Emerson, Lake & Palmer — Stones Of Years
Album: TarkusAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 1285
Length: 3:37
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Has the dawn ever seen your eyes?
Have the days made you so unwise?
Realize, you are.
Had you talked to the winds of time,
Then you'd know how the water rhyme,
Taste of wine,
How can you know where you've been?
In time you'll see the sign
And realize your sin.
Will you know how the seed is sown?
All your time has been overgrown,
Never known.
Have you walked on the stones of years?
When you speak, is it you that hears?
Are your ears full?
You can't hear anything at all.
Have the days made you so unwise?
Realize, you are.
Had you talked to the winds of time,
Then you'd know how the water rhyme,
Taste of wine,
How can you know where you've been?
In time you'll see the sign
And realize your sin.
Will you know how the seed is sown?
All your time has been overgrown,
Never known.
Have you walked on the stones of years?
When you speak, is it you that hears?
Are your ears full?
You can't hear anything at all.
Comments (263)add comment
If Les Dawson took up the synthesizer...
lmkny5 wrote:
Then stop sticking pencils in your ears
I wish there was a rating less than one for this song. I think my ears are bleeding.
Then stop sticking pencils in your ears
rabaak wrote:
I Agree! Cool story. Thank You for sharing it.
Emerson's passing made me sad. ELP was a big part of my college years.
These three were superb musicians. Emerson was classically trained. Palmer was a great drummer and Lake's vocals are underrated.
One of my college projects was to take the classical versions and then play the ELP versions of the same songs for school kids. The object was to see if they could perceive they were listening to the same music. I think we went from class to class until we got to the 7-8 graders and they were finally able to perceive that they were listening to the same songs. Different instruments and orchestration of the same songs.
Still love their version of Fanfare for the Common Man. I would have never started listening to classical music if I had not been a fan of ELP.
I loved their concerts. It seem like about a third of the people who showed up were 40-60 year olds. As a 20 something I never imagined older folks would appreciate their music until I attended their concerts. "What are these old farts doing here" was a common comment from the younger folks at the event.
I know there are a lot of haters here. But when I think back to the Tony Orlando and Dawn, Tlhe Captain and Tennile, Neil Sedaka, Billy Don't be a Hero and other crap from that era, ELP was an exceptional change to listen too and still holds up well in my opinion.
I Agree! Cool story. Thank You for sharing it.
lmkny5 wrote:
Then, hit the "skip button"! A lot of RP listeners like it!
I wish there was a rating less than one for this song. I think my ears are bleeding.
Then, hit the "skip button"! A lot of RP listeners like it!
lmkny5 wrote:
I Guess you had to be there....
I wish there was a rating less than one for this song. I think my ears are bleeding.
I Guess you had to be there....
I wish there was a rating less than one for this song. I think my ears are bleeding.
Radio Paradise .flac vs YouTube - No comparison! 
Best of the best!
scrubbrush wrote:
Don't let the digital door hit you on the way out
ELP = PSD
Don't let the digital door hit you on the way out
memoryboxer wrote:
How very bizarre. I don't think I've heard this album since 1979 or 80 - part of my Prog Rock education from "Spiderman", my high school and college dealer buddy. He'd get me stoned to the bejeebers then ply me with ELP, Yes, Triumvirat, Genesis and the like. I subsequently owned a lot of albums from those bands and similar but Tarkus never clicked and I never heard it again after leaving town.
2 days ago, while blearily brushing my teeth in the morning, both title and cover image popped unbidden into my head... and now here it is. A little RP magic in my work day. Thanks Bill!
You mentioned Triumvirat!!!!!! We need to hear some of them here!!!How very bizarre. I don't think I've heard this album since 1979 or 80 - part of my Prog Rock education from "Spiderman", my high school and college dealer buddy. He'd get me stoned to the bejeebers then ply me with ELP, Yes, Triumvirat, Genesis and the like. I subsequently owned a lot of albums from those bands and similar but Tarkus never clicked and I never heard it again after leaving town.
2 days ago, while blearily brushing my teeth in the morning, both title and cover image popped unbidden into my head... and now here it is. A little RP magic in my work day. Thanks Bill!
longlegdpony wrote:
ELP war auch mein erstes großes Konzert, 1971 in München, damals war Tarkus ganz neu.
