Variations (20 CD Box Set)

BY Emerson, Keith

(Customer Reviews)

$210.00

SKU: SOUMBOX002

Label:

Spirit Of The Unicorn

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• 20 CD set presented in 10 x 10” box with 48-page book.
• The definitive Keith Emerson collection, featuring virtuoso performances from throughout his incredible career.
• Featuring material from his time in The Nice, and Emerson Lake & Palmer alongside his ventures into composing and performing movie soundtracks as well as his solo works.

“Keith Emerson invented progressive rock. I know because I was there at the time,” Lee Jackson, Emerson’s long-time friend and one-time band mate in The Nice, once told Prog magazine. Considered one of the greatest keyboard players of all time, Keith Emerson is revered as a genius by both fans and fellow musicians the world over.

This deep dive into the creative life of Emerson is divided into five parts, beginning with his early years in The Nice and Emerson Lake & Palmer. The collection moves onto Keith’s solo albums, his soundtracks and collaborations and finally ends with a set of stunning live performances which present his breath-taking keyboard skills to full effect.

Presented in a 10 x 10” box, this definitive collection is accompanied by sleeve notes written by Jerry Ewing, editor of Prog magazine who casts a magnifying glass over the immense catalogue of this once-in-a-generation artist. Ewing speaks with many of Emerson’s collaborators and delivers a fascinating history of the man behind the keyboard.

The collection is also presented with a 48-page book containing many never-before-seen photos taken directly from the Emerson family archive.

All 20 CD’s have been mastered from the best available sources by renowned engineer Andy Pearce and include a previously unreleased show from BB King’s in 2004.

This incredible collection has been curated with the full involvement and blessing of the Emerson family, which has allowed for the inclusion of some unique and rare material.

Whether you are a seasoned fan or just starting out on your Keith Emerson journey, there is no finer, deeper or more definitive collection available on the market. A tribute, in the truest sense, to one of the greatest musicians of all time.

CD 1: Pt. 1 The Early Years/The Bands

Medley – Keith Emerson (Age 14)  

Rock Candy – The T Bones with Chris Barber  

Lament For Tony Stratton Smith – Keith Emerson  

America / 2nd Amendment – The Nice  

The Three Fates – ELP  

The Old Castle / Blues Variations – ELP  

Fugue – ELP  

Karn Evil 9 2nd Impression – ELP  

Piano Improvisations (Live) – ELP  

Fanfare For the Common Man – ELP  

Barrelhouse Shakedown – ELP  

Honky Tonk Train Blues – ELP

Introductory Fanfare / Peter Gunn Theme (Live) – ELP

CD 2: Pt. 2 The Solo Albums – Honky

Hello Sailor – Includes Bach Before the Mast Part 1

Hello Sailor – Includes Bach Before the Mast Part 2

Hello Sailor – Includes Bach Before the Mast Part 3

Salt Cay

Green Ice

Intro Juicing

Big Horn Breakdown

Yancey Special

Rum A Ting

Chickcharnie

Jesus Loves Me

CD 3: Pt. 2 The Solo Albums – Changing States

Shelter From the Rain

Another Frontier

Ballade

The Band Keeps Playing

Summertime

The Church

Interlude

Montagues And Capulets

Abaddon’s Bolero (Orchestral Version)

The Band Keeps Playing (Aftershock Mix)

CD 4: Pt. 2 The Solo Albums – Emerson Plays Emerson

Vagrant

Creole Dance

Solitudinous

Broken Bough

A Cajun Alley

Prelude To Candice

A Blade of Grass

Outgoing Tide

Summertime

Interlude

Roll’n Jelly

B & W Blues

For Kevin

The Dreamer

Hammer It Out

Ballad For a Common Man

Barrelhouse Shakedown

Nilu’s Dream

Soulscapes

Close To Home

Honky Tonk Train Blues

Medley

Nicola

Silver Shoes

I’ll See You in My Dreams

CD 5: Pt. 2 The Solo Albums – Keith Emerson Band

Ignition

1st Presence

Last Horizon

Miles Away Pt. 1

Miles Away Pt. 2

Crusaders Cross

Fugue

2nd Presence

Marche Train

Blue Inferno

3rd Presence

Prelude To a Hope

A Place to Hide

Miles Away Pt. 3

Finale

The Art of Falling Down

Malambo (From “Estancia Suite”)

Gametime

The Parting

CD 6: Pt. 3 The Soundtracks – Inferno

Inferno (Main Title Theme)

Rose’s Descent into The Cellar

Taxi Ride (Rome)

The library

Sarah In the Library Vaults

Bookbinder’s Delight

Rose Leaves the Apartment

Rose Gets It

Elisa’s Story

A Cat Attic Attack

Kazanian’s Tarantella

Mark’s Discovery

Mater Tenebrarum

Inferno Finale

Cigarettes, Ices, Etc.

