Gerard, Ars Nova – Keyboards Triangle (1999, CD, Japan)

Tracklist:

1. Toccata from EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER (7:37)
2. Birds Medley from TRACE (7:50)
3. La Conquista Della Posizione Eretta from BANCO DEL MUTUO SOCCORSO (8:23)
4. Epilogo from IL BALLETTO DI BRONZO (6:18)
5. Catharine Parr from RICK WAKEMAN solo (6:23)
6. Tarkus from EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER (12:17)
7. Four Holes in the Ground from PREMIATA FORNERIA MARCONI (6:06)

Musicians:

Bass – Atsushi Hasegawa (3) (tracce: 1, 3, 5, 7), Kyoko Kanazawa (tracce: 4), Noburo Nakajima (tracce: 2)

Drums – Akiko Takahashi (tracce: 2, 4, 6), Masuhiro Goto (tracce: 1, 3, 5, 7)

Keyboards – Keiko Kumagai (tracce: 2, 4, 6), Mika Nakajima (tracce: 2, 4, 6), Toshio Egawa (tracce: 1, 3, 5, 7)

Two of Japan's best keyboard oriented bands have agreed to record a tribute to their big influences. Under the banner of Keyboards Triangle both Ars Nova and Gérard do their thing on Keyboards Trio Tribute. Both bands take on Emerson, Lake & Palmer. Gérard chose "Toccata" whilst the girls [women -ed] from Ars Nova believed in "Tarkus." It's remarkable how close to the originals these new recordings sound, although they have been recorded with far less possibilities than the original dinosaurs! Gérard also tackled material by Rick Wakeman, Banco and PFM, whilst Ars Nova worked on Trace and Il Balletto di Bronzo. A clear love for the Italian school although Wakeman's "Catherine Parr" is well executed, including the inimitable synth solo. An interesting initiative and certainly an acquaintance with two of the world's best instrumental prog combos of the moment!