I remember my music teacher back in 1976 asking us to bring in a record to listen to and discuss. All the kids brought in their chart singles. I brought in this album. It was at that point he realised that I was not the same as the other kids. I was 15 at the time and my teacher and I had many deep discussions about music composition. I did start playing guitar at age 4, drums at 8, keyboards at 10 and went on to learn 4 other instruments thanks to progressive rock and my amazing music teacher who encouraged me to do whatever I want. He told my parents that he'd never met a student like me and to support me. They did just that. I'm 60 now and have spent most of my life on stage and in studios. Thank you to Yes, ELP, King Crimson, Rush and so many others. Love your reaction mate. ✌️❤️🇬🇧
I am still fancinated at how 3 musicians can play music on such a granduer scale, I mean the composition arrangement and atmosphere is just perfect, especially the live album version.
Yep, That's Live Music and No mistake. No loops or samples to be seen here and tempo's running all over the place, No Kontakt instruments Just a Hammond Organ and an early incarnation of the Modular Moog, which incidentally needed a second operator behind to keep the VCO's in tune. FABULOUS music. Great review by the way. And you are correct...I saw ELP Live at Wembley Pool in 1974 and this was the piece that blew the roof off the building...Aw, that was one hell of a gig.
Welcome Back My Friends to the Show That Never Ends Ladies and Gentleman, Emerson Lake and Palmer. 1974 Live from the California Jam! This song and album in complete that evening, along with Tarkus and Their 1st Album. All in one night. Search on here for the live video concert under ELP at the California Jam 1974!!
Fun fact: The kit Carl used was made of quarter inch thick stainless steel and had synthesizers built into it. So the drum/ synth unison playing during the drum solo was just Carl. Also the tour kit and percussion on a rotating riser weighed 2.5 tons Maybe a little excessive
Your music mirrors your mind The album cover has two different versions One opens up to show the Medoosa on the inside You get a glimpse of her on the version shown On the live album Welcome Back My Friends Ladies and Gentlemen Emerson Lake and Palmer... does Toccata and the synthesized percussion flawlessly
Cover art by Hans Rudi Giger. Probably most famous for his non-terrestrial design work in Alien (1979). I remember being mesmerised by the cover as I listened to the music. Both forms of art were unique in my experience and captivating. Trivia: the record company insisted on the replacement of a phallic shape in the center of the painting. Best. Leo.
I agree with you live this song would Rock! I’m thinking they played this when I saw them in 1977 or 78! I’m gonna have to look up their set list when they played in St. Louis in 1977 and 78.
Emerson had contemplated recording an adaptation of the 4th Movement ("Toccata concertata") of Ginastera's 1st Piano Concerto as far back as the beginning of 1971. He had heard the toccata for the first time when he was a member of The Nice and had been "struck with the music immediately". Emerson had not considered a possibility of Emerson, Lake & Palmer playing the piece until Palmer proposed to incorporate a drum solo into the trio's repertoire, which would be a core part of the composition. When Emerson played the toccata to Palmer, the latter approved it, and then, the piece was rehearsed by the entire group, although it was quite difficult, since Lake did not read music and Palmer was unable to apply a score written for piano to the drums. Palmer had written a percussion movement with the use of eight specially developed drum synthesizers. This movement with an "atmospheric" electronic sound was inserted in the middle section of "Toccata". Soon after the adaptation was committed to tape in September, the group became aware that they did not have the rights to release this music. Emerson contacted Ginastera's publishers who responded that the composer would not allow any adaptation of his works, but they advised him to talk to him personally. So Emerson flew to Geneva to discuss the issue with Ginastera himself. Once Ginastera heard the new arrangement, he gave the authorization to use his piece. To quote Emerson: "He played our recording of "Toccata" on a tape recorder. After a few bars he stopped the tape ... and exclaimed 'Diabolic!' I thought he said 'diabolical' and expected him to show us the door. He had been listening to the tape in mono and our recording was in stereo. I jumped up and switched the machine to stereo hoping he would listen again. It transpired that he wasn't concerned about that at all. He listened again and declared 'Terrible!' which actually was a compliment. 'You've captured the essence of my music like no one else has before', the great maestro said."
This album was one of our top forty in high school. Popular music was more diverse and interesting then. Jethro Tull, The Who, The Beatles, David Bowie, Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, Genesis, Johnny Winter and more, all different but all on the playlist in everyone's basement or bush party.
Just some notes - huge ELP fan for decades and I play all these instruments but nowhere near this well. :) 1) Of all the ELP classical adaptations, this one is probably the loosest; if you listen to Ginastera's piece, you'll recognize certain themes but for the most part "Toccata" is an original composition. 2) The percussion segment starting at 6:09 is Palmer's custom stainless steel drumkit outfitted with acoustic triggers that set off preset synthesizer effects. Even the rapid sequencer effect that begins the segment is started and stopped by hitting a particular drum. 3) At 5:30, Lake's electric guitar doubles Emerson's synthesizer. 4) After having gotten in trouble for uncredited adaptations on ELP's debut album, Emerson took no chances and personally sought permission from the adapted pieces' composers thereafter. He and a friend traveled to see Ginastera in Switzerland at his home and brought a finished tape of "Toccata" along. Ginastera didn't speak English so his wife translated; after pleasantries Ginastera asked them to run the tape. Ginastera listened intently for a few moments and sternly called out something like "DIABOLIQUE!!," at which point Emerson began to disappear into his chair. Ginastera continued babbling away at which point his wife said something "My husband is very impressed with what you've done." Ginastera gave his blessing, saying that Emerson perfectly captured the mood of his composition. 5) Listen to the live version on WELCOME BACK, MY FRIENDS... - it's more intense and tighter than this version is.
Brain salad surgery, is one heck of an album. Still sounds magic. Hit me like a hammer when I first heard it in 1973. Man they were different. And it’s because of them I absolutely love the sound of the Hammond organ.
Impressions? Loved this album, and this song in particular. First heard it when it came out in '73. Coming in after Jerusalem (which sounds like a taste of the Christian Heaven) Toccata sounds more like, if not hell, Chaos. But this Chaos is very specific. Probably more than any of the other pieces, Toccata really fits the image in the Geiger cover painting. Geiger's art depicted what seemed to be like alien life forms, which he termed "bio-mechanical." (You might be aware that he was the artist behind the Alien, and the Alien ship in, Alien. He vastly improved the flick, considering that the original depicting of the Xenomorph looked like a Christmas Turkey!) To me, his art suggested things that emerged not just from another planet, but an entirely different Universe. That Universe was the habitation of life that was more metallic and machine-like than anything to our knowledge. To me, the music of Toccata evoked what such a Universe might actually be like.
