Emerson Lake & Palmer Rare Live Performance Of The Song 'Trilogy' On 3/22/72 At The Long Beach Arena

[@spiritof6663]

The group said it was just too difficult to replicate live but I dunno...this sounds like a pretty great rendition to me. I think they pulled it off.

[@markbarbour5]

Carl HATED playing to the tapes noted in this video's description. The band had too many issues trying to sync with those tapes when they tried "Trilogy on stage. What 'Trilogy' album piece did Greg Lake hate playing live? It was having to handle a Mellotron for this piece: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m16rlIRtnt6Gndksi=QQ53ewtWVj9DHHFp

[@spiritof6663]

@@markbarbour5 to be honest, I don't hear any issues syncing to the tapes in this performance. I'm sure it was difficult for them, and they hated doing it, but that's why I posted--I just wanted to say that I think it came off better than they gave themselves credit for. The same probably went for "Abaddon's Bolero".

[@madcap_9539]

Agreed. Too difficult for them to pull off at the time but the one time they did do it they did a fantastic job with it.

[@richardrizzo3871]

Greg Lake told me at a concert I ask him why didn't they play Trilogy, he said they had over 51 tracks playing at the same time. True story.

[@franciscodiaz183]

In his autobiography, Lake says the following: When we started work on Trilogy, tape machines had just moved up from sixteen to twenty-four tracks, and it was soon possible to synchronize - or ‘slave’ - two machines together to enable forty-eight-track recording. We no longer ran short of tracks or needed to bounce tracks together. Above all, we now had the freedom to experiment with overdubs and this allowed us to orchestrate our recordings in a way that had never been possible before. Lake, Greg. Lucky Man: The Autobiography (pp. 99-100). Little, Brown Book Group. Kindle Edition.

[@franciscodiaz183]

In his autobiography, Lake says the following: When we started work on Trilogy, tape machines had just moved up from sixteen to twenty-four tracks, and it was soon possible to synchronize - or ‘slave’ - two machines together to enable forty-eight-track recording. We no longer ran short of tracks or needed to bounce tracks together. Above all, we now had the freedom to experiment with overdubs and this allowed us to orchestrate our recordings in a way that had never been possible before. Lake, Greg. Lucky Man: The Autobiography (pp. 99-100). Little, Brown Book Group. Kindle Edition.

[@rts100x5]

what a TREASURE this is ... exceedingly rare .... even after the technology to play it live became available , they never performed it live to my knowledge.... even though the recording isn't great it's still listenable and WOW WHAT a gem !!!! been a ELP fan since 1975 and this is the first time hearing Enigma performed live ... 😎

[@gewsterro]

this is not endless enigma, this song is called trilogy.

[@anthonynolan7746]

Epic song...by an incredibly talented band. One we will never see the likes again. (R.I.P. Keith & Greg). Your music will be enjoyed by millions for the next million years.....

[@lindahandley5267]

Here it is 3 years later and that kind of talent doesn't exist, but we can still enjoy it! We were so fortunate to live in the 60's and 70's!

[@charliesanacore3249]

This is indeed a rare treat , i saw an interview w Keith & Greg and they explained that at that the tecnology was not available to preform this album. It was alot of multi trackin & dubbing when recorded & for Emo to say he did not hv the tecnology you know it must have been hard to even do this live recording. It sucks because i LOVE this album 1 of my favorites . I hv personally seen them live at least 20 times , starting w Asbury Park Convention Center to Montreal Olympic Stadium they were and still are my favorite band i miss them all terribly RIP my Friends.

[@davidvasquez8658]

AMEN Charlie.

[@deppurple700]

Me too I love them and 8dd them cried when I heard Greg died it was like a old friend died

[@Crezelltree4261]

They gave it their best shot.I remember getting this album for Christmas.Along with the turkey,ham,wine (I was underage but,oh well)& chocolate cake,this song was a thrill to groove to.

[@malindastuart9151]

Pity the sound quality is so bad, but this song brings a chill down my spine every time I listen to it. The unmatched prog rock song of all time.

