LIVE AT THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL (DVD)

Review Nº 883

Emerson, Lake & Palmer was the progressive rock first super group. Greeted by the rock press and the public as something akin to conquering heroes, they succeeded in broadening the audience for progressive rock from hundreds of thousands into tens of millions of listeners, creating a major radio phenomenon as well. Their flamboyance on record and in the studio echoed the best works of the heavy metal bands of that era, proving that the classical rockers could compete for that arena scale audience. They were also responsible to bring the classical music to the public in general, making of them a great ambassador of the classical music. Over and above their own commercial success, the trio also paved the way for the success of such prog bands as Yes, who would become their chief rivals for much of the 70's.

"Live At The Royal Albert Hall" (DVD) has twelve tracks. So, we have, "Karn Evil 9 (1st Impression ? Part 2)" from "Brain Salad Surgery", a medley taken from the title track suite "Tarkus" from "Tarkus" with "Eruption", "Stones Of Years" and "Iconoclast", "Knife Edge" is from their eponymous debut studio album, "Paper Blood" is from "Black Moon", "Creole Dance" is based on the Alberto Ginastera's "Suite De Danzes Cirallas", "From The Beginning" is from "Trilogy", "Lucky Man" is also from their eponymous debut studio album, "Honky Tonk Train Blues" is from "Works Vol. 2", "Romeo And Juliet" is also from "Black Moon", "Pirates" is from "Works Vol. 1", "Pictures At An Exhibition" is from "Pictures At An Exhibition" and the final medley with parts of "Fanfare For The Common Man" is also from "Works Vol. 1", and "America" is an extract of a piece by Leonard Bernstein and "Rondo" is an extract t of a piece by Brubeck.

About the pieces, "Knife Edge" is a great piece with emphasis to the bass lines. "Lucky Man" is a great acoustic ballad, beautifully sung. "Pictures At An Exhibition" is an re-arranged piece that stays true to the original, but played with the rock energy. The medley of "Tarkus" is a short part of a complex piece with great creativity. "From The Beginning" is a very beautiful acoustic song with a very simple musical structure. "Karn Evil 9 (1st Impression ? Part 2)" is one the four parts of the piece. It belongs to one of their best pieces only can be compared with the suite "Tarkus". "Fanfare For The Common Man" is a great re-arranged piece, one of the best on "Works Vol. 1". "Pirates" is another great composition on "Works Vol. 1" too. "Honky Tonk Train Blues" is a re- arranged nice and funny song played in a boogie-woogie and jazz style. "Paper Blood" is a simple commercial rocker but damn good for what it is. "Romeo And Juliet" is a superb re-arrangement of "Dance Of The Knights" from Prokofiev's ballet "Romeo And Juliet". This is an amazing version of an amazing piece. "Creole Dance", "America" and "Rondo" are all great, especially the last two that were played together.

With this show, Emerson, Lake & Palmer showed that they had not lost anything in the 14 years of absence and performed as a group, and their new material kept up with their tradition of blending the lines of the classical music and rock. This DVD showcases the power and majesty that made of this band such a force in the 70's. It has the power and majesty of the symphonic and the energy of rock. It's hard to imagine this power coming from only three persons. But, when one see the vast array of keyboards that Emerson plays, mostly analog but with some concessions to digital modernity, it's perfectly understandable. Emerson with his freewheeling and his devil may care style of playing, is magnificent on the keys, whether prodding them to full power or showing off the subtle nuances that demonstrates his prowess to coax the most subtle sounds from them. Palmer whose work on the drums is equally amazing and subtle, but with grace at the same time, showed why he is a power in the rock circles. Lake was captured in finer voice and his nuanced playing bass and occasionally guitar stands out and the force of the other two never overshadows his playing.

Conclusion: This DVD shows, to me, a great live gig. Emerson is, as always, the master showman. For the encore, Emerson pulls a few The Nice era numbers out, and, as expected, he brings out the knives. The stage spins to reveal a poor hapless Hammond spinet organ. Emerson proceeds to abuse the instrument within inches of destruction. When he pins himself under the organ and plays it, this after spray painting an ELP's logo graffiti style on a faux brick wall. He can't help think of the originality and grandiosity of this amazing super group. This 70's odd minute DVD is a wonderful addition to the musical library for a far ranging variety of reasons, not the least of which is for historical purposes. Here, you can see where the prog rock music you are listening today had some of its roots. There is the power and the majesty of the music that these three great musicians generated, and for what was, and still is some of the finest blending of the classical music with rock. So, don't be fooled and check, soon as possible, this amazing live concert.

Prog is my Ferrari. Jem Godfrey (Frost*)

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