British fans had waited eighteen years to see their heroes perform live, but it was well worth it. The high-light of the video tape, for me is RONDO and Emerson's Hammond surfing! It is important to realise that no video or CD can ever truly capture the excitement of a great live gig. But I still regard this video as a must for the serious ELP fan. Best wishes from, Malcolm Oliver, London :-) ****************************** * oliver01@globalnet.co.uk * ****************************** ------------------------------ From: Peter2001@aol.com Date: Mon, 5 May 1997 16:53:57 -0400 (EDT) To: arnold@dartmouth.coordinate.com Subject: A Review of the ELP Live Video Dear John and fans, Well, after four months of waiting, I have finally got hold of the Video. That's right - Emerson, Lake and Palmer / Live at the Royal Albert Hall, has finally been unleashed. The Video Tape details... The total time is 88 minutes, here is the set : Opening / Intro (1:20), Welcome Back (2:05), Tarkus (7:07), Knife Edge (5:11), Paper Blood (4:02), Creole Dance (3:30), From the Beginning (3:10), Lucky Man (4:28), Honky Tonk Train Blues (3:30), Romeo & Juliet (4:32), Pirates (13:16), Pictures at an Exhibition (18:05) - including 5 minute drum solo, Fanfare for the Common Man (6:18), America (5:06), Rondo (2:18). For some reason, the date of the performance is not identified on the packaging or the recording. I would guess it is October 1992. Incidentally, this recording is from a different night to the one on the C.D.(of the same title) - there are plenty of subtle differences for you to spot, mainly in Keith's playing, I won't go through them now - just buy the video and see for yourself!!. The video comes from the makers of the excellent "Welcome Back" biography video (1992), produced by Bob Carruthers and directed by Graham Holloway. It should be in the shops by now. If anyone knows of a mail order distributor for the U.S. please write in and let us know! The address of the company who released the tape is : Beckmann Communications, Meadow Court, West Street, Ramsey, Isle of Man, IM8 1AE, British Isles. Tel (+44) 1624 816585 / Fax (+44) 1624 816589. Sound & Pictures... Having read reports of poor sound and picture quality on the earlier Japanese releases of the video, I was ready to be let down.... but fear not! The sound really rocks! The producers have worked hard to get an absolutely fantastic mix. In fact, I think it is actually better than the sound of the C.D!! The problem I always found with the CD sound is that the drums are so poorly defined, almost monaural in fact. However, on this video, the drumset fills your room, with every drum sound clearly defined - this is a special bonus for us Carl Palmer fans! This video is worth it for the sountrack alone. The sound and pictures are perfectly in sync, except for just a small moment at the start of Creole Dance. As for the pictures, about average quality, I suppose. The lighting by it's nature leaves the players in the dark, or in stongly coloured light most of the time, which doesn't make for easy filiming! On my tape there is colour pattening on strong reds, and an annoying break-up around bright highlights which occurs occasionally on Greg's shirt, and a lot on Carl's drum solo. The Performances... Keith Emerson : Unfortunately Keith is clearly suffering some pain in his hands - he can be seen wincing in agony at one point - the audience repsonds to this and Keith acknowledges with an apologetic smile ;-). Despite this, the Creole Dance performance is superb. The Hammond organ sequence in Rondo features Keith sporting a leather jacket - just wait till you see it! Greg Lake : In fine vocal form, possibly suffering from a little tiredness. Beautiful on the guitars, as ever. Probably the best version of Lucky Man you are likely to see. And yes, he has his trusy Persian rug with him! Carl Palmer : The best, ever. Out of interest, I timed the total time each player was in camera shot. Keith wins at 45:00 minutes, Greg is on for 36:20, Carl 34:05. To Sum up... All the atmosphere of the Royal Albert Hall is captured, with ELP playing in peak form. Of course, there always will be omissions from the tape. (Why ???). Close to Home, Still.. You Turn me On and Black Moon are not included. Apparently Close to Home was played too hurriedly, and Black Moon suffered a little due to Keith's hands; he always insisted to play live without sequencer! But nice to see Honky Tonk Train Blues, which was not on the CD! There is some fun at the end of this with Keith repeating the phrase near the end, slowing down each time, trying to put Carl off! Keith's keyboard sounds are excellent, true to original sounds, including the Moog solo at the end of Lucky Man. Pirates is complete, and terrifically done. Pictures at an Exhibition is stunning, and the finale sequence of Fanfare/America/Rondo is brilliant, with Keith almost falling off the stage with the Hammond on top of him! Are there any bad moments - well yes, there are some shaky and out of focus camera shots. A good overhead camera to cover Keith would have been useful. Also, Keith's microphone did not seem to be working some of the time, which Keith took with good humour! All of this is made up for by the magnificent sound. The final word : Buy it . ~~~ Peter Garcia, Eastbourne, U.K. ~~~ Peter2001@aol.com ~~~ ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 1 May 1997 19:46:16 +0000 To: arnold@dartmouth.coordinate.com From: brianj@mail.ndirect.co.uk (Brian Johnstone) Subject: ELP Video I've just received the long awaited vodeo from the Albert Hall (I once knew a guy called Albert Hall and guys named Dick Barton and Alex Harvey). Although, like most of us, I'm always glad to have anything which ELP are involved in I have to say that for some reason this band (despite being the best band in the known universe) seem always seem to surround themselves with people who are clueless. Not only do we wait 5 years to get a concert video when we get it the cinematography is CRAP.Y'know Keith Emerson plays a solo so what do we get - a shot of the back of Carl Palmers head then a half body shot of Greg Lake.When you finally get a shot of Emerson you see his head poorly lit and you can't see his hands or the keyboard. I've actually seen better home video bootlegs! (oops sorry can't say that can I?) To be fair I'm actually pleased that the gigs were the ones I was at:the video appears to be have shot over the 2 or maybe the 3 nights.It certainly is not all the first night but that's no big deal. Why do ELP fans always have to suffer the inadequacies of the entourage that surround ELP? It's completely beyond me how it always ends up a mess. Look at the fiasco surrounding the Fan Clubs,the complete non event for the release of 'In The Hot Seat',the video,the half world tours,the record labels mess,the half assed arrangements for this summers tour - we are less than 2 months away from the start and most people are still guessing where they are going to play! U2 and people plan tours a year ahead but ELP's people seem happy to leave it all up in the air Well enough complaining for this time I am watching the video as I write this, "Who'll make his mark the captain cried" - seems such an appropriate thing to sing Greg. Cheers for now Brian Johnstone o \_, | -|_| [ ] [ ------------------------------ Digest, mailing address, and administrative stuff to: arnold@dartmouth.coordinate.com | +=> The same for now... ELP-related info that you | want to put in the digest to: arnold@dartmouth.coordinate.com Back issues are available from the World Wide Web ELP Home Page: URL: http://bliss.berkeley.edu/elp/ 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 7 Issue 8] *************************************