KEITH EMERSON BAND: THREE FATES PROJECT

This album exceeded my expectations in one way, and disappointed in another.

I am not much of a fan of most orchestral renditions of classic prog rock. Earlier albums, many with some of the original band members adding tracks, rendered classics by Yes, Genesis, Jethro Tull, to name a few, into syrupy muzak.

Well. This album is different. A number of orchestrators, including Keith Emerson himself, managed to capture the spirit of the original ELP pieces, while infusing some surprises, and even some whimsey into the scores. The power of the orchestra is supreme in this recording, and it seems Mr. Emerson approves.

The disappointment comes from Emerson himself. While he's there on most tracks, adding piano, organ and synthesizers, there is very little of the fire in his fingers that made the classic ELP so much fun. I know he still has the magic. I've seen him with his recent band, and he can still light up the keyboards (literally and figuratively).

The Endless Enigma is split into two parts. The first has the orchestra showing just how beautiful this Emerson piece is. On the second part, Emerson and Marc Bonilla join in, but the orchestra still powers the piece. Another high point is Bonilla's American Matador, where the orchestra also raises the recording above the original.

There are a few new pieces on the album. Two pieces by Bonilla show that he is no slouch in orchestral composition, while Emerson's one new track, After All Of This, is much too sedate for my tastes.

The best piece is Tarkus. The orchestration here is superb, and even Emerson gets a bit excited when playing. This track is a masterpiece.