- Emerson Lake & Palmer/"Knife Edge"
Please review essay on a Desktop, Laptop or Tablet in its intended format for the best viewing.
The prelude . . .
that. So PLEASE bear with me, it is very long but it all comes to a point, I promise. But forgive me for going
to great lengths to explain myself and what I know, and what I don't know. Forgive my "language" at
times as well. I'm sure to my close friends I am preaching to the choir, but I also write for those that are the
layman who never took in consideration the sacrifices and skills needed to share their creativity. Please
read at your leisure, or read in "parts" if it helps digest all I am trying to convey.
But I do feel so strongly that people need reminding what artists and musicians sacrifice for making the
world a better place to live. And that it will, with much hope, make people take more time to ponder how
much care, effort and skill it takes to create what they do, and how many years it took to get to that point
of brilliance, and to move people's souls.
~ So thank you for sticking around, and thank you Keith for your life in this world. You were certainly a big
part of mine.
Gregory Stuart "Greg" Lake has left us as well :'(
| 10 November 1947 – 7 December 2016 |
~ The lyricist, bassist, guitarist, producer and voice of Keith Emerson and Carl Palmer's music ~
To his family, friends and Carl Palmer, my heart aches for you, my deepest thoughts and prayers go out to you all. The voice, writer, guitarist and bassist of King Crimson, Emerson Lake & Palmer, Solo efforts and Emerson Lake & Powell will keep your songs alive. And the legacy of England and its "Mountains Green" where this awesome music grew and gave new life to what music can be, passes its torch to the next generation. To create and enjoy the music that rose to a higher level of musicianship and creativity.
To those who created Progressive Rock "among the dark satanic mills" and brought us divine music, you live on with the music you crafted and shared with us. Bless you and thank you Greg.
We will never forget.
To be just a breath away
On the death of inspiration
I would buy back yesterday
But there's no crueller illusion
There's no sharper coin to pay
As I reach out... It slips away"
- Emerson Lake & Palmer/"Closer to believing"
Prelude:
The Art of the Introvert and the Value of Art
"Just take a look around the world , the future never waits, we're skating on the thin ice
And we're in the hands of fate, what we need's a little re-direction, to find our blue lagoon
You know it wouldn't come a moment too soon - Black Moon"
- Emerson Lake & Palmer/"Black Moon
March 10, 2016:
This is not a good day . . .
Rain is in the forecast.
It's been a difficult life of late. My ups and downs throughout my life seem unrelenting. When I think I get a breather, a piano falls from the sky. This time a piano has been removed, though the blow is just as heavy.
Art and life, colliding in a wave of thoughts that I'm trying to write as fast as they come about the loss of a musical genius that has been hugely inspiring to me. I'm afraid just one of many, in which we live in an era that more shall surely pass, as I have a lot of artists and musicians that are ingrained in my heart and soul. Those during and shortly after WWII are leaving us. It will be a very sad time we live.
So bear with me as I share some thoughts about creating art in today's world and living the life.
It kind of hit me all the sudden, all the pain, the rising anger and misery in the world, an impending storm is coming. And in this coming hurricane all of us are trying to deal with the here and now as the world's
problems seem too big for our individual lives, we can only handle so much, as we should. We wonder at the choices we've made, what roads we chose to tread hoping that it was the right path. Yet the lessons of life for some took the steep rocky trail with its thorns, peaks and valley's, but always a destination toward where the sun rises.
It seems not only are we losing an era of musicians that parents and ourselves followed, I am hearing about the health of friends, from afar on the internet or those that are close to me, and roommates, family members, loved-ones and acquaintances that are suffering through disease, fatigue, despair and getting the rug pulled from under them, and the hands of time passing by - how is it that I am still here?
These days feel sadder and empty :(. But I've been trying to rise above it and do what I need to do. All I am able to do is pray, hard.
Faith through adversity and the pursuit of Art.
This belief in a benevolent force has seemed like sci-fi to many these days, but I have been witnessed to its miracles in my life and for those I care about. Those that I have loved, the divine has touched their lives by providing opportunities when they thought they would never find the answer, sometimes at the brink, but they also pulled their courage in both hands and did what they had to, and the few "boats" that may have come and gone, they finally took the one that would find a safe port to fortune. Or at the very least, a baby step to their goals.
I have prayed for the health of those that were in dire need and for miracles when all hope was dashed. My
Father once was diagnosed with Cancer of the lungs because of the fumes he breathed-in as a welder. I wasn't living at home at the time, but I prayed so intensely and methodically that the doctors wondered what happened to the cancer that vanished. I am VERY methodical in my prayers not only in words but I feel it as if I'm moving an object through a set of obstacles to its intended target . . . That's the only way I can describe it. I've said "Jesus and me are like this (crossing my fingers tightly)", I believe it, I may FAIL in my own life but I have more confidence in praying for others, but it's getting easier to believe that Christ
won't fail me either, I just don't want to feel arrogant about it, take it for granted. So to those skeptics and atheists I know (or agnostics), forgive me for believing in my "Sky Daddy/Spaghetti Monster" - it works for me and others . . . and I do like Spaghetti (I'm half Italian, so - basta!).
But I wonder why things have taken so long for me. If it was true love, a place to hang my hat all of my own, a career as a creative artist in the Film industry and opportunities that I hoped I'd been on the right path. This has been a LONG road of mistakes, stupidity and just caught in the wake of the storm. But I walked into it headlong to see if I could come through the other side. I never drowned in booze, drugs or other proclivities. Just a need to see what's around the bend, over the horizon, with hopes of someone I could share my life with and not weather these storms alone. But the rewards and happiness would be soo much more satisfying with someone special. I'm working on it.
The divine colours of music.
All along this journey has been Music. It has saved my life. Its as divine as my Creator, and I believe His voice has been in all the music that got me through my life that has inspired, influenced and enlightened my existence. And passed on these gifts to unbelievably talented individuals, that have developed their skills to the best of their abilities and think on another level. If the words couldn't be found at a certain moment, the music created the soothing shapes and colours I needed to relax, turn-off the world and find focus, or describe love that I could not from my own mind to pen and paper. This tug and pull of music, my demons and angels fighting at my conscience and ideas of ethics, values and morals has been with me all my life since I was a child. I was baptized as a Catholic, but Church was only attended during Easter, my family wasn't really religious. They "believed" but that's about it.
I once sought counseling at a Christian fellowship a few years ago because I did not know where to turn as it seemed I was on the precipice and I didn't want to go back where I came from. The counselor said something I knew but it was nice to hear it said by someone else . . .
(paraphrasing) "I know a few artists, and I have to tell you that you guys think on a total different level, even about Christ, God. You seem to ask and find answers that others can't grasp or understand".
I think that's very true, but sometimes I wish I wasn't such an introvert. That I could be like everyone else, just do a stupid job without complaint, provide for someone, have the car and the house and listen to crappy music like everyone else and go with the flow . . . but I can't to my sadness and stubbornness.
Dreaming . . . but dreams won't make it reality, we have to go through the pain to get to the goals we set for ourselves.
That's what we are as Artists, we are full of pain (great! I'm the cliche), grand ideas and wonder and we
need to express it, share it so others can be soothed, that someone out there understands. We wear our hearts on music notes or canvas for all to see, enough that you have to dig deep and find your own hidden meaning. We hope we feel better too sharing these feelings, but I think it just embarrasses me later. I'll probably regret writing this prelude.
But I wish I would have known about Keith's "troubles" and worries. I wish I could have encouraged him to have strength and enjoy his life and all that he's accomplished. I could have induced myself deeply in prayers for him, I know there must've been others that tried. But these are empty words. All I can do is celebrate his life through this sorrow, it's all I'm left with. What could I possibly say to those he loved to make it better, to bring him back? All we have is what he shared, his joy, kindness, gentleness as described by those that knew him, and his gift of music to everyone.
Part 2 -
"Still the dragons reign supreme, breathing fire till we scream, they leave us nothing but our dreams.
No shield can save us!
It's gonna take a miracle, we're searching for a miracle, It's gonna take a miracle!
We're searching for a miracle!"
- Emerson Lake & Powell/"The Miracle"
The Story.
Though the market is saturated with high creativity, there will be those that question our choices that have no deviation, only a path to our target. They question our motives and say "there is too much competition, you can't make a living doing that, why try, find a REAL job so you don't have to worry, sometimes you just have to realize that you won't be able to compete" - but that's THEIR "story". How do they know what it's like to be you or what YOU believe? Each artist is an individual, each writes their own story, MY story, YOUR story is unique, it's yours alone. No matter what YOU choose to do in life it's what YOU make of it. YOU have something special that no one can take away from you. And YOU can find it, hone it, shape it, work at it to make it stand far above anyone else . . . but it's up to YOU and no one else.
WE have to keep pushing forward no matter what, if we are on the edge of that cliff, we have to take the leap and not tread back, there is no choice but to take chances and strive to achieve greatness and reach that goal of bliss. It's far from easy and there are many roadblocks, but if it's baby steps or a leap of faith, we have to fight to move forward and reach that prize.
The Lost Art. For what it's worth.
Creatives have talents that no one understands, and we live in a time that artists are not celebrated as pioneers. They are taken for granted because there are soo many now, of different ages, levels and positions that no one thinks about. Artists were once revered and taken care of because the wealth they brought to others, like the "Medici Family", they could be like the Mafia for those of the Arts and Sciences (we could use protectors like that now), they looked after their investments and made clients pay them and not get taken advantaged of. All the artist did was concentrate on their craft.
YOU, right now, look around you . . .
EVERYTHING around you had to be designed by someone (including the screen you are reading this, on your desktop, laptop, iPad or cellphone). It starts with a sketch, and then it develops into a full finished piece, then someone has to create it into form (in whatever medium). This goes for the chair, the TV, the packaging on your food. The characters, objects, environments and box for video games, the elements you see in a high concept Sci-Fi movie to the poster, and all those people on their computers bringing virtual objects to life, the slick moving graphics on ESPN, to the portrait on your wall and the home you sit in, whether its an Apartment or House including the landscaping surrounding it, or the bicycle and car you drive to work and the new highway that was just completed, to the clothes you wear and the bedding you sleep in.
But now people don't think about any of it. They think it's all just for "fun", they think everything just "appears". As a close friend in the video game business has said;
"People think we are Xerox machines, we magically have art come out of our butts".
A big part of it IS fun, that's why we chose this profession, but it's a unique skill that is needed in the world. There are people out there making a living at what they love to do for products that people need.
WE are skilled professionals, but we have bills to pay just like any Lawyer, Plumber, Trash-man, Cook, Doctor, Teacher, Mechanic, IT etc., like YOU. But why won't people who need our service (the individual client or the layman who doesn't understand), think that $100.00 is too much for a Logo (and actually that's too low!)? Many think Photoshop draws by itself, but it's just a tool like any paint brush, pencil or tube of paint.
Now we have Art Outsourcing Companies that feature people who will create Logos, Portraits or Graphics for T-Shirts for "$5"! AND the company will take a percentage of THAT! We in the industry call them "Bottom Feeders" - they are for the most part looking for artists that can't get a steady gig or in-house job and do tons of work for whatever they can get (and the companies know that and take advantage of them for all its worth). These companies know the various needs (photography included) and have a roster of artists vying to be the LOWEST cost to their "type" of clientele (and take a cut). In-turn, more and more clients now figure they can get someone to design whatever for a low price, but what it really is most of the time; You are getting mediocre work for a mediocre wage, but expecting to make a profit off of something they may not have an eye for anyway. And then they wonder WHY their products didn't fly off the shelf and they sit in stacks in the corner of their office.
Or, the client makes a killing off the product that the artist asked for the lowest rates because they just needed the work. The artist did all the work and your rate can't even pay bills or supplies.
