Listening to Emerson Lake and Palmer: Welcome Back My Friends.... Side 2 (Tarkus)

[@vfrbore1728]

Such an epic album from a much-maligned band. They were SO talented and tight. Aside from Keith Emerson's unbelievable keyboards, the precision of Carl Palmer's drumming is insane. If you ever watch the Isle of Wight show footage and the way Carl makes constant eye contact with Keith to keep tabs on the timing just shows how incredible they were. To pull off a piece like Tarkus live was out of this world. I absolutely love the closing 'Epitaph' section which I don't think was on the studio version (is it a King Crimson piece?) and the echo on the vocals. I completely concur about the quality of Greg Lake's voice. Amazing. And to be singing that while playing guitar and bass in the same songs sometimes.....wow! ELP were in a class of their own, and this is coming from a rabid Rush/Yes fanboy! The Aquatarkus piece on the next side is a real treat.

[@JimNewstead]

Coming soon!!!!

[@andrewk5710]

Finally! Someone reacting to the live version of Tarkus! You are the first, to my knowledge. Wait till you hear Aquatarkus!

[@stuartwalker2713]

Agree, Aquatarkus live is the pinnacle of live performance in my very humble opinion.

[@brianglock3099]

The bass during battlefield and the guitar solo is Keith playing a MiniMoog while doing chords on the Hammon

[@benarmentano3799]

The playing on this live album is simply AMAZING!!!

[@JimNewstead]

It is! Agreed!!!

[@jotapecu]

For me, Greg Lake, in the 70's, was among the 5 best bassists in the world, without discussion.

[@jimwilde1804]

Saw them live during this period. What's amazing is to remind yourself this is just three people playing this live, no "hidden tracks" or offstage backup. Emerson and Wakeman; the gold standard of prog rock keyboards. Thanks so much for doing this

[@JimNewstead]

Thanks for watching!

[@tinicum54]

Same, Saw them November 1972. Yes opened.

[@smithpm81]

you are so lucky, would have loved to be old enough to see them then, first heard this LP at a friends house 1977, amazing LP PROG HEAVEN

[@mv8141]

At the end of those shows you can see Carl just exhausted from what he went through in these concerts from this era. They just give it all but as technically amazing as Keith is working two keyboards or more onstage, I marvel at Carl in the Karn evil 9 complete piece as he just gives a super human performance. It’s really an incredible thing to watch those old live videos from this time if you get a chance Jim.

[@maddma]

One of my favorite bands from the seventies. I spent countless hours listening to them. Each member was a master at his instrument. How I miss them.

[@ericanderson8886]

Gregs voice really is a treasure, had this one on vinyl way back then. Peak ELP caught live.

[@JimNewstead]

I agree, amazing voice.

[@gergelystechnicmodels8565]

9:50 it’s funny you should mention this, as Greg lake was the original singer for king crimson and is indeed the one signing on In the Court of the Crimson King. Edit: I forgot that he even does a bit of ‘Epitaph’ at the end of this version. Really cool.

[@JimNewstead]

Yeah, I just recently listened to ITCOTCK for Buy Me A Coffee members and realised who it was singing. A great voice.

[@zebo-the-fat]

I was lucky enough to see them live 3 times, and yes they did the shows in quad sound (the end of Karn Evil 9 is amazing in quad - you can hear the audience gasping at the effects!)

[@marklockey4434]

The GODS of prog. with this magnificent album. It sold very well on both sides of the Atlantic… …top 5 in U.K. and US. Bought it for £4.49 in August 1974. God Bless Keith and Greg…keep on progging Carl.

[@mv8141]

Ooooooooohhhhh ssshhh*t. You did not!!! Yes. I am all over this!! Still on my regular playlist after all these years. Consider this ELP recording watched multiple times my friend. I can say that for certain. Gooood job!! Thank you thank you thank you!!! Yessongs and now this?!?! This is my favorite channel on KZbin at this point!!! Just watched. I like how you’ve analyzed the popularity of that era of music over todays because I still don’t understand why the popular music culture of today is not interested in having their minds blown. Nice. Can’t wait to hear more Jim!!!

[@JimNewstead]

Part Two coming tomorrow. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@heinzmuller159]

In my Life i have seen hundreds of Concerts. This was in the Top 3. It was phenomenal! ☺Kind Regards from Munich/Germany.

[@WooBino.]

