So here I am reviewing a video of a show I reviewed. I’m sure I’m not the first. Fortunately, watching the video does offer an entirely new perspective. It reminds me of the great moments I remember seeing live. And it shows me a lot of what I missed, which in this instance, I’ll be forever grateful because I missed more than I realized. It’s been five years since The Official Keith Emerson Tribute Concert in Los Angeles was staged; with everything that’s happened since, the night seems like it took place a whole other lifetime ago.
When Keith Emerson died on March 11, 2016, fans and contemporaries were united in their praise of the keyboardist’s standing as a musical innovator. Knowing how beloved he was, guitarist and singer Marc Bonilla, who had collaborated with Emerson in recent years, teamed up with the keyboardist’s fiancée Mari Kawaguchi to pay tribute with a concert on May 28, 2016 — just a few months after Emerson’s passing. Held at the El Rey Theater, the night brought together friends, relatives, and several A-list musicians, mostly based in Los Angeles.
Cue the DVD as a photo montage gives way to an auspicious opening of “Prelude To A Hope,” a solo piano piece from the 2008 Keith Emerson Band Featuring Marc Bonilla album. Pianist Kae Matsumoto effortlessly pushes through, setting the bar high for the cavalcade of keyboardists who follow. Bonilla is a mainstay for most of the two and a half hours as he is joined by numerous keyboardists, plus a handful of guitarists, bassists, and drummers. The video offers the opportunity to see some exceptional musicians push the limits of their abilities to match the range of Emerson, Lake & Palmer, The Nice, Emerson, Lake & Powell, the Keith Emerson Band and the Three Fates Project.
There’s keyboardist Jonathan Sindelman, who lets loose with a near flawless run through of “Karn Evil 9, 1st Impression, Part 2.” Toto’s Steve Porcaro, whose keyboard work is typically more reserved and on the mellow side, looks like he’s having the time of his life swinging through “The Barbarian” and “Touch And Go.” Ed Roth steers “Hoedown” down its frothy path as it blossoms into a showcase for wild country-style pickin’ from Bonilla, Jeff “Skunk” Baxter, and Mike Wallace.
When it comes to Keith Emerson and his relationship with the piano, an impressive array of players are willing to step up and emulate the master. After a tribute to KE of his own, CJ Vanston takes a stroll through the evocative pastures of “Take A Pebble.” Emerson’s son Aaron plucks out his own composition “Ride,” proving once and for all that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
And then there’s Rachel Flowers, who, as Bonilla says, “personifies pure music.” Blind a few weeks after her birth, she’s become a world-class musician and composer in her own right. Seeing her firm, unwavering touch up close, breezing through the melody and verses on “The Endless Engima” packs enough intensity to bring grown men like myself to tears. It may be the most transcendental moment on the whole DVD.
Stellar musicianship at every turn is unavoidable. Joe Travers, who shares the drummer’s throne with Vinnie Colaiuta, Gregg Bissonnette, and Troy Luccketta, provides a slight nod to Carl Palmer and goes for broke on “Tank.” Brian Auger, one of the few contemporaries of Emerson’s on the bill, brings an old-school feel to the table with his hybrid instrumental “Fanfare To The Common Blue Turkey,” underscoring Emerson’s deference for Aaron Copeland and Dave Brubek.
Leave it to Eddie Jobson and Jordan Rudess, two of the bigger guns from the progressive rock camp, to bat cleanup and bring it all home. Jobson, whose technique and command of the ivories comes dangerously close to what Emerson could do, easily rubs out the muscular parts on “Bitches Crystal.” With the addition of guitarist Steve Lukather, Jobson sticks around for “Lucky Man” and “Fanfare For The Common Man.” The evening’s boldest statement falls to Rudess and his spin on the epic “Tarkus.” If anyone’s taking keyboards to the next level after Keith Emerson, the Dream Theater keyboardist can be counted on to lead the charge.
Conductor Terje Mikkelson, who worked with Emerson and Bonilla on The Three Fates orchestral project, comes out to assure everyone that Emerson’s skills as a composer and arranger were in equal measure to what he achieved as a keyboardist. He then steps back and raises his baton to lead the introductory horns of the grand finale of “Fanfare For The Common Man.” It’s a suitable way to close things out on a very high and inspiring note. (“Are You Ready Eddy” is actually the last song on the DVD and CD set, but it’s more of a fun afterthought).
Whether you watch it or track through the CDs, you can’t help but think that this was more than just a tribute — it was a celebration of a man whose place in the history of music is irrefutable. That’s how I felt when I was there, and that’s how I felt after watching the video. As tributes go, The Official Keith Emerson Tribute Concert wasn’t a star-studded night of big names and speeches. It was more about fans, friends, family and those influenced by Keith Emerson. Few words were uttered, aside from a moment here and there. The focus was really on the music. Five years later, everyone else gets to experience what only a privileged few got to see and hear in a small theater on the west side of Los Angeles.
~ Shawn Perry
