Carl Palmer Band

Imagine if you will the greatest venue Holmfirth has ever had.

Picturedrome

Take possibly the greatest, biggest & most imaginative prog rock band ever, Emerson, Lake and Palmer. Simmer over a low heat for about 20 years, then remove some of the contents.
Remove the Emerson, what? no Emerson!!
Remove the Lake,
Remove the pyrotechnnics,
Remove the revolving Pianos
the rising drums
& the daggers.

What remains. Carl Palmer.

It's 8, yes unbelievably 8 years since we saw him at the Oakwood Centre in Rotherham (CRS gig)

So, basically the drums of ELP, mind you those are mighty fine drums, no keys or vocals. It was a surprise then,when we turned up to see a setup for 3 piece, bearing in mind that it had been publish that Pictures at an exhibition would be on the menu.

There was no support, so at 8.30 the CPB fired into Welcome back my friends.........setting the standards for the evening.

Awesome is a much over-used word these days to the point that awesome more or less means average. This was an immense gig. Other than a few effects pedals, just guitar, drum & bass. (& one electronic pad for CP, as far as I could see).

Guitars were provided by Paul Bielatowicz, Paul played with Carl 8 years ago, & is the Neil Morse connection mentioned on the Forum.

Bass was provided by Simon Fitzpatrick. An excellent bass solo of Stairway to Heaven with some Matt Stevens style looping in there.

Who needs Keith Emerson? Clearly not CPB, Simon played bass like it was lead guitar with some Stu Hamm style playing, Paul effortlessly replacing Emmo's keys without being too flash.

Set list was, in no particular order, and with a couple of ommissions;

Welcome....
Barbarian
Hoedown
Bolero
Bitches Crystal
Guitar Solo
J Section
Bass Solo
Might have been another before the interval

There was definitely something before
Pictures at an Exhibition
Fanfare For the Common Man
Toccata

Encores;
Peter Gunn
Nutcracker

Has to have been the best gig I've seen at the Picturedrome & that includes

Steve Hackett
Walter Trout
Steve Lukather
It Bites
Alan Price (Yes, he of the dancing bear)
Ade Edmondsons Bad Shepherds
Focus
Jan Akkerman

and many others who fail to spring into my mind.

There were only a few UK dates this time round, hope it's not another 8 years before they come back.

& the alternative? Much as I like It Bites, I doubt it would have been the best choice.

(nicked from Simons website)



& if punk sounded the death knell for prog, it failed to nail the coffin shut.