KEITH EMERSON BAND: THREE FATES PROJECT

In 2008 Keith Emerson released the first album under the name of The Keith Emerson Band (featuring Marc Bonilla), and it was a good one, easily the best album Emerson had put out (under any name) since the 1992 reunion with Lake and Palmer (resulting in Black Moon), and also one of the better albums he has put out since ELP's qualitative decline in the mid 70's. This strong, self-titled Keith Emerson Band studio album was then followed by an excellent live album (and video) in 2010 featuring a storming concert performance recorded in Moscow with songs from the new album as well as many rocking renditions of classic ELP songs. Staying true to the originals, yet at the same time going beyond them in adding an extra element in Bonilla's electric guitar playing, this was a recipe for success and Emerson had not sounded more in his element for a long, long time.

In the light of the above, this second Keith Emerson Band studio disc is a definite disappointment. Both Keith and Marc Bonilla are reduced to supporting roles here, leaving the main spotlight to the Munchner Rundfunkorchester conducted by Terje Mikkelsen. This is what I would like to call "Orchestral Rock", which is not Symphonic Progressive Rock--huge difference! Keith plays piano and some synths, Bonilla adds some electric guitar, the drums are handled by Troy Lucketta (and Toss Panos on one track), and Travis Davis plays bass.

The material consists of some orchestral re-workings of old ELP classics like Tarkus, Endless Enigma, and Abbadon's Bolero, as well as adaptations of Classical music (previously performed by ELP) like Fanfare For The Common Man. Malambo is another Classical piece that also was included on both The Keith Emerson Band studio album and the Moscow live album. Interestingly, The Three Fates are not here.

I am not fond of such orchestral Rock in general, and even though this album is actually a reasonably good example of that and a moderately pleasant listen, it is far from essential. In every case I would say that there are better versions than these orchestral re-workings. I hope The Keith Emerson Band returns with a proper new studio album featuring all new material in the style of their first. This one is for fans only.

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