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topofsm 
Forum Senior Member
Joined: August 17 2008
Location: Arizona, USA
Status: Offline
Points: 1698
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 Posted: September 20 2008 at 03:15 |
You know, to tell the truth, I find the short tracks on "Fragile" by Yes to be even worse than the "Are you ready Eddy" type stuff and makes the album totally inconsistent. I know it's a really well loved album, but I consider those tracks filler and would rather listen to the classic ELP records.
So to tell the truth, I really have no clue why Fragile is so high and no ELP records are in the top.
Edited by topofsm - September 20 2008 at 03:15
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jimidom
Forum Senior Member
Joined: August 02 2007
Location: Houston, TX USA
Status: Offline
Points: 570
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Posted: September 20 2008 at 04:02 |
 topofsm wrote:
So to tell the truth, I really have no clue why Fragile is so high and no ELP records are in the top. |
Fragile is likely rated high because it is so familiar even to non-Prog fans; it is on par with Dark Side of the Moon in that category, almost to the point of being shoved down your throat. To me, an album like Trilogy is every bit as good as Fragile despite not being quite as familiar.
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"The music business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free, and good men die like dogs. There's also a negative side." - HST
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febus
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator / In Memoriam
Joined: January 23 2007
Location: Orlando-Usa
Status: Offline
Points: 4312
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Posted: September 20 2008 at 11:19 |
topofsm wrote:
You know, to tell the truth, I find the short tracks on "Fragile" by Yes to be even worse than the "Are you ready Eddy" type stuff and makes the album totally inconsistent. I know it's a really well loved album, but I consider those tracks filler and would rather listen to the classic ELP records.
So to tell the truth, I really have no clue why Fragile is so high and no ELP records are in the top. |
.....Fragile :Perfect example
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jammun
Prog Reviewer
Joined: July 14 2007
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 3449
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Posted: September 20 2008 at 15:20 |
I would guess if you put up a poll for each of the first five albums, and asked people to vote for their favorite or best song on each, it would become pretty clear why none of ELP's albums is in the top 100. I would virtually guarantee (unless the poll is rigged) that certain songs will receive 0 votes.
It is unfortunate that none of the albums are widely recognized as a masterpiece, but clearly, in spite of being one of the three or four best bands of the initial prog era (along with Yes, KC, Pink Floyd, and perhaps JT) ELP never had that one defining album (the first came closest) that was an instant classic.
However none of the above negates the FACT that Keith Emerson was the premier keyboard player of the era and pretty much did for the keyboard, particularly the Hammond, what Hendrix did for the guitar, i.e., introduce sonic possibilities not previously recognized or even conceived by lesser musicians.
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TGM: Orb
Prog Reviewer
Joined: October 21 2007
Location: n/a
Status: Offline
Points: 8052
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Posted: September 20 2008 at 15:25 |
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Heard Trilogy in its full form for the first time today... much more stunning than expected, though I'd heard 5 of the album's tracks previously, and the remastering job was really good. Might be in five territory. Don't agree about the highs being lower than their other albums, even if it ain't the debut.
Edit for horrific error.
Edited by TGM: Orb - September 20 2008 at 15:25
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jimmy_row
Forum Senior Member
Joined: July 11 2007
Location: Hibernation
Status: Offline
Points: 2601
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Posted: September 20 2008 at 16:39 |
topofsm wrote:
You know, to tell the truth, I find the short tracks on "Fragile" by Yes to be even worse than the "Are you ready Eddy" type stuff and makes the album totally inconsistent. I know it's a really well loved album, but I consider those tracks filler and would rather listen to the classic ELP records.
So to tell the truth, I really have no clue why Fragile is so high and no ELP records are in the top. |
well that's due to the longer tracks. So YES wins the battle that matters
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Signature Writers Guild on strike
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jimmy_row
Forum Senior Member
Joined: July 11 2007
Location: Hibernation
Status: Offline
Points: 2601
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Posted: September 20 2008 at 16:41 |
jammun wrote:
I would guess if you put up a poll for each of the first five albums, and asked people to vote for their favorite or best song on each, it would become pretty clear why none of ELP's albums is in the top 100. I would virtually guarantee (unless the poll is rigged) that certain songs will receive 0 votes.
It is unfortunate that none of the albums are widely recognized as a masterpiece, but clearly, in spite of being one of the three or four best bands of the initial prog era (along with Yes, KC, Pink Floyd, and perhaps JT) ELP never had that one defining album (the first came closest) that was an instant classic.
However none of the above negates the FACT that Keith Emerson was the premier keyboard player of the era and pretty much did for the keyboard, particularly the Hammond, what Hendrix did for the guitar, i.e., introduce sonic possibilities not previously recognized or even conceived by lesser musicians. |
You stole the thoughts right out of my head and posted before me!  
Great band, and I love 'em but they couldn't WRITE the way Yes, Genesis, Tull, VdGG, and Kansas could. But boy could they PERFORM!
