Opinions on Emerson, Lake, and Powell

[Erdy1]

I love the "Emerson, Lake, and Powell" album. Granted, if you have the CD, the two "bonus tracks" at the end are absolutely horrible, but everything up to that point is great. Their rendition of Holst's "Mars" is great - their improvisation in the middle adds to the energy of the original peice. "Learning to Fly" I like much better than a tune of the same name from another very well known band (I like that one too, though). Tracks 1-3 fit together really well, and are full of energy and great writing and playing. "Touch and Go" even made an impact on the radio.

So why have I heard several ELP fans speak so negatively about this one? Obviously Powell isn't Palmer, but he drums well in his own right. The music still sounds basically like ELP. It's a lot better than "3" (which, IMO had 3 really good songs and the rest trash). And again, the two bonus tracks never should have been added - they detract from the album. "Mars" is the perfect closer for the album.

So cast your votes, post your comments, I'm curious what people think here.

[Sonoacustico]

I Love ELPowell,
The Album is very very good, very fresh and with some incredible moments, The Score, The Miracle and Mars are absolute Masterpieces!!! I don't like much of Carl Palmer's drumming, I find it "thin" (maybe several purists will bring war to me because saying this) and sometimes unprecise. I've had the pleasure to listen a VERY good concert of ELPowell (1986) in Lakeland, and Cozy Powell's playing is really awesome! What he did in songs like Knife Edge and specially on PIRATES made me forget any ELPalmer version of that classic. I'd love to have another ELPowell album, buit sadly this will never be possible again. I fully recomend the ELPowell album.
Greetings

Claudio

[R'tanys]

I've never heard this album, but I did attend a concert on this tour, and I was genuinely very impressed with Cozy Powell's performance. His kit was bolted onto a roll cage which spun around during his solo. It was a great show overall.

[Thoughtbecontact]

I agree that the rendition of Mars is very good on this disc. I have an older verison, so I don't have the bonus tracks and it sounds like I'm not missing much. Learning to Fly and Touch and Go, as you mentioned, were also good pieces, but I can't seem to remember the rest of the disc. I might have to dig that out for posterity, but I think if memory serves, the remainder of the songs are weaker. Three was an absolutely horrid album--don't know why I still have that one. BTW, if you follow the link in the thread for the new Steve Howe interview, there is also an interview with Keith Emerson on the same website. It sounds like The Nice are serious about recording a disc of new material.

[ranyart]

I have the cd without the bonus tracks and listen to it all of the time! I love so much of ELPalmer's music my favorite being the "I know it's predictable" "Brain Salad Surgery". I really don't differientiate them that much in a musical sense but yeah, it's always there in your mind that it's a different C. P. on drums, but even that is a trip. What's the chances that of all of the really good to great drummers at Emerson's and Lake's demand they go with a drummer with the same initials and even sound-close last names.
Emerson's and Lake's directions are so clearly established in just about any situation as songwriters and musicians. Let's face it they could have any drummer so why not go with the original C.P. on drums but it's all good so longs as we get to hear the E. and the L.

[Joedude]

I also have the CD without the bonus tracks (seems to be a trend here). It's a good album overall, with I think some of Keith Emerson's best playing. Mars is very well played, and I also like The Miracle as well. And I like the rest of the CD, too.

[heartofthesunrise]

I haven't listened to it for a while, but thanks to this thread, I'll remedy that tonight. I loved this album dearly, probably for the fact that it was my first ELP tour, and when they pulled out Pirates, I signed on as a lifetime fan. I was already a fan, thanks to BSS and Trilogy, but this was such a different sound that it was very captivating. It was a triumph for me to be able to play the keyboard parts of Learning to Fly, probably my fave from the album. Oh, the happy days...

[Q]

I very much enjoyed this album - bought it on vinyl when it first came out! I picked up the CD, and I agree that the bonus tracks really suck! but the album itself --- fantastic!

Q

[yarstruly]

I love it ....The Score is my favorite track!

