The Boys Club: Live From California, The Complete Concert (Varese Sarabande VSD-7204, 2013)
In 1998, progressive rock keyboard wizard Keith Emerson, electric guitar virtuoso Marc Bonilla and vocalist Glen Hughes got together to perform live in California. Some partial versions of this concert have been released before, but now for the first time the entire concert is available in a double CD set titled The Boys Club: Live From California, The Complete Concert.
The most famous of the trio is keyboard maestro Keith Emerson, the progressive rock groundbreaker who was involved in pioneering bands The Nice and Emerson Lake and Palmer. Marc Bonilla is a skilled guitarist who worked with Ronnie Montrose, Glenn Hughes, David Coverdale and Kevin Gilbert. Prior to listening to this disc, I was not familiar with English bassist and vocalist Glenn Hughes. He has worked with bands such as Trapeze, later versions of Deep Purple, and Black Country Communion.
The three artists profiled in this live performance go in very different directions. Marc Bonilla shows his admirable technique in the first two pieces. On ‘Afterburner’ Bonilla goes into full speed guitar shredder mode. This piece will appeal to fans of breakneck instrumental rock played by Joe Satriani, Steve Vai and others. However, Bonilla’s creativity really stands out with his wailing slide guitar on ‘Long Journey from Home’.
Nevertheless, it is Keith Emerson who provides the most outstanding performances in The Boys Club: Live From California, The Complete Concert. Emerson plays classics such as the vibrant ‘Hoedown’, ‘Close To Home,’ ‘Creole Dance,’ ‘Nutrocker,’ the formidable epic ‘Tarkus’ and the fabulous ‘Fanfare For The Common Man / Rondo’ where Keith Emerson always introduces engaging medleys of famous themes and well known songs. The great thing about Keith Emerson is that he has the spirit of jazz incorporated into progressive rock. He plays familiar music with a multitude of variations, ranging from extended melodies and improvisations to using piano, electric organ and synthesizers in unexpected sections.
Glen Hughes only appears in a handful of tracks. He demonstrates that he is a great vocalist although he tries too hard to sound like a soul singer. His style doesn’t fit too well with the progressive rock pieces.
The Boys Club band also includes outstanding instrumentalists: bassists Bob Birch and Mick Mahan, drummer Joe Travers, second keyboardist Ed Roth, and second guitarist Mike Wallace.
Buy The Boys Club: Live From California, The Complete Concert