[@LordGreystoke]

It's not "so bad." Believe there are worse sounding audience tape recordings than this. This is listenable and still enjoyable.

[@agemoth]

@@LordGreystoke its not much good if you are listening for the first time...

[@richardshansky3040]

Yeah pretty bad miking but i guess its a bootleg?

[@EastmanD]

Folks ! 1972 ? C'mon ! You just aren't gonna get a whole lot better audio off a random recording from someone in the crowd at a concert back then. Isn't that like wishing an old movie wasn't in Black and White ? Unless prior planning by the group and the record company....this is as good as it gets. I still have to laugh at people who get into that MP3 vs vinyl argument...yeah sure vinyls better but try attempting to make anything out of a bootleg recording from the 70's! MP3 ain't THAT bad and neither is this recording.

[@FukiMakai]

Actually is not that bad considering the age and the fact it's an audience homemade recording, not soundboard

[@wwonka52]

Saw them Aug of 72 in Saratoga NY, just a few days before I would be drafted into the Army. Thought it was the end of my life, and here I am still hanging in there enjoying this. What a show !!

[@pxxx5184]

Great recording. The greatest rock band that ever graced a stage.

[@daniellevy330]

I really love Elp, but i'm not sure that elp can be defined as a rock & roll band, the same about the Modern Jazz Quartet, it's not exactly a jazz group, both are beyond the definitions of jazz and rock, i would like to hear another opinions. Thank you. Daniel

[@gewsterro]

@@daniellevy330 it belongs to sympho-rock or progressive rock, but i am not sure if i can call it rock ( without el. guitar)

[@hedobangyaaa9360]

Trilogy is one of my all time favorites. I love this one si much - unforgettable!

[@markbarbour5]

You might also enjoy this April 1973 fairly rare performance of "Abaddon's Bolero" in Germany. You'll see pictures of Greg Lake playing the Mellotron during this piece which he absolutely hated doing: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n3vTi6Fmr5V8jLc

[@felipekernmoreira7400]

Bold rendition. At that time was so difficult to play a song like Trilogy because was really difficult to reproduce the overdubs. Due to this fact the band rarely played the music recorded on Trilogy (album), except Rodeo and From the Beginning. Thats a shame! Can we imagine the impact of songs like "Living Sin" live on stage? Thar ELP heavy sound like the first album.

[@EastmanD]

IMO this is the best song ELP ever produced. It has it all and especially since it's of their own making. Also Trilogy is all time fav ELP album. Got to see'em in '77. I was 15 yo. Thanks for posting this !!

[@richardshansky3040]

Eastman D Trilogy is a remarkable composition. The structure follows the classical approach of variations on a main melody in different contexts. In essence, the same theme in different moods.

[@EastmanD]

@@richardshansky3040 I agree !

[@marcbergeron8690]

I agree Trilogy is their best.

[@mikewest1542]

I third it, Trilogy is definitely their best album 10/10, ELP 1st album 9/10, Tarkus 8/10, Pictures 7/10 BSS 7.5/10 and ELPowell 6/10 , the rest are ok !

[@gregge.curtisaia6701]

I'll agree probably their finest. Carl Palmer's drum syncopation at about the 8 min mark on the studio album are something from another planet.

[@richardyoung5429]

First rock concert I attended. John Mc Laughlin and The New Mahavishnu Orchestra opened for them. I discovered that night to bring ear protectors to concerts.

[@joeday4293]

Christ, what a double bill.

[@spiritof6663]

@@joeday4293 Seriously, two of the most virtuoso bands of all time, LOL. Must have felt like being hit with a steam roller.

[@rokker101]

a very difficult thing to do back then before click tracks and sequencers etc .. this is wonderful .. the monitor system must have been really good! .. a rare treat this

[@richardshansky3040]

Phil John The Moog had a built-in sequencer, but Keith told the audience they would use tape to make up for lack of polyphony

[@elizabeththomson7807]

3.32 when the Moog blasts in you can hear the audience going WTF? An epic song with probably Greg's best vocals. Thank you so much!

