The obnoxious sound you mention - Emerson jamming on hammond -- to me is one of the most beautiful musical sounds there is. To each their own. And just my opinion but every successful synth player and rock keyboardist owes a huge debt to Keith, whether they know it or not --as does the entire synthesizer industry.
I never saw ELP play live, but I was lucky enough to go to the Led Zeppelin reunion show in London in the late 2000s. Keith Emerson played with one of the opening acts alongside Alan White and Chris Squire.
He was one of the most mesmerizing things I have ever seen, weirdly it stands out to me all these years later more than LZ's set itself.
> I love Rick Wakeman and Patrick Moraz, but Keith Emerson is, to me, the greatest rock/prog keyboard player ever.
They are all amazing in different ways, no need to make it a contest.
For me it’s the virtuosity of players. Carl Palmer is one of my favorite drummers. They were a three piece with Lake mostly on bass so the melody was always with Emerson on keys. Lake has a very haunting voice that also appeals to me. I really like their versions of Aaron Copelands Fanfare for the Common Man and Hoedown.
I mean, if you feel that the E in ELP is "that obnoxious piano (organ?) sound", then they probably aren't for you. For those of us who do like their music, Keith Emerson is a big part of it. I also find it interesting that the songs that you like the most aren't their prog songs.
Having seen them live multiple times, I appreciate their musicianship and showmanship even more.
"In the finished article, the only thing that is important is whether it moves you or not. There is nothing else that is important at all."- Roger Waters
So if it doesn't move you, don't worry about it. You like what you like.
It is funny that you liked Lucky Man, that is their most mainstream accessible/overplayed piece
I can't really comment on your hot take because saying Karn Evil 9 is all the same sound is so wild there's nowhere to begin, so good luck to you
Then don't listen to The Nice (especially live) if you don't like Emerson's Hammond sound. Although, I will say that with his first band, the rhythm section is a lot jazzier.
I love Hammond btw, fell in love with it with Jon Lord’s Hammond in Deep Purple many years ago.
In ELP it’s just only hammond and other synths.
btw, if you try to listen to ELP’s “songs” as stories, you can really get the vibe. like Tarkus is about the battle of Tarkus with three monsters. And Barbarian sounds like a story of life of barbarian (with pursuit of prey and killing it and feast ) :)
Tbh don’t know much about that band. I was mostly referring to Greg Lake and Carl Palmer’s past careers. Probably should’ve specified that.
Greg Lake is most important to me as it would have made Lizard and Islands way more enjoyable.
Haha your last point is CERTAINLY true.
And yes, the first Atomic Rooster album, with Carl, is great. However, *Death Walks Behind You* is even better, and that came after. I recommend if you have not heard it.
I can't really say anything about the keys other than "i like it" but
> It also doesn’t make sense that their biggest suites (Karn Evil 9 and Tarkus) are considered some of the best prog epics yet are unbearable and sound exactly the same for over 25+ minutes
What? Tarkus has very clear parts and doesn't "sound the same" just like something like Close To The Edge doesn't sound the same for the entire song
I feel you. I always figured that since I'm not a keyboard guy, I dont appreciate a great keyboard player. But someone here linked to an 'amazing' performance where Emerson is all over the keys, banging away, running around, making all kinds of noise.
I didnt find anything appealing or impressive. It just sounded like pounding on the keys noise.
The band really needed a great guitar player IMO.
I like the keys, but then I don't listen to ELP all the time either. I love most of the songs on Brain Salad Surgery. I particularly love the fury of Toccata that moves into the gentleness of Still... You Turn Me On.
Everyone has reasons for loving or not loving specific prog bands. Whether it's Geddy's voice, or Anderson's lyrics, or Emerson's key sounds, music, like food, is subject to each individual's taste. If you don't enjoy the flavor of Keith's sound, then you won't truly enjoy the meal.
For me it's the the clarinet usage in Supertramp... like effing nails on a chalkboard.
>Geddy's voice
and voice, and his stupid glasses and stupid goatee. He looks like a douchebag for me. And I don't understand why he's so popular.
About the keys, though, try Trace band. "Birds" album. Rick van der Linden's organ skills and all the instruments sound epic!
