ELP Digest 06 March 2004 Volume 14 : Issue 2 The "Our Sails Swell Full" Edition Today's Topics: Breaking News, Rumors, Etc. - ELP BOOTLEG - MASTERS FROM THE VAULT (February 3, 2004) Reader Commentary - Heresy or ELP Cathars (February 2, 2004) - Constructive Criticism (February 2, 2004) - Pictures DVD/film (February 3, 2004) - Re: ELP Digest Vol. 14 #01 (Re: Criticism) (February 3, 2004) - RE: ELPowell in Concert CD (February 5, 2004) - Hammond Night (February 7, 2004) - Masters from the Vaults (February 8, 2004) - A dutch town called ELP (February 8, 2004) - ELP-related info - digest (Re: Masters from the Vault) (February 9, 2004) - Peter Wilton and The Three Fates (February 10, 2004) - The Usual (February 10, 2004) - 8th Annual Armadillo Awards (February 20, 2004) - 'Lost' ELP Live Footage (February 22, 2004) - "Unauthorized" DVD @ amazon.com (February 27, 2004) Questions (and Answers!) - Re: Gibson Ripper (February 2, 2004) - re "Computer" voice in KE 9 3rd Impression (February 3, 2004) - Re: ELP Digest Vol. 14 #01 (Re: Changing States) (February 3, 2004) - RE: Subject: Bass Guitar on "Welcome Back My Friends" (February 3, 2004) - Re: ELP Digest Vol. 14 #01 ("Computer" voice) (February 3, 2004) - "Computer" voice in KE 9 3rd Impression (February 3, 2004) - RE:"Computer" voice in KE 9 3rd Impression (February 3, 2004) - Bass Guitar on "Welcome Back My Friends" (February 3, 2004) - A Fan Of Father Christmas (February 3, 2004) - The Origin of "So Far to Fall" (February 13, 2004) - Changing States (February 14, 2004) - Changing States (February 17, 2004) ELP-related products, tribute bands, promoters (The ELP Digest does not endorse, etc.) - (no items this issue) =========================== Prelude =========================== Hi. Sorry for the delay in getting the 'February' issue out. I was hoping for a February 29 issue just to confuse future archivists but, before I knew it, it had slipped into March. Lots of interesting news here. It appears that the 'Masters of the Vault' DVD of ELP may not have been released with the official permissions, etc. So, we'll have to watch out for that. Let's hope that there is an even better version coming out sometime soon so we can all get to see it! A very interesting development is that Keith's 'Piano Concerto #1' (from the Works, Volume 1 album) is scheduled to be performed in Australia this month. Keith's not playing it - it's being done by an Australian Symphony (see details below). I hope we have at least one Digest reader from 'down under' who can get to hear it and provide a review. There's also discussion about Carl's new guitarist, Greg's 'Ripper' bass, ring modulators for 'computer-like' vocals and which 'Changing States' tunes later became ELP tunes. Not to mention Bjorn-Are's annual awards and a town called 'ELP'. Read on fellow travelers... - John - ------------------------------ Latest News from the Official ELP sites .... Haven't mentioned this in a while, but all of the official ELP group and solo releases are available at the Official ELP Global Web Site: http://www.emersonlakepalmer.com/elp2.html --------------------------------------------- Elsewhere, there's news on Keith's site that finally, 25+ years later, Piano Concerto #1 will have its Australian orchestral premiere in Adelaide later this month - read about it at: http://www.keithemerson.com/EmosMemos/EmosMemos.html#Adelaide --------------------------------------------- On Greg's site, all of the latest info is posted under "Updates" in the upper right corner at: http://greglake.com/newsite/index.asp And ... be sure to catch Tony Ortiz' regular column at: http://greglake.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1934 --------------------------------------------- Great news! Carl has selected a new lead guitar player for Palmer. His name is Paul Bielatowicz - welcome, Paul! More info on upcoming tour dates and other breaking news is always available at: http://www.carlpalmer.com/news.html Enjoy! =========================== Breaking News, Rumors, Etc. =========================== From: Bruce Pilato To: elp-digest@reluctant.com Sent: Tuesday, February 03, 2004 6:24 PM Subject: ELP BOOTLEG - MASTERS FROM THE VAULT ELP Digest folks please spread the word. This title is unauthorized. The ELP organization is taking action this week to address the release of this title without its permission. I suggest you stay away. This is a bootleg copy of the Belgian TV show. We are releasing a much better copy in the forthcoming career retrospective DVD for ELP currently in production. NO ONE IN ELP SIGNED A RELEASE FOR THIS TITLE AS A DVD OR VHS PRODUCT. Bruce Pilato Manticore [ Editor's Note: I have received word from an ELP Digest reader in Europe that some people have stopped carrying the DVD due to the legal action mentioned here. - John - ] =========================== Reader Commentary =========================== From: Chris Cowan Sent: Monday, February 02, 2004 10:59 PM To: elp-digest@reluctant.com Subject: Heresy or ELP Cathars I should start off by saying that I have been a ELP fan for over 30 years. I have also been playing keyboards that long, so I guess this isn't a big surprise ;) From the '77 Works tour on, I have seen the band many times, including 3 of the ELPowell shows. I feel a bit like a heretic (and decided to comment after seeing the most recent postings in the digest). Get the rack and the thumb screws ready: Basically, I prefer Cozy's playing to Carl's. Even on songs like Tarkus and Pirates (gasp!) I can remember sitting through "3" and later ELP shows, and thinking to myself that Carl's time was "off". For me it's was basically a matter of Cozy's support of vs. Carl's competition with Emerson. Of course, when I hear Carl, I think Buddy Rich. I will admit having a slight bias against Buddy. I appreciate the