This was the first ever piece I heard of ELP. Back in the mid 1970s I was learning classical piano, I wasn't interested in "pop music", I believed I was above all that. A friend was trying to entice me to join his prog-rock band and I had declined his offer. One day he came over to my house with his cassette recorder and excitedly put this piece of music on. He exclaimed "There, a rock band playing classical music". My first reaction? "That's not classical music". My friend left me the tape, and I listened to it again and the next day went out and bought the album. Because of that I turned my attention to 20th century music and started to read about Ginastera and learn some of his piano pieces, and so began my love-affair with ELP and prog-rock. (more comments under Karn Evil 9)
@DylanG0125 Loosely based on Ginastera's piano concerto (starting Emerson's fascination with piano concertos). Emerson wrote about his first experience of Ginastera's Piano concerto in his autobiography www.amazon.com.au/Pictures-Exhibitionist-Keith-Emerson/dp/1844540537 Apparently Emerson was at a rehearsal for one of ELPs concerts and at the venue was an orchestra rehearsing Ginastera's concerto. Emerson wrote that he thought "a war had broken out" and rushed in to find out what the piece was.
When the lads played a rough cut of the piece, the Composer sat in his char muttering "Diablo!" They thought he didn't like it, but later found out that their cover had frightened him! He loved it! It was supposed to invoke fear.
@@williamhinshaw6838 what is the difference? I seriously ask, between cover and interpretation, would the creator be the real point? when it's bach or mozart it's an interpretation, but when it's nirvana or genesis it's a cover? I would like to know your opinion.
What is this man?,Is totally out this world,talent,talent,talent.very,very,very underrated trio ,One of the most important band of the history,no doubt
The original composer of this piece, Alberto Ginastera, gave Emerson a glowing endorsement of his interpretation. Apparently, Emerson was terrified that he would disapprove but was delighted to get the thumbs up. He went on to play some of his piano solo pieces. ELP did a lot of classical adaptations but this is the wildest. Carl Palmer even had an entire TV arts documentary about his new revolving drum kit. I got this album for Xmas 1973! Thanks, mum!
I noticed that - ELP's album has that quote by the composer in the song listing. I actually got to see Palmer's drum set live, at the latter half of the Works tour, when the group was touring without the orchestra due to budget reasons. Palmer can still play at 70 - just saw a video of his 2019 tour - th-cam.com/video/RwC_aBEUR9E/w-d-xo.html
@@bobholtzmann I saw his ELP legacy tour last year and his drumming was awesome, I was in the front row of a tiny venue and couldn't believe the power of his playing,
Musical masterpiece from maestro Emerson and his two cohorts. Best trio in recorded history! Played it for my ex girlfriend and she lost her mind. Psychotic episode for sure.
... I remember first hearing this as a thirteen year-old (1975) and being blown away. It set parameters to my taste in music that I still bounce between to this day.
I first heard it in early '74 at age 10. It was probably one of the most mind-blowing things I'd ever heard. NOBODY was even remotely using sounds like that at the time!
Keith was one of the greatest keyboard players in the past 50 years. I was fortunate to see every tour ELP made from their first till 1974.I sincerely loved this band. All three were at the top of their game.
I'll never forget the first time I heard this album, and specifically this song. Early 1974, just after it came out. In a friend's basement. I was 15 years old. I laid down on the rug after placing the speakers on either side of my head and just zoned out. Obviously, it was like nothing I'd ever heard before! 😁 The album art was by H.R. Giger, already an established artist and the same guy who went on to design the original aliens and organic/biomechanical sets in, yeah, you guessed it, the movie Alien.
Those drum noises in the solo are keyboard sounds programmed so when Carl hits the drum it makes the weird alien noises. (Basically an early version of Electronic Drums) Really cool should see it when they perform this live
Exactly, midi triggers were used and this led to more midi drum sets and sounds later. The first time I heard this song I was in awe of the drum sounds. AFAIk that had never been done before, at least I had never heard it before.
@@davmtu MIDI hadn't been invented yet. It was done by having two mics on each drum - one for the audio and the other hooked to synthesizers to trigger a programmed sound - but it wasn't MIDI. MIDI wasn't until the early 1980s.
Keith Emerson actually had a chance to meet the composer and play him the demo tape of this. Keith said he was nervous playing it and watching him just listen. Afterwards the composer say to Keith so excited, " Now this is the way my song was meant to be played !! " Keith said it was one of the greatest compliments he ever received
the artwork of album cover is a perfect fit to the music they say the CDs killed vinyl and downloads have killed the CD.. Im so glad as a teenage in the 70’s I got to hold the album cover as the music played, the cover in its self is a piece of art and part of the whole experience when the album was released
I first heard this while browsing in a department store record shop (they used to be a thing). I was 15, it was playing loud 🔊 it quadrophonic stereo... it was terrifying!
My favorite. Used to play this to drive my parents crazy. Love the tympany and gongs, all the while Carl kept playing the bass drums with his foot pedals. This is the real ELP!
Toccata - a virtuoso piece of music typically for a keyboard or plucked string instrument featuring fast-moving, lightly fingered or otherwise virtuosic passages or sections, generally emphasizing the dexterity of the performer's fingers.
I think it's fair to say that this is the band at their absolute peak. What impresses me most about the track is how disciplined the playing is. The instruments become the machines marching in formation through silent streets lined with bowed, defeated crowds, sonic images that invite disturbing parallels with real events only a couple of decades before Ginastera wrote this fascinating piece.
I don't know if anyone has pointed this out but the original album cover folds open at the front. The circle in the center is cut out. Below there is the woman's face without the biomechanical stuff. You fold it back she becomes the undead thing..
A Carl Palmer Tour de Force. The live version is awesome.The Welcome Back my Friends...album from the Brain Salad Tour. It shows how amazing they were. Literally a 3 piece orchestra. Bravo
That amazing drum work @ 4:00-5:50 ish were kettledrums. I remember a short bit I saw on some show showing Carl studying with the world's kettledrum master just prior to BSS being released. He was a true percussionist not just a drummer.
Dave Luce added Synths to Palmer's drum kit. so every time he struck a head, a synth pattern played. Inside the original vinyl record jacket was an album-poster and on it was a call out to Dave.
I love the old fashioned synths. They're sounds we can't really recreate. This piece reminds me of Zappa's more intense instrumental tracks. I recommend The Black Page (Drum Solo)/The Black Page #1 PLUS The Black Page #2, together, both the versions on the Zappa In New York album. It's live, but many Zappa pieces were only ever recorded live, and all of his albums are studio/live mishmashes anyway, so don't let that scare you off. Those two pieces together will both show what the members of his band were truly capable of, and simultaneously explain how Frank Zappa writes his pieces. Also, The Adventures Of Greggery, from the Studio Tan album, is Zappa's ultimate epic masterpiece, taking him 5 years to record, and it shows what he can do as a composer when given the time and space to perfect a composition. Truly amazing stuff. This ELP piece also bears a slight resemblance to the music of Philip Glass, but only a bit. You'll see what I mean on Spaceship. :)
Even after a friend of mine introduced me to ELP and I started enjoying some of their more accessible stuff, this particular song kept eluding me. It took me several years to get there, but now I absolutely love it. To me, this is about as challenging as prog rock gets, and it's awesome. Also, Ginastera himself reportedly loved ELP's adaptation of his work. They had to visit him in person to persuade him to give permission to put his music on the album, and Ginastera didn't usually let anyone do that. But after playing a tape of the recording for him, he was completely enthralled and said he'd never heard his own music sound so much like he always envisioned it while composing it.
