Cincinnati Babyhead

Speaks his mind on music & movies!

Music Single : Emerson, Lake and Palmer – From The Beginning

images (3)

What can I say other than I just love this tune from a band I couldn’t get enough of at one time. It takes the listener on a bit of a trip. Builds from the great acoustic guitar licks, Carl Palmer’s subtle percussion and Greg Lake’s one of a kind vocals, some very laid-back jazzy electric guitar and bass. It finishes off with Keith Emerson’s trademark synth taking the song into orbit. A little old school new school at the time. What a well crafted tune. These guys were good.

CB ate up ELP’s music. They gave me hours of listening enjoyment. Somehow this song made it onto commercial radio. So if I was lucky enough to catch it I was a happy CB. Lake’s voice always did it for me and this song is one one of his best turns. Just a very cool piece of music in my book. Appeals to the savage beast inside me.

“But there it is”

 

56 comments on “Music Single : Emerson, Lake and Palmer – From The Beginning”

  1. Aphoristical
    April 12, 2020

    I’ve never quite connected with ELP as much as the other big prog bands from the era – I love Genesis, King Crimson, and Yes, but just have a couple of ELP records and haven’t quite grasped them yet.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • cincinnatibabyhead
      April 12, 2020

      I like all those bands. ELP was the first one I was exposed to. I think Emerson and Wakeman brought that classical element to each of their respective bands. I know it became popular for a time to bash this kind of music but I always stayed on board. It has lots for my ear. Along with Lucky Man this song got them some radio play. I really do dig this one Aph.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      • Aphoristical
        April 12, 2020

        I think it’s clear for younger fans (even my age) that you don’t need to join a team like prog vs punk – you can just take whatever you like from anywhere.

        Liked by 1 person

      • cincinnatibabyhead
        April 12, 2020

        Absolutely Aph. I know you dig ‘Close To The Edge’ (I’ve been sitting on my take for a while) So do I. Big-time. That album is a musical goldmine to my ears.

        Liked by 1 person

  2. Heavy Metal Overload
    April 12, 2020

    I really got into ELP for a while and listened to them loads. But I don’t go back to them all that much. This is one of my favourites from them and the Trilogy album is probably the best. That and Pictures… are my go-to ELP when I’m in the mood. First album and Tarkus are great too.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
    • cincinnatibabyhead
      April 12, 2020

      I lived in the first 3 and also carried on with the others. The first album is the one I still reach for. I always thought they had some Heavy Metal overtones.

      Like

      Reply
      • Heavy Metal Overload
        April 12, 2020

        It totally does. It was the song Knife Edge that got me into them because it was so heavy. That huge organ sound!

        Liked by 1 person

      • cincinnatibabyhead
        April 12, 2020

        That sound is all over those first few albums. ‘Knife Edge’ is a great example and a great tune.
        We have talked about that one before.

        Liked by 1 person

  3. Vinyl Connection
    April 12, 2020

    Works for me, CB!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  4. deKE
    April 12, 2020

    I watched that Olympic Stadium show from Montreal on YouTube. That was crazy. Crazy how when Palmer left they got Powell on the drums. How’s that for a smooth transition.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • cincinnatibabyhead
      April 12, 2020

      I seen them a couple times . Their show grew and grew. That Montreal show is probably the peak. They did put on a good concert. Right about Cozy. I’ll have to revisit my ELPowell album.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  5. Yeah, Another Blogger
    April 12, 2020

    I guess that this genre of music never was my favorite. If I were to start listening to ELP and others again though, it wouldn’t surprise me if I started getting into it more than I used to.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • cincinnatibabyhead
      April 12, 2020

      That would be an interesting trip on your part. We could do like a study. “Older guy immerses himself in music he missed” Knowing a little about your tastes you’d find lots. Especially the later Crimson and the Yes. More jazz leanings.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  6. Jim S.
    April 12, 2020

    Funny isn’t it that one of the most out-there, intense “proggiest” of bands is remembered as much for this tune as anything. Carl Palmer swung through these parts last year and I considered going. But then I caught some videos and realized I wasn’t into them as much as I once was. Maybe when we’re done with this whole thing and if he swings by, I might just change my mind. You should come down for that. How long a drive can that possibly be?

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • cincinnatibabyhead
      April 12, 2020

      That’s because they snuck on commercial radio. I’d catch Palmer in a heart beat. Him and Bruford were the men to me.
      Lots of gas station coffee, cigarettes and sandwiches. Piece of cake for a drive.

      Like

      Reply
      • Jim S.
        April 12, 2020

        I think it’s the second time in the past couple of years he’s played this club. Small nightclub. Holds maybe 200 people, good view everywhere. I used to go a lot but dialed back.