technique, I just don't feel there's a lot of musicianship there. For me, Cozy's playing provides the same sort of foundation for Emo, that Elvin Jones did for John Coltrane. I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of my ELPowell CDs to give them a listen. As an aside, I actually have a bootleg video tape of an ELPowell show in Detroit. I just dusted it off and gave it a watch/listen. Despite the sound/video quality you would expect from something taken with a 1986 vintage Camcorder, the performance had a definite power to it. As was stated earlier, I too wish there were more material available from this period. Regards, Chris --------------------------------------------- From: Nick Zales Sent: Monday, February 02, 2004 11:40 PM To: ELP-Digest@reluctant.com Subject: Constructive Criticism Greetings Listmeister John and all devoted ELP Fans! As experts on ELP, I feel we have the right, no the duty, to comment on the band and its members. Only a year or so ago we were on the verge of a new ELP album and then things fell apart. Everybody in the band, except for Greg Lake, agreed and publicly commented on why that occurred. Whatever people here have said about Greg is wholly based on decades of fandom and comments from the horses' mouth. In my opinion, to not comment on Greg Lake would make this list pabulum. We are all adults here. We paid money to see ELP, buy their music and more. We want them to be their best. When they are not, it is totally our right to say what we want, because we want them to be better. I'm here to learn and enjoy. If all we ever say is "isn't so and so great" we learn nothing. What some call "Greg bashing" I call constructive criticism. Every comment I have read, no matter how harsh, has basis in truth. I am for truth. To prove it, I will restate the same comments I have been making here for years - Emerson is the key to ELP. He wrote all their best music; his playing is key to all their songs. Carl and Greg were along for the ride, to various degrees. Keith is certainly the most beloved member of the band and there is a really good reason for that - he was ELP. Even on an off night, he is still out there playing ELP music to the faithful, feeding the need. As a group of experts, I call on everyone to say whatever you want about any member of the band. I trust the judgment of my fellow ELP fans to do the right thing. Nick The Show will never end..... --------------------------------------------- From: Eric Partridge Sent: Tuesday, February 03, 2004 6:38 AM To: ELP-Digest@reluctant.com Subject: Pictures DVD/film Hi John I am responding to Nicholas Sizow's posting in Feb's Digest re ELP Pictures DVD. The Digest arrived in my email this morning and ironically I had actually been in contact with Robert Garofalo of Classic Pictures who distribute this ELP classic regarding the new Yesspeak DVD and so sent on Nicholas' email for his comment this morning. Robert has already replied to confirm that he actually owns the original entire 90 minutes footage without any colourisation but unfortunately he has no plans to release it yet. Whilst disappointing, it's good news nevertheless that the original exists, hope this helps, perhaps a little gentle persuasion to robert.garofalo@classicpictures.co.uk might encourage an earlier release. Regards Eric Partridge --------------------------------------------- From: Grove Bolles Sent: Tuesday, February 03, 2004 1:17 PM To: ELP-Digest@reluctant.com Subject: Re: ELP Digest Vol. 14 #01 (re: Criticism) In support of Bernd Prott's letter to ELP digest of January 13, 2004, I hope the comments herein are the last we see of any criticisms of Greg Lake. Emerson's astonishing keyboard playing and arrangements, Palmer's extraordinary rhythm patterns and solos, and Lake's distinct bass playing and beautiful guitar work, are together the foundation of all that ELP accomplished. Even without Lake's vocals, should ELP have been only an instrumental group, their magical, avant garde music would have captivated millions. However, it is Lake's powerful, moving voice and his (and Sinfield's) crafted lyrics that were, in essence, the icing on the cake. His voice is a prominent dimension of ELP. Bands that replaced or lost their vocal trademark frontmen, despite their instrumental strengths, and whether in their glory years or post facto, were never the same (Styx, Van Halen, AC/DC, to name a few). ELP Digest should be a place where those of us who love ELP positively share our mutual admiration of these once-in-a-lifetime musicians, nothing less. Collectively, they made music the likes of which we will never hear again, much like the classical masters of yesteryear. The eventual break up of nearly every great group generates a mindset of criticism and personal critiques, for those who, seemingly out of bitterness, want to delve into the negative. Alternately, there is the legacy for those fans who are grateful, enjoying their productions over and over... and at times we are saddened that the show as we knew it, indeed, has ended. In the case of ELP, I am most pleased to have been living at a time when they were making their awesome music, and now that they are done, I can still enjoy their works. I'm sure, after all, this is the sentiment of most fans of one of the greatest groups of this century. --------------------------------------------- From: John Kuge Sent: Thursday, February 05, 2004 10:14 AM To: elp-digest@reluctant.com Subject: RE: ELPowell in Concert CD Greetings fellow ELP'ers! I was at the Lakeland, Florida ELPowell show in '86 (October 4th, to be exact), and to this day it has to rank among my top 5 concert experiences of all time--and I've seen hundreds. Just amazing performances all around, tremendous energy and precision from the band, and a great audience reaction. Cozy