Premiata Forneria Marconi (PFM) - 1974-08-27 - Ultrasonic Studios, Hempstead, NY

Premiata Forneria Marconi (PFM)
1974-08-27
Ultrasonic Studios, Hempstead, NY 
FM Broadcast recording, very good quality
Available in both Lossless (FLAC) and Mp3 versions

Progressive rock has often been associated primarily with England and British bands (yes, virtually all of the most famous and successful prog bands are British), but actually there are great progressive rock bands from all over, especially throughout europe. One of the most interesting of the european progressive bands was Premiata Forneria Marconi (PFM) (translation:Award-winning Marconi Bakery), the most successful prog band from Italy. PFM was formed in 1970 in Milan, when members of the previous band I Queli joined up with violinist-flutist Mauro Pagani. They were the first Italian band to feature a synthesizer. Their first album (released only in Italy) was Storia di minuto (1972), which was an immediate success, quickly followed by Per un Amico (1972) which expanded their influence outside Italy and across europe. Around this time, while on tour in Italy, Greg Lake (of Emerson, Lake, and Palmer) heard them, and immediately signed them to their new label, Manticore records. Because of this connection, their next album, Photos of Ghosts (1973) was released worldwide (with mostly re-recorded versions of songs from their previous albums), and for the first time featured lyrics in English (in an attempt to reach a wider audience). Interestingly, instead of just translating their Italian lyrics to English, all new English lyrics were written, by King Crimson-ELP cohort Pete Sinfield. The album charted in countries all around the world, including the US. They followed this success with another Italian album (L'isola di niente) followed by an English version, The World Became the World (1974), and then their first U.S. tour. Concerts recorded from this tour became the basis for a Live album, Cook (1975).  The band also reached their largest US audience when they appeared on the TV show The Midnight Special in early 1975. For their next album, Chocolate Kings (1975), they added a new lead vocalist, Bernardo Lanzetti, and a harder rock sound. Jet Lag (1977) was their last album with English lyrics (as well as last album released in the U.S.) and moved more towards a jazz fusion sound. They continued performing and releasing albums in Italy for many more years, but never achieved International success after that. Because of their association with ELP, some (who never really listened to them) dismissed the band as Italian ELP imitators, but that does not do them or their music any justice. They had their own unique sound and were much more diverse in style and instrumentation. They were both uniquely Italian while developing traditional prog influences, producing a lyrical, romantic and delicate music, with a great melodic and instrumental richness, sumptuous compositions and arrangements. They deserve a place among the  very best of the '70's prog bands. Here is a show from their 1974 U.S. tour, as they established themselves as a progressive force to be reckoned with.

Tracklist:
1. Four Holes In The Ground (7:41)
2. Is My Face On Straight? (7:53)
3. Instrumental jam (8:58)
4. Dove...Quando... (4:39)
5. introduction (1:32)
6. Mr. 9 'Till 5 (4:25)
7. Alta Loma 5 'Till 9 (11:06)
8. JC violin jam (2:30) (cut - some issues)
9. classic violin solo (3:25)
10. William Tell Overture (1:51)
11. Celebration (5:34)

Flavio Premoli - keyboards, vocals
Mauro Pagani - flute, violin, vocals
Franco Mussida - guitars, vocals
Patrick Djivas - bass
Franz Di Cioccio - drums, vocals

FLAC - PFM_1974-08-27_Ultrasonic_NY_FLAC.rar

mp3 - PFM_1974-08-27_Ultrasonic_NY_mp3.rar
Links updated 08/25/21

Keith Emerson (with Marc Bonilla, Glenn Hughes and Dragon Choir) - 1998-05-14 - Santa Cruz, CA

Keith Emerson (with Marc Bonilla, Glenn Hughes and Dragon Choir)
May 14, 1998
Palookaville, Santa Cruz, CA USA
Audience recording, good quality
Available in both Lossless (FLAC) and mp3 (320 kbps) versions