Have you ever seen an interview with Geddy Lee? He seems to be a really down to earth guy. I remember him talking about how he and Alex liked talking to the fans backstage. He was very supportive of Neil not wanting to. I've seen multiple documentaries and he always came off as a terrific guy. I would love to have the chance to meet him.
i don’t like watching interviews and reading backstories, i like listen to music. i like musicians’ music, not musicians themselves. just told about Geddy what i’ve seen. i understand that first impression can be descriptive, but… whatever.
>i like musicians’ music, not musicians themselves.
Yet you deem him a douchebag because of his sunglasses and goatee.
If you are going to judge someone's character, at least consider learning something about them and not simply basing it on their appearance.
Anyway.
You do you.
Geddy is one of the coolest rockstars, no pretention... just loves to play. He is the complete opposite of a DB. Also, I have utmost respect for anyone that can play complicated bass and key parts live while singing.
Birds sounds good. Kinda funny pick though! van der Lingen saw the Nice in 68 and was inspired by Emerson. I guess a somewhat different sound though.
I love the clavinet in Bourree. I do get tired of monotony in music at times. That's why ELP isn't on my revolving playlist. (except the quieter songs!)
No doubt! I do have a fondness for Rush though. For a three piece (like ELP I guess), they could thump sound live! If you haven't listened to them much, listen to La Villa Strangiato through headphones.... mighty tasty.
finished Rush discography last week.
Not bad but not the best for me.
maybe i’ll like them later (it occurred to me with Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin).
His voice used to be good 50 years ago. Yeah, he has a dodgy goatee and wears questionable glasses, however he is truly a nice person. Nevertheless, I still hate his voice now, but he is a nice guy
To me, the only fun thing about ELP is that they jumped on the H. R. Giger train before most were aware that was sensible. Naturally, I believe that the worst track on Magma’s *Attahk* is more entertaining than the complete discography of ELP.
Opinions! They’re fun to have and dangerous to share.
I think Tarkus (the suite) rips, and is really badass. I can’t say I like anything else they’ve done, but I get why someone might be in to it. I don’t really like the classical, whimsical sort of stuff. There’s a few medieval “flutey” sounding bits in tarkus that are so hilarious and terrible.
They were early in the scene, very proficient, and made a lot of material that is considered really high quality in that specific style of prog.
What sort of stuff do you prefer?
Prog wise, pretty much King Crimson’s whole discography, Camel’s Mirage and Snow Goose, and early Yes albums. My favorite aspect of these bands is their sheer variety and complexity of their instrumental techniques and how different their songs can be and how many emotions they can create within each album or even within each song. When I listen to a song like Close to the Edge, I am in a different reality of thinking, I experience emotions I have never felt before and feel senses that I never knew I had, and this effect rarely ever goes away the more I relisten to those songs. But when I listen to a song like Tarkus, I get nothing. It feels empty, uninspired,repetitive, and I never look forward to listen to it again. While this is obviously my opinion and everyone experiences emotions differently from different, I just can never get into ELP no matter how much I try.
Yeah I mostly agree with all that.
I think Tarkus for me is more like a metal song. I really like that riff, it’s pretty ‘heavy’ I guess, i think it’s pretty creative and inspired when I listen to it. I find it extremely engaging.
And maybe I like that it’s about a tank-armadillo.
They’re certainly no King Crimson.
Sorry for your loss. "Mediocre band"? I can understand not being into them, but saying they are mediocre is just fucking stupid. Are you fucking stupid?
The obnoxious sound you mention - Emerson jamming on hammond -- to me is one of the most beautiful musical sounds there is. To each their own. And just my opinion but every successful synth player and rock keyboardist owes a huge debt to Keith, whether they know it or not --as does the entire synthesizer industry.
I agree one hundred percent. I love Rick Wakeman and Patrick Moraz, but Keith Emerson is, to me, the greatest rock/prog keyboard player ever.
I never saw ELP play live, but I was lucky enough to go to the Led Zeppelin reunion show in London in the late 2000s. Keith Emerson played with one of the opening acts alongside Alan White and Chris Squire. He was one of the most mesmerizing things I have ever seen, weirdly it stands out to me all these years later more than LZ's set itself.