This is the fault of the artists themselves as well. While others know the value of their worth and stick to their guns, they will not compromise. They know the market and how to protect themselves, and sometimes have to decline offers for the better rate. They have built a clientele that trusts their "eye" and creativity, that the client will receive a quality product that will be mutually beneficial.
While others take the desperate road and will have to create TONS of work at a low price to make ends meet. Think of how that ruins the wages in the wider market.
Others figure "Well it's business! Why shouldn't I take advantage of their low price? That's Capitalism folks, deal with it!". So why can't you pay a fair wage to the laborer that you know is worth more that YOU will profit off of? They save money by printing graphics on shirts (and making shirts) in Mexico, El Salvador, Honduras, China, India etc. instead of paying for quality work from artists/skilled laborers in your respective city/country (do the people of those countries have the means to "speak-out" about their wages? Apple's employees in China demanded better working conditions and concerns about long working hours and low wages. Apple also says the Chinese are better skilled, but would they be open to training American's who need jobs as well?). "It's all about saving costs , it's just business".
"Business! Mankind was my business! The common welfare was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance, and benevolence, were all my business. The dealings of my trade were but a drop of water in the comprehensive ocean of my business!"
- Charles Dickens/"A Christmas Carol"
Part 3 -
The Price . . .
I have no problem with Capitalism, I have a problem with those who take advantage of what's "available" instead of what is "applicable", a wage should be reflected in the labor provided. And everyone wants a fair share of the pie. Doesn't anyone want "quality" and willing to pay for the care put into it anymore? You as an entrepreneur may not be breaking any laws but what about a sense of ethical principles than just being cut-throat and stepping on those that actually help YOU succeed?
“You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer is worth his wages.”
- Timothy/5:18
You want to pay the McDonald's employee $15.00 an hour when there is a Mom and Pop Diner/Gourmet Burger Restaurant that makes a better quality Hamburger and is worth the time and effort given to your meal. Including the Chef that studied cuisine and his vocation in culinary school, who may have worked for many other restaurants before opening their own. Will their salaries increase as well?
A part-time job of this type is a stepping stone and a means to prepare you for the next job to better yourself, or to supplement your needs for college to have time for studies. Where has "ambition" gone? Yes indeed, it's a HARD job but it's a starting point for you to then seek something better, yes? Doesn't it make you want something that uses your intellect, and develop skills for something greater?
I have worked SOO many different types of jobs that were dirty, hard and screwed up my back and neck but I endured it all until I knew exactly what I had to do to pursue my Art interests. Those back breaking jobs were the VERY thing my Father warned me about and did NOT want me to do because he lived that life to provide for our family (My Mom and Dad were VERY hard workers that came from Honduras and became citizens in the early 1960's with the typical story of a few dollars in their hands).
I, by the way, was not very good at ANY of those jobs. The only thing I do well is my Art, but it's the skill I had to develop, I know that I will work on improving it further till I can't hold a pencil any longer. But sometimes I had to do the regular jobs until I had opportunities that needed the spaces of time to work on a creative project, with hopes networking with my peers would bear more fruit.
I knew that these 9 to 5 jobs would have a low pay ceiling but I had ambitions to better myself and work on the career path to have a better life, for my sanity, integrity, my health, my mind, my soul.
IF the wages for a "minimum" wage increase, will the rates of the professional/skilled worker ALSO increase as the cost of living goes up to subsidize the wage increases for minimum wage jobs?
Me and my colleagues discuss this all the time in our positions as 3D modelers, Storyboard Illustrators, Conceptual Artists and other production skills in entertainment and the graphic arts.
Many Artists will make less than $15 an hour (many do, and worked up to that rate) because of the market will go as high as the market will bear. And there will be those that take advantage, or not know what it takes to be an artist, putting in the time and all the work (and the hassles, the back and forth, the supplies, the upgrades and the thousands of things you can't even think of WHILE paying bills, providing for a family, or trying to make your life better with these unique abilities that no one else has).
On one of the Art Outsourcing postings on the news-feeds at Facebook, I got into arguments with people who have NO CLUE what commercial and entertainment production artists do (some think of artists as only painting flowers and portraits). WHY we ask for the rates we do, yet these potential clients have no problems asking artists to do a lot for little money (sometimes NO money at all! A typical Craigslist wanted ad; "We can't pay you for your services but we will give you credit and it will look great in your portfolio!" - gee, thanks). And some of these people who have Art on their own page, claim that computer generated art is NOT worth the same as art on a canvas (yet the painting on their banner was created on Photoshop/Painter and/or a 3D paint program by a skilled artist that probably has the foundation and basics skills of most artists that are able to paint, sculpt and more). I think that artist got paid MUCH more than $5 or $100 for their service and skills (or $5 hourly - try more like $25 to $45+ an hour, and the sought out professional can make over $100 an HOUR folks).
Artists are not appreciated anymore. Unless you work for a company that values your talent, like Movie and Video Game Production Artists whose skills are sought after such studios in their specific skill-sets. In the Film Industry, there are many unions that look after skilled workers to make sure they are paid scale, etc. But if you work on an independent film, more often, you won't have those protections and are at the whim of its funders - or be blessed enough to know a few Producers/Directors that treat you with respect and pay up front or on time. Or the Toy package designer or Graphic Artist that creates images for a high end Surf-wear company. Though most people don't think about what goes into creating all those elements, they see it, play it, use it, wear it but do not know all that went into it before it is released to the consumer.
There has also been the current "assembly line" attitude of hiring many college grads for less money and having them learn or apply and handle much more responsibilities in their position. But with all those responsibilities, the lack of quality of work starts to show. There was a time when multi-talented artists could focus on 1 area that was needed, and they could concentrate on it's quality, making sure it was the best it could be.
But its not just about talent either, it's who you know and how to get in from the back door. For example, LA, San Francisco/Bay Area and Orange County are saturated by artists of all types of Production for Entertainment, Video Games, Film and many are graduating from Art Schools across the country and abroad - so you have to stand out and find creative ways to get in to be noticed. Sometimes one artist is more dynamic than others, but it comes down again to "who you know".
There are those who say things like:
"Okay Rembrandt, you think you're owed a lot of money for what you do?" - no, we are NOT entitled to anything, we work HARD at being the best and providing a quality professional product that someone else will profit from to sell their product with hopes they can reap in the rewards and be self-sufficient (i.e. create a reputable new studio or product to compete with the market). So it's only fair that WE as artists are compensated for what we created that the client KNOWS will make their product unique and stand above all others. This includes rights, credit acknowledgement, Intellectual Property (IP), merchandising rights and more to try to protect these unique ideas. And sometimes we can only protect so-much by the contracts we sign (or if we have enough demand or smart enough that WE make our own contracts).
And by the way, many of us like to think we ARE the next Rembrandt, Storm Thorgerson, Roger Dean, DaVinci, Ansel Adams, Velazquez, Ralph McQuarrie, Basquiat or Frank Frazetta. And there are people in search for those that aspire to be just as great! There ARE those that value what we do and pay what we are worth.
. . . so why not the MUSICIAN as well?
Part 4 - Epilogue...
The price of Music.
We are in an era of a demolished recording industry. Kids just expect music for FREE now. There is no sense of quality product anymore. Download a song and who needs a cover, a layout, and maybe even a lyric sheet? This seems to be the mainstream, with their talent shows, radio hype, commercials with hit songs as background music and more and more the acceptance of music created by machines yet ironically, as what was blamed for art created in Photoshop, music that has programmed notes and manipulation of beats, vocal enhancements, sound samples and music that was made in the past-used as a means to "scratch" on a turntable or a sampled section, is considered the norm and to be admired. They are considered "musicians", even if some know how to play an instrument, they don't use them for the most part, just the knowledge of melody. Or those that don't play any instruments at all and only know how to manipulate someone else's "beats".
Anyone can "Whistle a tune", but can you sing your own tune? Can you compose a unique piece that is a sound all your own with actual instruments? Even if you were influenced by those in the past (we don't exist in a vacuum), can you take those inspirations and create your own unique voice? . . .
As a correlation:
~ Can you actually DRAW an illustration without a computer at hand when the Director needs a sketch from you off the fly? ~
The actual "Musician" will be weeded out or pushed into the background of popular music and accepted as the norm (like a session musician to fill the space in the background), because those are the billion sellers out there currently. Or how many "writers" write 1 hit song for the vocalist who may "collaborate", and how many Producers and Engineers will shape the songs tailored for Top 40 radio, including the performers press agents doing the sale and their media machines creating the hype, and don't forget their stylists and entourage keeping up with what's trendy and stylish.
These are the ones that show up at award shows, self congratulating each other for a mediocre job well done. The masses are appeased and everyone is happy . . . what? There are other musics that actually push boundaries? How does music do that? That doesn't sound "fun". Are these really musicians or just "Entertainers" or spokesmen for Fashion? And now many pedaling "skin care products".
But you had geniuses like Brian Wilson (who heard how various keys, harmonies and structures that seemed incompatible with each other that even veteran musicians didn't understand how it would all
work together), the late Sir George Martin (taking the Beatles far beyond just Blues based Rock) who took those very same session musicians to the forefront to enhance the music, and innovated all the music we take for granted. These creative people are out there, but you have to dig deeper to find them as these
extraordinary people went deeper into the music. And all this was within "Pop" music! What has happened to it?
This type of creativity these days is not championed anymore, but in a very few exceptions. It was beyond what Top 40 and AOR Rock radio stations could handle, or dare to understand. They don't even want you to believe it exists!
There was a time that talent scouts searched out for particular musicians that fit a quality standard that had a potential to sell thousands of records. The scout had an "ear" for those sounds and sorted through the thousands of wannabe musicians and bands - then were filtered through a narrow gate to get signed to a label. But there was quality, there was talent, musicianship, the craft of writing words. Even if the words were crap the "music" had substance to it. Vocalists and musicians pounded the pavement and did the club circuit with lots of rejection and meager pay, just enough to pay the crew and maybe a motel room (There was a time Clubs had the ear and accepted a band because they heard something in the music that would sell tickets). They had to have thick skin but keep pushing themselves in what they believed in, their abilities in music and to entertain to get noticed and be self-critical until they achieved greatness, offered something no one had heard before.
And then Disco ruined everything, everything was dumbed down and it crept into R&B, Soul and then Country, and Pop Top 40 was something totally different than the music of the 60's/70's on the radio.
This is the short version believe me. So many of us that lived through Rock Radio and Pop have noticed the changes and the why's. Other people just listen to this current muzak as background noise to do the chores to. Means nothing.
EVERYONE can be a musician with "2 turntables and a microphone", a Computer, Pro Tools, plug in your sampler, guitar, keyboard, auto-tune and click on a Drum app etc. and VOILA! You're a musician! But are you? . . .
Anyone can try out for American Idol, America's got Talent and be an instant sensation to nowheresville. Or the lucky "few" that have gone on to stardom riding the mediocre money train that the masses have thrown their cash at. Look, simple music is fine, but has anybody heard the difference between Pop bands of the 60's and 70's, the few now that are here for the long haul and the quality of "musicianship" and vocals compared to what came during and after the 80's? The samplers came-in and the "hooks" were based on some annoying "sound" repeated over and over, or a vocal inflection that was slightly different than the other hit, but no one (in the masses) thought it was annoying. How many "OHHH ohhh WHOOOOAAA-ohhhhh's" can we have or a chorus repeated over and over, and virtually no verses. What has happened to peoples ears?
There ARE exceptions though, sometimes a band or vocalist has real chops, a mind for composition, structure, turning the norm on its nose or actually presenting something new that will also have wide appeal. But it seems it doesn't happen as often, but when you hear them, you can tell the quality and workmanship behind it.
It's JUST Music . . .