After the disintegration of the short-lived supergroup The Best, Emerson joined back up with Lake and Palmer for another try at ELP, but although the tours were successful, after 2 disappointing new albums (Black Moon-1992,  In the Hot Seat-1994), it was clear that ELP's time as rock superstars had passed. Following the 1993 tour, Emerson was forced to take a year off from playing due to severe nerve damage and related issues in his right hand, which required surgery. Following his recovery ELP continued to tour again in 1996, but broke-up again following that tour. In 1998, Emerson teamed with Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple) and guitarist Marc Bonilla for a series of shows that were quite well-received. This is one of those shows in California in the Spring of 1998. In subsequent years, Bonilla stayed on as a member of various incarnations of the Keith Emerson Band for tours throughout the 2000's. Keith also participated in a reunion of The Nice in 2002, and toured again with Greg Lake in 2010. Most recently, Keith had recurrences of nerve damage and problems in his right hand, leading to depression that he would no longer be able to play effectively and would disappoint his fans. He eventually took his own life on March 11, 2016. He was a tremendous talent and his music will live on forever. Enjoy this unique show from the Emerson-Hughes-Bonilla version of his band in 1998.

Tracklist:
01. [04:33] Instrumental I
02. [03:10] Instrumental II
03. [04:48] Hoedown
04. [05:16] Dance of the Sugar Plum Faries > Nutrocker
05. [04:07] Close To Home
06. [06:03] Honky Tonk Train Blues
07. [04:30] Creole Dance
08. [05:38] Instrumental III > Glenn Hughes joins
09. [06:42] A Whiter Shade of Pale
10. [05:00] Cover Me
11. [06:55] Dreams
12. [18:19] Tarkus (Glenn Hughes - vocals)
13. [16:41] Fanfare for the Common Man > Rondo
Total time [1:31:42]

Line-up / Musicians
- Keith Emerson / keyboards
- Glenn Hughes / vocals
- Marc Bonilla / guitar

- Mike Wallace / guitar
- Bob Birch, Mick Manan / bass
- Ed Roth / keyboards
- Joe Travers / drums

mp3 - Emerson-Hughes-Bonilla_1998-05-14_Santa Criz_mp3.part1.rar
Emerson-Hughes-Bonilla_1998-05-14_Santa Criz_mp3.part2.rar

FLAC - Emerson-Hughes-Bonilla_1998-05-14_Santa Criz_FLAC.rar

Emerson, Lake, and Palmer - 1977-07-08 - MSG, New York, NY

Emerson, Lake, & Palmer
(with Orchestra)
July 8, 1977
Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
Audience recording, very good quality
Available in both lossless (FLAC) and Mp3 (320 kbps) versions

Continuing with ELP:  After their extensive 1973-1974 Brain Salad Surgery tour, the band took an extended break, lasting through all of 1975 and into 1976. The band re-grouped in 1976 to record Works Vol.1, another epic scale production, a double album, with one full side for each artist to feature 'solo' works, and the 4th side featuring full group compositions. Emerson's side consists of his 3 movement Piano Concerto performed with the London Philharmonic Orchestra. The group piece 'Pirates' also featured an orchestra prominently. Because of this, Keith had the idea of touring with a full 65-piece orchestra for the forthcoming Works Live tour. It was a massive undertaking, and plagued with problems associated with the orchestra (union rules, requirements, travel restrictions, and of course, immense cost) from the start. The tour started in May 1977 in the US. After just 3 weeks and 13 concert dates into the tour (and mounting debts), the Orchestra had to be dropped from the shows, and the band re-grouped and continued the tour as a trio only, although they did again play with the Orchestra for a 3-night run at Madison Square Garden in NY in July, and later at a show in Montreal in August that was recorded and released as a Live album, Emerson, Lake, and Palmer In Concert. Overall, the band lost millions on the Orchestra tour venture, but it was a grand experiment and produced some stunning shows. Here is a recording from one of the MSG shows (second night), a very good audience recording that features the full Orchestral show.  The show features an assortment of songs throughout the ELP catalog, and alternates between songs with and without Orchestra involvement. Overall a very impressive show, and a must for ELP fans.