I just can't emphasize enough the impact this album had on me when it first came out. I was almost thirteen and it opened strange, new worlds. The first of many.
(Fanfare for the common man)is a Great Song for your review (reaction) !!!!!!!!! 👂👂👂👂👂💎💎💎💎💎👍👍👍👍👍 If I’m not mistaken I heard part of this Song in a TV commercial many years ago but don’t recall what commercial it was that I heard this song in back in the day.
Very few people listening to these guys truly get what’s going on. You have a reasoned view that captures the whole picture. I can’t wait until you do “Pictures at an Exhibition “ you will not be disappointed. I promise!
Trent Reznor, eat your heart out! Industrial before NIN, Ministry, Skinny Puppy, etc. The critics hated ELP, but the public knew better. I've listened to this so many times, it sounds normal to me. I loved your facial reactions, it takes me back to listening to it with fresh ears. I bet even Fripp was taken back by this one. Keep going with this album, it's a great rollercoaster ride!
ELP are progressive rock, they incapsulate everything that is experimental music. There is a reason why they have been my favorite band since 1972! A buddy of mine who wasn't a big ELP fan, would sneak out to his car at lunchtime to listen to this song. He and a coworker who smoke a doobie and blow there minds listening to Toccata! I was waiting to see your reaction to this one! The Karn Evil 9 impressions are also a must! Listen to all three parts together to get the full effect. Roger
This is one of the most mysterious and wonderful adaptations of orchestral compositions of the 20th century. You are hearing one of the first examples of triggered electronic percussion which were installed on Carl Palmer's customized stainless steel drum kit. You are also hearing a large scope of Palmer's skill as a classical percussionist, playing tympani and tubular bells for a large part of the solo section. I believe that it is available to watch on TH-cam live from the California Jam. Their adaptation is to me, more accessible than the original orchestral composition. They have definitely been called pretentious. I have always loved Keith Emerson's response to this comment is "What people have called pretentious, I call ambitious." Check out the live performance. It is completely breathtaking. You have to see it performed to be believed.
One of my favorites on this album is a short one called 'Benny The Bouncer'. If you close your eyes, you're right in the middle of a barfight in an English pub!!..
Now Sidney was a greaser with some nasty roots He poured a pint of Guinness over Benny’s boots So Benny looked at Sidney, and Sidney stared right back in his eye…. Sidney chose a switchblade And benny got a cold meat pie.etc …etc😂😂😂
It was perfectly placed as the tongue in cheek song before the massive Karn Evil 9 epic. ELP were a roller coaster of so many different moods and swings. I never thought Benny The Bouncer was a throw away filler like the critics back then. The critics never understood ELP.
Quoting ELP's lyrics from Pirates, released four years later, I believe this was the song you needed the broadside for: "If you've the stomach for a broadside Come aboard my pretty boys " It's an undisputed masterpiece and left me speechless after first listen back in November 1973. If you get this one - you're a fan!
The precision of keyboards, bass, and percussion in perfect sync - and it is just as good live on the 'Welcome Back my Friends ...' recording. In a way, this is kind of a 'showoff' piece that demonstrates exactly how good these three were on their respective instruments. At the same time, it is superb music and apparently the original composer, Alberto Ginastera, was fond of Keith Emerson and approved of this adaptation.
Hey JP! Just went back and listened to Forever Autmn by Justin Hayward! First of all so cool to see your cat!! Then my deepest condolences to you and your family on the loss of your Grandmother!! Im so sorry! Didn't know that! This song was- JUST BEAUTIFUL!! NEVER HEARD OF THIS!! I used to walk my kids to school with my youngest Joshua on my shoulders while holding my oldest son Ryan's hand!! Great memories!! Glad you had yours too!!! BTW- The narrator is the actor RICHARD BURTON!! GREAT VOICE KINDA LIKE VINCENT PRICE!! Would Love to here more off this albumn!! Loved the acoustics, the strings, and such beautiful vocals for sure!!! My prayers go out to you my friend this THANKSGIVING!! See you tomorrow!! YOUR #1 AZ FAN MICHAEL 😽😸😊😊
Ooooh JP, Karn Evil 9 especially #3, you just have to play #3, it will take you to another planet man. I have found that this album is the most listened to album of progressive music in my collection. I cannot stop, after decades, listening to Karn Evil #3. Please PLEASE for the..., just listen to #3.
❤️ Toccata by ELP..Is absolutely a masterpiece IMHO. ❤️ It hits you like a sledgehammer, and throws you in a mixer afterwards butty. 😊 I've said this over the years to all my mate's, that they were the greatest 3 piece... Ever.. I love this, I adore this album by them. Carl's playing on this is mind blowing ❤️ oh my god!! And Keith, with that dissonant, dark synths are just inspired imo. This is art in a dark, metallic light. This song, album will stand the test of time. Justin... What a wonderful review.. So much respect, understanding, and appreciation. You my friend, like ELP, are in a league of their own butty. 🎶❤️👍👍
"Diabolic!" - Alberto Ginestera. No discussion of the origins of electronic music should exclude ELP. They were basically inventing technology to realize their artistic vision. For his solo showcase, Carl Palmer and Nick Rose (University of Electronics London) devised a set up where each drum had two mics, one to pick up the acoustic sound and one to trigger pre-set synth sounds utilizing 8 cigar box sized synthesizers. I think its easy these days to take for granted what these visionaries accomplished. Now a days, if you want a sound you just push a button on your computer. What these musicians achieved both musically and technologically is staggering. "BSS is the group at the pinnacle of its powers" Carl Palmer.
Closed I thought, Egyptian for some reason. But some kind of x-ray of the sarcophagus and with all the metal bars and machinery some kind of human machine hybrid. ELP medallion where the heart should be But inside it's more of a Greek Kore or Kourus.
Brilliant take on what _progressive_ music is! "Toccata" is a great showcase for Keith Emerson (greatest keyboardist ever, fight me) and Carl Palmer (playing a nutso electronic drum solo). Greg is there playing guitar, but he's a little buried by... everything else going on. He gets his own little moment with "Still... You Turn Me On," the next track. I can't wait to hear your reaction to my favorite ELP song!
