Tarkus has turned out to be a very unique project from some very unique musicians! Thanks for checking out my reaction. Please leave a like, and a sub if you wanna see more! Patreon.com/johnslop
As 64 YO Mom and Gma who fell in Love with ELP Yes, and Rush (all the Progs) many moons ago, it is so fun to see you (youth) get the genius of our generation's music. Enjoy!
I'll never forget the day my brother brought home this LP and we listened to in the basement. We just looked at each other and wondered what it was we had just listened to. Amazing stuff.
Tarkus is the undisputed King of the " Black-light room Genre " of early 70's progressive Rock. It is an insanely creative and masterfully played piece of Progressive Rock history that at least for one fan, has never gotten old.
in the beginning you're basically hearing a Hammond C-3 with heavy percussion along with a large Moog modular synth and grand piano. There's video of ELP performing this piece live. Emerson was using the this Moog right up till the end of his performing days. RIP Keith and Greg also.
Like Flo, who posted a week ago, I could write for an hour on this band. The most important thing to know about them, beyond the fact that they were one of the first supergroups, with members who were the absolute cream of the crop: You heard this and loved it and wanted to hear more. Be prepared because the next thing you listen to will be nothing like it. Depending on where you go from here, you'll wonder if it's even the same band. Greg Lake's songs were lush, gorgeous, shorter and great for radio, which sold albums and introduced listeners to the many other sides of ELP. I consider their versatility similar to The Beatles, but it's even more vast. There is nothing like ELP. Nothing. And a hat tip to the Yes evangelists in this comment section, but let's just bask in the glory that is ELP.
Couldnt agree more. ELP just doesnt get the love they deserve. Individually and/or collectively they should have been in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by now
Emerson's prior group, the NIce, had to fire their guitarist early on due to his mental breakdown. Before they decided to go guitar free, they tried out a number of guitarists. One of them became rather famous. Can you guess who it was? Answer down below! Steve Howe!
ELP. 1974 California Jam. Karn Evil 9 First Impression Part 2. They play one of their more well known pieces. And seeing them live for the 9 minute clip will blow you away. Emerson playing 2 keyboards on opposite sides of him and especially Carl Palmers drum solo. Unbelievable musicianship!!
I was introduced to ELP's Tarkus in my grade 8 music class in 1971. The teacher was a big ELP fan and after hearing this and their first album I was as well. Outstanding musicians. RIP Keith and Greg
Back in the day, Tarkus always felt let down by the plod of Aquatarkus. Then they released the live album "Welcome Back..." Aquartarkus was out of this world: Emerson performing the modular Moog like has never been heard before ... or since. Today, digital music can be programmed to make any new sound, but these instruments had to be crafted; the performer had to invest energy and technique. Emerson was out and out rock master of the electro-mechanical Hammond Organ (please, not "keyboards") and went on to tame the monster Moog Modular subtractive analog synthesizer in the live performance of Aquatarkus. RIP, my friend.
If you like this you will love their Pictures at an Exhibition album for sure. It’s my favorite epic by them. Karn Evil 9 from their Brain Salad Surgery album is their most famous epic. To me they leave everyone else behind. Decade of the seventies poll in Playboy magazine ranked Keith Emerson #1 keyboards, Carl Palmer was #1 drummer, Greg Lake #2 bassist only behind Paul McCartney
Pictures at exhibition is the title for the series of classical compositions by Russian composer Modest Mussorgsky orthodox Russian I believe 1931 composition movements
@@markpalfenier5851 Mussorgsky dedicated "Pictures" to an artist named Viktor Alexandrovich Hartmann. It is based on some of his paintings. ELP did their own version of artwork, so not all of the songs have the same names between the two pieces.
Parts of Tarkus, especially that opening, show heavy influences from Ginastera’s very percussive piano pieces. Keith went on to directly adapt one of Ginastera’s works later, but when you hear his Argentinian Dances, the influence is clear.
Keith had about 10 different keyboards. In the 90s technology finally caught up with him with digital technology. All 3 members were considered in the top 5 for their instrument.
You have to keep in mind while listening... this was 3 guys. Obviously the studio version can be multitracked but they always wrote their works with the intent of performing live. I've see them live twice...and they pull it off. I followed Greg Lake when he left King Crimson in 1970 and ELP has been my #1 band ever since. If you dive down this incredible musical rabbithole I recommend starting with their first, self-named album. Alot of the unusual tones are made by Keith Emerson on the Moog synthesizer while he's playing the keys as well.
