Damn didn't know Keith Emerson was so negative towards other musical artist around him back then. But he's still one of my favourite keyboardist of all time. When he lost the use of he's fingers due to illness and could never play the keyboards ever again really hit him bad that he sadly took he's own life shows how music was he's life. He was one of the best R.I.P.
R.I.P. to Mr. Emerson. I might not agree with all his assessments here, but I respect his opinions as an artist. There were a lot of great songs and albums on the charts at that point in time. 🎼
Well, since this occurred in 1970, it would be 10 years until rock reached its zenith. Yep, Keith would have to wait a full decade before being blown away by 80s metal..... 😊
@@L1V2P9 Yeah, in reality, I think you're right. He certainly wasn't anywhere near being blown away by the various music that was presented to him in this video.
I wonder what would he have made of the piss awful 'tunes' of Clodplya No Direction Adeel Little Mitts etc lol?! He'd have jumped off Beachy Head I'll bet after the sheer torment of listening to these 😅😂 😅😂
Saw The Nice in 69. They were the first act on quite a bill. Spooky Tooth,Johnny and Edgar Winter( together), Santana finished off the night. The cost: $4.00 Detroit!
No kidding, I think maybe my buddies uncle saw this show too..?? Were the Winter bros super high, and not playing well..?? That was the story I heard. Either way, insane line up. I looked up the Grande Riviera, never heard of it!! Another incredible landmark theater in Detroit that's gone forever...Someone needs to make a Doc about Detroit in the late 60's & early 70's and all of these amazing Venues as well as the music Scene!!
Still miss K.E. after 8 years gone. His compositional adventurism and pioneering keyboard work in The Nice/ELP made keys indispensable for any adventurous rock or pop. He was certainly knowledgeable about the components of effective (and non-effective) songs and, while his judgments are often harsh and I don't always agree with them, he comes by them honestly and after a lot of raw experience and hard work. Still miss him and Greg.
One's impulse is to say "whatta prick!" about his take no prisoners opinions about all these cool sounding singles from that day in 1970 when the editors wahooed Keith and made him listen to these... Keith doesn't hold back, and even in his highly edited comments you can feel his prickly personality.. but I gotta say that any recognition whatsoever from a force of nature like KE has to feel like a win in today's pop music world. What a cool piece of "journalism". 😊
just went through the albums and singles released in sept 1970 and once again, blind date had their reviewer listen to most of the worst but i love cinnamon girl
The top 30 albums in the US in September of 1970 - I think that 30 might stack up against any other month's top 30. If you had to pick a month in time and listen to only that list of 30 albums - this is great choice.
Man, I could listen to KE review music all day! He was such a phenomenal musician, with great ears and knowledge of music theory. I feel sorry for him getting mostly crap to review.
I love Emmos comments, always interesting to hear my heroes thoughts all those years ago when I was 9 years old, absolutely fascinating!!!!!! Rest in peace Keith.
Hokey smokes, Keith! Did you like anything? Honestly, I respect his openness about what he's hearing as opposed to those who feel they have to gush over everyone else like Hollywood does. A dear friend of mine, passed two years ago, was neighbours with Keith for several years. Their kids played together. They'd all go down to the local pub and hoist a few, while Keith was always drawn to the house piano, proof that you can't take the love of music out of the true musician. My friend's husband runs an online radio show out of Kent and it's a joy to listen to.
WHOA? I met Keith 2x - Man, his 'Uncle-ish' vibe was so freakin strong; Def 1 of my heroes (up there w/Liberace!) - Such a cool TALENTED TO THE MAX guy
With all the good stuff that was on the American and British album charts, this was the selection of records that the Melody Maker came up for this Blind Date. SHEESH!!! No Wonder Keith Emerson sounds like so cynical and sarcastic during this interview.
At 4:53 where he says, 'it sort of went off like a damp squib', instantly cracked me up. Why? Because of the IT Crowd season 4, episode 6, 'Reynholm vs Reynholm' where Roy is testifying in the witness stand and he says 'damp SQUID' and immediately is admonished that he's saying it wrong and he argues with the judge that he isn't...He insists it's SQUID, not SQUIB...anyway. Great episode, YP. Long Live Keith Emerson.
I can forgive Keith’s assessments of these recordings. Reason being, his musical training in jazz and classical and other styles of music, brings a credibility to his critiques. His comments show his advanced involvement in music. I personally love Cinnamon Girl, but I understand Keith’s dismissal because of where he came from.
Another amazing video. I have to say it feels a bit like viewing an old crime story in print when you see let it be topping the album report then McCartney scrolling up later. You know what happened. And there it is in historical print. The biggest group in history is done. Sad but a very distinct time in history captured in casual print.