Edited by jimmy_row - September 20 2008 at 16:41
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Signature Writers Guild on strike
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Avantgardehead
Forum Senior Member
Joined: December 29 2006
Location: Dublin, OH, USA
Status: Offline
Points: 1170
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Posted: September 20 2008 at 16:53 |
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ELP have maybe one or two moments I really love, but the rest of it leaves me cold.
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http://www.last.fm/user/Avantgardian
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clarke2001
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
Joined: June 14 2006
Location: Croatia
Status: Offline
Points: 4160
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Posted: September 20 2008 at 19:19 |
NotAProghead wrote:
There are already more than enough BSS reviews, I don't think we need new ones. Who will read them?
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I'm reading every review of ELP's studio albums (+Pictures), and instantly forgetting them after that. 
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The Quiet One
Prog Reviewer
Joined: January 16 2008
Location: Argentina
Status: Offline
Points: 15745
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Posted: September 20 2008 at 20:22 |
ELP'S BEST ALBUM:
Close ones would be Trilogy and ELP(debut). I was never keen of Tarkus, even though it has amazing innovating stuff, I must admit. Brain Salad Surgery as well, very innovating, but filler keeps coming..
Honorable mention to: Pirates, Fanfare for the Common Man and Black Moon(long version)
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threefates
Forum Senior Member
Joined: June 30 2004
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 4215
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Posted: September 23 2008 at 08:39 |
ELP didn't have filler on their albums. They had fun energetic songs that broke up the tension. Its sort of like going out for a gormet dinner. You invigorate your taste buds for new flavors by cleaning your palate.
In earlier times, if a strong course were served, a small dish of lemon sorbet would immediately follow it. The purpose, of course, was to clear the taste buds making them ready to experience the next bountiful dish without competition from lingering flavors.
For example, on Brain Salad Surgery... "Toccata" is musically perfect to me, very heavy, very moving and very well played. Then it takes "Still You Turn Me On" and "Benny" before your palate is cleaned enough to enjoy Karn Evil 9 from a clean perspective... no lingering flavors so to speak.
When I hear people refer to Are You Ready, Eddy... as filler, then I realize they just aren't gormet listeners! 
ELP Rules!!
Edited by threefates - September 23 2008 at 08:50
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THIS IS ELP
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The Quiet One
Prog Reviewer
Joined: January 16 2008
Location: Argentina
Status: Offline
Points: 15745
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Posted: September 23 2008 at 20:31 |
threefates wrote:
ELP didn't have filler on their albums. They had fun energetic songs that broke up the tension. Its sort of like going out for a gormet dinner. You invigorate your taste buds for new flavors by cleaning your palate.
In earlier times, if a strong course were served, a small dish of lemon sorbet would immediately follow it. The purpose, of course, was to clear the taste buds making them ready to experience the next bountiful dish without competition from lingering flavors.
For example, on Brain Salad Surgery... "Toccata" is musically perfect to me, very heavy, very moving and very well played. Then it takes "Still You Turn Me On" and "Benny" before your palate is cleaned enough to enjoy Karn Evil 9 from a clean perspective... no lingering flavors so to speak.
When I hear people refer to Are You Ready, Eddy... as filler, then I realize they just aren't gormet listeners!
ELP Rules!!
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Prog Listeners aren't supposed to be gourmet listeneres 
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febus
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator / In Memoriam
Joined: January 23 2007
Location: Orlando-Usa
Status: Offline
Points: 4312
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Posted: September 23 2008 at 20:54 |
cacho wrote:
threefates wrote:
ELP didn't have filler on their albums. They had fun energetic songs that broke up the tension. Its sort of like going out for a gormet dinner. You invigorate your taste buds for new flavors by cleaning your palate.
In earlier times, if a strong course were served, a small dish of lemon sorbet would immediately follow it. The purpose, of course, was to clear the taste buds making them ready to experience the next bountiful dish without competition from lingering flavors.
For example, on Brain Salad Surgery... "Toccata" is musically perfect to me, very heavy, very moving and very well played. Then it takes "Still You Turn Me On" and "Benny" before your palate is cleaned enough to enjoy Karn Evil 9 from a clean perspective... no lingering flavors so to speak.
When I hear people refer to Are You Ready, Eddy... as filler, then I realize they just aren't gormet listeners!
ELP Rules!!
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Prog Listeners aren't supposed to be gourmet listeneres |
Oooh! You are wrong , Pablo...  .............Prog is to music what Foie Gras or caviar are to food..I drink Champagne or a good rum or a great wine with my prog, ...............not diet coke. or Mcdo..they .don't go along with my Procol Harum, Roxy Music or ELP
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gasone
Forum Newbie
Joined: August 31 2008
Status: Offline
Points: 2
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Posted: September 27 2008 at 22:37 |
"Prog" Archives my arse! Where is ELP? Has anyone anywhere on this board outside of this thread sat down and listened to the mix of BRAIN SALAD SURGERY DVD-AUDIO in true 96/24 ??? Not the Dolby Version mind you .....
Hello Toccata here is the best song hands down ever recorded....
