I think this song covers all bases. Keith Emerson is THE world class keyboard wunderkind. It shows off Carl Palmer's brilliance at jazz drumming, a difficult style for a drummer. And Greg's vocals and lyrics are genius.
honouring for ever these two crucial parts/members of the trio "of all times" (and my heart still cries for missing them) but also absolutely honouring the sole survivor, the Legend on drums: Carl Palmer
Yes, it took me a year before I could listen to them again. I will never forget my brother's words when he told me . "Today is a sad day brother. Keith Emerson passed today." l what a legacy he left.
psbarrow I hope you can try not to feel that way for too much longer. I don’t think sadness and tragedy is how he (or his family) would want to have us to remember him. He devoted his whole life to music. It’s not so much how anyone dies that matters, but rather how they lived. x
Keith was my wife’s ‘next door’ neighbour in East Sussex for 17 years (actually the houses were about half a mile apart but hey, when you have money 😎). Keith regularly popped in for a cuppa...and brought over his mates like Lee Jackson and Jack Bruce (this was before i met her btw!) Her kids and Keith’s sons played together, and kept in touch into adulthood. Keith would often go to the village pub on Sunday afternoons and bang away on the upright piano. A truly great musician and an even greater guy 👍
oh ELP... and here I have a story of how I met Greg Lake (rest in peace) in a german retirement home as a 20 year old guy :D it's sometimes a small world. I don't know if I already told this, but let the bragging begin: It was 2005 and at that time we still had conscription here in germany. If you didn't want to go to the military for 9 or 12 months you could choose community service for the same duration. That's what I did. So I ended up in a retirement home for a year. Before Easter 2006 a relatively new resident told me that her son-in-law will come with his family from England over for Easter. And I said "oh wow he really comes from england just to visit on Easter? That's a very nice guy". Then she said that he is a musician but she doesn't know exactly what he does. And then, in a very heavy german accent she said "his name is Greg Lake"... and I stared at her... "what? Greg Lake?... but but... but you don't mean THE Greg Lake? From ELP? (only few years earlier I got into ELP). No way!" ... She said she doesn't know what his bands name is etc. I went to one of the geriatric nurses and told him "Is her son-in-law really Greg Lake?" He: "yep..." .. Me: "from ELP?"... he again: "yep!"... I was freaking out. Finally on easter he showed up and he took his mother-in-law out for a nice day. I could only say "oh hi.. Mr Lake.. I'm a big fan... omg omg omg" ...I was so nervous that I could not really speak. But well... I met him, yay! His wife was born Regina Böttcher and she was a model in the 70's when they married. Her mother Maria died in 2009 in the retirement home I worked at. You can still find the death notice online in a retirement home's journal. :-\ true story.
Mach deine Begegnung mit ihm nicht kleiner. Du hast ihn getroffen und weißt den Moment zu schätzen. Und du hast ausgedrückt, dass du ihn bewunderst. Ich traf einmal John Cleese und traute mich nicht ihn anzusprechen.
Tintop Cool story! Did Greg Lake say anything back to you? I never met him face to face but in 2013 when he did his outdoor “Storytellers” on the first Moody Blues Cruise (he had 2nd billing) there was a Q&A session near the end, and I asked him if he ever had any formal voice training. I complimented him for his rich and powerful voice. He said he never had any formal training. Something else he said at that Storytellers session I didn’t know was that he was only 12 when he wrote the song “Lucky Man.” Very impressive ... We saw him later on the cruise as we walked through the private dining area one afternoon and he was there with a woman, probably his wife. I didn’t try to say anything to him. He gave off a “keep away” vibe and made a point not to mingle or talk to any fans.on the cruise. I saw his concerts twice and he used tapes while playing various instruments. Even without a band he was fabulous live. I had also seen him with a band in NYC in 2009. There are some videos of him from the cruise on RUclips. I took one of C’est La Vie. It’s not good quality but you can find it on my channel. What a phenomenal talent!
@@AqualungsBreath Ich kümmerte mich ja um seine Schwiegermutter und machte sie auch für das Treffen fertig. Die hatte echt Haare auf den Zähnen, auch eine sehr starke Persönlichkeit, ich habe sie echt gemocht....auch wenn ich sie letztendlich nur circa ein halbes Jahr betreut habe bevor mein Zivildienst vorüber war. Als er dann auf unsere Etage kam hat er ja auch erstmal die Pfleger*innen alle begrüßt und die Stationsleitung. Na und mich natürlich auch weil ich grad bei seiner Schwiegermutter war hehe .. es kam einem echt unwirklich vor.
Can't imagine any band now having the talent or the guts to produce music like this. Glad for me that I grew up with them, sad for kids now that they didn't. Only hope some of them catch on.
I first heard this tune in 1979. It changed my musical life anyway. The intro is Emerson scraping piano strings, pressing keys to create a minor 9th chord. He is really demonstrating MODAL JAZZ which is my favorite music. I am multi instrumentalist and I definitely love this tune. It is pretty unsettling and scary. The song is in DORIAN mode which is a minor mode....This is one tune that led me to study jazz/modes. It's cool how you said at first listen you were not sure where it was going. The lyrics are really cryptic and eerie. I think maybe this tune was comprised of many ideas the band had and incorporated into one song. It is a bit long, but I always enjoy this tune. I can hear bits and pieces of McCoy Tyner in Emersons playing, when he is using 4th based chords. Overall this is a briliant masterpiece.
Lake was as great on Guitar as he sings and plays bass. A band I feel slipping away into forgotten history...:(...This is the first prog I ever heard in my life in 73...When I heard Tank; It started me as a drummer to which I am still to this day...Practice to the best and If you can get half way there; you'll still be considered Very Good or even great...:)
Approaching ELP can be like the Saxe poem about the blind men and the elephant: any single shorter tune will probably emphasize one part of the band over the others. Those longer epic pieces are where all the elements - multiple keyboards, varied percussion, bass, guitar, and vocals all blend as singularly important parts of a greater whole. Take a Pebble is closer than the other Lake ballads to presenting that. But something like Tarkus or Trilogy or The Endless Enigma or Karn Evil 9 will give you the entire ELP panorama. FYI - that opening "zesty" sound is Emerson strumming the strings inside the box of his grand piano. When I first heard it, I thought it was an autoharp.
Very good point! I wonder about the people who bought this album for Lucky Man and then got hit by The Barbarian. You must check out Justin's reaction to the Barbarian. It is really funny!
I swear, there was no one out there doing this type of quiet epic. Jazzy, serious music on a rock album. This was the time for releasing the creative mind of an entire generation. The spirit can still be summoned!
For me, Greg Lake had the best male voice in progressive rock, and he was a naturally gifted songwriter, bassist and acoustic guitarist. Keith Emerson was considered the most technically advanced keyboard player of the early 70s prog movement. He was certainly very gifted and could be very engaging and interesting but he wasn’t always focused and never got me in the heart like Tony Banks or John Tout from Renaissance did. Greg Lake and Keith Emerson both died too soon at age 69, too close together. John Tout died in 2015 was just 70. They all left quite a lasting musical legacy that can never be repeated. May they RIP 💙
Every song off this album is a MASTERPIECE. When they played this live they would have a folky tune by Greg Lake called Blu The Dog and when they would go into Keiths piano solo He`d play a couple of jazz melodies including the intro to the Song Tank which is on side 2 you`d love this entire album and it gives u a taste of their music its always better to go in order rather than skip to the massive opus of Tarkus.