[markcampbell]

I have the tape version of Emerson, Lake and Powell (talk about old hat!) and have always loved it. I seem to recall purchasing it about the time it came out. I got into ELPalmer through my older brother (he was responsible for getting me into the music of Genesis, Yes and ELP so I have a lot to be grateful to him for). I love the words in the early part of The Score which goes 'It's been so long you're welcome back my friends, To the show that never ends.' I am presently listening to 'Love blind' which has an excellent groove to it. Keith is barnstorming his way through the song as I speak! As much as I like the other songs on this album (and I agree Mars is one hell of an interpretation of one of Holst's planets: ha! I make it sound as if he owns them!), my personal fave would probably be 'Lay down your guns.' I always get emotional when I hear this song, I don't know why. It has such a poignant feel to it, a sad, haunting tone to it. It gets me every time. Oops: it's coming up next! By the way, this is a great thread!

Cheers

Mark

[nightliner]

I don't have the bonus tracks either, nor have I listened to it for a long time, but I do recall thinking it was a pretty good disc.

They were very good in concert. You couldn't really tell its was Powell and not Palmer, and they had a great stage show.

[Thoughtbecontact]

OK, I dug out that disc--going to give it a listen tonight. Then I'll tell you what I think of it again.

[Thoughtbecontact]

Well, I did listen to the Emerson, Lake and Powell disc and I was struck by several things while listening to it.
First, I forgot how much I liked that disc. I somehow forgot about The Miracle. That's quite an excellent piece.

The second thing that struck me is how layered the album is keyboard-wise. Aside from Emerson's staccato keyboard style, the layers are very much like Trevor Rabin-era Yes--and I found that interesting. Does anyone think that this was a by-product of the 80s. Would a Yes even without Trevor Rabin during this period have sounded similar?

[Dances w/PURPLE]

Honestly, I have never heard of Powell in the line-up. I was a huge fan of ELPalmer. Couldn't even tell you if this line-up is touring.

[Thoughtbecontact]

I believe Powell only toured once with the band 86/87, if memory serves me correctly. I saw that incarnation and there were still playing well. That was before Greg Lake's voice was shot. Post Powell, they got back together with Palmer for an a disc called Black Moon and a re-vamped studio version of Pictures at an Exhibition. I don't have either original issue, but have parts of those works on the boxed set "Return of the Manticore." This was in the early 90s, and by this time, Lake's voice was difficult to digest, IMHO--it had become raspy.

I believe the last time they (with Palmer) toured was 1998. Emerson has teamed up again with the Nice (Lee Jackson, Davy O'List), and they have released a disc of live work from their 2002 tour, consisting mainly of old Nice music from the 60s, peppered with ELP classics. There are plans for the trio to release new material sometime in 2004. However, I would think their touring plans would be somewhat limited as Emerson has severe carpal tunnel syndrome.

[1yesfan]

Black Moon was good. The Pictures album was good. I would agree that Lakes vocals are long gone. Black moon tour was decent but his voice was pretty much gone! Too bad. They have a lot of great stuff that will never be heard again.
I at one time also had ELPOWELL. That was a great album! As you all know Powell is dead now.

[Q]

I agree about Black Moon --- but it took me awhile to really get on board with it.

Wish I'd seen that tour!

Q

[Erdy1]

Well, looks like we can't find anybody who doesn't like this one!! I originally posted the thread because although I only know two people who like ELP, neither of them like ELPowell. Personally, I think they never gave the album a chance but dismissed it out of hand.

If you haven't heard it, it's definitely worth checking out. If you get the CD with the bonus tracks, just be sure to stop listening after "Mars!"

[ycantibu]

It's ok I guess. Better than In The Hot Seat! I think Cozy Powell is a great drummer and Greg Lake still had a voice. I had tickets to see them, but they cancelled the tour.

[Thoughtbecontact]

Well, I do have to admit that I liked the instrumental portions of Black Moon and Pictures. Obviously, the guys were/are still able to play well, just like the Yes men. But for me, Greg Lake's voice was his instrument, not in the same way that's Jon's is, but similar. It was his greatest talent, ever more so than bass or guitar--both of which I find him merely average or just above average. (And it definitely is not writing song lyrics, either!)