LIVE AT THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL

This recording is better than I would have expected, considering the lack of quality on the album this tour was supporting (Black Moon). Lakes voice sounds much less adenoidal than on the studio album. And luckily, they stick mostly to playing old material. In fact, the band only plays two songs from the new album (Black Moon and Paper Blood), both of which come off better here than on the studio versions, but neither are memorable.

The shortened version of Tarkus is okay,, but not great. Romeo & Juliet and Creole Dance are both pretty good. And Emerson's simulation of a full orchestra on this version of Pirates is just astounding. I believe this is the best recording of that song I've heard.

And the Finale medley is worth having just to hear the results of a very long Hammond torture session (anyone who has seen an ELP concert knows of what I speak).