Agree. This album is the right place to start. But yeah, Tarkus. I mean, Tarkus is a monster in every way. And if at all possible the live version off "Welcome Back My Friends" album...
When people say ELP are overblown and pretentious it always reminds me of the fact that some of JS Bach's contemporaries called him the same thing. Bach was one of Keith Emerson's musical inspirations. I read that their science fiction epic Karn Evil 9 is being a made into a major motion picture. Keep up the good work Justin!
Mark.... that would be great ! Karn Evil 9 movie. I've listened to this since '73-ish. And I know every damn note. Air-guitar, air-bass, air-piano. ;-)
You got that Justin, Keith incorporates Classical Into Prog and Carl Brings in The Jazzy drumming Lake brings the voice their one of Progs most Successful Bands
Some music is for background. Some for party and dancing. Then there is music you must close your eyes and listen to every note and become immersed in the glorious journey. We don't get enough of that type of music anymore.
@Sebastian playing or composing ? is the question, playing I agree with a small difference 1 Wakeman 2. Emerson, composing 1 Banks 2. Emerson 3 Roger Hodgson
Yes this is their most jazzie piece. The strings are plucking and scraping the strings within the piano. Uniquely brilliant track. All members are at their best here.
Hey JustJP, My FB friend send me this video. I was Keith’s partner for ten years before his passing in 2016. You are spot on about the classical and jazz influences. Keith never even considered himself as a “prog” guy. Lol.
Hi there Mari, thank you so much for watching and enjoying the video. I appreciate your insight into Keith as well, and I'm very sorry about his passing. I hope that you and your family are doing well and staying safe. Please take care!
Oh the good old days...peace and love era...with great music and great words and melodies! I was only 8 but I loved my oldest brothers music.and still listen to it today!
This stunning First album was an extension of what "The Nice" had started. Shame you didn't have the luxury I had of listening to the development such a talented group of musicians as it happened. King Crimsons 1969 album "In the Court of the Crimson King" with Greg Lake and "The Nice" self titled album with Keith Emerson in 1969 were my favourite albums at the time, what a band it was that came from the ashes. Love your vids taking me back to those days. I was so lucky to have seen these bands live. Keep up the Great shows.
This song is pure magic to me and I've heard it probably a hundred times. Lake's keyboard work is incredible but absolutely love Palmer's jazz drumming on this track. Either of them on their own are awesome, but the melding of the two is bliss.
Spot on with the Classical and Jazz influences. In fact one whole album is all classical music by Mussorgsky, "Pictures At an Exhibition." This particular song was written by Greg Lake the guitarist. Whenever there are lyrics he wrote them.
Hi JustJP. FYI Take A Pebble was the first song ELP ever recorded together as a group, the rest is history. I hope the future of music will be kind to them.
Of course, a masterpiece. Very original. Keith shows how deep he knows classical music and jazz, because he incorporates such elements so naturally, so efortlessly. And so many advised commentators here ... really impressive. I feel I belong to a very exquisite club. Justin, "Knife Edge" is a must (a very energetic song). Thank you.
Also worth to point out The First side is 3 compositions by all three of them all of them add something to each song Emerson is the star of Take a Pebble i See Carl Palmer is the Star on The Barbarian and Lake is the star on Knife Edge. Side Two is a composition each by the three of them. The Three Fates is an Emerson Piece, Tank includes Carl Palmer's iconic Drum solo and Lucky Man was wrote by Lake when he was 13.
Wondering when you would get to this one Smart to stick with first album for now What a glorious song is this....epic masterpiece Anyone want a definition of prog? Take a Pebble The piano the drums the bass and guitar work and one of the memorable voices in rock history and one of the great lyricists So glad to have seen them in concert Miss them in our lives RIP Greg and Keith One wonders what it must be like for Carl to be without them now Transcendent tune ...moving
Justin My Man!! Michael here!! Thank you so much for doing some more ELP!! Haven't heard this in awhile!! Your reaction was PERFECT!! I couldn't have said it any better!! I love how you said it wasn't so much what they were playing in the middle but what they WERENT!! So spot on as always!! Such a talented bunch of musicians!!! We used to go camping in the mountains of AZ almost every weekend in high school and we would play this in my friends Toyota truck on his 8- track!! Along with Yes of course and some pink Floyd!! Great times!!! I graduated in 1976!! Fabulous time for music!!! You must watch ELP LIVE in TOLLWOOD FESTIVAL 1997!! Emerson's solo at the end is OFF THE CHAINS SICK!!!! Please watch on your own time! They open the show with TAKE A PEBBLE!! It's only 45 min long so please enjoy!!! I get where your going also by saving the best of your reactions to bands for last!! Keeps us coming back for more JUSTJP!!! Love your work my friend and watch out for those ALIENS out there okay?? Wouldn't want to read that you've been abducted or something!!! ClOSE ENCOUNTERS!!! Lol your #1 AZ FAN Michael!😊😊😊 Have a great weekend my man!! Peace to everyone out there!!!
It is important also that you watch them playing live, because they were born to play live than you get the real grasp of who they are, how astonishingly well they play and how hugely entertaining they are.
Unless you are ready to go big, ELP is over the top, grandiose muse. I love it, but it has almost as many detractors as it does fans. Love that in this band. Never walked the line. Produced their first 5 albums in less than 3 full years with huge tours. In my top 5 Rock bands from day one. Glad you are attempting it slowly. Tarkus, All of Karn Evil 9, Trilolgy.... heavy stuff, for me, it is why the lighter music is so dang good. Sheriff, hoedown are full of color and fun! Cheers Buddy, enjoy the ride.
As usual you pretty much nailed the band, progressive rock infused with classical, jazz and even folk music. Three gifted musicians who were truly equals in the contributions to the sound that is ELP.!!! R.I.P. Greg & Keith..
They played this at the concert I was at in my hometown back in 1972, their Enigma tour. It was the first concert I’d ever been to and as a 14 year old I had no idea what to expect but remember the large tank/tarkus on the side of the stage and Keith Emerson throwing his keyboards around. A showman through and through. It’s those memories of great musicians the you cherish.
Micheal again! Just wanted to say how cool that story was of the guy who met Greg Lake at a nursing home on Germany!! Thats a beautiful story!! RIP GREG AND KEITH. For sure!! Just researched a video of them on the Kathy And Regis Show in the late 90s! Awesome!! Great response by the studio crowd!😊😊😊
If you this this song is packed with emotion, listen to Trilogy. It takes you through all the stages of a relationship. The bliss, the angst, the anger, the frustration, the beginning, and the end. One of the reasons I love ELP. Saw them in 1977. Best show I've ever seen.
