PICTURES AT AN EXHIBITION

An album I loved when I first got it and for a while afterwards. In hindsight, well, okay maybe they did bite off more than they could chew here. Still, it was a pretty ballsy thing to do, using a classical piece as the framework for a 30 minute rock song. Yes, it has some disjointed parts, and yes it has some bits that are barely music at all, but overall it is a pretty decent piece. I've heard the original orchestral piece, and this doesn't really do it justice (except for maybe the Promenade parts and the finale, minus the vocals). But for myself, I love The Sage. Probably my favorite Lake acoustic and vocal piece, even if it is out of place. And the playing in the Baba Yaga sections is phenomenal. How any prog fan couldn't enjoy that is beyond me (well, we all have different tastes). I also generally like Lakes lyrics on here and the vocals are always good (as usual). But, of course, the original piece was not intended to have vocals so those who were already familiar with it are suitably appalled when they here what ELP have done. I hadn't heard the piece previously, and feel lucky in that regard, as I can still enjoy this for what it is..........a young band showing off and trying something different. Maybe it didn't work out all that well, but it's still a decent listen for any fan of their other works.

Oh yeah, I've never like Nutrocker and usually stop the CD at the end of the Pictures piece. Just an annoying piece of music to me in any form.

So, overall then, not a bad album to get. But if you are new to this band, get this after you get all the other albums up to and including Brain Salad Surgery. It's still better than Works and Love Beach. 3 solid stars.