Powell had a rotating drum setup with acoustic and electronic drums, and there were screens showing video images for the songs (which among other things, included scenes from "2001: A Space Odyssey" during "Mars"). Keith rode and hurled his Hammond around the stage like crazy during "Rondo/America," and Lake's voice was in great form. And to finally hear "Pirates" live? Wow, I was in heaven! I do remember seeing a mobile recording truck for one of those syndicated radio shows (can't remember which one; maybe King Biscuit?) outside the civic center, so I'm sure that's where these recordings came from. And I haven't heard the CD yet, but from the track listing I've seen, it was DEFINITELY edited down from the full show. They also played "Learning to Fly," as well as part of "Tarkus" (Eruption/Stones of Years/Iconoclast), which then segued into "Pictures at an Exhibition." Greg also played "Still...You Turn Me On" and "Watching Over You," and I'm pretty sure Keith played Ginastera's "Creole Dance" as well. And they might have played another song or two; after more than 17 years things tend to get a little hazy.... One amusing memory is of the microphone mounted on Cozy Powell's bongo drums falling off a couple of times during "From the Beginning," and the tech trying frantically to re-attach it. Wonder if you can hear those loud "clunks" on the CD! In any case, I can't wait to get my hands on this and The Sprocket Sessions! John Kuge --------------------------------------------- From: bjorn-are davidsen Sent: Saturday, February 07, 2004 6:06 PM To: elp-digest-web@reluctant.com Subject: Hammond Night Hello, John! The Annual Review is in the finishing stages at The Jury, just like the 2003 Movie Awards - in the meantime here are some news: ------------------------------------------------- Rick Wakeman will be the Special Guest Star at "Hammond Night," an evening dedicated to 70 years of the Hammond Organ, scheduled for February 14, 2004 in Bellinzona, Switzerland at Garage Music. Rick will perform, and will be accompanied by Tony Fernandez on percussion and Lee Pomeroy on Bass. Also appearing will be Aldo Banfi, Andy Appignani, Pippo Guarnera, and Neil Otupacca. The cost is Fr. 30, and all proceeds will support the Memorial Flo oundation for needy children. For complete details, please visit the Garage Music website: Garage Music Castione (exit highway Bellinzona North) Via Stazione 17 CH-6532 Castione Tel. 0041 79 787 28 53 - 0041 91 829 07 10 http://www.garagemusic.ch Tickets Online: http://www.garagemusic.ch/riservazioni/index.asp?IDp=367 Map: http://www.garagemusic.ch/extra/geoposition.asp ----------------------------------------------------- The obvious question is, where is Keith that night? Bjorn Are [ Editor's Note: Did any ELP Digest readers go to this? Just wondering what the event was like. - John - ] --------------------------------------------- From: Simon Reay Sent: Sunday, February 08, 2004 2:53 PM To: elp-digest-request@reluctant.com Subject: Masters from the Vaults Having purchased 'Masters from the Vaults' last Tuesday from my local HMV I didn't know what to expect in terms of footage. I needn't of worried though as I instantly recognised its contents as that of a Parisian concert originally shown on Belgian TV in the 70's. I've had a copy of this on tape from about 86 when it was shown on late night Central TV (English Regional Station). The DVD and performance are superb far better than PAAE and two extra tracks (Knife Edge & Take a Pebble) are added to the original broadcast albeit in slightly 'washed out' film stock. I urge everyone to purchase and can someone identify the Paris date in 1970 as it doesn't seem to be included in any of the printed gig lists. 2003 was another good year for UK Emo fans, actually seeing him live for two consecutive years is amazing and this year I actually shook his hand from the stage of the Newcastle Opera House. Now its back to my Moog Modular V. I've finally nailed most of the Pictures 'presets' and have done a great Tarkus(Minotaur Section) from WBMY getting the 'sweeping drone' from an LFO trigger instead of a Sample & Hold as Keith did. Check out www.arturia.com, someone's nailed the 'KE Pt3 sequencer close' perfectly and you can download it. Simon R [ Editor's Note: Please refer to the earlier note about this being an unauthorized release. - John - ] --------------------------------------------- From: T.B van der Wart Sent: Sunday, February 08, 2004 3:40 PM To: elp-digest@reluctant.com Subject: A dutch town called ELP You won't believe it, but it is true! I've been living in this country all my live, and I never noticed, until I saw this photo! The towns name is pronounced ''alp'', as in the Alps (mountains). Kind regards, Tim [ Editor's Note: The photo that was passed along has actually been on the ELP Digest web site for a year or so. You can see it at http://www.brain-salad.com/Graphics/Misc/ELPVillageSign.jpg - John - ] --------------------------------------------- From: Pedro Esquível Sent: Monday, February 09, 2004 8:39 AM To: elp-digest@reluctant.com Subject: ELP-related info - digest It is the first time I am writing for the ELP Digest although I know it since long time. The recent release of ELP's 'Masters From The Vaults' DVD motivated me to participate this time. I bought this DVD from a large Internet site, and I must tell you that it was one of my best deals. When I started to watch the DVD, I was not very enthusiastic: it seemed like one more film footage, at a higher sound speed, to be used more as a commercial documentary and less to hear the music. After some minutes I understood that I was hearing a very good real live performance, quite different from the official CD ones. This DVD is in fact very good. The sound is excellent and the recording captures the