This is a challenging piece. It's harsh, aggressive even. As you touched on, and I'm a big fan, but you really have to be in the ELP zone for this. Not something you'd throw on on a whim. The right mindset is needed to appreciate it. Now Ace Ventura, both 1 & 2, hilarious. In 2, loved the drive scene, Ace seemingly being thrown around the Jeep, you assume a bumpy road. Camera pulls back, and it's perfectly normal, his companion staring agog. I used to mimic this on long, or boring drives, a big grin on my face. And to the bemusement of any passengers, and/or other motorists... I was young(er) what you gonna do.
I got to see them a few times over the years and did see the Brain Salad concert which was done in quad and it was mind blowing. Toronto ,Maple Leaf Gardens.
The problem with modern music is that there simply are not enough kettle drum solos! Golly, JP... I just wanted to slowly sip my coffee and wake up a bit. Instead, you barrage me with an evil spring factory. Back when I was a college psychology student, I used this piece to see if I could use instrumental music to distract people from a verbal task. Of course, I wanted the music to be as distractive as possible! (The results were inconclusive. Idiots couldn't do the task (solving anagrams) with or without the music.) Excellent review of ELP at their proggiest. Not exactly lazy Quarantine Tuesday morning fare, but there it is, like a child's swing set in a midnight breeze. By the way do not skip Benny the Bouncer, as one commenter suggested. I love it. Can't wait for your next cheery adventure.
In the early '80s I had just discovered ELP and through them my piano teacher enthusiastically got me the sheet music for Ginestera's Piano Concerto, Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition, Copeland's Hoedown, and Bartok's Allegro Barbaro (aka "The Barbarian"). ELP was one of the first groups I heard that opened the world of truly "progressive" music to me. Today, it's a style often labeled as "prog" but back then we just called it "progressive rock" or "art rock". The rhythms explored by Bartok and Ginestera influenced Emerson. For more Ginestera checkout his string quartets.
Hey Justin, Just an Awesome tune isn't it !!! 😃 Always a Huge highlight of their Live show and played perfectly on the Live album "Welcome Back" Fantastic musical "Chaos & Terror" !! Lol 🎼🎶
Haha...Yes you finally got to this. This is the song I mentioned in the Jerusalem comments about my dad's reaction. We of course loved it...just blew us (brother, sister and I) away. Really loved seeing your facial expressions... When this album came out it sent such a buzz that it was the talk anywhere you went...school, park, movies... Glad you enjoyed the ride Justin... (Note: however great this album is...our fave was Trilogy...oh we played it sooo much)
This was quite an experience live - I got to see it from 7th row seats at Kansas Sate U.'s Ahearn Field House. Carl Palmer's entire percussion set (drums, timpanis, chimes and gong) was on a rotating platform. He also had a ship's bell that he rang by grabbing a string with his mouth. And he rang the gong, too. Quite a show by Carl!
I love listening and learning new things about music that is ‘old’. I found Ginastera’s original work and listened to that; something that would have been next to impossible to do back when ELP’s BSS was released. So I now have a profoundly improved respect for what ELP did with it and who better to rise to the occasion of listening and reacting to this than you? This kind of music, your way of listening and hearing and speaking to all the aspects of it; the informed comments of your listeners. THIS IS MY HAPPY PLACE! An oasis in a world that too often seems dimmed. Great job once again.
Justin - you're doing a bang up job - cheers! I would love for you to do a reaction to Emerson Lake & Palmer's live album "Pictures at an Exhibition" It's based on russian composer Modest Mussorgsky's piano concert (I think it was). The ELP version is of course a "rocked up" version and is the album I heard first of ELP, back in 1972. Recorded in Newcastle City Hall March 26 1971. Thanks! ...oh, and you might want to do a part 1 and 2 of it ;) Greetings from Norway
I remember my music teacher back in 1976 asking us to bring in a record to listen to and discuss. All the kids brought in their chart singles. I brought in this album. It was at that point he realised that I was not the same as the other kids. I was 15 at the time and my teacher and I had many deep discussions about music composition. I did start playing guitar at age 4, drums at 8, keyboards at 10 and went on to learn 4 other instruments thanks to progressive rock and my amazing music teacher who encouraged me to do whatever I want. He told my parents that he'd never met a student like me and to support me. They did just that. I'm 60 now and have spent most of my life on stage and in studios. Thank you to Yes, ELP, King Crimson, Rush and so many others. Love your reaction mate. ✌️❤️🇬🇧
Ginastera said Emerson captured the spirit of his piece like no orchestra ever has. Thanks for posting!
This album and a great weed buzz = another world.
I am still fancinated at how 3 musicians can play music on such a granduer scale, I mean the composition arrangement and atmosphere is just perfect, especially the live album version.
Yep, That's Live Music and No mistake. No loops or samples to be seen here and tempo's running all over the place, No Kontakt instruments Just a Hammond Organ and an early incarnation of the Modular Moog, which incidentally needed a second operator behind to keep the VCO's in tune. FABULOUS music. Great review by the way. And you are correct...I saw ELP Live at Wembley Pool in 1974 and this was the piece that blew the roof off the building...Aw, that was one hell of a gig.
LOVED ELP...Saw them in concert in the later 70's in Chicago. BSS was always amazing and Tarkus too.
Carl Palmer. Tympani. From a percussionist, all I can say...And you have the perfect reaction, and dissection, of this piece.
Welcome Back My Friends to the Show That Never Ends Ladies and Gentleman, Emerson Lake and Palmer. 1974 Live from the California Jam! This song and album in complete that evening, along with Tarkus and Their 1st Album. All in one night. Search on here for the live video concert under ELP at the California Jam 1974!!
Fun fact: The kit Carl used was made of quarter inch thick stainless steel and had synthesizers built into it.
So the drum/ synth unison playing during the drum solo was just Carl. Also the tour kit and percussion on a rotating riser weighed 2.5 tons
Maybe a little excessive
Your music mirrors your mind
The album cover has two different versions One opens up to show the Medoosa on the inside You get a glimpse of her on the version shown
On the live album Welcome Back My Friends Ladies and Gentlemen Emerson Lake and Palmer... does Toccata and the synthesized percussion flawlessly
Cover art by Hans Rudi Giger. Probably most famous for his non-terrestrial design work in Alien (1979). I remember being mesmerised by the cover as I listened to the music. Both forms of art were unique in my experience and captivating. Trivia: the record company insisted on the replacement of a phallic shape in the center of the painting. Best. Leo.
Powerful and explosive all the time! 🤩👍👍
Absolute showcase of magnificence
I agree with you live this song would Rock! I’m thinking they played this when I saw them in 1977 or 78! I’m gonna have to look up their set list when they played in St. Louis in 1977 and 78.
i saw them live 3 times. I miss the experience.
Fantaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaastic,Amazing trio,w.w.w.w.w. ELP
Emerson had contemplated recording an adaptation of the 4th Movement ("Toccata concertata") of Ginastera's 1st Piano Concerto as far back as the beginning of 1971. He had heard the toccata for the first time when he was a member of The Nice and had been "struck with the music immediately". Emerson had not considered a possibility of Emerson, Lake & Palmer playing the piece until Palmer proposed to incorporate a drum solo into the trio's repertoire, which would be a core part of the composition. When Emerson played the toccata to Palmer, the latter approved it, and then, the piece was rehearsed by the entire group, although it was quite difficult, since Lake did not read music and Palmer was unable to apply a score written for piano to the drums.
Palmer had written a percussion movement with the use of eight specially developed drum synthesizers. This movement with an "atmospheric" electronic sound was inserted in the middle section of "Toccata". Soon after the adaptation was committed to tape in September, the group became aware that they did not have the rights to release this music. Emerson contacted Ginastera's publishers who responded that the composer would not allow any adaptation of his works, but they advised him to talk to him personally. So Emerson flew to Geneva to discuss the issue with Ginastera himself. Once Ginastera heard the new arrangement, he gave the authorization to use his piece. To quote Emerson: "He played our recording of "Toccata" on a tape recorder. After a few bars he stopped the tape ... and exclaimed 'Diabolic!' I thought he said 'diabolical' and expected him to show us the door. He had been listening to the tape in mono and our recording was in stereo. I jumped up and switched the machine to stereo hoping he would listen again. It transpired that he wasn't concerned about that at all. He listened again and declared 'Terrible!' which actually was a compliment. 'You've captured the essence of my music like no one else has before', the great maestro said."
Keith recorded Ginastera's "Dance Creole" in the Compilation "Steinway to Heaven", it is a very difficult and impressive piano piece.
Try listening to some of Ginastera's other piano music, it's terrifying!
That sounds so argentinian. Not to brag or anything, but we are used to say "bad words" to compliment someone.
That's a lot of background knowledge I didn't know for decades. Thanks!
This album was one of our top forty in high school. Popular music was more diverse and interesting then.
Jethro Tull, The Who, The Beatles, David Bowie, Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, Genesis, Johnny Winter and more, all different but all on the playlist in everyone's basement or bush party.
ELP was my second favorite band when I was growing up in the 70’s! Second only to Rush..lol
Total Prog bliss! Loved this since I was a mere pup. Still 💗 it as a long in tooth, shaggy cur.
Just some notes - huge ELP fan for decades and I play all these instruments but nowhere near this well. :) 1) Of all the ELP classical adaptations, this one is probably the loosest; if you listen to Ginastera's piece, you'll recognize certain themes but for the most part "Toccata" is an original composition. 2) The percussion segment starting at 6:09 is Palmer's custom stainless steel drumkit outfitted with acoustic triggers that set off preset synthesizer effects. Even the rapid sequencer effect that begins the segment is started and stopped by hitting a particular drum. 3) At 5:30, Lake's electric guitar doubles Emerson's synthesizer. 4) After having gotten in trouble for uncredited adaptations on ELP's debut album, Emerson took no chances and personally sought permission from the adapted pieces' composers thereafter. He and a friend traveled to see Ginastera in Switzerland at his home and brought a finished tape of "Toccata" along. Ginastera didn't speak English so his wife translated; after pleasantries Ginastera asked them to run the tape. Ginastera listened intently for a few moments and sternly called out something like "DIABOLIQUE!!," at which point Emerson began to disappear into his chair. Ginastera continued babbling away at which point his wife said something "My husband is very impressed with what you've done." Ginastera gave his blessing, saying that Emerson perfectly captured the mood of his composition. 5) Listen to the live version on WELCOME BACK, MY FRIENDS... - it's more intense and tighter than this version is.
Brain salad surgery, is one heck of an album. Still sounds magic. Hit me like a hammer when I first heard it in 1973. Man they were different. And it’s because of them I absolutely love the sound of the Hammond organ.
Impressions? Loved this album, and this song in particular. First heard it when it came out in '73. Coming in after Jerusalem (which sounds like a taste of the Christian Heaven) Toccata sounds more like, if not hell, Chaos. But this Chaos is very specific. Probably more than any of the other pieces, Toccata really fits the image in the Geiger cover painting. Geiger's art depicted what seemed to be like alien life forms, which he termed "bio-mechanical." (You might be aware that he was the artist behind the Alien, and the Alien ship in, Alien. He vastly improved the flick, considering that the original depicting of the Xenomorph looked like a Christmas Turkey!)
To me, his art suggested things that emerged not just from another planet, but an entirely different Universe. That Universe was the habitation of life that was more metallic and machine-like than anything to our knowledge. To me, the music of Toccata evoked what such a Universe might actually be like.
The cover is by H.R Giger, who also designed the monster of Alien films. :)
Tocatta is the essence of ELP.
This was the first ever piece I heard of ELP. Back in the mid 1970s I was learning classical piano, I wasn't interested in "pop music", I believed I was above all that. A friend was trying to entice me to join his prog-rock band and I had declined his offer. One day he came over to my house with his cassette recorder and excitedly put this piece of music on. He exclaimed "There, a rock band playing classical music". My first reaction? "That's not classical music". My friend left me the tape, and I listened to it again and the next day went out and bought the album. Because of that I turned my attention to 20th century music and started to read about Ginastera and learn some of his piano pieces, and so began my love-affair with ELP and prog-rock. (more comments under Karn Evil 9)
They’ve been my favorite rock band since I first heard them in the late 70’s. Their live performances were beyond belief.
this is a cover song from an expresionist musician Alberto Ginastera, most ppl think is from elp, but they did the perfect cover version
Well pointed out Alan!
@DylanG0125 Loosely based on Ginastera's piano concerto (starting Emerson's fascination with piano concertos). Emerson wrote about his first experience of Ginastera's Piano concerto in his autobiography www.amazon.com.au/Pictures-Exhibitionist-Keith-Emerson/dp/1844540537 Apparently Emerson was at a rehearsal for one of ELPs concerts and at the venue was an orchestra rehearsing Ginastera's concerto. Emerson wrote that he thought "a war had broken out" and rushed in to find out what the piece was.
When the lads played a rough cut of the piece, the Composer sat in his char muttering "Diablo!"
They thought he didn't like it, but later found out that their cover had frightened him!
He loved it!
It was supposed to invoke fear.
@@pirobot668beta yes, that history amazed me
@@williamhinshaw6838 what is the difference? I seriously ask, between cover and interpretation, would the creator be the real point? when it's bach or mozart it's an interpretation, but when it's nirvana or genesis it's a cover? I would like to know your opinion.
