Carl Palmer Trío 

Monterrey, México

CHRONICLE OF THE SHOW THAT WE GOT LOST IN ARGENTINEAN OR OF WHAT DEPRIVED US THE “CORRALITO”

In the first days of February of 2002 the Argentineans had the opportunity to witness a show that it came accompanied by unbeatable critical. It was the Carl Palmer Trío, the new band of the mythical drummer of the incomparable Emerson, Lake & Palmer. 
The opportunity to recreate the classic of ELP, King Crimson, Asia and their works soloists were truncated as many of the illusions of millions of Argentinean for the saint “corralito” of the “President” De La Rua and of its “Super Minister” Cavallo. 
It doesn't care... another time will be. Equally we could celebrate tossing them at both. 
Something something is, not? 

Nucleus 



The month of November of last year I find out that Carl Palmer's band would arrive to regal lands in the month of February of the present. The first thing that I was come to mind, was the firm conviction of attending the concert although it was the it finishes thing that made in the life. In second place, I began to pray to the Virgencita de Guadalupe so that the concert was not canceled by quorum lack (like Le Orme happened). For I finish, already in a conscious way, it had to arise the following doubt: that band of Palmer?. 
Immediately enter to it paginates it official of the teacher and the first surprise that was it is that he didn't bring to a keyboardist, but to a guitarist. That!. For some fanatic of ELP this can sound to sacrilege, but the truth, it could be interesting the experiment. I left convincing when in it paginates it some of the topics they were mentioned that will play, since there was several of my favorite ones. When seeing the letters of the invited musicians' presentation, it didn't fit the smallest doubt that Palmer was making accompany of true professionals. The only controversy that was in the air was the age of Palmer: about to complete 52. 
This undoubtedly is a great drummer, but it is not the same thing the three musketeers that 20 years later. 
Would it be in shape?. Well, was the wave to attend to see the teacher and to support the progressive cause. Now alone I lacked to convince somebody that accompanied me for not going alone. The great majority didn't know Palmer and he simply had better things that to make, but my good friend Dunia Pulido saw me in desperation and I eat community service he decided to accompany me. 
I say, there is not anything better than sharing with somebody but the musical likes and in passing to evangelize to other envelope the good music. 
Already in January they began to spread posters of the concert. Very attractive, with an excellent picture (the one that comes when entering to Carl's site in Internet) and with the slogan of “Carl Palmer: The best drummer in the world”. For an expert of the progressive one, this can sound redundant, since Palmer is synonymous of excellence in the drums. But I eat advertising strategy it was correct. Already last Thursday it was commented in the newspapers the arrival from the group to Monterrey, so almost it was a fact that the carried out serious concert. 
We arrive to the place the night of Friday and he gave me pleasure to see enough people. There were of all the ages, but most was contemporary of Palmer. I believe that there was but of 300 people, but I am bad for that of calculating multitudes. To the place they fit him as 1000 people, so it was not so bad for a city that doesn't have a lot of progressive culture. The drums was not the monster that used to be in the 70, but it was decent. The good thing is that it was acoustic, they already come that in you finish them tours of ELP leave using electronic. 
At the specified hour the group came out and the show Carl Palmer began he gave the good night and the classic “como están” in Spanish. He had very good pronunciation. It had surely rehearsed before it. But the great surprise was that the whole night Mr. Palmer you communicates with the I publish in Castilian language. Not him toward anything bad. I think that he has been living in Spain. We all witness a quite open Palmer, making jokes and trying to be connected with the non alone audience to you begin of the music. Before each song he came closer to the microphone to comment something. He was seen very happy and proud of carrying out the concert. I didn't know this facet of the drummer. Perhaps Greg Lake and Keith Emerson should allow it to speak in the next meeting tour. 
The Sep that they interpreted you conforms like it continues: 

“Hoedown”: Great opening topic to enter in heat. The drums sounded potent and Palmer was seen in excellent physical condition. Guitarist Shaun Baxter showed her abilities and clearly we saw that she memorized note for note what Emerson makes in the keyboards. Dave Marks was also very well in the bass of 12 strings. Finishing the topic, Palmer presents to the band and the reasons for which I conform it. I finish saying of the first disk of ELP...” 

“The Barbarian”: Incredible. The guitar sounded very dense and toward that the topic shone enough. Palmer began to light up and he also publishes. They played the identical barbarian to the original, including the jazzy part and the final incendiary. 

“Enemy God”: Palmer introduced it like one of its favorite topics and it returned to its place behind the drums. For me it is also of the best and I was surprised again like it was listened in guitar. Impressive. I have always thought that the music of ELP is quite heavy and it can compete against any type of more aggressive rock. The form of playing of the band this theory was been worth. Enjoy this rola a lot. 

“L.A. Nights”: Songs surprise. I believe that it had never been played live (somebody can correct me). Very good. We continue seeing a Palmer enjoying the night as much as us. The best in the “Works Vol I” it was Palmer and I believe that it should have taken advantage of that creative gust to compose but you fear. But it should have been very difficult to compete with Lake and Emerson in this matter. The topic is lent for the improvisation and I joust halfway the same one we saw a competition among guitarist and bear. Who do win?. The bassoonist. He is a 23 year-old lad with enough enthusiasm. He was seen very happy. Palmer didn't show signs of fatigue and he played the drums like in its best times. 

Alone of guitar of Shaun Baxter: Palmer takes a desert rest, so announcement that they followed the alone of the invited musicians. Baxter began with something calm it stops then to continue with some pyrotechnic games. It was of good level their presentation, but I believe that he lacks heart. 