initial 70's atmosphere that first impressed me on ELP. I never saw ELP live (they never came to Portugal), and I now realise what I have lost. Keith Emerson performance is specially impressive on the piano of Take a Pebble and The Barbarian. Greg Lake's bass and voice is perfect and Carl Palmer's drumming is at his best. I still didn't detect any playing mistake (as you can see in the Pictures at an Exhibition DVD) so the track seems to be perfect. It is also full of interesting improvisations and musical bridges. On the other hand, the images/ graphics on the DVD are well exhibited and balanced. I heard that this DVD is not official....but it seems to be better than the official ones. I don't have bootlegs (except the official ones) so I have a question: are there more unreleased videos like this one?? Pedro Esquível - Portugal --------------------------------------------- From: Roy Henderson Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2004 11:59 AM To: ELP-digest@reluctant.com Subject: Peter Wilton and The Three Fates Peter Wilton's comments gave me pause to stop and think. I too find that there are 'dark corners' and 'unexplored avenues' on ELP records. He mentions The Three Fates. We could add the Infinite Space piece on Tarkus and indeed the 'ambient' intro to Tarkus itself. Also, Fugue, off of Trilogy and the contrapuntal intro to Karn Evil 1st Imp. on BSS. It seems to me that there is a hint of jazz-funk in 'When the Apple blossoms...' that could have been taken places as well. Then of course there is Bullfrog... Just a thought or two. Roy Henderson Glasgow --------------------------------------------- From: Nicholas Sizow Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2004 7:39 PM To: elp-digest@reluctant.com Subject: The Usual To this day Keith Emerson gets no respect. In the not too distant past, ~37yrs , the names Keith Emerson and Jimi Hendrix were on par, iconoclasts - one on strings one on keys. To see Keith then was to see Paganini, to see magic, to see the Hammond, just f**kin bad, like nobody before and nobody since. My 17yo son has a band going, sometimes, actually more often than not, they sound damn good. They brought in "keyboards" , "keyboards" is 26yo, he never heard of Keith Emerson. My jaw dropped. They sound a lot better without "keyboards". If the abomination that is the video release of the 1970 butchery of ELP in concert could be cleaned up and most of it restored, we could show our kids the royal bad assness that was Keith and ELP in the early years. --------------------------------------------- From: bjorn-are davidsen Sent: Friday, February 20, 2004 7:15 AM To: elp-digest-web@reluctant.com Subject: 8th Annual Armadillo Awards The 8th Annual Armadillo Awards - Tarkus Night 2003 While waiting wild-eyed on Oscar Night and the Triumph of "Return of the King" (which should have received 20 nominations and not a pitiful 11), Tarkus Night is already here with the Return of the Jury. And let's reveal at once that ELP gets more nominations than Peter Jackson! Even if 2003 with a few exceptions proved to be a rather average ELP year, the Jury is again proud to deliver its delicate and dutifully directed decisions. After this somewhat fuzzy front end, its time for, yes, The Categories! Category 1: ELP-related CDs The nominees are 1: "Greg Lake/Deeper Into the Mine-From the Underground Vol. 2". While he easily may have played Gimli through some nice trickery by Peter Jackon's cameramen, Greg is definitely no dwarf, however much he tends to delve into mines. And even if this collection of unreleased material does contain a few gems, it's mainly for the fans. Speaking of whom, it's not a difficult guess that several will be tempted to throw a Greg if he does not release any of his newly recorded stuff, this year. Especially as he's even got one more day than usual to select as a release date. 2: "Emerson Lake & Powell/Live In Concert" Another mine that is being tapped at the moment has previously unreleased live material. From the torrent so far, it seems there's lots to come in the decades ahead. This time it's ELPowell that receives the treatment with their concert in Lakeland, Florida, in 1986. And this is great stuff, especially Pirates sans Orchestra. The only drawback is that this is not the complete concert, as parts of the material have been released exclusively for Greg's Retrospective and Mine Moments. 3: "Emerson Lake & Powell/The Sprocket Sessions " This is even more of a treat, almost a full rehearsal recorded prior to their 1986 show. And it really rocks and kicks like a rocket, not to mention a sprocket. The main question now after this is what more does it have in its sprocketses? 4: "Keith Emerson & The Nice/Vivacitas Live at Glasgow 2002" For some unfathomable reason Keith chose to release this set which was far from the best of the 2002 shows with the Nice. Though fun to listen to, especially the CD with Nice stuff, the ELP material seems rather under-rehearsed. As the whole Jury was present both in the Royal Festival Hall a few days later, and at Hammersmith Odeon October 2003, it's a pity none of those shows has been released, so far. 5: Carl Palmer band: "Working Live - Volume 1" Here Carl and pals, guitarist Shaun Baxter and bassist Dave Marks, performed a stunning set with ELP masterpieces like Hoedown, The Barbarian, Tarkus, Toccata and Fanfare For The Common Man. A mind blower! Despite strong candidates - and Carl was long in the lead with his live workout - the Jury's Burning Eye fell on - fanfanfawellpowowowowowoweeelll - The Sprocket Sessions! A proverbial Golden Tarkus is telepathed to the remaining two in the band. Category 2 - ELP-related DVDs As no official ones was released in 2003, let's just to wish/pray/beg/demand for a far better 2004. You bet! Category 3: ELP-related books One nominee, and, surprise, surprise, its - tam-tam-tam-ofan-xhixhixhi-ofofanexhiiii - also the winner! And "Pictures of an Exhibitionist" might have received the Golden Tarkus, even with twice or thrice as many candidates. So now the Jury is waiting for volume 2, a detailed study of the 80's, 90's and 00's! Not to mention a note by note exhibition of each and every song and solo by Keith, drool, drool, giggle, giggle, eh... time to move on... Category 4: ELP-related Web Sites This year witnessed a sharp decline in the number of sites on the ELP Web Ring , from 24 to 15. That's almost a 50 % reduction in two years, which may tempt someone to the dim prediction that in five years there will be no ELP sites. However, most of the remaining have shown a consistent quality for years, and seems in no hurry to leave. And there are more ELP sites between heaven and earth than are spoken of in this web ring Let's turn to the candidates, which as usual again are the usual suspects as usual: 1: ELP Digest (http://www.brain-salad.com/) 4: ELP Official Site (http://www.emersonlakepalmer.com/elp2.html) 3: Keith Emerson's Official Site (http://www.keithemerson.com/) 4: Greg Lake's Official Site (http://greglake.com/newsite/index.asp) 5: Carl Palmer's Official Site (http://www.carlpalmer.com/palmer.html) 6: Ladies of the Lake (http://valseven.tripod.com/LadiesoftheLake.htm) 7: The ultimate Analysis of Keith Emerson's Piano Concerto No.1 (http://www003.upp.so-net.ne.jp/furunovsky/) This time the Jury deliberated for decades, or at least almost. As Greg's site after a long series of Armadillo Awards is elect-able to the ELP Web Sites Hall of Fame, and had no major update this year, as well as letting the fans do most of the job, the choice this time was really between Keith's site and the Maidens of the Moist Medium. After several seconds of intense struggle, horses and elephants crashing, winged beasts thundering through the air, the Jury finally broke through. And its - fa-fa-fa-jo-jo-johnohnohn-fa - Keith's official site for its major brush up and consistent communication. Congrats Keith - and John! And be patient with Him. Category 5: ELP Mailing Lists and Discussion Groups This year the # of ELP mailing lists kept being impressive, and there was once again a new nominee. 1: ELP-DISC (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ELP-DISC/) 2: ELP Digest (http://www.brain-salad.com/) 3: The Yahoo "ELP The show never ends" (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/elptheshowneverends/) 4: Greg Lake forum (http://www.greglake.com/forum/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=14) 5: Keith Emerson (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Keith_Emerson/) 6: LadiesoftheLake2 (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LadiesoftheLake2/) 7: Tarkus.com http://www.elptarkus.com/forum/index.php This time the stronghold of ELP-DISC lost out and Gandalf could do nothing about it. So - fo-fo-fo-fo-ruuuuuum - this year the Greg Lake Forum does receive the Golden Tarkus for a smashing hit list of haikus, hilarious puns and wildly off topic threads, DISC-dashings and creative community construction of valid, vigorous and valiant visitors. So, other lists and groups, its time for shaping and sharpening up in 2004 to dethrone The Forum! Category 6: Most Memorable Moment The memorable nominees are 1: Carl's Drum clinic with Danny Carey, Tool drummer, on September 20th. Says "Modern Drummer" on Carl entering the stage after Danny, shocking the Tool fans who hadn't heard about him before into astonished applause: "Fifty-five-year-old Carl Palmer hit the stage, and immediately destroyed the audience with his wit, sense of humor, and astounding technique (which he keeps in shape with daily two-hour practice sessions). 'My technique is much better today than it was twenty years ago,' Palmer exclaimed. 'But I haven't peaked yet. I can get faster and a little bit cleaner. I approach the drums from every angle possible in order to keep my interest high. In America, people expect an old guy who's resting on his laurels. But every time I play, I play to kill.'" 2: Greg playing with the Who, 19 October 2003, Ronnie Scott's Club, London, October 19th. Says a rather impressed Teenage Cancer Trust: "... Without doubt it was the most remarkable rock gig of the year - and it raised almost half a million pounds for charity. A glittering audience saw the legendary Roger Daltrey of the Who and a unique band of 60s superstars perform classics such as My Generation and A Whiter Shade of Pale in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust, with an auction of rock memorabilia adding over £200,000* to the staggering total. (*inc. Pete Townsend's smashed-then-repaired guitar from the 1969 Isle of Wight Festival which raised £50,000). The show held last Sunday at Ronnie Scott's .... was the brainchild of OK and Express Newspapers Chairman Richard Desmond. He fulfilled a lifetime's dream by playing drums in The RD Crusaders - a one-off group that included Thin Lizzy guitar maestro Gary Moore, Greg Lake of the 1970s supergroup Emerson Lake and Palmer, Procol Harum legend Gary Brooker and Argent singer Russ Ballard. The bandleader was organist Zoot Money who saw it as the perfect excuse to play some of the greatest songs of the 60s. 'Mind you,' Zoot added with a smile, 'it does help when you have the actual singers who did them originally'". However as Lucky Man was the only ELP music performed - it's really hard to group this performance with the two other nominees. 