Keith Emerson Reviews the Singles of August 1968

[@ffjsb]

Watching all the videos in this series, it really impresses me as to how much all these musicians really knew about music, other singers, and the music business.

[@leonardlos3209]

This is all baloney... You mean to tell me a progressive musician like Keith Emerson was listening to a candy ass bubblegum group like Kasenetz Katz??? phooey!!! this "Yesterday's Papers is putting words in their mouths... by the way, how come no actual voices of these musicians? All bullshit.

[@fullmetta2764]

The level of knowledge these players also know about production impresses me.

[@ffjsb]

@@docsavage8640 ELP weren't pop stars. And most of the pop stars back then couldn't play either. Guess you should learn what the difference between a pop star and a musician is.

[@saturnsabyss]

Yes, I think that comes from their genuine love, undying devotion and obsession with music. To be a musician of their caliber requires curiosity and understanding the importance of the less interesting parts of music, including music theory and the music business, but their love of music impels them to learn the in's and out's of their field. It was their business after all.

[@alteredme82673]

Loved Keith Emerson’s thoughts. His compliment to Hey Jude’s 7 minute length just shows his love for progressive music.

[@thelatepetercook]

Your channel is addictive ... I hope you never stop.

[@MichaelKingsfordGray]

Coward!

[@psyclotronxx3083]

I have dark circles under my eyes and the shakes. Oh, I'm withdrawing!

[@MichaelKingsfordGray]

@@psyclotronxx3083 And you are an anonymous infantile coward.

[@chrisbacos]

This was enjoyable. Keith was good at distinct critiques of songs. Love his humor. The bit about DJs was spot on. Sad that he took his own life. I remember much of the music of 1968 even though I was just a little boy.

[@GCSoundArtifacts]

He indeed had an awesome ear for music and insightful thoughts. God bless Keith Emerson!

[@bradford_shaun_murray]

1:57 lol

[@jamesdrynan]

As a 72 year old Canadian, I listen to these retrospective reviews and realize how little we knew of the British music industry. Never heard of half of the featured artists. Had a laugh at Keith's DJ remark because in Toronto at CHUM radio, the popular DJ, Jungle Jay Nelson, would cut off the end of " Hey Jude. " He received so many complaints, he had to play the whole song!

[@SurreyMan0409]

Keith inspired me to express my childhood pain and hurt through the keyboard. Thank you Keith - keep on rocking!

[@waynemarvin5661]

Were you aware that Keith passed away in March of 2016?

[@SurreyMan0409]

@@waynemarvin5661 Yes indeed - I was sitting in the car listening to the news when I heard. The tragedy is that the fingers which gave us so much incredible music also pulled the trigger…

[@SRV2013]

Me too.

[@recordtime4923]

The Nice footage in the background looks amazing! Would love to see it in its original version. Interesting perspective on the music of the day by one of my all time favorite musicians!!

[@Ian-of9oi]

What I like about this video series is you get a real sample of the music at a place in history. Most of these songs are forgotten. People who were not around in the 60s get a “refined” version of it. Gives you a better appreciation of the Beatles and the Stones. They were on a higher level then there peers.

[@edwardmulholland7912]

I was born on the 29th of August ‘68 so it was cool to see what was in the charts then. Strangely enough “Bookends” is my favorite Simon & Garfunkel album. Enjoyed this, thank you.

[@beetooex]

I've said it before but this was a genius idea for a KZbin channel.

[@leonardlos3209]

Too bad it's all bullshit.

[@danielhertz784]

keith was my all time favorite keyboard player!!!

[@stevemurrell6167]

Love Keith's honesty.....and accuracy!

[@mysterbear]

Keith Emerson had a great set of ears.

[@ChubbyChecker182]

It's Great hearing first reviews of classic tunes. Awesome channel.

