WORKS VOL. 1

Each one of the super star will have a part of this album for his own. Don't ask me why Keith will have the shortest one (just over eighteen minutes), while Greg's and Carl's parts clock at almost twenty-three minutes (it really doesn't matter).

I have never been into classical music, so the long "Piano Concerto No 1" from Keith can absolutely not be of interest to my ears. Boring from start to finish. Zero on my scale. This is absolutely neither rock, nor prog : press next.

It sounds as if the orchestral obsession of Keith was contagious. The first Lake song "Lend Your Love To Me Tonight" is a mellow song (obviously, remember "Lucky Man") completely submerged with a full orchestra. Awful. The next one of course is something else. "C'Est La Vie" belongs to the most beautiful ballads of ELP (together with the one I have just mentioned). The accordeon in the middle part will definitely add a Frenchy touch to this song (apart from its title, of course).

"Hallowed Be Thy Name" is a boring jazzy little tune of no interest. Press next again to reach "Nobody Loves You Like I Do". This one starts almost OK but turns into another poor bluesy one with harmonica and all the stuff. Press next again. Some more orchestration for "Closer To Believing". It is not that bad, actually. But extremely mellow and shouldn't have been featured on any previous ELP album. At this point of time, the next button won't be of any help since it is the last song of CD one.

For Carl's part, the orchestrations are still present for "The Enemy God Dances With The Black Spirits". As ridiculous as the rest. The jazzy "L.A. Nights" will be on par. I'm afraid that the "Press Next" exercise is the only one to be of value. But, I'm afraid we'll have to do so till the end of the album. It is not the incredibely boring "New Orleans" that will change my mind. We are still in the ZERO star territory for this "album".

The classical frenzy has touched Carl as well, since "Two Part Invention In D Minor" is fully mined by the orchestra. The cacophonic "Food For Your Soul" is just on par : the crappiest crap.

Even the alternative version for "Tank" (the original being featured on their debut album) is completely destroyed. I wonder if they have a special recipe to create the most boring moments of my musical prog life (although this release has nothing to do with prog).

Obviously, we'll get a full ELP side. The last one. If you are still awake at this time of listening to this utmost sh.t. I guess that it is just to figure out how it will sound like. Shall we get a great ELP number ? The answer will come quickly : not really. "Fanfare" is a cliché of what ELP can achieve while they have decided to be pompous. A bit boring stuff, unfortunately. But way better than the first three sides.

During "Pirates" there will be some good moments (the ones with Greg on the vocals).

It was apparently a successful record at the time they released it. IMO it is EXTREMELY boring. All the clichés of their pretentiousness are featured here. But not their brilliantness. This album is to be avoided by all means. Do not spend any ? cent for this.

For once, I will rather harsh. I usually do not make too much comments on other colleagues reviews, but to rate this album with a five star rating is pure nonsense.

This "work" is disgusting. I only have wished that the zero star rating would be available. Did ELP forget the great numbers they have released ? How could they HONESTLY released such a useless record ?

Only the common part is of some value. But it is not enough to raise this album to stars.

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