Peacefull song I Always love to hear ; thanks Justin Keith was a Genius and I miss him ; I was shocked when I got the so sad news in 11 march 2016 Greg so good singer , bassplayer and composer R I P both of you I like the way Rachel Flowers saves the memory of Keith Emerson
Growing up in the 60's and 70's it's fascinating to see the reactions of younger people hearing nothing like this most likely in their entire lifetime...being a classical and jazz musician I often wonder how much music can one listen to given the many different styles available.
The piano instrumental is lovely. The three of them play beautifully together. The feeling is so organic. Not sure it's a great piece of songwriting. But you're right, the way it breathes it so fresh.
One of my favourite songs from a great album. Emmerson was a master on keyboards, nobody better. I always loved Greg Lakes voice (and looks). Both sadly missed x
ELP was a favorite early on. RIght after I heard Lucky Man. I was 9 when the album came out and Take A Pebble grew on me in no time. 50 yrs later I am still listening.
YESSS!!! Favourite ELP song Best off the album in my opinion I love this album one of Very Best Debut albums of all time, Tarkus is a amazing song but if you do the rest of this album it’s just terrific. “Juuuussstt Take a Pebbleeeee.....”
I don't know how or why, but the sound quality of your reactions are usually much better than elsewhere on RUclips. Keep doing whatever you are doing. The sound is fantastic.
Power trio. Greg Lake on vocals and guitars, including bass guitar. Carl Palmer on drums. Keith Emerson on keyboards. Each a phenomenal musician as you already have, and will discover. Lake also played/sang for King Crimson. Palmer played for a version of Yes called Asia.
Yes it's me again!! Just got back from a walk and listened to this on headphones!! Just beautiful!! Just wanted to say!! Greg Lake, Jon Anderson, Peter Gabriel, and Annie Haslam! The heat powerhouse of the 70s and of our genre!! One more thing for all of us following you: whos better you guys and dolls?! Emerson or Wakeman?? Ttyl Micheal!!
"The song...really breathes..." Excellent way to describe this, JP. I feel fortunate to claim this band and song as a part of the soundtrack of my life. Even now parts of this song can make me weep.
There's a lot to digest, so I had to hear the song second time and as you mentioned this song is all about the piano. The intro reminded me of being a kid and climbing on the piano, opening the lid and raking the strings. The piano with the slow vocals was nice and melodic and was a pleasant listen. The next moment is when the guitar comes in. I was also getting a folk vibe, and it sounds like he's playing in an open tuning. Again I liked the vocals with the guitar. The next moment is the piano solo accompanied with the drums. This for me was the best part of the song. I was getting a jazz vibe and just loved the drumming in this section. The song then closes with the slow vocals and drums. I should also mention the drummer in certain sections of the song is using mallets to get that timpani drum effect. Really enjoyed this track, nice choice and reaction.
Back To ELP Justin.. Didn't see that coming 😊🤘👍. Personally, I think this song is such tour de force.. Even with that subtle folk/country acoustic section, which I've grown to love over the years Justin. The beauty of the singing and Keith's pianoforte work is just sublime imho. ❤️ Take a Pebble still gets to me even now. After all these years Justin, it still puts a big smile on my face.. Period. It's a work of art, and emotion definitely. ♥️ Thanks For going back to this, and them butty. 😊 Made my day for sure. All the best to you both, and have a great day butty. 😊 I think, given time, I think you'll grow to love ELP Justin.
My first contact with ELP was when their Pictures at an exhibition was sent on Swedish TV sometimes in the Winter 1970/1971. It must have been the same concert as is available on RUclips today. Most amazing was the sounds Emerson got out of his synteziser. That was totally new to me and my brother. Could rock music sound like this! It was an eyeopener also to classical music in general. When it later was available on vinyl it was one of the first albums I bought. / Erik Åhlander Sweden
I love the way you listen, I'm a dancer and your body language shows me that you are not trying to try to push the music in a direction, what most of the people who react to music do, you just follow the music. So, thank you. Sorry for my english, it is not my first language.
I haven`t begun watching the video yet, just wanted to thank you for making my friday a bit special this week. Hope you had fun with this song, onward to the next.. :)
A lot of ELP music you have to think Close to the Edge genre. But there's some really beautiful stuff like this, also off the Trilogy album, and Greg Lake usually does a ballad for each album that is beautiful. Tarkus is a mind bender for sure, takes some strength to get thru that but still great stuff.
JP, you need to check one of the live performances of this circa 1970. Absolutely mind blowing. You are correct in your observation of classical + jazz + folk. The three of them brought their individual styles and influences together and produced some of the best music of the era. My recommendation to you would be Pirates from the Works Vol. 1 album. Re: the lyrics...you got it! :)
Hey JustJP, thanks for your wonderful intelligent thoughtful reviews. Keep them coming! I would love to see your review of Works Volume 1, and in particular Fanfare for the Common Man. All three musicians were at their peak by then, particularly Emerson. You have to remember that in the era of the earlier ELP albums the keyboard technology was in a state of development. So the sounds Emerson could produce were from a limited timbral palette. Yes, ELP composed and performed extraordinary music in their early period, but technologically constrained. By the time you get to the late 1970s Emerson had the Yamaha GX1, the first time we hear (as far as I know) Emerson on a polyphonic synthesizer. By then he had written and performed his own piano concerto. So what can a musician with that level of keyboard skill do with a keyboard machine that has an almost infinite sound palette compared with anything before? Like Bach with the "italian concerto" for solo two manual harpsichord, Emerson take Copland's Fanfare and turns it into a concerto for 3 manual synthesizer. When I first heard it in the late 1970s it was like nothing I had heard before. The era of unlimited music synthesis had begun. The opening brass timbres controlled immaculately through polyphonic pressure sensitive keys captures the essence of the ideal brass player. I hope you can do a review and I would love to hear your thoughts.
I would encourage you to check out Rachel Flowers, a young blind pianist who started playing ELP songs when she was 9. She's fantastic and Keith Emerson communicated with her in 2011. I particularly love her rendition of the K. Emerson Piano Concerto #1 in which she plays piano and flute at the same time!
When we were 18 we always went to this park on Sundays, all the kids would be there partying. We hooked up a speaker system on my friends car with quick disconnect plugs to hook up our outside speakers from his car, this was always a must play!
Great song, jazz, prog, classical & hillybilly in perfect harmony. Many listeners have told you to go to Tarkus, I'd suggest Trilogy and the title song or The Endless Enigma (with Fugue and Part 2). They are the best ELP for me.
This song takes on a character and life all it’s own. Listen to it with a good set of headphones in a dim or dark room and it reveals a lot. Justin, you gave a good observation of the song. Yes, they were known as Prog Rock, but they really put together a complex piece of music with Keith Emerson’s classical piano with a touch of a jazz beat on drums from Carl Palmer along with Greg Lake’s tremendous vocals and acoustic guitar. Excellent example of all of their talents both collectively as a group and individually. That was what ELP was really all about.