Inferno (#1)

Inferno (#2)

Inferno (#3)

Inferno (#4)

Inferno (#5)

CD 7: Pt. 3 The Soundtracks – Nighthawks

Nighthawks (Main Title Theme)

Mean Stalkin’

The Bust

Nighthawking

The Chase

I’m A Man

The Chopper

Tramway

I’m Comin’ In

Face To Face

The Flight of A Hawk

CD 8 : Pt. 3 The Soundtracks – Muderock

Murderock

Tonight, Is Your Night

Streets To Blame

Not So Innocent

Prelude To Candice

Don’t Go in The Shower

Coffee Time

Candice

New York Dash

Tonight, Is Not Your Night

The Spillone

Murderock (Part 1)

Murderock (Part 2)

Murderock (Part 3)

Murderock (Part 4)

CD 9: Pt. 3 The Soundtracks – Best Revenge / La Chiesa Best Revenge

Orchestral Suite To Best Revenge (Instrumental)

Playing For Keeps

The Dreamer – Love Theme (Instrumental)

Wha’dya Mean (Instrumental)

Outgoing Tide

For Those About to Win

The Runner (Instrumental)

La Chiesa

The Church (Main Theme)

The Possession

Prelude 24

La Chiesa Revisited

CD 10: Pt. 3 The Soundtracks – Iron Man

Iron Man Main Title Theme

And The Sea Shall Give Up It’s Dead

I Am Ultimo, Thy Deliverer

Data In Chaos Out

Silence My Companion, Death My Destination

Iron Man Theme Alternative

CD 11: Pt. 3 The Soundtracks – Harmagedon / Godzilla Harmagedon

Theme Of the Floi

Jo And Michiko

Sonny’s Skate State

Zamedy Stomp

Challenge Of the Psionic Fighters

Children Of the Light

Godzilla   

Godzilla Vs. Gotengo

Godzilla Final Wars Titles

EDF Headquarters Fight

EDF Museum

Infant Island

Rodan Attacks NYC

Earth Defense Forces Theme

Motorcycle Battle

Godzilla Awakens

Love Theme

Monster Zero Theme

Cruising The Cirro Stratus

Godzilla Theme

Godzilla Final Wars End Titles

CD 12: Pt. 4: Collaborations – Three Fates Project  

The Endless Enigma Suite (Pt. 1)

The Endless Enigma Suite (Pt. 2)

American Matador

After All of This

Walking Distance

Tarkus (Concertante)

Malambo

The Mourning Sun

Abaddon’s Bolero

Fanfare For the Common Man (Pt. 1)

Fanfare For the Common Man (Pt. 2)

CD 13: Pt. 4 Collaborations – Beyond The Stars

Toccata Con Fuoco

Beyond The Stars

Glorietta Pass

The Dreamer

Endless Enigma Suite Pt 1

The Fugue

Endless Enigma Suite Pt 2

Malambo, Op. 7

The Mourning Sun

After All of This

Walking Distance

Fanfare For the Common Man Pt 1

Fanfare For the Common Man Pt 2

CD 14: Pt. 5 Live Collaborations – Boys Club (Live from California)

Afterburner

Long Journey Home

Hoedown

A Whiter Shade of Pale

White Noise

Cover Me

Nutrocker

Tarkus

Dreams

Middle Of a Dream

CD 15: Pt. 5 LIve Collaborations – Moscow Pt. 1

Karn Evil (1st Impression Pt. 2)

Piano Concerto (3rd Movement)

Bitches Crystal

Malambo

Touch And Go

Lucky Man

Miles Away Pt.1

Miles Away Pt. 2

Crusaders Cross

Fugue

Marche Train

Finale

CD 16: Pt. 5 LIve Collaborations – Moscow Pt. 2

The Barbarian

Tarkus

Nutrocker Suite

Moscow Fantasia

Malambo (Orchestral Version)

