Favorite ELP Song

[Ted]

Originally Posted by PeterG

Hodown

(And for the purpose of this review, the version on "Welcom back my friends...")

First i have to comment that , in a general way, I really like to hear people take a song and re interpret it and to "make it their own".

Emerson's rendition of Aaron Copland's Hoedown has energy, style and substance. He takes a 'classical' composition and ... as as we used to say to describe Emersons compositional style.... he "Tears it's limbs off to create a new monster" Great composition and a great opening song for a concert. Palmers drumming is high evergy and gets the concert started.

THAT is why Hoedown is in my Top10 (or 30) ELP Favs.

Peter - Thanks for your comments. You make a GREAT point - "re-interpretation" - having watched Emerson do it with "Fanfare" and "Tocatta", "Dances Creole", even stuff like "Maple Leaf Rag" and "Honky Tonk Train Blues". Again - the whole group contributes to the overall interpretation and sound.

One thing I seem to have noticed is that Emerson's left hand often plays the same part that Lake's Bass is playing - offering a more "layered" bass sound.

Peter - do most of your re-interpretation comments also apply to "Fanfare" also by Copeland?

BTW - I love the DVD version of Hoedown from "Live at Montreaux" - KE uses his ribbon controller to "rub his backside"! - He does the same thing in another song on the "Live at Royal Albert Hall" DVD. Always the "showman"

So, Peter, Have you enjoyed reading this thread as much as I have? What about you ELPBSS?

Thanks again to ALL the contributors to this thread!!

Typingly yours,
Ted