Favorite ELP Song

[Roger -Dot- Lee(Admin)]

Hoo boy. This is a good one.

I've got a rotation of perhaps three or four ELP songs that I would call my favorites, based on such things as mood, time of day, and the level of blood in my caffeine stream.

They are, in no particular order:

1. Karn Evil #9, First Impression
2. Piano Improvisations (because, DAMN, can Keith Emerson play)
3. The Only Way (Hymn)

As for WHY?

Karn Evil #9 because it's musically and stylistically a well designed and engineered song. Every member adds a great deal to the piece -- it's not All Keith or All Greg or All Carl. It's All ELP.

Piano Improvisations? Because, well, Damn.

The Only Way (Hymn)? Because I like it. It's nice pseudo-classical organ work coupled with a profound message. It just gets me right *here*.

[Rick and Roll]

No not being used

Two reasons I asked...one is that I thought it would get a great response, and so far it has. Second, it would be good to get the feeling of why some do not like Pirates, in one place. There are certain polarizing songs (Echoes, Pirates, Supper's Ready) that always pop up in other threads. So we're quarantining Pirates so to speak, and also discussing a great band!

(at least up to Love beach )

That being said....

I don't think I could say it any better than Ted about Pirates. It's very exhilirating to me. Well done!

Tarkus is a close second. It's a perfect piece, and it's got everything.

Agreed % with Dot about the lyrical message in "The Only Way".

Some other ones I dig are Hallowed Be thy Name and Knife Edge.

Everyone has said some great ones!

[Ted]

Originally Posted by Rick and Roll

No not being used

Two reasons I asked...one is that I thought it would get a great response, and so far it has. Second, it would be good to get the feeling of why some do not like Pirates, in one place. There are certain polarizing songs (Echoes, Pirates, Supper's Ready) that always pop up in other threads. So we're quarantining Pirates so to speak, and also discussing a great band!

(at least up to Love beach )

That being said....

I don't think I could say it any better than Ted about Pirates. It's very exhilirating to me. Well done!

Tarkus is a close second. It's a perfect piece, and it's got everything.

Agreed % with Dot about the lyrical message in "The Only Way".

Some other ones I dig are Hallowed Be thy Name and Knife Edge.

Everyone has said some great ones!

Rick - you are right! I wasn't being used But I was curious.

Along with enjoying Pirates.... I also like "Memoirs of An Officer and A Gentleman." It tells a good story. The music again has lots of variety in it, and as Dot said, they play together well. This on an album that most everyone hates. This one song is worth getting the album for.

I appreciate everyone participating in the discussion. It has been very 'educational' seeing everyone's response. From Dot - saying "he is feeling it in his gut along with Peter - breaking down the song the way that is analyzing it

Continue to tell us why you like your fav ELP song. Help us to better understand YOU!!

Welcome Back My Friends.....

Ted

[Rick and Roll]

Originally Posted by Ted

I also like "Memoirs of An Officer and A Gentleman." It tells a good story. The music again has lots of variety in it, and as Dot said, they play together well. This on an album that most everyone hates. This one song is worth getting the album for.
Ted

I'll have to give it a listen...somewhere. Is In the Hot Seat mediocre also?

[Ted]

Originally Posted by Rick and Roll

I'll have to give it a listen...somewhere. Is In the Hot Seat mediocre also?

Rick,

I have always heard that 'In the Hot Seat' was mediocre
But there are 4 tracks on the Moon, and I have listened/requested them and I like them, but I like 'Black Moon' also. It is a different direction - more "commerical" - but repeating myself - I like it They are DIFFERENT than typical ELP fair, but variety is the spice of life!

I have 'Memoirs' as an MP3.

Ciao,
Ted

[Rick and Roll]

Originally Posted by Ted

Rick,

I have 'Memoirs' as an MP3.

I like 'Black Moon' also.

Ciao,
Ted

So you don't have the open-shirted band photo?

I like Black Moon too..was a good tour also.

Another Trilogy vote (by Ivan)..looks like that and Tarkus lead the way...

Replaying Karn Evil 9 though....all three together....hmmmm

Well Ted.....thank you very much!!!

btw. This is Keithie's wife Pam here. I've just caught him clicking on amazon buying the three ELP albums he doesn't have on CD. Why he needs them is a mystery because he already has them on vinyl, cassette and, in at least two cases, 8 Track, the player for which broke 5 years ago!!!!!

It's a good job I like ELP as well or the divorce lawyers bill would be winging it's way across the swamp to your address.

I'm rewriting the lyrics to Keithie's fave ELP song:

"Just take a pebble and throw it at Keithie's head.............."

Ah well......trying to stop him from purchasing CDs is like