        Liked by 1 person

      • cincinnatibabyhead
        April 12, 2020

        I wonder what he’s playing?

        Like

      • Jim S.
        April 12, 2020

        From last July

        Liked by 1 person

      • cincinnatibabyhead
        April 12, 2020

        So he’s doing a version of ELP. I thought he’d do more of a Bruford new music thing.

        Like

      • Jim S.
        April 14, 2020

        Nope. Probably because there are more ELP fans, hence bucks.

        Liked by 1 person

      • cincinnatibabyhead
        April 14, 2020

        I’d be more interested in other music with some ELP redos

        Like

      • Jim S.
        April 14, 2020

        That’s you. Joe Average probably wants to hear ELP. Who can blame Palmer at his age for playing the money card?

        Liked by 1 person

      • cincinnatibabyhead
        April 14, 2020

        No problems with Carl making some dough. You’d figure he’s have a little left over from the old days unless he manages money like CB.

        Like

      • Jim S.
        April 14, 2020

        Or Ginger Baker

        Liked by 1 person

      • cincinnatibabyhead
        April 14, 2020

        An economics role model.

        Like

  7. Jim S.
    April 12, 2020

    Also, ‘Lucky Man’ that you mentioned is a good one. We have a little sport down here as well that you might be interested in. Called ice hockey. Our team, the Boston Bruins, used ‘Nutrocker’ as their theme. Don’t really follow them so for all I know they still do.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • cincinnatibabyhead
      April 12, 2020

      ‘Nutcracker”. That’s perfect for all those non violent, nice Canadian boys that play hockey. Plus I hear they like that kind of music mixed in with some Rush and BTO.

      Like

      Reply
  8. Jim S.
    April 12, 2020

    And then they top it off with some Joni Mitchell just so it’s not too heavy.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • cincinnatibabyhead
      April 12, 2020

      Now you’re giving me tunes for my car ride down there.

      Like

      Reply
      • Jim S.
        April 12, 2020

        We’ll make up a road playlist. Songs about lonesome train whistles, guys who come to town, love the ladies and say, “Sorry m’am gotta move on,” the road goes on forever – shit like that.

        Liked by 1 person

      • cincinnatibabyhead
        April 12, 2020

        How about a sore ass and heartburn and having to take a piss.

        Like

      • Jim S.
        April 14, 2020

        I don’t know of any good songs about those topics.

        Liked by 1 person

      • cincinnatibabyhead
        April 14, 2020

        If you dont nobody does. Well have to write and record a few originals.

        Like

      • Jim S.
        April 14, 2020

        You write the music and lyrics, I’ll put the finishing touches on.

        Liked by 1 person

      • cincinnatibabyhead
        April 14, 2020

        I’ll do lyrics and costumes you take care of the rest.

        Like

  9. christiansmusicmusings
    April 12, 2020

    I have to say I really like that tune. My journey into prog rock has been uneven. Some Yes, some Genesis; Pink Floyd, of course. ELP not so much. I know and like “Lucky Man” and their version of “Peter Gunn.”

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • cincinnatibabyhead
      April 12, 2020

      Yeah it’s a big pool. Sounds like you’re getting some good listening from what you’ve found.

      Like

      Reply
  10. hotfox63
    April 13, 2020

    “Lucky Man” sounds a bit cheesy for me today. But Emerson was considered as the greatest keyboard player at that time, Lake was the best singer King Crimson ever had, and Palmer a good choice. Atomic Rooster, his band before ELP, wasn’t bad, but ELP’s songwriting was better. Emerson had a classic apprenticeship and already reached into the classic box with The Nice. However, ELP was a good progressive rock band.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • cincinnatibabyhead
      April 13, 2020

      Live,Emerson was definitely the showman. I really like Nice’s version of ‘She Belongs To Me’

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      • hotfox63
        April 14, 2020

        One of the most famous pieces by The Nice is probably “America” from “The West Side Story”. I was really impressed when Emerson started shaking his organ in the middle of that piece on a wild stage show on TV and poking around with a knife. The rock version of “Karelia Suite” made me a classic friend even when I was young.

        Liked by 1 person

      • cincinnatibabyhead
        April 14, 2020

        I forget all his showmanship. He could back it up with his talent. Yes and he opened my ears up as well.