The section mentioned at 16:40 that you compare to a zither (which is a good analogy) is actually played by Keith Emerson by reaching into his open grand piano and strumming across the strings (which you can see on live performances). I didn't know this until a couple of years ago. Also, the hootenanny section (again a good call!) includes in live performances the folk song "I've got a dog and his name is Blue," which doesn't work nearly as well for me and I'm glad it's not on the record! Thank you for an excellent review of this song. I am actually jealous of your first listen of one of my favorites by ELP, which I bought when I was about 14 when Lucky Man first came out and still listen to with the same love and awe after all this time.
I should have read comments first as I have obviously been beaten to the punch about several things. But it's such an amazing piece and illustrates how wrong another person-a piano snob, for lack of a better description- was when he wrote that Keith was "just a synthesizer player."
It's a great track. The music takes you on a journey. I read an interview with Greg Lake in Melody Maker, in the early 70s, and Greg was quite dismissive of the lyrics. They are just words added to the song. They don't mean anything. He said. In the beginning, contains brilliant guitar work by Greg. All three of them are masters in their own fields. Keith had classical training and tried to develop that music in a rock format. Good assessment of the track.
I believe the sound at the beginning of just take a pebble is Kieth Emerson strumming a piano internals I saw them in concert and he was in the piano it was awesome concert beyond description in London Ontario’s tiny centennial hall 👍👍👍. I listen to this band from the beginning in late 1969 or early 1970 . I still have their cds in my car for my hour commute each way ,I love going to work lolol
This has always been my favorite ELP song. Listening with you just now, I'm struck with how much the piano work reminds me of Keith Jarrett's early solo concerts (someday you need to explore Keith Jarrett's "Solo Concerts" and "Koln Concert"). You review of this song is excellent in every way. It's a joy to see someone discover this song and explore ELP. They had been critically maligned for so long, but were dearly loved by so many. (As a side note, there are quite a few classical music critics who've admitted that it was ELP who introduced them to classical music.Imagine discovering classical music through rock'n'roll!)
If you like Keith's Jarrett's Köln Concert, you should check out Nils Frahm. Imagine a cross between Keith Jarrett and Tangerine Dream with a bit of Steve Reich in the mix as well.
I would recommend finding some of the live versions of this song (and others). ELP live was great because they obviously loved to jam, with Emerson throwing in all sorts of little odd bits. I really like the version off of 'Welcome Back My Friends', although it is part of a medley. Great stuff as always, and looking forward to 'Tarkus' whenever you decide to do it. :-)
@@JohnBrooking4 I had not seen this video before, great stuff! Very fun to watch and listen to. I just noticed there are bits of 'Tarkus' in the jamming part, but I think this was recorded before Tarkus came out so obviously Emerson already had bits of the song in mind.
Emerson was striving towards the classical/progressive, Lake - towards pop/folk, and Palmer - towards jazz/funky/fusion. :-) Not just on this song. :-)
I saw them several times back n the day - evey show was a winner. Give a listen to Welcome Back My Friends to the Show That Never Ends - a great rocker that they used to open the show with in later years.
Just to warn you, "Knife Edge," the album's next track, is another gut punch... though not quite as much as "The Barbarian." ; ) Other lengthier ELP tracks to check out leading up to "Tarkus" (and "Karn Evil 9"): "The Endless Enigma (Part 1)/Fugue/The Endless Enigma (Part 2)," "Trilogy," "Toccata," and "Fanfare for the Common Man."
That was really worth it! Wasn't expecting this extended version. So much more of a journey to that Otherland than the one I knew. Thanks. I suppose knowing the shorter version, as I did, made the middle more "navigable". Picky pronunciation note: the "the" in zither sounds like "the". Keith Emerson and Greg Lake both died in 2017 - Greg just from an illness that was killing him, and Keith, by suicide. He had such bad arthritis (or some other crippling of the hands) that he couldn't play the keyboards like he had been able to, and this was too much for him to bear, so he ended his own life. Sad story, but at some level I think I can understand? If you're such a great pianist, the piano is "your life" at a very deep level. If you lose it, you die a bit - maybe so much that you lose the ability to see the value of the rest of your life?
When I was a kid I thought ELP were the Future; then, for decades, they seemed firmly consigned to the Past. I'm glad to see them appreciated afresh in a new Present. (Now I'm going for a lie down...)
Great review as always JP. Take a pebble is my favorite song from this album. Now, just to make different ELP suggestions from others: You should listen to endless enigma from Trilogy, the best ELP album in my opinion to listen to. Then from works vol 1 listen to Pirates, c’est la vie and Emerson’s piano concerto No1 Great review!
![BLACK BAG - Official Trailer [HD] - Only in Theaters March 14](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Du0Xp8WX_7I/mqdefault.jpg)
I think this song covers all bases. Keith Emerson is THE world class keyboard wunderkind. It shows off Carl Palmer's brilliance at jazz drumming, a difficult style for a drummer. And Greg's vocals and lyrics are genius.
Keith was a musical genius who teamed up with two other virtuoso musicians. There will never be another ELP!
Thanks JP, their music will live forever! (or until the sun burns out)
All three guys were top talented geniuses! Some jazz some classical and some progressive rock. Pure genius!
Justin, the opening strumming was of Keith Emerson hand-plucking his own Piano's internal Strings.
Such a cool technique - sounds like a harpsichord!
@@michaellaporte4951 Witness ruclips.net/video/IaYsgjn82GA/видео.html
Here’s how Keith did it. ruclips.net/video/IaYsgjn82GA/видео.html
Rand Kelly Nice...never seen this....thanks for the link!
You beat me to it
Keith and Greg, sadly missed.
honouring for ever these two crucial parts/members of the trio "of all times" (and my heart still cries for missing them) but also absolutely honouring the sole survivor, the Legend on drums: Carl Palmer
Every time I hear discussions of Keith now, I just feel so sad about how he left us.
Still breaks my heart. Loved Keith.
Yes, it took me a year before I could listen to them again. I will never forget my brother's words when he told me . "Today is a sad day brother. Keith Emerson passed today." l what a legacy he left.
psbarrow I hope you can try not to feel that way for too much longer. I don’t think sadness and tragedy is how he (or his family) would want to have us to remember him. He devoted his whole life to music. It’s not so much how anyone dies that matters, but rather how they lived. x
My birthday, 6-1/2 years ago March 11, I woke up to the news of Keith's death. I'm still kind of shocked.
Keith was my wife’s ‘next door’ neighbour in East Sussex for 17 years (actually the houses were about half a mile apart but hey, when you have money 😎). Keith regularly popped in for a cuppa...and brought over his mates like Lee Jackson and Jack Bruce (this was before i met her btw!) Her kids and Keith’s sons played together, and kept in touch into adulthood. Keith would often go to the village pub on Sunday afternoons and bang away on the upright piano. A truly great musician and an even greater guy 👍
oh ELP... and here I have a story of how I met Greg Lake (rest in peace) in a german retirement home as a 20 year old guy :D it's sometimes a small world. I don't know if I already told this, but let the bragging begin:
It was 2005 and at that time we still had conscription here in germany. If you didn't want to go to the military for 9 or 12 months you could choose community service for the same duration. That's what I did. So I ended up in a retirement home for a year. Before Easter 2006 a relatively new resident told me that her son-in-law will come with his family from England over for Easter. And I said "oh wow he really comes from england just to visit on Easter? That's a very nice guy". Then she said that he is a musician but she doesn't know exactly what he does. And then, in a very heavy german accent she said "his name is Greg Lake"... and I stared at her... "what? Greg Lake?... but but... but you don't mean THE Greg Lake? From ELP? (only few years earlier I got into ELP). No way!" ... She said she doesn't know what his bands name is etc.