[@johnnypoker46]

Keith Emerson was one of the keyboard greats, and he proves sharp and observant in his singles reviews here. However I take issue with his dismissal of 'Coney Island Sally' by the Fifth Estate, which is a pretty good song (albeit not very well known, and its appearance here surprised me). RIP Keith

[@misterentangled3243]

Fantastic channel, you deserve more suscribers!! A big hug from Chile my friend, keep with the hard work!

[@annamariaisland1960]

Hard to believe there was a time when "Hey Jude" was new. I can't argue with Mr Emerson's comments - he knows his business, and what a nice compliment to Feliciano. Is it possible that there were two different versions of "Dream a little Dream" on the UK chart that month? How unusual! Nice fadeout version of Hey Jude.

[@solarwave]

The world needs a voice like Cass.' But it probably wouldn't appreciate it.

[@jean-marieboucherit4518]

No hé doesn’t. He Knows shit.

[@jamesstuart3346]

I remember bringing the 45 of Hey Jude home and tossing it on the RCA Victor. It was the first Beatles song my parents approved of

[@richsackett3423]

@@jean-marieboucherit4518 I'm sure Mr. Emerson never met you.

[@jean-marieboucherit4518]

@@richsackett3423 so what?

[@dannystrat]

Keith seemed to be in touch with prevailing music trends and artists of that time. Fascinating!.

[@gwangi64]

Keith is my musical hero, and it's great to hear his thoughts on the week's singles. He was well-informed about other artists and had a good ear for what might be successful. He really didn't like that Fifth Estate song!

[@colinglass1342]

Emerson Lake and Palmers greatest album TARKUS OR BRAIN SALAD SURGERY or

[@grokeffer6226]

R.I.P. Keith Emerson.

[@stevebendelack3935]

Kieth is so clever,very knowledgeable and very open minded to anything from wherever it came from.And a brilliant sense of humour as well!

[@slide4180]

After listening to many of these reviews, I can say I finally agree with someone 100%. Keith calls out all the saccharine crap for what it is, unlike a lot of other rock legends who incredibly seem to like some of it.

[@louisnewton4292]

I actually gasped when "Hey Jude" came on. It's interesting hearing him praise the length, given Emerson's future with prog music.

[@hlcepeda]

Both the Beatles and KE were brought up on R&B, so that affinity (and they being culturally contemporaneous) would hint at similar likes further down the line. It would be interesting to know what the Beatles thought of ELP. (BTW: KE musically quoted the Beatles' "Norwegian Wood" when he was with The Nice, in the song "By Example".)

[@MrMjp58]

Another great video! I've never understood the approbation directed towards Keith by certain elements of the rock press/BBC etc.

[@rmh3657]

Keith was in the charts there with the Nice (America). Never realised that song was a minor hit.

[@maximusindicusoblivious180]

I liked the song "The Flower King of Flies" by them. But it's funny that they charted with this one and later Yes also did a remake of "America" and the DJs cut it up just like Keith suggested.

[@kevhead1525]

​​The Yes America was a Paul Simon song that they did a bang up job covering. The Nice's America was dubbed the first instrumental protest song.

[@finrover]

This channel is an expertly done glimpse into pop culture.

[@YesterdaysPapers]

Thanks!

[@BassMisteress101]

That man was just ready to roast some people that day, bless him

[@RobbieCalifornia69]

Boy .... he nailed every song. Excellent ear for commercial 45s. Your outro should have been Number One that month 😊

[@Revengance6]

New music for me to look for again. Golden.

[@elowyn9664]

What a great YT channel this is. Thank you for sharing this with us.

[@royrush5374]

Keith really knew his stuff.

[@engineer909]

He’s right on the money👍 He knows his music..

[@f.w.2054]

With the exception of the Beatles, Dave Davies, and Jim Webb this is a pretty dull group of singles! I saw ELP in the 70s and thought Keith was the ultimate showman! These clips of the Nice are very rare. He will be missed!

[@YesterdaysPapers]

I like the single by the Love Affair.

