Nearfest 2006

[Rick and Roll]

I didn't come into this show with any preconceptions, althogh he's been touring. I was blown away by his casual stories, his still sharp technical ability, the band, and especially the arrangements. I love it when songs are played differently, it keeps them fresh.

The band was top-shelf. Drummer Pete Riley and Bassist Phil Williams were solidly spectacular spectacular (sorry couln't help it). Marc Bonilla is a great musician. He sings, plays guitar, and arranges songs incredibly well. He was cited by Emerson as the catalyst for digging out some old gems, and arranging them so that Emerson could want to play them again.

Karn Evil 9 # 1 Part Two was just ok...Last time I could say that, the remaining show was killer.

From The Beginning, with acoustic piano and guitar only was amazing! Lucky Man was done such that it was bombastic yet fresh. A Nice song, Dylan's "Country Pie", was homespun yet proggy. Living Sin was dug out from the vaults...what a great heavy song. Bitches Crystal was another surprise..one of my favorite piano leads, and he didn't disappoint. Opened with Piano Concerto from Works. Touch and Go was excellent. Did a number that I thought was Romeo and Juliet from Black Moon but I think I'm wrong there.

Did a Marc Bonilla solo number that has just killer guitar work. Bonilla told a funny story of when Emerson saw Bonilla in a club, watched him play and approached him to collaborate on his song he was playing. So Bonilla got a big laugh when he said "I took him under my wing"...

Emerson told a story about meeting heroes, but was disappointed with Jimmy Smith. An odd story of how he grabbed Emerson's balls.....his repartee between songs was funny.

Also played America, Fanfare, Hoedown...no Pirates but hey...Nutrocker closed the set.

And lastly, all of Tarkus. Done brilliantly by the whole band. It was awesome! The lead guitar in Battlefield...damn. Tarkus is a great piece of music. Having a separate guitar and bass really added to the music.

Rob LaDuca (original Nearfest organizer) was telling us this morning about how Emerson was humbled by getting carpal tunnel - and how he's greatful to still be playing at his age.

He was so good. And how do you play standing on the other side of the keyboard? (He did that on a part of one song).

OK, I think that covers it!

[progdirjim(Admin)]

Originally Posted by Rick and Roll

Karn Evil 9 # 1 Part Two was just ok

My brother and I ALMOST walked out after Karn Evil 9. Bonilla's voice wasn't quite warmed up, he fumbled the outro on one of the leads, and there was a timing glitch from the drummer at one point. Subtle mistakes, but I've seen ELP a bunch of times. Iwas quite dissappointed. Fortunately, as Rick says, they got much better quickly. I too was pleased with the song selection (some gems I've never seen live) and new arrangements.

Did a Marc Bonilla solo number that has just killer guitar work. Bonilla told a funny story of when Emerson saw Bonilla in a club, watched him play and approached him to collaborate on his song he was playing. So Bonilla got a big laugh when he said "I took him under my wing"...

I liked the line, after Emerson said "I'd like to play on it" when Bonilla said "So what have you done - is this your first gig?"

Emerson his repartee between songs was funny.

This was perhaps the best part of not having Greg Lake - Keith spoke more than I've ever seen him, and while he can be a bit arrogant, he's mostly pretty engaging. Also, Bonilla is a better guitarist than Lake. The vocals weren't bad, but Greg has the edge there.

He was so good. And how do you play standing on the other side of the keyboard? (He did that on a part of one song).

Too bad you haven't seen the whole routine with the hammond, where he stands it on edge, spins the damn thing, and ends up laying on stage, with the Hammond on TOP of him, and he's playing over the top/back of it. I'll have to see if I can find a video of that somewhere - it made what he did at NF seem like child's play!

[Rick and Roll]

Originally Posted by progdirjim

Too bad you haven't seen the whole routine with the hammond, where he stands it on edge, spins the damn thing, and ends up laying on stage, with the Hammond on TOP of him, and he's playing over the top/back of it. I'll have to see if I can find a video of that somewhere - it made what he did at NF seem like child's play!

I have seen that. But I have to give him a pass this time given his age and prior health issues.

Good point about Lake - he's one of my favorite singers. There were signs held up of "Greg who" which wasn't fair to either one of them. Again, the advantage of guitar and bass came through.