Emerson Lake and Palmer

I have only heard the Tarkus album, but its pretty good!

 

i saw them in 1972 .

 

Lucky you! When I listen to Tarkus all I can think of is just a big rolling machine or something, hehe!

 

1. The Barbarian (4:27): Distorted bass is joined by organ and a pounding backbeat; the tempo increases to a mini-crescendo and then we have a "Dave Brubeck" section! At around 3:20 the lads increase the tempo and work it up to a rousing climax. Palmer's drumming is very precise and Emerson's keyboards meld with Lake's bass superbly. This piece is fairly complex (Bartok appears in the credits!) and quite heavy. An invigorating mixture of rock, jazz and classical music, and no vocals.
2. Take A Pebble (12:32): This begins with Emerson stroking his piano strings and is joined by bass and cymbals, but it is Greg Lake's beautiful baritone vocal which makes this track special, complemented by some delicate piano work from Emerson. The track changes pace at 2:25 and the opening motif is jazzed up; at 3:38 we move into a nice Greg Lake acoustic guitar break with electronic sounds of dripping water. This progresses into a country-style clap-along which moves into more sophisticated acoustic guitar and is joined by piano again. This develops into a jazzier track as Emerson begins to experiment with and develop the piano part; a piano, bass and drums jazz session ensues and, at 10:55 we return to the main motif with Lake's vocal. This is a superb, complex track which I can listen to again and again. jazz fans will love it!
3. Knife-Edge (5:04): Janacek gets a credit here, but it's a great rock track really! Good bass playing and vocals from Greg Lake and a heavy organ sound from Emerson. Grows heavier as the song progresses, with a superb, Bach-like keyboard demonstration at 3:25. This will be great live!
4. The Three Fates (7:46): A three-parter, played by Emerson and comprising: (a) Clotho (on the Royal Festival Hall organ - majestic!), (b) Lachesis (a beautifully melodic piano solo); and (c) Atropos (piano trio where, at 4:52, he's joined by Palmer on drums and percussion).
5. Tank (6:49): A fat bass is joined by drums and synthesiser and develops into an interesting counterpoint jam. The drums gradually gain influence and from 2:00 it's a rather entertaining Carl Palmer solo. He's joined by Lake (bass) and Emerson again at 4:12 and the track finishes as a march. There's some nice electronic keyboard work by Emerson which helps raise this track from the ordinary.
6. Lucky Man (4:36): This is the best track on the album. It begins with acoustic guitar and a gentle vocal from Greg Lake, accompanied by some superb complimentary drumming from Palmer. Overlaid harmony swells out the vocal part and it all sounds superb. Then at 3:14 in comes Emerson with the sexiest Moog sound you have ever heard in your life - it makes an already great track truly wonderful.
VERDICT: This is an important album in many ways; it combines a range of musical styles; it develops those styles while melding them together and the musicianship is excellent. It's difficult to believe that there are only three musicians at work here, although Emerson has the talent to play a different keyboard instrument with each hand! This music will not be to everyone's taste, but there are pieces that will definitely be appreciated. The best tracks are 'Take A Pebble', Knife-Edge' and 'Lucky Man'. Greg Lake's vocals contribute a great deal to the appeal of these tracks and we perhaps need to hear more of him. A very interesting first album from this trio. I'll give it (8/10).
Interesting Facts: "Emerson, Lake & Palmer" was released in November 1970 and reached No 4 in the UK album charts, and No 18 in the US.
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Their greatest hits CD is great. That's the only one I have.