Welcome Back, My Friends, to the Show That Never Ends - Ladies and Gentlemen Emerson, Lake & Palmer, by Emerson, Lake & Palmer, from 1974.
Emerson, Lake & Palmer (ELP) is an English trio formed in 1970 and composed of Keith Emerson (keyboards), Greg Lake (bass, vocals, guitar), and Carl Palmer (drums).
Their sound is based on virtuosity, with each member excelling on their instrument. It is highly elaborate and complex, fusing explicit adaptations of classical, jazz, and symphonic rock, with Emerson's keyboards and his Moog synthesizer playing a key role.
One of the seminal progressive rock bands, with members who have played in equally important bands
- Keith Emerson, who played keyboards in the Nice and the Emerson, Lake & Powell project.
- Greg Lake, who was the bassist and singer for King Crimson, but also collaborated on Peter Sinfield's Still and the Emerson, Lake & Powell project.
- Carl Palmer, who was the drummer for Atomic Rooster.
The original lineup was active from 1970 to 1979. The band subsequently reunited several times, first from 1992 to 1998, and last in 2010.
Keith Emerson died in 2016, followed by Greg Lake later that year. Carl Palmer is the last surviving member of the group.
Welcome Back, My Friends, to the Show That Never Ends… contains a recording of the concert held in 1974 at the Anaheim Convention Center during the tour for Brain Salad Surgery, one of their masterpieces.
In addition to the entirety of Brain Salad Surgery, there are tracks from the masterpieces Trilogy and Tarkus, as well as variations and solos, and a Greg Lake rendition of King Crimson's "Epitaph."
A spectacular album with live renditions of songs like "Tarkus," "Piano Improvisations," and the complete version of "Karn Evil 9," which is even superior to the studio version. "Take A Pebble," with extended sections and improvisations, features extraordinary performances, and ELP in a state of grace.
One of the most extensive and spectacular live albums of the 1970s and one of the best progressive rock albums, despite the audio quality, which has significantly improved in this remastered version.
A beautiful live performance, beautifully played over three vinyls, dense and intense, but one that never tires me.
A live album that is a MUST among live albums.
Note: All links to the musicians' works are in the TAGS under the article title or on the "Artists" page.
Tracklist
LP 1 (31:52)
1. Hoedown (4:55)
2. Jerusalem (2:51)
3. Toccata (7:24)
4. Tarkus (16:42) :
- a. Eruption
- b. Stones of Years
- c. Iconoclast
- d. Mass
- e. Manticore
- f. Battlefield (incl. "Epitaph")
LP 2 (42:21)
1. Tarkus (conclusion) (10:42) :
- g. Aquatarkus
2. Take a Pebble (incl. "Still... You Turn Me On" {Lake} and "Lucky Man" {Lake}) (11:07)
3. Piano Improvisations {Emerson} (incl. "Fugue" {Friedrich Gulda} and "Little Rock Getaway" {Joe Sullivan}) (11:53)
4. Take a Pebble (conclusion) {Lake} (3:33)
5. Jeremy Bender / The Sheriff (medley) {Emerson / Lake} (5:06)
LP 3 (35:19)
1. Karn Evil 9 (35:19) :
- a. 1st Impression (incl. percussion solo (Con Brio))
- b. 2nd Impression
- c. 3rd Impression
Total Duration 109:32
LineUp
- Keith Emerson - keyboards, vocals on "Karn Evil 9 - 1st Impression"
- Greg Lake - vocals, bass, electric and acoustic guitar
- Carl Palmer - drums, percussion
