THE ULTIMATE COLLECTION

Another compilation of the awesome prog legends ELP. Their legacy remains and now we are left with new compilations to pour through or live releases. This latest comp is a great one with a ton of prog etched onto 3 CDs and a lavish package. There is not much left out on this comp, starting with Knife-Edge, Lucky Man, The Barbarian, Take a Pebble, and Tarkus. Other treasures include Trilogy, Karn Evil 9, Jerusalem, Fanfare for the Common Man, and Pirates. It loses interest then as much as their studio output but I still like to hear Tiger in a Spotlight, Peter Gunn (live) and Black Moon.

The compilation is very comprehensive with the complete Tarkus and Karn Evil 9 and covers tracks from every release. If you do not own the great early albums, this is the next best thing. I wonder how many more concerts will be released or compilations of these prog legends .

What I perceive to be the best priced, and best packed ELP compilation. I am grateful for this, as many prices for mint ELP albums had been getting expensive.

Finding Tarkus in its entirety prior to this was very difficult. Other highlights include Exhibition cuts, most of Trilogy, and most of Karn Evil 9.

Now you might be wondering why this near perfect set isn't a five star review...yes? That's because there is absolutely no booklets or liner notes!! How can such a collection be released with not even a single word about the band themselves? There is so much to say about the creation of ELP, and how the music was created, etc. I already know much about them, so I could do without documentation, but I'd love to imagine somone picking this up as an ELP gateway drug and learn... nothing about the band because a lack of paraphernalia.

Despite that big flaw, I'm still happy about the comprehensive collection presented. I'm sure that even without any information on ELP on hand, a quick Google search will quench the thirst for questions.