Elp Decided to Stare Down One of the Many Demons of their Remarkable Career. They have Begun a Series to Release Many of their Live Concert Recordings Legitimately that were Previously Available Only by Shady Means. This Initial Six CD Set was Recorded in 1971-72 from New York, Kentucky, and England. The Tapes have Been Digitally Remastered and Sleeve Notes Written by Elp Expert Martyn Hanson.
As I read in other reviews, these discs are not for those who love the slick production of officially released live albums. These bootlegs are for the true fan. I think they are the better recordings of some of the stuff I've heard. Another thing to consider in any older recordings is the technology at the time. My only personal regret was waiting to buy this until the market and demand caused the price to be 4X the original price. The one thing I thought was poorly done was the information about the shows. They could have given a list of the shows they did that year or even some older photos from the era. They offer one sheet of paper with the information of the songs and dates.
Best description - Majestic sounds by the individuals in one of my favorite groups. I first had the vinyl - then the CDs. Since music taste is subjective - all I can note is the quality of the recording & the years I've enjoyed the tracks. I've found that I've expanded the number of tracks I enjoy the more I've listened to the others on the record.
Emerson Lake and Palmer have long been one of my favorite progressive bands. Although Brain Salad Surgery is the ultimate ELP recording, Works is also an innovative piece of work. Pirates is my favorite ELP tune. Greg Lake has never sounded better.
I have started to enjoy some of ELP's music, so decided to purchase both of the Works albums. Has most of their better songs. I am happy with this purchase.
This was a brilliant concept of having the three artist have a side basically dedicated to showcase their talents. The Pirates song takes the listener to a dream of life in those old swashbukler moview of days gone by.....
You just don't see a group commit to this since the self-indulgent 70's. ELP's "Works" was a monumental effort from a band that, although I'm somewhat of a fan, was truly full of themselves. The concept of this was that each member received their own album side, to pursue their own muse, and for the final side, they would come together. In fairness to ELP, an old fashioned album side could not have supported such an endeavor from 3 pretty pompous artists.
The work is far from perfect, but that is what makes it adventerous and fun.
It starts out with Keith Emerson's contributions...classical piano concertos. I have always hated this because as a "rock and roll" fan buying a "rock and roll" record, I wanted to hear "rock and roll" music. It is definitely cool to hear a classical "influence" on the rock and roll song, but a component must be "rock and roll"!. That is why Keith Emerson's side is a failure. He must have been pretty high on himself to push this on his fans. Now, when I first bought this, I was 14 years old and did not possess the maturity to appreciate his piano chops. As a more seasoned fan, I still don't appreciate it since, if I wanted to hear impressive classical piano chops, I would have gone the Keith Jarrett/Chick Corea route. I always skipped the Keith Emerson side. Even if his playing is impressive...who cares?
The next spotlight would be on Greg Lake who is the brightest star for ELP. I say that because their best songs feature his beautiful and majestic voice. With "Lucky Man" and "Still you turn me on" as ELP gems, and they are especially slower, more quiet songs, then these similar enchanting songs are terrific. "C'est La Vie", "Nobody does it like you do" and "Lend your love to me tonight" are all fantastically beautiful and intimate songs that perfectly showcase Lake's gorgeous voice in a proper naturally organic context. The Greg Lake side is as good as anything ELP has done and a 4 star album.
Carl Palmer's side focuses on jazz and fusion and even though this is not rock and roll, some of this stuff is bold and very muscular music which showcases Palmer's power and virtuosity. To see ELP live, in the 70's, would have been to see Palmer perform unbelievable drum solos which could have never been conveyed from the recorded songs... until now. That spectacular live performer comes alive on such dynamic songs as the jazz fusion "Tank" and "The Enemy God dances with the black Spirits" and the ultra frantic "Food for Your Soul". This is percussive music and unlike ELP's usual noodling, the songs and melody take priority over the instrumentation.
The cumlination of everything is perfectly blended together in the final two songs. ELP's take of "Fanfare for the Common Man" is classic ELP, with the application of a stunning progressive rock approach onto a classical song. As much as Emerson lacks on side 1, on this he is absolutely slaying it. The drums, bass, and keyboard are powerful and make this a classic (which it is obvious since it is always used as a theme for sport's oriented shows).
The closing, "Pirates" is an enigma, it is so bizzare, so daring, so self indulgent, so sprawling yet, despite it being too much (I think this song could have been the impetus for the punk movement), "Pirates" is what makes progressive rock so enjoyable. This over 13 minute opus which has aspects of electronica, fully accompaning orchestra, movie soundtrack...like for a film about Pirates, jazz, and pop music, makes this song absolutely fascinating. If have been listening to this for over 30 years and I am always attentitive to every aspect of the song, listening to it like I've never heard it before, because "Pirates" is an enthralling saga of song. What really makes this song special is Greg Lake's very powerful, forceful vocals.
This is hardly party music to cruise around in the car but I feel that ELP's "Works" is their most endearing album. Emerson's piano side takes it down to 3 1/2 stars otherwise I'd give it 4 1/2 out of 5.
Bought because of the rediculously low price. Even more surprised by the excellent condition of this item. A life long fan, they are sadly missed. Masters of their craft and epic productions.
I was very vociferous in damning this bootleg series when it first came out. Yes I still think that the sound is very pooor, frustratingly so. However listening to them again I find that it does have a "you were there" feel to it. No overdubs or polishing just the basic sound as it went out live. The playing is wonderful and although the sound is poor for the most part, you can hear all three musicians. As with all bootlegs and this is what used to annoy me, some tracks may be missing or part complete ( Saratoga), but if you love ELP, bite the bullet and buy them, I listened to all 7 discs in a row something I have never done with any other set
I purchased this as a gift for a co-worker who actually attended the concert in 1972 - couldn't be happier with it! Condition of the box was fantastic, and the CDs themselves were flawless. Thank you so much!