        Liked by 1 person

      • hotfox63
        April 14, 2020

        Yes, there was a lot of showmanship. Emerson also burned the American flag on the stage …

        Liked by 1 person

  11. 1537
    April 13, 2020

    I don’t know this at all CB but will check it out. I own and love Tarkus though, my mum got me into it.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • cincinnatibabyhead
      April 13, 2020

      Thanks mum!
      Even they they got into the long workouts they still pumped out some good shorter ones. ‘Time and a Place’ off Tarkus is one . I love this tune but really dug their heavier side. Emerson goes all Jerry Lee on ‘Are You Ready Eddy’

      Like

      Reply
  12. Tommy
    April 13, 2020

    CB, this wasn’t a place I visited much at all back in the day. ELP was a very long way off from what I was listening to during the 1972-1976 period. The Moody Blues and Pink Floyd were the closest, but they’re not really all that close. But as we’ve said, even if it’s old, it’s still out there waiting to be listened to again, and it’s never too late to listen with fresh ears 🙂

    Like

    Reply
    • cincinnatibabyhead
      April 13, 2020

      Did you know this tune? It’s pretty straight until Emerson does his thing. Floyd was an early band I got into, then ELP the next that I guess was in the same vein. I was mentioning to 1537 about the cut ‘Are You Ready Eddy’ off of Tarkus. It’s just a rocker with Emerson playing straight piano.
      You’re right on with your attitude but it’s still your ear. I dont thin it can be forced. Maybe acquired? ELP had a lot of musical ideas I liked. This was one of them. Thanks for dropping by. You dropped in ‘Cat Food’ on your show. Nice touch. Lake on vocal.

      Like

      Reply
      • Tommy
        April 13, 2020

        Yeah, this is a great tune, love the acoustic picking on the opening – I have it on a Greatest Hits CD, and I do remember hearing it back then, too. “Brain Salad Surgery” is the album that got really heavy airplay around here. I wasn’t a Genesis fan back then, either, but now I dig those albums, so what I’m thinking is ELP deserves a second chance, too. Evolving taste, maybe? (new tricks for an old dog) Exposure has a lot to do with it also.

        Liked by 1 person

      • cincinnatibabyhead
        April 13, 2020

        Cool. It’s a good tune. So much for you to dive into when inclined. ‘Brain Salad’ was probably when they started to get a bigger audience. I was a huge Genesis guy especially with Gabriel ( Then his solo work especially the early stuff). Keep that mind open, something good might drop in. I know what you mean about “evolving taste” or new ears but music will hit me hard. You were talking about Little Feat. They are sounding so good to me now.

        Like

  13. BuriedOnMars
    April 20, 2020

    That opening sounds a lot like Yes’ Roundabout! Another band that I never dived deep into. I like everything I’ve heard from them though.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • cincinnatibabyhead
      April 20, 2020

      I think this was a little ahead of ‘Roundabout’. Knowing some of your tastes, check out ‘Knifes Edge’ (I did a take way back). HMO and I both agree there were early Heavy Metal inclinations in their music.

      Like

      Reply
  14. Francisco Bravo Cabrera
    May 25, 2020

    This is another “masterpiece”. I still recall seeing ELP in concert at the Miami Jai-Alai Fronton, I think it was 1972, could have been 1973, I was still in High School and my father had to drop me off in front of the venue…but the show is still vividly in my mind, actually I was just telling my wife about it the other night when I was listening to Pictures at an Exhibition…you are a crack my friend! Thanks for the great posts! (hope you like my little tribute to Charles Mingus that I will post tomorrow on Tuesday’s Tunes…and…suggestions for that series are certainly welcome).
    All the best my friend,
    Francisco

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • cincinnatibabyhead
      May 25, 2020

      Great story. Amazing how music becomes some a big part of our lives. I seen ELP a little later than that, a few times. Loved their shows. A friend of mine ended his radio show with a cut from ‘Pictures Exhibition’ the other night.
      I will definitely be over to check out the Mingus thing. You have me curious.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      • Francisco Bravo Cabrera
        May 25, 2020

        Thanks CB, hope you like it…I made a second brief video homage to Mingus where we kind of jammed a little bit different but still in the spirit…without even coming close to the man! All the best,
        Francisco

        Liked by 1 person

      • cincinnatibabyhead
        May 25, 2020

        I’ll bracket some time and get over and have
        a look. Later

        Liked by 1 person

      • Francisco Bravo Cabrera
        May 25, 2020

        Thank you CB!

        Liked by 1 person

Leave a reply to cincinnatibabyhead Cancel reply

Information

This entry was posted on April 12, 2020 by in 1972 Single, Emerson, Lake and Palmer, From The Beginning, Prog Rock, Rock and tagged , , , .

Shortlink

https://wp.me/p6PYHb-3N6

Navigation

Categories

Categories

Blog at WordPress.com.