So us introverts seek for something more substantial, a higher purpose and meaning, something that reaches into the core of our souls and presents art, something alien, strange, challenging, epic, prolific and profound, something that you don't have to dance to, but has much more than just a good beat, but why not both AND musically intelligent, creative? Yet many of the contemporaries of these forms lack the backing to tour the world, play bigger venues or drop their day jobs to be full time musicians (versus the few that are able). They are distributed by small labels and have to "pay to play" at Clubs and take care of travel expenses, food, lodging and help to move their gear (and with hopes they pay US "Artists" to do their Logos, T-Shirt Graphics, CD Covers/Layouts and promotional items). The amount of dedication to do these things today is almost impossible yet these folks do it because it's all they know and FIGHT to be heard without Radio play and mass advertising, including getting accolades from Award Shows (but oddly enough, they are recognized by their peers in Trade Magazines, Blogs and Social Media). While loved ones wait at home and hope for the best for them while taking care of everyday bills, kids and a decent life . . .
How do people live like that!? How do they do that with all they sacrifice?
There are soo many wonderful and talented musicians of all types of music, and those that care, care enough about who's in the band, the album art, the layout, packaging, buying their merchandise no matter what the cost, for the LOVE of what they do and we respect them enough to pay what they are worth, talk about/share on social media ("word of mouth") and wear their shirts proudly.
The musicians LIVE because of such dedicated fans around the world. Bands don't perform in a vacuum, they perform to share the music, and for the response they get back from the audience.
Do you remember what it was like to buy an LP, take the wrapping off, put the album on the turntable, and listen to each note as you looked at the cover art, the layout and read the lyrics? And for a time, on CD as well, though not as dynamic, we broke out the pair of reading glasses possibly, but it's what we had to do to take in the whole "experience".
WE are those introverts that respect the artist, the ones that fill albums not just 1 or 2 "Hit Singles", but craft an album in its entirety like a sculpture taking shape with every cut, chisel, sanding its contours, until its form is revealed, in whatever style it's presented. That it was transformed into something we recognized took many years of dedication, skill, soul, passion and a foundation to lead up to this moment in time to produce something of such high quality that anyone could see took a lifetime to acquire. . .
A place few tread, and came out even sharper.
Chapter 1:
Keith Emerson, and those who left us . . .
It's been so long you're welcome back my friends, To the show that never ends!"
- Emerson Lake & Powell/"The Score"
Dark clouds gathered . . .
It was a brisk day as winds kicked up and brought in the forecasted clouds looming dark with possible rain. Again, I was trying to avoid Facebook so that I could work on some newly acquired "Art Gigs" for a friends project. But I had to check for any incoming messages that I couldn't miss, and then there was that crashing Piano . . .
"Keith Emerson of Emerson Lake & Palmer, dead at 71".
Despair set in as dark as it was getting outside, and as I started to write desperately to get my thoughts out at my page, it started to rain. My eyes did the same, all the the pain and sadness I have been feeling of late, of things that have transpired, from people very sick, folks in dire straights and my own questions without answers of sorrow and my place in the world, trying to make something of my creativity, and all the sudden prayers being answered with "gigs"- one of my all time greatest music heroes is gone with the many that preceded not too long before, seemingly weekly now. Every time I opened Facebook, someone else has left for the great gig in the sky . . . this is just too much.
I try to move forward and it all comes down on top of me, I had to weep. The clouds have to let loose.
It all started for me with some personal musicians I highly admired. In 1998, the death of Drummer Cozy Powell, who had also played alongside Keith Emerson and Greg Lake as "Emerson Lake & Powell" was a big one for me, as I was such a big fan of his. From the days of Rainbow, and as a young adult-learning of his time with Jeff Beck, later years with Michael Schenker Group, Whitesnake and Black Sabbath as well as the many projects he worked on including solo. And then that "escalator" was present to that train
station and everybody just got on board ("People get ready, there is a train 'a comin', don't need no ticket, you just get on board") but all left us too damn soon.
They all had soo much to give us, they innovated, pioneered and left unique legacies to all, to influence and inspire those who need to add their own voice and carry on the torch:
Kevin Gilbert, Chuck Schuldiner, John Entwistle, John "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott, David "Reverend" Wayne, Brad Delp, John Rutsey, Ronnie James Dio, Gary Moore, Ronnie Montrose, Jon Lord, Michael Kamen, Peter Banks, Clive Burr, Jeff Hanneman, Jack Bruce, B.B. King, James Horner, Chris Squire, David Bowie, Jimmy Bain, John Thomas, Sir George Henry Martin, Piotr Grudziński, Nick Menza and Wayne & Trent Gardner, Chuck Berry (sadly add Greg Lake, John Wetton and recently Allan Holdsworth, Chris Cornell, Warrel Dane and in 2020 another huge loss; Neil Peart, Sean Reinert and Sean Malone, in 2023; Jeff Beck and Gary Rossington) with MANY more have left us, but these were my personal heroes that filled my life with astounding music that passed away from the late 90's era and on. But many go back to the 1960's when music 1st made its impressions on me.
I can add actors that moved me since childhood and later that would reflect my own thoughts, insecurities, laughter and joy; Maureen O'Hara, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Robin Williams (recently Sir John Hurt
and Carrie Fisher to my heart break).
I had also lost a few mentors from afar who were HUGE influences and inspirations to my Art and gave me such joy (and amazement) in every page I turned; Ralph McQuarrie, Jean "Moebius" Giraud, Patrick Woodroffe, H.R. Giger and recently, Bernie Wrightson.
Though I have had 4 close friends die since my Father's death on February 9th, 2006 (where Film and Music remind me of their presence ingrained in my life), these musicians were also my friends that got me through love, heartbreak, good and bad times. And gave me purpose and inspiration with their gifts and talents to keep me fighting on.
Though it is a terrible tragedy to die too young, die while creativity still thrived, or of natural causes - it is even more painful when you read that these musical friends and heroes die at their own hands. Especially when they lose the ability of all they lived for. To take that path into darkness alone makes my head hang low and let loose the floodgates.
Flooding memories.
The memories of my childhood flash by. My 1st exposure to ELP was actually "visually" not musically. I was living in Gretna Louisiana at the time, and I was about 8-9 years old when my Dad was shopping at a local "8-Track Tape" store, and in the middle of the room was a lone display, the "art" was soo weird and eerie, but super intriguing. I was scared to death of "skulls" as a kid, but this was really different. It was art I had NEVER seen before. It was for the release of Emerson Lake & Palmer "Brain Salad Surgery". That was also, of course, my 1st exposure to artist/surrealist H.R. Giger.
And sometime during those years (1973), I had also seen on TV, as a whole or partly, a Documentary on ELP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4ryce1O5IA
It is a wonder why I did not become a fan then and my father buying a LP or 8-Track as I'm sure he would have loved the epic grandeur of the music. I have had the distinct memory of the 3 Trucks and the Trailer/Lowry's with their gear and EMERSON LAKE PALMER written atop each roof of the trailers as they headed out on the road. But remembered nothing else about it. So I am glad I found that link, or I would have thought I imagined the whole thing as a kid!
In 1977 at 14 years old, little did I know, "Kansas - Point of Know Return" would be my 1st real step into this genre I knew nothing about and its history that I lived through as a kid. Through it would often be a ship
passing through the night with Emerson Lake & Palmer in various ways in my life.
The next exposure to ELP was during my freshman year in high school back in California (West Covina and La Puente), somehow I got to know a senior by the name of Rick Saenz, he was also an artist who would tell me about the art classes that I should apply for with Prof. Howard Hollander, who I wouldn't be taught by till my junior year. But Rick had invited me to his home and I was overwhelmed by the posters and albums in his room. Probably my 1st real exposure to artist Roger Dean, but it was a particular poster that caught my eye. It was an eerie looking woman with hair braided that looked like spinal bones! Rick had said he had gotten the poster from a coupon within this album, as he held it up, there they were again! It was ELP's "Brain Salad Surgery" following me. I'd open up the gatefold of the album and just gawk at the packaging layout. I don't recall if he played any tracks, but again it left an impression. Including looking at Rick's sketchbook and his Logo creations that were clearly Dean influenced. Rick, Dean and the music
would be my influence and inspiration to come in my developing skills. To bad I lost track of Rick, I'd like to thank him for opening the doors for me to a new world.
Another phase was radio. I'd hear the occasional FM station and a few tracks but would have never known that those songs were from ELP. But as I got older, I'd hear an early commercial for Guitar Center, at this time they had only 3 stores in SoCal. Throughout the entire commercial, you'd hear this instrumental piece as I tried to listen closer through the announcer's voice! Then toward the end it was as if the editor of the ad wanted to leave it wordless to hear this part! And then the infamous rapid fire announcement of the address of stores and the distinct "...and 1515 North Main Street SANTA - ANA!!!".
The drums were at rapid fire pace, and the heavy "organ" sound stomping out its pain had my curiosity of who was creating this madness!?
I wouldn't learn of who and what track it was till years later around 18 years old, and then purchase the debut album by ELP (as it happened to me, you'll have to be just as surprised what track it is unless you already know).
- Emerson Lake & Palmer - Debut (1970)
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhSg_4fG0FIyPico_S5XQ4XdQiBWdSwhV
(notice the Organ solo for "Knife Edge" being an excerpt from Johann Sebastian Bach's "first French Suite in D minor, BWV 812"), yet the 3-4 instruments that emulated the symphonic instruments were highly amplified. The Drumming was something I never would fully understand till after high school. Back when I was a kid, I had sneak-peeks at my Dad's Playboy magazines back in Louisiana and when we moved back to California in 77, other than the beautiful women, I'd see the funny caricature illustrations of musicians during their "1977 Playboy Music Poll" and Carl Palmer & Keith were its winner in Rock as Drummer and
Keyboardist.
The 2nd time I'd hear about him specifically was in the same year and my 1st semester at school in
Panorama City Calif. I was talking to a friend about Peter Criss and his "incredible" drumming on "Kiss
Alive II". And then the star athlete of the school, a tall Black guy with an afro, leaned in as he passed us and
said; "If you want to hear a real good drummer, take a listen to Carl Palmer...".
"Who is He!?" as If I knew it all, I thought :p. It's amazing all the chances I had to hear ELP and shrugged it
off.
But he would be my 1st realization of what drummers could actually do. That would start me on my
admiration for drummers, and other rock instrumentalists, and in-turn from music in general.
He had quite the history with The Crazy World of Arthur Brown and Atomic Rooster and now would join
this "Super Group" furthering Progressive Rock in uncharted territory.
Greg Lake had a very unique Guitar tone, as well as his Bass. And could play intricate parts and keep up
with the odd tempo changes and point-counterpoint exchanges. Though ironically he wasn't so much
a "shredder" as Carl or Keith, his strength was in his Voice. And the words he put together mostly in rhyme (sometimes the rhymes were ridiculous, but you could understand its meaning despite its stretching the
grammar placement). But he had a strong voice who had various high and low ranges but centered as
a baritone. And he made his auspicious start in King Crimson and sang their most famous song. He also
gave ELP its signature sound.
Then there was Keith Emerson. His instrument was something used for warfare. If it was his wooden beast, the Hammond B3 Organ he'd abuse, or the various synthesizers that he would keep up with its technology for every album after finding his own iconic sounds. This was not only his voice, but a weapon to strike at the audience with its bombardment of sound that he would attack (and "stab") and it would scream back! But he was well trained as a Classical musician, he could come back to earth with his gentle to complex Piano skills and give a breath of fresh air to the battlefield we had just survived.
He was very well rounded, you would hear jazz/ragtime, blues, soul, funk, hard rock/metal and just about anything else as he seemed to know the history of music at the tip of his fingers. He started in the band (co-founding) "The Nice" which were born of soul singer "P.P. Arnold's" back-up band. And the band went off to find their place in early Prog Rock history.
But the album that haunted my every discovery of music finally would make it to my turntable . . .
Come and see the show!