Me and my buddies were really into these guys when we were in high school during the 70’s. It’s just three guys. They could sell out arenas. So yeah, there was a big audience for this kind of music. Quite a spectacle too.
0:5o That 'Noise' is a very large Modular Moog system which I think at the time was loaned / hired to Kieth Emerson for the album, notoriously difficult to keep in tune because for such a large synthesizer it was very temperature sensitive and it used jack cable to link the various system module (VCO,VCF,VCA etc). He used it live all the time after that, a beast of a synthesizer.
You need to watch their PIRATES LIVE performance, from the Montreal Stadium in 1977. THEY WILL BLOW YOUR MIND, as you see them each play the music they created.
A great friend of mine Jeff S. turned me on to this album in 1974. We were buddies in high school band. After that listen I bought the album. ELP was one of the first to use the Moog synthesizer. Not simple to setup (+program), Greg Lake was a pioneer with it.
You like musician indulgence? Watch videos of Keith Emerson stabbing the keyboard, twirling the organ on the edge, playing it while it's on top of him, and playin the spinning piano while strapped to it in midair. There was a movie of them around 1970 or 71 called Rock and Roll your eyes. I think it's on RU-vid with a different title. I have it somewhere.
In the 70s, you had some of the best musicians and compositions you'll ever hear. I enjoy a lot of music after that, 80s, 90s, and beyond, but the 70s, I don't know, there was something in the water, so many great bands. For me, there are what I call the holy grail of prog songs: Tarkus, Firth of Fifth (Genesis) and Close to the Edge (Yes). Worth a listen.
In my opinion, The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway(yes, the whole album) would be a better choice for genesis... in my opinion, it's probably their magnum opus
I can really appreciate younger people discovering Emerson Lake and Palmer. I am 68 years old. I saw them the first time in Madison Square, Garden, December 18, 1973 table on the brain salad surgery tour. All I can tell you that spellbinding playing in quad Those questions you had Keith, Emerson you have to check out his set up. The man was an absolute genius, call Palmer and you said before they’re in a different league as to honor the passing of Neil pert and also besides rush, you have yes and the passing of Alan White and Chris squire and with Emerson Lake and Palmer, Keith Emerson passed away. Greg lake passed away the same year, 2016 I would like young people to know I’d love rush I love yes but it’s something to scratch your head rush and yes, both in the rock ‘n’ roll Hall of Fame and they deserve to be there but those morons decided Emerson Lake and Palmer was not good enough to be in the rock ‘n’ roll Hall of Fame. Just think about that for a minute I can’t say commercial because they sold over 60 million albums they were three guys they filled stadiums arenas just like Led Zeppelin just like the stones just like rush just like yes and here’s another thing to think about Neil Peart move to London. In 1968 and he started following the beginnings of yes, and the beginnings of a Emerson Lake and Palmer, and he said he was influenced heavily by ELP and yes, it’s just hard for me to talk about because you love those bands for all different reasons, but these young kids at all due respect to rush they are not the best trio that ever played they belong in the league, but I’m but I understand this was a younger group of people and believe me I saw a rush about seven times I saw yes probably about 15 times and the jackpot goes to Emerson Lake and Palmer what I’d recommend for you to do listen to the live album. It’s one of the top three live recordings of all time and you’ll hear talk us in an arena where they had quadraphonic sound systems. It is absolutely incredible and he’s with three guys but thank you very much. I appreciate what you’re doing. You’re a nice kid and I could say that because I’m 68 years old keep up the good work thank you
Purely Genius ! I loved this when it came out . I was to high to appreciate the Greatness of this Piece ! Im 73 and have slowed down enough to Appreciate !
I really enjoyed your reaction and evaluation of ELP’s Tarkus. I’m many years older than you and got to see them live in Seattle back in the 70’s. ELP’s music is timeless and amazing. Their musicianship is off the charts and ranks up there with the best musicians ever. I loved how you had to listen to certain movements of the piece over again because of how blown away you were. Your facial expressions were priceless and it’s so wonderful seeing a young person like you appreciate the music like I did so many years ago and still do. Keep up the good work, your channel is very entertaining and that’s what it’s all about.
