BRAIN SALAD SURGERY

Oh my what an album! Two remakes starting the record brilliantly made by ELP their own with all their glorious virtuosity and passion. Lake's ballad "Still...You turn me on" is as much his show off as a vocalist (and he sings beautifuly) as a place for Emerson to shine with his ornamental and elaborate accompaniament. Benny the bouncer is an example of not my cup of tea (as all the other tracks where ELP tried to sound funny. For me it's an aesthetic where ELP comes out as a bit forced sometimes). This one though is probably the least irritating of them all. Now come the main course; Karn Evil9. Listening it on vinyl lets You appreciate their clever joining betwen the parts when one needs to flip the record. Lake sings with passion and with rocking energy and it suits him as well as his sublime parts. He is at the peak of his powers here. The whole band is. The middle part of the song is amazing piano full of emersonian sound and his typical juggling act which I love him forplus brilliant rhythmic section. For me it's the epitome of ELP sound. Or prog music in general. Hearing/reading an opinions about this one or Tales from topographic oceans being over the top, one questions if that person likes prog at all, as for me this is what prog is all about. The final part brings Lake back and Emerson comes in with his trademark bombastic fanfares with occasional detour into more jazzy territories. ELP are ending the track and the album on the triumphant note. And I say hell yeah! A masterpiece of the genre from the band that delivered even a few more.