THE ATLANTIC YEARS

Emerson Lake & Palmer

Symphonic Prog

4.22 | 57 ratings

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Evolver
Special Collaborator
Crossover & JR/F/Canterbury Teams

Here's an oddity. An anthology of a progressive rock band on a major label that appears to have been produced by someone who actually likes their music. How refreshing!

It would be impossible to fit all of the great ELP tracks on two compact discs, especially since they have to include the "hits", and include all of the albums included in the so-called "Atlantic years". I won't go into detail, but I do wish they had included more from the Trilogy album.

If you are a follower of my reviews, you will know that I have a fondness for prog that is on the bombastic and overblown side, so therefore, ELP is one of my favorite bands. At least in their prime years, which are all covered here. On these recordings, Keith Emerson proves that he was the king of the keyboards (sorry, Wakeman fans, but during this time, Keith was better). Carl Palmer was the perfect drummer at this time, being able to match Emerson's talents in moving between jazz and classical with frenetic precision. Any discussion of the genre's top drummers must include Palmer. And even Lake, before the Works albums, provides strong bass and guitar, amazingly clear vocals, and ballads that do not bore.

This is a great selection for an introduction to this band, as it does include most of the essential pieces from this band. And extra kudos to the producers for not including the dismal C'est La Vie. But unfortunately, they did include Fanfare For The Common Man, and I Believe In Father Christmas (which is almost saved by the lyrics "And they told me a fairy story till I believed in the israelite".

The remastering on these recordings is great, the clarity of all the instruments is wonderful.

4.5 stars, rounded up.

Evolver | 5/5 | 2009-9-24

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