I didn't know much about his personality at this time but this is completely what I expected. However, it's clear he knows what he's talking about and he had very high standards and a very particular taste. I liked a lot of the songs here because I love the old production style of these sometimes flawed recordings but I see why he was critical because it was just new music to him at the time and this older style has a different appeal hearing it now than it would have if they were new. I'm also really glad they had him react to R&B and to know that he could appreciate that style. I wasn't sure if he was just a Classical snob but it's clear he appreciated Jazz, Soul and Rock so he wasn't all the way close-minded.
Intelligent, gloves-off, savagely funny criticism--one of the best Yesterday's Papers record reviews yet. And though I'm not a big fan of ELP, I can't argue with 90% of his comments.
Emerson's comments actually made me smile, as they reminded me of my slightly older cousin who I looked up to in my teen years, and who was a total prog snob, dissing every band you could think of, except if they happened to be ELP, Yes, Genesis, Gentle Giant, or Focus. I remember taking on a similar viewpoint for a time back then, which fortunately, I eventually got past. I guess now I think music snobbery can be rather unbecoming. Anyway, this was yet again a very interesting episode of Yesterday's Papers! Thanks!!
The Black September Hijacking and the death of Jimi Hendrix were the top news headlines that month and Mr Emerson seems to be in a grouchy mood with this review as he seems to be the Doc Martin of music reviewers but I loved this video for this reason and Has great knowledge about instruments and music production so I respect him for that plus I love the charts at the end of the video as this bad news month has some really good records on the charts.
Dont forget : his maybe harsh words have had cost him his own musical life. He never felt as good as he wanted to be and could be. Its a terrible terrible karma when you are a musician. Emerson made my mind fitting well when i listen to his music. The social distortion of nowadays life is of no importance. so he is a soul saviour - in a way. So many are missing you here, Keith.I think you know it now.
Ruthless. But right. interesting that he didn't know of Neil Young...but that he did know Delaney & Bonnie. Of course, though not big with the public, the duo and their band were the hottest thing on the musican scene, with the likes of Leon Russell, Rita Coolidge, Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Jim Keltner, Carl Radle, Dave Mason, Bobby Whitlock, Jim Gordon, Duane Allman, Jim Price and Bobby Keys, Sam Clayton and Kenny Gradney amongst others coming and going with the lineup. Mad Dogs & Englishmen was essentially the D&B band. Derek & the Dominos was D&B's rhythm section. And that quartet was the house band for George Harrison's 'All Things Must Pass'. Interestingly, it was Harrison who first turned Clapton on to Delaney & Bonnie, and that set the wheel in motion. Jimmy Page dug them. Hendrix jammed with them. Mr. Emerson would likely have enjoyed playing the Leon Russell piano parts on the duo's second album, 'The Original Delaney & Bonnie - Accept No Substitute'.
Ahhhh what would you expect from Keith Emerson? I think they picked most of those tracks just to piss him off! You would get the same result from Zappa! Great channel thanks for the joy! I look forward to every new video. Cheers!
@@brucemarshall3446You may not like Zappa's music--it certainly isn't for everyone, and he's not one of my favorites, either--but to claim he didn't have talent is childish. He was a very proficient guitarist and unlike Emerson's, much of his music was modern classical/avant-garde, not the sometimes cheesy renditions and rip-offs of old classical music that ELP often traded in. In any case, both of them understood and could write music on a level that is usual in rock, and both were excellent on their instruments.
@@christopher9152 Zappa had technique and training. He really wanted to be a CONCERT composer. Some of his orchestral music shows talent . But he had no talent for pop music; not surprising since he looked down on it. Keith could do it all: classical, jazz, rock !
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@@brucemarshall3446 Bite your tongue! Emerson was a hack , Zappa was a visionary
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@@brucemarshall3446 Zappa wrote "Disco Boy" , "Dirty Love" , got a lot of airplay. He satirized pop music!! Get it?
A music critic who actually talks about the music! I wish actual music critics were as musically literate and observant. He picked up all the clichés and attempts to be fashionable. A great talent
I remember all the US singles. This was one month before I turned 10. Keith forgot the Beatles were no more at this time. Something about Neil Young. He is a Canadian and many artists from Canada don't do as well in Britain as their American counterparts. I like Keith's sarcasm too.
Wow, Keith hadn't heard of Neil Young by September 1970?? That's something I didn't expect to hear. Still love The Nice and ELP, especially the ELP debut album he was recording at that time which I believe to be his masterpiece. And, although I love "Cinnamon Girl" and thus disagree with his review, he had a big point about most rock artists getting stuck in formula pop mode, something that progressive rock tried hard to get out of.