[@f.w.2054]

I guess I should refrain from calling something dull if I hadn't heard it before!! Ill give it a try.

[@f.w.2054]

YP...you're right about the Love Affair! Reminds me of the Supremes. The lead singer is very good.

[@markhunter8554]

@@f.w.2054 No you were right they were dull.

[@PageMarker1]

I thought so too, Mrs. Robinson was the best on that list of singles, with Wheels of Fire and In Search of the Lost Chord as the only decent albums, Hollies aside.

[@willieluncheonette5843]

" I can see the DJ's dying to get in before the end of that." First line, first big LOL here. I think it was Dylan's Like a Rolling Stone (6 min long) that first had the DJ's fingers itching to pull the switch (with the sponsors at their backs) and that one had no long fade out. Re Dave Davies record being just the thing to start off right in the morning, we punks used to play Dead Kennedys' Nazi Punks F**k Off at lease breaking levels to start things off right in the morning. Forgot about The Rascals People Got To Be Free reaching #1 in the US Charts. They deserve it---what a terrific group. Enjoyed this Emerson session even though the records in general were not the best bunch. Thanks as always to YP.

[@YesterdaysPapers]

Thanks, Willie. Yep, "People Got To Be Free" at number 1. Love that song.

[@brianthomas2434]

Their last number one, I believe. There were those that said their career suffered because of the "political " statement. Lord help us!

[@willieluncheonette5843]

@@brianthomas2434 Indeed. And that was in 68. Imagine what it would be like now. 40% of the country would hate them.

[@cosmicvinyl2937]

I was actually into many of these songs! And of course they were the ones that Keith trashed Haha! Loved this! Peace ☮️✌️👽🤘☮️

[@Bertiebaby]

I can't believe they didn't let him have a go at Fire by Crazy World of Arthur Brown. It's better and more unique than everything they did let him have a go at except maybe Hey Jude.

[@Cream1968]

The flipside of fire is called rest cure. It’s a great song did Hammond B3 is really pumping lol. Love your channel.

[@vinto34]

Keep these going...it's interesting hearing the music artists of the time reviewing their contemporaries music.

[@SophieLovesSunsets]

"The slightly out of tune voice" Poor Dave ... that sounds like something Ray would say 😂 The Love Affair's "A Day Without Love" is a really stunning song. Great video as always, YP 💖

[@f.w.2054]

Daves slightly out of tune vocals made him unique! Nobody sounds like Dave Davies!

[@kevinpatrickmacnutt]

@@f.w.2054 i often felt the same about Lee Jackson from The Nice and always preferred him over Greg Lake. He also had a more distinct, almost percussive sound to his bass work that Lake never had.

[@f.w.2054]

I agree with you about Lee Jackson, he was terrific. I did think Greg Lakes singing on the first two King Crimson albums was sublime , and while I like ELP I thought the Nice were much more interesting. Too bad Davy and Keith couldn't co-exist!

[@YesterdaysPapers]

Thanks, Sophie! I agree, I love that song.

[@SophieLovesSunsets]

@@YesterdaysPapers 💖💖💖

[@frankcallo6630]

I love these!

[@NondescriptMammal]

I love how he takes a dig at the DJs, back then rock bands couldn't make a song much over three minutes long, if they wanted it to get radio play

[@bryandawkins]

another good review of music found few good songs I did]n't know and would like to put on random rotation on the house music system. I really thank you for doing this channel

[@steffanhoffmann8937]

Keith's analysis was conducted politely, seeing as the selection was quite average. He was a virtuoso of course. Thank you kindly for the upload.

[@OuterGalaxyLounge]

I was a kid when this US Top Ten came out and I recognize it quite well, but am largely at sea looking at the UK chart. Funny how different they could be.

[@rodthelimey]

Wow. I remember this month. I was so lucky to be there.

[@markallen2984]

I keep hoping for a 1972 version where someone is reviewing the release of Roxy Music's "Virginia Plain"

[@blackportspeakercabinets4145]

Love Yesterday's Papers.