CD 17: Pt. 5 LIve Collaborations – Live From Manticore Hall

From The Beginning

Introduction

I Talk to The Wind

Bitches Crystal

The Barbarian

Take A Pebble

Tarkus

C’est La Vie

Pirates

Moog Solo / Lucky Man

CD 18: Pt. 5 Live Collaborations – Off the Shelf

Abaddon’s Bolero Orchestral

Pictures At an Exhibition

And Then January

Rio

Straight Between the Eyes

Don’t Be Cruel

Au Privave

Walter L

Rhythm-A-Ning

Asian Pear

Motor Bikin’

America

Lumpy Gravy

Up The Elephant & Round the Castle

Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll

CD 19: Pt. 5 LIve Collaborations – Live at BB Kings – 21/05/2004

America / Rondo

Country Pie

Hang Onto a Dream

Bitches Crystal

Touch And Go

Piano Interlude

Karelia Suite

Blade Of Grass

A Cajun Alley

Creole Dance

Quango Story

Just Crazy

CD 20: Pt. 5: Live Collaborations – B.B.Kings – NYC – 21/05/2004 / The Keith Emerson Trio Live At BB Kings Live At BB Kings  

Lucky Man

Hoedown

Tarkus

The Keith Emerson Trio

You Say You Care

There Will Never Be Another You

Teenies Blues

Winkle Picker Stamp

56 Blues

You Came a Long Way from Saint-Louis

Soul Station

Single   

We Three Kings

Captain Starship Christmas

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Lightwork (Box Set)

Progressive Metal

Ltd. Deluxe transp. orange 3LP+2CD+Blu-ray Box SetNOTE - THIS IS HEAVY. ITS GOING TO BE WELL PACKED AND SHIPPED TO YOU MEDIA MAIL INSURED.After an exceptionally long year full of personal change and near manic levels of creative activity, Canadian musician Devin Townsend releases his follow up to 2019’s acclaimed ‘Empath’ album. Assembled from a barrage of material written during the pandemic ‘Lightwork’ represents a new level, and has ended up being one of the most accessible, yet ambitious releases of his storied career. A project that has been on Devin’s mind since he was a teen, (and flirted with throughout his career) is a more melodic and direct album with a great producer to help guide the work. Enter Garth Richardson: A Vancouver based producer with a long resume and a friend of Devin’s for many years. And the goal? To provide something beautiful, cathartic, powerful and clear. A sense of optimism and power through what can be commonly known as a ‘depressing period’. It’s about strength, love, acceptance, fear, and overcoming together. Guests on the record include friends and stalwarts from his past (Anneke Van Giersbergen, Ché Aimee Dorval, Morgan Agren, Mike Keneally, Steve Vai, Elektra Women’s Choir) as well as some newer friends and faces (Darby Todd, Diego Tejeida, Nathan Navarro, Federico Paulovich, Jonas Hellborg), and also, in a rather hard to believe turn of events, legend producer and guitar player Nile Rodger plays on the track ‘HoneyBunch’.
$110.00