Here to come full circle and have the wonderful art of Giger and ELP in my hand!
Either ELP's debut album or Brain Salad Surgery was my 1st album at 18. After all those years I finally had it in my hands. Though it was probably the 3rd printing of the album, it didn't have the famous gatefold, I'd end up finding a used copy of it a few years later, and then 2 different special editions on CD (also years later a Box set - LP edition would be released in 2014). I seem to remember that it took awhile to directly go and buy the album, so maybe it wasn't purchased till I was 19 or 20. What I do remember though is placing the album on the turntable and looking at the art and lyric sheet and just soaking up this album with disbelief. As if I went back to 1973 and realize how ahead of its time it was.
1973? . . . really???
I listened to this album often, many times on headphones in my room just lit by the lights of the receiver or laying in my bed and being swept away. The title of the album was very apropos . . .
- Emerson Lake & Palmer - "Brain Salad Surgery" (1973) Lp version
https://youtu.be/p4fVQkL08Uo
Digital version:
https://youtu.be/wYgVtKTENxE
Again and again, I can not understand why I never purchased this album sooner, along with; Kansas "Leftoverture", Yes "Close to the Edge", Pink Floyd "Animals", Genesis "Foxtrot", Gentle Giant "Power and the Glory", UK debut, King Crimson "In the Court of the Crimson King", Rainbow "Rising", Deep Purple "Machine Head" and Rush "Hemispheres" albums were all late finds for me but were ASTOUNDING pieces of music that changed my life on what music could be.
The opener on Brain Salad Surgery, which was a familiar prayer (later to learn it was a popular English hymn, one clue was watching a skit on Monty Pythons Flying Circus as a kid) had this huge majestic quality that made the piece even more divine! Even though according to journalist Alan Rhodes: "Carl Palmer would later say: " Jerusalem ' was banned in England on the radio. Although we tried to get a very orchestral feel, it was still labeled as a piece of pop music. (The) BBC would not accept 'Jerusalem' as a serious piece of music. (They) thought we were degrading it.". Insanity! I think God was well pleased on this amazing interpretation.
See more from a later edition of liner notes.
Each track had a "space" of their own, an island of soundscapes, to take apart in my mind and be dumbfounded how people could write music of such power and grandeur.
The album and especially this particular track, would expand my knowledge and have me ready for music that was more challenging, complex and experimental, which this was in spades. And then would learn it was originally composed by the contemporary classical composer Alberto Ginastera . . .
- Emerson Lake & Palmer - "Toccata"
https://youtu.be/fxTMG7uWTRU
Madness!!! Much like the reaction of Ginastera himself when 1st hearing their interpretation!
Greg Lake was a mad combination of Jon Lord and Rick Wakeman, the heaviness of Metal, the epicness of Progressive Rock, but the agility and grace of a Classical pianist who occasionally used hammers to hit the keys, which were his fingers attacking many of their pieces.
"Toccata" has a great story behind it. From the liner notes of a special edition version and from where I 1st heard about it on another limited edition version that had interviews with each member . . .
"We desperately needed to get 'Toccata' on Brain Salad Surgery If we didn't the release date would have had to have been pushed back, and we'd have had to come up with another idea. It really all hung on the permission of Ginastera and his publishers.
"I discussed with him what I'd done, then held my breath and let him listen to it. He played it on a tape recorder, and after the first five or six bars, he switched the tape recorder off and looked across at his wife in sort of disbelief and said, 'Diabolic!' I thought he meant it was diabolical - that it was bad! Because he'd been playing the tape recorder in mono, and we had a stereo tape, I jumped up and switched the deck to stereo. But he wasn't concentrating on that, he was completely bewildered by the music. He wound it back to the beginning and played it again. At the end, he said, "That's incredible! You've captured the essence of my music, and nobody's ever done that before.' I didn't know what to say; I could've fallen through the floor. At that moment nothing else mattered to me. The other criticisms of the band meant absolutely nothing."
You can see the work put into the album here:
Part I: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2Rq6s0InLc
Part II: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zI51rS0aS7Q
Part III: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUOrcJq2xIA
I loved how emotive Greg Lake was with his voice, adding strength and inflections at the right moment to drive home emotions or meaning into the lyrics (with Peter Sinfield respectfully) as the grand music draped around him in each piece.
Even the track that many think was "filler" or its "weakest" track, for me was something lighthearted to break all the intensity, and it showed that they could have a sense of humour while demonstrating even further that they were able to play many styles of music of the past . . .
- Emerson Lake & Palmer - "Benny the Bouncer"
https://youtu.be/mD0XiBdCp3I
Even the single, the proverbial "Love Song" has its place as any other music but other than Pop music gets deeper lyrically and emotionally through the music to enhance the words. If poetic prose or clever rhymes, it goes deeper to the heart of the matter (and rings true for the love of my life) . . .
- Emerson Lake & Palmer - "Still... you turn me on"
https://youtu.be/U8bCmb6v5RQ
Then there was the suite with the clever title (in which the other single was edited: "Karn Evil 9: 1st Impression Part 2") that took us all into an amazing Classical arrangement with amplified instruments.
So multi-layered and epic it would clearly divide its detractors and its fans. If the question is "what can we do within the rock parameters?" it clearly broke them or pushed its boundaries.
To me, this is a classical piece used with contemporary instruments and should be looked at as a brilliant piece of music. And after all these years its become a classic in Rock music and for many a standard of Progressive Rock to gauge from. Where so many of its contemporaries have stated that its been one of many inspirations and influences to their own music.
It was quite cool to have the "1st Impression Pt. 1" fade-out to end side A on the Lp, and as "Pt. 2" Side B faded back-in to welcome us from the opening verse; "Welcome back my friends to the show that never ends, We are glad you could attend, come inside, come inside" . . .
"Karn Evil 9: 1st Impression, Pt. 1"
"Karn Evil 9: 1st Impression, Pt. 2"
"Karn Evil 9: 2nd Impression"
"Karn Evil 9: 3rd Impression"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKeZBUUiFL8
Its an amazing ride through words and sound that I would listen to the whole album over and over in my lifetime from beginning to end as one masterpiece without skipping a track.
While critics of the day slammed it (and the band) for its "pompous bombastic pretentious (that favorite word of critics) techno noise with no soul", or they thought it was a lackluster album that had a few good tracks, its fans, as always, who were mostly made-up of people who absorbed music in general, or at the very least wanted something out of the norm that uplifted their spirits as well as their minds, championed them and at a time when enough were able to provide them a top charting album in 1974 (peaking at 11 on the U.S. Charts while no. 2 in the UK) receiving Gold albums.
As always, the fans "understand" the music, many of us were raised with MANY types of music of different genres (Pop, Rock, Jazz/Fusion, Blues, Classical, Soundtrack Scores, R&B, Soul, Hard Rock/Heavy Rock and Progressive Rock of the day). Of different degrees, or various eras of music (early and later eras of our parents). But somehow the critics KNOW better and will tell YOU that you must be crazy to like THIS music. I may be self-deprecating often, but I'm not that stupid. Or-rather, I am the most STUPIDEST man on the planet but I GET the music (or Film, Art etc.), why don't these pretentious college educated, esteemed journalists get it? But many in the mainstream will look at their words as their gauge. They can't make up their own minds and judge music by its sales, if it's on the radio or if they have never heard of them, they must be bad. If they don't exist in the popular ear, there must be a reason. And that reason is because they are not talented "enough". And the question begs, compared to what?
It is now considered canon as one of the Greatest Progressive Rock albums by Rolling Stone (Top 50), Prog Archives and Prog Magazine (yet, I will present some criticism of these 3 publications later), and more importantly by its fans. And depending on each fan, maybe their favorite of all time. They will out live their critics and actually have something to show for their efforts for centuries as it is passed down to generation to generation of what music CAN be. And the torch will be passed on to inspire the next phase of Progressive music.
For fun, the unboxing of the Deluxe Special Edition:
https://youtu.be/RQbSI-nF9Y8
Chapter 2:
From the Beginning . . .
You were meant to be here
From the beginning"
- Emerson Lake & Palmer/"From the beginning"
I created "Concept Tapes" that were themed volumes of cassette tapes as a way to listen to various bands, make the experience more exciting by mixing in various sound fx, dialogue, nature sounds and more. Unfortunately for a time in my life, I had no one to share the experience with. Most of my friends were into the "trendy" pop, alternative/new wave or techno musics. So I did it all for my own amusement.
But it was my education in sound, recording and engineering when hearing all the music I was putting together on headphones. It forced me to hear how dynamic many albums were produced, the depth, soundscapes, the compositions and structures of how it all worked.
I couldn't read music but I could improvise on guitar, and for a time could sing in many different keys when I sang along with various vocalists. It made me appreciate the craft of making records and the abilities of the musician. What they learned and who inspired them. It's a wonder I did not become a musician or sound engineer because both fascinated me immensely. For years I wrote lyrics, but never put them to music. Art/Illustration always took presidence in my life, trying to develop myself as a Conceptual Designer, and buying Art of and portfolio books of my fave artists/illustrators and the various bands, vocalists and soundtrack scores that interested me of the day. Which my career in its earlier days would afford me to buy lots more Lp's and CD's to feed my addiction.
With all the music I dived into, ELP was one of those bands that had a large catalogue big enough that it took time to get through, but was a joy to discover what I missed from a bygone era. To breakdown each album would take volumes here. But I want to feature the early albums to you (the layman or those who've only heard a couple of albums) to also discover their breath of music that is dense with virtuosity, beauty, epicness and melody. And their knowledge of music throughout history . . .
- Emerson Lake & Palmer:
Tarkus (1971):
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLo2aaBamFnLRl_a3Tu-RrkIDeL4TM0V4F
Pictures at an Exhibition (1971):
https://youtu.be/xWQct6D6HsM
Trilogy (1972):
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLG6FC9idstGNd6-p0QYVQOyixAYFZpPNG
Funny though, before I had purchased those albums, I had purchased "Works: Volume 1" because the cover was so plain (luckily I had a brand new 1st print copy in its original wrapping and the "embossed" ELP logo). Simple but elegant as far as graphics as well as the portraits of Keith, Carl and Greg, so I thought the music would reflect the cover. And for me it did! Though this album and the next (Volume 2) were considered the beginning of the end of the band, with inner turmoil and when bands like this were looked at as "Dinosaurs". But I enjoyed volume 1, if they worked together or separate, I enjoyed the music as presented. It was presented as a 2 Lp set, each side for each member as side 4 (record 2 side B) was the band as a whole. Keith and the Band sides were my faves, as I got to experience Keith's Classical prowess, and the band's epic "Pirates" and their interpretation of Aaron Copland's famous classical piece; "Fanfare for the Common Man".
Greg's side contained 3 love songs that I still enjoy (and dedicate), again, Greg Lake taking the topic and showing how in-depth he can be lyrically and the emotion of his voice ("Lend Your Love to Me Tonight", "C'est la Vie", "Closer to Believing").
- Emerson Lake & Palmer - Works: Volume 1 (1977)
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuaiXOQ6tpH5u3REaRMpw97iWzBPqQ3Hl
Volume 2 (1977) I had purchased this one many years later and hardly remember it, except for the stripped down version of "Father Christmas" (whereas I preferred the version with the full choir and orchestration) and "Love Beach (1978)" I have never purchased, and throughout the years have heard pieces. I know it has a notorious reputation as their "worst" album but I understand it has a few good cuts on it. I will have to judge for myself soon. It seemed it was the album that would put a cap in their history.
But by the time I had fully turned into an ELP fan, like a few other bands of the time, they had been long broken up. The new Prog bands were growing and one of my wishes was to go back in time to see ELP and others that had gone. ELP had a long run, but different interests in each member, growing apart and the Punk/New Wave onslaught would put an end to an era. . . . Just for a few years.