Surprised to hear Keith diss Cinnamon Girl, one of my favourite Neil Young songs… but each to their own! The Shirelles+King Curtis single is great… that sax has a terrific sound. I also love the ‘Crab’ label graphic, never seen it before, it’s so cool! Nice soundtrack for the chart rundown, a great clutch of albums in the US top 30 that week!
Emerson came across as an arrogant arse. Interesting how he contacted Melody Maker for the gig. Was it normal for a musician to put themselves forward, I always assume they were asked by the publication? Any road, always good to see Yesterday's Papers in the notifications
Imagine what the Keith Emerson of 1970 would have said of "Love Beach." Hard to disagree with him about most of this stuff. He was operating on a higher plane. Who is Neil Young?
Of course the Doris Troy single 'Jacob's ladder ' was co produced by Doris and George Harrison/(and his vocal guide for Doris' version of Get Back has surfaced on bootlegs .(George must have been familiar with Jacobs Ladder through touring with Delaney and Bonnie
Autumn 1970. Usher Hall, Edinburgh. During their set, Keith went to the huge Organ resident in the Usher Hall and gave it 'a good old working over'. *NICE!* _Rest In Peace, Keith at al._ Rab 🔊🎹🔊 👋 🕊
2.25 Poster of The Nice on the door, you couldnt make this up! Or did you? Strangely I found myself agreeing with his comments even though I love Free.
Looking at the other good stuff on the charts at the time, I gotta say that Keith was given some real turds to listen to. He responded in the appropriate manner.
They should have put him in a face to face with John Peel to see who could get the most digs in. I loved Keith in the Nice and "America" was the instrumental that defined prog. However, many of his criticisms here could equally apply to the Nice's bastard son, ELP.
I agree. Funny how a lot of people can't stand his perspective when it veers from their own. As if holding a different view is proof of incompetency or snobbery.
Always good to here revered hits get a critical whipping, just for the sake of balancing the books. Have to say though I have great respect for Tony Joe White.
As with most of this series of reviews, Keith appears to have been presented with an odd mix of releases. I respect his opinions and always loved his music. RIP.
I agree! A very odd mix, but I'm wondering if that's from my own American perspective. Anyway, would have loved to hear his takes on some contemporaries like Traffic, Crimson, Deep Purple, but they weren't in the Sept 70 singles charts!
Love the "Nice" poster in the Groupie Girl clip (2:32). Keith made me think of Mikey in the old Life cereal ads, "he won't eat it, he hates everything!"
Absolutely right. If you disagree, listen to his Piano Improvisations - then try to play it! It is incredibly complex, the work of an extraordinary musician. To say his music is too samey… I was going to say that I’d love to play even one of his ‘samey’ pieces, but I can play along to Hoedown and Nut Rocker. After that I struggle! But who cares? Keith was the original and best!
@@johnsurrey7426 It's risible to me to claim any one artist was the best. If someone says Emerson is their fave keyboardist, fair dos, but the best? By what metric. Have you listened to every keyboard player across multiple genres? Emerson's colours and textures are very restricted. I'm not saying he wasn't technically brilliant, or that I don't rate ELP, far from it, but there is a definite signature tonality across his ouvre.
He has a point though. Emerson was like the progressive rock version of Stravinsky at this time, his music going in a totally new and groundbreaking direction, while most other groups were still stuck in the 50's and 60's. This is why Emerson was such a huge fan of Jimi. JImi loved Emerson's music as well. In fact, during a concert in London, security noticed someone lurking behind Emerson's Leslie speakers. Who was it? It was Hendrix! He was using a Super 8 movie camera and trying to film Emerson!
This site did a video of him reviewing the singles from a couple of years earlier when he was with the Nice and he was quite a bit kinder then. He'd just founded the supergroup ELP around the time of this one so maybe his ego and tolerance of what he saw as less adventurous music had changed. Still love Keith though, my favourite musician ever!
Lol. Brutal and astute. Except that one riff rock have always been popular. The Wrecking Crew backed the 5th Dimension. Ouch. But they had a lot of hits with Laura Nyro songs by toning down the complexity and soul of Nyro's progressive originals to fit in with the Sunshine Pop trend of the late 60's.
I listen to Cinnamon Girl and Neil Young a lot. And he is still making relevant, interesting music. Frankly, I haven't listened to ELP in decades, even though I bought most of their albums as soon as they were released. So we know whose legacy will be there for posterity.
Actually, NY has admitted that there wasn’t a great deal of music acumen in some songs. He even admitted that he is just average on the guitar. Still, I’m a fan of his music going back when I was a kid in that day.