[@EddieReischl]

Like Keith's take on Jose Feliciano. My parents had his 10 to 23 album with that song on it that I listened to a fair amount, along with some Beatles and Bee Gees covers, Jose had a really unique way to put his own rhythm into those songs.

[@marguskiis7711]

Emmo was master of keyboards and words too.

[@markhunter8554]

This channel is addictive.

[@Gardosunron]

The charts for that week were a bit dismal. Still Keith's critiques were fair and level headed not like some of the bitchiness we've seen from others I won't say Who(?).Interesting take on The Beatles with him saying your never sure how to take their latest single. I had always thought it was just instant success but clearly even something like Hey Jude was a grower.

[@andzwe]

"All that can be said about The Beatles has been said, anyway." 54 yrs later we're still talking about them, which will probably continue for a long time to come.

[@davidvawter4859]

He was one of a kind. What is that cool instrumental outro playing over the actual charts? Very groovy.

[@flimbambo]

You’re sure to get good notes from Emerson. Spot on review. Once again, not heard most of these so hats off to Yesterday’s Papers

[@that_thing_I_do]

This is like music archaeology. I can safely say that in North America , we have never heard of most of these artists. I believe Emerson understated the importance or the impact of Hey Jude. He was spot-on about Jose Feliciano though.

[@delbertstringbreaker7686]

Beatles excepted, bye and large, what a load of clunkers! Dear departed Keith had his finger on the pulse of this vanished age - 'that record would be suitable for a cigarette ad!' I loved his faux concern for the DJ's worrying when to insert their '3rd rate Music Hall Humour.'! Ahh, those were the days...

[@VultureClone]

Of course he likes the fact that a song is 7 minutes long lol! And unusual time signatures. out of all these videos, I would probably respect the opinion of Keith Emerson over near everyone else when it comes to hearing about good and bad music.

[@thegreenbird795]

I've noticed how records by garage bands in the us are never reviewed..so sad..they were some of the best music of that era...

[@markhunter8554]

Couldn't agree more with Keith's assessment of radio DJs. And this was years before those annoying morning show duos.

[@saifonlawrence2044]

I was on a real freaky bum trip until I tuned into this totally far out,groovy clip man.

[@mikewilson3581]

When the notification popped up I saw that photo of Keith and thought "Why is John Squire on Yesterday's Papers?".

[@GeoffreyGentryMusic]

He does kinda look like Squire! I wonder what they would've picked for him if they did this stuff in the late 80s.?

[@davidellis5141]

Stone Roses 🌹

[@michaelwalsh1035]

Dave Davies was being prepped for a possible solo career at this time. He pulled back from it. Emerson had a well tuned dreck detector.

[@deementia6796]

It seems like every other one of these YT videos from Yesterday's Papers has a Dave Davies single in it. I wonder why they were doubling up so much. Was the record company that greedy for hits/sales, or was it something else.

[@michaelwalsh1035]

@@deementia6796 By this point the Kinks had faded as a singles success on the Brit charts. I think "Days" was their last decent performer in 67. They were banned from touring the US and Ray was through with the hits rat race. They were engaged with recording concept album Village Green Preservation Society. It was a commercial bomb. They were deeply humiliated by a failed tour of UK "workingmen's clubs". Their management team was desperate to get something going and Dave Davies had a lot of appeal as a possible "mod" star. His heart wasn't in it. They didn't come back until "Lola" hit big in 70.

[@Harbalz]

RIP 🌹🌹 Keith and Greg

[@rman52]

When he greatest instrumentalist of rock speaks, people listen.

[@sergioromanomunoz8155]

The single charts for both UK and the US... it's brutal the sheer number of absolute classics.

[@PotrzebieConolly]

Never heard of Billie Davis before, but she sure was cute. Looking her up, I see she had a couple of hits in '62 and '63 when she was a teenager. And this song made the charts as well, for her first hit in 5 years.