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Nospūn
Opus

Progressive Metal

Is Nospūn the best band you've never heard of? Probably unless you've been paying attention to all the year end best of 2023 lists. This Georgia based band released their album back in May 2023 digitally and with some gentle arm twisting from the masses they have finally pressed CDs. What we have here is a band that came out of nowhere, combined some of the best elements of prog metal bands like Dream Theater and Haken, and dropped one hell of an album. If you are a prog metal fan this one is BUY OR DIE!"2023 has been very busy as far with plenty of new offerings from classic bands and heavyweights just in the first half. But the biggest surprise has been the number of impressive debut albums so far this year, and we have another one to add to that list with ‘Opus’ from the American band prog metal group Nospūn. The group, from North Carolina, has basically come out of nowhere with one of the more impressive prog metal debut albums you’re likely to hear. Released in May of this year, Opus has gained traction the old-fashioned way, word of mouth. So what is this album like? Well, if you like Dream Theater, Haken, Native Construct, BTBAM, and even a little Avenged Sevenfold, this is the album you’ll want to look into.The first thing that is noticeable upon listening to this album is the immaculate production. This is as good-sounding an album as you can hear from any of the major bands that have been doing this for a long time. The production was all done in-house by the band, nothing short of impressive. The other aspect that sticks out is that this band knows what they want to achieve and seemed to have a plan when making this album, from the arranging to the over-sequencing. It all flows and makes sense. Nothing feels disjointed or confused, as you might expect from a debut album.As with many concept albums, ‘Opus’ opens with an acoustic/vocal track softly laying the groundwork for the story about “The House at the End,” which of course leads into the “Implosion Overture.” You can immediately tell these are guys that can play; all the elements are there, brilliant fret-work on the guitars (James Nelson), explosive drums (Paul Wood), and complicated bass lines (Cole Millward). The first main track “The Death of Simpson” starts to lay out the story both lyrically and musically, with vocalist Phil Rich displaying a dynamic range that fits perfectly.The strongest section of the album is from tracks 6-9 which is a truly wonderful 4-song stretch beginning with the frantic and fun “Earwyrm,” one of my favorite songs of the year. It is both crazy and gorgeous in one song. “…And Then There Was One” is a slightly mellower turn for the album and features the most singable chorus on the record. “4D Printing” is a wild instrumental with some incredible musicality and heaviness. And what would a prog metal album be without a long epic, which you will get in “Within the Realm of Possibility.” The album closes in epic fashion by wrapping things up with “The House at the Beginning.”Now there are a lot of noticeable influences; you can definitely hear Dream Theater at times, or Haken at times, but the band are also able to mold those into their own sound as the album continues from one song to the next. Hopefully, the band continue to grow more into their own sound on future albums. But if this debut is any indication, we should expect big things from Nospūn in the future. ‘Opus’ from Nospūn is one of the best albums to come out this year and you can expect to see on best of the year lists." - The Prog Report
$12.00

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Birth
Born

Progressive Rock

"Birth evolved from Astra, whose two albums for Rise Above Records - 2009’s ‘The Weirding’ and 2012’s ‘The Black Chord’ - had already reinvented classic sonic textures and mind-melds in lucid and intoxicating style. Conor Reilly and Brian Ellis nonetheless found themselves seeking out new life and new civilisations. Initially this led to a collaboration with Psicomagia’s Trevor Mast and Paul Marrone, although later Marrone (while he does play on ‘Born’) was replaced by Thomas DiBenedetto (of Sacri Monte, Joy and Monarch) as sparks began to fly in earnest. The result has been a debut which combines a questing spirit with a dystopian take on the here and now. Musically, whilst traces can be discerned of the dark and magisterial King Crimson of ‘Red’ herein, as well as the yearning cadences of early Yes and the delirious contortions of Van Der Graaf Generator, a whole host of influences made their presence felt in these mournful cadences, joyful solo passages and kinetic freakouts, from '70s mainstays like Aphrodites Child, Premiata Formeria Marconi and Area to the primitive folk of Robbie Basho and the symphonic soundtrack work of Osanna. Yet far from the trappings of retro chic and fashion-aligned classicism, these five celestial serenades stake their claim in a different headspace to most other exponents of the form. Certainly, it’s true that many of the audial shapes manifesting themselves here - the exploratory jazz-rock diversions, Mellotron and Hammond-abetted textures and the rich melancholia of the song-writing - may recall moments from progressive rock’s past and the listener may be forgiven for losing themselves in a gatefold-sleeved reverie. Nonetheless, this is a band which was thrown into life via the constrictions and temporal shifts of a global pandemic, as well as one which has largely set about chronicling a reality in which the surrounding world appears to be hurrying its own demise. Alchemical forces have done their considerable work with ‘Born’, in creating an uplifting album for the ages, 42 minutes in which past, present and future are blurred; an album haunted by earthly concerns even whilst its sonics aim for the stars."
$16.00

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My Soliloquy
The Interpreter ($5 Blowout Price!)