Beats the shit out of boring, 30 min organ solos. Now if we are taking Crimson, that is some creative and progressive music. ELP is just jerkoff fart prog
Yeah, I love the song, its rustic, rockin’ feel, the lyrics, and that hopeful, yearning, one-note guitar lead break is positively elevatory in its confident simplicity- to me it is, anyway- and I’ve always loved prog rock and jazz, etc, too. Imo, as the kids say today: “It’s a vibe.”🫨❤️🔥
Oof! The Nice certainly weren’t all that at this time. He’s so dismissive of aesthetics that he could have learned from and that would have kept him from becoming a pompous joke. In a Ramones documentary I saw, they used clips of Emerson to illustrate how rock had lost its way. Emerson was technically gifted, but he really just didn’t get what was special about rock music. Noodling on three keyboards at one time is not nearly as exciting as he believed.
I was amused that the scene from the film "Groupie Girl" showed a poster for Keith Emerson's original band, The Nice, all while Emerson was dissing the song from the film! I began to wonder if there'd be anything on the singles list he'd actually like.
It's interesting to hear from someone like Keith Emerson talk about others' single releases, he being someone who didn't really write songs with an ear for what would be a hit single. I love that album by Free, but "All Right Now" was the only song on that album that had a chance to be a hit, so they weren't really about hit singles either.
Damn didn't know Keith Emerson was so negative towards other musical artist around him back then. But he's still one of my favourite keyboardist of all time.
When he lost the use of he's fingers due to illness and could never play the keyboards ever again really hit him bad that he sadly took he's own life shows how music was he's life. He was one of the best R.I.P.
Genius rarely sees its way through the mundane without criticism.
He's sorely missed. Greatest keyboardist ever. Hendrix of the keyboardists. A savage critic with a sense of humour.
R.I.P. to Mr. Emerson. I might not agree with all his assessments here, but I respect his opinions as an artist. There were a lot of great songs and albums on the charts at that point in time. 🎼
Yeah, the album chart was excellent. Lots of great albums.
Well, since this occurred in 1970, it would be 10 years until rock reached its zenith. Yep, Keith would have to wait a full decade before being blown away by 80s metal..... 😊
I don't think that Keith could be blown away by anything!@@HighlanderNorth1
@@L1V2P9
Yeah, in reality, I think you're right. He certainly wasn't anywhere near being blown away by the various music that was presented to him in this video.
I wonder what would he have made of the piss awful 'tunes' of Clodplya No Direction Adeel Little Mitts etc lol?! He'd have jumped off
Beachy Head I'll bet after the sheer torment of listening to these 😅😂
😅😂
I love when he said- "Play that again, I'm a masochist"
Gotta be a Mickey take
YP ... perfect again
Every review [as opposed to every single] is always interesting, insightful, and faithfully raw!
I don’t agree about his assessment of Free. They were not just a blues band but nice to hear him praise Koss so highly.
"The guitarist". Something tells me he wasn't really up to speed with his contemporaries if he'd never heard of Paul Kossoff.
Damned with faint praise, more accurately.
Please tell us how you really feel Keith!
Saw The Nice in 69. They were the first act on quite a bill. Spooky Tooth,Johnny and Edgar Winter( together), Santana finished off the night. The cost: $4.00 Detroit!
What a line-up!
You lucky kid!
I still play all my Nice albums
Grande Ballroom?
@@recordtime4923 It was the Grande Riviera. The original Grande was winding down and moving acts to the Riviera. Great shows continued there too.
No kidding, I think maybe my buddies uncle saw this show too..?? Were the Winter bros super high, and not playing well..?? That was the story I heard. Either way, insane line up. I looked up the Grande Riviera, never heard of it!! Another incredible landmark theater in Detroit that's gone forever...Someone needs to make a Doc about Detroit in the late 60's & early 70's and all of these amazing Venues as well as the music Scene!!
Still miss K.E. after 8 years gone. His compositional adventurism and pioneering keyboard work in The Nice/ELP made keys indispensable for any adventurous rock or pop. He was certainly knowledgeable about the components of effective (and non-effective) songs and, while his judgments are often harsh and I don't always agree with them, he comes by them honestly and after a lot of raw experience and hard work. Still miss him and Greg.
Glad Keith (Franz Liszt) Emerson ( or Fingers to his friends ) found something to like on this list: just love your channel, thank you.
One's impulse is to say "whatta prick!" about his take no prisoners opinions about all these cool sounding singles from that day in 1970 when the editors wahooed Keith and made him listen to these... Keith doesn't hold back, and even in his highly edited comments you can feel his prickly personality.. but I gotta say that any recognition whatsoever from a force of nature like KE has to feel like a win in today's pop music world. What a cool piece of "journalism". 😊
What great glimpses these segments are into what jerks our famous musicians can be.
just went through the albums and singles released in sept 1970 and once again, blind date had their reviewer listen to most of the worst
but i love cinnamon girl
The top 30 albums in the US in September of 1970 - I think that 30 might stack up against any other month's top 30. If you had to pick a month in time and listen to only that list of 30 albums - this is great choice.