Greg Lake would do 2 solo albums (and one of my fave songs with guitarist Gary Moore; "Nuclear Attack" with its monster riffs!), Carl Palmer would do 7 solo albums and a one off band, and then join the super group "Asia" (1981 to 1991 when ELP regrouped and then rejoin in 2006). And Keith Emerson would score 7 Films and do 6 solo albums.
Welcome back my friends . . .
An album would be released that would almost be what I had waited for in 1988, a 1 off album in which Emerson and Palmer along with Bassist/Guitarist/Vocalist Robert Berry called themselves "3".
It did not do well, even with a single "minor hit" (peaked at no. 9) "Talkin' bout". It was a bit more "poppy" than what many of us wanted (though I liked it!), but "Desde La Vida" was a standout piece for me, harking back to those ELP days with a contemporary sound.
- 3 - "To the power of Three" (1988)
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-Pb8xmheHG0nTn_VGSTkY4oAN_k3bacv
But in 1985 Greg and Keith were wanting to put the band together with hopes they could bring Carl back into the fold, but he had commitments with "Asia". So they hired Rainbow/MSG/Whitesnake drummer Cozy Powell and became "Emerson Lake & Powell". Astounding to me as I was a HUGE Powell fan. But I would not be able to see them as it was a bad time in my life being out on my own for the 1st time. I missed many concerts during those years in Pomona Calif.
But I LOVED this album, it sounded like the ELP of old, I listened to this album often, and still do. And Keith again with that HUGE keyboard (and Hammond) sound! Keith still had that "Whoooop!" key sweep that was always his signature.
Another fave track is one of those few songs out there that make me tear-up just about everytime I listen to it, the soulful keyboard solo in "Lay down your Guns", along with the lyrics of finding hope in a war torn world just added to the emotion Keith was feeling when playing that solo. Very moving and beautiful.
- Emerson Lake & Powell - self titled (1986)
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_noA1rSrOWXngRhxPYA3gO11qMtrki0lqQ
Unfortunately they also did it as a 1 off but toured the album and 2 subsequent Live albums that were a limited small print.
In 1991, it seemed time was ripe for Progressive Rock, and ELP would try once more to capture that former glory with the announcement of a new album. "Black Moon" was a sleeker modern album with a bit more emphasis on songs, but with their signature sound and wonderful moments by Keith in all manor of moods, colours and soundscapes. Including one of my fave solo pieces "Close to Home".
Though critics didn't care for it, it seemed most fans were excited to see them on the road again. including those die-hard fans now bringing their children to see them.
- Emerson Lake & Palmer - "Black Moon" (1991)
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_nSGPeYb57Y-chPXVt_G6ODQRM9nQMQcRc
It was this news that me and my brother decided to get tickets! I even made a Banner with the ELP Logo and the message "Welcome Back my Friends" and taped it to the back trunk of my brothers truck, which got many "thumbs up" and positive comments. I was amazed my brother knew many of the songs when he said to me; "Its because you played your albums soo loud I could hear everything through your door!" :p
Me and my brother were super excited to see a band we thought we may never see in our lifetime. It was the 1st concert I had seen many veteran fans bringing their kids in droves! It was soo nice to see that the parents were just as excited to bring their children to pass down this kind of music to a new generation.
So to see Keith Emerson do his infamous "Solo", live and in colour, is something I will never forget and be blessed to have been witnessed to this, even if only 1 time . . .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eeFjADELCwQ
Full show during same tour:
Emerson Lake & Palmer: Live at the Royal Albert Hall (1992)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dL7SL1ijqAo
"We would like it to be known the exhibits that were shown, were exclusively our own, all our own, all our own . . .
Come and see the show, come and see the show, come and see the show! See the show!"
ELP would do an extensive World Tour and again find its new audience . . .
I began pouring back into the catalogue and soaking up their earlier albums as much as I could, while purchasing albums by their contemporaries carrying the newly lit torch passing it one to the other.
As well as the heavier sounds of Metal bands coming through various styles and aggressions. Including the ever growing sub-genre of the 2 in "Prog Metal" and the Guitar Shredders of the day.
This time is somewhat a blur. So many things happening to me, moving to one city to the next trying to do something with my art between crappy jobs that I could hardly stand. I had the bad habit of feeding my addiction 1st before eating or paying bills (buying music LP's and CD's of course) as it and my Maker kept me sane.
But harder times would hit in the late 90's and I would find myself "homeless" for a year. I think just about every artist has to go through some traumatic time in their life to see what they are made of, reflect on those bad choices, wrong roads or to be swept up by fate and making the best of any given situation and try to get back on your feet with a new sense of purpose. "Life Lessons" that will hopefully make you a better person, more empathetic. Or you drown and let yourself go mad.
For me it was an effort to stay clean and healthy while most people just thought I was an everyday guy, going to a part time job and living day to day. But I had soo many weird experiences, tough moments of loneliness, despair, finding out who my true friends were and dealing with my "surroundings" of where I could rest before showing up for work in the morning (which I was always on time to at-least get away from the "clean and safe" places I tried to sleep).
Memory is a bit scattered, but there was a time that I lived in Santa Monica, just on the border of Venice off of Rose Ave. where just a few years before I lived near the "canal" part of Venice making 45K at the prestigious Video Game Studio from Japan, their U.S. headquarters "Square LA" (the makers of the "Final Fantasy" series), and living in my own little one bedroom cottage facing Ocean Ave. where I watched people walk to the canals or to the beach. Played my music LOUD with no one to bother me about it. Played my Jackson FX-1 Guitar and a borrowed Korg Guitar Processor and an amp as loud as I wanted, draw and be content with my life . . .
So when people claim I'm lazy, stubborn, that I should get a "normal job" if it was for the meantime, as a career, or as a "Fall back plan". I've been there and done that. I have been on plenty jobs my Father warned me about, getting soaked with sweat, grime and stinking like a pig, to getting my 1st Studio job in Carlsbad Calif. and after my art career waned back to more crappy jobs. Those very jobs my Father did not want me to do. As I got older some of the jobs I had screwed up my back, neck and I have had to endure it all just to make ends meet, grin and bear it. But like anyone I had ambitions, I had to move forward not backwards with hopes that fate would smile, prayers would be answered, the efforts I make with these hands and sacrifices would take me on the "right" roads to find success. But it's a long and winding one. But in the journey it has experiences to help me learn and be more wiser (I hope). I have blessings that I can not take for granted knowing that many have it far worse.
Though I had scattered contract Art jobs, they were short termed for various reasons (which are stories for another time) and back to the grind. Day to day, hand to mouth.
~ Life of the Three Fates ~
| https://youtu.be/DyEnbwvW2MU |
Clotho: the spinner of the thread of destiny
But here I was in Santa Monica (close to Rose and Main Street) in 1997 with an annoying roommate from Moscow, a very promiscuous one at that, where almost nightly had to hear moaning and groaning with various women he'd pick-up, from a guy that wasn't particularly handsome (I just didn't get it, but he was very self assured, and arrogant) and in a Apartment that was a bit run down. It was like I blurred it all out to live there, but I could hardly afford it. I had no idea what to do as a freelance artist, so I worked various jobs to make ends hardly meet.
It was so strange that this man (who knew about my music tastes) had told me that he had a friend from music school (Moscow) named "Igor Khoroshev" who was an amazing (classical, rock, progressive rock) pianist and keyboardist who was a HUGE "Yes and ELP fan", and then went into details about both of them in school that I can't remember. I am not good with names but I always remembered that particular one.
Sure enough, in 1997 and 1999, he played backup keyboardist on Yes's "Open your Eyes" album, and then hired-on for the album "The Ladder"! Also, in 1999 he would make a guest appearance on Magna Carta's "Encores, Legends and Paradox: A Tribute to the Music of ELP" - it gets a bit crazier . . .
Lachesis: measured the thread
Little did my roommate know - We lived on a well-known street in Santa Monica that went up a hill and we lived on the otherside where it leveled out. One day heading home, I had gotten to the top of that hill, I look to my right, and I did a double take . . . There is Keith Emerson getting his mail.
Its fucking Keith Emerson getting his mail! What tha'!? I was soo damned depressed in those days, I didn't have it in me to say hello, but I remember stopping for a second . . . contemplated this moment, and then moved on. I don't think I even told my roommate because I despised him soo much.
On another day, I was heading out somewhere and an SUV drives up to that complex on top of the hill, and there is Keith driving-up! I "think" I waved at him, but he might've thought I was just being courteous for letting me pass the driveway :p.
Atropos: cuts the thread of life
From one part time job, to another opportunity that involved "Comic Books and Anime" having to move to the San Fernando Valley (close to where I lived in 1977, just arriving from Louisiana) and living IN the store overnight, including painting murals with other artists in the wee hours, who we all had sob stories to tell. It was nice to hang with a few peers. To landing another job in Santa Monica which was my Godsend . . .
I had been staying in a studio apt. in Canoga Park CA. with a fellow comic book/toy store employee (they
never gave me a key to the front gate, so I had to "climb" somehow to the 2nd floor of the complex to get in undetected), whose girlfriend, who I thought was a "sweetheart", soon found out that she verbally
abused her 8 yr. old daughter while HE would "laugh", almost every morning this happened, as the little
girl was supposed to "wake them up" (they slept in the same bed) and the mother would yell and hurl
terrible insults at her (I was surprised she didn't hit her). I would be under my blankets on the couch crying till they left. I wanted to strangle my "friend" and his girlfriend. But then where would that poor little girl be? When I landed a job back in Santa Monica, I packed my stuff and left an intense letter to the girls Mom, hoping it scare the shit out of her (I should have called the Department of Social Services, but I was in a bad place myself, but I feel awful for not doing anything) :(. One of the last few words in that letter was; "When
you look into your daughter's eyes, do you want to see Love or Fear?".
Again, after some intense prayers for that little girl, and myself, I prayed that I would NEVER again find
myself in such situations, nor have those thoughts of "giving in", as I used to see areas I'd pass and think;
"I bet that would be a good place to sleep", as if I was already giving up.
After the situation with the couple in Canoga Park, I had saved enough for another roommate situation, walking distance to my job at an Organic Grocery Store back in Santa Monica (where I met many celebs, including commercial actors and musicians), which would be my last job in the food industry. I moved on to working at Tower Records down the street near the 3rd Street Promenade where I used to hang out and made new "music" friends. Where I ended up as a clerk and then display artist from 1999 to 2002 I believe. I would have soo many new albums pass through my fingers, and where I'd meet "The professor on the drum kit" - Neil Peart (during the time of Geddy Lee's solo album) :).
And . . . because of the mess I'd been living in all those years. I had no idea ELP were still together and had
released an album in 1994 (this was at the time I lived in Pomona's "Art Colony" and 1 year before my 1st
Video Game job in Carlsbad).
Again, the thread of life being cut as it would be the last studio album for the band from rising tensions
between Emerson and Lake sadly. Including the diagnosis of Keith's right hand having nerve damage. And
me finding footing again to keep moving forward after the worst parts of my life would be behind me.
My recent life has had its ups and downs, and volatile situations with an ex-roommate (which are too
much to get into here), though I have focused my energies to improve on my art and refresh my portfolio, including newly acquired freelance gigs . . . I just wonder, why the hell do I end up in these weird scenarios. It makes me feel like I live in a run-down trailer park. How do I survive these situations with my sanity
relatively intact? And another notch in this long strange trip - to yet another go nowhere town I've lived in Southern California, hoping to be back to LA sooner than later (recent note; It makes me laugh that I
wanted to be back in "LA", more like in the outskirts of LA "county" away from the main city. Though I'd
rather be in San Diego county where people are a lot more laid-back, but California rent is notoriously
high).
The loom of life still weaving and the end is never ending. I'm still determined to follow the line, with all
the music that inspires me to keep going on this journey. Be it fate, osmosis or my Creator leading me on a
path to the prize that waits over the horizon.