I went to one of the geriatric nurses and told him "Is her son-in-law really Greg Lake?" He: "yep..." .. Me: "from ELP?"... he again: "yep!"... I was freaking out.
Finally on easter he showed up and he took his mother-in-law out for a nice day. I could only say "oh hi.. Mr Lake.. I'm a big fan... omg omg omg" ...I was so nervous that I could not really speak. But well... I met him, yay!
His wife was born Regina Böttcher and she was a model in the 70's when they married. Her mother Maria died in 2009 in the retirement home I worked at. You can still find the death notice online in a retirement home's journal. :-\
true story.
Mach deine Begegnung mit ihm nicht kleiner. Du hast ihn getroffen und weißt den Moment zu schätzen. Und du hast ausgedrückt, dass du ihn bewunderst. Ich traf einmal John Cleese und traute mich nicht ihn anzusprechen.
Wow, what a cool story. Thanks!
Loved reading that experience, thanks Tintop!
Tintop Cool story! Did Greg Lake say anything back to you?
I never met him face to face but in 2013 when he did his outdoor “Storytellers” on the first Moody Blues Cruise (he had 2nd billing) there was a Q&A session near the end, and I asked him if he ever had any formal voice training. I complimented him for his rich and powerful voice. He said he never had any formal training.
Something else he said at that Storytellers session I didn’t know was that he was only 12 when he wrote the song “Lucky Man.” Very impressive ...
We saw him later on the cruise as we walked through the private dining area one afternoon and he was there with a woman, probably his wife. I didn’t try to say anything to him. He gave off a “keep away” vibe and made a point not to mingle or talk to any fans.on the cruise. I saw his concerts twice and he used tapes while playing various instruments. Even without a band he was fabulous live. I had also seen him with a band in NYC in 2009.
There are some videos of him from the cruise on RUclips. I took one of C’est La Vie. It’s not good quality but you can find it on my channel.
What a phenomenal talent!
@@AqualungsBreath Ich kümmerte mich ja um seine Schwiegermutter und machte sie auch für das Treffen fertig. Die hatte echt Haare auf den Zähnen, auch eine sehr starke Persönlichkeit, ich habe sie echt gemocht....auch wenn ich sie letztendlich nur circa ein halbes Jahr betreut habe bevor mein Zivildienst vorüber war. Als er dann auf unsere Etage kam hat er ja auch erstmal die Pfleger*innen alle begrüßt und die Stationsleitung. Na und mich natürlich auch weil ich grad bei seiner Schwiegermutter war hehe .. es kam einem echt unwirklich vor.
Can't imagine any band now having the talent or the guts to produce music like this. Glad for me that I grew up with them, sad for kids now that they didn't. Only hope some of them catch on.
That album came out the same year I was born. I don’t think it was a coincidence. I was born to love this album my entire life.
"The three bands on Atlantic I am most excited about right now are Led Zeppelin, YES, and Emerson Lake & Palmer". - Ahmet Ertegun, 1974
Agreed - jazz and classical influences are definitely in there.
My favorite ELP song of all time. Piano is superb.
I first heard this tune in 1979. It changed my musical life anyway. The intro is Emerson scraping piano strings, pressing keys to create a minor 9th chord. He is really demonstrating MODAL JAZZ which is my favorite music. I am multi instrumentalist and I definitely love this tune. It is pretty unsettling and scary.
The song is in DORIAN mode which is a minor mode....This is one tune that led me to study jazz/modes.
It's cool how you said at first listen you were not sure where it was going. The lyrics are really cryptic and eerie. I think maybe this tune was comprised of many ideas the band had and incorporated into one song. It is a bit long, but I always enjoy this tune. I can hear bits and pieces of McCoy Tyner in Emersons playing, when he is using 4th based chords. Overall this is a briliant masterpiece.
Lake was as great on Guitar as he sings and plays bass. A band I feel slipping away into forgotten history...:(...This is the first prog I ever heard in my life in 73...When I heard Tank; It started me as a drummer to which I am still to this day...Practice to the best and If you can get half way there; you'll still be considered Very Good or even great...:)
Reactors are discovering them every day. I'm so excited to see how ELP can still thrill.
Approaching ELP can be like the Saxe poem about the blind men and the elephant: any single shorter tune will probably emphasize one part of the band over the others. Those longer epic pieces are where all the elements - multiple keyboards, varied percussion, bass, guitar, and vocals all blend as singularly important parts of a greater whole. Take a Pebble is closer than the other Lake ballads to presenting that. But something like Tarkus or Trilogy or The Endless Enigma or Karn Evil 9 will give you the entire ELP panorama. FYI - that opening "zesty" sound is Emerson strumming the strings inside the box of his grand piano. When I first heard it, I thought it was an autoharp.
Very good point! I wonder about the people who bought this album for Lucky Man and then got hit by The Barbarian. You must check out Justin's reaction to the Barbarian. It is really funny!
I always thought that it was a zither.
I swear, there was no one out there doing this type of quiet epic. Jazzy, serious music on a rock album. This was the time for releasing the creative mind of an entire generation. The spirit can still be summoned!
For me, Greg Lake had the best male voice in progressive rock, and he was a naturally gifted songwriter, bassist and acoustic guitarist. Keith Emerson was considered the most technically advanced keyboard player of the early 70s prog movement. He was certainly very gifted and could be very engaging and interesting but he wasn’t always focused and never got me in the heart like Tony Banks or John Tout from Renaissance did.
Greg Lake and Keith Emerson both died too soon at age 69, too close together. John Tout died in 2015 was just 70. They all left quite a lasting musical legacy that can never be repeated. May they RIP 💙
Greg and Keith were not the same age. Greg died at 69. Keith was 71.
Every song off this album is a MASTERPIECE. When they played this live they would have a folky tune by Greg Lake called Blu The Dog and when they would go into Keiths piano solo He`d play a couple of jazz melodies including the intro to the Song Tank which is on side 2 you`d love this entire album and it gives u a taste of their music its always better to go in order rather than skip to the massive opus of Tarkus.
Agree. This album is the right place to start. But yeah, Tarkus. I mean, Tarkus is a monster in every way. And if at all possible the live version off "Welcome Back My Friends" album...
When people say ELP are overblown and pretentious it always reminds me of the fact that some of JS Bach's contemporaries called him the same thing. Bach was one of Keith Emerson's musical inspirations. I read that their science fiction epic Karn Evil 9 is being a made into a major motion picture. Keep up the good work Justin!
