<< 1 >>
Rating: 
Summary: sex, drugs and concertos in F minor....
Review: Emo's autobio is a good, not great, immensely candid look at a bygone era (one thinks) of 70s rock and roll. What's remarkable about Keith is his versatility as a musician. His dedication to his craft and knowledge of other musical genres is admirable and I found it interesting how a self-proclaimed "loner" transformed himself into a flamboyant stage performer. I enjoyed his absence of hubris. What is less interesting and should've been edited are the many, Austin Poweresque phallic references and potty humor. There are many notable omissions that could have proved insightful but were, for unknown reasons, not mentioned or barely touched upon. That said, this is still a book for anyone interested in the music biz of yore.
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing...
Review: First, I am a huge ELP/Keith Emerson fan. I've been looking forward to this book for years. In the mean time, I've read some outstanding books on Keith and ELP by Martyn Hanson, Hang on to a Dream: The Story of the Nice; and George Forrester, Emerson, Lake and Palmer : The Show That Never Ends. Then I got Keith's book. Rather disappointing. Not well written at all. I guess Keith felt he needed to put out a "tell all" type book full of drugs stories, alchohol and sex stories. My image of him as a person has been tarnished, but he is still a great musician and composer. Unfortunatly, the book was put out in haste, the pacing is poor, the style inconsistant. His childhood days are interesting and a couple of funny stories, but that's all. Stick to music Keith; how about a CD set on rare, underground or retrospective music? Get the other two books I mentioned in this review, don't bother with this one.
Rating: 
Summary: I laughed, I cried, I was disappointed
Review: great book!! very humor filled, and packed with information. many rumors that I had heard from the 70's on are laid to rest!
the 80's onward are a little scant, but I'm hoping for the second volume to be in the "works" highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Title Says It All
Review: Like the other reviewers here, I was and am a big ELP fan. As soon I heard Keith Emerson's playing, I was dumb-struck by his virtuosity and musical vision, one that, alas, did not play out too well over the years. I eagerly awaited this book, mainly because I wanted to hear what Keith Emerson had to say about his music. There's a scene in "Spinal Tap" when David St. Hubbins is playing a beautiful piano piece and Rob Reiner asks him what the music is called . St. Hubbins replies "Lift my Love Pump." Well, I think that might sum up this book, and I can't say I wasn't warned by the title. There are virtues here, however. Emerson has a breezy, conversational writing style that goes down easy, and he doesn't write a self-serving book in the least. The first part of the book, from his childhood to his breaking up the Nice is the best part, funny, and heartwarming. It struck me how much Emerson loved Lee Jackson and Brian Davidson, and the affection for his once and future bandmates mixed well with the stories. I often found myself laughing out loud. The ELP and after sections are troubled. It's clear Emerson never liked Lake, and had a brotherly and patronizing attitude towards Palmer. But love between bandmates doesn't necessarily make great music, however, after reading this book and listening to the ELP oveure, I finally sensed the coldness that so many critics complained about. The descent into drugs, the sadness of an abortion caused by miscommunication, the wrecking of Emerson's hand and the subsequent operations all make the second half of the book more than a bit sad. Emerson might have toned his words for this part of the book, but it continues in a breakneck and breezy manner, giving the impression (false I'm sure) that Emerson didn't care about these things. My biggest complaint, however, is that he hardly discusses the music at all. I would have put up with hijinx and lines of coke with Bonzo better if he had talked about composing Tarkus more. Still, for a proghead and synthfool like me, Pics of Ex is worth reading, even if the God of the Moog diminishes himself.
Rating:
Summary: Two Thumb's Up!
Review: Ok, so Keith Emerson is not the most highly polished writer in the cosmic universe. And sure, there are parts of his story which are sewn together rather disjointedly. Looking at it overall it seemed to me there were days where he wrote brilliantly and days where the results were average. I'm certainly no authority but I'm of the opinion if he could have gone back and revised the writing from those average days to the polished brilliance found elsewhere the results may have been a best seller. What you get is an honest and open account of one of the music world's great artist and performer's life. I've read other reviews that did not approve of all the road story details this book contains. Not me. When I read a biography about any person from any walk of life I want it all, real, and the way it truly was. Mr. Emerson guides you through it all with a revealing look behind the scenes of his professional and personal life, and yes, there are some interesting, startling, and amusing insights. If you're looking for behind the scenes Emerson, Lake, and Palmer info and dirt there's enough here to satisfy. He raises well found criticisms about Greg Lake's sometimes caustic behavior but then on the other hand he intimates how much of a truly good person Carl Palmer is. He also relates stories that could only originate from one of rock's elite members such as being on tour with Jimi Hendrix, and the Pink Floyd with Syd Barrett, his not so friendly rivalry with the band Yes, or motorcycling with Ringo Starr as a passenger. I am pleased to have read this and recommend you do the same.
Rating:
Summary: Shallow
Review: This book is basically a brief chronicle of the two bands. It's exactly half and half The Nice and ELP up to about 1975. The black and white pictures inside are quite uninspired and reflect the feel of the writing.
For all fans of ELP and in particular Keith Emerson then this book has to be read. That doesn't make it a well written or deeply interesting book though. The events of his life from the beginnings of The Nice through ELP (up to about 1975) are briefly documented. His writing style is one of anecdotal meanderings and over use of metaphors that seem almost a desperate attempt to try and make the reader think that Emerson is a 'writer'. Well, he isn't, and the sometimes offensive stories visualised in this 'scrap book' just come across as cheap attempts to make an obviously rushed effort seem worthwhile reading.
Yes I am a big, big fan of ELP but I know the difference between liking the music and liking the artist. The difference can be dramatic. This is the first autobiography I've read from many that bored me rigid. All the anecdotes have been documented before by other musicians and have been far more interesting to read. While the book is still of interest to fans wanting to know the various events that lead to conflicts within the two bands the information is just basically documented and you feel that this man isn't writing from his heart.
All in all a very disappointing read but it is a book that hard core fans will not want to miss out on.
Rating:
Summary: Disappointing...
Review: This is an excellent book written by the most important, talented and influential keyboardist of our time. Being a huge Emerson, Lake and Palmer fan from the beginning (no pun intended), I was delighted to come across this book. Keith Emerson has a great sense of humor and writing style and the 324 pages go by quick and effortlessly. He takes you on a wonderful journey from his childhood days of piano lessons, through his early bands, through the Nice, and finally ELP and beyond. This is required reading for all musicians and music lovers. I highly recommend this book! ELP forever!!
<< 1 >>
|