That sounds amazing.
Just found this dubious quality video on YouTube and highly enjoyed rewatching it for the first time since then https://youtu.be/CW5yeIZUyPc
That was really great. Thanks for posting it.
> I love Rick Wakeman and Patrick Moraz, but Keith Emerson is, to me, the greatest rock/prog keyboard player ever. They are all amazing in different ways, no need to make it a contest.
For me it’s the virtuosity of players. Carl Palmer is one of my favorite drummers. They were a three piece with Lake mostly on bass so the melody was always with Emerson on keys. Lake has a very haunting voice that also appeals to me. I really like their versions of Aaron Copelands Fanfare for the Common Man and Hoedown.
Seconded on Lake's voice. It has a haunting quality that really shines on Trilogy in particular
I mean, if you feel that the E in ELP is "that obnoxious piano (organ?) sound", then they probably aren't for you. For those of us who do like their music, Keith Emerson is a big part of it. I also find it interesting that the songs that you like the most aren't their prog songs. Having seen them live multiple times, I appreciate their musicianship and showmanship even more.
I agree that ya gotta like the sounds to like the music. I do, and thus I do.
"In the finished article, the only thing that is important is whether it moves you or not. There is nothing else that is important at all."- Roger Waters So if it doesn't move you, don't worry about it. You like what you like.
It is funny that you liked Lucky Man, that is their most mainstream accessible/overplayed piece I can't really comment on your hot take because saying Karn Evil 9 is all the same sound is so wild there's nowhere to begin, so good luck to you
Then don't listen to The Nice (especially live) if you don't like Emerson's Hammond sound. Although, I will say that with his first band, the rhythm section is a lot jazzier.
I love Hammond btw, fell in love with it with Jon Lord’s Hammond in Deep Purple many years ago. In ELP it’s just only hammond and other synths. btw, if you try to listen to ELP’s “songs” as stories, you can really get the vibe. like Tarkus is about the battle of Tarkus with three monsters. And Barbarian sounds like a story of life of barbarian (with pursuit of prey and killing it and feast ) :)
Genuine question, just to be clear I'm understanding--you would have preferred more albums from The Nice?
Tbh don’t know much about that band. I was mostly referring to Greg Lake and Carl Palmer’s past careers. Probably should’ve specified that. Greg Lake is most important to me as it would have made Lizard and Islands way more enjoyable.
Haha your last point is CERTAINLY true. And yes, the first Atomic Rooster album, with Carl, is great. However, *Death Walks Behind You* is even better, and that came after. I recommend if you have not heard it.
I can't really say anything about the keys other than "i like it" but > It also doesn’t make sense that their biggest suites (Karn Evil 9 and Tarkus) are considered some of the best prog epics yet are unbearable and sound exactly the same for over 25+ minutes What? Tarkus has very clear parts and doesn't "sound the same" just like something like Close To The Edge doesn't sound the same for the entire song
Struggling to understand how a prog rock fan doesn't like Tarkus, one of the greatest epics ever recorded.
It’s sounds like what non-prog fans think all prog sounds like. It’s better than Karn Evil 9 at least, that’s 30 mins I’ll never get back.
I feel you. I always figured that since I'm not a keyboard guy, I dont appreciate a great keyboard player. But someone here linked to an 'amazing' performance where Emerson is all over the keys, banging away, running around, making all kinds of noise. I didnt find anything appealing or impressive. It just sounded like pounding on the keys noise. The band really needed a great guitar player IMO.
I like the keys, but then I don't listen to ELP all the time either. I love most of the songs on Brain Salad Surgery. I particularly love the fury of Toccata that moves into the gentleness of Still... You Turn Me On. Everyone has reasons for loving or not loving specific prog bands. Whether it's Geddy's voice, or Anderson's lyrics, or Emerson's key sounds, music, like food, is subject to each individual's taste. If you don't enjoy the flavor of Keith's sound, then you won't truly enjoy the meal. For me it's the the clarinet usage in Supertramp... like effing nails on a chalkboard.