Another excellent video. This is one of the best music channels out there. Stellar work. 👍
Man, I could listen to KE review music all day! He was such a phenomenal musician, with great ears and knowledge of music theory. I feel sorry for him getting mostly crap to review.
I love Emmos comments, always interesting to hear my heroes thoughts all those years ago when I was 9 years old, absolutely fascinating!!!!!! Rest in peace Keith.
Hokey smokes, Keith! Did you like anything? Honestly, I respect his openness about what he's hearing as opposed to those who feel they have to gush over everyone else like Hollywood does.
A dear friend of mine, passed two years ago, was neighbours with Keith for several years. Their kids played together. They'd all go down to the local pub and hoist a few, while Keith was always drawn to the house piano, proof that you can't take the love of music out of the true musician. My friend's husband runs an online radio show out of Kent and it's a joy to listen to.
WHOA? I met Keith 2x - Man, his 'Uncle-ish' vibe was so freakin strong; Def 1 of my heroes (up there w/Liberace!) - Such a cool TALENTED TO THE MAX guy
With all the good stuff that was on the American and British album charts, this was the selection of records that the Melody Maker came up for this Blind Date. SHEESH!!! No Wonder Keith Emerson sounds like so cynical and sarcastic during this interview.
Some freakin' great music in the charts, man.
Not that we heard any of it here though.
@@fabrikk60 Hence, "in the charts."
At 4:53 where he says, 'it sort of went off like a damp squib', instantly cracked me up. Why? Because of the IT Crowd season 4, episode 6, 'Reynholm vs Reynholm' where Roy is testifying in the witness stand and he says 'damp SQUID' and immediately is admonished that he's saying it wrong and he argues with the judge that he isn't...He insists it's SQUID, not SQUIB...anyway. Great episode, YP. Long Live Keith Emerson.
I can forgive Keith’s assessments of these recordings. Reason being, his musical training in jazz and classical and other styles of music, brings a credibility to his critiques. His comments show his advanced involvement in music. I personally love Cinnamon Girl, but I understand Keith’s dismissal because of where he came from.
Agreed, Boomtown Rat.
keith did some god awful stuff himself. Love beach?
Another amazing video.
I have to say it feels a bit like viewing an old crime story in print when you see let it be topping the album report then McCartney scrolling up later.
You know what happened.
And there it is in historical print.
The biggest group in history is done. Sad but a very distinct time in history captured in casual print.
I didn't know much about his personality at this time but this is completely what I expected. However, it's clear he knows what he's talking about and he had very high standards and a very particular taste. I liked a lot of the songs here because I love the old production style of these sometimes flawed recordings but I see why he was critical because it was just new music to him at the time and this older style has a different appeal hearing it now than it would have if they were new.
I'm also really glad they had him react to R&B and to know that he could appreciate that style. I wasn't sure if he was just a Classical snob but it's clear he appreciated Jazz, Soul and Rock so he wasn't all the way close-minded.
Intelligent, gloves-off, savagely funny criticism--one of the best Yesterday's Papers record reviews yet. And though I'm not a big fan of ELP, I can't argue with 90% of his comments.
Emerson's comments actually made me smile, as they reminded me of my slightly older cousin who I looked up to in my teen years, and who was a total prog snob, dissing every band you could think of, except if they happened to be ELP, Yes, Genesis, Gentle Giant, or Focus. I remember taking on a similar viewpoint for a time back then, which fortunately, I eventually got past. I guess now I think music snobbery can be rather unbecoming. Anyway, this was yet again a very interesting episode of Yesterday's Papers! Thanks!!
Yeah but those bands are head and shoulders above much of what was around back then.
But then I still love Free and Neil Young.
@motorhomemick315Upvote for mentioning the Pig!
I believe he's mostly right, even about songs I like.
Great reviews and film footage. Nice to see Elvis at # 1.
Keith Emerson was Brilliant. RIP!
The Black September Hijacking and the death of Jimi Hendrix were the top news headlines that month and Mr Emerson seems to be in a grouchy mood with this review as he seems to be the Doc Martin of music reviewers but I loved this video for this reason and Has great knowledge about instruments and music production so I respect him for that plus I love the charts at the end of the video as this bad news month has some really good records on the charts.
Thanks for making these available. It's always an education.