At 11:30 or so, you ask "is that the keyboard also?" Yes, and I'm 99% sure he's playing it on his Hammond B-3 (or C-3?) organ with the "percussive mode" turned on. Emerson's best known for his massive Moog synth but the reality is that much of what he plays is on the Hammond or even an acoustic piano. The massive synth, being monophonic, is used primarily for licks, leads and special effects. Note that there were no polyphonic synths in those days, so the synths of the time had to be played one note at a time, so basically lead instruments.
I am 68 yrs. old. In 1971 I became addicted to ELP. I had all their vinyls. I saw them live in 1973 front row. It was great. Years later I saw them do a reuni2005. Good, but they were not as polisched as in the 70's. Keith Emerson has been around since the 60's. He started having hand arthritis problems back in 2010. He still kept playing though. He had a show in Japan in 2015 and was finding it impossible to play like he wanted. He had a house in Malibu with his wife and a few weeks before the Japan show he shot himself and passed away. I will love ELP for as long as I live. Greg Lake the singer and bass player/ guitar is from England and has been in other great bands. He passed away 4 years. ago Carl Palmer the drummer is still alive. Another good album is Pictures at an Exhibition written mostly by Musorgsky.
Nice one John! Never get tired of this composition. Ha! Like you, Final Fantasy and many other games come to mind when listening to these sounds, that could be because ELP were very popular in Japan back in the seventies. In fact, so much so that even on RU-vid, you can find Japanese classic orchestras giving their rendition of this exciting work, let alone various bands and other orchestras (including a xylophone orchestra) from all over the world. Good luck with your channel John.
Absolute fan of this album for a long time. As awesome as this is, I personally feel their performance of 'Tarkus' on their triple live album 'Welcome Back My Friends to The Show That Never Ends...Ladies and Gentlemen: Emerson, Lake & Palmer' just blows it out of the water. It's absolutely scorching and beautifully ends with a wonderful homage to Greg Lake's previous band King Crimson.
Welcome to ELP. My favorite band, and one of their best pieces. I saw them twice in the early 70's. Highlight of my musical life. There are other great "Prog" groups of course: Tull, Yes, Moody Blues. Check them all out. And more ELP!
Check out a recent video called The Band That Inspired Your Video Game Music. My number one band. Saw them many times. You're in for a lot of fun listening. Your good taste makes you a Lucky Man. Bon appetite to your ears.
John the "What was that" was a synthesizer. Emerson loves to use one. When they first came out, the memory wasn't big enough the play chords so the misian could only ply notes and had to assemble them together himself. Whait to you hear "Lucky Man". It'll blow your mind.
I have to be careful not to write a whole novel right now. If you're not that familiar with the prog rock of the 70's, there's an overflowing reservoir of impressive music waiting for you. To ELP. Keith Emerson (trained concert pianist) was the first to introduce the (Moog) synthesizer as a mainstay in rock music (the "big Moog" was big as a closet back then). Greg Lake (bass, guitar, vocals) had previously made his name with King Crimson. Carl Palmer was (and is) one of the best drummers of the time, as any of his fellow drummers will confirm. My first prog rock album (almost 50 years ago) was "Trilogy" by ELP. But my "great love" came when I first heard Yes's live triple-album "Yessongs". This music reached my soul 100%. But there is so much more from this period. Genesis, Gentle Giant, Rush, Jethro Tull, Frank Zappa... I wish you a wonderful journey of discovery.
Keith was not a concert pianist. He had a hard time staying with one teacher, going through five of them. He read music but always wanted to do his own thing rather than playing what others had composed "straight," so to speak. He's capable of doing that, though, as he showed in Maple Leaf Rag, which will drop your jaw.
Still sounds as amazing today as it did 50 years ago. Great reaction too. I suggest you check out Firth of Fifth by Genesis. Another Prog Rock masterpiece.
I first heard Tarkus over 50 years ago and was quite impressed. Lost track of this kind of music over the years. Just started to listen in again. It now sounds more amazing than I ever heard before. I hope that you learn to appreciate Tarkus a lot more quicker than I did.
Over 50 years ago, the music world was changed forever. Of course, ELP's first album contained amazing breakthrough music as well. But this magnificent work of music really showed they were writing music that would live forever. Keith Emerson considered himself a composer more than a performer. And fun fact: Many year later, Tarkus has been performed by orchestras! Here's a clip from one such performance: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-7DjcqdK0swQ.html
Google the #1 greatest keyboard player of all time and chances are you will get Keith Emerson. Not all lists are the same but Keith is held in high regard in most of them.
