ELP Digest Thursday, 28 Sept 2000 Volume 10 : Issue 3 The "Suffering In Silence, They've All Been Betrayed" Edition Today's Topics: New ELP book - Amazon taking advance orders!!! New ELP Book - PALMER at November Book Launch! Message from Blair Pethel Carl Palmer drum clinic in Kansas City: report Carl Palmer's Drum Clinic in Kansas City KE concerto review re: Paul Kirk's question "Was Emo really playing that fast?" "Get to You" by The Nice. Qango QANGO in Milan... It didn't Happen! ELP tribute CD & Emerson vocals with The Nice re: ELP tribute CD & Emerson vocals with The Nice ELP Nighthawks, and "The Sheriff" intro question from 1996 Noddy's Puncture On The Web! title? CP's drums Fantasy micronovel Prelude ======= I'm back and getting prepared to re-invigorate the ELP Digest. I've trimmed all of the invalid email addresses from the list (which will make administering the list easier) and have started a few other initiatives in my "spare" time. Thanks for you continued interest and support. - John - ------------------------------------------------------------ From: George Forrester [mailto:gf001@nettes.co.uk] Sent: Friday, July 21, 2000 11:27 AM To: ELP Digest Subject: New ELP book - Amazon taking advance orders!!! Hi everyone! Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk are now taking advance orders for the new ELP book by George Forrester, Martyn Hanson and Frank Askew!!! "Emerson, Lake and Palmer: The Show That Never Ends" is scheduled for publication by Helter Skelter Books on 30th September 2000. Frank, Martyn and I would like to thank you all for your help. If you have submitted photos for possible use in the book, apologies for the delay in getting back to you. Everything should speed up now. We are all very busy on this, and I will be in touch as soon as I can. Amazon.co.uk link: http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/190092417X/qid=964178576/sr=1-2/026-9800587-8665225 Amazon.com link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/190092417X/qid=964178849/sr=1-2/102-7971613-6456910 Check out my own website about the book, which I have updated accordingly. http://members.theglobe.com/aluckyman/exp_fan1.html Thank you again for all your patience. Spread the word! George Forrester ELPELPELPELPELP [ Editor's note: If the links wrap to multiple lines in your mail reader, you may need to cut/paste the pieces into a single line in your browser. - John - ] ------------------------------ From: George Forrester [mailto:gf001@netgates.co.uk] Sent: Wednesday, September 06, 2000 6:56 AM To: elp-digest-web@reluctant.com Subject: New ELP Book - PALMER at November Book Launch! Hi John and all ELP fans - IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT!!! "EMERSON, LAKE AND PALMER: THE SHOW THAT NEVER ENDS" At 12 noon on November 25th 2000, CARL PALMER and the authors George Forrester, Martyn Hanson and Frank Askew, will be at HELTER SKELTER BOOKS, 4 DENMARK STREET, LONDON WC2 to sign copies of the new book "Emerson, Lake and Palmer: The Show That Never Ends". Please come along, and spread the word. It would be helpful if you could email Helter Skelter (helter@skelter.demon.co.uk) to let them know you're going to attend. Visit http://members.theglobe.com/aluckyman/exp_fan1.html for updates. Very best wishes George Forrester ------------------------------ From: BLAIR PETHEL, BLOOMBERG/ WASHINGTO [mailto:BPETHEL@bloomberg.net] Sent: Friday, August 25, 2000 11:54 AM To: ELP-DIGEST-REQUEST@RELUCTANT.COM Subject: Message from Blair Pethel Hello. I have just been shown your ELP Digest (what a lot of work) and thought I would identify myself, as I seem to come up every once and a while. I am Blair Pethel, who wrote the doctoral dissertation in the mid-1980s on Emerson's musical style. FYI, I also played two of Emerson's pieces (Lachesis from the Three Fates and the Fugue from The Endless Enigma) on one of the many recitals I had to do for the degree. Anyway, if any of your readers are interested in contacting me, they can email me at bpethel@bloomberg.net with any questions/comments, and I will seek to oblige them. Thanks, and congratulations on your web magazine. Blair Pethel ------------------------------ From: Ted Osborn [mailto:wosborn@kc.rr.com] Sent: Wednesday, September 27, 2000 12:50 AM To: elp-digest-web@reluctant.com Subject: Carl Palmer drum clinic in Kansas City: report Hullo John - hope you can get this into your next news letter, this is fantastic news . . . I just got home from the Carl Palmer drum clinic held in Kansas City. Explorers Percussion in K.C. hosted this event sponsored by Paiste. Carl's black Remo drums faced about 50 chairs in the front of the store. By the time he started there were around 150-200 people there. Carl wore a black suit vest and black slacks. His hair is cut short and he looks very trim and athletic. And as one fan pointed out, he was the best looking 50 year old man they'd ever seen. Mr. Palmer was introduced