Dont forget : his maybe harsh words have had cost him his own musical life. He never felt as good as he wanted to be and could be. Its a terrible terrible karma when you are a musician. Emerson made my mind fitting well when i listen to his music. The social distortion of nowadays life is of no importance. so he is a soul saviour - in a way. So many are missing you here, Keith.I think you know it now.
Same month we lost Jimi. Keith dedicated several shows to his memory just after.....
🚬😎👍
Don't know how I missed this segment for 2 days🤔. Some really good comments from Keith, and some decent music occasionally
Ruthless. But right. interesting that he didn't know of Neil Young...but that he did know Delaney & Bonnie. Of course, though not big with the public, the duo and their band were the hottest thing on the musican scene, with the likes of Leon Russell, Rita Coolidge, Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Jim Keltner, Carl Radle, Dave Mason, Bobby Whitlock, Jim Gordon, Duane Allman, Jim Price and Bobby Keys, Sam Clayton and Kenny Gradney amongst others coming and going with the lineup. Mad Dogs & Englishmen was essentially the D&B band. Derek & the Dominos was D&B's rhythm section. And that quartet was the house band for George Harrison's 'All Things Must Pass'. Interestingly, it was Harrison who first turned Clapton on to Delaney & Bonnie, and that set the wheel in motion. Jimmy Page dug them. Hendrix jammed with them. Mr. Emerson would likely have enjoyed playing the Leon Russell piano parts on the duo's second album, 'The Original Delaney & Bonnie - Accept No Substitute'.
I don't agree with everything he said but it was probably the funniest one I've heard so far. Had some real good laughs 😅
"It should sell well in Brixton" very 1970 raw and direct opinion.
This was one of the better reviews, even though he did not like hardly any of the songs/cuts.
If Neil had added a 20 minute moog solo , Keith woukd have liked Cinnimom Girl a whole lot better. Probably true of every song he reviewed.
Ahhhh what would you expect from Keith Emerson? I think they picked most of those tracks just to piss him off! You would get the same result from Zappa! Great channel thanks for the joy! I look forward to every new video. Cheers!
Yeah but Keith had talent, unlike Frank!😅
@@brucemarshall3446You may not like Zappa's music--it certainly isn't for everyone, and he's not one of my favorites, either--but to claim he didn't have talent is childish. He was a very proficient guitarist and unlike Emerson's, much of his music was modern classical/avant-garde, not the sometimes cheesy renditions and rip-offs of old classical music that ELP often traded in. In any case, both of them understood and could write music on a level that is usual in rock, and both were excellent on their instruments.
@@christopher9152 Zappa had technique and training. He really wanted to be a CONCERT composer. Some of his orchestral music shows talent . But he had no talent for pop music; not surprising since he looked down on it. Keith could do it all: classical, jazz, rock !
@@brucemarshall3446 Bite your tongue! Emerson was a hack , Zappa was a visionary
@@brucemarshall3446 Zappa wrote "Disco Boy" , "Dirty Love" , got a lot of airplay. He satirized pop music!! Get it?
Keith emerson was soooo ahead of his time....
Keith's critiques are as intricate as his composition! Still very much missed
Thought he might be grumpier! Some of his comments were right on the nose, especially about production. Keep the cool videos coming, YP!
Cheers!
A music critic who actually talks about the music! I wish actual music critics were as musically literate and observant. He picked up all the clichés and attempts to be fashionable. A great talent
Me facina este canal...recordar es vivir.
Pretty dang entertaining and insightful to boot, even if I love some of these tunes. Mr. E had a professional's view of the business.
😂 I love this guy he took no prisoners! He put Niel Young down a notch or two as well.
1:43 Love those Orange speaker cabs! :0)
I remember all the US singles. This was one month before I turned 10. Keith forgot the Beatles were no more at this time. Something about Neil Young. He is a Canadian and many artists from Canada don't do as well in Britain as their American counterparts. I like Keith's sarcasm too.
I think Neil Young became popular in the UK a couple of years later when he released "Harvest".
@@YesterdaysPapersAfter The Goldrush was his breakthrough in the U.K. 1970 2 years before Harvest.
Doesn’t mean that he couldn’t comment that the Beatles had evolved from standard song structure even though they were no longer together
Wow, Keith hadn't heard of Neil Young by September 1970?? That's something I didn't expect to hear. Still love The Nice and ELP, especially the ELP debut album he was recording at that time which I believe to be his masterpiece. And, although I love "Cinnamon Girl" and thus disagree with his review, he had a big point about most rock artists getting stuck in formula pop mode, something that progressive rock tried hard to get out of.
interesting selection of tracks. love the cool organ track outro
Cheers!
That organ outro at the end was really cool, love it! Can I ask what song it was? I know it’s often one on the list…
@@jfrorn Cheers! Glad you enjoyed it. The instrumental was based on the Rolling Stones' cover of "Love in Vain" by Robert Johnson.
