Emerson, Lake & Palmer - Trilogy

Trilogy

Studio album by Emerson, Lake & Palmer
Released July 1972
Recorded January 1972
Genre Progressive rock
Length Trilogy

Studio album by Emerson, Lake & Palmer
Released July 1972
Recorded January 1972
Genre Progressive rock
Length 42:23
Label Rhino Records
Producer Greg Lake

Trilogy is the third studio album by British progressive rock band Emerson, Lake & Palmer, originally released in 1972. The interior of the original gatefold sleeve features a photomontage showing multiple images of the band in Epping Forest carpeted with autumn leaves.

The band had already released two very carefully performed studio albums, Emerson, Lake and Palmer (1970) and Tarkus (1971), the former being dominated by virtuoso keyboards and drumming; the latter being as bombastic as it was ambitious. Trilogy, their third studio album, increased ELP's worldwide popularity, and included "Hoedown", which was one of their most popular songs when performing live.

The song "Endless Enigma Part One" opens with the sound of a beating heart, an effect created by the bass drum pedal of Palmer's Ludwig Octoplus kit. Notably, this effect was invented by Carl Palmer long before it was ever used on Jethro Tull's A Passion Play or Pink Floyd's The Dark Side of the Moon.

The opening drum solo on the track "The Sheriff" features a slight time-mistake, followed by drummer Carl Palmer responding with the word "shit" which can be heard when listening carefully.

"Abaddon's Bolero" sounds like a martialized Bolero (in 4/4 rhythm rather than the usual 3/4). A single melody containing multiple modulations within itself is repeated over and over in ever more thickly layered arrangements, starting from a quiet flute-like sound over a single drum, and building up to an ear-shattering wall of sound. This aspect may well be a nod to the similar effect in Maurice Ravel's famous Bolero.

The album reached #5 on the Billboard 200. "From the Beginning" reached #39 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Lyrics: I've tried to mend
The love that ended
Long ago although we still pretend
Our love is surely coming to an end
Don't waste the time you've got to love again

We tried to lie
But you and I
Know better than to let each other lie
The thought of lying to you makes me cry
Counting up the time that's passed us by

I've sent this letter hoping it will reach your hand
And if it does I hope that you will understand

That I must leave in a while
And though I smile
You know the smile is only there to hide
What I'm really feeling deep inside
Just a face where I can hang my pride

Goodbye...
Goodbye...

We'll talk of places that we went
And times that we have spent
Together penniless and free

You'll see the day another way
And they could put the sunshine
for a nighttime where you lay

You're love began I don't know when
But if you do I know that
you'll be happy in the end

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Emerson
• Lake
• Palmer
• Isle
• Of
• Wight
• 1972
• Trilogy
• Pink
• Floyd
• Jethro
• Tull
• Billboard
• ELP

[breadzeppelin2]

When I think of ELP I think of 3 dudes that sounds like an entire symphony!

What amazes me is even though they sound fantastic playing Bach, Mozart, and music by other famous composers their own songs and compositions that they wrote sounded like they were written by the great 17th and 18th century composers. I am sure that even Beethoven would cream his pants listening to these guys.

[MrDeppness]

Such a majestic and passion-filled masterpiece. This song belongs in a movie, like a period piece almost.. or a romantic fiction story like "Princess Bride" but more for adults.

[perfectsoundzforever]

@breadzeppelin2 Let's not go nuts.

[battalion30]

The rhythm in the second part is beyond hypnotic. Carl Palmer is one of a kind.

[MrFoxstirling]

one of my faves,great stuff.

[power7154]

I like this band Yeaahh

[proglistener]

I am a new poster here and thought I could say a few words...more of a thank you than a comment.

I was intro'd to Trilogy at 28...I had a classical guitar background and had a better knowledge and respect for interesting music that most (in my small town) but finding ELP humbled me and brought about a golden age of discovery for myself musically...I'm sure it happens daily nowadays due to the net. Thanks for that

[pallypoo123]

@jtomasik when i was 11 years old my older bass player brother introduced me to ELP and lots of other great music. At that age i was already an accomplished little ballerina ( i've since had a long career as dancer/choreographer /teacher). When i was 12 I'd listen to this album and dance to the whole thing alone in my room. Listening to this now takes me back to that time and place (I'm tearing up). I'll play it for my own kids tomorrow and choreograph a piece to it on my ballet students.

[TIMOTHYSAARINEN]

Rock & Roll raised to an art form. This was written and recorded in 1971, folks.

[thepossessor]

@MrDeppness I agree, a lot of their music would fit in a thematic or cinematic context

[123ZAC456789]

@breadzeppelin2 Beethoven just creamed his pants, and Mozart did at the end of the first section. This work couldn't be any better. The synth, the playing, the recording, it is all as good as it gets. I've been listening to my record collection and the album I pulled out FIRST ? is this one, this song. The Fugue is great too. Shining moments in the history of this planet. Man ! did this ever come together right from their first incredible recording. Just take a Pebble. It was all so BEAUTIFUL.