Emerson, Lake & Palmer 1971 Tarkus

Genre: Progressive Rock
Rate: 320 kbps CBR / 44100
Time: 00:39:07
Size: 89,56 MB




Review by François Couture

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.



Tracklist:

01 - Tarkus 20:53

02 - Jeremy Bender 01:49

03 - Bitches Crystal 04:00

04 - The Only Way (Hymn) 03:50

05 - Infinite Space (Conclusion) 03:21

06 - A Time And A Place 03:01

07 - Are You Ready Eddy 02:13





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Emerson, Lake & Palmer 1970 Emerson, Lake & Palmer

Genre: Progressive Rock
Rate: 128 kbps CBR / 44100
Time: 00:41:25
Size: 37,94 MB




What an excellent debut for this pioneer of prog rock supergroups! The talents of Emerson, Lake & Palmer are fluidly combined with their enthusiasm for this new project they were undertaking. Emerson basically continued to explore into his diverse musical interests (jazz, classical, rock, psychedelia) while assuming a prominent leading role; Lake felt much comfortable with the new band's melodic drive, while keeping a hard edge in a large amount of his bass parts; and Palmer, who was already a young veteran in the rock-blues scene, had and took the chance to expand his artistic vision and develop it with a clear disposition for pomposity.

ELP's eponymous debut album was also one of the first ones to feature the Moog stuff in a rock context, a synthesizer that Emerson has already begun to experiment with during his last days with his Nice partners. Every single piece contained in this repertoire is great; as a whole, the selection showcases varied ambiences that result from the threesome's different individual interests converging into a unique, solid offering. The only minus point is a certain lack of cohesiveness in the repertoire, as a whole: there is no chaos here, and the listener can tell that the band members have a clear direction set in their minds, but I feel that the inner consistency is not totally achieved. This factor will soon be resolved properly in some of their following albums, which are absolute prog classics, indeed. Anyway, let's take a quick look at the repertoire itself.



Tracklist:

01 - The Barbarian 04:31

02 - Take A Pebble 12:32

03 - Knife Edge 05:09

04 - The Three Fates 07:43

05 - Tank 06:52

06 - Lucky Man 04:38





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Emerson, Lake & Palmer 1972 Trilogy

Genre: Progressive Rock
Rate: 320 kbps CBR / 44100
Time: 00:42:26
Size: 97,06 MB

Review by Easy Livin

"Trilogy" is probably ELP's most progressive and complete album, and for me their best. Unlike all other ELP albums, every track on Trilogy reaches their highest standard.

"The endless enigma" opens the album in three parts (beware of the ELP compilation entitled "Fanfare for the common man)" which inexplicably fades the track before the third section). This is a superbly crafted trilogy which opens with soft, almost imperceptible synthesiser introducing frantic piano, before Lake's crystal clear vocals pick out the main melody. After the piano based "Fugue", a fanfare synth introduces the final section, which builds to a mighty crescendo. The fact that "Endless enigma" was rarely performed live is probably the only reason why it has not gained the recognition it warrants as one of ELP's finest pieces.

"From the beginning" is a beautiful acoustic track featuring Greg Lake on vocals and guitar. While it has a simplistic structure, it is a finely crafted piece. Side one of the LP closes with a couple of lighter tracks, both with a western flavour. If you listen closely to Carl Palmer's solo at the beginning of "The sheriff", you can hear where he makes a mistake, mutters "Sh*t", and starts again.

If the title track was released today, it would probably be labelled "Trance". It's a lengthy largely instrumental track, heavy on the synthesisers which, after a soft start, explodes into a driving wall of sound, ducking and diving through various time changes in the best prog traditions. The shorter "Living Sin" is a more straightforward Atomic Rooster type track, The fial piece, "Abadon's Bolero", one of ELP's most popular tracks, particularly among non-fans. Ice skaters Torvill and Dean's Olympic gold medal would have been even more of a formality had they used this Bolero as their music! The structure of the track is very simple, with only one brief deviation from the main theme, but the gradual build to the screaming synthesiser climax is hypnotic.

For me, "Trilogy" is ELP's finest work, even eclipsing "Brain salad surgery". If you want to discover ELP at their best, start here.



Tracklist:

01 - The Endless Enigma Part One 06:42

02 - Fugue 01:57

03 - The Endless Enigma Part Two 02:03

04 - From The Beginning 04:16

05 - The Sheriff 03:23

06 - Hoedown 03:47

07 - Trilogy 08:55

08 - Living Sin 03:14

09 - Abaddon's Bolero 08:09





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Emerson, Lake & Palmer 1974 Welcome Back My Friends To The Show That Never Ends

Genre: Progressive Rock
Rate: 192 kbps CBR / 44100
Time: 01:49:42
Size: 150,43 MB

Review by Prog Leviathan

A monstrous live album from one of the all-time monsters of prog, "Welcome Back My Friends" is as essential as a live recording can be, offering what may be definitive versions of songs from the band's celebrated catalogue, and show ELP at the heighth of their game.

What makes this ELP record so good? It's ENERGY! "Welcome Back My Friends" is a tour de force of showmanship and instrumental mastery. The group absolutely nails these songs, performing them with reckless enthusiasm. Emerson keyboards destroy expectations, sounding like he has grown extra hands. Given the concert's speed and complexity, his tireless intensity really impresses. Lake and Palmer stun as well, their solos and presence felt throughout. Vocals are clear and powerful, and Palmer's dazzling trapwork is boundless (very underrated!)

Second, is the "experience" of the recording, the extended solos, unique blending of songs, and live ambiance really transplanting the listener back to 1974 (when prog ruled!). Impressively, much of the band's unique sonic experimentation comes through very nicely as well.

If you like anything about ELP, this is the album to get; you'll almost certainly reach for it before any of their studio albums.



Tracklist:

CD1:

01 - Hoedown 04:28

02 - Jerusalem 03:19

03 - Toccata 07:24

04 - Tarkus 27:27

05 - Take A Pebble 11:08


CD2:

01 - Piano Improvisations 11:54

02 - Take A Pebble (Conclusion) 03:15

03 - Jeremy Bender - The Sheriff 05:25

04 - Karn Evil 9 35:22





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