ELP Karnevil 9, 2nd Impression~Kerry Shacklett

[MrMjp58]

This is staggering.

[yarduag2008]

Better interprete with rachel Flowers.

Think you of posting some new tube ELPIEN?

Translator > prompt traductor

[arklat]

Kerry.Thank you for this great effort. It's nice to hear a faithful rendition of a favorite piece. When the original artist plays the same song over and over, it gets stale. So, to avoid insanity, they change it up. Sometimes to the point of obscuring the original to the point of not being recognizable. most people like to hear it played the way they remember it. Thanks for your hard work. It's people like YOU who keep the music alive, and well! KUDOS! I saw their BBS tour.1973 Just incredible.

[dhaddox]

Yes.

[prohumanbeing]

You should be glad you don't live in my town. I'd be camped outside your door in the morning refusing to let you go anywhere until we started a band. I'd play the basses, Taurus pedals, guitar parts, some more keys and world instruments. You're lucky. I'm not. Yet. ; )

[MrMjp58]

This is simply flawless. If I wasn't watching it, I wouldn't believe it was possible.

[juanmgomez2008]

Excelente Maestro!!!!!!!!!!

[spammythepig]

simply unbelievable...

sooo impressive!

[fredericstevens086]

Its fabulous to be able to hear this music without the vocals! And expertly performed.

Where's the drummer hiding?

[MitjaShi]

what's the instrument you use to play the organ and the funky sounds at 2:00?

[kshacklett]

@MitjaShi The "steel drum" sound comes from a Yamaha EX5 off camera.. The sound is monophonic..so a 2:00 I hold a top note and tap at octave lower as fast as I can..Every time the bottom note releases the top note re-triggers

[MitjaShi]

@kshacklett thanks!

[jimmididr]

Kerry, I've commented on this before, and I keep coming back to it. Your performance of Imp2 is like flawless, and seemingly effortless. What also amazes me is that the super-dense voicings are on the money. I have a really decent ear, but I don't thing I could hear all of those THAT accurately. Did you figure this all by ear, or did you use any print? Once again, you amaze me.

[PhilTheMetalhead]

Absolutely amazing!!!

[SuperYamakou]

Fanta!

[Flailwielder]

I listened to this while in NYC a few months back. It oddly fit the scenery to a T.

[memillanf]

simply marvelous!, thanks man!

[super05duty]

i can't stop listening......crazy good !!!

[bobbyles]

Have you ever met the "man" himself? Keith Emerson? I know he would be equally impressed with your recreations as the rest of us, who knows these pieces as old friends, are impressed. Keep them coming. They are more then note perfect, you have all the fine nuances and all the feel that Emerson put in them in their glory days. Thanks, your efforts are greatly appreciated.

[kshacklett]

No, never met him. I hear he's a nice guy. I never really wanted to meet him unless I was "somebody". I'm more than an adoring fan...I've felt a certain almost genetic kinship ever since the first time I heard ELP back in 1970. As a composer I always hope someone will hear everything I'm trying to say with the music..as intangible as that may seem. I imagine Keith and most any artist feel the same way. Naturally I'm happy that you and others can hear my attention to the overall production.

[jimmididr]

Kerry, I have been checking out (and have favorited) all of your ELP videos, and again, they are awesome. I wonder how many people realize that, not only what a great player you are, but how much it takes to have recreated the backing tracks and the authentic synth programming you have also done. All tremendously, I might add. I have been trying to learn this for years, and can barely get through the beginning...you are a master!!

[kshacklett]

Thanks. Very few people comment on the backing tracks. I've had a lot of practice from sequencing tracks to play solo with..mostly lounge stuff but it's the same challenges. I was embarrassed to use tracks in the first place so I developed some techniques to at least make them sound less machine like. Some of the ELP tracks were challenging because of odd time signatures and subtle tempo changes. The biggest challenge with synth sounds is not having the original instruments.

[kfrebo]

Kerry, from a huge Keith fan, you have accomplished something amazing. Thanks so much for sharing this!