by a rep from Paiste that is apparently on this mini-tour with him. This was the second of ten stops that Carl called "whistle stops". He was very good with the audience and commanded a stage presence that I never realized he possessed. I guess being the drummer in the back, so to speak - didn't allow Palmer to show off that part of his talent and personality. He was very at ease and quite funny. The clinic started with Carl telling us some personal history; he began playing at age 11 with only a snare drum. He followed his story by demonstrating a wonderful "history of the snare," solo. He used every kind of technique and trick I've ever seen, and then some. He followed that with a story about being inspired by two different groups of drummers he heard in a market in Africa. He now lives near Africa and had traveled to the Sahara . . . he then demonstrated on his full set, a solo which was derived from what he'd heard there. It was a fantastic piece - one which I hope to hear again someday. Carl Palmer showed that he is (still) the greatest. But the clinic had only just begun! We learned that Carl is well knowledgeable of the great drummers of the past, and present. He took questions throughout the clinic and provided some interesting answers for ELP fans. A couple of q&a's that I recall: What has been the highlight, musically of your career? Brain Salad Surgery. What was the single greatest moment? The 1977 Montreal concert. Palmer demonstrated percussion techniques on the high hat and also discussed fingering techniques. He brought out brushes and showed us the almost lost art of using them. He did a double bass demo and then topped it all off with an incredible full kit solo that contained many bits of solos that ELP fans are familiar with. Carl is the best and he showed it tonight in a small, relaxed and fun atmosphere. Following the clinic, Carl provided an autograph session and he proved that he is an incredibly nice and genuine guy. He seemed to really enjoy the history that the fans provided through their album covers, stories of concerts, etc. Palmer has his new band that will play next summer in Europe. He mentioned his bass player has green hair, plays a 5-string bass, and Carl can't understand a word he says. Probably of most importance was Carl said, never say never about ELP. This is one for the history books folks - what a night . . . Oz ------------------------------ From: john.greving@epsilonsolutions.com Sent: Wednesday, September 27, 2000 3:52 PM To: elp-digest-web@reluctant.com Subject: Carl Palmer's Drum Clinic in Kansas City John, Wowwww! I was fortunate enough to see Carl's clinic here in a Kansas City. It was a tremendous experience. Carl demonstrated various techniques with the snare, toms, double bass, cymbals and even broke out the brushes! He performed at least 5 different solos lasting 5 minutes or longer and told stories and entertained questions in between. The crowd was just knocked out by his solos, applauding during some of them and giving him a standing "O" at the end. Afterwards he stayed around to chat and sign autographs. (Drat! I had to leave with the wife to get to a late dinner.) Carl's interaction with the crowd of about 150 was relaxed and natural. He was funny, charming, humble, intelligent and of course, full of energy. He said BSS was ELP's greatest effort ( not much of a surprise ) and the '78 Montreal concert with the orchestra his most memorable experience. I urge the digest readers to get out to see him in a clinic if possible. ( Check his web site for places and dates.) I really think it's moreentertaining than a concert because of the face-to-face interaction with the performer - and you still get to witness the skill of rock's greatest drummer. - John Greving ------------------------------ From: ELP Digest reader Sent: Friday, May 26, 2000 12:47 PM To: elp-digest@reluctant.com Subject: KE concerto review John, here is review of that concert w/ Keith's concerto. (Short mention, but they like it!) from: http://www.cincypost.com/living/nks051300.html ********************************************* C I N C I N N A T I P O S T L I V I N G Northern Kentucky Symphony taps into popular culture Review by Ellyn Hutton, Post music writer Crossover is not a dirty word, and those who keep their snoots in the air should be cautioned that a little knowledge is a dangerous thing. Throughout history, ''serious'' music has refreshed itself from the fertile soil of popular culture. James R. Cassidy and the Northern Kentucky Symphony joined with the NKS Chorale in tapping this rich lode Friday night at Northern Kentucky University. On the program, dubbed ''Roll Over Beethoven'' (would he?), were excerpts from Paul McCartney's 1997 tone poem ''Standing Stone''; Michael Daugherty's ''Dead Elvis''; Piano Concerto No. 1 by Keith Emerson (of Emerson, Lake and Palmer); and Frank Zappa's ''Dog Breath Variations.'' All except the Zappa were tri-state