KEITH EMERSON - GLENN HUGHES - MARC BONILLA. BOYS CLUB - LIVE FROM CALIFORNIA

This is not so much as Keith Emerson album as it is a showcase for Emerson Hughes and Bonilla.

There are two new songs on the album, Cover Me, by Hughes and Bonilla, and ans Middle Of A Dream, by all three featured artists. Both of these songs are completely forgettable. Hughes is passable on a nice cover of Procol Harum's classic Whiter Shade Of Pale. Emerson is surprisingly laid back on this track. I actually like it better than the original, where I find the organ arrangement annoying.

White Noise originally from Marc Bonilla's EE Ticket album, which featured Emerson, is a boogie fusion tune that demonstrates just why Emerson enjoys playing with the guy.

But the real reason for owning this album are the three ELP songs. Hoedown is okay, but I would prefer the actual bluegrass hoedown section (with Emerson playing harmonica) would have gone on longer. When I saw Emerson and Bonilla in concert a couple of years ago, they extended that section for a long time, and it was fantastic.

Nutrocker Suite is better. Emerson has added an intro from Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy, and an ending from Rimsky-Korsakov's Sabre Dance, which add quite a bit to this crowd pleaser.

Tarkus. Now this version is great, despite Hughes' vocals. Bonilla does some nice fills on his guitar. But again, Emerson & Bonilla have since expanded on this piece in their live shows. Consider this just a taste.

The partnership with Marc Bonilla brought the best studio effort from the great man (IMHHO). This live album not only brought both men together, but in addition the excellent vocalist/bassist Glenn Hughes (Purple of course) joined as well for this live set.

Although the release of this old live set might be considered as rather bizarre (what was the need to wait for so long?), the result is quite decent to tell the truth. There are some rarities found here, like a cover from "Procol Harum": the hugely melodic, tender, super- catchy and beautiful "Whiter Shade Of Pale".

Glenn is of course sumptuous during his vocal interpretation. His warm and soulish tone is truly on par with the incredible original. What is quite a deception is that the organ part is quite discreet. Anyone would have hoped a gorgeous play form Keith; but this cover is more guitar oriented. After all, a good cover needs to be different from the original and this one fulfils its purpose (mainly thanks to Glenn).

The bluesy feel is also deeply present during "Cover Me", but after all, Glenn also influenced Mark III with this type of mood. Let's say that these moments aren't the best from this live offering. Just like the instrumental "White Noise".

Let's be fair: each one I guess were thrilled to discover three great ELP moments from this live set. And those ones won't be disappointed. A wild version of "Hoedown", a vigorous and quite different version of the brilliant " Tchaikovsky" interpretation available on "Pictures?". This time, a combination of organ/piano with guitar is being offered: a highlight for sure. I really like this version of "Nutrocker".

And everyone is waiting for the "Tarkus" rendition of course. By far the most legendary song from the great trio ("ELP"). I guess that you won't be surprised to hear that vocal parts are rather more funky/deeper than the Lake ones who were more symphonic/high pitched.

The whole sounds a bit more jazzy, and speedy. And I would lie if I told you that this version is better than the original. There is no better than the great studio original, but this one holds its own merit (the last third portion for instance which is closer to the original).

In all, I was expecting more from this group of musicians; but this album fullt deserves the three star rating. A good album for sure.

I fell upon this by "luck" (this remains to be seen whether good or bad) in the shelves of my library, and seeing that my weekly pile was a little weak-ly, I threw this on it for good measure. Lordy lordy Lord ?. Uuuuhhh?. I mean Emersony emerson Emerson!!!! ;o)))) I wasn't all that impressed when I first saw it and I figured it would good for laughs. NOT EVEN that!!! OK, hang on, this "thing" isn't catastrophic either?. Just the crystallization of three biggies meeting and maybe having fun, while trying to rake in the dough. Soooo we got Emerson on keys, strangely backed by Roth on keys as well?.. we've also got Bonilla on guitars?.. but strangely backed Wallace on guitars as well?.. and we got Hughes on vocals , but not bass?.. I'd rather have wished it the other way, since I personally think that Hughes is one of the most over-rated singers around and I much prefer him on bass. The good thing is that we don't hear him much, which is just as well. Oh yeah, before I forget: two bassists, but only one drummer?.. go figure!!!

Obviously the material used that night came from the three "tenors"' repertoire and a few covers. Without going too much over the Bonilla stuff, let's see what Emerson brought: Copland's Hoedown, Tchaikovsky's Nutrocker and the big Tarkus, which will probably hold the most interest. On the cover front, Procol's Shade Of Pale is the first number where we hear Hughes singing and he does an apt job, but then again I'm known to be pretty good art that song in the shower as well. There is also the Allman Bros' Dreams, a rather pleasant surprise, but ultimately not reaching the ABB classic level, Hughes being the worst perpetrator. The trio composed a special track, an awful 90's track, obviously impulsed by Hughes' eternal funk influences? it sticks out like a sore thumb from the rest of the concert.

Emerson intrudes on piano on Bonilla's White Noise, but let's get to Tarkus: well done, but considering the number of musicians (8) on stage, it's not that great a feat, so with Keith getting some back up, two basses to do Greg's job on bass and Glen trying to come to Greg waist in the vocal dept (and failing badly), the pressure is on the sole drummer Joe Travers, and would you guess it?!?!.... he's in over his head as to playing down pat the way Carl did it, but he's hardly ridiculous either. Overall you'd better not expect too much of this version of the armoureddilldo exploits. ;o)p)))))

Well of course everyone is entitled to make a living and such encounters are normal in a musician's life, but was there a need to immortalize this tour?? I guess some thought there was, but I won't disagree too much either?. I wasn't expecting much, and I got a little more than I expected, but I'm, glad I rented this album, cos I'd be embarrassed of putting it on my trade list. Jus t kidding Keith and Mark, but this is anything but essential.