Tracklist:
Disc 1
1. Abbadon's Bolero
2. Hoedown
3. Karn Evil 9 1st Impression Pt.2
4. The Enemy God
5. Tarkus-Eruption/Stones Of Years/Iconoclast/Mass/Aquatarkus
6. Still...You Turn Me On
7. Lucky Man
8. Pictures At An Exhibition
9. Piano concerto No.1-movements 1 & 3

Disc 2
1. Closer To Believing
2. C'est La Vie
3. Knife Edge
4. Tank (Carl solo)
5. Nutrocker
6. Pirates
7. Fanfare For The Common Man
8. Rhondo/Fanfare (reprise)

FLAC: ELP_1977-07-08_NY_FLAC.part1.rar
           ELP_1977-07-08_NY_FLAC.part2.rar
 
Mp3: ELP_1977-07-08_NY_mp3.part1.rar
         ELP_1977-07-08_NY_mp3.part2.rar

Emerson, Lake, and Palmer - 1974-02-02 - Anaheim (FM Broadcast)

Emerson, Lake & Palmer
1974-02-02
Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, CA
FM Broadcast Recording (combined from KBFH 1974 original and 1996 re-broadcast), very good quality
Mp3 @ 320 kbps

Continuing with ELP: Coinciding with the release of their 5th album, Brain Salad Surgery in November 1973, ELP set out on their biggest, most ambitious, and most outrageous shows and tour yet in support of the album, which included a massive stage set-up (including Keith's spinning piano and Carl's rotating drum platform, and a total of 40 tons of equipment). The album and tour were a phenomenal success, and resulted in the triple LP live album, Welcome Back My Friends to the Show That Never Ends...Ladies and Gentleman, Emerson, Lake, and Palmer, released in August 1974. And yet the tour continued on through October 1974. The shows were epic and featured songs from throughout their catalog, but the centerpiece was the full-length 'Karn Evil #9' from BSS. I saw them early on this tour (in Chicago, 12/73), and the show was truly memorable. This very good quality recording (unfortunately of just a fraction of the full show) comes from 2 separate King Biscuit Flower Hour broadcasts. The first broadcast, in 1974, edited the show down to about 50 min. for broadcast (eliminating several songs - indicated below), but included the full-length 'Karn Evil #9' (over 30 min.). In a later re-broadcast of the show in 1996, 'Karn Evil #9' was edited down to a 14 min. 'excerpt', and the 'Piano Improv' piece was removed, but, inexplicably, three songs from a much later unidentified show (probably from the 1977-78 Works Tour), were added, as well as a rather curious (butchered) edit of 'Tarkus' (excerpt) from the 1974 show was also added. Unfortunately, the entire re-broadcast show was still billed as being from Anaheim 1974, which has resulted in some setlists for the show incorrectly including the added 1977 songs as being played in 1974, which they definitely were not (No 'Tiger...', 'C'est La Vie', or 'Fanfare...' were ever played in '74, as they had not been written or recorded yet). So, anyway, I have combined the broadcasts into one show featuring the unique full-length songs from both shows. Since the 1996 re-broadcast recording was somewhat better quality, I have used this recording for the songs included in both shows, and the 1974 recording only for those that were edited or cut in the 1996 broadcast.  The result is a more complete, albeit unrepresentative, show (due to the newer 1977 songs included). But this is an ELP radio show in fine quality, so enjoy.
  
Tracklist:
1.Hoe-Down
2. Tiger in a Spotlight (Added song [unknown date]- 1996 Re-broadcast)
3. C'Est La'Vie (Added song [unknown date]- 1996 Re-broadcast)
4. Still You Turn Me On
5. Lucky Man
6. Piano Improvisations
7. Tarkus (excerpt)
8  Karn Evil #9 First Impression part 1 >
9. Karn Evil #9 First Impression part 2 >
10. Drum Solo >
11. Karn Evil # 9 First Impression part 2 (reprise) >
12. Karn Evil # 9 Second Impression part 1) >
13. Karn Evil # 9 Second Impression part 2) >
14. Karn Evil # 9 Third Impression
15.  Fanfare for the Common Man (Added song [unknown date]- 1996 Re-broadcast)

Note: Songs known to have been played at the 1974 concert, but not included in the broadcast included 'Jerusalem', 'Toccata', 'Tarkus' (full version - 27 min), and 'Take a Pebble', as well as some combination of 'Benny the Bouncer/Jeremy Bender/The Sheriff', and possibly an encore of 'Pictures at an Exhibition' (played at some but not all shows).

