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ELP Underrated?

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Logan View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Logan Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 02 2024 at 19:00
^ And I prefer the term underrated to proctalgia fugax.  To each his or her own.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Lewian Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 02 2024 at 18:31
Originally posted by Logan Logan wrote:

While I would still say that its underrated by some and overrated by others, having seen claims that it's underrated many times gives me the impression that it's terribly overrated (at least by those who would insist that it's terribly underrated).
I like ELP far more than the word "underrated". Tongue
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Logan Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 02 2024 at 14:40
^ I'm sure many do underappreciate ELP, but I have known various individuals at PA who recognise the contributions and significance to rock generally and to Prog specifically, as well as the talent on display, but just don't enjoy qualities of the music much or how that talent is used.  The debut is most liked by me.  I think it's the lack of subtlety in part from ELP in certain music, the show-off-ness, that puts many off.  There is a  bandwagon effect that more now might well focus on certain qualities that are seen as negative now due to common criticisms.  And it's not as known now as it is not now trendy.  That said, while one might argue that it is underappreciated by the majority into progressive music now, one might also say that it was over-appreciated at the time by the masses.   An issue I have had with various posters at PA has been that they feel that ELP is entitled to be in the top 100 albums chart and that it is wrong and an injustice for ELP not to get better representation in the chart.  That ELP deserves to higher rated in the chart. The chart is a popularity list based on an amalgamation of the ratings of what individuals have rated and how they rated those albums.  I do not believe that people are underrating it who opt not to rate the albums or rate them highly.  That one would like to see the band more popular again, fine, but it is the sense of entitlement of some ELP fans, the ignorance of how the charts operate and what they represent, and scorn for those who think less of ELP that has been an issue from my perspective.  My perspective mostly comes from PA forum interactions and is less "global" than many.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote Big Sky Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 02 2024 at 11:20
I think it's more that ELP is underappreciated in these current times. They were one of the pioneers of what became Progressive Rock. They were innovative and embraced music technology. Massively talented, in particular, Keith Emerson and Carl Palmer were mainstays in musician polls for best keyboardist and drummer. Emerson's influence is massive and is recognized by many as Rock music's greatest keyboardist.

Their first 4 studio albums and 2 live albums have stood the test of time. If they would have called it a day after their triple live album Welcome Back My Friends to the Show That Never Ends, they would be remembered more fondly. They would have made their statement, while going out on top.

Edited by Big Sky - May 02 2024 at 21:59
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Logan Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 02 2024 at 05:02
While I would still say that its underrated by some and overrated by others, having seen claims that it's underrated many times gives me the impression that it's terribly overrated (at least by those who would insist that it's terribly underrated).
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Phil Rollins Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 02 2024 at 03:53
No, not really. I mean, it's all been done before.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote richardh Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 30 2024 at 23:45
^ originally the mid section had it's own song 'A dog named blue' off the top of my head which was a clap along audience thing. You can find it on some early ELP live stuff.
For me The Sage is the best thing he ever did with an acoustic guitar although I do like his Xmas hit a lot. The latter came about because he had a little acoustic guitar piece that he didn't know what to with and then discovered he could sing 'Jingle Bells' along with it!


Edited by richardh - May 01 2024 at 21:37
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Steve Wyzard Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 30 2024 at 13:32
Originally posted by richardh richardh wrote:

Greg Lake playing lead guitar in ELP:
Lucky Man
Battlefield (Tarkus)
From The Beginning
Still You Turn Me On
Karn Evil 9 1st Impression

Lake actually started as a lead guitarist but Robert Fripp asked him to play bass as lead was taken!

Don't forget that tasty acoustic solo in the long center-section of "Take a Pebble"!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote richardh Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 29 2024 at 14:00
Originally posted by Floydoid Floydoid wrote:

I'm not saying they never used a lead guitar, but it was not the norm for them.

