Trilogy (Emerson, Lake & Palmer album)
| Trilogy | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 6 July 1972 | |||
| Recorded | January–March 1972 | |||
| Studio | Advision Studios, London[1] | |||
| Genre | Progressive rock | |||
| Length | 42:23 | |||
| Label | Island | |||
| Producer | Greg Lake | |||
| Emerson, Lake & Palmer chronology | ||||
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Trilogy is the third studio album by English progressive rock band Emerson, Lake & Palmer, released in July 1972, by Island Records. The group had spent most of 1971 touring, which paused in September so they could record a new album at Advision Studios with Eddy Offord resuming his role as engineer. The album features "Hoedown", an arrangement of Aaron Copland's ballet composition which became a live favourite.
The album was a commercial success, reaching No. 2 on the UK Albums Chart and No. 5 on the US Billboard 200. Lake's acoustic song, "From the Beginning", was released as a single in August 1972 and became the band's highest charting US single, reaching No. 39. Lake picked Trilogy as his favourite Emerson, Lake & Palmer album.[2]
Recording[]
In September 1971, the band took a break in their touring promoting Tarkus (1971) and Pictures at an Exhibition (1971) to start work on a new studio album. They returned to Advision Studios in London, once again with Lake as producer and Eddy Offord as their engineer. In early 1972, New Musical Express falsely reported that the group were splitting up, causing the band to issue a statement. Keyboardist Keith Emerson had planned to do a solo album of jazz music, but the project was shelved and the band turned down a lucrative offer to write the score to a racing film entitled Fangio.[3] The band recorded the album in February and March 1972.[3]
The album was particularly difficult for Lake to record, as he described the album as "such an accurate record."[3] Palmer noted Trilogy had the most number of overdubs put down on an Emerson, Lake & Palmer album, owing to the "enormous detail" put into the arrangements of the songs.[3] Emerson was pleased with the album after it was completed, noting its varied and difference in style compared to Tarkus.[4]
References to a quad version of this album appeared in 1974 Harrison or Schwann record and tape guides, listing Trilogy in the Quadraphonic 8-track tape cartridge format. Collectors report never seeing a Trilogy Q8 at retail, despite its having a catalogue number "Cotillion QT-9903".[citation needed]
Songs[]
Side one[]
"The Endless Enigma" is a suite in three parts; the first section begins with the sound of a beating heart, an effect sometimes claimed to have been created by the Ludwig Speed King bass drum pedal of Palmer's Ludwig Octaplus kit. However, in the sleeve notes to the 2015 CD/DVD reissue, remix engineer Jakko Jakszyk is quoted as saying "I've discovered [it is] actually Greg playing... muted strings on his bass guitar".
"From the Beginning" is a soft, acoustic guitar-based song that peaked at No. 39 on the US charts.[5] More often appearing in ELP compilations than live concerts, the track lent its name to a 1997 retrospective of Greg Lake's work.[6] The song was also covered by Czech folk rock band Marsyas, albeit under a different name (Studená koupel – Cold Bath) and with Czech lyrics.[7]
"The Sheriff" was written as a prelude to the country-themed "Hoedown", which closes the album.[3] During the opening drum solo, Palmer accidentally hit the rim of his tom-tom with a drumstick, and he can be heard responding with "Shit!". The song ends with a honky tonk-type piano solo with Palmer playing woodblocks.[citation needed]
"Hoedown" is an arrangement of "Hoe-Down" from the ballet Rodeo (1942) by American composer Aaron Copland, who gave the band permission to adapt the piece.[3] It became a live favourite, and opened the band's shows between 1972 and 1974.
Side two[]
"Abaddon's Bolero" sounds like a bolero turned into a march (in 4/4 rhythm rather than the usual 3/4). The piece was originally titled Bellona's Bolero after the goddess of war.[8] A single melody containing multiple modulations within itself is repeated over and over in ever more thickly layered arrangements, starting from a quiet Hammond organ making a flute-like sound over a snare drum, and building up to a wall of sound – Maurice Ravel's famous Boléro uses a similar effect. There is also a quote from the British traditional song "Girl I left Behind Me". "Abaddon's Bolero" is replete with overdubs. Almost every time an instrument comes in, another overdub follows. "Abaddon's Bolero" was only played live a handful of times, with Greg Lake handling Mellotron and additional Moog synthesizer duties (other synth parts accompanied them from a reel-to-reel tape playing off-stage which Emerson had pre-recorded); the song turned out to be a disaster, and when the tape stopped mid-way through the song during one show, it was cut from the set list.[9] The band brought the piece back for the start of their 1977 tour, during which they were accompanied by an orchestra.