What is this man?,Is totally out this world,talent,talent,talent.very,very,very underrated trio ,One of the most important band of the history,no doubt
The original composer of this piece, Alberto Ginastera, gave Emerson a glowing endorsement of his interpretation. Apparently, Emerson was terrified that he would disapprove but was delighted to get the thumbs up. He went on to play some of his piano solo pieces. ELP did a lot of classical adaptations but this is the wildest. Carl Palmer even had an entire TV arts documentary about his new revolving drum kit. I got this album for Xmas 1973! Thanks, mum!
I noticed that - ELP's album has that quote by the composer in the song listing. I actually got to see Palmer's drum set live, at the latter half of the Works tour, when the group was touring without the orchestra due to budget reasons. Palmer can still play at 70 - just saw a video of his 2019 tour - th-cam.com/video/RwC_aBEUR9E/w-d-xo.html
@@bobholtzmann I saw his ELP legacy tour last year and his drumming was awesome, I was in the front row of a tiny venue and couldn't believe the power of his playing,
Musical masterpiece from maestro Emerson and his two cohorts. Best trio in recorded history! Played it for my ex girlfriend and she lost her mind. Psychotic episode for sure.
... I remember first hearing this as a thirteen year-old (1975) and being blown away. It set parameters to my taste in music that I still bounce between to this day.
I did this album absolutely to death when I first got it and still love it to this day.
I first heard it in early '74 at age 10. It was probably one of the most mind-blowing things I'd ever heard. NOBODY was even remotely using sounds like that at the time!
Don’t forget the Trilogy album! It has some of their best stuff on it! 👍
Some of Keith's best piano solos.
Definitely one of their best. BSS was also a great follow-up to Trilogy. Trilogy indeed, had some of their most beautiful compositions.
Their best album , just beats the debut !Trilogy that is .
Keith was one of the greatest keyboard players in the past 50 years. I was fortunate to see every tour ELP made from their first till 1974.I sincerely loved this band. All three were at the top of their game.
Ahhh... memories of my youth playing this on turntable.
The Hammond & Leslie are just brutal on this one....love it !! Always have. 😎
I'll never forget the first time I heard this album, and specifically this song. Early 1974, just after it came out. In a friend's basement. I was 15 years old. I laid down on the rug after placing the speakers on either side of my head and just zoned out. Obviously, it was like nothing I'd ever heard before! 😁
The album art was by H.R. Giger, already an established artist and the same guy who went on to design the original aliens and organic/biomechanical sets in, yeah, you guessed it, the movie Alien.
Those drum noises in the solo are keyboard sounds programmed so when Carl hits the drum it makes the weird alien noises. (Basically an early version of Electronic Drums) Really cool should see it when they perform this live
Exactly, midi triggers were used and this led to more midi drum sets and sounds later. The first time I heard this song I was in awe of the drum sounds. AFAIk that had never been done before, at least I had never heard it before.
No actual keyboards involved, just drum triggers setting off synthesizers
@@davmtu MIDI hadn't been invented yet. It was done by having two mics on each drum - one for the audio and the other hooked to synthesizers to trigger a programmed sound - but it wasn't MIDI. MIDI wasn't until the early 1980s.
@@panurge987 1984
@@panurge987 You are correct, I was using the Term MIDI but I do remember it was miked that triggered a synth. Have a great holidy.
Keith Emerson actually had a chance to meet the composer and play him the demo tape of this. Keith said he was nervous playing it and watching him just listen. Afterwards the composer say to Keith so excited, " Now this is the way my song was meant to be played !! " Keith said it was one of the greatest compliments he ever received
Thats amazing 😄
Thx for this info, I’m going to relisten.
You are correct about hearing this live. Do check out the Welcome Back live album. You won't regret it.
Listening to the whole album is a great experience.
the artwork of album cover is a perfect fit to the music they say the CDs killed vinyl and downloads have killed the CD.. Im so glad as a teenage in the 70’s I got to hold the album cover as the music played, the cover in its self is a piece of art and part of the whole experience when the album was released
Ginastera had commented that he felt that Emerson's take on his piece caught the essence of his work
Have you been reading album sleeves again !
Everyone ..get on the dance floor...get ready to cut a rug!!
I first heard this while browsing in a department store record shop (they used to be a thing). I was 15, it was playing loud 🔊 it quadrophonic stereo... it was terrifying!
I bet it was!
That disturbing cover art is by H. R. Geiger, who designed the A L I E N and derelict space ship (interior and exterior) from the 1979 movie.
This is top level stuff. Not for the weak of heart or music wimps
Greg's playing bass in a decent portion of it and plays guitar in a bit. Incredibly threatening piece of music. Clearly not for everyone. I love it.
My favorite. Used to play this to drive my parents crazy. Love the tympany and gongs, all the while Carl kept playing the bass drums with his foot pedals. This is the real ELP!
Toccata - a virtuoso piece of music typically for a keyboard or plucked string instrument featuring fast-moving, lightly fingered or otherwise virtuosic passages or sections, generally emphasizing the dexterity of the performer's fingers.
I think it's fair to say that this is the band at their absolute peak. What impresses me most about the track is how disciplined the playing is. The instruments become the machines marching in formation through silent streets lined with bowed, defeated crowds, sonic images that invite disturbing parallels with real events only a couple of decades before Ginastera wrote this fascinating piece.
I don't know if anyone has pointed this out but the original album cover folds open at the front. The circle in the center is cut out. Below there is the woman's face without the biomechanical stuff. You fold it back she becomes the undead thing..
Album cover was done by H R Giger who was instrumental in the creature design on Alien.
A Carl Palmer Tour de Force. The live version is awesome.The Welcome Back my Friends...album from the Brain Salad Tour. It shows how amazing they were. Literally a 3 piece orchestra. Bravo
Yes, that has to be among the best live productions of all time. 👍
That amazing drum work @ 4:00-5:50 ish were kettledrums. I remember a short bit I saw on some show showing Carl studying with the world's kettledrum master just prior to BSS being released. He was a true percussionist not just a drummer.
If I was DJing at a giant rave, I would drop this track into the middle of the set.
Id love to see it😄
Dave Luce added Synths to Palmer's drum kit. so every time he struck a head, a synth pattern played. Inside the original vinyl record jacket was an album-poster and on it was a call out to Dave.
I love the old fashioned synths. They're sounds we can't really recreate. This piece reminds me of Zappa's more intense instrumental tracks. I recommend The Black Page (Drum Solo)/The Black Page #1 PLUS The Black Page #2, together, both the versions on the Zappa In New York album. It's live, but many Zappa pieces were only ever recorded live, and all of his albums are studio/live mishmashes anyway, so don't let that scare you off. Those two pieces together will both show what the members of his band were truly capable of, and simultaneously explain how Frank Zappa writes his pieces. Also, The Adventures Of Greggery, from the Studio Tan album, is Zappa's ultimate epic masterpiece, taking him 5 years to record, and it shows what he can do as a composer when given the time and space to perfect a composition. Truly amazing stuff.