I knew this album from E to P by heart at 15, I must have met some cool kids that steered me in the right direction.

[@JimNewstead]

Reckon so! It’s ace. I’m probably going to get to the rest of this sooner than later!!!

[@roberthammer4778]

They had the PA system set for quadraphonic, so you did feel the music move around

[@michaelsweazey8655]

To respond to a couple of your comments: Yes, the concert was performed with a quadraphonic sound system, so the sound would literally fly over the crowd’s head during the concert! (So now you DO know!). This was recorded in Anaheim, CA. (Not at the California Jam though.) It’s funny that you mention King Crimson early one when a) Greg was their original singer and an excerpt from KC’s Epitaph is included when you mention how nice his voice is. This was their highest charting album in the U.S., and it was the first triple album to be shipped gold certified. This period of music was fascinating because of the acceptance of experimentation. I particularly love this live performance because so much of the musical arrangement reminds me of a jazz trio playing together. Oh, and unlike many live albums of the period, there were no studio overdubs added to the recording!

[@brucebrown73]

I’ve seen them 3 times back in 70’s. They had on stage audio that rivals their instruments. All kinds of special effects I never heard any other band do, and I’ve seen plenty.

[@Relayerman]

I saw this show in Jan. '74 (still part of the world tour) and was actually a roadie-for-a-day. A couple of notes: 1) the concert used quadraphonic sound throughout the show, speakers in the 4 corners of the venue, 2) the synthy thing about 13:35 in your video was when Keith used a two-foot long ribbon controller thing, jumped off the stage and went down the middle aisle of the venue; it shot out sparkler stuff while he made those sounds, 3) the rest of Tarkus is on the next album side (the total running time is about 27 minutes). The CD version does not break this up nor does it break up Karn Evil 9 as it does on the album. A note to those who didn't get to see the show: the whole album was exactly what the concert was that I saw in '74.

[@JimNewstead]

Good intel! Thanks

[@rosshageman951]

I too saw this show in 1974. Incredible.

[@debbiegoss4475]

I also saw them this tour 1974 at what was once Rich stadium, Buffalo NY..... I get the same chills hearing this today as I did seeing them live in '74...... Freaking awesome!!!!!

[@rosshageman951]

@@debbiegoss4475 I was at that concert at Rich Stadium in Aug 74. It was fantastic

[@tonychandler6550]

The sound was definitely live in

[@jeffschielka7845]

Good morning/ afternoon Jim! Fasten your seat belt, you are in for an incredible ride. Enjoy!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️😎

[@JimNewstead]

It’s super, that’s what it is! G’day to you too Jeff. 👍🏼

[@jeffschielka7845]

@@JimNewstead Told ya!🔈🔉🔊😎

[@lesblatnyak5947]

Got to see them twice. Very cool live. How about you 214?

[@jeffschielka7845]

@@lesblatnyak5947 Saw Palmer, never ELP. Was busy seeing the greatest band on this or any other planet!!!👍😎

[@lesblatnyak5947]

@jeffschielka7845 I saw Palmer in a bar and have no recall of the band, probably got loaded 🍸🎶

[@stpnwlf9]

Greg Lake is predominantly known for bass and excellent acoustic guitar work, but when he switches to electric, he isn't bad at all!

[@coachhannah2403]

In 1974, they played California Jam with 7 other bands. Everyone used the concert sound systems except ELP, who brought their own. Show was over at midnight.

[@andrewcaelliott]

Hi Jim, Yes! I am indeed enjoying it hugely. This is a very special album for me. I can remember buying it when it first came out and bringing it back to boarding school. Maybe the mists of time distort the memory, but I seem to remember it being played to death, and pretty much all the boys thinking it was amazing. I am so glad you are enjoying it: I thought you would. For me, greybeard now, this is all about youth. Of course, my youth, but also E, L and P were young men then, and at, I think, the peak of their powers. I love the studio recording of Tarkus, but for all its craziness, when listen to that it seems just a little bit tame, a little restrained - but only in comparison with this! On this recording they take no prisoners, everything is full on, and I love that. Three young men stretching themselves to the limit. Did they show off? Of course! With that amount of talent, it would be a crime not to. And as we know, it doesn't last. RIP Keith and Greg. And now for ... Aquatarkus! Oh ... and I think this might be a first - I haven't seen this reacted to ANYwhere else.