Cover[]
The artwork was designed by Hipgnosis. It depicts a combined bust of the three members, while the interior of the original gatefold sleeve features a photomontage of the three in Epping Forest.[10] Spanish artist Salvador Dalí was approached to design it, but he requested $50,000 to do it and was subsequently turned down. The front cover depicts each of the band members' faces; Emerson said this was so as their previous albums had not featured them.[4]
Reception[]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [11] |
| Christgau's Record Guide | C–[12] |
The album reached No. 5 on the Billboard 200[13] and peaked at No. 2 on the UK album charts.[14] It appeared in the Top 10 in Denmark for 4 non-consecutive weeks, peaking at No. 6.[15]
Billboard praised the album for Keith Emerson's "steady progression" on the Moog synthesizer.[16]
Reissues[]
The album has been reissued a number of times, the most recent was part of a deluxe edition release campaign by Sony Record Group on the 27 April 2015. The original mix was included along with a brand new stereo mix across two CDs and featuring both on an audio DVD.
Track listing[]
All lyrics are written by Greg Lake[10]; all music is composed by Keith Emerson except where noted.
| No. | Title | Music | Arrangement | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "The Endless Enigma (Part 1)" | 6:41 | ||
| 2. | "Fugue" (Instrumental) | 1:56 | ||
| 3. | "The Endless Enigma (Part 2)" | 2:03 | ||
| 4. | "From the Beginning" | Greg Lake | 4:16 | |
| 5. | "The Sheriff" | 3:22 | ||
| 6. | "Hoedown" (Instrumental) | Aaron Copland | Emerson, Lake & Palmer | 3:47 |
| No. | Title | Additional musician | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Trilogy" | 8:54 | |
| 2. | "Living Sin" | Carl Palmer | 3:13 |
| 3. | "Abaddon's Bolero" (Instrumental) | 8:08 |
2015 deluxe edition[]
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "The Endless Enigma (Part One)" | Lake, Emerson | 6:41 |
| 2. | "Fugue" | Emerson | 1:56 |
| 3. | "The Endless Enigma (Part Two)" | Lake, Emerson | 2:02 |
| 4. | "From the Beginning" | Lake | 4:13 |
| 5. | "The Sheriff" | Lake, Emerson | 3:22 |
| 6. | "Hoedown" | Copland, Palmer, Lake, Emerson | 3:45 |
| 7. | "Trilogy" | Lake, Emerson | 8:52 |
| 8. | "Living Sin" | Palmer, Lake, Emerson | 3:10 |
| 9. | "Abaddon's Bolero" | Emerson | 8:07 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "From the Beginning" (Alternate Version) | Lake | 4:16 |
| 2. | "The Endless Enigma (Part One)" (New Stereo Mix) | Lake, Emerson | 6:43 |
| 3. | "Fugue" (New Stereo Mix) | Emerson | 1:57 |
| 4. | "The Endless Enigma (Part Two)" (New Stereo Mix) | Lake, Emerson | 2:03 |
| 5. | "From the Beginning" (New Stereo Mix) | Lake | 4:17 |
| 6. | "The Sheriff" (New Stereo Mix) | Lake, Emerson | 3:24 |
| 7. | "Hoedown" | Copland, Palmer, Lake, Emerson | 3:46 |
| 8. | "Trilogy" (New Stereo Mix) | Lake, Emerson | 8:58 |
| 9. | "Living Sin" (New Stereo Mix) | Palmer, Lake, Emerson | 3:11 |
| 10. | "Abaddon's Bolero" (New Stereo Mix) | Emerson | 8:13 |
| 11. | "Hoedown" (Live) | Copland, Palmer, Lake, Emerson |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "The Endless Enigma (Part One)" | Lake, Emerson | 6:41 |
| 2. | "Fugue" | Emerson | 1:56 |
| 3. | "The Endless Enigma (Part Two)" | Lake, Emerson | 2:01 |
| 4. | "From the Beginning" | Lake | 4:14 |
| 5. | "The Sheriff" | Lake, Emerson | 3:22 |
| 6. | "Hoedown" | Copland, Palmer, Lake, Emerson | 3:46 |
| 7. | "Trilogy" | Lake, Emerson | 8:52 |
| 8. | "Living Sin" | Palmer, Lake, Emerson | 3:11 |
| 9. | "Abaddon's Bolero" | Emerson | 8:08 |
| 10. | "The Endless Enigma (Part One)" (New Stereo Mix) | Lake, Emerson | 6:45 |
| 11. | "Fugue" (New Stereo Mix) | Emerson | 1:57 |
| 12. | "The Endless Enigma (Part Two)" (New Stereo Mix) | Lake, Emerson | 2:02 |
| 13. | "From the Beginning" (New Stereo Mix) | Lake | 4:17 |
| 14. | "The Sheriff" (New Stereo Mix) | Lake, Emerson | 3:24 |
| 15. | "Hoedown" | Copland, Palmer, Lake, Emerson | 3:46 |