premieres, ''Dog Breath'' having been performed and recorded by the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music's Wind Symphony. The concert opened with ''Dead Elvis,'' a set of variations on the medieval ''Dies Irae'' for solo bassoon and chamber ensemble that calls for the soloist to dress as Elvis. Bassoonist Eric Stomberg handled it with cool dispatch. Zappa's ''Dog Breath,'' based on a cut from his 1971 album ''Just Another Band from L.A.'' with the Mothers of Invention, is by now practically a repertoire piece. The NKS winds, plus synthesizer and electric and acoustic basses, pumped it with life. Pianist Terry LaBolt was soloist in Emerson's Concerto, which should be performed more often. It's chock full of delicious references, from Mussorgsky to Copland. >From ''Standing Stone,'' a 75-minute work evocative of Celtic mythology, Cassidy chose four selections. The 32- member NKS Chorale sang wordlessly (and beautifully) until the final love theme, which McCartney set to a poem he wrote for his wife Linda, who died shortly after the work's premiere. Repeat is at 8 tonight in Greaves Hall. Tickets: 431-6216. Publication date: 05-13-00 ------------------------------ From: Prott Bernd [mailto:bernd.prott@mchu.si-t.de] Sent: Friday, May 26, 2000 4:14 AM To: 'elp-digest@reluctant.com' Subject: Paul Kirk's question "Was Emo really playing that fast?" Hi folks, in the last digest Paul Kirk placed the question " Was Emo really playing that fast?". I attended several ELP shows between 1970 and 1974 here in Germany I also had the chance to attend warm ups prior to some of the shows. >From this experience I can only answer this question with "YES". I feel that every time ELP made an official Live Record like WBMFTTSTNE they slowed down a bit in favour of precision. If you compare those records to related bootlegs, this effect becomes obvious. In many cases the official recordings present a clean but more or less sterile performance (or even uninspired in some cases like Works Live). Whenever ELP throw out all stops on stage they were thrilling. In this sense they always recorded the wrong shows for their Live records. Listen to pieces like Hoedown or Rondo and compare them over the years. In some shows I attended between 1992 and 1997 the speed was still there but the precision was gone. Also the sound was set to cover the fact that sometimes individual notes were smeared and the complex arpeggios of 1974-77 were replaced by simple glissandos, especially in 1997 the piano and Hammond sound was by no means proper enough to allow to hear each note maybe this was the intention. I can think of one key reason possible for this difference. Keith doesn't practise enough anymore to whatever reason. He still might have some trouble (physical or mental) with his right hand. Compare videos from the old days to videos of the 1997 tour. Today Keith uses only 8 fingers most of the time. He seldomly uses the 4th and 5th finger of his right hand. His left hand is still as good as in the old days. For me this shows a certain lack of convidence, but this can be build up by practise, practise and practise. Additionally today his posture at the piano is simply a nightmare. I'm only a hobby pianist who uses the piano and Hammond to recuperate from the daily stress at work in the IT business but I learned from my teacher how important a good posture at the piano is for the unstiffness of your fingers and convidence in yourself gained through practise. Any way, for me it's not the speed of performance that is important. It's the feeling for the music. Speed is a mechanical ability but this doesn't automatically lead to great music. Pure speed can destroy the mood of a piece if it is overdone. In this sense Keith's performance on Ragtime pieces is way to fast. On the other hand I think his way to perform Tarkus today is more appropriate than the faster performances of the early 70ies. I think it was Chris Welsh who once told the story about Keith being at a party in the late 60ies, jamming Rondo at a piano just for himself, and it was stunning. Chris said that he never experienced this virtuosity (not speed) again when Keith performed in front of an audience. BTW does anyone know what ELP plans for their 30th anniversary this summer. For me it would be a great pity if this historical date would pass by unnoticed. For me it is strange that not even the tiniest rumour is floating around. Does this mean that ELP really is history for good? What will happen to the musical ideas ( that Carl was so excited about) that Keith prepared for a new conceptual ELP album? If ELP is history, ok I can live with that but please Keith don't hide NEW great music from your fans. I don't need anymore guest appearances with Fanfare , I honestly don't expect anything great from that Emo-Wakeman project. I would love to listen to new Emerson written musical challenges like the once produced in the past (e.g. Eruption, Toccata, or 