Such wonderful memories from this. RIP Keith Emerson and Greg Lake. Thank you for playing this. More please! ELP was my very first concert in 1974 (or thereabouts)
ELP war auch mein erstes großes Konzert, 1971 in München, damals war Tarkus ganz neu.
That is one bizarre album.
In the summer of '71, aged 15, I went with my South London school CCF (Combined Cadet Force) to a Royal Navy base at Loch Ewe on the West coast of Scotland for a 2 week 'holiday'. Train from London to Inverness, then across country to a tiny halt called Achnasheen, in the middle of nowhere, where we were picked up by bus. The evening we arrived on base there was an inspection by the base Commander, and about 5 of us were told we had to have our hair cut the next morning. One classmate and I refused. We were told that unless we had it done, we'd be thrown off the base. Said to scare us into submission, I suppose. Didn't work. Outside the base gates the following morning, we hitched a ride to Achnasheen, caught the next train to Inverness, and headed back South. Back in London, I ditched my CCF boots in a Euston station waste bin, and spent my remaining pocket money on the first two albums I ever bought... Every Picture Tells a Story, and.... Tarkus!
Great times! Thanks for the memory, Bill & Rebecca.
PS: when school resumed we heard that two of our classmates had been hospitalised with exposure while out camping in the hills near the base. Horrible teenager that I was, I felt pretty smug about that. But I never did find out if they were amongst those who had been shorn on the first day....
Great times! Thanks for the memory, Bill & Rebecca.
PS: when school resumed we heard that two of our classmates had been hospitalised with exposure while out camping in the hills near the base. Horrible teenager that I was, I felt pretty smug about that. But I never did find out if they were amongst those who had been shorn on the first day....
Love Tarkus, and I dearly miss album rock.
Dick_Boba wrote:
Absolutely! Those guys were superb musicians and their body of work was nothing short of magnificent. I still listen to their albums on a regular basis. Thanks for the memories, Bill and Rebecca.
When I was 15, I bought this album, only for the album cover art. In my midwestern American existence, I had absolutely NO CLUE who "Emerson Lake and Palmer" were. I was pleasantly surprised by the music. I did this often. Another album I bought in this manner was "Osibisa"....the 70s progressive album cover art design is something I miss....it's kinda hard to get all that artisticly cranked up about a musical piece anymore, that is for all intents and purposes: "VAPOR"...Now a vinyl album, you could hold it, smell it, (they had pleasant smells when new), you could even taste it if you wanted to, you could definitely see it, and you could hear it, so it engaged all FIVE of the physical senses....and then some of the heightened non-physical senses were stimulated as well...I sure do miss those days! The golden age of music. It may never be again, but Radio Paradise sure is helping to preserve the movement.
Absolutely! Those guys were superb musicians and their body of work was nothing short of magnificent. I still listen to their albums on a regular basis. Thanks for the memories, Bill and Rebecca.
Such wonderful memories from this. RIP Keith Emerson and Greg Lake. Thank you for playing this. More please! ELP was my very first concert in 1974 (or thereabouts)
It's been a long long time since I heard this. And I was transported back to Bobby's place where he, Barney, and I were opening up that innocent-looking flashlight on top of the fridge to reveal a little baggie. Nothing like a few bong hits after school while listening to some new music just purchased at the pharmacy (the only store in our small rural town that carried records).
RIP Barney, brother from another mother.
RIP Barney, brother from another mother.
Thank you, thank you, thank you! It has been a long while since enjoying this track and it stirs a lot of memories. I made sure the rest of the office enjoyed it too 
organ solo ecstasy wow bring it on k
I can't understand how this gets such a low rating. I find it to be sublime.
I am Dr. Strangelove and I approve of this song!
Steely_D wrote:
Thank you for sharing that
Thank you for sharing that
Me three. There is no law against loving both Close to the Edge and the New York Dolls' first album, to take just one year (1973) as an example. Back-to-back ELP and Stooges sounds good to me. Vive l'eclectique.
ExploitingChaos wrote:
Nope. I like new wave and no wave. I like ambient and psytrance. I like fokkin ELP and the stooges. Lets goooo
ExploitingChaos wrote:
Nope. I like new wave and no wave. I like ambient and psytrance. I like fokkin ELP and the stooges. Lets goooo
ooloncoluphid wrote:
Nope, but those are just meaningless labels anyhow. It's all music.
