Description
Label Review.
Originally issued in 2006 and long deleted, this collection (compiled by Keith Emerson) was a marvellous anthology of various recordings in Emersonís archives.
Our Overview.
Hailed as a keyboard legend, Keith Emerson has been one of the most important figures to emerge from the thriving UK rock scene of the 1960s and 70s. He is known as one of the most prominent leaders in the progressive rock movement, fusing rock 'n' roll with a myriad of musical styles, such as classical, jazz and world music. A modern wizard of electronic and acoustic keyboards, most notably the organ and synthesizer, he has set a standard by which others multiply. With both "The Nice" and "Emerson, Lake & Palmer," Emerson has written and recorded some of rock's most adventurous music and brought it to the masses with unmatched virtuosity and skillful showmanship. Keith made his solo debut in 1976 with the single “Honky Tonk Train Blues’ which hit the UK top 30 but did not pursue a solo career in earnest until after ELP's 1980 breakup and then continued to build up an impressive catalogue of 21 albums including studio, live, compilation and soundtrack albums.
So we are pleased that Esoteric Recordings are now re-releasing the archive collection ‘Off the Shelf’ by Keith Emerson. Originally issued in 2006 and long deleted, this collection (compiled by Keith Emerson) was a marvellous anthology of various recordings in Emerson’s archives.
Keith Emerson’s work as a virtuoso keyboard player, during his extensive career he was never restricted by musical norms or classification. His music revealed the breadth of his musical influences, from classical composers such as Mussorgsky to Charlie Parker, Rock ’n’ Roll to The Band to Frank Zappa. ‘Off the Shelf’ was Keith Emerson’s means of revealing a collection of recorded works for various projects dating as far back as 1968 with The Nice, some of which were consigned to the archives for a variety of reasons and destined to remain unreleased until ‘Off the Shelf’ was first issued.
They feature recordings with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the London Jazz Orchestra and legendary musicians including Levon Helm & Garth Hudson (of The Band), Aynsley Dunbar, Pat Travers, Cozy Powell and more.