Customer Reviews

Come & See the Show: Best of Emerson Lake Palmer

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The first time I saw this, my heart rate jumped a bit...then dropped back down, realizing that this is yet another greatest hits collection. It is indeed ironic, given the title for this effort, that there are at least two complete 1977 Works Tour concerts accessible at Wolfgang's Vault, yet currently unavailable as even a legal download! You can listen to the streaming audio free ( and if you happen to have a recording device with analog inputs... ). I just don't understand these guys: ELP released two massive sets ( The Manticore Vaults ) of generally horrendous quality bootleg shows; bad recordings and a few embarrassing moments for the band, performance-wise! Yet they ( or their label ) continue to sit on pristine, well-recorded, STRONG performances from 1977...?? What gives, guys?
This album isn't a bad set by any means; it's just that there's nothing new here. It's the same old portrait with yet a new frame! ELP fans deserve better than this reconstituted pan of old beans.

This says "best of" but with a band as great as this, you really can't pick a best of.

The entire "Tarkus" album (1971) is a must-listen for any fan of progressive rock, yet there's not even one song from this album. Also, "Black Moon" (1992) is one of their better songs and one of their more popular, and that isn't here either.

"Pictures at an Exhibition", "Brain Salad Surgery" and their self-titled are all great albums as well. And even their least-accepted albums have a few songs you should definitely check out. "Memoirs of an Officer and a Gentleman" from "Love Beach" (1978) and "Hand of Truth" from "In the Hot Seat" (1994).

If I were to pick a best of, I would include at least one song from each album, something this compilation fails to do. There are no songs from Tarkus (Their best album, in my opinion) and nothing from their post-1977 work. Do your research if you want a best of compilation.

Or, just go pick up every album, there are only 9 studio albums (10 counting Pictures At An Exhibition Live), and they are all fantastic and unique.

I agree with the first reviewer. 'Come And See The Show' provides a decent look at ELP's lengthy career, and it even includes 'I Believe In Father Christmas' from the 'Works, Vol. 2' album (extra pointers for that!). And the American radio hits are here too. 'Lucky Man,' and 'Karn Evil 9: First Impression, Pt. 2' and 'Toccata' all appear on this set. And Shout! Factory did a good job remastering this. The sound quality is superb!

But I have a question: Why didn't Shout! Factory include the entire 'Karn Evil 9 Suite' or maybe even a song like 'Brain Salad Surgery' or 'Tarkus.'

Bottom line: If you're going to make an ELP collection, PLEASE MAKE IT TWO DISCS. It is impossible to summarize ELP on a single disc, although another disc with the same title (minus the 'Come And See The Show') does the best job representing the band through one disc.

Overall, unless you are a very casual ELP fan or a collector that has to have everything ELP ever released, than get this. It's got great sound quality and most of the American hits, but if you want the BEST of ELP, check out 'The Essential Emerson Lake & Palmer.'

Recommended, but only for casual fans. But it's still a solid comp.

I have all their albums. Too much hassle to make CD's or MP3's out of them. (Would have to get the turntable working again.) This allowed me to enjoy one of the best and most unique bands ever, again.

ELP does a exceptional job at bringing music (back then) to a new horizon in the music industry. This CD is one I have been wanting to add to my collection for years.

The Rock and Roll of my era,had a great mix of diversity and a profound reference that some songs were not true Rock and Roll because they didn't have the sheen of the true spirit of Rock.But if you will,get a wheel on Emerson Lake & Palmer.It may be a little dour to the Big,BANG&BOOM Rock.But it's very much a doer, and in my opinion,it's up there with the best.
Totally Candid;
Mongrel

This CD is in perfect shape and plays just as good. Very happy with all the products I have purchased so far.

I recently purchased this CD because it has one of my favorite songs on it: "I Believe in Father Christmas." However, when the CD arrived and I was able to listen to all the tracks I was amazed not only at how many sounded familiar but also with the variety of music, from "Fanfare for the Common Man" to "Lucky Man."
Highly recommended.

Greg Lake of ELP is the most underrated singer of the era. He has the range and pitch control of Art Garfunkle but in a completely different genre. The CD showcases Emerson on Keyboards (Toccata for example) but listen to Greg Lake on "Still you Turn me On" or "C'e La Vie". Palmer can play tympany too. The group covers classical songs well and has done more than any rock group to evoke the essence of classical music: the evokation of emotions from music.

This is a fine collecton of ELP's favourites. The focus is on songs of the first four years (1970 -1974) of ELP's records.