3: Keith at Croydon, October 22nd - with The Nice and Others. Says Croydon Guradian (in a five star review): "Standing between layered banks of keyboards, Emerson clawed and pounded at the keys as if his life depended on it, little wonder that he could be seen shaking his right hand after each physical attack on the poor defenceless instruments." This time the Jury experienced this as somewhat of a no-brainer, which always helps as there're not that many brains in the Jury. Twice as good as the 2002 concerts, Keith and friends return to the UK stages in 2003 was, after the first concerts, a definite winner. Even if Keith still has some trouble with his right hand, blowing off a fingernail a few days before Croydon didn't help matters, the performance was incredible hot, hilarious and heart warming. Category 7: Highest Hopes for 2004 Let's once again, in the glorious tradition of the Jury, round off The Armadillo Awards on a hopeful note. Category 7a) The PROMISED Ones (so get them out, lads!): * The Nice touring America * The ELP book by Ed Macan (which is getting better and better) * Greg's album of re-recorded ELP tunes (which we as every year hope is excellent) * Greg's new solo album (which we like last year fear may not be all that, hoping desperately, though) * ELP 2DVD, with a "Major Budget" - pleeease * The Nice DVD 7b) The Perhaps Probable Ones * ELP: Official Live releases from the 1970's, in Dolby Surround, based on Quadrophenic tapes * The Nice: New CD from the 2003 Concerts * The Nice: An improved BBC sessions CD - superior recordings exist, and Sanctuary has got them * The Nice: A new studio album, with a new "Man in the Long Black Coat" recording and "the 7 Bridges Suite" * Keith: Iron Man volume 2 (and 3 (and 4 (and...))) * Carl: Working Live - volume 2 Category 7c) The Possible Infinite (and Unpardonably) Postponed Ones * Keith's Second Piano Concerto (which every year is getting better and better) * The 2CD with Key Killer King Keith and Wonderwizard Wakeman (which every year is getting less and less realistic) * The live CD of Keith with Mark Bonilla, Glen Hughes and some Dragons from the 1990's (every year an even longer time ago). In category 7a the winner is - droo-droo-droooool- ooloooloooloool - ELP 2DVD with a "Major Budget"! In category 7b the winner is - ta-tara-ta-ta - ta- tara-ta-ta - tara-ta-ta - a new Nice new studio album! In category 7c the winner is again Keith's Keith's Second Piano Concerto, which if this continues next year is eligible to the Postponed Hall of Fame, while the Jury visits the House of Healing for Forlorn Hope. Overall winner in category 7 is of course the perennial, proverbial and pompous WHATEVER, as long as it is an ELP 2DVD with a "Major Budget". For the Annual Armadillo Award Jury Bjorn Are --------------------------------------------- From: Geoff Waxman Sent: Sunday, February 22, 2004 5:46 PM To: elp-digest@reluctant.com Subject: 'Lost' ELP Live Footage Hello John, Further to the recent discussions about possible future releases of filmed ELP performances, I thought I would add my own thoughts. In January 1979, BBC Television broadcast the Old Grey Whistle Test 'ELP Special' featuring film of the band playing on the North American Tour of 1977/78. As well as excerpts from the famous concert at the Montreal Olympic Stadium with the orchestra, the programme also featured four (and a half) numbers taken from a show at The Mid South Coliseum in Memphis, a few months later. The songs were 'Karn Evil 9 1st Imp Pt 2', 'Watching Over You', 'Tiger In A Spotlight' and a blistering rendition of 'Show Me The Way To Go Home', interspersed with these numbers were short interviews with the individual band members set to the backdrop of a Palmer drum solo. To quote Emerson in his interview with presenter Bob Harris (referring to the live versions of the material from Works II) '....there's a lot of spontaneous improvisation going on'. Of course, the band were firmly back in three piece mode by this time and, if memory serves, their performance was enthusiastically received by the packed audience at the venue. At the time, video players were not yet widely available nor, indeed, affordable consumer items (at least, not in our household!), so I was reduced to making a sound recording of the programme on audio cassette, which I still possess today. As everyone knows, the film of the Montreal concert was released sometime later on video, but I cannot be the only person on the planet who has wondered what happened to the Memphis footage. I find it difficult to believe that the concert was not filmed in its entirety or that it would have been wiped post broadcast. Since the BBC sent its own film crew to the U.S. to record interviews with the band, it is possible it was actually they who filmed the performance rather than the band's entourage. If so, I am willing to bet it is probably sitting gathering dust somewhere in the Broadcasting House vaults. Alternatively, perhaps another television station syndicated the filmed footage to the OGWT producers. Does anyone know? Anyway, 'ELP - Live in Memphis' would certainly make a great DVD. regards Geoff Waxman --------------------------------------------- From: jesse mcglown Sent: Friday, February 27, 2004 10:22 AM To: elp-digest@reluctant.com Subject: "Unauthorized" DVD @ amazon.com Folks, this one is a jewel! I waited anxiously for a few days, fully expecting amazon to drop me an e-mail saying, "We regret to inform you of the unavailability...will credit your account..." But I have it! It's remarkably good film footage from 1970/71 (?).. what also surprises me is how clear the audio is! This looks and sounds superb over a decent TV ( the hiss and other noise shows up through a good system or under headphones ). It's interspersed with Batman "Zowie" graphics--which seem to be par for the course for that era--but these are sparingly used compared to the Lyceum "Pictures" debacle. It even, dare I say it, adds to the effect in places: during Palmer's blistering solo you see highway footage