To heal their sorrow, To beg and borrow, Fight tomorrow!"
- Emerson Lake & Palmer/ Karn Evil 9: 1st Impression
Though coming under critical review by critics and fans alike, the album featured a now "studio version" of the epic "Pictures at an Exhibition". Personally, I think it has very strong moments (and the gut-
wrenching "Daddy" which has a tragic real story) and it has grown on me since my 1st listen. Again it was an emphasis on songwriting
with the traditional epic, but this time studio recording of "Pictures at an Exhibition" to end the album and an illustrious career of one of the most successful Progressive Rock bands that spanned from 1970 thru 2000.
- Emerson Lake & Palmer - In the Hot Seat (1994)
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLK6X2ZxsBQsc1VWOuC8kRHyYYOsJzE3So
"Out of this cocoon, reachin' for the moon, we pray...
Though our dreams are made of sand, there's fate in every hand we play
We're searchin' for the flame, where in Heaven's name will light be found
We're searchin' for the flame, where in Heaven's name will light be found again"
- Emerson Lake & Palmer/"One by One"
Chapter 3:
Keith's Journey (Lifeworks). . .
Here I will feature his musical journey visually and aurally to watch this amazing man do his thing and all the people he worked with in achieving musical excellence. Including his history with Bob Moog.
A journeyman of the highest degree.
Please watch each one, and make some time to appreciate the man's life works. EnjOy! . . .
| To the Show that never ends |
Keith Emerson Band - "Tarkus":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psgQsFK7BdA
Dream Theater's keyboardist "Jordan Rudess" explains to their Italian fans what Keith meant to him:
https://youtu.be/_NnLo-ihSF8?t=14m45s
Keith with Jeff "Skunk" Baxter, John Entwistle, Joe Walsh, Simon Phillips and Rick Livingstone:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQlwDkOhWGc
Keith Emerson and Paul Schaffer and the Worlds Most Dangerous Band on Letterman 1986:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXjO3hDNyIc
Keith Emerson Piano Improvisations:
https://youtu.be/IlzrOV_9fLs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbcXbf7QIbY
Keith Emerson Band - Touch and Go (Live):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrKN1SoZhtI
Emerson Lake & Palmer Interview with Inside Entertainment (1992):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mflSSM-K0g
ELP Backstage 1993:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InsPq31KAzY
Keith Emerson Interviews:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsVT91oidsE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIx0MVMhKZo
Keith Emerson - "Honky" (1981)
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvOBGdnH21fLYnEYqEDgcxkln_VQljTz6
Keith Emerson Band featuring Marc Bonilla (2008)
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mzRo13baeAP0cxff7qZcmCre5sMFTh3OI
Keith Emerson - Inferno OST (1980):
https://youtu.be/0U5JApvuhH0
Keith Emerson - Nighthawks OST (1981)/Main Theme:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLA_6nw_SiTT0_FAoSdSbnhA86ZEg3Osls
Keith Emerson & Goblin - La Chiesa OST (1999):
https://youtu.be/_DAFNrDL4FI
VERY sad that this was posted at YOUtube in February 2016 :(
Keith Emerson Documentary / Indiegogo 2016 Campaign:
Video 1:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4egmjbi02o
ELP Documentary from 40th Anniversary Concert
https://youtu.be/90hN9IM2NMs
Keith Emerson interview with Rick Wakeman:
https://youtu.be/-eyM4w02uoE
Also just posted in February of 2016
Billboard Live Tour 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcbf8qkAIfY
And now the words you have all waited for! Maestro if you please . . .
Chapter 4:
Pompous, Pretentious, So what!
| PICTURES OF AN EXHIBITIONIST |
(yes I stole that, I'm not that clever)
ELP (currently, much like Dream Theater has been the whipping post for the last 15+ years) for its lifetime has seemed to be thee band to be lambasted as the poster child for calling out Progressive Rock in their self-indulgences that, for some reason seems . . . wrong? Apparently critics didn't get the memo that its okay to break the rules.
"Pompous, Bombastic, Self-indulgent, Soulless, lacking anything of value, mechanical, full of wankery, endless masturbation, and wait for it! . . . PRETENTIOUS!"
pre·ten·tious
prəˈten(t)SHəs/
adjective
- attempting to impress by affecting greater importance, talent, culture, etc., than is actually possessed.
"a pretentious literary device"
synonyms: affected, ostentatious, showy; overambitious, pompous, artificial, inflated,
overblown, high sounding, flowery, grandiose, elaborate, extravagant, flamboyant, ornate,
grandiloquent, magniloquent, sophomoric;
informal, flashy, highfalutin, fancy-pants, la-di-da, pseudo
"Clytemnestra is a pretentious name for a dog"
WERE able to play what they composed, they came from Classical, Jazz and Rock backgrounds and knew how to play it, they had the experience, schooling and knowledge to perform at this level. They DID possess the craft and abilities, they weren't "pretending", it's all there in the music.
Progressive Rock and Metal's traits are that they ARE bombastic and self-indulgent. This is not AOR friendly music (though ELP and others are on the Radio from its bygone era and are considered "Classics") or "Pop" trendy musics that every song is from 2 to 5 minutes with gimmicky hooks and repeated
choruses over and over and over and over and over (and over).
If your concern is that Prog and Metal should be concerned with "songs"(they ARE there, you're not looking close enough), you picked the WRONG type of music. If you took out the components of musical virtuosity, the bombastic, the excess virtuosity of musicianship and sheer "showing off", ALONG with songs and melody that were also EPIC in proportions, then it's NOT Prog or Metal.
Our music is supposed to push boundaries whatever YOU think that may be, but it's not regulated to what others deem "rules", these musics are meant to break them, offer something new. If you think it sounds the same, someone else will love it. What you suggest has no melody, someone else can hear it. What you may deem mechanical and soulless, others can hear the timing, the swing, the emotion (all of them). They have the ability to create compositions that are complex and adding their own soul to challenge themselves and the listener. Could a Classical or Jazz musician be able to play these musics? Sure, some can because they know its "soul", they know the mechanics on how to play their instruments in a way to play all these musics in their intended forms. But many others in Classical, Jazz (and other musics) can "Read" the music, but do not have the soul to reproduce its sounds. How to utilize effects, strike the instruments and their respective techniques that the listener can hear that they're not just wannabe's trying to play something they have no "ear" for.
These are the elements for these music's; ability, virtuosity, playing their instruments (including voice) to the highest level possible, to achieve a sound that has never been heard, or at the very least add to the genre their own interpretation of the music with equal abilities, to those that invent something new, breaking out of boxes and preconceptions of what music is and what it can be. "I" want to be challenged as much as the artist to themselves. This music has opened my brain to things many don't understand, with all the types of music I was raised with in the 60's and 70's.
Yet there are people that insult us that "understand" these music styles and say WE must be stupid for what THEY don't understand. All these educated journalists and armchair critics that claim they follow music but THEY can't hear what the rest of us all hear. Don't WE prove that we have a MORE wider range of music tastes and knowledge? So WHO is really pretentious?
ELP has been berated by fans of the genre, not only journalists from the past but today at various sites, even other bands of their peers, yet you can hear THEIR influences by other bands that came before. Often you can hear the bands they directly sound like that they can't stand!
Everyone has their own tastes, they have their ears tuned different, but it's one thing to say "I don't like _________", that's fine, but what is it about the endless harsh insults, jokes and at-length articles of what's wrong with Prog, Metal etc.? I am at a loss to understand when there is soo many different type of bands adding their own voice. This is not Pop music, its not just "Rock" - it all has a wider breath, a deeper musicality than many other forms, or let's say closer to Jazz/Fusion, Classical, Soundtrack Scores and all the musics that are integrated in any band that you can pick in Prog and Metal or its influences and inspirations.
I am the biggest idiot in the universe, how is it I can find soo many bands I understand and have much to offer and NEVER be bored with? And all the bands that fell through the cracks from the past, or a newer band that doesn't have the exposure as others, and can be a fantastic find!
OUR music can not be judged by album sales, award shows (that have NO clue) or the media driven masses that base a good song or band by "Hits", units sold and TV appearances that most will be just a flavor of the month, and in a year be deemed "Old". It's a fashion, but for all of us, taking a album off the shelf is a love for the music created that is timeless, has integrity and longevity. It may have a sound of another era, but it lasts, it's forever, it's not about "nostalgia".
There are those that paid their dues to play, live the life and within their own means to pay to play and burn the road trying to get it to you, to find success in an already saturated but a harder market to break into. But American Idol and America's Got Talent can take a person in line who's never known the sacrifice, build them up, win and become nothing (though its few exceptions), and then tear them down. But another few will pick themselves up, and get back on the road to die trying.
No matter what people say about ELP . . .
They have achieved success, a reputation, respect from their peers, paid their dues, and their music will be shared onto each generation to come, to inspire and influence many more bands and musicians, while their critics fade away.
Emerson Lake & Palmer, with each member will live on in the hearts of those who love them. For an eternity they and others leave their legacy for us to enjoy, and possibly for some, finally to discover them at this time of loss, to hear what they have missed and for what we have known. That music has no barriers and can astound.
. . . Welcome back my friends to the show that NEVER ends, we're so glad you could attend, come inside, come inside.
One last story . . .
Well, after the show meeting the band members, there he was! Keith Emerson apparently knows and admires Ryo and the band. One of my more embarrassing moments trying to say hello as he was hanging with Ryo and Drummer Jimmy Keegan (which I poured compliments on for his angelic vocals on "Carie" which was astounding! :) - Here's another great version), but I had to tell him about 1st seeing him on that "street on the hill" and driving-up in that SUV. He says "You know, I still have that SUV" :D. I think I was going a bit long, and my friend Chris puts his hand on my shoulder and I said my goodbyes to him to let him go back to his friends (I must've turned cherry red).
Well I wish I wasn't so star struck and talked to him a bit more calmly, but I am so honored to have met him. I just never thought he would leave us so soon after :'(.
- But thank you Keith for your time, and the music you left us all with :).
Chapter 5:
Anger and disgust.
Love and Happiness.
- Keith Emerson, 71, was founder and keyboard player of Emerson, Lake and Palmer
- Nerve damage to his hand affected his playing, said his girlfriend Mari Kawaguchi
- She said he was 'tormented with worry' about upcoming concerts in Japan
- She found his body in the apartment they shared in Santa Monica, Los Angeles, early on Friday morning
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3489624/ELP-star-Keith-Emerson-shot-no-longer-perform-perfectly-fans.html#ixzz43FmWtkhy
Also read an article by LA WEEKLY and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome:
http://www.laweekly.com/music/why-we-need-to-talk-about-keith-emersons-carpal-tunnel-syndrome-6723079
My friend from "Progressive Rock Planet" and his thoughts:
http://progressivemusicplanet.com/2016/03/14/keith-emersons-death-should-serve-as-a-warning/
. . . and another tragic view from his fellow bandmate:
http://teamrock.com/news/2016-03-15/keith-emerson-tragedy-was-no-shock-to-greg-lake
The loss through Jordan Rudess and Keith Wechsler:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/chris-epting/lucky-men-two-of-keith-em_b_9541924.html
It was pointed out to me tonight, by way of another post on the Facebook "Emerson Lake & Palmer Appreciation Group" that many of the things purportedly said by Keith's Girlfriend by "The Daily Mail" is actually false :(.
The Daily Mail is a "UK Tabloid magazine" so that says enough. I had found info from Mari Kawaguchi via her twitter account, which linked to this:
https://www.facebook.com/mari.kawaguchi/posts/10153428031926517
(the tweet is no longer available, which I can understand)
But here is what she said:
"I was going to ignore this, but I cannot bare it anymore. There is an interview of me going around in the newspapers everywhere. Please know that there are many gross inaccuracies in this article in the manner that my words are twisted around, altered, taken out of context, or plain "I didn't say it". I've been told, "That's British tabloid for ya!" It angers me that I fell for it in my most vulnerable moment. Live and learn.