This ELP piece also bears a slight resemblance to the music of Philip Glass, but only a bit. You'll see what I mean on Spaceship. :)
The best synths in music
He really wrings the neck on the synths during this piece.
Don't forget JP that this was released in 1973 when synthesizers were still a relatively new thing. also 1st synth drum.
Ian Wallace was using synth drums on the ‘71-2 tours of King Crimson. That doesn’t mean they weren’t developing similar ideas at the time, of course.
Keith Emerson had a close collaboration with Robert Moog experimenting with exploring how to create new sounds
Emerson would have to move 1/4 inch jacks to program different parts of the synth.
Even after a friend of mine introduced me to ELP and I started enjoying some of their more accessible stuff, this particular song kept eluding me. It took me several years to get there, but now I absolutely love it. To me, this is about as challenging as prog rock gets, and it's awesome.
Also, Ginastera himself reportedly loved ELP's adaptation of his work. They had to visit him in person to persuade him to give permission to put his music on the album, and Ginastera didn't usually let anyone do that. But after playing a tape of the recording for him, he was completely enthralled and said he'd never heard his own music sound so much like he always envisioned it while composing it.
I was into ELP from my childhood (still am) in the 80s, then got heavily into Radiohead from about 96.
yes. greg plays the guitar in the middle but sounds like emerson. look up California jam toccatta is played live
After listening to this for 46 years I am convinced Greg is using a bass octave pedal on his Zematis six string for the solo.
You're a brave man, Justin, for sitting through this. 👍🏼
I just can't emphasize enough the impact this album had on me when it first came out. I was almost thirteen and it opened strange, new worlds. The first of many.
Upon hearing ELP's version of his Toccata, Alberto Ginastera said this is the way that my music should be played.
(Fanfare for the common man)is a Great Song for your review (reaction) !!!!!!!!! 👂👂👂👂👂💎💎💎💎💎👍👍👍👍👍 If I’m not mistaken I heard part of this Song in a TV commercial many years ago but don’t recall what commercial it was that I heard this song in back in the day.
Very few people listening to these guys truly get what’s going on. You have a reasoned view that captures the whole picture. I can’t wait until you do “Pictures at an Exhibition “ you will not be disappointed. I promise!
Keith had to get Ginastera's okay to do this. Ginastera later said that "Keith Emerson has beautifully caught the mood of my piece."
Saw ELP play this live in quad sound in Rich stadium (Buffalo). Absolutely blew me away. Bought a modular synth immediately!
Trent Reznor, eat your heart out! Industrial before NIN, Ministry, Skinny Puppy, etc. The critics hated ELP, but the public knew better. I've listened to this so many times, it sounds normal to me. I loved your facial reactions, it takes me back to listening to it with fresh ears. I bet even Fripp was taken back by this one. Keep going with this album, it's a great rollercoaster ride!
One of my Holy Trinity of bands. I love this piece. Thank you.
I'm guessing Yes and possibly Rush if you're in the states?
ELP are progressive rock, they incapsulate everything that is experimental music. There is a reason why they have been my favorite band since 1972! A buddy of mine who wasn't a big ELP fan, would sneak out to his car at lunchtime to listen to this song. He and a coworker who smoke a doobie and blow there minds listening to Toccata! I was waiting to see your reaction to this one! The Karn Evil 9 impressions are also a must! Listen to all three parts together to get the full effect. Roger
This is one of the most mysterious and wonderful adaptations of orchestral compositions of the 20th century. You are hearing one of the first examples of triggered electronic percussion which were installed on Carl Palmer's customized stainless steel drum kit. You are also hearing a large scope of Palmer's skill as a classical percussionist, playing tympani and tubular bells for a large part of the solo section. I believe that it is available to watch on TH-cam live from the California Jam. Their adaptation is to me, more accessible than the original orchestral composition. They have definitely been called pretentious. I have always loved Keith Emerson's response to this comment is "What people have called pretentious, I call ambitious." Check out the live performance. It is completely breathtaking. You have to see it performed to be believed.
Ringo owns it now.
The best possible introduction to the ELP 🙂
Its a Disturbing Masterpiece. One of my Top 5 Favorites, Carl Palmers drum kit was massive in 1973, at one point weighing over a Ton
ton
Ringo owns it now, has for years....
👍
When I first saw Emerson, Lake in 1970 you couldn't see Palmer. Just sticks flying above his kit.
You mean 2.5 tons...
One of my favorites on this album is a short one called 'Benny The Bouncer'. If you close your eyes, you're right in the middle of a barfight in an English pub!!..
Haha, im ready for it!
Now Sidney was a greaser with some nasty roots
He poured a pint of Guinness over Benny’s boots
So Benny looked at Sidney, and Sidney stared right back in his eye….
Sidney chose a switchblade
And benny got a cold meat pie.etc …etc😂😂😂
It was perfectly placed as the tongue in cheek song before the massive Karn Evil 9 epic. ELP were a roller coaster of so many different moods and swings. I never thought Benny The Bouncer was a throw away filler like the critics back then. The critics never understood ELP.
Quoting ELP's lyrics from Pirates, released four years later, I believe this was the song you needed the broadside for:
"If you've the stomach for a broadside
Come aboard my pretty boys
"
It's an undisputed masterpiece and left me speechless after first listen back in November 1973.
If you get this one - you're a fan!
The precision of keyboards, bass, and percussion in perfect sync - and it is just as good live on the 'Welcome Back my Friends ...' recording. In a way, this is kind of a 'showoff' piece that demonstrates exactly how good these three were on their respective instruments. At the same time, it is superb music and apparently the original composer, Alberto Ginastera, was fond of Keith Emerson and approved of this adaptation.
Excellent music adaptation...and totally agree with you that it almost single-handedly brings the H.R. Giger album cover to life!
Hey JP! Just went back and listened to Forever Autmn by Justin Hayward! First of all so cool to see your cat!! Then my deepest condolences to you and your family on the loss of your Grandmother!! Im so sorry! Didn't know that! This song was- JUST BEAUTIFUL!! NEVER HEARD OF THIS!! I used to walk my kids to school with my youngest Joshua on my shoulders while holding my oldest son Ryan's hand!! Great memories!! Glad you had yours too!!! BTW- The narrator is the actor RICHARD BURTON!! GREAT VOICE KINDA LIKE VINCENT PRICE!! Would Love to here more off this albumn!! Loved the acoustics, the strings, and such beautiful vocals for sure!!! My prayers go out to you my friend this THANKSGIVING!! See you tomorrow!! YOUR #1 AZ FAN MICHAEL 😽😸😊😊
Funny how the next song on the album is such a restrained, beautiful Greg Lake ballad.
Ooooh JP, Karn Evil 9 especially #3, you just have to play #3, it will take you to another planet man. I have found that this album is the most listened to album of progressive music in my collection. I cannot stop, after decades, listening to Karn Evil #3. Please PLEASE for the..., just listen to #3.
