ELP Underrated? |
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Logan
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^ And I prefer the term underrated to proctalgia fugax. To each his or her own.
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Lewian
Prog Reviewer Joined: August 09 2015 Location: Italy Status: Offline Points: 14679 |
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I like ELP far more than the word "underrated".
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Logan
Forum & Site Admin Group Site Admin Joined: April 05 2006 Location: Vancouver, BC Status: Offline Points: 35694 |
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^ 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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Big Sky
Forum Senior Member Joined: October 24 2022 Location: USA Status: Offline Points: 526 |
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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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Logan
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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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Phil Rollins
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No, not really. I mean, it's all been done before.
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richardh
Prog Reviewer Joined: February 18 2004 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 27943 |
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^ 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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Steve Wyzard
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Don't forget that tasty acoustic solo in the long center-section of "Take a Pebble"!
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richardh
Prog Reviewer Joined: February 18 2004 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 27943 |
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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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omphaloskepsis
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ELP wasn't underrated in 1975. But they're underrated now.
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dr wu23
Forum Senior Member Joined: August 22 2010 Location: Indiana Status: Offline Points: 20623 |
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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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One does nothing yet nothing is left undone.
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Floydoid
Forum Senior Member Joined: April 02 2007 Location: Planet Prog Status: Offline Points: 1487 |
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I'm not saying they never used a lead guitar, but it was not the norm for them.
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'We're going to need a bigger swear jar.'
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richardh
Prog Reviewer Joined: February 18 2004 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 27943 |
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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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Floydoid
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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).
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'We're going to need a bigger swear jar.'
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Criswell
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[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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King Crimson776
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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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richardh
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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'
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SteveG
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richardh
Prog Reviewer Joined: February 18 2004 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 27943 |
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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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Boojieboy
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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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