Emerson, Lake & Palmer's 1970 eponymous LP was only a rehearsal. It
hit hard because of the novelty of the act (allegedly the first
supergroup in rock history), but felt more like a collection of
individual efforts and ideas than a collective work. All doubts were
dissipated by the release of Tarkus in 1971. Side one of the original
LP is occupied by the 21-minute title epic track, beating both Genesis'
"Supper's Ready" and Yes' "Close to the Edge" by a year. Unlike the
latter group's cut-and-paste technique to obtain long suites, "Tarkus"
is a thoroughly written, focused piece of music. It remains among the
Top Ten classic tracks in progressive rock history. Because of the
strength of side one, the material on the album's second half has been
quickly forgotten - with one good reason: it doesn't match the strength
of its counterpart - but "Bitches Crystal" and "A Time and a Place"
make two good prog rock tracks, the latter being particularly rocking.
"Jeremy Bender" is the first in a series of honky tonk-spiced,
Far-West-related songs. This one and the rock & roll closer "Are
You Ready Eddy?" are the only two tracks worth throwing away. Otherwise
Tarkus makes a very solid album, especially to the ears of prog rock
fans - no Greg Lake acoustic ballads, no lengthy jazz interludes. More
accomplished than the trio's first album, but not quite as polished as
Brain Salad Surgery, Tarkus is nevertheless a must-have.
François Couture - All Music Guide
This album nearly broke the trio up, but instead its title track
delivered the first definitive ELP composition, an apocalyptic piece
that gave most listeners their first experience of the full range of
the Moog synthesizer. The rest is pretty forgettable, and since the
title track also appears on the group's box set, owners of the latter
may skip this release. The Mobile Fidelity, Victory, or Rhino versions
are all worth owning, however, over the Atlantic version.
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.
Tarkus: III. Iconoclast
(instrumental)
Tarkus: IV. Mass
The preacher said a prayer.
Save ev'ry single hair on his head.
He's dead.
The minister of hate had just arrived to be spared.
Who cared?
The weaver in the web that he made!
The pilgrim wandered in,
Commiting ev'ry sin that he could
So good...
The cardinal of grief was set in his belief he'd saved
From the grave
The weaver in the web that he made!
The high priest took a blade
To bless the ones that prayed,
And all obeyed.
The messenger of fear is slowly growing, nearer to the time,
A sign.
The weaver in the web that he made!
A bishops rings a bell,
A cloak of darkness fell across the ground
Without a sound!
The silent choir sing and in their silence,
Bring jaded sound, harmonic ground.
The weaver in the web that he made!
Tarkus: V. Manticore
(instrumental)
Tarkus: VI. Battlefield
Clear the battlefield and let me see
All the profit from our victory.
You talk of freedom, starving children poor.
Are you deaf when you hear the season's call?
Were you there to watch the earth be scorched?
Did you stand beside the spectral torch?
Know the leaves of sorrow turned their face,
Scattered on the ashes of disgrace.
Ev'ry blade is sharp; the arrows fly
Where the victims of your armies lie,
Where the bladed of brass and arrows rein
Then there will be very little sorrow,
Very little pain.
Tarkus: VII. Aquatarkus
(instrumental)
Jeremy Bender
Jeremy bender was a man of leisure, took his pleasure in the evening sun
Laid him down in a bed of roses, finally decided to become a nun.
Talk with the Sister, spoke in a whisper, threatened to fist her if she
didn't come clean
Jumped on the Mother just like a brother asked one another if the other is
a queen.
Diggin' the sister she was a mister shouldn't have kissed her, but he
couldn't say no
Wanted to leave her couldn't believe her, so he picked up his suit-case and
decided to go.
Bitches Crystal
Bitches Crystal
Knows how you
Twist all the lines
Fortune Teller
Future Seller
Of time
Tortured spirits cry
Fear is in their eyes
Ghostly images die
Witches Potion
Mixed in the ocean
Of tears
Mystical Powers
Emerge From the towers
Of fear
Tortured spirits cry
Fear is in their eyes
Ghostly images die
Evil learning
People burning
Savage casting
No one lasting
Witchcraft
Sadness
Madness
Turning in their minds
Ritual killings
That swear in
The shillings to be
Heretic Priestess
Dwells on the
Weakness she sees
Tortured spirits cry
Ghostly images die
The Only Way (Hymn)
People has stirred moved by the word.
Kneel at the shrine, deceived by the wine.
How was the earth conceived? Infinite space.
Is there such a place? You must believe in the human race.
Can you believe, God makes you breathe.
Why did he lose six million Jews.
Touched by the wings, fears angel brings
Sad winter storm, grey autumn dawn
Who looks on life itself, who lights your way?
Only you can say. How can you just obey?
His the only way.
Don't heed the word, now that you've heard.
Don't be afraid: man is man made.
And when the our comes, don't turn the away.
Face the light of day. And do it your away.
His the only way.
Infinite Space (Conclusion)
(instrumental)
A Time And A Place
There is a place, a time and a space
Just no one can trace, that non one can trace.
Somewhere a hill, where things are still
rain water spill, just rain water spill.
Sleep in a dream of butter milk cream
You dance on a beam, dancing on a beam.
Save me from this shallow land, take me out of temper's hand
Drag me from the burning sand, show me those that understand.
Save me from this shallow land, take me out of temper's hand
Drag me from the burning sand, show me those that understand.
Rest in shade, no sound his made,
Where silence is played, sound of silence played.
Are You Ready Eddy?
Are you ready, Eddie, to turn out rock-and-roll?
[Eddie edit, Eddie, Eddie edit]
Are you ready, Eddie, ready to rock-and-roll?
[Eddie edit, Eddie, Eddie edit]
Are you ready, Eddie, to give me some of your soul?
[Eddie edit, Eddie, Eddie edit]
Are you ready, Eddie, to pull those faders down?
[Eddie edit, Eddie, Eddie edit]
Are you ready, Eddie, to pull those faders down?
[Eddie edit, Eddie, Eddie edit]
Are you ready, Eddie, to turn your scully round?
[Eddie edit, Eddie, Eddie edit]
Are you ready, Eddie, to pull those faders down?
[Eddie edit, Eddie, Eddie edit]
Are you ready, Eddie, to pull those faders down?
[Eddie edit, Eddie, Eddie edit]
Are you ready, Eddie, to turn your scully round?
[Eddie edit, Eddie, Eddie edit]
Well, are you ready, Eddie, to turn your sixteen tracks on?
[Eddie edit, Eddie, Eddie edit]
Are you ready, Eddie, with your sixteen tracks?
[Eddie edit, Eddie, Eddie edit]
Are you ready, Eddie? A bit of vibing is all it lacks.
[Eddie edit, Eddie, Eddie edit]
Well, vibe me Eddie, vibe me all night long?
[Vibe me, Eddie, Vibe me, vibe me, Eddie]
Vibe me, Eddie, vibe me all night long.
[Vibe me, Eddie, Vibe me, vibe me, Eddie]
While you're vibing me, Eddie, nothing can go wrong.
[Vibe me, Eddie, Vibe me, vibe me, Eddie]