[freeker1]

OMG !!!! That was incredible!!! :O

[hughchandler]

Excellent job! I cant imagine working all that out by ear even with help from the music. And I have a pretty good ear. Sounds extremely accurate! And well played!

[jamesbannon100]

Nice job, well done.

[wilecuyote]

terriffic!

[goldengab]

What is a Keith Emerson really impressive LIVE performance?

The piano improvisation from California JAM! That was superb and contains all the ideas from Gulda, Little rock getaway and so on... I have the transcription, should be fantastic if Kerry play it.

[elpmoelpmo]

Kerry, it's not only your musicality that is fantastic or your superb playing, but especially how relaxed you are playing all that what you are playing! This gives me a lot of inspiration.

Just one question: Did you ever play the Prelude and Fugue of Friedrich Gulda that Keith used to play f. ex. on the Welcome back my friends live recording?

Greetings from Switzerland and all the best!

[kshacklett]

Thanks to Suisse. I'm a bit more uptight than I look. I live in constant fear of mistakes. As far as the Gulda..I've always wanted to learn it but it intimidates me just enough that I've avoided it all these years. We all have to pick our battles.. I downloaded the music from The Piano Bench but it just sits on my piano mocking me. Someday...

[spitfire71068]

BRAVO! Big ELP fan. You did a flawless job! (Or maybe just flaws so undetectable that they sound flawless...) Good drum programming, too.

[pklshpu]

Kerry, your playing is absolutely superb (I've watched your Karn Evil 9 videos, Tarkus, Tocatta, Hoedown)! You play such difficult pieces as if you were playing the easiest ones. I wonder If I could ask you 3 questions. Which ELP piece you find the most difficult to play (my guess the most difficult is KE9 2nd impr., but I'd like to hear from you about that)? What keyboards are those 3 you use? How did you manage to get those perfect synth patches on Tocatta, 1st/2nd/3rd impression? Best to you!

[kshacklett]

The piano stuff is generally the hardest mainly because it's more physical than the organ and synth. I had to practice a lot for the 2nd Imp to get in shape and because I had to relearn some phrases that I feel are more accurate.

The bottom board is a Yamaha P100, the middle a Korg CX3, and the top an E-mu Xboard which controls a Yamaha EX5 off camera. I get all the synth sounds but one from the EX. I learned synthesis first by trial and error on my Minimoog. I later had a good book..

[pklshpu]

@kshacklett Thanks a lot Kerry! You play all this hard stuff more at ease than Keith Emerson himself in his best days. Your patches are also the best I ever heard. The steel drum is unbelievable (I never quite reached it on Arturia!), not to mention, from your other videos, the Tocatta ones (and all the others). You are a virtuoso player, but also a virtuoso patcher. And of course, a very nice person to take the time to answer my questions. All the best and success to you!!!

[joenbloe]

This is some actual pretty hard music to play accurately and I cannot fathom the time it took to pick all those chromatic clusters off the album. You'd have been the man back when I was in arts school in the late 70s.

[fishybishbash]

Fair play man that was really great - that version was more on the money than the original. Too much work to nail that down that hard. Did you have the dots or did you have to work it out by ear? Do the dots exists do you know?

[kshacklett]

I got dots from Brent Woods but I had learned it by ear many years ago. I took a couple suggestions from the music before I recored this, but I trust my ear overall.

[fishybishbash]

@kshacklett Thanks for the reply - all credit to you. Its amazing the way Emerson managed to get this music selling millions isn't it? I definitely think he's in a category of his own. Cheers, congratulations on such stellar playing.

[martinjp1958]

You make this stuff look easy...... You are amazing. Incredible interpretation.

[majortom1953]

fantastic

[jaegerhund]

Incredible as always .....

[NintendoJohnWii]

@kshacklett It is now my job to prove you wrong, Mr. Shacklett.

[CilverNightHigh]

You are the coolest motherfucker I know.

[peakins1]

Fucking awesome!!!!!

