By Chyrisse Tabone, Rock At Night Tampa
Live Review: Alan Parsons Live Project and Carl Palmer’s ELP Legacy – Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater, Florida – January 29, 2022
Saturday night at Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater, Florida was a twofer Prog Rock treat with Alan Parsons Live Project and Carl Palmer’s ELP Legacy. What was one of the coldest nights in years (in the 40s by the time the concert started), the parking lot and lobby was bustling with fans wearing winter coats.
Starting promptly at 7:30 p.m., legendary drummer Carl Palmer began a 30-minute set of Emerson Lake & Palmer favorites in celebration of the bands 50th Anniversary. Backed by Paul Bielatowicz (guitar/vocals) and Simon Fitzpatrick (bass), the trio brought us back to the heyday of ELP. Videos of the Greg Lake, Keith Emerson, and Palmer on tour Japan, flying on jets, and headlining newspaper pages, added to nostalgic atmosphere.
One could only be in awe and totally captivated by Palmer as he masterfully played the drums with power and precision. The man is a monster on the kit—and totally fit—resembling a person 20 years his junior. He even treated the audience to vocals by singing “Benny the Bouncer” from the acclaimed Brain Salad Surgery album.
Between songs like “Karn Evil 9: 1st Impression, Part 2” and “Knife-Edge”, Palmer walked to the front of the stage to chat with the audience. A few women screamed repeatedly, “We love you Carl!”.
Before performing the wildly popular “Lucky Man”, Palmer explained the song originally featured a Moog. With the aid of a Chapman stick and midi guitar processors, the band faithfully recreated ELP songs like “Lucky Man”, “Hoedown”, and “Fanfare for the Common Man”.
The set went by too quickly and one could have easily listened to the concert for another hour. The audience was treated to an encore of musically captivating ear candy and the drumming of Palmer (including a mesmerizing solo with full-on gongs). He is undoubtedly the best drummer on this planet today.
After a 20-minute intermission, Alan Parsons and his phenomenal eight-member band performed a catalog of radio favorites penned by Parsons and Eric Woolfson more than 40 years ago. Parsons played the acoustic guitar and keyboard, while trading singing duties with P.J. Olsson and Jeff Kollman. Backed by Todd Cooper (sax), Tom Brooks (keys), Dan Tracey (guitar), Guy Erez (bass), and Danny Thompson (drums), the band’s sound was full, rich, and flawless, even considering they had not toured in three years.
Parson’s explained he and Woolfson had been “living near Monte Carlo, the mecca of casinos” when they composed the album the concept album The Turn of a Friendly Card. Several songs from the album were performed such as “Snake Eyes”, “The Ace of Swords”, “Time”, “Nothing Left to Lose”, and “Turn of the Friendly Card (Part One and Two)”.
The audience gave several standing ovations to songs like “Eye in the Sky”, which was the last song of the evening before the encore, which included “Games People Play”.
Both Carl Palmer and Alan Parsons showed gratitude to be performing after tour postponements due to COVID. When I think of Alan Parson’s history as a songwriter, performer, and sound engineer and the virtuoso drumming of Carl Palmer, it is we who are grateful to be hearing the music of these legendary individuals.
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I grew up in a household full of rock music, studied journalism in college, and then became a scientist.Although my science career has served me well, music has always played a major role in my life. I grew up reading "Creem" magazine; I play several musical instruments as a "hobby";and it seems a camera has always been in my hand. Now, I am combining what I love the most--music and photography--serving as editor of Rock At Night. I travel between the US and UK seeking my dream! My motto: life is short...no regrets. Chyrisse
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