Link updated 10/12/21
ELP_1974-02-02_Anaheim(FM)_mp3.rar

Emerson, Lake and Palmer - 1971-06-13 - Dusseldorf, Germany

Emerson, Lake and Palmer
1971-06-13
Philipshalle, Düsseldorf, Germany
TV Broadcast recording ("Supergroups in Concert"), good quality
Available in both Lossless (FLAC) and Mp3 (320 kbps) versions

Wow, as I was preparing this (and a few other) ELP shows in tribute to (the recently deceased) Keith Emerson this week, got word of still more tragic and unexpected deaths of memorable rock artists and musicians. Of course, everyone is talking about the loss of Prince, but there were others this week, too, including legendary blues-rock guitarist Lonnie Mack (whose pioneering virtuoso lead guitar soloing style was a major influence on Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughn, and virtually every rock guitarist after), and multi-instrumentalist Pete Zorn (long-time member of Richard Thompson's Band, as well as stints with Gerry Rafferty and Steeleye Span). But the most shocking, unexpected, and devastating to fans was the death of Prince at 57, as he seemed to be in fine health and still very productive. Now, to be honest, I was never much of a fan of his music, overall (just not my style), but it is impossible not to recognize his vast talent, creativity, and artistry as a totally unique and dynamic artist and performer. There is no one else like him and his presence will be missed in the music world.

But today, I am still honoring the life and music of an important death from last month, keyboard virtuoso and progressive rock icon, Keith Emerson. Although today, the progressive rock movement of the (late 60's and) early 1970's often gets dismissed as trivial or some quaint musical oddity, let me tell you, it was (and is) a very big deal, and quite important in the continuing development of Rock. This time period corresponded to my high school years, and progressive rock was my favorite music, and very important in my own musical development. Progressive rock sought to move rock away from short, dance-beat singles to greater artistic and technical sophistication through use of experimental instrumentation, compositional structure, harmony and rhythms, through incorporation of instrumental virtuosity,  long-form compositions, and techniques and styles from jazz and classical music. Progressive rock is a mainstay of my musical background, but (other than Genesis), I have not featured it very much here on the blog. So, honoring Keith gives me a chance to present some more here now. At the time, progressive rock was very popular (Pink Floyd, Yes, Jethro Tull, Genesis, King Crimson, Moody Blues all at their peak), but for a time, ELP were the undisputed kings of the genre.
     Keith Emerson first earned acclaim and notoriety for his performances and antics on the Hammond organ with the group The Nice in the late 60's, where he first featured his 'symphonic rock' versions of classical pieces done as epic rock songs. By 1970, when he teamed with members of other  progressive rock groups, vocalist/bassist Greg Lake (from King Crimson) and drummer Carl Palmer (Atomic Rooster) to form Emerson, Lake and Palmer, they were already considered a 'Supergroup' (and received a record deal) before ever performing together. Their premier public performance (which coincided with the release of their self-titled 1st album) was at the Isle of Wight Festival in late 1970, where they made a big impression, and became very popular very quickly thereafter. With ELP, Emerson became one of the most prodigious and prolific users of the (relatively recently developed) Moog synthesizer, which permeated the band's sound. The band and their music continued to grow and develop through multiple hit albums throughout the 1970's, such as Tarkus (1971), Trilogy (1972), and Brain Salad Surgery (1973), with Emerson's reputation as a keyboard virtuoso and master showman growing throughout (was sometimes referred to as "the Jimi Hendrix of keyboards").
   Here is a show from very early in their career, in support of their first album. Like many other acts from this period, there are many recordings of shows from this period available, but very few of very high quality. This is one of the better quality recordings, as it comes from a TV broadcast, and features all the varied aspects of their live shows from that time, from Jazz, blues, and classical piano to folk-rock, to prog rock weirdness (and extended drum solos) to madcap classical rock ('Nutrocker'). Here's ELP in their earliest form.

Tracklist:
01. Take a Pebble
02. Knife Edge (First 2:00 are a little warbled)
03. Blues Jam
04. The Barbarian
05. Rondo (w/ drums)
06. Nutrocker
Bonus track
07. Knife Edge // fade - Beat club 1970-11

Keith Emerson - Keyboard and Synthesizer Wizardry
Greg Lake - 'The Voice', bass, guitars
Carl Palmer - Percussion Extraordinaire


mp3 - ELP_1971-06-13_Dusseldorf_TV_mp3.rar

FLAC - ELP_1971-06-13_Dusseldorf_TV_FLAC.rar
Links updated 10/12/21