Sadly,
- Mari"
But with this alleged factor when I first read it - it made me think how cruel people can be with criticism that goes way beyond just constructive criticism, but personal attacks and being a complete dick. I see it all the time and I wonder how many musicians take this type of insensitivity from people, including "trolls" that do it to get off on, if they are affected in any way about it. Most musicians have a VERY thick skin and its part of being in the limelight. But I can not speak for every artist out there. I'm sure it wears thin after being bombarded by armchair critics everytime you open social media, and as you grow older you have to wonder if your able to keep up, staying current and having the chops.
Like us, everyday people dealing with all the adversity in OUR everyday lives. We have to grasp onto the positive and move forward, no matter what they say.
So I will leave the next chapter as is (you'll get my point through it all I'm sure). Criticism is something we deal with everyday and we have to learn to take it with a grain of salt or be angry and deal with what we can about it. But what do THEY know. YOU are the one that knows what its like to live the life and perform for an audience. Chances are that YOU have more successes than those that try to tear down.
So folks, please read the rest with all the facts above in mind. Thank you, and NO THANK YOU to the Tabloids and trolls. Stay strong Ms. Kawaguchi and all of Keith's Family :'). Thank you for setting it straight.
- Mari Kawaguchi
I am utterly destroyed by his loss already, but angry and disgusted by those who follow this music but found it necessary to injure an already worried musician who had more life in that "hand" than THEY will ever experience. To add insult to injury, he had suffered from Depression since 1977 according to Greg Lake.
Keith . . .
A man who dedicated his whole life to music, married, had children, toured the world, played sold out stadiums, experienced fame, fortune, success, playing with equally talented musicians and orchestras to compose and conduct, divorce, lose a special home in Sussex to a fire, find love again, called on to play special events internationally. Yet in one instant, to be victim to the physicality of his playing and a few soulless, spineless assholes that had not one iota of anything to add to the universe but malice and contempt . . . like an arrow through his heart destroyed it, when already under stress about his "performance" to come in Japan, this breath of life who in this moment of time, worried about playing at the top of his ability, having already his own self-doubts, were reinforced by cowards behind a computer screen not knowing a thing about a life long commitment to entertain, compose and play for THEM (including his critics, yes YOU you spineless dumbshits), for himself, to challenge the precepts of music from its critics and naysayers, for the people who lived to see him play his music. Dashed in a second. Keith LIVED for YOUR approval and his soul.
. . . this is where YOU look in the mirror and question; What have YOU contributed to the world? And what can YOU do to make life better for yourself and others?
I came across a video of Emerson Lake & Powell hosting MTV, they are trying to make the most of this odd appearance and kidding around like I do with my friends, just being silly, and Keith does his "imitation of Peter Gabriel from the video Big Time" which is totally hilarious and goofy.
So what do I see in the comments, posted 1 year ago . . .
"RTHA300
emerson, that shit impression was not even funny, about as funny as that shit keyboarding that you commited on the fans. The stage show was shit and the keyboarding was garbage. The band was shit"
Yes, these idiots are all over the place trolling to get a reaction, and there is nothing we can do about it and ain't it a shame they can't be deleted (or punched). But it saddens me that Keith couldn't look at all the positive replies but focused on the few assholes that have no idea what he's accomplished but these low-lifes stuck out more. And I have my guesses what online magazine he saw those few negative comments. As I see the elitists come out of the slime "there" often.
Speaking before thinking. . .
In this day and age of fast information and ability to respond at a whim, I wonder if this discourages future musicians that will be bombarded with critiques, not from just journalists, but arm chair critics and the people that follow the music, the buying public? Too many are too jaded and cynical, with many that are misanthropes looking for someone to abuse because they can, because their own lives are empty.
I had enough anger in my life, from 7 years old being bullied by racist kids of ALL colours, bullied by teachers (at a Catholic School no less), coming home being scolded by my parents with insults, especially by my father till I was in my 30's. And being faced with racism (as well as my Father at his job) everyday till we moved from Louisiana back to California in 1977. So I know about anger, frustration and self-esteem issues, but I came out of it relatively sane and have a thicker skin, but not that thick. Words can hurt, but I usually come back with goofy sarcasm and self-deprecation. In the end I know who I am, what I've done in my life and can only brush off as much as I can and go forward.
My late Father was full of frustrations and anger, and for what? He got eaten up by it. It passed down to my Mom, and my Brother who at times seems more gruff than our Dad, but my Mother denies her anger and looks at me as if I ever verbally abused her. Seems there is a lot of blame to go around.
But . . . I love them, I deal with it as I can, they drive me nuts but I KNOW I drive them nuts too. I just want to love them as much as possible because anytime anywhere 'snap' - we can be gone, and live with all the guilt and regrets, like I do with my late Father. But I respect their way of life, my Mom is retired (who worked very hard all her life) and my "little" Brother is one of the hardest, loyal and dedicated workers I know. We have Rush, ELP, Yes, Primus, King Crimson and other bands that we find our common ground (including Star Wars and other sci-fi/fantasy films, and Monty Python :p). We've had our laughs and equal losses of friends. Though he has his mood swings, I love him dearly, he will ALWAYS be my little brother (even though he sometimes talks to me like a Father, thats a bit much Bro, I already had one remember?).
So i've had to deal with a lot of emotional wreckage, but everyday is a new chapter to learn from and live life, reach for the goals I set for "myself" and carry my faith along for the ride and do what's best for me, in-turn, I can improve my life and help, encourage the ones I love and care for. It is not in me to discourage anyone in their aspirations, goals, dreams or ambitions. Only to tell them "You can do it" because I believe it with all my heart. YOU CAN.
Criticism vs Insults.
(Please forgive me, I AM very angry about this subject and immensely disappointed in humanity).
Look, no one is saying that criticism is not allowed, that's part of life and we all hope to do better and strive to achieve to do something great in our lives. WE need those criticisms to correct mistakes, to keep us grounded and be better people.
"I" am a messed up piece of work, a sinner, a loser, with a modicum of talents that I TRY to do my best but I have my own failures and inadequacies (being a "cussing" Christian perhaps? I'll refer to George Carlin,
Dave Mustaine of Megadeth or Pastor Bob to discuss that). Many things that I remember in my past totally bombard and embarrass me at any given time that it stops me in my tracks and I'm "there" reliving it in a matter of seconds, and I have to shake out of it, and look around if anyone caught me in that trance of time. I've beat myself up for all the stupid choices I've made, things I've "blown", relationships I've had, friends and lovers I've let down :(. And the person I let down the most in the mirror, THAT person looks like a mess, so who am I too tell YOU that YOU are something I know nothing about?
I have to deal with my own depression from time to time, I ride it like a bronco till I break it, move on until the next ride comes. I deal with it everyday and all I can do is treat others with respect, no matter my "mood", I just can't take it out on the public, THEY are not to blame, it's nobody's fault but mine. I just want to live and be a good person and pursue my interests and have someone to love and share my life, be tolerant and content. But I have to admit, I want people to like me, I don't want to come off as a knowitall dick. I just want to share my thoughts and knowledge of this music and art I love, I want to "share".
But we may reply to your insults, because YOU showed YOUR attitude loud and clear from something I or others said which had no "malice" whatsoever, no animosity intended in whatever was said. If there was miscommunication, then we come to terms, forgive, shake and move on. I wish it could resolve that way out there. There is a lot of pain that needs to heal . . .
The Mob rules and requires a sacrifice!
"Suffering in silence, they've all been betrayed. They hurt them and they beat them, in a terrible way.
Praying for survival at the end of the day. There is no compassion for those who stay . . ."
But since the invention of the internet and the complete immunity of its users (or at-least, the safety of "distance"), now anyone who had no courage at all to insult anyone out of the blue, at the second of an emotion - POW it's in your face! They are able to insult, berate and bully anyone from long distances from the safety of a computer screen because of their own inadequacies, self-loathing, and failures that jealousy and whatever else lets loose the only way they know how to communicate, yet may go through life as a totally different person in the world and are pleasant to all, but inside they're messed-up, a "closet recluse". Yet they don't realize THEY may feel just like the ones they abuse. Surrounded by people day to day yet feel totally alone and ignored.
But these types have also destroyed lives of children and young adults trying to fit in. How many stories have we heard of a lonely child, an introvert, questions of their sexuality, class, ideology, their personal individuality, trying to make friends and anything else that they feel ashamed of or trying to find their own answers are destroyed by others cruelty, and they take their own life because life was THAT painful to live on (We can argue about the Parents of the Bullies and the Parents of children that take their life have not been reinforced in their "self-esteem" - this should be discussed in schools in groups, or one on one, NOT in an "assembly" in the gymnasium).
Maybe the parents are just as pre-occupied with their cell phones and the internet as their kids, who's watching who and paying attention to what their kids are doing, saying and watching what their personalities are like? Or Kids and Parents not being part of the family dynamic . . . at all. Not being in the here and now, they're somewhere else talking to people who are not there in front of them.
You can see not even adults are immune. Social media, Blogs, YOUtube, Forums, Online magazines, News sites are full of comments attacking each other in what THEY believe is right (and "how" they think they are right) with facts and figure showing "Nobody's is right, if everybody's wrong". Civility and morals have gone out the window in a loud bloody crash onto the pavement. We are in the gutter now and the world is on fire. Identity politics, what "flag" you wave, and the threats and those that SCREAM at you that
they are "Tolerant" shows the complete opposite in their hysterical behavior makes you wonder who is
sane anymore. WHO really are the crazy ones, who don't want to hear a different point of view? Just their
own voice, ideas in an echo chamber. Live in a bubble and think everyone else has to be just like you.
. . . no thanks.
There are the insults toward celebs and musicians everyday, and "I" am VERY guilty of that (I stopped doing that in 2016 on, especially for musicians). Again, we can argue if its "deserved" from whatever behavior these celebs and (so called) musicians lay claim they are gods, or those public behaviors that the media constantly thrive on and think we all want to see. But I can claim that I've followed the "Justin Bieber" slam bandwagon, am I to be judge of his behavior in public?
Maybe, but what do I really know about him than what's shown on the Celeb Gossip shows I hate? There is Kanye that I can't stop from criticizing because of his arrogance, delusions and narcissism that he YELLS out to anyone with a mic. Is he "Asking for it"? (well yeah, he is BUT I DIGRESS! or degrease, I don't know).
But, Kanye also has some strong opinions about being self-sufficient for success, and being responsible for your own actions.
Not that I condone/like what Justin (or Kanye) has chosen as his music (or coerced into playing, or chooses under duress), but he is human, he has the ability to play instruments, but so do many Rockers, Proggers and Metallers, and many (or few, however you want look at it relatively speaking) don't do it well, or they picked a style to make money and seek fortune and fame. I am not a Glam Metal fan at all, and I was on that hate bandwagon too - but I feel awful for Jani Lane of Warrant having to succumb to label demands, and who sadly died of Alcohol poisoning.
I may not like Lady Gaga's music (which I am very guilty of slamming), but she is a classically trained pianist, but I don't care for the music she's chosen, but she is quite amazing as a vocalist with Tony
Bennett. For example I much prefer Alicia Keys, classically trained and she utilizes it in her brand of R&B. Talents also like Adele, Sarah McLachlan, Dido, Norah Jones, Kate Bush, Tori Amos, Björk and others seem to have more depth of musicality and beauty in their music styles, it's not so-much about gimmicks but actual musicianship.
. . . But it's all subjective isn't it. Music is different to each individual. And each individual hears music in
different ways. And maybe its up to each of us to "share" our music to those uninitiated.
