EMERSON LAKE & PALMER IN CONCERT

This live album is a further contractually obligated release, from the 'Works' Tour of 1977, the tour with the over-blown budget, complete with 3 semi-trailers worth of gear in tow, and a massive orchestra, but boy, did they draw a crowd !! The album, recorded at Olympic Stadium, Montreal, features only about a half of the entire set, of which a full-length video exits of. Opening with a Synth 'Fanfare', this 51 second intro leads into the 'Peter Gunn' theme - its main feature being the catchy riff that most people are familiar with, but a bit of a 'goofy' choice of song, I think. Emerson and his 'new-found friend' - the Yamaha GX-1 synth, suits the piece perfectly. It has some interesting sounds and effects to it, but ultimately sounds rather 'cheezy'. Still, Keith has his Moog Modular unit present. Phew !! 'Tiger In A Spotlight' is a cool track, but its melodies and key changes have been done many times before, by more 'standard' rock bands. And now for Greg Lake in a spotlight with his lovely 12 string ballad 'C'est La Vie' - a very pretty song actually, with the French vibe helped along by Emerson's Accordion solo. 'The Enemy God' is an ELP treatment of an excerpt from a suite by the classical composer, Prokofiev. This is quite a storming version which has a dramatic feel to it, and halfway through Emerson's Hammond rings through brightly - the first truly impressive song here. Nice to hear a fully orchestrated version of 'Knife Edge', from the wonderful debut album, always an exciting listen. I have to say that Lake's 8-string Bass Guitar has a very 'spikey' tone to it, and the overall sound of the album is quite 'thin'. I admire Palmer's Drums and Percussion playing around this time (probably the best trait of the mis-understood 'Love Beach' album also) but he really stretches out by creating elaborately decorated arrangements for his instruments - quite a busy performer in other words. Side 2 starts with the dramatic end section of Emerson's 'Piano Concerto No 1', not a bad piece of music, but perhaps comes off a little too serious and sophisticated for most prog-heads. The surprise on this album comes in the form of the 2nd half of the 'Pictures at an Exhibition' suite, 15 minutes of awesome Prog, complete with the up-dated equipment the band were using, and the added sonorities of the orchestra. This period wasn't the best time for the band, but I'm glad this recording exists. 3.5 stars.