[@EastmanD]

an unofficial live recording from '72 ? this is about as good as you can expect it to get. Great ? no. Terrible ? Nope. it's definitely listenable.

[@densalbeach1]

Trilogy, one of my first albums, as a 14 year old kid this album blew me away, a real brilliant piece of work produced by three incredible musicians.

[@ohmtronseedling]

that was a rather fascinating recording. certainly not their best live moment but i give 'em props for doing it anyway. it's quite the difficult number. i can see why they dropped it from the set so early on. also very unexpected to see a Mellotron associated with ELP. great upload.

[@markbarbour5]

Would you like to see Greg Lake playing a Mellotron live onstage? Check out this link to a rare 1973 performance of the show-opening "Abaddon's Bolero" from Zurich. Greg, BTW, hated playing a Mellotron. kzbin.info/www/bejne/m16rlIRtnt6Gndksi=S3EhoGBXFk9uyYCk

[@Ken-rz4bd]

It doesn't get much better

[@johnrosbach41]

They were absolute versuoso's , saw them at Cal Jam , I was 15 yrs. old they blew my F-in socks off!!!

[@Tom-ok2rh]

I’ll bet it was something watching Keith rotate on the piano like a rotisserie..you were very lucky to have been there👍👍

[@hubbsllc]

What an amazing experience that must have been - the whole show.

[@lukaf2393]

imho one of their best song ever, maybe still too difficult to play live even for them!

[@richardperusse4299]

fantastic song, always loved Trilogy album, it's the first one i known of the band and it's one of my favorite....

[@tonyv47]

amazing that a great band as ELP didn't have soundboard recordings of performances as this , shame

[@deppurple700]

Wow just simply wow!!!! I always wanted to hear 5his live what a voice and what a piano player compose and good old Carl was a beast on the drums in all ELP songs I love these guys so thanks for this jewel

[@Jpeterson7]

Genius stuff. At the top of their game.

[@artysanmobile]

A bear of a song to sing.

[@jeannemacaluso162]

One of my all time ELP favorites. Palmer’s playing in this song was masterful.

[@gogoyubari366]

I was there at the Long Beach Arena. Right at the front of the stage.

[@richardtaylor8189]

Not too shabby! Way to go boys!

[@deppurple700]

Wow!!!!!! Just uneleavable the voice the piano really puts you in a mood they really were magical them Carl with his drum machine sounding human being playing the drums

[@rebeccahernandez3460]

I love Emerson Lake and Palmer. Greg had such a beautiful angelic voice and Keith with his keyboard playing and Carl with those drums, just came together so perfectly. I wish I could have seen them in concert at least once. But it wasn't to be. Still though, to find gems like this on KZbin is almost as good. Thank You for uploading this.

[@thegrokkingchair4736]

I was there, what a show! Had not heard of Mahavishnu before this,, my jaw dropped and my brain exploded, then ELP played and my face melted!

[@jgdmlw]

Thanks for posting this. I did find this version years ago and have it on my iTunes song list so I can hear it forever. It is one of my favorite songs of all time and I love live recordings. You know the recording quality is not great on this, they break into the electronic part you can still tell. It must’ve been a mind boggling powerful sound. I wish it was more broadcast quality recordings out there. One big heartbreak in my life as if they did not videotape the show that welcome back my friends to the show that never end was recorded.

[@sinusiridum551]

Maggio 1973,Milano, gran concerto! RIP Keith

[@scitsalcoryp]

Unmitigated pleasure !

[@laredolenny682]

Thank you for posting. Just incredible stuff. This quality is right there with many other bootlegs of the 70's era. You did good Markbarbour5. Thank you.

[@markbarbour5]

You are very welcome. I only try to post audio that I would listen to myself and dress it up with a collage of relevant photographs so it's more interesting than a static image. I'm very glad you're enjoying my work.

[@unstablebobgable]

Incredible!

[@indioarmani8209]

thanks too bad no vids, glorious.