3-Fates...). Preferrably with his old buddys Carl and Greg but Keith, PLEASE if that is not possible, go out an get yourself some hungry, progressive musicians and produce new thrilling music under your own name. It's neither the time to retire nor the time to go on farewell tours with music from the good old days. Sorry folks for sounding so frustrated but it really pi...s me off when I get the feeling that such a great talent goes down the drain. Let's hope for better days, take care Bernd Prott ------------------------------ From: Frank Sonnenberg [mailto:sonnenbe@UMDNJ.EDU] Sent: Thursday, June 29, 2000 12:50 PM To: ELP Digest Subject: "Get to You" by The Nice. I recently came heard the song "Get to You" by The Nice. There's no question it's the original group because Lee Jackson's voice is so distinctive. I thought I had everything The Nice had ever recorded, but I've never heard this before. Does anyone know where this was released? - Frank Sonnenberg ------------------------------ From: Gary Davis [mailto:artshop@artist-shop.com] Sent: Sunday, July 30, 2000 5:39 PM To: elp-digest@reluctant.com Subject: Qango Hi, folks: The latest Artist Shop newsletter is out and you'll find it in its entirety at . Here are a couple excerpts for ELP fans. Now available on our Manticore page Qango/Live in the Hood Qango is a new band featuring John Wetton, Carl Palmer, John Young and David Kilminster. This album was recorded at The Robin Hood & The Brook during the band's recent UK tour and features some truly hot performances of Time Again, Sole Survivor, Bitches Crystal, All Along the Watchtower, The Last One Home, Hoedown, Fanfare for the Common Man, Heat of the Moment and more! Hopefully a new studio release will be forthcoming from this ensemble! (I should also mention that the Qango CD has broken the Artist Shop record for largest number of pre-orders for a single CD!) soundbite - Now, on to future import releases which you'll find at ATOMIC ROOSTER-RARITIES Rare and unreleased recordings from the British progressive-rock group including their first ever demo, by Vincent Crane, John Du Cann and Carl Palmer. Some of you who are subscribed to my newsletter may have noted that I mentioned an import reissue of Greg Lake's first (self titled) solo album. I spoke to Bruce Pilato about that as I had previously heard from him that Greg was working on remastering and reissuing his two solo albums himself. As it turns out, that import is an illegitimate release. So I'd advise anyone who sees a copy to pass it up as the real thing will be coming out soon (and remastered at that!). Gary ************************************************************** Gary Davis The Artist Shop The Other Road http://www.artist-shop.com artshop@artist-shop.com phone: 877-856-1158, 330-929-2056 fax:330-945-4923 INDEPENDENT PROGRESSIVE MUSIC!!! ************************************************************** Artist Shop Radio Check out the latest Artist Shop newsletter at http://www.artist-shop.com/news.htm ------------------------------ From: Adriano Melis [mailto:adriano@crs4.it] Sent: Thursday, August 03, 2000 2:57 AM To: elp-digest@reluctant.com Subject: QANGO in Milan... It didn't Happen! Hello John, hello friends. contrary to my previous posting to the Digest QANGO did not play live as opening act for Dream Theater last 15th of July. There were also rumors of PFM (!!!!!!!!) substituting QANGO, but PFM officially said that they will not play live until the new album is out, which is to be the 10th of september. (BTW, a visit to pfm official site is a good idea: www.pfmpfm.it) (probably the best show imho would have been Dream Theater opening for QANGO opening for PFM, but this is a different story.....) cheers Adriano ------------------------------ From: Sean Matthews [mailto:seanmatt@enoreo.on.ca] Sent: Saturday, September 16, 2000 6:49 PM To: ELP-digest@reluctant.com Subject: ELP tribute CD & Emerson vocals with The Nice Hi there. Just thought I'd let you know what I think of the ELP tribute CD, Encores, Legends and Paradox. As an ELP purist, I was a bit sceptical when I purchased it but I find the new treatments very interesting and listenable. I have a question, though, regarding the cover of "The Sheriff". I could swear that some of the lyrics are different. Is there any reason why? I have another question that's cursed me for years and this would, I assume, be the best place to find an answer. You see, I have a few old vinyl records by The Nice, and I can't help noticing how different the vocals sound on some of the songs. I'm thinking in particular of the voice on songs such as "Five Bridges Suite", "Little Arabella" and "How Can We Hang on to a Dream" compared to the voice on "Daddy Where Did I Come From?" or (lead and especially backing) on "Happy Freuds". Obviously my question is, did Keith do any of the vocals for The Nice, lead or otherwise? Anyway, keep up the good work. Sean ------------------------------ From: John Arnold [mailto:arnold@reluctant.com] Sent: Saturday, September 16, 2000 7:57 PM To: Sean Matthews Subject: ELP tribute CD & Emerson vocals with The Nice >>> Obviously my question is, did Keith >>> do any of the vocals for The Nice, lead or otherwise? Bingo. As I recall Keith did some singing on "Daddy..." and "Happy Freuds". The somewhat airy, sometimes raspy voice is Lee Jackson. The more wacky, somewhat higher voice that sounds to me quite "tight" (as in tight vocal cords) is Keith's voice. Since I've never really heard him sing, I don't know if that's a "real" "singing" voice or some kind of wacky put on. But some of that is Keith. I don't know about the different lyrics to the Sheriff on the tribute CD. I'll file your question to be put in a future Digest to see if other readers know. - John - ------------------------------ From: Drumrols@aol.com [mailto:Drumrols@aol.com] Sent: Friday, May 26, 2000 10:51 PM To: arnold@reluctant.com; ELPdigest@reluctant.com Subject: ELP Nighthawks, and "The Sheriff" intro question from 1996 Hi John, I was accidentally going through some old websites for Triumverat, and I stumbled upon a rather hilarious question quite a few people were writing in asking, concerning who says the word "shit" during the into to "The Sheriff". Did anyone ever get the correct answer? Personally, I think it sounds like Greg. The voice is too deep to be Carl, and it sounds like Greg to me, from hearing him talk on interviews etc. at that particular time in their career. [ Editor's Note: I always thought it sounded like Keith but I don't no for sure. Surely, someone will let us know. - John - ] Also, would you post something-or maybe you can answer it w/o posting it. I bought a copy of the movie "Nighthawks" on VHS a couple of years ago. I noticed right off that Keith's rendition of "I'm a Man" has been cut out of the movie, and replaced by something else. Do you, or anyone else know why this was done? This may have been asked in former editions of the digest, but if so, I missed this. I really like Keith's version of it, and it was a different cut than what is on the actual LP/CD, with him singing in a stronger voice than what the CD/LP contains. Thanks a million, and John, this digest is so great, I can't wait till the next edition. Thanks so much for putting this out for us! Take Care, Steve Barber ------------------------------ From: Warren Banks [mailto:warren@wuzbug.freeserve.co.uk] Sent: Saturday, July 08, 2000 4:38 AM To: ELP-digest@reluctant.com Subject: Noddy's Puncture On The Web! Friends, The official Noddy's Puncture website is now online; to see just how ugly Tom and the boys are, go here: http:\\www.noddyspuncture.co.uk The site is brand-new, so there's lots more to be added yet. Please give them your support. Keep on rockin' Warren. ------------------------------ From: Scott Abrams [mailto:sabrams3@optonline.net] Sent: Wednesday, August 30, 2000 10:50 AM To: elp-digest-request@reluctant.com Subject: title? Have ELP ever recorded a title called, "Suite Etude for Lew and.... " ???? If so, on what recording does it appear. I can't find any info on the title. Thanks. ______________ sabrams3@optonline.net [ Editor's Note: Doesn't sound familiar to me. I've even tried to think of words that might be (mis-)interpreted as that but have come up blank. Any readers have any idea? - John - ] ------------------------------ From: Mike Florio [mailto:mflorio@bestweb.net] Sent: Tuesday, July 04, 2000 11:19 AM To: LIORELP@aol.com Cc: arnold@reluctant.com Subject: CP's drums >>> Do you know where carls stainless steels drum set is currently? is it >>> available? According to the 'Welcome Back' video (1993), Carl said that Ringo Starr currently owns them. ------------------------------ From: Adriano Melis [mailto:adriano.MELIS@st.com] Sent: Friday, May 26, 2000 10:21 AM To: John Arnold Subject: Fantasy micronovel A new powerful, mean being is emerging through the midsty forests of Albion..... ....It/He/They has/have four arms and two heads, with hands barely visible while they move impressively fast, and is surrounded by tangles of multicolored wires, huge stacks of incomprehensible parallelepipedal gear decorated by blinking tiny lights, miles of narrows paths, all in a mysterious black and white pattern..... Around the hideous being, a powerful noise pervades the air. Pulsating beats and weird sound timbres interlapse, collide and interleave, tinkling, flutey, brassy(?) sometimes metallic sometimes woodeous(?) moving from gentle whisper to frenetic paroxysm in unbearable powerful volume .... YES! IT"S HERE! IS... KREIICTKH W E A M K E E R M S A O N N ............ KREIICTKH W E A M K E E R M S A O N N ............ KREIICTKH W E A M K E E R M S A O N N ............ Thanks for your attention Adriano ------------------------------ Digest subscrition, 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 10 Issue 3] *************************************