[@JimNewstead]

Hi Andrew. First and foremost, thanks for the request! It’s pretty epic to say the least! I’ll certainly be returning to this record to listen to the whole thing at some point soon. I’m so glad that you’re enjoying this and is bringing back fond memories of youth. Music is a very special kind of magic that can do that, take us through time. Love it! I actually think the quality of the recording is pretty good, actually better that Yessongs. The next side is awesome! See you soon 😁👍🏼

[@merlin5476]

I was bought up with this aged around 10. This brings back soo many memories. A fantastic album & 1 of the best by E.L.P. AND.... if you get a chance to listen / watch Rachel Flowers doing Keith's bit n pieces you will be rather astonished.

[@lylesmith3506]

Three guys live making this much music is mind blowing. They are so tight and powerful.

[@damirhlobik6488]

Got this album fot christmass 1975, one of my favourite albums ever, pure classics

[@garybeaudette4208]

I got this LP when it was released, Thanks Jim it still holds up over the years.

[@JimNewstead]

It certainly does!

[@jamesbrady2278]

Back then they played in Quad. I saw them at the garden and I will tell you you were surrounded by all the sound a lot of bands back, then played in Quad when you’re in place like The Garden or any kind of like arena and it’s close is absolutely Beautiful thanks a lot good luck

[@marcelocurigomes8746]

Carl Palmer , um gênio da bateria e percussão..... Vida longa !!!!🥁🥁

[@Lightmane]

Such an incredible band

[@ADITYASINGH-vc4gm]

The panning in the record was actually surround sound that the audience would hear live. So yes, the people heard the music going round like a carousel.

[@dirtyburd71]

As a young teenager, when this came out, I DID listen just about every day! Over and over and very loud! Very intense and really cool! 😎😊

[@kathyratino962]

Thanks for doing this one, Jim! I loved watching you relive it live.

[@marklockey4434]

I wish I could have seen them at Wembley Arena on this tour…..( I was only 13 ) Pictures was an encore apparently.

[@RMForbes505]

Yes, the music did circle around the hall. ELP used their four channel sound system to create several of these kinds of spacial effects. It was one of the main things that made their live shows extra special.

[@igetsmart]

Such a fantastic album. I always love this album. They were amazing live, especially these recordings They are at their peak between 74 and 1977 Carl Palmer was just incredible on the drums Course keith and Graig worked as fantastic as well ❤❤❤❤

[@brucebrown73]

It seems like you’re enjoying this as much as any of us half a century fans

[@TheReaperMan275]

I like that mug of yours, Jim! 😎

[@anthonyvicari5226]

Having seen this show in 73 I can’t recall if the sound was panned the way it is on the album production. But I can tell you that the band used a quad sound system for the show at Madison Square Garden. For me this ELP show is second only to their performance 4 years later during their Works tour performed with a full symphony orchestra.

[@smithpm81]

i love prog rock and ELP/Yes are the epitomy of why i like it rock/classical/jazz and a song is as long as it needs to be to tell the story

[@jamesbrady2278]

The album was recorded live in Anaheim California. I think February or March 1974.

[@coachhannah2403]

You remember it because it all makes sense as a musical progression!

[@jgdmlw]

This whole piece is amazing but I have thought that the first nine minutes of this is some of the most intense nine minutes I have ever heard. The recording is cool. Drumming amazing. The studio version is great but this live version is like the studio version on steroids. To hear the well produced studio version and then hear how they did it live is astounding to me. Mind blowing every time. Toccata and Hoedown blow my mind. Karn Evil 9 is really great. I say them for Works without orchestra and they were great for that but I wish I could have seen them for this tour. I was 13 at the time and that was a little far for me but I did not ever think of it back then. Also one of the biggest heartbreaks in my life is that this was not video taped. They were so amazing I wish there was more broadcast quality footage of them. 😢 A surround sound version of this recording would be cool but I am not aware of any.

[@mortenstra]

I’m waiting so for you to react to Antimatter, Jim 😊 With fantastic Mick Moss. A good start is the album Leaving Eden. And the track «Fighting for a Lost Cause».

[@TheProgCorner]

ELP Forever!!!❤️

[@johncase2408]

Wow! ELP was certainly a force to be seen.

[@johncase2408]

Yeah, I agree there's no other voice like Greg Lake's.

[@toddfrank3344]

Side ends with a snippet of Epitaph from Court of the Crimson King. Also, the synth intro was left off.

