KEITH EMERSON - GLENN HUGHES - MARC BONILLA. BOYS CLUB - LIVE FROM CALIFORNIA

This is not so much as Keith Emerson album as it is a showcase for Emerson Hughes and Bonilla.

There are two new songs on the album, Cover Me, by Hughes and Bonilla, and ans Middle Of A Dream, by all three featured artists. Both of these songs are completely forgettable. Hughes is passable on a nice cover of Procol Harum's classic Whiter Shade Of Pale. Emerson is surprisingly laid back on this track. I actually like it better than the original, where I find the organ arrangement annoying.

White Noise originally from Marc Bonilla's EE Ticket album, which featured Emerson, is a boogie fusion tune that demonstrates just why Emerson enjoys playing with the guy.

But the real reason for owning this album are the three ELP songs. Hoedown is okay, but I would prefer the actual bluegrass hoedown section (with Emerson playing harmonica) would have gone on longer. When I saw Emerson and Bonilla in concert a couple of years ago, they extended that section for a long time, and it was fantastic.

Nutrocker Suite is better. Emerson has added an intro from Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy, and an ending from Rimsky-Korsakov's Sabre Dance, which add quite a bit to this crowd pleaser.

Tarkus. Now this version is great, despite Hughes' vocals. Bonilla does some nice fills on his guitar. But again, Emerson & Bonilla have since expanded on this piece in their live shows. Consider this just a taste.