Am I alone in being able to appreciate both prog and punk, among many other styles?
Nope, but those are just meaningless labels anyhow. It's all music.
ooloncoluphid wrote:
Nope. I like new wave and no wave. I like ambient and psytrance. I like fokkin ELP and the stooges. Lets goooo
Am I alone in being able to appreciate both prog and punk, among many other styles?
Nope. I like new wave and no wave. I like ambient and psytrance. I like fokkin ELP and the stooges. Lets goooo
Am I alone in being able to appreciate both prog and punk, among many other styles?
Boy_Wonder wrote:
F**K me - that's awful..... thank god punk was just around the corner!!
Sooooo. We have God to blame for punk. I knew it had to be something.
When I was 15, I bought this album, only for the album cover art. In my midwestern American existence, I had absolutely NO CLUE who "Emerson Lake and Palmer" were. I was pleasantly surprised by the music. I did this often. Another album I bought in this manner was "Osibisa"....the 70s progressive album cover art design is something I miss....it's kinda hard to get all that artisticly cranked up about a musical piece anymore, that is for all intents and purposes: "VAPOR"...Now a vinyl album, you could hold it, smell it, (they had pleasant smells when new), you could even taste it if you wanted to, you could definitely see it, and you could hear it, so it engaged all FIVE of the physical senses....and then some of the heightened non-physical senses were stimulated as well...I sure do miss those days! The golden age of music. It may never be again, but Radio Paradise sure is helping to preserve the movement.
Interesting comments in this thread.....
Oh....my.....GAWD! Dinosaurs playing the bony xylophone! A picture of an armadillo with attitude. Bill, no fair I'm trying to get some work done here and you keep slamming my memories back to a much younger era. Talk about needing some head-phones cranked up real high, too. Not that I'm complainin' mind you; 'cause I ain't complainin at all.
Highlow
American Net'Zen
Highlow
American Net'Zen
None of my friends like Prog and it sure is divided here. Seems like the only time I fire up King Crimson/ELP/Gentle Giant is when I am alone.
Thanks Bill.
Note: Try Some more Gentle Giant and lets get the comments section really fired up!
Thanks Bill.
Note: Try Some more Gentle Giant and lets get the comments section really fired up!
So great! Thanks for playin' it.
Oh Hell Yeah! Just made my Friday, Bill!
Stunning musical tapestry.....
Definitely godlike
Definitely godlike
Reminds me of Spinal Tap, that scene where they're in some kiddy park and reduced to doing bad freeform jazz.
Just as boring, too.
Just as boring, too.
Skydog wrote:
are they at least trying or do they just don't give a damn?
On_The_Beach wrote:
? ? ?
yeah I know,...
this thing freaked me out in '71 and still jangles my brain in a bad way
Rachel Flowers. If you're a fan of ELP you need to know about her.
They don't make them like this anymore ! TOO BAD !
Thank you rabaak, well said.
Emerson's passing made me sad. ELP was a big part of my college years.
These three were superb musicians. Emerson was classically trained. Palmer was a great drummer and Lake's vocals are underrated.
One of my college projects was to take the classical versions and then play the ELP versions of the same songs for school kids. The object was to see if they could perceive they were listening to the same music. I think we went from class to class until we got to the 7-8 graders and they were finally able to perceive that they were listening to the same songs. Different instruments and orchestration of the same songs.
Still love their version of Fanfare for the Common Man. I would have never started listening to classical music if I had not been a fan of ELP.
I loved their concerts. It seem like about a third of the people who showed up were 40-60 year olds. As a 20 something I never imagined older folks would appreciate their music until I attended their concerts. "What are these old farts doing here" was a common comment from the younger folks at the event.
I know there are a lot of haters here. But when I think back to the Tony Orlando and Dawn, The Captain and Tennile, Neil Sedaka, Billy Don't be a Hero and other crap from that era, ELP was an exceptional change to listen too and still holds up well in my opinion.
These three were superb musicians. Emerson was classically trained. Palmer was a great drummer and Lake's vocals are underrated.