You pretty much said that though. There were bands that 'did away with lead guitar altogether' but ELP wasn't one of them.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote omphaloskepsis Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 28 2024 at 18:28
ELP wasn't underrated in 1975.  But they're underrated now.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote dr wu23 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 28 2024 at 15:27
They are not underrated with me or my other prog friends....and the first 4 studio lps are all 4 star and the debut is the best......imho.
I never tire of hearing the debut...it's always fresh and beautiful to my ears.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Floydoid Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 28 2024 at 13:44
I'm not saying they never used a lead guitar, but it was not the norm for them.
'We're going to need a bigger swear jar.'
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote richardh Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 24 2024 at 16:58
Greg Lake playing lead guitar in ELP:
Lucky Man
Battlefield (Tarkus)
From The Beginning
Still You Turn Me On
Karn Evil 9 1st Impression

Lake actually started as a lead guitarist but Robert Fripp asked him to play bass as lead was taken!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote Floydoid Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 24 2024 at 12:56
And quite possibly the greatest ever prog band that did away with lead guitar altogether (apart from the odd bit of acoustic by Greg - e.g. The Sage).
'We're going to need a bigger swear jar.'
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Criswell Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 24 2024 at 09:01
[QUOTE=Floydoid]IMO all their album releases up to BSS (and possibly Works vol.1) are masterpieces of prog rock, and essential to the collection of any serious prog fan.

Concur 100%...a tremendous 5-album run up to BSS...
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote King Crimson776 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 20 2024 at 01:56
Yep, one of my favorite bands. The first four main albums only have two songs I would call true filler ("Are You Ready Eddy?" and "Benny the Bouncer"). Other than that, it's all peak classic Symphonic Prog. Emerson is one of the greatest musicians of all time, and is a true original. He developed a unique sound. His playing is instantly recognizable.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote richardh Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 20 2024 at 01:23
Originally posted by SteveG SteveG wrote:

Originally posted by richardh richardh wrote:

The reliance on keyboards is both their strength and weakness. Probably why Yes became bigger and more recognised over time after they added a keyboardist that matched Emerson. However in 1970 the world needed a band to get the most out of the prodigiously talented Keith Emerson and ELP was it. Could it have been better if a guitarist had joined? Without doubt but unfortunately that guitarist died the same year of a drugs overdose (after ELP had formed but I believe it could still have happened)
Excellent opinion and background on the band, Richard. And maybe one more reason. The money earned could go just as easily into 3 as would into 4.

I suspect there is some truth in that as well. Keith Emerson's ego would also have been another reason not wanting to share the stage with another 'peacock' Smile
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SteveG Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 15 2024 at 18:11
Originally posted by richardh richardh wrote:

The reliance on keyboards is both their strength and weakness. Probably why Yes became bigger and more recognised over time after they added a keyboardist that matched Emerson. However in 1970 the world needed a band to get the most out of the prodigiously talented Keith Emerson and ELP was it. Could it have been better if a guitarist had joined? Without doubt but unfortunately that guitarist died the same year of a drugs overdose (after ELP had formed but I believe it could still have happened)
Excellent opinion and background on the band, Richard. And maybe one more reason. The money earned could go just as easily into 3 as would into 4.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote richardh Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 15 2024 at 17:48
The reliance on keyboards is both their strength and weakness. Probably why Yes became bigger and more recognised over time after they added a keyboardist that matched Emerson. However in 1970 the world needed a band to get the most out of the prodigiously talented Keith Emerson and ELP was it. Could it have been better if a guitarist had joined? Without doubt but unfortunately that guitarist died the same year of a drugs overdose (after ELP had formed but I believe it could still have happened)
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Boojieboy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 15 2024 at 11:14
I like ELP, but they've never grabbed me like most other bands. Maybe it's because they have no fixed guitarist (beyond Greg Lake sometimes playing), and the heavy emphasis on keyboards. Also, no separate lead singer to front the band, not that that is necessary. Their music is good, but I could easily fit their most worthy material onto one full CD. Maybe also it's that trio aspect that I find lacking. Of the hundreds of bands I listen to, I don't think I have any favorites who are trios. Four members adds such a bigger dimension and seems like the minimum number. Oh well.


Edited by Boojieboy - April 15 2024 at 11:17
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