Emerson, Lake & Palmer "Emerson, Lake & Palmer" [VINYL]


Recorded: Through 1970
Released: November 1970
Label: Island Records, Manticore (UK)
Genre: Symphonic Prog

Personnel:
Keith Emerson: organ, synthesizer, piano, clavinet, keyboard, Hammond organ, Moog synthesizer
Greg Lake: acoustic guitar, bass, electric guitar, vocals
Carl Palmer: drums, percussion

Track Listing:
SIDE ONE

1. "The Barbarian" (Béla Bartók, arr. Emerson, Lake & Palmer) [4:27]
2. "Take a Pebble" (Lake) [12:32]
3. "Knife-Edge" (Leoš Janáček & J. S. Bach, arr. Emerson, lyrics by Lake & Fraser) [5:04]

SIDE TWO

1. "The Three Fates" (Emerson) [7:46]
1. "Clotho" Royal Festival Hall Organ
2. "Lachesis" Piano Solo
3. "Atropos" Piano Trio
2. "Tank" (Emerson & Palmer) [6:49]
3. "Lucky Man" (Lake) [4:36]

Where Bought: Premier Fairs Record/CD Fair, Holiday Inn, Lime Street, Liverpool
Price: £3
Condition: Excellent
When: 20/02/11

Notes: I had this already on CD and was desperate to get a copy on vinyl. Imagine my surprise, then, when I found this little beauty! Better still, I found a second copy after buying this, just as good condition but for £8! Bargain!

Highlights are definitely in Emerson's playing throughout, particularly on 'The Barbarian' and 'Clotho' ('The Three Fates') - the sheer power of it leaves me awestruck every time. Palmer's drumming on 'Tank' is brilliant. There's nothing better than a good drummer. Also take note of Greg Lake's beautiful ballad 'Lucky Man' closing the album - simple yet lovely, poetic and poignant.

The album feels a little disjointed to me - I definitely get the sense of a band still getting its bearings - but for some reason, it adds another level of brilliance. Because each member feels so wildly different, you're treated to an album of surprises. Emerson, Lake and Palmer allow for no dull moments, delivering a strong debut that's well worth the listen.