Surprised to hear Keith diss Cinnamon Girl, one of my favourite Neil Young songs… but each to their own! The Shirelles+King Curtis single is great… that sax has a terrific sound. I also love the ‘Crab’ label graphic, never seen it before, it’s so cool! Nice soundtrack for the chart rundown, a great clutch of albums in the US top 30 that week!
Cheers!
Love the appropriate “Nice” poster on the back of the door in the movie clip.
Liked Keith's review here and it is not his fault the batch he was given were mostly not great songs. He was just being honest!
Emerson came across as an arrogant arse.
Interesting how he contacted Melody Maker for the gig. Was it normal for a musician to put themselves forward, I always assume they were asked by the publication?
Any road, always good to see Yesterday's Papers in the notifications
Sounded a bit like he had too much to drink beforehand.
I don't think he asked for the gig itself but rather asked to go to a pub before doing it.
@@appledoreman Or he had to stand the round. Those MM journos were very influential.
Imagine what the Keith Emerson of 1970 would have said of "Love Beach." Hard to disagree with him about most of this stuff. He was operating on a higher plane. Who is Neil Young?
Thanks, from NE Kansas. Always very well done,
always a treat!
Cheers!
What a fantastic video have you enjoyed playing CZcams videos have a wonderful day ❤❤❤❤❤❤😊😊😊😊😊😊
I love the guy doing the voiceover. Sounds like a cross between Alan Freeman and John Peel.
To be fair it was a pretty duff set of singles but Keith was determined not to like anything wasn't he?
I see Cat Stevens in a big way on the charts with both his own entry and Jimmy Cliff’s Wild world
Of course the Doris Troy single 'Jacob's ladder ' was co produced by Doris and George Harrison/(and his vocal guide for Doris' version of Get Back has surfaced on bootlegs .(George must have been familiar with Jacobs Ladder through touring with Delaney and Bonnie
Good to see the Nice in the UK top 30 albums at number 19.
Autumn 1970. Usher Hall, Edinburgh. During their set, Keith went to the huge Organ resident in the Usher Hall and gave it 'a good old working over'.
*NICE!*
_Rest In Peace, Keith at al._
Rab 🔊🎹🔊 👋 🕊
John Barleycorn Must Die-awesome
I met Keith 2x - Damn, he was such a cool freakin gentleman - Never thought he was such a snob back in the day, or just being sarcastic?!!
A bit of both, I guess.
2.25 Poster of The Nice on the door, you couldnt make this up! Or did you? Strangely I found myself agreeing with his comments even though I love Free.
I think you hit the nail on the head Mr Emerson
Arrival have a cool 😎 groove.
Looking at the other good stuff on the charts at the time, I gotta say that Keith was given some real turds to listen to. He responded in the appropriate manner.
They should have put him in a face to face with John Peel to see who could get the most digs in.
I loved Keith in the Nice and "America" was the instrumental that defined prog. However, many of his criticisms here could equally apply to the Nice's bastard son, ELP.
Did Keith like anything ? Either way, his commentary is exemplary and fascinating. He knew his stuff !
I agree. Funny how a lot of people can't stand his perspective when it veers from their own. As if holding a different view is proof of incompetency or snobbery.
Now I’m gonna have to find the movie “Groupie Girl” 😂
KH band were brilliant
Free were amazing
Always good to here revered hits get a critical whipping, just for the sake of balancing the books. Have to say though I have great respect for Tony Joe White.
I like Tony Joe White, too. His first two or three records are really good.
As with most of this series of reviews, Keith appears to have been presented with an odd mix of releases. I respect his opinions and always loved his music. RIP.
I agree! A very odd mix, but I'm wondering if that's from my own American perspective. Anyway, would have loved to hear his takes on some contemporaries like Traffic, Crimson, Deep Purple, but they weren't in the Sept 70 singles charts!
Well rock Critics had their go at ELP too. The Almost Famous Lester Bangs ripped them a new one and a musician thanked him for it in an interview
Your channels so cool!
Love the "Nice" poster in the Groupie Girl clip (2:32). Keith made me think of Mikey in the old Life cereal ads, "he won't eat it, he hates everything!"
Lets have Keith review a song from Love Beach....
The best keyboard player there ever was. Hands down.
Nah
Too samey. Emerson's range of sound was limited. More spectacle than substance.
Well that's my hot take to set the cat among the pigeons.
Absolutely right. If you disagree, listen to his Piano Improvisations - then try to play it! It is incredibly complex, the work of an extraordinary musician. To say his music is too samey… I was going to say that I’d love to play even one of his ‘samey’ pieces, but I can play along to Hoedown and Nut Rocker. After that I struggle! But who cares? Keith was the original and best!