Mark.... that would be great !
Karn Evil 9 movie. I've listened to this since '73-ish.
And I know every damn note. Air-guitar, air-bass, air-piano. ;-)
You got that Justin, Keith incorporates Classical Into Prog and Carl Brings in The Jazzy drumming Lake brings the voice their one of Progs most Successful Bands
They come across as a very imaginative, free flowing trio in full control on this one. Amazing, after just spending a few months together.
ah, this song is just beautiful. I absolutely love this album
Some music is for background. Some for party and dancing. Then there is music you must close your eyes and listen to every note and become immersed in the glorious journey. We don't get enough of that type of music anymore.
He is strumming the piano strings.
While strumming with one hand, he’s holding down a chord with the other.
@Sebastian It's hard for me to rank Keith and Rick, so I say Emerson in my favorite pianist and Wakeman is my favorite keyboardist :-)
Ty ty ty!
@Sebastian playing or composing ? is the question, playing I agree with a small difference 1 Wakeman 2. Emerson, composing 1 Banks 2. Emerson 3 Roger Hodgson
Yes this is their most jazzie piece. The strings are plucking and scraping the strings within the piano. Uniquely brilliant track. All members are at their best here.
Hey JustJP, My FB friend send me this video. I was Keith’s partner for ten years before his passing in 2016.
You are spot on about the classical and jazz influences. Keith never even considered himself as a “prog” guy. Lol.
Hi there Mari, thank you so much for watching and enjoying the video. I appreciate your insight into Keith as well, and I'm very sorry about his passing. I hope that you and your family are doing well and staying safe. Please take care!
Oh the good old days...peace and love era...with great music and great words and melodies! I was only 8 but I loved my oldest brothers music.and still listen to it today!
Got mad goosebumps listening to this song, the vibes are unreal
This stunning First album was an extension of what "The Nice" had started. Shame you didn't have the luxury I had of listening to the development such a talented group of musicians as it happened. King Crimsons 1969 album "In the Court of the Crimson King" with Greg Lake and "The Nice" self titled album with Keith Emerson in 1969 were my favourite albums at the time, what a band it was that came from the ashes. Love your vids taking me back to those days. I was so lucky to have seen these bands live. Keep up the Great shows.
This song is pure magic to me and I've heard it probably a hundred times. Lake's keyboard work is incredible but absolutely love Palmer's jazz drumming on this track. Either of them on their own are awesome, but the melding of the two is bliss.
Don't you mean Emerson's keyboard work? ;-)
@@gregall2178 Yes, that would be what I meant :) Thanks.
Finally ELP again! Endless enigma, toccata and knife edge are great tracks to react to.
Spot on with the Classical and Jazz influences. In fact one whole album is all classical music by Mussorgsky, "Pictures At an Exhibition." This particular song was written by Greg Lake the guitarist. Whenever there are lyrics he wrote them.
Very good about the negative space! Greg Lake once pointed out the importance of leaving space and putting emphasis on 'the important notes.'
Hi JustJP. FYI Take A Pebble was the first song ELP ever recorded together as a group, the rest is history. I hope the future of music will be kind to them.
Ty for that Jack!
Great first impression analysis of a masterpiece. Hats off to you for listening to something so long and off the traditional beaten path.
Thanks!😃
Of course, a masterpiece. Very original. Keith shows how deep he knows classical music and jazz, because he incorporates such elements so naturally, so efortlessly. And so many advised commentators here ... really impressive. I feel I belong to a very exquisite club. Justin, "Knife Edge" is a must (a very energetic song). Thank you.
It's a great club to be in! Drinks are 2% off on Tuesdays!
Also worth to point out The First side is 3 compositions by all three of them all of them add something to each song Emerson is the star of Take a Pebble i See Carl Palmer is the Star on The Barbarian and Lake is the star on Knife Edge. Side Two is a composition each by the three of them. The Three Fates is an Emerson Piece, Tank includes Carl Palmer's iconic Drum solo and Lucky Man was wrote by Lake when he was 13.
Ty for that!
Haven;t heard this tune since I was a teen. Toooo long! Such a great track. The 'playing in the cave' part reminds of "Discovery" from "2112" by Rush!
Wondering when you would get to this one Smart to stick with first album for now What a glorious song is this....epic masterpiece Anyone want a definition of prog? Take a Pebble The piano the drums the bass and guitar work and one of the memorable voices in rock history and one of the great lyricists So glad to have seen them in concert Miss them in our lives RIP Greg and Keith One wonders what it must be like for Carl to be without them now Transcendent tune ...moving
Justin My Man!! Michael here!! Thank you so much for doing some more ELP!! Haven't heard this in awhile!! Your reaction was PERFECT!! I couldn't have said it any better!! I love how you said it wasn't so much what they were playing in the middle but what they WERENT!! So spot on as always!! Such a talented bunch of musicians!!! We used to go camping in the mountains of AZ almost every weekend in high school and we would play this in my friends Toyota truck on his 8- track!! Along with Yes of course and some pink Floyd!! Great times!!! I graduated in 1976!! Fabulous time for music!!! You must watch ELP LIVE in TOLLWOOD FESTIVAL 1997!! Emerson's solo at the end is OFF THE CHAINS SICK!!!! Please watch on your own time! They open the show with TAKE A PEBBLE!! It's only 45 min long so please enjoy!!! I get where your going also by saving the best of your reactions to bands for last!! Keeps us coming back for more JUSTJP!!! Love your work my friend and watch out for those ALIENS out there okay?? Wouldn't want to read that you've been abducted or something!!! ClOSE ENCOUNTERS!!! Lol your #1 AZ FAN Michael!😊😊😊 Have a great weekend my man!! Peace to everyone out there!!!
Haha ty Michael!👽
It is important also that you watch them playing live, because they were born to play live than you get the real grasp of who they are, how astonishingly well they play and how hugely entertaining they are.
Unless you are ready to go big, ELP is over the top, grandiose muse. I love it, but it has almost as many detractors as it does fans. Love that in this band. Never walked the line. Produced their first 5 albums in less than 3 full years with huge tours. In my top 5 Rock bands from day one. Glad you are attempting it slowly. Tarkus, All of Karn Evil 9, Trilolgy.... heavy stuff, for me, it is why the lighter music is so dang good. Sheriff, hoedown are full of color and fun! Cheers Buddy, enjoy the ride.
Keith Emerson was a one of a kind .Never will there be his equal , again . His death left a terrible hole in music . May God Rest His Soul.
ELP .....the best ever....your right on.........jazz.......classical .... keep listening
Ty! They do it all
This is the best song by ELP! ❤️🎸🎶🎧
As usual you pretty much nailed the band, progressive rock infused with classical, jazz and even folk music. Three gifted musicians who were truly equals in the contributions to the sound that is ELP.!!! R.I.P. Greg & Keith..
So,so,so and others billion time so emotional,intense,poetical Song. A real gem for humanity soul and Spirit from this magical trio!!!!!!!!
