Conference napalm::commusic_v1

>    			Kawai grand with Midi (!)

	Yeah, I thought this was great.  Everyone I know is buying MIDI
controllers, synths and boxes to get that "grand piano" sound, then KE turns the
grand piano into a MIDI controller to get those "synth" sounds.

    RE: .0
    
    I believe that the stage-right Kurzweil was a Midi-board.  Also,
    under the midi board was his Yamaha GX-1, which has been recently
    modified with MIDI (as has been the C3).  Note also that he had a
    small set of pipe-organ pipes behind the PPG/Matrix/... stack.
    
    For old ELP fans, the show was a treat!  "Stones of Years" from
    Tarkus, "Pirates", "Fanfare for the Common Man", "Knife Edge",...
    During the encore when he assaulted the Hammond, when he wrestled
    it to the stage, he must have knocked something loose 'cause it
    wouldn't play anymore (nothing but feedback); he was visibly
    disappointed, but went ahead and stabbed it anyway ;^)
    
    A very simple review: a great comeback, better than ever before;
    there is no one who even approaches Emerson's level of excellence.
    
    /Andy
                                                                      

    Yep, it may have been midiboard.
    OOps. did I say "GS-1", Yep GX-1. Judging from the interview
    pictures in Keyboard, the "patch switching" unit wasnt. It
    was part of the GX-1. Which leaves the question:
    
    How he, (or who), did all the patch switching/midi changes/etc.????
    
    Whatever he used wasnt primative, and it works "live time".

    Also, does anyone know which concert this was in the tour?
	(relating to how polished it was)
        
    RR-who-used-to-know-Tarkus-and-most-of-the-others.
    

    The ELP tour started on/about August 15 in Texas.  They should be
    well-prepared by now but my brother and I have threorized that they've
    changed the set list since the start.  (Our theory is based on
    interviews we've heard that made it sound as if they planned to do more
    of the new album.)  I'm betting that a lot of the problem with a few
    mistakes and miscues was the amazingly cold weather.  (If you remember
    the infamous California Jam shown on TV in 77 or so: that was also a
    very cold night and Keith messed up the beginning of the Hammond "solo"
    in the middle of the 3rd Impression to Karn Evil 9.) 
    
    I was very pleased with the Ginastera piece adapted for MIDI'd piano.
    Also for you die-hard fans, the solo piano piece before that was
    from the "Best Revenge" soundtrack.  I've seen the album (import
    from Chord Records) at Tower Records in Washington DC, so it must
    be available somehow.  Also, Best Revenge is showing up on cable
    TV this month (HBO next week).  That will be an opportunity to see
    the music in context.  (Levon Helm is one of the stars and sings
    a song by Emerson lyrics by someone else.)
    
    Another highlight of the concert was saying "Hi" to Robert Moog.
    He was sitting in about the 7th row in Section 1 (on the right as
    you look at the stage).  Ray Kurzweil showed up a fwe minutes before
    ELP started but I didn't feel like being obnoxious enough to go
    down and bother him.  Robert Moog seemed somewhat surprised that
    anyone recognized him.
    
    But, I'm getting carried away.  (Do you want to see the pictures
    of the ELP show at Montreal with the orchestra?  Wait, there's more...
    
    - John -

    I missed the comeback ELP tour. Does anybody know if they plan to
    do another tour? This would probably be dependent on doing a new
    album. Has anyone heard about another album?
    
    Mike D.
    

    My personal opinion is that things are not well in ELP-land.  A
    few days/weeks after the Great Woods show, MTV reported that ELP
    had fired their manager and hired a new one.  Supposedly they were
    upset with the level of support and behind-the-scenes work in the
    promotion of the tour.  Also, supposedly a video for "Lay Down Your
    Guns" was supposed to be in the works but has never been shown (to
    my knowledge).  Also, a film of a show from the tour was supposed
    to be shown on MTV in the fall but was pulled at the last minute.
    I called MTV for the story behind the story and the person claimed
    that they never received clearance to broadcast the tape.
    
    On a better note, their representative at Polydor was quoted in
    an interview in Billboard as saying that he had long discussions
    with the band before the new album came out to emphasize that Polydor
    was interested in them, NOT as a 1-shot comback, but as a longer
    term relationship.  I'm hoping that this will prevail but wonder
    if perhaps we've seen the last of ELP.
    
    I'd be interested to hear if anyone has other (even contradictory)
    information.
    
    - John -