Share the post "Album review: THREE – Rockin’ The Ritz NYC 1988"
Wienerworld [Release date 24.11.23]
Three were a short-lived prog supergroup, featuring keyboard player Keith Emerson, drummer Carl Palmer (both ex-Emerson Lake & Palmer) and American bassist/vocalist Robert Berry, formed after the dissolution of Emerson Lake & Powell.
Under the moniker of ‘3’, they released one album ‘… To The Power Of Three’. Some excellent tunes with a modern feel, given an unfairly poor rating at the time due the more commercial nature (Palmer had previously recorded with the commercial pop/pomp/prog/rock band Asia). Whatever the press said, it is a wonderful album well worth checking out. Just don’t go expecting the music of 15 years previous, the band had moved on.
The tour produced a few highlights, and two live albums. This one, originally issued on CD in 2017, now gets a vinyl release. And what a lovely package it is. The original release was a double CD, so the set is edited a little for vinyl.
The opening number Fanfare For The Common Man always pleases, it is true to the original ELP riff in the main, but there’s a prog/pop noodle in the middle, and a lovely take on Hoedown, the only ELP composition in the set. Several tracks from the Three album, which dominate the set, and the commercial feel is really quite more modern than the 70s prog material. Proof of now good the material was, even if it didn’t fit with prog fans of the time.
There’s the Emerson solo track Creole Dance, and surprise inclusion is the Four Tops number Standing In The Shadows Of Love. Different, but it works.
The set finishes with two lengthy medleys, first America/Blue Rondo A LA Turk/drum solo/Fugue In D Miner (so there’s a solid The Nice touch), and Eight Miles High/Peter Gunn (the former a Byrds track, recorded on the studio album, and Peter Gunn Theme once covered by ELP).
The group disbanded soon after, with Emerson Lake & Palmer reforming a year or two later, and Berry resurrected the name as 3:2 more recently too.
Three virtuosos, the direction may not be everyone’s direction, but still worth a listen.
As long as you’re not expecting an Emerson Lake & Palmer live album, there’s lots to love here. ****
Review by Joe Geesin
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.
Latest session: Sunday 14 April
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 14 April 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 9 April 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 29 April 2024
BRIGITTE PURDY Sugar Fried Candy (Dirtshack Records)
ATTIC THEORY The Legacy (indie)
THE HOWLERS I Need Your Love (indie)
VELVETEEN QUEEN Bad Reputation (indie)
WILLS AND THE WILLING Scuffed Knees (Smash & Grab Music Ltd)
READY THE PRINCE Still Believe (indie)
Featured Albums w/c 29 April 2024
09:00-12:00 PRAYING MANTIS Defiance (Frontiers)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023
To see our Tweets you need to be logged in to an X (Twitter) account
Popular (last 10 days)
Share the post "Album review: THREE – Rockin’ The Ritz NYC 1988"
PDF - you can delete unwanted sections