[@Zombie81212]

3:31 I love the "ohhhhh" reaction here, it's the same as when I listen to it

[@japhyriddle]

This kinda reminded me of a moment on a Jethro Tull bootleg I have. The kids in the audience just wanted them to rock hard, and when the whole band kicked in in "My God" (one of the first times they'd performed it) after the lengthy soft beginning, they really got what they wanted.

[@alemdesign]

didnt see that coming moment, a truly goodbye song... the chaos, the letting go... complexity of the feelin

[@kratino]

I LOVE when that beat drops. EPIC.

[@jgdmlw]

I noticed that too. It must have been mind blowing. I imaging it was loud as F.

[@jgdmlw]

@@japhyriddleThis is a cool song and yeah, when the band jumps in it is pretty cool. I think they played it like this when I saw them for the word child tour. It was their opening number, and I think each band member appeared behind it from behind a puff of smoke. It was pretty amazing.

[@italianray69]

March 21st happens to be my Birthday, and would have loved to have seen this played live! Oddly, I was later stationed at Lowry AFB and saw a few of my other bands there: Quicksilver Messenger Service, T-Rex, Mountain, Allman Bros., and Stevie Ray Vaughn.

[@stingfan16ify]

Here I am reading your comment on your Birthday in 2023! I hope you have a happy one!

[@tanyaluterotty2865]

This is one of my favorite ELP songs, thanks for the live recording. It's interesting!

[@davidvasquez8658]

Love it all! The great music & the pictures.

[@ASAYOUNGDrummer]

Thanks fo upload!!!! awesome!!!!

[@davestickley-aquatarkus3307]

Thanks so much for posting this.superb.!!

[@BeatlesBowieKrimson]

Super-fantastic. Thanks for posting.

[@bei1016]

This is excellent. Thank You.

[@leejackson4551]

Incredible, thanks for posting this.

[@claudioruffinicastiglione4434]

Vero. Difficile trovare versioni dal vivo di Trilogy. Bellissima versione, grandi.

[@somepig2k]

Everytime I hear a bootleg by anyone in the 1970's, I always get a visual in my head of Rerun from the "What's Happening" TV show ,bootlegging the Doobie Brothers with a tape recorder in his pants. And how he had to apologize to he Doobies, and one of them says "we thought you were our friend man"...And as far as 70's bootlegs go, this one is not so terrible as some people in the thread seem to think. MErry Christmas time 2021, God BLess Us, Everyone

[@markbarbour5]

I've always tried to avoid posting absolute crap recordings of live shows and use audio that's at least listenable while providing rare performances that don't seem to be widely circulated. It can be a big tradeoff hearing songs and shows that were recorded on 1970s equipment but I think most people are happy to relive or discover for the first time gems like this 'Trilogy' that was only played twice by the entire band. I always get a kick out of hearing Keith's introduction to this tricky piece.

[@jameskennedy721]

The big finale sounds much looser than the studio version . Great addition to the live record of Keith's amazing talent .

[@jonsilence]

ELP used a pre-recorded synth backing track for this.

[@gustavocarletti347]

BRILLIANT anyways

[@oriandohorta2226]

good

[@mikewest1542]

I remember hearing this about 6 years , can anyone edit the background noise of the audience and yelping , wouldn’t be great ad the recording for a boot is pretty good !

[@rosskendall3310]

I've always wondered if Greg Lake and Carl Palmer actually realized how great a keyboard player Emerson really was. Or did they just consider him just another keyboard player? Unless YES, that has gone through a number of keyboardists, ELP just had Keith. Just curious.

[@edljnehan2811]

I know for a fact Carl Palmer nearly idolized him. In an interview Carl said that when he first saw Emerson play with the nice he knew there was no one better. He said he shouted out go maestro😊

[@edljnehan2811]

@@KalmAM they definitely did especially Carl Palmer who stated many times that he could tell Keith Emerson was a maestro keyboardist since seeing him the first time with the nice and furthermore he said he knew that's the person he wanted to be in a band with because he wanted to be with the absolute best while pursuing his own musical interest a fusing rock with classical music. Trust me I know my ELP since I've been a huge fan since 1970

[@kratino]

They knew.