[@carlodave9]

Light my Fire is one of a few perfect covers, right up there with Devo’s Satisfaction, and Hendrix’s Watchtower. Take a song that can’t be topped and instead of just imitating it your way, make something ENTIRELY new and compelling out of it.

[@jimilove7773]

LOve these!

[@pcno2832]

I never heard "A Day Without Love" until about 10 years ago, since Love Affair was never much known here in the USA, but despite its ordinary lyrics, the arrangement, production and Steve Ellis' voice turned it into a masterpiece. I suspect that it influenced the sound of Boz Scaggs' second or third single to get any attention (an "FM hit" as such records were called then), "Dinah Flo" , recorded in Muscle Shoals, which has always been one of my favorites.

[@YesterdaysPapers]

I love that song, too. The Love Affair recorded plenty of great songs.

[@steffanhoffmann8937]

Thing is, by concentrating so much on the Beatles. Americans missed out on so many groups, in Britain; during that in innovative British period.

[@jeffmasek9541]

Interesting comments about Hey Jude. Pretty clear he didn’t really like it (apart from the daring length), but it’s the Beatles, so he’s not going to give a negative opinion.

[@John_Fugazzi]

I didn't know Deena Webster did "Your Heart Is Free Just Like the Wind" I only know the gentle version by The sunshine Company and the dramatic version by Vikki Carr, both also from '68.

[@lambrattle]

That was an amazing top 30

[@fernandoperdomomusic]

"This makes an elephant's epidermis look like a sheet of crinkled lavatory paper" is the name of my next next album

[@heinrichvon]

Poor Keith! Except for the Beatles, Jose Feliciano and Dave Davies, they really scraped the bottom of the barrel when they selected these singles for him to review. (Deena Webster sounds sort of okay, but I'm not familiar with her work.) Even the Jim Webb songs are not among his best. Emerson demonstrated discernment... and patience!

[@keithalcorn7050]

Tell us how you really feel, Keith.

[@lthompson7625]

Witnessed ELP’s first major concert, lsle of Wight 1970. Very spectacular with a cannon gun going off during their performance! Decided to check out if this was their first live performance? Found out it wasn’t , but came across a story that Jimi Hendrix was rumoured to be interested in forming a band with them towards the end of 1970 . Apparently , a jam session was being planned, but Jimi’s sudden death put an end to it all. The name of the band was mooted to be HELP,, Hendrix, Emerson, Lake & Palmer..

[@zeusapollo8688]

Now that is something worth imagining

[@lthompson7625]

@@zeusapollo8688 l was surprised when l read it as well. I think Jimi was looking for a new direction and had mentioned that he might move into jazz. I know he loved Stevie Winwood .. I could have seen Jimi and Steve setting up a band.. Love the name of the band if it had happened , HELP!

[@networkcobbler]

@@lthompson7625 In fact Steve Winwood appeared on "Electric Ladyland". "Voodo Chile" and another track or two I think.

[@lthompson7625]

@@networkcobbler Hi Shannon, there’s a new KZbin clip of Steve singing ‘The Low Spark Of High-Heeled Boys’ recorded recently. 74 years-old and he still sounds great. All the best

[@foxbor0]

I love the Billie Davis single. I still play it to this day 😊

[@64north20west]

Keith didn't get much to work with here, and when he did, it was "The Beatles have levelled off after Sargent Pepper". Pretty funny.

[@tyronebrown9936]

Any musician in the last 70 years would love to level off to the quality of Sergeant Pepper. Any musician.

[@Fubarfighter]

You would have thought he would make mention of number three Crazy World of Arthur Brown, given that fellow signature bandmate Carl Palmer was the featured drummer. Highly underrated musical effort in the self-titled album.

[@ericwinnert]

The Canterbury Pilgrims was a new one to me. Love a bit of easy listening hammond. So much so I went and bought a comp with it on.

[@YesterdaysPapers]

Cool! I enjoyed the song, too. What's the name of the comp?

