Emerson Lake & Palmer

^Haven't seen anything from ELP live, must buy a couple of DVD. Which one would you recommend Doug? Thanks a lot.

Kar Evil 9 1st Impression is ONE of the most iconic prog rock tracks of all time - it's influenced many a prog track since - and the GOOD thing about ELP is the absence of GOD bothering lyrics and obviously sci-fi influenced KE9.

I tend to like them a lot better now than I did then. Mainly because I now hear the good humour in their music. And the wonderful gusto in Lake's singing.
I was probably a bit too serious when I was young and found ELP a bit over the top.  

DiamondDog wrote: I suppose ELP is the epitome of musicians who want to play to the max even at the expense of the music. Still think they get far too much unfair flak though. Outstanding musicians and trailblazers.

I'm not sure 'at the expense of the music'. ELP's were flashy but then that was something that helped them stand out. I don't believe they had it in them to write music like say Tales From Topographic Oceans. There was way too much tension in the band and just recording an album was a trial for them so doing anything as studious as that would have been impossible. They really wanted to get out and play live. Thats where they had most fun especially at Festivals like California Jam. They naturally pushed things further and further until perhaps it all became too flashy and bloated. Nevertheless their best albums still have many orginal outstanding peices and plenty of flashes of brilliance to keep most entertained. Over the years they have suffered by comparison to other bands who had produced compositions with more depth and layers. Fair enough I can live with that.

Edited by richardh - September 21 2012 at 01:33

I suppose ELP is the epitome of musicians who want to play to the max even at the expense of the music. Still think they get far too much unfair flak though. Outstanding musicians and trailblazers.

I really can't remember although I spent £20 on Anglagard's latest. Rarely go above that when buying an individual CD although I have spent around £70 on box sets before.

Bitterblogger wrote: If your unheard ELP consists of material after Works V 1, it's mighty disappointing. Be forewarned especially about In The Hot Seat.

Not too sure - what happens is - I usually pick up prog (That I haven't already got, where I get it cheap - EBAY mainly) - picked up One ELP - think it was Tarkus - damaged jewel case (quickly repaced I have loads) for 0.49p + 1.10 p & p - just checked... Off topic - whats the most anybody has paid for a prog CD?

If your unheard ELP consists of material after Works V 1, it's mighty disappointing. Be forewarned especially about In The Hot Seat.

Slartibartfast wrote: Rush77 wrote: Hey everybody so i was lookin at the site and noticed that ELP is rated pretty low and i was wondering y so im gonna ask everyone who reads this their opinion on this band. Personally i find them to be utterly amazing and one of my fav bands of all time but thats just my opinion plz tell me wat u think about them  Eh I'm a long time fan, but I think it has to do with their inconsistency.  Because some people tend to get hung up about consistency.  Their first few albums were really good, but some people can't stand the funny songs.  Then they went all over the place with Works.  Then they caught the commercialitis disease.  But mostly because of this album cover:

Aye - thats criminal that is....Bee-Gees wannabe picture - I have a problem with the consitency - KE9 - impression 1 parts 1 & 2 is possibly one of the best prog rock tracks of all time - and ELP NEVER got anywhere near that good in most of their other stuff (except the moog solo in the old castle.......) to be fair I think I have some ELP CD's I have NEVER listened to....as I had some vinyl.....bought for prog collection completeness only...(SAD I AM). Brain salad surgery cannot be compared to contemporary classic like CTTE, TFTO and Foxtrot.....SEBTP....because of all the sh*tty bits on it.....benny the Bouncer anyone....!!!!

DiamondDog wrote: Yes but he had the potential to be a very good writer, and IMO the band would have been much improved had that aspect been pursued. Crimson's finest hour was also Lake's, ELP should have carried the torch from that point, but went sideways instead.

Edited by richardh - September 19 2012 at 01:32