[@jimralston7562]

My first and favorite ELP album, and played side 2 the most! I cut out the E L P from the album and put up on my wall. I still have the vinyl but not the letters. Lol. I especially enjoy Battlefield and Greg's homage to KC Epitaph. In fact I had ITCOTKC album before this. Side 2 still on my Playlist...

[@robertdohme1890]

Palmer is incredible!

[@michaelcapewell4811]

To address your question about popularity. Yes, the music was challenging, but…in the end, what those groups are most remembered for, 50 years down the line, (by the ‘mainstream’ anyway) isn’t the musical technique or integrity, it’s the showmanship. ELP are remembered for firing cannons or having polystyrene-shooting armadillos…Rick Wakeman is remembered for wearing capes and having Knights on ice-skates…Peter Gabriel is remembered for wearing dresses and fox-heads while flying through the air. In the ELP DVD Beyond the Beginning, an older Keith laments that hardly anyone ever wanted to talk to him about music, it was always “Hey, you’re the guy with the spinning piano!” (You’ll have to watch the footage of the ‘74 California Jam for that, Jim), and you can see that there’s a big part of him that regrets that, but by the same token, without the daggers, the revolving drum-kits etc etc, they wouldn’t have been as successful, or as notorious, as they were. I mean…if you look at photos of say…Big Big Train, they all look like extras from a Jacamo advert. Excellent music, but not an image to get ‘casual’ music fans interested enough to come to their shows. 🤔 Different generation now of course, and thanks to ‘Reality’ TV competitions, instant gratification is demanded by 99% of audiences, and during the quiet bits they are busy taking selfies rather than admiring musical virtuosity. Woo Hoo! Etc…🙄 I’m so glad the 70s was my ‘youth’. 🤓🤷‍♂️

[@smithpm81]

Recorded 10 February 1974 Venue Anaheim Convention Centre (Anaheim)

[@warrenbutson349]

Hi Jim this tour was played in quadrophonic so it was even more wizzing around than your headphones mix!!

[@JimNewstead]

That must have been something to behold!

[@warrenbutson349]

@@JimNewstead Probably I'm your age so no idea but back them must have felt like science fiction lol. Nice one Jim

[@mv8141]

And by the way, Karn Evil 9 3rd impression is the best!!! 3rd impression mind you. 3rd!!

[@JimNewstead]

Third? 3rd you say? Hokey kokey!

[@mv8141]

@@JimNewstead NO WAY!! And by the way, the third impression ending segment, I have read, IS quadraphonic which goes around the stadium must have been INSANE!! Can’t wait for you to listen to it! Goosebumps!!

[@tamaspolyak5564]

Oh no you didn't! 😮 And Aquatarkus? What about Aquatakus? How can you end an episode on a cliffhanger? It's not Tarkus, without Aquatarkus 😱It's just Tark! I'm speechless. Well I'm not exactly speechless, as is obvious. But you know what I mean. Now I go and listen to Aquatarkus by myself. Alone.

[@JimNewstead]

Ok, but come back tomorrow for group therapy!

[@PointyTailofSatan]

What a lot of people don't know is that Emerson played in a number of popular modern jazz groups before he created "The Nice". If you can find some of those old live sessions, it's obvious Emerson is already someone with enormous talent. And btw, if you like ELP, you HAVE to check out Emerson's playing with The Nice. Check this out! kzbin.info/www/bejne/hqvdZ2OOZtJ1nc0

[@johnduval6377]

Yes it was live! I believe they were the first band with quad amps. The civic center would BOOM with Gregs bass. Keith would use them to blow people's minds. and he did! lol

[@martymead]

I got this album when it was released. My favourite live album at the time, although the production wasn't too great. All my favourites form ELP here apart from Trilogy and Endless Enigma due to the difficulty of playing these songs live, so I heard. After a few listens, like CTHE it does become easy to listen to. Maybe it is because I have listened to this music 100's of times

[@kenl2091]

Sorry you're struggling with your P, Jim. It's common once you get to a certain age. (believe me, I know) Meanwhile, best version of Aquatarkus lies on side 3, no question.

[@j.jennings1722]

Mainly, Jim, the audience at the time were so stoned on various substances (over 60% of the HS senior classic of '75 were stoners) that the weirder and more experimental the music the better. Cliches were no longer allowed, which was Yes's original motto. The Beatles showed us the way and we never turned back.