Your getting better and better at what you do ! ..Now if I could only have Amnesia so I could listen to all these songs again for the first time
Aw ty!
❤️ Toccata by ELP..Is absolutely a masterpiece IMHO. ❤️
It hits you like a sledgehammer, and throws you in a mixer afterwards butty. 😊
I've said this over the years to all my mate's, that they were the greatest 3 piece... Ever.. I love this, I adore this album by them. Carl's playing on this is mind blowing ❤️ oh my god!!
And Keith, with that dissonant, dark synths are just inspired imo. This is art in a dark, metallic light.
This song, album will stand the test of time. Justin... What a wonderful review.. So much respect, understanding, and appreciation.
You my friend, like ELP, are in a league of their own butty.
🎶❤️👍👍
They were really something else!
"Diabolic!" - Alberto Ginestera. No discussion of the origins of electronic music should exclude ELP. They were basically inventing technology to realize their artistic vision. For his solo showcase, Carl Palmer and Nick Rose (University of Electronics London) devised a set up where each drum had two mics, one to pick up the acoustic sound and one to trigger pre-set synth sounds utilizing 8 cigar box sized synthesizers. I think its easy these days to take for granted what these visionaries accomplished. Now a days, if you want a sound you just push a button on your computer. What these musicians achieved both musically and technologically is staggering. "BSS is the group at the pinnacle of its powers" Carl Palmer.
The cover painting is by Giger, the guy who created the creature from Alien. He is a mad Swiss painter.
Closed I thought, Egyptian for some reason. But some kind of x-ray of the sarcophagus and with all the metal bars and machinery some kind of human machine hybrid. ELP medallion where the heart should be But inside it's more of a Greek Kore or Kourus.
Yeeesir🤘 sounds like a bad late 70s sci-fi flick soundtrack 😄it's so good
Brilliant take on what _progressive_ music is!
"Toccata" is a great showcase for Keith Emerson (greatest keyboardist ever, fight me) and Carl Palmer (playing a nutso electronic drum solo). Greg is there playing guitar, but he's a little buried by... everything else going on. He gets his own little moment with "Still... You Turn Me On," the next track. I can't wait to hear your reaction to my favorite ELP song!
This is a challenging piece. It's harsh, aggressive even. As you touched on, and I'm a big fan, but you really have to be in the ELP zone for this. Not something you'd throw on on a whim. The right mindset is needed to appreciate it. Now Ace Ventura, both 1 & 2, hilarious. In 2, loved the drive scene, Ace seemingly being thrown around the Jeep, you assume a bumpy road. Camera pulls back, and it's perfectly normal, his companion staring agog. I used to mimic this on long, or boring drives, a big grin on my face. And to the bemusement of any passengers, and/or other motorists... I was young(er) what you gonna do.
Yes the jeep scene is hilarious, as is the rhino scene😅
@@JustJP I love that movie, too! My favorite part is when Ace roars after his head finally gets out!
Liiiike a glove!
Look for (Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Fanfare For The Common Man) Olympic Stadium Montreal.
A show that warms the heart, but not the hands. Brrrrrr ...
As a hitting things with sticks type of guy I love the POWER of this track .
I got to see them a few times over the years and did see the Brain Salad concert which was done in quad and it was mind blowing. Toronto ,Maple Leaf Gardens.
The problem with modern music is that there simply are not enough kettle drum solos!
Golly, JP... I just wanted to slowly sip my coffee and wake up a bit. Instead, you barrage me with an evil spring factory.
Back when I was a college psychology student, I used this piece to see if I could use instrumental music to distract people from a verbal task. Of course, I wanted the music to be as distractive as possible! (The results were inconclusive. Idiots couldn't do the task (solving anagrams) with or without the music.)
Excellent review of ELP at their proggiest. Not exactly lazy Quarantine Tuesday morning fare, but there it is, like a child's swing set in a midnight breeze.
By the way do not skip Benny the Bouncer, as one commenter suggested. I love it. Can't wait for your next cheery adventure.
In the early '80s I had just discovered ELP and through them my piano teacher enthusiastically got me the sheet music for Ginestera's Piano Concerto, Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition, Copeland's Hoedown, and Bartok's Allegro Barbaro (aka "The Barbarian").
ELP was one of the first groups I heard that opened the world of truly "progressive" music to me.
Today, it's a style often labeled as "prog" but back then we just called it "progressive rock" or "art rock".
The rhythms explored by Bartok and Ginestera influenced Emerson. For more Ginestera checkout his string quartets.
Hey Justin, Just an Awesome tune isn't it !!! 😃
Always a Huge highlight of their Live show and played perfectly on the Live album "Welcome Back"
Fantastic musical "Chaos & Terror" !! Lol 🎼🎶
Haha...Yes you finally got to this. This is the song I mentioned in the Jerusalem comments about my dad's reaction. We of course loved it...just blew us (brother, sister and I) away. Really loved seeing your facial expressions...
When this album came out it sent such a buzz that it was the talk anywhere you went...school, park, movies...
Glad you enjoyed the ride Justin...
(Note: however great this album is...our fave was Trilogy...oh we played it sooo much)
Haha now I understand what your father must've said 🤣
This was quite an experience live - I got to see it from 7th row seats at Kansas Sate U.'s Ahearn Field House. Carl Palmer's entire percussion set (drums, timpanis, chimes and gong) was on a rotating platform. He also had a ship's bell that he rang by grabbing a string with his mouth. And he rang the gong, too. Quite a show by Carl!
That's exactly what I love about the album, it's both beautiful and unsettling. Keyboard is a highlight here,its sound is so forward-thinking
I love listening and learning new things about music that is ‘old’. I found Ginastera’s original work and listened to that; something that would have been next to impossible to do back when ELP’s BSS was released. So I now have a profoundly improved respect for what ELP did with it and who better to rise to the occasion of listening and reacting to this than you? This kind of music, your way of listening and hearing and speaking to all the aspects of it; the informed comments of your listeners. THIS IS MY HAPPY PLACE! An oasis in a world that too often seems dimmed. Great job once again.
That means a lot Glenn, ty and im so happy to hear how much you been enjoying the music
the album cover opens like a triptych too... uber cool!
Justin - you're doing a bang up job - cheers! I would love for you to do a reaction to Emerson Lake & Palmer's live album "Pictures at an Exhibition" It's based on russian composer Modest Mussorgsky's piano concert (I think it was). The ELP version is of course a "rocked up" version and is the album I heard first of ELP, back in 1972. Recorded in Newcastle City Hall March 26 1971. Thanks! ...oh, and you might want to do a part 1 and 2 of it ;) Greetings from Norway
TY Even! I'll keep it in mind
It was recorded live in a former movie theatre.Manticore Studios.