[@joeemanon9949]

They did it at Madison Square Garden the same year, I just don't remember the date.

[@amosbarrow3802]

Date's Not important Joe, Was Emerson awesome?

[@joeemanon9949]

As always yes he was awesome

[@laredolenny682]

@@joeemanon9949 - Did you go? I was there. Knife Edge, the twirling Piano, the Rotating Drum stage. Was just incredible. It was so good in fact, that all the drugs I took could not blot out that memory.

[@laredolenny682]

@@amosbarrow3802 - Emerson was AWESOME. Knife Edge and the Twirling Piano. Just amazing. Music was incredible. Just an insane time to be alive.

[@joeemanon9949]

@Amos Barrow oh yes I did go and it was very well worth it. Spectacular concert.

[@MrMjp58]

I saw them in Bradford, late ‘72. I can’t remember their exact set that night (I was only 14). Is it likely they would have done this one? Does anyone know? Nice to hear them in such spectacular form.

[@markbarbour5]

This song "Trilogy" was only played by the entire band twice at the beginning of their first 1972 U.S. tour. starting with a March 21, 1972 concert at the Denver Coliseum and then this performance on March 22, 1972 at the Long Beach Arena in Long Beach, California. The setlist for the show you were at at St. George's Hall in Bradford on November 15, 1972 can be found here: www.setlist.fm/setlist/emerson-lake-and-palmer/1972/st-georges-hall-bradford-england-73d8e635.html

[@MrMjp58]

Thanks for all that info. Much appreciated.@@markbarbour5

[@LordGreystoke]

So, why didn't they perform Trilogy a bit more often? Keith said it's a bit difficult and they included a backing track. I think it works. Don't you??

[@markbarbour5]

They also had problems when they tried performing 'Abaddon's Bolero' live during their 1972 tours. In the pre-Midi age backing tracks on tape were balky and couldn't always be heard well enough by the musicians to keep them in sync.

[@cataldo790b]

Una vera rarita' trilogy dal vivo. Certo, senza tracce pre rec, era impossibile farlo live. Ho un bootleg della PFM, anche loro nel 72 al Picchio rosso, Modena, che presentano Il Banchetto e spiegano che nella parte sinth dal vivo useranno un nastro con 16 parti di sinth. Fattosta' che in quell, anno ELP e PFM si conobbero. Ect ect...

[@FukiMakai]

Comparison and observations: -Obviously, there's no string synths on the intro and piano bridge before the solo piano section. -There's a piano flourish missing at the end of the first part, everything else is played exactly like the recording -With an excellent prerecorded sample, Keith improvises the Moog solo of the second section before doing something similar to the recording solo, but it's almost totally improvisation, which is great to listen, a complete different solo. -A portion of the recorded solo serves as a signal to the bridge to the third section. -During that bridge, Keith does organ instead of synth. -The Moog patch in the third section is pretty off tune and with a different patch. -During the solo Keith does synth and organ and another improvisation with one only reference to the album version. -The iteration of the solo is done on the organ. -The ending has another improvisation in the Moog. Keith surely improvised a lot on this version.

[@rossbrowning5201]

Didn't Greg play mellotron and mini moog to argument the bass and backing parts at times, besides playing excellent bass guitar on this..

[@FukiMakai]

@@rossbrowning5201 Well Greg played Mellotron in Abbadons Bolero, cool abridged version in 1973

[@jeanlucchapelon]

The sound is not good but thanks for that rare document !!

[@agemoth]

sounds chaotic...cannot compare to the studio version

[@jeanlucchapelon]

You must listen to the version by Thierry ELIEZ !!

[@orazioscardace911]

Gruppo ireppidibbile Fantastico

[@duncanaspinwall-winter1582]

Bit of a mess, but fun!

[@TheLastOilMan]

I don’t give a f about chords, Keith . Play the music !

[@kratino]

He's explaining why there's a backing track.

[@edljnehan2811]

​@@kratino that's exactly what he's doing kitten. Obviously this idiot doesn't understand musicianship.

[@artysanmobile]

Unlistenable sound. A shame.