Since you mentioned soundtrack....Nighthawks is a 1981 American neo-noir action crime thriller film directed by Bruce Malmuth and starring Sylvester Stallone, Billy Dee Williams, Lindsay Wagner, Persis Khambatta, Nigel Davenport, and Rutger Hauer. Its score was composed by Keith Emerson.
There was only one other keyboard player to equal Emmerson, and that was Wakeman. They both had stacks of keys, were as overdone as hell, and fantastic. They were friends, too. Emmerson left us much too soon- but the sounds you commented on are synth.
I believe that sound that you asked about early in the album is Keith Emerson on keyboards. They’re from England and after achieving fame moved to California. ✌🏼☮️
John, congratulations you have opened the ELP prog box now. Tarkus came out in June 1971 so it is one of the very early experimental prog rock songs. At the time is was so radical and different but great and has become one of Prog's epic masterpiece's. Keith Emerson on keys is about the greatest keyboard musician in rock history. He was an early adopter of all moogs and early electronic keyboards and was a master on the piano and organ. Karl Palmer on drums is most likely the best drummer ever. His work on Tarkus is amazing. Greg Lake is very good on strings and is a fantastic vocalist. Together ELP are complete talent. They have a few epics try Pictures at an Exhibition which only exists as a live album, imagine that 1970 doing a live recording for one of your early albums. Also try Trilogy and the masterpeice Kar Evil 9. ELP has been in my top 5 list for 50 years. But if you like epic long masterpieces of complex music that take you on a sonic journey like no other you must listen to Yes. They are out of this world from the future even though their music is 50 years old. Their transitions are perfect and they change key and time signature almost in a seamless manner. In music they can build full journeys and experiences including emotions and are in their own space. Try "The Yes Album", "Fragile", "Close to the Edge", "Relayer", Going for the One" and also "Yessongs" the 3 LP set of live material that is really amazing. All these albums are greats in the Yes line line-up. If you really like long sonic landscape epics then after try Tales from Topograhic Oceans most likely the most out there music ever. For me Yes is number 1 on my prog list and also my favorite band ever. Yes was the band that inspired many others including Rush.
G'day John, this piece was the major inspiration for Jordan Rudess from Dream Theatre, Tarkus and ELP in general have inspired generations of musicians and music lovers particularly in the Prog and Prog/Metal genres. Recommend "The Barbarian" and "Take a pebble" from their self titled debut album, also "Endless Enigma" and "Trilogy" from their 4th album "Trilogy", as well as "Jurusalem" and "Tocatta" from their 5th album, their other masterpiece "Brain Salad Surgery" and if you love the epics, check out "Karn evil 9" (all 3 movements) from the same album, my personal favorite ELP work, it will blow your #@%& mind!! Got into them in 1977 when I first heard "Fanfare for the common man" an adapted Aaron Copland orchestral piece that you will also love. Enjoy the ELP journey, Cheers
Oh Brother you Read my Mind ! Welcome back my Friends to the Show that Never Ends, ELPs Debut album is Great, but Brain Salad Surgery is Phenomenal, not too Mention a Groundbreaking SciFi Concept album, it's been a Favourite since I Bought it on Release all those years ago, with H R Gigers Artwork
The xylophone sound is the hammond organ with the "percussion" tone pretty much playing by itself. You usually mix the percussion with the other tone bar sounds, if that makes sense.
You need to listen to this song live from " Welcome back my friends", in fact you should do the entire album, then go to "Pictures at an Exhibition. You won't regret it !
You really owe it to yourself to listen to the lIve version of this off "Welcome back my friends to the show that never ends" live album, especially the Aquatarkus section which is much longer and more powerful.
I have listened the that live version probably hundreds of times and I love it every time. The whole thing is great but i think the first 9 minutes is some of the most intense 9 minutes ever. Aquatarkus is GREAT.
