Search - Carl Palmer :: Working Live 2

PREPARE TO BE AWED!

BOB | LOS ANGELES, CA | 01/08/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A friend & fellow ELP fan recommended this release. When he related how the keyboard parts of the ELP numbers had been replaced by a guitar, I was naturally skeptical. Then, I heard the CD.



Holy Smokin', Batman: Who is Shaun Baxter and where did he come from? I don't remember being so knocked out by the debut of an unknown guitarist since Allan Holdsworth debuted on Tony Williams "Believe It" album in the late 70's. This guy is an absolute MONSTER on the instrument. Not only does he successfully adapt all of Emerson's keyboard passages within the ELP pieces, he adds an entire new dimension to the ELP numbers, which is no small feat.



I ran web searches of Baxter and came up with some dead links (hint, hint, Shaun). There was one article I found that mentioned a Shaun Baxter that had released a well-lauded album in 1994 called "Jazz Metal". I gotta find out if that's the same guy and get that CD.



(2006 UPDATE: a shaunbaxter (dot) com now exists where the Jazz Metal CD is available.)



Of this CD: I cannot recommend it more highly. The band and the recording are amazing, and Carl is in top form. This is no tired retread of some faded rock star. This is an amazing performance by three master musicians at the top of their game.



My only "complaint", actually more of an observation, is the 41-minute length. But I have to admit these guys must have been exhausted from the frentic pace they maintain. I also liked this CD slightly more than Volume 1, I thought the set and performances jelled a little better.



When the CD came to an end, I just wanted to hear more. How many CD's can you say that about these days?"

Intense listening

Robert Phillips | Etobicoke, Ontario Canada | 01/03/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I am a fan of music made by real musicians (example Rush), and have appreciated Palmers drumming for quite some time.



I find this CD to be intense, with top notch musicianship and arrangements.



Not for the casual music fan, if you are into prog rock with a hard edge or appreciate good musicianship, this CD is for you."