They played this at the concert I was at in my hometown back in 1972, their Enigma tour. It was the first concert I’d ever been to and as a 14 year old I had no idea what to expect but remember the large tank/tarkus on the side of the stage and Keith Emerson throwing his keyboards around. A showman through and through. It’s those memories of great musicians the you cherish.
Micheal again! Just wanted to say how cool that story was of the guy who met Greg Lake at a nursing home on Germany!! Thats a beautiful story!! RIP GREG AND KEITH. For sure!! Just researched a video of them on the Kathy And Regis Show in the late 90s! Awesome!! Great response by the studio crowd!😊😊😊
You are the first person to react to this hidden gem. The first time I heard it was from my brother's vinyl he found at a used record store.
If you this this song is packed with emotion, listen to Trilogy. It takes you through all the stages of a relationship. The bliss, the angst, the anger, the frustration, the beginning, and the end. One of the reasons I love ELP. Saw them in 1977. Best show I've ever seen.
Peacefull song I Always love to hear ; thanks Justin
Keith was a Genius and I miss him ; I was shocked when I got the so sad news in 11 march 2016
Greg so good singer , bassplayer and composer
R I P both of you
I like the way Rachel Flowers saves the memory of Keith Emerson
Growing up in the 60's and 70's it's fascinating to see the reactions of younger people hearing nothing like this most likely in their entire lifetime...being a classical and jazz musician I often wonder how much music can one listen to given the many different styles available.
The piano instrumental is lovely. The three of them play beautifully together. The feeling is so organic.
Not sure it's a great piece of songwriting. But you're right, the way it breathes it so fresh.
One of my favourite songs from a great album. Emmerson was a master on keyboards, nobody better. I always loved Greg Lakes voice (and looks). Both sadly missed x
ELP was a favorite early on. RIght after I heard Lucky Man. I was 9 when the album came out and Take A Pebble grew on me in no time. 50 yrs later I am still listening.
YESSS!!! Favourite ELP song Best off the album in my opinion I love this album one of Very Best Debut albums of all time, Tarkus is a amazing song but if you do the rest of this album it’s just terrific. “Juuuussstt Take a Pebbleeeee.....”
Knife-Edge is pretty fantastic as well
It really is
classic great tune, talent talent talent!
A great song!👍🏻👍🏻
I don't know how or why, but the sound quality of your reactions are usually much better than elsewhere on RUclips. Keep doing whatever you are doing. The sound is fantastic.
Power trio. Greg Lake on vocals and guitars, including bass guitar. Carl Palmer on drums. Keith Emerson on keyboards. Each a phenomenal musician as you already have, and will discover. Lake also played/sang for King Crimson. Palmer played for a version of Yes called Asia.
Carl Palmer played with “The Crazy World of Arthur Brown”. Lake from King Crimson, Emerson from The Nice.
Greg Lake had a gorgeous singing voice . This song is one of the best to feature what his voice sounded like .
A brilliant song, one of ELP’s best!
Yes it's me again!! Just got back from a walk and listened to this on headphones!! Just beautiful!! Just wanted to say!! Greg Lake, Jon Anderson, Peter Gabriel, and Annie Haslam! The heat powerhouse of the 70s and of our genre!! One more thing for all of us following you: whos better you guys and dolls?! Emerson or Wakeman?? Ttyl Micheal!!
Nice! Hope you had a nice walk🚶♂️
"The song...really breathes..." Excellent way to describe this, JP. I feel fortunate to claim this band and song as a part of the soundtrack of my life. Even now parts of this song can make me weep.
Ty jpbliss, its indeed beautiful
There's a lot to digest, so I had to hear the song second time and as you mentioned this song is all about the piano. The intro reminded me of being a kid and climbing on the piano, opening the lid and raking the strings. The piano with the slow vocals was nice and melodic and was a pleasant listen. The next moment is when the guitar comes in. I was also getting a folk vibe, and it sounds like he's playing in an open tuning. Again I liked the vocals with the guitar. The next moment is the piano solo accompanied with the drums. This for me was the best part of the song. I was getting a jazz vibe and just loved the drumming in this section. The song then closes with the slow vocals and drums. I should also mention the drummer in certain sections of the song is using mallets to get that timpani drum effect. Really enjoyed this track, nice choice and reaction.
Back To ELP Justin.. Didn't see that coming
😊🤘👍.
Personally, I think this song is such tour de force.. Even with that subtle folk/country acoustic section, which I've grown to love over the years Justin.
The beauty of the singing and Keith's pianoforte work is just sublime imho. ❤️
Take a Pebble still gets to me even now.
After all these years Justin, it still puts a big smile on my face.. Period.
It's a work of art, and emotion definitely. ♥️
Thanks For going back to this, and them butty. 😊
Made my day for sure.
All the best to you both, and have a great day butty. 😊
I think, given time, I think you'll grow to love ELP Justin.
Ty Neil!
True genius! And beautiful. You're a percussionist, so you so get this!
Thanks for the listen. This along with Pink Floyd is one of my favourite meditative songs. A fabulous close listen tune.
Great song that puts my mind at ease and sit relaxed😎 Love the hoedown bit. All three were/ are masters in there own right.
My first contact with ELP was when their Pictures at an exhibition was sent on Swedish TV sometimes in the Winter 1970/1971. It must have been the same concert as is available on RUclips today. Most amazing was the sounds Emerson got out of his synteziser. That was totally new to me and my brother. Could rock music sound like this! It was an eyeopener also to classical music in general. When it later was available on vinyl it was one of the first albums I bought. / Erik Åhlander Sweden
Great choice JP. three great musicians.
I love the way you listen, I'm a dancer and your body language shows me that you are not trying to try to push the music in a direction, what most of the people who react to music do, you just follow the music. So, thank you. Sorry for my english, it is not my first language.
Ty so much Francois!
I haven`t begun watching the video yet, just wanted to thank you for making my friday a bit special this week. Hope you had fun with this song, onward to the next.. :)
Ty so much Queen! Hope you have a fantastic weekend!😄
A lot of ELP music you have to think Close to the Edge genre. But there's some really beautiful stuff like this, also off the Trilogy album, and Greg Lake usually does a ballad for each album that is beautiful. Tarkus is a mind bender for sure, takes some strength to get thru that but still great stuff.
JP, you need to check one of the live performances of this circa 1970. Absolutely mind blowing. You are correct in your observation of classical + jazz + folk. The three of them brought their individual styles and influences together and produced some of the best music of the era. My recommendation to you would be Pirates from the Works Vol. 1 album. Re: the lyrics...you got it! :)
Hey JustJP, thanks for your wonderful intelligent thoughtful reviews. Keep them coming! I would love to see your review of Works Volume 1, and in particular Fanfare for the Common Man. All three musicians were at their peak by then, particularly Emerson. You have to remember that in the era of the earlier ELP albums the keyboard technology was in a state of development. So the sounds Emerson could produce were from a limited timbral palette. Yes, ELP composed and performed extraordinary music in their early period, but technologically constrained. By the time you get to the late 1970s Emerson had the Yamaha GX1, the first time we hear (as far as I know) Emerson on a polyphonic synthesizer. By then he had written and performed his own piano concerto. So what can a musician with that level of keyboard skill do with a keyboard machine that has an almost infinite sound palette compared with anything before? Like Bach with the "italian concerto" for solo two manual harpsichord, Emerson take Copland's Fanfare and turns it into a concerto for 3 manual synthesizer. When I first heard it in the late 1970s it was like nothing I had heard before. The era of unlimited music synthesis had begun. The opening brass timbres controlled immaculately through polyphonic pressure sensitive keys captures the essence of the ideal brass player. I hope you can do a review and I would love to hear your thoughts.
