So why do so many of you hate ELP?

Jim Garten wrote:

I can happily admit to being 100% in love with some of their recorded output - there is no doubt (in my mind, at least) that ELP produced some of the most spectacular moments of prog - take as an example, the live version of 'Tarkus' from 'Welcome back my friends....' - from Emerson's inspired beginning to the spectacular conclusion, pure class!

Hi Jim

Listerning to 'Welcome back my friends' & judging ELP as a live band through that is no good,I've never yet listerned to a band live on album which actually creates the true band live,these are manufactured albums for general salebeing what the record company whans the fan base to hear,You must must see the band live to realise what a fantastic trio they actually are...Even there Studo albums don't do the band justice...But it's all to late now boys...'BSS' was over 30 years ago..

It goes like this..You cannot actually say the band or good or bad if you did'nt actually see them play.

Jim Garten wrote: It does seem strange that ELP seem to polarise opinion within the prog-rock fraternity in the same way as prog-rock itself polarises opinion within the music fraternity.  .

They do seem to do that, and I think I understand why that may be. While their music can be dismissed as pompous and over the top, it also far more accessable to the ear of non proggers than, say early Genesis or Yes. Think about it, big classical themes that everyone recognises, lots of blaring fanfares. 'Ordinary' people who dont come from prog land are suckers for that kinda thing. Although more 'pompous' and over the top than other prog bands, the listerner is not required to think so much about what is going on with ELP. ELP are arguably entertainers first, and musicians second. I'm sure their fans would disagree, but I know ELP regard the 'entertainment' side of what they do as very important - the knife throwing, the Hammond organ wrestling, the spinning grand piano, and of course not forgetting Greg Lakes show stopping Persian rug

Appreciating most prog rock requires patience, and an attention span. ELP dont make such demands on the listener IMO.

Blacksword wrote: I loved hearing Cozy Powell doing his drum solo to the 1812 Overture, when I was 13, but when I last heard it it sounded like something Spinal Tap may have rejected for being ridiculous.

But the late CP did have the good grace to call that album Over The Top, so you knew what you were getting..............................

sigod wrote: Blacksword wrote: Pixel Pirate wrote: I love snyths! Me too But not playing Holst. Thats just taking the p!ss. Whats the point in recording an arrangement like that? You could record a version of Stairway to Heaven on Penny Whistle if you liked, but there wouldn't be any point, because it will always be an inferior way to present the song, under any circumstances. Pixel has spoken. I'd like to hear Stairway to Heaven, played on the penny whistle Blacksword. Better Still; Moby Dick.

Moby Dick, Penny Whistle style would be a challenge at least. It may sound crap, but if Keith Emerson can pull that one off I'll eat my hat!

I like ELP a lot ... so much so that I couldn't really argue with their "Ultra" fans who seemed to believe the band could do no wrong ... because I don't feel like tearing into the band ...

Re: Certified's comments ... I agree that Emerson doesn't (nor at least 90% of the proggers I listen to) match up to the standards of the very best classical musicians but I still find prog-rock far more exciting than most straight classical, simply because it is a fusion of elements ... most keyboardists especially (anyone from Lord to Manzarek to Mercury to Banks) have some sort of classical background and adapt that to create brilliant creative rock music ... which to me makes them far more creative than somebody who can stunningly replicate Rachmaninoff (correct spelling?) or Liszt.

I will admit though Blacksword that I personally prefer to hear ol' Keith work on original compositions rather than attempt to re-arrange the classics (as he did in both the Nice and ELP) ... although that Tocatta thing on BSS was nice, as were parts of Pictures ...

Finally, I think Greg Lake has one of the nicest voices in all of prog. It may not be technically flawless, but is full of character ... gives albums like ITCOTCK and ELP a unique flavour ...

Blacksword wrote: Pixel Pirate wrote: I love snyths! Me too But not playing Holst. Thats just taking the p!ss. Whats the point in recording an arrangement like that? You could record a version of Stairway to Heaven on Penny Whistle if you liked, but there wouldn't be any point, because it will always be an inferior way to present the song, under any circumstances.

William Orbit did an album 5 years ago called "Pieces In A Modern Style" where he gives the electronic treatment to classical (and neo-classical) pieces and I think he improved on the originals (well,most of them at least),so there are exceptions but in principle I completely agree. ELP ruined "Romeo And Juliet" (by Prokofiev isn't it?) on the "Black Moon" album,sucking all the beauty and emotion of the piece out of it so resoundingly as if they did it on purpose. The "rock" treatment to classical pieces can only end in a terrible shambles.

ELP are the "Big Mac and Fries" of the Prog World.

And we all know who Ronald Macdonald is

Sorry Richard