| 16. | "Trilogy" (New Stereo Mix) | Lake, Emerson | 8:58 |
| 17. | "Living Sin" (New Stereo Mix) | Palmer, Lake, Emerson | 3:14 |
| 18. | "Abaddon's Bolero" (New Stereo Mix) | Emerson | 8:22 |
| 19. | "From the Beginning" (Alternate Version) | Lake | 4:16 |
Personnel[]
Credits are adapted from the album's 1972 liner notes.[10]
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
- Keith Emerson – Hammond C3 organ, Steinway piano, zurna (listed as a "Zoukra"), Moog synthesiser III-C, Mini-Moog model D synthesiser
- Greg Lake – vocals, bass guitar, electric and acoustic guitars
- Carl Palmer – drums, percussion
Production
- Eddy Offord – production engineer
- Greg Lake - production
- Barry Diament – mastering
- Hipgnosis – cover design and photography
- Phil Crinnell – tinting
Singles[]
- "From the Beginning" / "Living Sin" (USA release)
Charts[]
| Chart | Position |
|---|---|
| UK Albums Chart | 2[17] |
| AUS Kent Music Report | 18[18] |
| USA Billboard 200 | 5[19] |
| CAN RPM 100 | 5[20] |
Certifications[]
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United States (RIAA)[21] | Gold | 500,000^ |
|
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
References[]
- ^ Circus September 1972: "Trilogy was recorded over a period of time at Advision Studios in London. Eddie "are you ready" Offord was sitting at the mixing board. Part of it was recorded during October of 1971 shortly before E.L.P. did their Madison Square Garden dates on Thanksgiving; the remainder was completed when they arrived home from the tour."
- ^ "Vintage Rock Interview with Greg Lake". vintagerock.com. Retrieved 12 March 2012.
I do like Trilogy. It is my favorite ELP album. It couldn’t be anyone else. It truly is a definitive album. It is the very best of ELP in a way. It’s got flashes of all the best things of what we were.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f Emerson, Lake & Palmer (2004) [1972]. Trilogy [2004 Reissue] (Media notes). Sanctuary Midline. SMRCD058.
- ^ Jump up to: a b Boucher, Caroline (13 May 1972). "Emerson Lake and Palmer: Why Keith Wants to Become Immortal". Disc. Retrieved 11 December 2018 – via Rock's Backpages.
- ^ "AllMusic From the Beginning". allmusic.com. Retrieved February 8, 2012.
- ^ "AllMusic From the Beginning: Retrospective". allmusic.com. Retrieved February 8, 2012.
- ^ michaaela9 (18 August 2010). "Marsyas – Studená koupel". Retrieved 25 January 2018 – via YouTube.
- ^ The Manticore Vaults Volume 1 (song introduction)
- ^ "museum". www.greglake.com. Retrieved 25 January 2018.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c Trilogy (Media notes). Emerson, Lake & Palmer. Island Records. 1972. ILPS 9186.CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
- ^ Couture, François. "Trilogy – Emerson, Lake & Palmer | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 26 July 2011.
- ^ Christgau, Robert (1981). "Consumer Guide '70s: E". Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies. Ticknor & Fields. ISBN 089919026X. Retrieved February 24, 2019 – via robertchristgau.com.
- ^ "Billboard". allmusic.com. Retrieved February 10, 2012.
- ^ "Official Charts Company Trilogy". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 4 August 2011.
- ^ "danskehitlister.dk". danskehitlister.dk. Retrieved 25 January 2018.
- ^ "Billboard Album Reviews". Billboard. 84 (30): 82. 22 July 1972. Retrieved 2 December 2017.
- ^ "Emerson, Lake & Palmer chart positions in the UK". The Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on 9 November 2014.
- ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 102. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
- ^ "Emerson, Lake & Palmer Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 2 July 2020.
- ^ "RPM Top 100 Albums – July 31, 1971" (PDF).
- ^ "American album certifications – Emerson, Lake & Palmer – Trilogy". Recording Industry Association of America.
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