Those who are getting older also get their share. I just don't understand it. How many of these people lived to see soo many wonderous things around the world in a different era when the world was younger, the experiences they had that we will NEVER know. Those that served their country in times of War, the things they've seen, the sheer horror. And those civilians that lived in war-torn cities and villages, the loss, the sheer joy for a loaf of bread, a break in the fighting, or were in a situation of life and death, moments that they didn't know if they'd live to see the sun again, home, family, a loved one?
Or losing a gift, a talent, skill, memories, those around you, watching friends pass away. The loss of physically not being able to play an instrument, a hobby, a life that was all they had?
. . . WE all get old!
Why in any sense of decency would anyone insult these people who lived these lives before YOU were ever born? What happens when YOU are old? Why doesn't anyone logically think that "others" that are self-centered and ignorant (as THEY are) will also find them loathsome and pointless? That THEY won't be immune from those that have no empathy? What about their own Parents and their Grandparents? Don't they feel any guilt disrespecting their own?
Are we REALLY as Progressive as the music?
"Left behind the bars, rows of Bishops' heads in jars, and a bomb inside a car
Spectacular! Spectacular!
If you follow me there's a speciality, some tears for you to see, misery, misery
Roll up! Roll up! Roll up! See the show!"
But even in the circles we follow, there are those that "know better". How many insults have I seen at Prog Archives, Prog Magazine, Rolling Stone, Blabbermouth etc. All online and these "elitists" would NEVER
EVER say the things they say to the faces of those they absolutely hate. How many times have people gone on about James LaBrie, Mike Portnoy and Steve Wilson and many others? Things can be said without being "cruel". Some are "constructive", but people use HARSH words, the cruel jokes, picking on anything that seems LESS than what THEY are? Have they toured the world and put out music that fans admire Internationally?
If it's the music, or the musicians"opinions" (they have opinions too! Just like any of us!) from being asked by journalists, or picking on "appearance" yet what do THESE people look like behind the screen? Like Men and Women berating celebs on their looks, their weight? They're too big, too fat, too thin, too skinny, too much, too little . . . LOOK IN THE MIRROR! Are WE that much the arbiters of what people should be when WE are all messed-up and we have the gall to actually type garbage to people we have no clue who they really are? Are we "Cowards"? Are WE the ones that are really "Pretentious"? Who the fuck are WE anyway? What have WE achieved compared to those WE insult and degrade . . . are WE soo shiny and perfect? We end up sounding like snooty assholes floating above on golden pillows pointing at everyone! We have enough of them who claim they speak for us, yet have no clue what OUR lives are, and
never seen the view way down here in the "cheap seats", where life and death is an everyday occurance.
Where we do our best to survive, to take care of ourselves or family, that depend on us to live and have a
chance of a future. With hopes our children see the hope and promise, but also take the best we taught
them, and are open and fair, logical and reasonable, and not regress to toddlers having a tantrum.
THEY are a reflection of all WE teach them. So teach your children well, and look at others as neighbors
with their own thoughts, and our differences only lead to discussion to meet in the middle.
It seems; the only thing I want "progressive" is my Rock & Metal these days (2016 ~ 2020).
We're skating on the thin ice, and we're in the hands of fate
What we need's a little re-direction, to find our blue lagoon
You know it wouldn't come a moment to soon
Black Moon!"
- Emerson Lake & Palmer/"Black Moon"
3"Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?
4"Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' and behold, the log is in your own
eye?…
You hypocrite! First take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from
your brother's eye."
- Matthew: 7:3-5
WE have screwed up, what is wrong with US that we can destroy lives? Look at the world, WE are in big
trouble with all this rising anger. And we are supporting too many people who are spreading the anger (oh YOU can have preconceptions of "who" I'm talking about but examine the people YOU admire - are they
just puppets for the show? So what does that make us?). We watch as the world is on fire and we add to it with verbal kerosine.
Even the music we admire is not safe. Prog Rockers tearing down "Prog Metal" with the same
arguments/insults that "outsiders" tear down Progressive Rock since it began (and I can't remember an
instance where I've seen Prog Metallers "insulting" Prog Rock. They may not care for it but not go on a
tirade about it. Checkout, toward the end of another essay, the "Opus Insert" section on more of this).
How is it, in Prog Rock, that people tear-down musicians in a genre that means NOTHING to the media
masses that listen to more simple muzak? We are not even a speck in the universe but we are harsh to
those trying to create musics that stimulate and challenge the brains of US idiots that "insult" each other, yet MANY of us don't even play an instrument, or if we do, do WE have the years under our belt of pain, blood, sweat and tears trying to make it, and find HUGE success, the accolades, earn a reputation and the catalogue to say WE are "experts" and THEY should "give up" or that this band "Sucks" or "they are an
insult to Prog"? WTF!? YOU are an insult to Prog and humanity. YOU make the rest of us sound like elitist jerks. And here I thought WE were the more open minded about music.
"A Positive Frame of Reference"
I also see plenty of negative and insulting comments under vids of "Kids" or young teens showing off their "developing" skills as musicians (artists and other talents) and they get torn down by trolls or by people that expect them to be "experts" if they put up a video. THEY'RE JUST DEVELOPING! Why not encourage them on! They need guidance, constructive criticism not destructive! Especially in a very vulnerable time in their lives (they also need to learn about self-esteem, and shrug these idiots off their shoulders and keep at the dream. They need to be motivated to pursue their talents and be taught the harsh realities of how hard it will be to be a success, but they can achieve anything they set their minds to. They can write their own story).
I would NEVER "discourage" ANYONE from pursuing something that brings them LIFE, brings them joy and the want to share it with all of US ungrateful bastards (yeah I know, many of us support the bands as much as we can - I'm pissed off). If I don't care for it, I SHUT MY MOUTH. WHY would I want to make someone I don't know at all, feel like crap :(. How would I feel? How would YOU feel? WE need to put ourselves in THEIR shoes and think about the lives they live. I cringe when someone insults a band I enjoy, who I see and hear what they are able to perform. Someone out there likes the band you despise (and as I write this I can raise my hand to the hypocrisy and possible double-standards).
We can be as fragile as children, the older we get, we lose our senses, our physical abilities and memory. And lose the very things that made up our life, the things that WERE life, it's all we had.
We need to be kinder to each other, there is too much anger in this world. We need to be more forgiving before anyone of us are suddenly gone . . . think about that. Read and repeat.
I hope you all think about this, more than likely our mutual anger will fade and life goes back to normal and we regress back to "humanity". I guess we are just hopelessly human.
"There must be someone who can set them free!
To take their sorrow from this odyssey, to help the helpless and the refugee, to protect what's left of humanity!
Can't you see, Can't you see, Can't you see?
I'll be there, I'll be there, I will be there!
To heal their sorrow, To beg and borrow, Fight tomorrow!"
- Emerson Lake & Palmer/"Karn Evil 9 1st Impression Part 1"
Epilogue: From adversity comes strength . . .
Ooooh, what a lucky man he was, Ooooh, what a lucky man he was..."
- Emerson Lake & Palmer/"Lucky Man"
From someone who has been around lots of anger, deep depression and feeling like if I take the leap, I'll fall . . .
What do THEY know about YOU?
There will always be those that criticize but never be able to create what they don't understand, tear down those who they think are below them, so they must show US the door. They tell them they don't belong, they are outsiders, while saying that no one will ever love them. To the ones that live to share something different in the world and those few that destroy it because they can't understand. FEAR - they fear change, difference, something that goes way above their precepts of what is and where it should stay safe, unchanged, static and stagnant. Again and again they use harsh words to bring others down so they can rise up. They rise to nothing. They have nothing to give but anger, fear, resentment, jealousy and contempt to those that achieve a minute piece of greatness to their great nothing.
Some keep that inside, live their lives and are content with "enjoying" others creativity. But there are those that perpetuate that darkness handed down to them, their first thought is to berate and insult. Instead of destroying it and passing on empathy, charity, understanding and tolerance. If there is anyone to judge, they ought to look in the mirror and change THAT person that stares back.
But for every negative response is a positive, more often than not - the positive words outweigh the few negative comments. Why do we latch on to the negative? We can be surrounded by positive light though we are obsessed with what is wrong. And people around us can be just as frustrated and ask why we can't see it?
For those that say it can't be done, that no one thinks it will work out . . . they've described every success
story. YOU make YOUR own story, in whatever time you need. YOU live your life and make the most of it. If negativity tries to destroy what makes YOU, leave it. Move forward and create your own story and find what makes YOU happy. With hopes you are not alone and they nurture you as WE would encourage them to live the dream and find their own bliss. Together.
Take the leap, when you are on that cliff, we can't look back, WE won't fall but fly, we have to give it a try. You'll find it tough but its better than treading backwards when there is a brighter future of knowledge and success waiting ahead.
"Energy glows in the heart of the city, you stand in the shadows or reach for the sky
This time the promise is not just illusion, I'm heading for glory, I'm learning to fly"
- Emerson Lake & Powell/"Learning to Fly"
I know it's hard, man I have been through it all, I've BEEN there, but YOU have to hold onto hope, and developing or finding your abilities whatever they are, and hold tight, like a rare and precious jewel. It's YOURS and you can do what you like with it, shape it into your own form, but make it your way into the future YOU want and make it happen with your heart, mind and spirit. Don't let it fade away, but also do not let it pressure you.
Simply "want" to see whats over that horizon, each day. But take baby steps, don't overwhelm yourself.
Find your dream and live it. Most of the time, there are more encouraging words than the 1 or more who discourage - focus on the positive, look at what you do and keep at it, strive to be the best. You'll never be perfect, but at the very least you keep learning and improving. Find your bliss, or die trying :).
(I can't be a "serious journalist", I use smilies! :D). Fight on and live a great life!
"We have the power, we can make a change , there ain't no mistake, it's down to me and you
We have the power, we can make any change, stop pretending we've got nothin' to lose"
- Emerson Lake & Palmer/"Hand of Truth"
. . . you were meant to be here:
Friends of the maestro.
Though I am very very sad he is gone, the legacy you left will NEVER die, the torch is passed, and your music will live on forever, passed down from generation to generation.
From the bottom of my heart, my prayers, thoughts and sympathies go out to his friends, family, to those he made music with, and his brothers in arms; Greg Lake and Carl Palmer.
May you be at peace, and composing, conducting the greatest orchestra in the universe :'). Till we meet again . . .
"To all ELP friends and fans all over the world, I would like to express my deep sadness upon hearing this tragic news. As you know Keith and I spent many of the best years of our lives together and to witness his life coming to an end in the way that it has is painful, both to myself and to all who knew him. As sad and tragic as Keith’s death is, I would not want this to be the lasting memory people take away with them. What I will always remember about Keith Emerson was his remarkable talent as a musician and composer and his gift and passion to entertain. Music was his life and despite some of the difficulties he encountered I am sure that the music he created will live on forever.
My deepest condolences go to Keith’s family.
May he now be at peace."
Greg Lake.
http://www.greglake.com/News/views_2016.html
March 12, 2016
"I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of my good friend and brother-in-music, KEITH EMERSON. Keith was a gentle soul whose love for music and passion for his performance as a keyboard player will remain unmatched for many years to come. He was a pioneer and an innovator whose musical genius touched all of us in the worlds of rock, classical and jazz. I will always remember his warm smile, good sense of humor, compelling showmanship, and dedication to his musical craft. I am very lucky to have known him and to have made the music we did, together. Rest in peace, Keith."
Carl Palmer
https://www.facebook.com/414036348674690/photos/a.414098718668453.97857.414036348674690/1007613652650287/?type=3&theater
March 11, 2016
Tribute and legacy . . .
Part 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wezatgjtUjY
Part 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovE870seEss&t=49s
(Extras: Part I ~ Part II ~ Carl Palmer)
One night eclipsed the sun, how deep still waters run"
-Emerson Lake & Palmer/"Footprints in the snow"