WORKS VOL. 1

When this album was released, an number of music journalists, who by this time looked upon ELP with total derision, saw the small "Volume 1" notation on the sleeve as some kind of threat!

"Works" was a worthy attempt at keeping the band together by giving each member their own space. In a similar way to what Pink Floyd's did with "Ummagumma", each of the three worked on their own contribution, The difference here is that, whereas the members of Pink Floyd got half a side of an LP each, Emerson Lake and Palmer each get a whole one.

Keith Emerson chose to dedicate his entire side to a "Piano concerto", complete with full orchestra, and devoid of any "rock" instruments. The piece stands up well as a classical composition, partly inspired apparently by watching his own house burn down. Emerson does at times tend to fall into the trap which has caught many rock musicians when they attempt to move into serious music, by tending to be over enthusiastic with the percussion and volume. The music is not however what you would expect from ELP, and it would perhaps have been wiser for Emerson to release this as a solo venture.

Greg Lake's side is more faithful to the ELP brand, or at least to his contributions to it. The tracks are all 4 to 5 minute songs in the mould of "Still you turn me on", and "From the beginning". The best tracks in this section are the ballads "C'est la vie" and "Closer to believing".

Carl Palmer's side is inevitably percussion based, but by and large he avoids over indulgence. "Tank" is reworked as a jazzier piece, the rest of the tracks following in a similar vein.

The final side consists of 2 more traditional lengthy band tracks. "Fanfare for the common man" is effectively "Trilogy part 2", an excellent Emerson led instrumental, which succeeded as a single in edited form. The final track "Pirates", includes orchestral accompaniment. The track has a stage show feel to it, but rambles rather aimlessly though its story. At about 14 minutes long, it outstays its welcome considerably, and makes for a rather disappointing end.

As an ELP album, "Works volume 1" sees the band moving away from the formula which had brought them fame and fortune on preceding albums. It was a brave, but probably necessary change which, while serving to give the band members' egos the space they needed, alienated many fans, and in retrospect signalled the beginning of the end.

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