In the Hot Seat


In the Hot Seat is the ninth and last studio album by English progressive rock band Emerson, Lake & Palmer, released on 27 September 1994 by Victory. Recorded at Goodnight L.A. Studios in Los Angeles, it was produced by Keith Olsen.

Production

The making of the album was complicated by health issues encountered by both keyboard player Keith Emerson and drummer Carl Palmer. Emerson had trouble with the ulnar nerve, which made it difficult for him to control his right hand. As the prognosis for recovery after the surgical treatment was not promising, he had to overdub the right-hand parts with his left hand. Palmer suffered problems with carpal tunnel syndrome, which led to numbness in his fingers, but was rid of it by an operation.
"Daddy" was written by Lake in memory of missing child Sara Anne Wood and was used to raise awareness of missing and abducted children. The royalties from the song initially brought in $5,000 and were donated to the Sara Anne Wood Rescue Center, a national non-profit foundation established by Wood's father.

Reception

The album was a commercial flop. It received very little airplay and was the only Emerson, Lake & Palmer studio recording not to chart on the US Billboard 200. In the Hot Seat is their least-selling album. Keith Olsen later regretted having produced the album, saying it had "No songs, no preparation, no work ethic."

Track listing

2017 Deluxe Edition

Personnel

Emerson, Lake & Palmer