[rclif55]

I would like to talk to kerry. i think he is one of the most talented people on earth.

[rico113us]

excellent!!!

[arklat]

Wow. Excellent play! I love ELP, and this piano section is awesome. You have worked hard to get so proficient. I heard an interview with K. Emerson, and he said this piece was really just to practise piano runs. But, I think it's beautiful. My son asks me if I think Motzart would have like Kieth Emerson. I told him most likely he would. I saw them live in '73, for the BSS tour. Awesome. Palmer is a machine! Have you tried "Just Take A Pebble"? Thank you, sir, for your wonderful talent!

[logic58]

Our Hats off..Right mood and style as well few could do it !!

[logic58]

Our Hats off..Right mood and style as well few could do it !!

[Jethro330]

That was fantastic. Thanks Kerry.

[mysticradio]

ARE YOU TRAINED?

[kshacklett]

No..I still require newspaper... I took classical piano lessons through high school. Other than that there was a lot of trial and error involved. Learning all the ELP and much more by ear was certainly an education in itself.

[JMBoivin]

Man oh man. I looked in awe - three times. Of course talent amazes me but this is exceptional

[3588661]

you are great!!!

[chungiemunchin]

Wanna start an ELP tribute band? I get to be Carl Palmer!

[muso123456]

hey, how do you get that sound on the organ from 1:14?

[kshacklett]

Organ's patched to my Yamaha EX5

[muso123456]

@kshacklett is that a synth or a like a sound module thingo....

[brianostube]

Outstanding! Have to agree with the comment about economy of motion, you make it look so effortless! So glad to see you go to the C#-D bass in the steel-drum section... thought I was the only one hearing that for the longest time ;-)

[VladtheEmailer]

Ah, I forgot the words "Economy of Motion!"

[VladtheEmailer]

Incredibly accurate as usual!! I really love your conservation of movement in your technique! I mean, you only use what you need, no over playing. I saw you play those octaves with two hands though.....slacker! (kidding of course!)

[kshacklett]

Hey, I can play those octaves with my right hand....one out of ten tries!

[Ighorkeyboard]

omg you're very good man

my dream is play karn evil 9 like you do *----*

please do trilogy

[MATWrehearsals]

Staggeringly good!

[musicman102357]

That was truly incredible. 10 stars even thought it only goes to 5 !!

[ueaj123]

great job playing a wicked tune man. :)

[ontherush77]

What Keyboards are you using?

[PaulRoberts]

Probably the best rendition of KE9 Pt2 I've heard. Once again a brilliant recording.

[dschultz6072]

2:27 sounds like hip tanaka drew influence from this melody for dr. mario's chill theme.

[kshacklett]

The tune is St. Thomas...supposedly a Sonny Rollins rendition...

[Kurtsamps]

Excellent! : Chops!! , KE9 2nd at it's best on YouTube

5 stars!

[ggsxr1000]

Fantastic!

[yarduag2008]

Bravo for this piece who closes so the Trilogy Karn Evil 9.

Very well played.

Impressing all your interpretations and the equipment that you use to carry them out.

Cheerful noél Kerry.

scuse my for my english...

[yarduag2008]

Bravo for this piece who closes so the Trilogy Karn Evil 9.

Very well played.

Impressing all your interpretations and the equipment that you use to carry them out.

Cheerful noél Kerry.

scuse my for my english...

[rickfreslanta]

Man, you did a great job on this one. Sounds dead on like the album. And I didn't realize how easy 2nd Impression is till I watched you play it. HaHa, Sure!

But seriously, you make it look so easy. I love your vids. They are an inspiration. I'm looking forward to seeing some more of your original material too.

Thanx for posting!

[yoonssoo]

Awesome...

Oh GEES!

[Turrbine]

I was blown away by this performance.  Sounds just like the album/CD. Oh yeah, I am bookmarking this for sure!!!

[crispiegee1]

I love how, at 4:05, you trade hands for the lower piano part in order to play the bass guitar line at the same time. Brilliant.

