1972 - August: Emerson, Lake & Palmer “Trilogy”

What the Riff?!?

If you are exploring the rise of prog rock, it doesn't take long until you encounter the power trio of Emerson, Lake & Palmer. This progressive rock band is actually a supergroup. Keyboardist Keith Emerson came from The Nice, vocalist and guitarist Greg Lake was in King Crimson, and percussionist Carl Palmer was from Atomic Rooster. Emerson, Lake & Palmer formed in 1970 and would make their mark as a prog rock band which adapted classic and symphonic music into the rock genre, with elements of jazz, acoustic, and art rock coming into play. Most ELP songs are long and complicated, not making any attempt to stay within the confines of the “hit single” pop track.

Trilogy is the trio's third studio album, following their eponymously named debut, their second studio album entitled “Tarkus,” and their live album, Pictures at an Exhibition. Trilogy continues a tradition of combining original material with adaptations of classical music. It was also a challenging album for the group to make, utilizing more overdubs than previous albums. The upside is a great sounding, polished album. The downside is that the music was difficult to duplicate live, causing a number of the songs from Trilogy to be minimally used in set lists.

The album was considered both a critical and commercial success, reaching number 2 on the UK albums chart, and number 5 on the US Billboard 200 chart.

ELP would continue as a force in the 70's, breaking up in 1979. Both partial and full reunions would continue through the 1980's and 1990's, with their final performance being held in 2010. Both Keith Emerson and Greg Lake died in 2016.

Wayne takes us through this prog rock masterpiece for this week's podcast.

Fugue
We open with an instrumental featuring Keith Emerson on keyboards. A fugue is a style of music involving counterpoint, popular in the Baroque musical era of the 1600's. You will get exposure to a lot of serious musical compositions and style listening to this group.

From the Beginning
This is the "hit" from the album, if you think of Emerson, Lake & Palmer in terms of popularity. It went to number 29 on the US charts, and is the highest charting US single. Greg Lake wrote the music and lyrics, and plays the acoustic guitar for this ballad. The lyrics take on a philosophical sone, emphasizing the importance of the present moment, while not missing past mistakes and missed opportunities.

The Sheriff
Keith Emerson wrote the music and Greg Lake wrote the lyrics to this western-themed track. It tells the story of an innocent man fleeing the law, encountering the law in the form of the Sheriff, then taking the Sheriff's place after shooting him. It ends with a great honkytonk piano solo.

Hoedown
Immediately following “The Sheriff” on the album, the group creates an adaptation of Aaron Copeland's iconic “Hoe-Down,” written for his classic ballet entitled “Rodeo” in 1942. This tune became well known after being used in advertisements by America's Beef Producers.

ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

Main theme from the motion picture “Super Fly”
Curtis Mayfield created this song for the black-oriented crime drama film of the same name.

STAFF PICKS:

Best Thing by Styx
Bruce leads off the staff picks with the first single from Styx's first album. Dennis DeYoung and James Young wrote the song and trade off on lead vocals. It peaked at number 82 on the Billboard Hot 100. This is a great tune to hear and grasp what the early days of Styx sounded like.

Rock and Roll, part 2 by Gary Glitter
Rob brings us a glam rock anthem made famous today by its use in sports stadiums nation wide. This single off “Glitter,” the debut album by Gary Glitter, is the only one of his singles to crack the U.S. top 10. Both “Rock and Roll” part 1 and part 2 peaked at number 2 on the UK singles chart.

Brandy (You're A Fine Girl) by Looking Glass
It is a mystery how Lynch was able to pick up this well-known classic of yacht rock this late in the podcasts. This track tells the story of a waitress who gives her love to a sailor, knowing that he would never be on shore for long.

Will It Go Round in Circles by Billy Preston
Wayne's staff pick is a funky tune from the man often known as the fifth Beatle. Preston played with a number of musicians, including Ray Charles, Little Richard, Sam Cook, Eric Clapton, Aretha Franklin, Joe Cocker, and of course the Beatles. This soulful tune sold over a million copies and topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:

Walk In the Night by Junior Walker & the All Stars
This jazz-infused (largely) instrumental track closes out the podcast for the week.

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