One of my college projects was to take the classical versions and then play the ELP versions of the same songs for school kids. The object was to see if they could perceive they were listening to the same music. I think we went from class to class until we got to the 7-8 graders and they were finally able to perceive that they were listening to the same songs. Different instruments and orchestration of the same songs.
Still love their version of Fanfare for the Common Man. I would have never started listening to classical music if I had not been a fan of ELP.
I loved their concerts. It seem like about a third of the people who showed up were 40-60 year olds. As a 20 something I never imagined older folks would appreciate their music until I attended their concerts. "What are these old farts doing here" was a common comment from the younger folks at the event.
I know there are a lot of haters here. But when I think back to the Tony Orlando and Dawn, The Captain and Tennile, Neil Sedaka, Billy Don't be a Hero and other crap from that era, ELP was an exceptional change to listen too and still holds up well in my opinion.
Krispian wrote:
You meant Prog Godness, right? Damned typo's!
Prog goodness
You meant Prog Godness, right? Damned typo's!
Skydog wrote:
? ? ?
are they at least trying or do they just don't give a damn?
? ? ?
are they at least trying or do they just don't give a damn?
it has a certain Steven Wilson about his vocal, or should I say Steven Wilson has a little ELP in him.
Prog goodness
That's what's missing from today's Rock & Roll.....Hammond organ's and Moog synth's set to a classical beat! 
Actually I jest but in the day it t'were sumthin'.......wonder what ELP themselves think of it these days....?
Highlow
American Net'Zen
Actually I jest but in the day it t'were sumthin'.......wonder what ELP themselves think of it these days....?
Highlow
American Net'Zen
Egrey wrote:
Restrained ELP still holds up pretty well. The rest made me eventually throw all my ELP albums away in the late 70s.
Holy armored armadillo armaments, Batman! Look at that album cover.
Long time ago i heared this. Thanks for playing it now.
Boy_Wonder wrote:
Dreadful racket. I don't get the appeal.
F**K me - that's awful..... thank god punk was just around the corner!!
Dreadful racket. I don't get the appeal.
lemmoth wrote:
Mentioning your wife and pointless noodling in the same post is really brave
My wife's favorite band. Other than that she has great taste.
What pointless noodling.
What pointless noodling.
Mentioning your wife and pointless noodling in the same post is really brave
LowPhreak wrote:
for prog!
The whole first side of that album was / is awesome
for prog!The whole first side of that album was / is awesome
As was mentioned for another song played not too long ago " uh far out Catherwood just roll a couple of bombers and leave them on the Side table" 
for prog! Zep wrote:
Well, The Nice preceded them but close enough.
This is fine in limited dosages and I up-rated it for the cover.
I dunno.. I did not get stoned to this, or to a lot of prog rock either, unlike a lot of my peers. I find the musicianship to be top notch and very precise, if a little predictable. It has its place — ELP were among the first so there's that.
It's still a good listen and a hell of a lot better than the Nirvana which followed later in the set.
It's still a good listen and a hell of a lot better than the Nirvana which followed later in the set.
Well, The Nice preceded them but close enough.
This is fine in limited dosages and I up-rated it for the cover.
perhaps keep this one in the archives, permanently. thanks.
Never got into ELP much. It's ok, but a lot of prog rock doesn't hold up well for me. At least it's mercifully short.
Freaking awful
ELP = PSD
I dunno.. I did not get stoned to this, or to a lot of prog rock either, unlike a lot of my peers. I find the musicianship to be top notch and very precise, if a little predictable. It has its place -- ELP were among the first so there's that.
It's still a good listen and a hell of a lot better than the Nirvana which followed later in the set.
It's still a good listen and a hell of a lot better than the Nirvana which followed later in the set.
I agree
RichW wrote:
Agreed. Pompous overblown Brit progressive rock was the template for just about everything that followed. Sometimes you cringe but it's still great music.
RichW wrote:
Agreed. Pompous overblown Brit progressive rock was the template for just about everything that followed. Sometimes you cringe but it's still great music.
This sucks. PSD time!
Hey kids, it's "Tarkus" singalong time!
It rings a lot of bells, taking me back to my Army days (I saw these guys live in Munich in 1973 or '74) but I don't listen to ELP much these days. At least it's not "Brain Salad Surgery"!
