Kayne West’s sampling of King Crimson’s 21st Century Schizoid Man on his most recent album not withstanding, it’s generally not too hip nowadays to pay homage to the icons of early 70’s progressive rock. This brief clip is of one of my adolescent musical heroes, Keith Emerson, working out some piano parts from Emerson Lake & Palmer‘s (1972) Trilogy album. The excesses of prog rock have been well documented, and Emerson’s reflections on his creative process do have a Spinal Tap-esque feel, but it captures a true original at work. Emerson and company made accessible musical places that continue to light up my limbic system – and still have me struggling to work out the intricacies of his music in the wee hours. . .
Enjoy-
– Steve Gans is a Harvard affiliated psychiatrist and psychoanalyst. Back in the day he was a keyboard playa (er) in the Chicago music scene of the 70’s and 80’s.
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