The Carl Palmer Band, The Robin 2, Bilston, 20th May 2004 And
Oakwood, Rotherham, 22nd May 2004
Carl
Palmer graced the stage with stunning performances at the two above venues.
Joining Carl on bass was the technical genius Dave Marks who throughout the two
nights played with great ease on the headless six-string. On guitar was as Carl
put it, the new member of the band Paul Bielatowicz, who again on the two nights
played very well indeed.
Opening
with The Barbarian from the first ELP outing, it was then clear how
different the sound was without the keyboards. But with many effects and
reverbs on Paul’s guitar and Dave’s bass, it had to be said just how many sounds
are out there to be heard.
Hoedown
got the crowd clapping and jumping around, and Paul’s playing on this both times
was excellent, along with the next song Trilogy. Such gems as Toccata
from Brain Salad Surgery, and from the Works albums L.A Nights
and Enemy God just streamed out around the venues.
Carl
took a little break to leave Paul and Dave on their own, and The Flight Of
The Bumble Bee was played featuring Paul’s fingers in knots on the
fret-board, and it was amazing how fast it was played. Dave Marks then went
into his own song Whales, which is like Chris Squire’s The Fish,
but so many sounds and effects were used on this number. Then a nice solo in
The Police song Message In A Bottle with great playing and technical
ability silenced the crowd.
Tarkus got a massive cheer, with Carl’s incredibly
fast but precise drumming, and all his kit was then used on the last song of the
set, Fanfare For The Common Man. An excellent solo from Carl during
Fanfare, sticks flying all around the golden kit, tambourine too, cow bells
you name it, it was struck.
The
band then took an exit off the stage, only to come back to play Carmina
Burana (the Old Spice advert if anyone doesn’t know it!) and that was it.
Two great nights of stunning playing. Carl has done it, got the t-shirts etc,
but Dave and Paul are two young men with a great future in front of them.
A legend in his own right, I’m sure Carl will continue for
many years. The Carl Palmer Band just gets better.
Danny Mayo
www.carlpalmer.com
www.davemarks.com
