Review by Ralph Greco, Jr.
Photos by Joe Swarctz
Carl Palmer’s ELP Legacy rolled into the dinner theater space of the Musikfest Café of PA’s Arts Quest Center at Steel Stacks. On this final leg of their 2019 World Tour, promoting an ethos of “Emerson Lake and Palmer Lives on!,” the world-class drummer and his band — guitarist and vocalist Paul Bielatowicz and bassist Simon Fitzpatrick — played for nearly two hours. Palmer, Bielatowicz, and Fitzpatrick bring a decidedly heavier vibe than previous outings. Palmer seems spurned on by the younger duo.
They opened with “Karn Evil 9, 1st Impression, Part 2,” featuring Bielatowicz on vocals, which he did competently enough as the trio rocked through a rugged version of one of ELP’s best known tunes. On “Knife-Edge,” the band locked in tight and played a heavy version of this tune from ELP’s 1970 debut album. Bielatowicz sang and recreated Keith Emerson’s keyboard runs expertly, while Fitzpatrick rolled a low rumble under Palmer’s snapping snare.
Palmer was pushed heavy and hard through a raucous read of King Crimson’s “21st Century Schizoid Man.” The band outfitted themselves perfectly on “Trilogy” (Palmer told the sold-out crowd that Trilogy happens to be his most favorite ELP album). The highlight of the set was “Lucky Man,” which Bielatowicz sang sweetly. When it came time for the iconic Moog lead, Fitzpatrick recreated it note for note on his Stick. Magical stuff to be sure.
The trio wailed through the first side of Tarkus, with Bielatowicz flying through the Emerson runs and never missing a note. After asking for requests (I yelled for “Love Beach,” which Palmer laughed off), they ran through a medley of Carl Orff’s “Carmina Burana and Dave Brubeck’s “Rondo.” The regular set end with a blistering version of Aaron Copland’s “Hoedown.” The encore featured “Fanfare for the Common Man,” another Copland piece that ELP made their own in 1977. Tonight’s take featured a 10-minute drum solo from Carl Palmer.
Keeping the legacy of Emerson, Lake and Palmer alive is no small feat, but Carl Palmer is doing everything he can to carry them forward. These classic songs have been reinvigorated with a heavier approach. Most importantly, Palmer continues to bring his unique drumming style to the forefront of everywhere and any way he can.