As I was just playing this on my drums a few minutes ago, it was a pleasure to see this piano part played out.

[samsonite7711]

Nice! You make it look easy.

[ANALOGPIG]

How are gonna top this one ! Awesome playing.

[goingfortheone1]

If I am able to play this one day, then I'll be happy with my piano playing skills.

Right now my repertoire of ELP extends only to Take a Pebble and Tarkus - Eruption.

[LARS48TRAINS]

KARRIE, Awesome stuff. Precision and accuracy. It's really a pleasure to see you in your element. My only question is : Can you play Neil Diamond? Lars

[kshacklett]

The light goes on: Lars=Larry. First Jerry was gonna do it, then a fellow named Lars, then LG shows up last night, and I'm thinking okay whatever... Yeah I can handle ND as long as the little chickies that John promised show up... Good job last night.

[SynthRiot]

WOW 5/5

[audiophile55]

Kerry,

This is an understatement, but this is absolutely phenomenal. You have really outdone yourself! I never thought I would see the day when I would see how this is played, especially the steel drum sound, with such precision. Emerson, Lake and Palmer will be thrilled to see this!

[drummernutt]

Kerry, here's another brilliant effort! You nailed the Moog steel drum patch. Thanks for carrying the torch, my friend!

[cyberwing777]

UNFREAKINBELIEVABLE! Are you playing all these by ear? It's note for note!

[grezmanAZ]

First of all, wonderful playing. Second, I find it interesting when a composers influences pop up in the strangest of places. At 5:59 6:03 you can hear some Floyd Cramer figures in the right hand over a left hand ostinato more akin to Bartok. Keep posting, Kerry. You need a tip jar!

[kshacklett]

..or you accidently sound like someone because it just fits your hand...

tip jar...hmm

[rickfreslanta]

I'll comment on the next one too.I can't resist.

Fantastic performance!

Flawless. Inspires me to go practice for sure. I'm looking forward to the next version.

[kshacklett]

I'm going to pull this video in a few days and repost it with REAL percussion in the middle. Thanks to everyone for the comments so far... please save further comments for the new posting so they don't go away!

[grounded1]

very cool!

[IwshIcldstrtover]

I thought that you were going to use Audiophile 55 doing the percussion parts in the middle section?

[Bartolucci711]

Hey Kerry, amazing playing and professional sound recording as usual. As a side not though, one of my friends (a professional guitarist) is pretty much Steve Howe reincarnate, if he agrees (which he probably would) to record some close to the edge guitar do you think you would try out the keyboards?

And thanks for your thoughts on buying a guitar, I went out on your recommendation and bought an awesome guitar and am having a great time learning.

Keep up the good work!

[bowserb61]

Another great one!

Very well done even through the crazy end.

5:45 on has to be nuts on its own, but then to have it after all the rest has got to be exhausting.

[kshacklett]

I couldn't keep up those octaves until I'd had my drumset for a couple years. I noticed one day that I could get all the way through the part. Practicing drums with good technique loosened up my left wrist and made it stronger!

[bowserb61]

It funny how that works. You can get better at something without directly working on it at all.

I started and gave up on 2nd Impression twice. Then, after I learned most of Tarkus, I came back and was able to learn up to the quiet mid section.

[expaddler]

This is fake!!!!! There is no way anyone could play this like Keith Emerson, No way!!!! Another YouTube Imposter!!!!!!!.. ...Uh......It just occurred to me that it would be more difficult to finger-cink it than to actually play it!! haha. Nice Kerry. I'm speechless....(I have no speech). What's next? Pictures at an Exhibition with both hands and 1 leg tied behind your back?

Danny

[TPBass1224]

Amazing, Kerry!!! I'm guessing you used the EX5 piano, correct? I just took delivery of mine today. I love it!!

[Cozy990]

WOW!!!!!

This is so great! ....like always

The sound is so great...great recording.

I'm speachless once again Kerry!

[tersark]

There's no one in youtube who can play as good as you ELP songs

[ZeppelinFromtheLake]

Brilliant Once Again :-)