Ty George! I'll keep it in mind😀
I would encourage you to check out Rachel Flowers, a young blind pianist who started playing ELP songs when she was 9. She's fantastic and Keith Emerson communicated with her in 2011. I particularly love her rendition of the K. Emerson Piano Concerto #1 in which she plays piano and flute at the same time!
Can't wait for when JP gets to analyse the lyrics to Benny the Bouncer.
When we were 18 we always went to this park on Sundays, all the kids would be there partying. We hooked up a speaker system on my friends car with quick disconnect plugs to hook up our outside speakers from his car, this was always a must play!
Nice!
I agree with you absolutely, but for me this song contains some of my all time bass playing.
Great song, jazz, prog, classical & hillybilly in perfect harmony. Many listeners have told you to go to Tarkus, I'd suggest Trilogy and the title song or The Endless Enigma (with Fugue and Part 2). They are the best ELP for me.
This song takes on a character and life all it’s own. Listen to it with a good set of headphones in a dim or dark room and it reveals a lot.
Justin, you gave a good observation of the song. Yes, they were known as Prog Rock, but they really put together a complex piece of music with Keith Emerson’s classical piano with a touch of a jazz beat on drums from Carl Palmer along with Greg Lake’s tremendous vocals and acoustic guitar. Excellent example of all of their talents both collectively as a group and individually. That was what ELP was really all about.
The section mentioned at 16:40 that you compare to a zither (which is a good analogy) is actually played by Keith Emerson by reaching into his open grand piano and strumming across the strings (which you can see on live performances). I didn't know this until a couple of years ago. Also, the hootenanny section (again a good call!) includes in live performances the folk song "I've got a dog and his name is Blue," which doesn't work nearly as well for me and I'm glad it's not on the record! Thank you for an excellent review of this song. I am actually jealous of your first listen of one of my favorites by ELP, which I bought when I was about 14 when Lucky Man first came out and still listen to with the same love and awe after all this time.
I should have read comments first as I have obviously been beaten to the punch about several things. But it's such an amazing piece and illustrates how wrong another person-a piano snob, for lack of a better description- was when he wrote that Keith was "just a synthesizer player."
I was a big ELP fan from their first album on! Yes, ELP, & Rush are the jewels of Rock Royalty!!
It's a great track. The music takes you on a journey. I read an interview with Greg Lake in Melody Maker, in the early 70s, and Greg was quite dismissive of the lyrics. They are just words added to the song. They don't mean anything. He said.
In the beginning, contains brilliant guitar work by Greg. All three of them are masters in their own fields. Keith had classical training and tried to develop that music in a rock format.
Good assessment of the track.
I believe the sound at the beginning of just take a pebble is Kieth Emerson strumming a piano internals I saw them in concert and he was in the piano it was awesome concert beyond description in London Ontario’s tiny centennial hall 👍👍👍. I listen to this band from the beginning in late 1969 or early 1970 . I still have their cds in my car for my hour commute each way ,I love going to work lolol
Good driving music!
This has always been my favorite ELP song. Listening with you just now, I'm struck with how much the piano work reminds me of Keith Jarrett's early solo concerts (someday you need to explore Keith Jarrett's "Solo Concerts" and "Koln Concert"). You review of this song is excellent in every way. It's a joy to see someone discover this song and explore ELP. They had been critically maligned for so long, but were dearly loved by so many. (As a side note, there are quite a few classical music critics who've admitted that it was ELP who introduced them to classical music.Imagine discovering classical music through rock'n'roll!)
If you like Keith's Jarrett's Köln Concert, you should check out Nils Frahm. Imagine a cross between Keith Jarrett and Tangerine Dream with a bit of Steve Reich in the mix as well.
@@BigMacIain Thanks! What a fascinating description! I most certainly will check him out. Thanks again!
I would recommend finding some of the live versions of this song (and others). ELP live was great because they obviously loved to jam, with Emerson throwing in all sorts of little odd bits. I really like the version off of 'Welcome Back My Friends', although it is part of a medley. Great stuff as always, and looking forward to 'Tarkus' whenever you decide to do it. :-)
Ty James!
ruclips.net/video/ux9B-rDQ6yQ/видео.html
@@JohnBrooking4 I had not seen this video before, great stuff! Very fun to watch and listen to. I just noticed there are bits of 'Tarkus' in the jamming part, but I think this was recorded before Tarkus came out so obviously Emerson already had bits of the song in mind.
Emerson was striving towards the classical/progressive, Lake - towards pop/folk, and Palmer - towards jazz/funky/fusion. :-) Not just on this song. :-)
I saw them several times back n the day - evey show was a winner. Give a listen to Welcome Back My Friends to the Show That Never Ends - a great rocker that they used to open the show with in later years.
i cry every time i listen to this magic song
Just to warn you, "Knife Edge," the album's next track, is another gut punch... though not quite as much as "The Barbarian." ; ) Other lengthier ELP tracks to check out leading up to "Tarkus" (and "Karn Evil 9"): "The Endless Enigma (Part 1)/Fugue/The Endless Enigma (Part 2)," "Trilogy," "Toccata," and "Fanfare for the Common Man."
That was really worth it! Wasn't expecting this extended version. So much more of a journey to that Otherland than the one I knew. Thanks.
I suppose knowing the shorter version, as I did, made the middle more "navigable".
Picky pronunciation note: the "the" in zither sounds like "the".
Keith Emerson and Greg Lake both died in 2017 - Greg just from an illness that was killing him, and Keith, by suicide. He had such bad arthritis (or some other crippling of the hands) that he couldn't play the keyboards like he had been able to, and this was too much for him to bear, so he ended his own life. Sad story, but at some level I think I can understand? If you're such a great pianist, the piano is "your life" at a very deep level. If you lose it, you die a bit - maybe so much that you lose the ability to see the value of the rest of your life?
When I was a kid I thought ELP were the Future; then, for decades, they seemed firmly consigned to the Past. I'm glad to see them appreciated afresh in a new Present. (Now I'm going for a lie down...)
Hope you enjoyed your rest!
A Stunning Track ❤🎶🎸
Great review as always JP.
Take a pebble is my favorite song from this album.
Now, just to make different ELP suggestions from others:
You should listen to endless enigma from Trilogy, the best ELP album in my opinion to listen to.
Then from works vol 1 listen to Pirates, c’est la vie and Emerson’s piano concerto No1
Great review!
Ty Eric!
from their very first album!
The acoustic guitar with the water droplets is fantastic