It rings a lot of bells, taking me back to my Army days (I saw these guys live in Munich in 1973 or '74) but I don't listen to ELP much these days. At least it's not "Brain Salad Surgery"!
Parts of this are rather entrancing . . . others, not.
Kind of a mixed bag.
Kind of a mixed bag.
Just take a pebble...
zubeneschamli wrote:
Agreed. Pompous overblown Brit progressive rock was the template for just about everything that followed. Sometimes you cringe but it's still great music.
Great music. Keep playing it, naysayers be damned.
Agreed. Pompous overblown Brit progressive rock was the template for just about everything that followed. Sometimes you cringe but it's still great music.
Great music. Keep playing it, naysayers be damned.
bstevens1951 wrote:
Pompous, overinflated horsesh*t, you're saying... I agree with the fellow who said he finds himself a little embarrassed now listening to this, many years on
.
Some of the wurst music of the early '70's. As in, 'liverwurst'. Please Bill, no more.
Pompous, overinflated horsesh*t, you're saying... I agree with the fellow who said he finds himself a little embarrassed now listening to this, many years on
.
Can't deny the voice of Greg Lake and the sound of this song are pretty dawn good. 
oldsaxon wrote:
Makes perfect sense.
This had its place in my life but I can't help feeling a bit embarrassed by it now...thankfully I lost my virginity and moved on.
Makes perfect sense. POMP
MassivRuss wrote:
Wow. 1977. I'm back in H.S. Inhaling. A LOT.
Yep!
The King Crimson seems to have aged, in general, a bit better than the Yes and ELP..........
My wife's favorite band. Other than that she has great taste.
What pointless noodling.
What pointless noodling.
Some of the wurst music of the early '70's. As in, 'liverwurst'. Please Bill, no more.
Hannio wrote:
Yes. I liked prog rock at first. Who didn't? But after too many late night sessions with ELP, Yes, King Crimson, Jethro Tull post Aqualung and others I grew sick of the needlessly meandering, tuneless noodling of self-absorbed "artists" breathing their own atmosphere. Nowadays I can listen to it again in small doses, but I need a good shot of the Ramones to cleanse the palate afterwards.
Amen!
Yes. I liked prog rock at first. Who didn't? But after too many late night sessions with ELP, Yes, King Crimson, Jethro Tull post Aqualung and others I grew sick of the needlessly meandering, tuneless noodling of self-absorbed "artists" breathing their own atmosphere. Nowadays I can listen to it again in small doses, but I need a good shot of the Ramones to cleanse the palate afterwards.
Amen!
naviganter wrote:
Yes. I liked prog rock at first. Who didn't? But after too many late night sessions with ELP, Yes, King Crimson, Jethro Tull post Aqualung and others I grew mightily sick of the needlessly meandering, tuneless noodling of self-absorbed "artists" breathing their own atmosphere. Nowadays I can listen to it again in small doses, but I need a good shot of the Ramones to cleanse the palate afterwards.
This is why,,I in my youth felt a deep aversion towards the 1970s,,,,
Yes. I liked prog rock at first. Who didn't? But after too many late night sessions with ELP, Yes, King Crimson, Jethro Tull post Aqualung and others I grew mightily sick of the needlessly meandering, tuneless noodling of self-absorbed "artists" breathing their own atmosphere. Nowadays I can listen to it again in small doses, but I need a good shot of the Ramones to cleanse the palate afterwards.
ccjemmett wrote:
Die, Prog haters, die !
That'll be Keith and Carl doing a quick gavotte then!
Die, Prog haters, die !That'll be Keith and Carl doing a quick gavotte then!
Die, Prog haters, die ! Bargamon wrote:
Indeed. And that about sums it from my point of view, too.
Still...a little walk down the hall of memory ain't necessarily a bad thing. The memory I still have that is. Yah got's to consider the times and the......errr.....substance exploration that tended to go on then.
Highlow
American Net'Zen
Like a lot of ELP works its "over the top and self indulgent!"
ELP did better than most!
I loved this band in its heyday for its classical interpretations and innovations.
ELP did better than most!
I loved this band in its heyday for its classical interpretations and innovations.
Indeed. And that about sums it from my point of view, too.
Still...a little walk down the hall of memory ain't necessarily a bad thing. The memory I still have that is. Yah got's to consider the times and the......errr.....substance exploration that tended to go on then.