Alone bass of Dave Marks: Another great surprise. Very able in the strings. More intelligent than their partner. Dave had the firm intention of being won to the I publish, so among each improvisation we saw it play very well-known topics: “C'est the Vie”, “Every Breath you Take” and “From the Beginning”. people lit up with the interpretations. Of their own crop he played so much heavy rock, as jazz and something of funky (inviting all to applaud), demonstrating that he can play what is. If he already had us to all in the bag, you assures of staying there when he began to play “The Bamba”. Of plane sack the Mexican spirit and I leave us happy to all. Ending takes the applauses of the respectable one with their respective standing ovation (in version mini of 300 people). 

Single combined Baxter-Marks: Then they united forces and they played a topic style environmental rock with something of frippertronics he stops then to give him jazz tints and to leave clever to the I publish to receive again to the maesse Carl Palmer that began to play the drums to give him without previous warning it forms to... 

“Tank”: Classic of the drums of all the times. Again we see Baxter using the pedals to achieve the appropriate tones of guitar and Palmer it was as unhinged traveling all the dimensions of it schemes it percussive. He fancied the moment so that the alone of battery appeared, but it was not this way. Alone I delight us with some very good ones you finish off. But the place trembled in its foundations and Palmer again it became present as the main force. 

“Bullfrog”: Song very amusing and favorite of Palmer. I announce it as the only good topic of the disk “Works Vol II”. From the previous song we begin to experience with notes more difficult of executing, but the group was very well oiled and it is seen that Palmer entered to the gym, since it was seen in great form. One prepares a lot for the clinics and the concerts. This totally guessed right in all the songs. It measures the times perfectly. It was grandiose to see live this topic, never before presented. 

Song of Shaun Baxter: Although Palmer said the name of the song, it doesn't reach it to understand. The only thing that I knew, is that he comes in the disk Jazz Metal of Shaun. 

But continuing with the surprises, we saw a topic enough progessive and with formidable guitar works. I like the beginning of the song, since he reminds me to the “Discipline” of King Crimson, but still with a much stranger rhythm. I am motivated to buy the alone CD for this song, where the drums and the first floor also had their brilliant parts. But later leave the time of the apotheosis... 

“Toccata”: The best in the night. Since Palmer warning that was of their favorite disk “Brain Salad Surgery”, already all were applauding. Shaun began to play the classic notes that /they open this song and the audience was insane. We were witnessing to a drummer demonstrating to everybody that not alone it is a legend of the instrument, but rather this totally effective one in technique, forces and spirit. 
I really believe that it can compete against anyone, inclusive with Mike Portnoy. None of their contemporaries believes that it is able to equal the level in that he is. Perhaps Terry Bozzio or Neil Peart would rot, but he would need to see them live to corroborate it. "Toccata" presented like never before had been conceived; neither in times of ELP. Baxter and Marks emitted special effects of their instruments, but Palmer he was the genius. Palmer is a semi God. We could not believe what we saw. 

“Canary”: Ridiculing of like ELP appeared very monkeys in the cover of the “Love Beach”, Palmer announcement that they would close with this fabulous song. I like it enough the disk. I believe that it went out him the Spanish spirit with the notes created by Joaquín Rodrigo. Palmer was quite relaxed and I take advantage to play with the ramrods while he played. It was fantastic making juggling with the drumsticks. 

It motivates you totally to want to be drummer. 

"Encore": The band said goodbye leaving us completely fifty-fifty. Immediately we begin to chant the famous European songs. The classic encore in 300 people's compact version. That they go to where?. Anything. They are returned and they continue playing. Finally the prayers worked to the gods and the musicians returned to delight with a favorite of the multitudes. 

“Fanfarre For The Common Man”: the classic Excellent version, with but spaces for the improvisation. What nobody waited is that it will include an alone of drums. I really take us for surprise. Palmer this but that in form. This inspired one for “the enemy god”. Almost they were 20 sublime minutes. There was not part of the battery that he didn't receive their desert. Palmer was surrendering to its I publish and to its instrument. I believe that I prepare alone one of the best of all their career. I add elements to the version that executed very behind in the 70 with ELP and accent the executions that toward with Asia in the 80 and with the return of ELP in the 90. We had the privilege of seeing an alone one impressive. This man doesn't seem that he has but of 50 years and much less the intention of retiring. In the part where he played twice as much under of plane you spoil of the shirt and he reminded me that it celebrates presentation of “Pictures at an Exhibition” in the Festival of the Island of Wight. Then I grab a tambourine and it continued of pyromaniacal. But soon I finish the fanfare. 

Final: They said goodbye again, but we return them another time. Palmer said there is no longer more". For not losing the habit of being considered as group kistch, and to continue the celebration, they improvised a topic of classic court. I don't know exactly which it was but I know he listened as well as all that that played. Now if, after this topic they retired and we all are happy and happy with the concert. 
The teacher is seen that it put zeal to carry out this tour and to make sure that is successful. It was very father to see, for the first time, to a Palmer taking the leadership and standing out in everything. It was a pleasure to listen topics that toward a lot they were not presented I live. That repertoire and that interpretation. 
After having seen to this group in action, I don't have left the smallest doubt that Carl Palmer is the best drummer in the world. All that that he has witnessed or will witness the present it rotates, it didn't allow me to lie. The only thing that subtracts us, is to hope Emerson and Lake also put on in form and in a future not very distant they meet to continue in the century 21 with the legacy of the three geniuses that they are Emerson, Lake & Palmer. 



VÍCTOR RAMOS (Monterrey, N.L., Mexico)