[@ericwinnert]

@@YesterdaysPapers the comp is Instro Hipster A-Go-Go Volume 4. It also has a Peddlers instrumental on it.

[@YesterdaysPapers]

@@ericwinnert Thanks. Sounds like an interesting comp.

[@frankanderson3503]

Never heard of most of these.

[@charlesgallagher1376]

What a great USA top 10.

[@kennethmarshall306]

That Hey Jude chant is one of the most spine tingling pieces of music. But it only works the way the Beatles did it. Never heard it done right by anyone else- including McCartney

[@SmartCookie2022]

Some real oddities here. Dave Davies' third solo 45 "Lincoln County" flopped internationally and at home, only hitting #15 on the Dutch Singles Chart and missing the charts elsewhere. The Love Affair's "A Day Without Love" faired much better hitting #6 in the UK charts. Billie Davis' "I Want You to Be My Baby" became a UK Top 40 hit with a chorale backing of Madeline Bell and Kiki Dee no less.

[@YesterdaysPapers]

Yeah, "Lincoln County" is a pretty cool song but it was flop. I like "A Day Without Love". The Love Affair had plenty of great songs, I think they're very underrated.

[@fuccasound3897]

Struck me that the american top ten was full of songs for teenagers with attitude and the british was a pretty middle of the road...

[@HansRickheit]

What's the music that you use to close out the video? It sounds like an imitation of THE NICE's AMERICA. I like it, though.

[@edwardlondon6131]

I am now 69 years old, and I’m having trouble trying to remember this.

[@edljnehan2811]

Hell I cried when he passed I don't even cry when family members pass away

[@satinicole]

'Didn't We' by Richard Harris was the flipside to 'Mac Arthur Park', so it also went to number one?

[@YesterdaysPapers]

In the UK, "Didn't We" was released as an A-side with the song "In the Final Hours" as the B-side: www.discogs.com/release/3110676-Richard-Harris-Didnt-We

[@satinicole]

@@YesterdaysPapers I stand corrected said the man in the orthopedic shoes

[@Dios67]

I think this is the first one of these videos I've seen where a Beatles song is talked about.

[@dilltdog1158]

I much preferred The Nice to ELP and it's great to see the youthful Keith E reviewing single releases! The Nice & ELP being no strangers to issuing the 7" 45 rpm record. Should've teamed Dave Davis & Billie Davis up see how that sounded, eh Keith?

[@craigfazekas3923]

Keith was THE BEST....

[@jam6242]

"All that can be said about The Beatles has been said anyway." Haha.

[@markharrisllb]

It’s official…I’m a boomer! I didn’t recognise many that were reviewed by I recognised most of the chart. I was 8 then!

[@jfrorn]

The background music is always SO GOOD, where does it come from?

[@YesterdaysPapers]

I record all the background music on these videos.

[@jfrorn]

@@YesterdaysPapers Wow, I LOVE it!! Any chance you could do a video or two with the full songs? Really cool groove on them!!

[@mrsjupiter9310]

Coolest thing on You Tube

[@georgeprior-vinylshowtell4934]

Is that two versions of the same song in the UK singles chart? 18 and 23.

[@pcno2832]

Yes, they are both covers of the song Ozzie Nelson (of Ozzie and Harriet fame) made popular in 1931. According to Wikipedia, Harris heard the album cut and decided to cover it before learning that it was being released as a single.

[@HAL9000S3]

I dig this site! (No. That's the way I normally converse with others). A music-oriented magazine with videos instead of articles, and contemporaneous with Crawdaddy. Very mod. I can see a lot of work went into this. Instant sub.

[@TheLastOilMan]

Mygod the charts were collosal

[@danielhayes7967]

Jose Feliciano's "Light My Fire" I found more sinister than the Doors.

[@bh8365]

I don't see the comparison of to Billie Davis's vocals Marianne Faithful. Maybe Petula Clark?