superimposed...again, sparingly, and actually not very intrusive! It's some of the fastest drumming I've seen of him during ELPs early years. All of them are in great form, and Hungry. If there's a minor complaint, it's that the sound is slightly out of sync with the picture a lot. Seems symptomatic of this era prior to modern editing technique...actually I don't buy that because they knew how to sync 'em up for all those movies from the early seventies. I suppose producers didn't care too much regarding what they thought would be relatively obscure rock films...hopefully, if they include this footage in that forthcoming DVD set, they'll follow Led Zeppelin's example in cleaning/tightening up all the ancient "stuff". Zep's footage features stereo sound (VERY unusual for early seventies rock film/videotape ). Shows that it can be done, if the Powers That Be sufficiently care! Hey, if Manticore is frowning upon this "unauthorized" chestnut, don't expect me to surrender my legitimately-obtained copy. Take it up with the fine folks at amazon.com... =========================== Questions (and Answers!) =========================== From: Curt Cassingham Sent: Monday, February 02, 2004 8:49 PM To: ELP-Digest@reluctant.com Subject: Re: Gibson Ripper Hi John, That is indeed a Gibson "Ripper" bass, model L9-S. I went right out and bought one back in 1974 and still have it. It was also black, like Greg's, but my fingerboard was black as well, rather than Lake's blond. Greg and the Ripper were featured in the cover story of Guitar Player magazine, September 1974. Ripper basses show up from time to time on eBay. Curt --------------------------------------------- From: John Tunnicliffe Sent: Tuesday, February 03, 2004 4:27 AM To: elp-digest@reluctant.com Subject: re "Computer" voice in KE 9 3rd Impression I always used a ring modulator which I believe is the same device that Keith Emerson used on 3rd Impression. --------------------------------------------- From: Peter Wilton Sent: Tuesday, February 03, 2004 4:44 AM To: ELP-Digest@reluctant.com; John Hughes Subject: Re: ELP Digest Vol. 14 #01 re: Changing States) >Can anyone help identify the ELP/Emerson recordings either based on >these tracks, or which use riffs from them? They're earlier versions of tracks which appeared on Black Moon. Ballade was renamed Close to Home on Black Moon, and Another Frontier on the album Changing States was renamed Changing States (and rearranged as well) for Black Moon. -- Peter Wilton The Gregorian Association Web Site: http://www.beaufort.demon.co.uk --------------------------------------------- From: Eric Rustvold Sent: Tuesday, February 03, 2004 5:04 AM To: elp-digest-request@reluctant.com Subject: RE: Subject: Bass Guitar on "Welcome Back My Friends" John, I believe the bass in question is a Gibson Ripper. http://www.basspalace.com/dynamic/displaybass/4StringBass/3270 http://www.vintagetechnology.com/item_pages/gibson_ripper.htm Thanks, Eric --------------------------------------------- From: Joe Gerardi Sent: Tuesday, February 03, 2004 9:04 AM To: ELP-Digest@reluctant.com Subject: Re: ELP Digest Vol. 14 #01 Steve Barber wrote: "I was wondering if any of the keyboardists who read the Digest can tell me the name of the electrical mechanism used by Keith Emerson on Brain Salad Surgery to create the Computer voice in Karn Evil 9, 3rd Impression? I know this same effect was used by the Nice in the tune "One of those people" , and I have heard it used on TV in the 60's, like on an episode of "The Outer Limits" on the voice of a space alien." There were 2 ways to do this in the 70's. The first was to use an instrument called a "vocoder," which is the sound you hear on "Mr. Roboto." There was a wonderful man who had an association with Moog Music back then named Harold Bode, and his Bode Vocoders are legendary. I had the great pleasure of meeting this man late in his life, and he was still a tech-head in the best sense. Emo could have been using one of his vocoders for the sound, but I doubt it. Read why below... The other way, and the way I believe Emo did it was to use the Ring Modulator section of the Monster Moog, combining a vocal signal, with a synth sound, and running it through the Moog filters to achieve the sound he wanted. You have to split the vocal signal into 2 before the synth, because the results are unintelligible, so you combine them with a clean vocal to get the effect. A Ring Modulator multiplies an audio input and a carrier oscillator to produce sum and difference frequencies. The reason I believe that this is the way Emo created this sound is because in the 70's when I was performing KE9 3rd, I did this exact thing on my Arp 2600, and was able to recreate the sound exactly. Hope that helps. ..Joe --------------------------------------------- From: Blickstein, Dave Sent: Tuesday, February 03, 2004 9:44 AM To: ELP-Digest@reluctant.com Subject: "Computer" voice in KE 9 3rd Impression Steve Barber asked how the computer voice in KE9 3rd Impression was done. It's been over 30 years since I heard this, but I'm pretty sure I read an interview that said it was done with a "ring modulator". I remember back then (the 70s) it was kinda hard to go out and buy one, and even harder on a high school allowance such as mine. But a friend of mine found out it was easy to build one, so he did and it indeed did sound like the one on KE9. A Google of "ring modulator brain salad" seems to confirm this, and even contains some hits from this mailing list. Dave Blickstein --------------------------------------------- From: Bruce Shaw Sent: Tuesday, February 03, 2004 1:08 PM To: 'ELP-Digest@reluctant.com' Subject: RE:"Computer" voice in KE 9 3rd Impression >I was wondering if any of the keyboardists who read the Digest >can tell me the name of the electrical mechanism used by Keith >Emerson on Brain Salad Surgery to create the Computer voice in >Karn Evil 9, 3rd Impression? It's a vocoder. http://www.vintagesynth.org/korg/vc10.shtml [ Editor's Note: Though it could have been done by either, the 'ring modulator' is the response most often given and, since it uses the Moog Modular which got heavy use in KE9, I think it was a 'ring modulator', too. - John - ] --------------------------------------------- From: BrainSalad2001 Sent: Tuesday, February 03, 2004 3:00 PM To: elp-digest@reluctant.com Subject: Bass Guitar on "Welcome Back My Friends" Hi, As John pointed out Greg was playing a Gibson Ripper during the "Welcome Back" period. The full guitar player interview can be found at the following URL http://valseven.tripod.com/GuitarP.html and interestingly notes that Greg's bass was actually a custom Ripper with more powerful pickups and a mid choke fitted to accentuate the mid scoop which was a trademark of his sound at the time. It also notes that between the Fender Jazz and the Gibson he tried a Rickenbacker - does anybody know if he ever played it live? It doesn't sound to my ears as if he ever recorded with it. Regards Ian --------------------------------------------- From: GGS Sent: Tuesday, February 03, 2004 3:49 PM To: elp-digest@reluctant.com Subject: A Fan Of Father Christmas ....a response to a post in ELP Digest 01 Feb 2004, Volume 14 : Issue 1..... >I wish someone would clear this up for me. Is Greg Lake an >atheist or not? Who cares? Will you like his music less if he doesn't meet your religious litmus test? Would you be less of a fan of Greg if he proclaimed himself Buddhist? Islamic? Zoroastrian? Shinto?.... or Atheist? I admire Greg for his work. As long as he has that legacy, his personal religious beliefs are of little value in judging his art. The evidence of his impact on Rock as an art form is in the music. Where he does or doesn't go to church is immaterial (though, from the tone of your post, I suspect it may matter to you). The scourge of religion (Christianity in particular) is that it divides us. 'If you DON'T believe, you CAN'T belong' or 'you WON'T go' or 'you AREN'T good enough'. By it's own definition, religion separates people into 'Believers' and 'Non-believers'....'Us' and 'Them'. And it often separates the listener from the music. In fact, some conservative brands of Christianity condemn the music of ELP as "Satanic" and forbid their followers from enjoying it altogether. On the other hand, the beauty of artistic appreciation is that it unites us. Look at how many people around the world, from different countries, different cultures, different languages, different backgrounds, and yes, from different religious persuasions, all love and enthusiastically embrace the music of ELP, including the artistic talents of Greg Lake and the very song "I Believe In Father Christmas". (And often demonstrate that appreciation with contributions to the pages of this Digest, thank you, John!) To my knowledge, no one asked Greg about his religious affiliations before "Father Christmas" became a worldwide hit! Religious questions are for proselytizers, not for music fans. I personally hope that Greg is an honest and fair minded atheist, like me (hopefully). They are the highest calling of the human species. But regardless of what he may proclaim himself to be, or if he never proclaims himself to be anything at all, I am a fan of Greg Lake. Because I like his music. GGS --------------------------------------------- From: Antonio Augusto Gorni Sent: Friday, February 13, 2004 7:26 PM To: elp-digest@reluctant.com Subject: The Origin of "So Far to Fall" John: Please excuse me if the question is not pertinent after all those years of massive ELP-Internet info... As far as I know, "Works 2" is a compilation album with surplus ELP tunes. So, I am curious to know for which album the song "So far to fall" was originally made. The use of orchestra in the tune apparently indicates that it was made for Works I. But then the song doesn't fit in the profile of the ELP side of that album, as "So Far to Fall" is very short compared to "Fanfare for the Common Man" and "Pirates". Sorry to bother you, thank you very much and keep up this great work of so many years!! All the best, Antonio A. Gorni --------------------------------------------- From: Dave Bailey Sent: Saturday, February 14, 2004 8:21 PM To: ELP-digest@reluctant.com Subject: Changing States Hi John In reply to John Hughes letter regarding the tracks Another Frontier and Ballade, they are in fact Keith's own versions of "Changing States" and "Close To Home" both from the Black Moon album. Dave Bailey Stoke-on-Trent --------------------------------------------- From: Girard, Claude Sent: Tuesday, February 17, 2004 3:00 PM To: elp-digest@reluctant.com Subject: Changing States What an excellent CD recorded almost live with friends during the San Francisco earthquake in 1989??? with the late Kevin Gilbert. Some pop songs, some jazz and some instrumentals (3 that showed up on Black Moon). This CD is fresh...they had fun doing it ...you can feel it. Emo is pretty good and the 2 instrumentals that were re-recorded on BM sound better with less production. Abandon's Bolero is a left over from Works 1 with some false notes?? The titles you are looking for are (from memory) Romeo & Juliet, Changing States and A blade of grass?? Someone correct me. I really enjoy this CD...and what about the virile "The Church". Claude =========================== ELP-related products, tribute bands, promoters (The ELP Digest does not endorse, etc.) =========================== (no items this issue) =========================== 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: 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 14, Issue 2] **************************************