[@lesblatnyak5947]

Greg Lake and Chris Squire were best friends and roommates can you imagine the singing that went on while two bass leads were prancing. Jim l hope you dont fold laundry.

[@JimNewstead]

I do Les, but it ends up on the floor!

[@lesblatnyak5947]

@JimNewstead lol hopefully your out of your clothes

[@mv8141]

Jim, here’s how my dumb brain works here in the middle of America. You’re a few years younger than me and I have always felt like being in the UK like you are that you would’ve grown up with this music since it was very popular back then even though we both were too young to go see them it just feels like ELP was part of your country’s musical culture. But especially since that you really like progressive type music. I wish you could tell us what you grew up with. Was it pop stuff so you didn’t hear any of this or know of it? Because it definitely sounds like you ARE dialed in. Just a comment.

[@JimNewstead]

It's taken a lifetime to get to this point. The first time I was aware of music that wasn't church music (hymns) or ABBA, was probably Andrew Lloyd Webber musicals (Joseph, Starlight Express, Jesus Christ Superstar). My first record I bought was Invisible Sun by The Police. At school it was all early 80s metal - Maiden, AC/DC, Motorhead, some Rush, Queen. I saw Live Aid in 1985 when I was 14, and was blown away by The Who. A year or so later I was more into Talking Heads, The The, The Teardrop Explodes, Echo and the Bunnymen. I then went back to the late 70s and was heavily into post punk stuff like The Buzzcocks, Magazine, The Stranglers, but also The Damned, The Cult, The Cure. It wasn't really until my late teens I got into Floyd in a big way, but by then the electronic music scene was evolving faster than anything else and being far more interesting than anything else. Chill Out by The KLF, The Orbs Adventures Beyond The Ultraworld and Lifeforms by The Future Sound Of London were seminal records for me. So from around 1990 till mid 2005, I was on a diet of Brit rock/pop, electronica, Ozric Tentacles, Iron Maiden and Pink Floyd. In fact, all the music I'd ever owned I still listened to though I'd have phases of certain bands and albums for a while. I remember going through a phase of listening to Kill Em All by Metallica for weeks on end in about 2000 because I couldn't get enough of it! I think that the generation that followed the prog generation had to really look hard to find stuff like ELP. Yes, it was popular in the early 70s, but by the time I was at the right age to explore music, I think that the music industry and press had done a good job of eradicating it from the national consciousness and swept it aside with punk, new wave and NWOBHM. Prog didn't exist and it didn't have a voice, an image or any kind of visibility. Older music such as The Beatles and The Stones and Led Zeppelin were still revered and held up as the origin of all that is good. I don't think this has really answered your question but it's the best I can do!

[@mv8141]

@@JimNewstead That was so well answered. You really do have a great ear. Thank YOU!

[@MisterWondrous]

This is their "SecondsOut"... and Aquatarkus, to me, at the time anyway, was the cat's meow. Is that on this side? Don't remember, and have long lost the albums. It has been decades. Lemme check... I think you were never meant to get the pee back in, btw.

[@JimNewstead]

You mean I have to take the pee but never give it back? Hardly seems fair….!

[@MisterWondrous]

@@JimNewstead Cruel, I know. Had I written the rules, pee would flow freely throughout the land.

[@briangoodspeed8807]

ELP always sounded like the recordings were sped up 5%-10%

[@johnduval6377]

Just 3 guys. Long live Carl Palmer!

[@briangoodspeed8807]

Better musicians than Millie Vanilla

[@briangoodspeed8807]

5/4

[@TheReaperMan275]

Prog rock excess at its finest.

[@coachhannah2403]

Shredding is playing scales very fast on the guitar. These are hardly scales...

[@palantir135]

Hi Jim, I never bought any album by ELP. I liked some songs but in general I thought it was a bit to much of ‘look how excellent we are’ especially the keyboards by Keith Emerson. It’s all a bit over the top.

[@JimNewstead]

But you must admit, he’s very good. Wait till you hear the second part of this!

[@palantir135]

@@JimNewstead yes, he’s very good but he’s showing off too much.

[@vfrbore1728]

@@JimNewstead Have you done Brain Salad Surgery yet?

[@briangoodspeed8807]

Not sure why watching commentary from a person listening to music is interesting

[@billnole2188]

Tarkus was my favorite album but live ELP put me to sleep. Especially trying to listen to Pictures at an Exhibition. Love how he completed the journey with the chorus from Epitaph (King Crimson).