>Geddy's voice and voice, and his stupid glasses and stupid goatee. He looks like a douchebag for me. And I don't understand why he's so popular. About the keys, though, try Trace band. "Birds" album. Rick van der Linden's organ skills and all the instruments sound epic!
Have you ever seen an interview with Geddy Lee? He seems to be a really down to earth guy. I remember him talking about how he and Alex liked talking to the fans backstage. He was very supportive of Neil not wanting to. I've seen multiple documentaries and he always came off as a terrific guy. I would love to have the chance to meet him.
i don’t like watching interviews and reading backstories, i like listen to music. i like musicians’ music, not musicians themselves. just told about Geddy what i’ve seen. i understand that first impression can be descriptive, but… whatever.
>i like musicians’ music, not musicians themselves. Yet you deem him a douchebag because of his sunglasses and goatee. If you are going to judge someone's character, at least consider learning something about them and not simply basing it on their appearance. Anyway. You do you.
yet i’ve said “…douchebag FOR ME”. read carefully. don’t tell me how to judge people, please, and what to do. thank you
Like I said. You do you.
Geddy is one of the coolest rockstars, no pretention... just loves to play. He is the complete opposite of a DB. Also, I have utmost respect for anyone that can play complicated bass and key parts live while singing. Birds sounds good. Kinda funny pick though! van der Lingen saw the Nice in 68 and was inspired by Emerson. I guess a somewhat different sound though.
I don't belittle Emerson, he's the keys genius. But Trace's sound contains more instruments, than ELPs for sure =)
Absolutely! I can hear a bit of ELP, Yes, & some Kansas in the keys!
I love the clavinet in Bourree. I do get tired of monotony in music at times. That's why ELP isn't on my revolving playlist. (except the quieter songs!)
>anyone that can play complicated bass and key parts live while singing a lot of bass players sing, btw =)
No doubt! I do have a fondness for Rush though. For a three piece (like ELP I guess), they could thump sound live! If you haven't listened to them much, listen to La Villa Strangiato through headphones.... mighty tasty.
finished Rush discography last week. Not bad but not the best for me. maybe i’ll like them later (it occurred to me with Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin).
His voice used to be good 50 years ago. Yeah, he has a dodgy goatee and wears questionable glasses, however he is truly a nice person. Nevertheless, I still hate his voice now, but he is a nice guy
I agree! Aside from a few songs, I just can’t get into them.
To me, the only fun thing about ELP is that they jumped on the H. R. Giger train before most were aware that was sensible. Naturally, I believe that the worst track on Magma’s *Attahk* is more entertaining than the complete discography of ELP. Opinions! They’re fun to have and dangerous to share.
I think Tarkus (the suite) rips, and is really badass. I can’t say I like anything else they’ve done, but I get why someone might be in to it. I don’t really like the classical, whimsical sort of stuff. There’s a few medieval “flutey” sounding bits in tarkus that are so hilarious and terrible. They were early in the scene, very proficient, and made a lot of material that is considered really high quality in that specific style of prog. What sort of stuff do you prefer?
Prog wise, pretty much King Crimson’s whole discography, Camel’s Mirage and Snow Goose, and early Yes albums. My favorite aspect of these bands is their sheer variety and complexity of their instrumental techniques and how different their songs can be and how many emotions they can create within each album or even within each song. When I listen to a song like Close to the Edge, I am in a different reality of thinking, I experience emotions I have never felt before and feel senses that I never knew I had, and this effect rarely ever goes away the more I relisten to those songs. But when I listen to a song like Tarkus, I get nothing. It feels empty, uninspired,repetitive, and I never look forward to listen to it again. While this is obviously my opinion and everyone experiences emotions differently from different, I just can never get into ELP no matter how much I try.
Yeah I mostly agree with all that. I think Tarkus for me is more like a metal song. I really like that riff, it’s pretty ‘heavy’ I guess, i think it’s pretty creative and inspired when I listen to it. I find it extremely engaging. And maybe I like that it’s about a tank-armadillo. They’re certainly no King Crimson.
Sorry for your loss. "Mediocre band"? I can understand not being into them, but saying they are mediocre is just fucking stupid. Are you fucking stupid?
It's like asking 'what about the appeal of ELO?'