@@johnsurrey7426
It's risible to me to claim any one artist was the best.
If someone says Emerson is their fave keyboardist, fair dos, but the best?
By what metric.
Have you listened to every keyboard player across multiple genres?
Emerson's colours and textures are very restricted.
I'm not saying he wasn't technically brilliant, or that I don't rate ELP, far from it, but there is a definite signature tonality across his ouvre.
THE NICE were ten times better than ELP and that's where you will find Keith's best writing and playing e.g. " Five Bridges Suite"❤
Maybe in progressive rock. Definitely not if we include classical and jazz artists, not even close.
He has a point though. Emerson was like the progressive rock version of Stravinsky at this time, his music going in a totally new and groundbreaking direction, while most other groups were still stuck in the 50's and 60's. This is why Emerson was such a huge fan of Jimi. JImi loved Emerson's music as well. In fact, during a concert in London, security noticed someone lurking behind Emerson's Leslie speakers. Who was it? It was Hendrix! He was using a Super 8 movie camera and trying to film Emerson!
This site did a video of him reviewing the singles from a couple of years earlier when he was with the Nice and he was quite a bit kinder then. He'd just founded the supergroup ELP around the time of this one so maybe his ego and tolerance of what he saw as less adventurous music had changed. Still love Keith though, my favourite musician ever!
Lol. Brutal and astute. Except that one riff rock have always been popular. The Wrecking Crew backed the 5th Dimension. Ouch. But they had a lot of hits with Laura Nyro songs by toning down the complexity and soul of Nyro's progressive originals to fit in with the Sunshine Pop trend of the late 60's.
I listen to Cinnamon Girl and Neil Young a lot. And he is still making relevant, interesting music. Frankly, I haven't listened to ELP in decades, even though I bought most of their albums as soon as they were released. So we know whose legacy will be there for posterity.
Cinnamon Girl is an iconic song & an iconic guitar 🎸 riff. Sorry Keith but your assessment is incorrect.
Actually, NY has admitted that there wasn’t a great deal of music acumen in some songs. He even admitted that he is just average on the guitar. Still, I’m a fan of his music going back when I was a kid in that day.
It's such a boring song
Beats the shit out of boring, 30 min organ solos. Now if we are taking Crimson, that is some creative and progressive music. ELP is just jerkoff fart prog
Neil who?
Yeah, I love the song, its rustic, rockin’ feel, the lyrics, and that hopeful, yearning, one-note guitar lead break is positively elevatory in its confident simplicity- to me it is, anyway- and I’ve always loved prog rock and jazz, etc, too. Imo, as the kids say today: “It’s a vibe.”🫨❤️🔥
"Neil Young? I don't know her." - Mariah Emerson
HAhahahahaha, etc etc !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
anyone who doesn't believe that music of today is failing better look at that list of artists.
Oooh one of the songs he couldnt stand 'kingdom - all i need" sounds great to my ears.. must check it out!
Nice touch showing a clip from Groupie Girl with a poster for the Nice in the background while Keith trashes the theme song.
Good musician
Oof! The Nice certainly weren’t all that at this time. He’s so dismissive of aesthetics that he could have learned from and that would have kept him from becoming a pompous joke. In a Ramones documentary I saw, they used clips of Emerson to illustrate how rock had lost its way. Emerson was technically gifted, but he really just didn’t get what was special about rock music. Noodling on three keyboards at one time is not nearly as exciting as he believed.
Keith was a Genius and, if he said it, he’s right
He was probably fed up with what he felt were some trendy things going on, but he has a particular tastes
I was amused that the scene from the film "Groupie Girl" showed a poster for Keith Emerson's original band, The Nice, all while Emerson was dissing the song from the film! I began to wonder if there'd be anything on the singles list he'd actually like.
It's interesting to hear from someone like Keith Emerson talk about others' single releases, he being someone who didn't really write songs with an ear for what would be a hit single. I love that album by Free, but "All Right Now" was the only song on that album that had a chance to be a hit, so they weren't really about hit singles either.
I can't believe he said "damp squid" at 4.55
Reminds me of The IT Crowd, lol
Exactly! As soon as I heard it, I got an immediate image in my head of that court room scene 🙂
Kingdom reminds me of the Ants in the kitchen by Masters of Reality with Ginger Baker.
Yeah Keith, wait til 1976 when punk kicks in you dinosaur 😅
PINK??
@@appledoreman Yeah she's coming up. So you better get the party started.
Hey Mazzy!
Funnily enough, ELP had their biggest hit (Fanfare for the Common Man), in 1977, at exactly the same time God Save the Queen was happening.