Hello John. I am happy to see some of the younger generation listening and enjoying this music. I like Vangelis, Kitaro, Jean Michelle Jarre, Pink Floyd, Rush, Yes, Early Kraftwerk (Autobahn), Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, Blue Oyster Cult, Moody Blues. I also listen to "Long Hair" music such as Bach (especially his pipe organ works), Beethoven, Mozart, Mussorgsky... Still, my all time favorite is Emerson, Lake & Palmer. They have such a great variety of types of music that they did. Check out "The Beast -Keith Emerson breaks down the moog ". Emerson's keyboard. "ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-NpgS9prNZT4.html". Also, check out Palmer's synt What I am hearing now a days, as far as music is concerned, it can not touch ELP at all. When I was much younger, many of my friends listened to disco, while I was listening to ELP. I didn't like disco, but when rap came out, all of a sudden, disco wasn't that bad. As many people here has stated, listen to Tarkus from the "Welcome back my friends to the show that never ends, Ladies and Gentlemen, Emerson, Lake & Palmer. Aquatarkus should blow your mind. Lots of great versions of their songs on that album. The end of the the album is Karnevil 9. Two sides of a 33 and a 1/3. Awsome stuff. I have been finding many "bootleg" ELP concerts on youtube. Even though many sound like they were recorded from the audiance, they still kick ass. No two ever alike. Thank you.
This was the first album I ever bought. Great music and only 3 members in the band. Try some music by YES one of the greatest progressive rock groups of all time and my favorite band. You haven't reacted to them at all. They have many long songs that are masterpieces. Not your usual music. Some good ones include "Roundabout", "Close to the Edge", "The Gates of Delirium". "Awaken", "Turn of the Century"... Loads of good ones. They inspired Rush and many other bands. I just subscribed.
Very Nice the way of your interest , in a good manner, of listening what has been done before ( for me, It demonstrates inteligence). One thing that today is really not compreendible is that those kind of 20' or 30' minute songs, REALLY played in Radios and people really listened... That's something( Maybe) to be thought... Alles Gute👍👍
Saw them 3 times. So good ! That's a Moog synthesizer. This is not the full album it's side one. Emerson was a master at keyboard. Keith wrote and played the soundtrack to the movie "Nighthawks". Sure miss him and Greg ! The Moog is an incredible machine. All these guys perfected their instruments. Check out a guy called Brian Auger sometime ! Song called "Closer to it".
from 11.18 you ask what it is ? really ? that s the Hammond B-3 organ ! most bands use that organ because it s the best sound ever ! if you just barely touch the note really fast it doesn t bring the whole sound just the tip of it ! if you know what i mean ? more like at 14.44 he s just touching the notes ! listen and picture it in your head ! see ? lolKeith Emerson is the organist ! R.I.P. The other players are good too but i say hey ! lets play some Emerson ! LoL ! I ve seen them 3 times in concert in Montreal ! it was a mindblowing show ! you should look for live shows videos ! it s worth watching ! lol i m 66 years old ! i was a teen when i first saw them !
1. Emerson Lake & Palmer (1970) . (2.) Tarkus (1971) . (3.) Trilogy (1972) . (4.) Brain Salad Surgery (1973) ... Equally compelling . Pictures At An Exhibition (live) = 1971 . As Marvelous as they were musically defining .
If you like Rush you'll enjoy early YES... go check them out... here's a suggestion... go read up about some of these bands.... they're not 'indulgent' by any means compared to today's excuses for popular musicians and you'll definitely learn things about culture creation.... and these guys were huge btw. Tarkus was released in 1971....Rush used these guys and YES as their inspiration
Nobody can play like Keith Emerson. The closest one is Rick wakeman from yes. Keith got suicide when his doctor told him that he could able to play no more and in the same year Greg lake passed away from brain cancer. Karl palmer is the only one who still alive and he is the second best drummer in the world after the legendary professor Neil Peart.
Don't get me wrong, but if you play rock keyboards, how can you not be familiar with Keith Emerson, or the Hammond organ? Emerson is pretty much the undisputed king of progressive rock keyboards, and likewise the Hammond in terms of rock, jazz, and blues organ.
it s actually side A of the album ! side B is many shorter songs ! like Jeremy blender ! i just remember from back in the early 70s ! i don t have Tarkus here in front of me ! That music was mastered for Vynil records ! CDs didn t exist till much later ya? So if you really wan t the real sound of that is to lay down eyes closed and play the vynil on a good diamond needle turn table !then you ll hear what WE were hearing ! right ? LoL.
At exactly 12:45 Keith Emerson (keyboardist) sort of plays a musical quote from a '60s (Japanese) cartoon called Gigantor. It's awesome. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-NqGLyOd_nnA.html
