Music – This beautiful song with a somber message showed ELP to the Americas in 1970.
Truly one of the better 'rock ballads' to ever grace an album. In that it was an ELP album makes it even better.
Good point about the soldier-warrior type of personality. I've known a few in my day and they are simply 'that way'; they serve "their country" without doubt and or hesitation.
You're right icono but was also suggesting that the average soldier may not be the "warrior mentality" but just trying to do the right thing for his country.
I just got to thinking today and thought what the "other sides" soldiers might be thinking and thought in many cases probably the same thing as we are.
Hey , R2R , Yeah Baby , ELP . Man , I seen those guys as ELP a few times and I seen 'em as Emerson , Lake and Powell when Cozy Powell took over for Carl Palmer when he was gettin' clean . Unfourtunantley the people I hung with who was the crew I hung out with at the time are now all dead , either O.D. , suicide , car wrecks , or other activities . But , I've been spared . I often wonder why . But to my Old Buddy Neil , this song would do Justice . Thanks R2R .
Sad and somber song but it still had that fresh quality that's timeless.
Thanx Rdy!
ELP Rulz!
I agree. it had some type of healing quality to it.
thanks rdy2rck-
i love that song and most by ELP. I had been away (working hard actually)and visited your submission first!!
I had been thinking about you and wanted to share this video. You'll see why. (the vid is about 18 minutes long---well worth the time)
this was submitted over a week ago. but, the message is timeless. check it out:
r2r:
Good music and thoughts. I would say most soldiers do their duty because they love their country, but also because of the love one has for your brothers in arms. Not trying to sound corny. But I loved my friends in the army, I would have rather died than let them down.
It's so true no amount of money can save you on the battlefield. But it can sure keep you from the battlefield.
On a different point saw ELP at the Cal Jam in '74 took my fiancee. She was awed by the size of the crowd. Not enough facilities for all who were there. Great music though.
These guys were a very talented bunch at their peak, with an exposive stage show. Emerson in particulary, rocking (literally) a huge Hammond organ, almost on is side, sticking knives between the keys, and playing dazzling classical rock, was an unforgettable exhibition.
And, tell me r2r, surely this was the only rock band to make it to the top with no lead guitarist?
Good and powerful song for these times, thanks, r2r.
I can't think of any others blinkers.And I also thought Carl Palmer brought being a drummer to new heights and set new standards.
Yes indeed, he used surely the largest drumset of any band, I recall he had a huge arc of overhead percussion instruments in addition to a forest of floor-based drums and symbols. It all added to the spectacle & sound.
(Emerson was a highly trained classical pianist, too, wasn't he?)
I'm not sure of his training but in IMO was one of my 2 top picks that came out of the rock genre but I can't imagine him not being trained.
But as for Carl Palmer I always felt he elevated the drums beyond keeping a beat and made it an instrument.
Drums tend to be overlooked in rock music, the really great players don't receive their due attention, unlike the vocal & guitar virtuosos. I recall the heady late 60s and 70s tradition of 20 minute drum solos -- Cream, Canned Heat and early Santana etc., used to put on truly excessive drum segments. (I saw Fito de le Para(?) doing close on half an hour of drum pyrotechnics, around 1970).
I always thought drum solos were there for letting the rest of the band go take a wizz.LOL
But just IM personal experience Carl Palmer put on the best one for talent.I also thought Alan White was an underrated one because he just stayed in the background with no fanfare.
Man you are dead on...one of the tours I saw, Palmer played an incredible 30 minute solo racing around from drums to gongs and smashing cymbals. I always thought of the drums as a limited instrument until that. The greatest drummer I have seen live, bar none. He certainly wasn't unrecognized in his day. Used to win all the major polls. Of course I would have to put Peart up their with him for creativity but Palmer was a real showman. The White solo on "Tales of Topographic Oceans" is a work to behold as well. These drummers never seem excessive to me.
I still owe Keith for that sound he bounced off the walls of Mobile Auditorium late in the 70's. I think that sound is still echoing in my head. Those blowhards at the Hall of Fame can kiss my -ss for ignoring these guys, Yes, and Rush. Not many bands (if any) in history loaded with more talent than these three.
Alan White is a great drummer.
Alan lives down the street from my job. My haircutter was his next door neighbor until two years ago. Their kids hung out together. I always got the Alan report. The funniest stories were about Chris Squire and his girlfriend with the "Big Boobies". You can see Alan's famous drumkit from the Yoko Ono days at a nearby drumshop. Alan comes by there often to impress everyone (rick stars get lonely too).
http://www.bennettdrums.com/photos-celebrities.htm
Oh and Michael Shrieve and Matt Chamberlain are around here too.
ELP is one incredible group who's music is timeless. But on a lighter side...the singer proves, once again, that some people can chew gum while singing. Great post!
I noticed that too.LOL BTW-Looking back I sure think there song Karn Evil 9 sure was prophetic about the environment and computers.When I saw them on that tour at the end a giant computer came out and exploded.WOW.
I also was very fortunate to have seen them on their WORKs tour with an eighty some peice orchestra and that was something.I heard they only played 4 concerts that way because of expense but don't know.
I consider ELP to be one of my all-time favorites, and have seen them a number of times in concert. They are all master musicians. Karn Evil 9 is one of their best works, and is relevant today.
Yes is right up there with ELP, and is also comprised of master musicians (Howe, Wakeman, Squire,). When I think of the chaos in the ME, and the potential for further disaster there, I can't help but think of the song, "Gates of Delirium". To me, their best work.
If one were to associate an ELP song with the performance of the Bush admin., the work "Pirates" comes to mind.
Love ELP. Works was a definitive "work" that should stand out as a true masterpiece in all the human history of music.
Then what happened? Love Beach! Jimmaneez!
But for songs on the same subject, I sympathize more with Army Dreamers by Kate Bush.
http://www.lyricsfreak.com/k/kate bush/army dreamers_20077194.html
ELP's one of thee best... Brain Salad Surgery is in my opinion as great as Luckey Man
Brain salad was my favorite ELP album but Lucky Man hit me when it did but like I've said if I posted every song by every band I'd like propeller would be drowned.LOL
Karn Evil 9 is my all time favorite ELP song but after that I always kind of felt cheated when they only played the first part.I'd hate to be these bands when they have to pick which songs to play.
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I hated to get a little somber but this song touched me then as it does now and I thought the timing appropriate.
"He went to fight wars for his country and his King.
of his honor and glory and the people they would sing,
Oh-Oh what a Lucky Man he was."
"A bullet had found him, his blood ran as he cried.
no money could save him so he laid down and he died."
This song is dedicated to the poor schlep anywhere with a good heart who is just trying to serve his country and do the right thing. blessings RIP
Great find, but to me it is a Monday song, thursdays are a tune up for the week-end.
Well, Hannibal sometimes when the heart speaks it doesn't run on a schedule.