Album review: CARL PALMER – Do Ya Wanna Play Carl? The Carl Palmer Anthology

Wienerworld [Released 24.03.14]

This two disc set is a compilation of drummer Carl Palmer’s work (a different version and tracklist was released on the Sanctuary label back in 2001) and it covers his more well known bands like ELP and Asia, through to some lesser known appearances like on the 60’s pop of ‘I Must Be Mad’ by Craig.

All the songs on here feature Carl Palmer’s drumming and percussion skill often in extended drum work outs like on the Asia classic ‘Wildest Dreams’ or ELP’s ‘Fanfare For The Common Man’.

It’s good to see the band 3 (basically ELP with Robert Berry replacing Greg Lake) represented with two songs, albeit one is a Byrds cover ‘Eight Miles High’ and perhaps not that band’s finest moment. However the epic ‘Desda Le Vida’ is on here and that again shows off Carl Palmer’s drumming skills.

The epic ‘Concerto for Percussion’ composed with Joseph Horowitz kicks off the first disc in style coming across as a mix of Tangerine Dream and the Enid mixed with classical arrangements. I had never heard this before and it really is a treat for fans of Carl Palmer’s work and those who like prog rock with a classical leaning.

There are a few live tracks too from his solo shows including more ELP workouts on ‘Hoedown’ (although I think this is the short lived supergroup Quango’s version) and ‘Pictures At An Exhibition’.

Good introduction to the various bands and solo works Carl Palmer has been involved in. ***1/2

Review by Jason Ritchie

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.

Next session: Sunday 19 January

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 1 December 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 3 December 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024

In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections

Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)