This is how to keep a band going when you are the only original member left

axisus

As an old prog head I'm a big fan of wonderful 70s dinosaurs ELP. Sadly Emerson and Lake are no longer with us, but I love the way that Carl Palmer has kept the music going with "Carl Palmer's ELP legacy". Basically he has reinvented the music by having no keyboards at all, just electric guitar! Everything sounds so different, it really has freshened the old back catalogue up.

Here's a video of them playing The Barbarian. I don't expect anyone to survive past 30 seconds max, it's an acquired taste, but I have to say the Carl is still in superb form as a drummer.

Phil_aka_Pip

Note to self: watch this when you get home from work!

merlin

I managed to watch/listen all the way through. 

pmbomb

2 mins 25. it's not that bad!

ICBM

All of it .

The biggest problem is the mix - I know it's meant to be all "about him", but the drums are slightly too loud and dry-sounding, and the guitar is much too quiet and boxy... as a result it lacks the power and space it should have.

He's still really good though.

axisus

I gotta say that Carl Palmer's left hand grip looks so darned awkward!

Strat54

I lasted till the end, but couldn't help thinking how great it would have been with Guthrie Govan on guitar.

darthed1981

1:46...

It's not bad though, dudes can clearly play their instruments!

DLM

I watched it all. Go Bielatowicz! @Strat54 I'd love to see that, too!

fandango

Strat54 said:

I lasted till the end, but couldn't help thinking how great it would have been with Guthrie Govan on guitar.

I think you do guitarist Paul Bielatowicz a genuine disservice.

However, I might suggest that a guitarist who's not so fixated with his technique, but one who plays a little more on instinct/the edge could have brought some humanity to the piece. Especially as I thought it was a rather clinical performance. But I did listen to it all.

However, I am pleased to hear Carl Palmer still at it. I'd kinda forgotten about him, and this re-imagining of Barbarian reminds us what a fantastic and talented musician he is.

impmann

Carl is still incredible.
The guitarist can certainly play but has a terrible, weedy sound that doesn't sit with that incredible bass sound.

ICBM

impmann said:

The guitarist can certainly play but has a terrible, weedy sound that doesn't sit with that incredible bass sound.

Exactly - you just said it more neatly than I did .

Philly_Q

I've never heard the original, but I quite enjoyed this.  I don't think the guitar sounds too quiet or weedy, but I wish it had a bit more grit to it.