No ELP in the top? Studio albums ??? Where is the legitamacy of this board??? ELP is big and bombastic and I like it that way.... take a pebble....
Best Covers???? Hello???? The penis in the throat on BSS?
And I like SEBTP genesis too... (Cinema show)
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crimson87
Prog Reviewer
Joined: January 03 2008
Location: Argentina
Status: Offline
Points: 1818
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Posted: September 27 2008 at 23:53 |
gasone wrote:
"Prog" Archives my arse! Where is ELP? Has anyone anywhere on this board outside of this thread sat down and listened to the mix of BRAIN SALAD SURGERY DVD-AUDIO in true 96/24 ??? Not the Dolby Version mind you .....
Hello Toccata here is the best song hands down ever recorded....
No ELP in the top? Studio albums ??? Where is the legitamacy of this board??? ELP is big and bombastic and I like it that way.... take a pebble....
Best Covers???? Hello???? The penis in the throat on BSS?
And I like SEBTP genesis too... (Cinema show) |
So , you think ELP's legacy is disrespected? Do as me and write a 5 stars review of Brain Salad Surgery!! Slowly weŽll take it to the top.
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Sasquamo
Forum Senior Member
Joined: September 26 2006
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 828
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Posted: September 28 2008 at 00:05 |
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Hey, ELP was way over the top, but seriously, at least they didn't dress up in stupid costumes and capes. Their music is actually fun to listen to for the most part, and the group actually had the talent to pull off what they did convincingly. Rock isn't a medium that can convincingly handle the complexity of classical music or the constant virtuosity of jazz. There's really no point in listening to a lot of the symphonic prog out there when you can just listen to classical music, not to say the two are even comparable. Rock has to ROCK to be fun to listen to, and ELP is one of the few prog bands that actually rocks a decent amount of the time.
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crimson87
Prog Reviewer
Joined: January 03 2008
Location: Argentina
Status: Offline
Points: 1818
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Posted: September 28 2008 at 00:32 |
That's true , at least Emo , did not put a Holiday on ice show in Wembley.
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Atavachron
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
Joined: September 30 2006
Location: Pearland
Status: Offline
Points: 65266
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Posted: September 28 2008 at 02:10 |
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you gotta eat
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threefates
Forum Senior Member
Joined: June 30 2004
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 4215
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Posted: October 01 2008 at 08:09 |
^ With Rick then, it was more of "you gotta drink".
ELP to me was the perfect progressive band. They had the best keyboardist.. that could not only play rings around all the others, but could compose actual music at the same time. Their drummer was classically trained, extremely energetic, and brought a different style to rock drumming, which to this day is hardly matched by any other drummer. And then there's the voice. One of the problems I have with prog bands today, is that the vocals.. and cheesy lyrics generally turn me off. Jon Anderson may have had the most recognizable voice in prog... but Greg Lake had the best voice in the business...
The voice is also the reason so many ELP tribute bands seem to have a hard time. You can get some reasonably good keyboardists... and some reasonably good drummers. But its extremely hard to find a bass player who can sing, much less sound anything remotely like Greg Lake.
Its a pity Greg doesn't do much anymore. I saw 5 or 6 of his solo shows around the UK in 2005. His voice isn't the same angelic voice of the 70s, but its improved immensely from his voice of the 90s.. and turned out to be some really wonderful concerts.
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THIS IS ELP
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crimson87
Prog Reviewer
Joined: January 03 2008
Location: Argentina
Status: Offline
Points: 1818
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Posted: October 03 2008 at 17:29 |
ELP must be the greatest band to walk on earth if they albums still manage to go beyond the 4 stars mark after reviews like the following:
 Bright and jolly, but ultimately tiresome.
After the darker Tarkus epic, ELP produce the much more maligned Trilogy, which seems to be closer to BSS in sound, and as some may know, I feel it's overrated rubbish. Too often I find bands being pardoned for their weak songs as a sign of the band having a "sense of humor". Strange that these ideas are never looked at in another way, in that, maybe others do have a sense of humor, perhaps we have a knack for good comedy, and think of the musicians as just plain bad comedians.
Such is the case with ELP here again, with "The Sherrif" among others. It's just filler for ELP's quest to stray as much from songwriting as humanly possible, to in a strict sense, masturbate with their instruments. Take away the flair, the gaudy lights display and marketing of a big name, and we are left with little substance - little music. ELP are more than able to play their instruments, but as evidenced by the circus of Endless Enigma, the slow and rarely captivating From the Beginning, the "we need an end to this long solo effort" on Trilogy (which actually has a good piano section at the beginning), and the overextended march of Abaddons' Balero, one wonders if ELP ever had a concept for songwriting.
Such is the case for how I see most of this record. If you're looking for virtuosos of the instruments, you will find much better elsewhere, and if you're looking for songwriting you'll find much better across almost all of prog. However, if you are looking for a big show with lots of lights, spazz, and a big name to market, Trilogy might be right for you.
ELP's ratings should be calculated as it follows:
X=(n ratings/number of ratings)* ANTI ELP coeficient.
The coeficient must be >1 in order to balance all the flak.
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