Progressive Metal

My Soliloquy is a British band formed in 2002 by multi-instrumentalist Pete Morten. Since then the band has released a number of demos, gaining traction in the metal underground. The band had a number of notable support shows with Pagans Mind, Power Quest, Oliver and Rick Wakeman, and Threshold, as well as a second-to-headline set at Bloodstock 05 and a showcase at 2007’s ProgPower UK II.Since 2007, Morten has been an active member of British prog metal legends Threshold. His membership has raised awareness (and created anticipation) for My Soliloquy’s long awaited debut.The essence of My Soliloquy is pure forward thinking metal – symphonic keyboards, shredding guitar leads, soaring vocals – all finely woven together with a blend of intricacy and melody. The Interpreter was mixed and mastered by Rob Aubrey who has been a mainstay of Marillion’s camp for many years.
$5.00

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IQ
Resistance (2CD)

Progressive Rock

"English neo-progressive rock spear-header IQ has been furthering the genre in the 21th century with much acclaim. Sound-wise the band hasn't changed much since ' The Seventh House', but on this album the band has finally revolutionized their composition style, arrangements and production. The symphonic layering by Neil Durant has this adult feel, reminding me of 'Tilt' era Scott Walker or 'Blackstar' era Bowie ' yet drenched in a Bladerunner like delicate sci-fi universe. Somehow this album sounds like a collaboration of the band IQ and... well a new 'force' that can look beyond its songs, its verses, its solo's and its refrains. Because of this 'force' the band has also given new meaning to the prog epic. On 'Resistance' a prog epic isn't just a multi- song. Don't take me wrong ' I really like a track like 'The Narrow Margin' ' but on this album the longer tracks really make sense from a songwriting point of view. Bare with me. Like a in a small song, where a bridge can add to strengthening the final refrain ' IQ manages to intelligently intervene and keep the song growing towards that final refrain. Furthermore, the first cd, which is 'the album', flows like a continues experience. Almost like a movie, including some modern cinematic sound-effects. What also becomes apparent after a few spins is the absence of leaning on catchy refrains, which gives the music a modern feel ' at times almost hinting at modern classical music. Peter Nicholl's voice doesn't allow for much variation, but because of the distinctive atmospheres of the songs his performances do tick the box every time. This material doesn't need catchy line A or B, it needs a performer. The rhythm section of the band has found a perfect balance between fusion styled sophistication and adding to the effectiveness of the material. Guitar player Mike Holmes somehow comes off as a bit left behind in the old IQ with his Marillion/Floyd styled guitar solo's. On acoustic guitar his contributions strike me as more imminent ' like on 'Perfect Space'. If the band ever aims to top this album in the future ' which would prove extremely difficult I guess - the electric guitar will need to contribute in more diverse ways. Now about that second disc, which I will describe in a bit more detail because most reviewers will probably focus on the first disc. If that were an album; the 22 minute 'The Great Spirit Way' alone would suffice for an indispensable purchase. Personally, I think this song is placed right after the rather dark and soundtrack-like first disc because it matches best stylistically. 'Fire and Security' is a more traditional IQ piece ' albeit a bit bleak - with a balled type opening, some darker passages and a melancholy ending section with some strong lead guitars. On 'Perfect Space' the band drives its jazz/fusion influences to the max, which will perhaps turn of some ' but I like it. The second epic, the 20 minute 'Fallout' is a bit more relaxing, abstract and dreamy. In its second halve the band experiments beautifully with sophisticated chord progressions, which also allows for Holmes' most interesting guitar solo. Conclusion. Without a doubt this will become the progressive album of 2019 and I hope it will inspire a lot of other neo-progressive bands to elaborate and expand on their Marillion/Genesis/Floyd roots and take the music to a next level of artistry. This album will probably outshine the nostalgic likings of many of its listeners, but it may also attract listeners that have previously written off the neo-prog genre. " - ProgArchives
$15.00

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Custodian, The
Necessary Wasted Time

Post Progressive

The Custodian is a new British post-progressive rock band formed by Richard Thomson, vocalist for cinematic death metal band Xerath. Unlike Xerath, The Custodian is an outlet for the more melodic, rock oriented writing from Thomson.While there are moments in the album that harken back to old school bands like Genesis and Yes, the music of The Custodian is contemporary in sound. Necessary Wasted Time is an album full of dynamics - light and dark shadings balancing acoustic vs electric, heavy vs pastoral. While atmospherics and tension are a strong component of the album, the band demonstrates their adept musicianship offering up long instrumental passages to complement the emotion filled vocals. When needed the band unleashes some complex electric runs.The Custodian's debut should deeply resonate with fans of Steven Wilson, Riverside, Pineapple Thief, and Anathema.Necessary Wasted Time was mixed by noted engineer Jacob Hansen and give the full audiophile mastering treatment from Bob Katz.
$5.00

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