Highlow
American Net'Zen
Right on!! Going old School 70s!
I've never heard this before. I like prog rock, but that organ solo was, errrr, not good.
F**K me - that's awful..... thank god punk was just around the corner!!
Time for the morning chronic! 
btt wrote:
If you haven't already, check out Atomic Rooster.
Stoner Prog!
I have always thought that Carl Palmer is a terrific drummer .
If you haven't already, check out Atomic Rooster.
Stoner Prog!
I have always thought that Carl Palmer is a terrific drummer .
embrace the grandeur
One has to remember the time period at which this was done.. Brings back fond memories indeed.
I think you had to be there ... :)
As far as prog rock goes, can't say this really does it for me. Sounds like a lot of random keyboard plonking.
Goes to show just how good Pink Floyd actually were/are :)
As far as prog rock goes, can't say this really does it for me. Sounds like a lot of random keyboard plonking.
Goes to show just how good Pink Floyd actually were/are :)
rabaak wrote:
really? sort of out of tune in many of those notes. probably rated pretty accurately.
Greg Lakes vocal are under rated in my opinion. He was great in both King Crimson and ELP
really? sort of out of tune in many of those notes. probably rated pretty accurately.
Knows how to make the Hammond sing. Dig it!
muting this song before I lose my mind
rabaak wrote:
Greg Lakes vocal are under rated in my opinion. He was great in both King Crimson and ELP
Agree.
Greg Lakes vocal are under rated in my opinion. He was great in both King Crimson and ELP
Like a lot of ELP works its "over the top and self indulgent!"
ELP did better than most!
I loved this band in its heyday for its classical interpretations and innovations.
ELP did better than most!
I loved this band in its heyday for its classical interpretations and innovations.
This had its place in my life but I can't help feeling a bit embarrassed by it now...thankfully I lost my virginity and moved on.
Growing up in the late 70s and early 80s, my parents were NOT prog. fans at all, but a friend of theirs must have left this album at their place on cassette, and I was fascinated with the cover art for much of my childhood. I credit exposure to that image as one of the reasons I'm so attracted to weird and unconventional things.
Wow. 1977. I'm back in H.S. Inhaling. A LOT.
RedGuitar wrote:
Very cool! Thanks for that info.
The first 6 ELP albums are being remastered by Steven Wilson of Porcupine Tree. There will also be 5.1 surround mixes.
First two are available in late August.
First two are available in late August.
Very cool! Thanks for that info.
RedGuitar wrote:
Yow!
The first 6 ELP albums are being remastered by Steven Wilson of Porcupine Tree. There will also be 5.1 surround mixes.
First two are available in late August.
First two are available in late August.
Yow!
The first 6 ELP albums are being remastered by Steven Wilson of Porcupine Tree. There will also be 5.1 surround mixes.
First two are available in late August.
First two are available in late August.
Sloggydog wrote:
It's a 3 minute section of a 20 minute suite of songs. I guess your feeling is understandable. Still a good little tune, but the Hammond Organ break in the live version from 74 kicks the studio version's butt.
I didn't know the song but had heard of it and well I guess I just expected more. Its pretty cool I guess but I think high expectations have made it feel a let down 6 for now but I may change it later.
It's a 3 minute section of a 20 minute suite of songs. I guess your feeling is understandable. Still a good little tune, but the Hammond Organ break in the live version from 74 kicks the studio version's butt.
during the organ/synth (whatever it was) solo, I got a profound sense of "This is Spinal Tap" deja vu. I know Tap and ELP aren't (supposed to be) the same thing, but something about the pretentiousness of this song had me thinking Stonehenge.
I didn't know the song but had heard of it and well I guess I just expected more. Its pretty cool I guess but I think high expectations have made it feel a let down 6 for now but I may change it later.
EEGAD! Make it stop!
This is why,,I in my youth felt a deep aversion towards the 1970s,,,,
Wow, I see I've already said that! :)
Wow, something from Tarkus! Nice choice for my Monday morning.
AWESOME!!!!!
Too many philistines here!
OK, this just made me switch channels to Secret Agent radio on Soma FM... hopefully the next song will make up for it...
Am I alone in being able to appreciate both prog and punk, among many other styles?
No