TRILOGY

"Trilogy" is for me one of ELP's finest albums and probably the most accessible one compared to other albums released in the early to mid seventies. Not only that, the album was also one of classic progressive rock icons in the seventies altogether with Genesis "Nursery Cryme", "Foxtrot", King Crimson's "In The Court of Crimson King", "In The Wake of Poseidon" or Yes "Close To The Edge", etc.

In July 1972 came Trilogy, another hit album (No. 2 UK, No. 5 US) that included a stirring rendition of Aaron Copland's "Hoedown", which quickly became an ELP staple. One of Greg's ballad "From The Beginning", was their highest- charting American single. Also featuring the sweeping epic "Endless Enigma", "Living Sin" and the title track "Trilogy" marked a move away from heavy sci-fi concepts. - quoted from the nice booklet in the ELP box set The Return To The Manticore.

Yeah, with the above quote I feel like I'm 32 years younger. What a powerful statement about this groundbreaking album! For me it's a luxury knowing that statement as I only could afford to buy the box set (that cost me very serious Rupiahs that I never imagined during my childhood that I would have it) and also each individual album of the band in CD format. I really love ELP's music - they are just terrific. Fabulous. I can only comment that if Greg Lake did not quit King Crimson and formed ELP we wouldn't have the opportunity to see two great prog rock bands King Crimson. Thanks to Rober Fripp that did not give up King Crimson and found out another great vocalist John Wetton. There is always an opportunity in any problem encountered even if we missed great musician like Greg Lake.

The album kicks off with a of bit unstructured arrangement - if we listen to it the first time - with a sort of avant-garde (?) music through the exploration of synthesizer and piano by Keith Emerson augmented with bass and drum works "The Endless Enigma - Part One" (6:41). That's exactly what happen with the first 2 minutes of the song. This kind of music has become the trade mark of ELP music. What follow is a melodic and catchy melody through the vocal of Greg Lake. It's really touchy that reminds me to the band's classic "The Sage" really. It's hard to understand if there is someone who cannot enjoy this track especially the lyrical verse. Greg Lake provides his vocal in low as well as high register notes with full power combined with dazzling drum sounds by Carl Palmer. It clears my head like nothing I've experience in years - it's quite the suave affair, and it's surrounded by many beautiful segments through piano solo exploration during the bridge "Fugue" ( 1:56) that connects the music back to the tagline melody of part one of "The Endless Enigma" into part two that consumes another two minutes of music. Fabulous!!!

It flows wonderfully to great acoustic guitar work to commence "From The Beginning" with kind like distant vocal singing style backed with acoustic guitar fills and percussive. During interlude, electric guitar solo overlay the acoustic guitar and percussive rhythm section; continued amazingly with synthesizer solo. Awesome! The album continues with Keith Emerson's boiling water organ work that dominantly form "The Sheriff" (3:21) combined with inventive drum work by Carl Palmer and bass lines, vocals by Greg Lake. Even though this is a short track but it's an amazing track: great harmonies of music combining piano/organ drums and bass guitar excellently.

"Hoedown" (3:43) which has become ELP's opening track in many concerts after the "Welcome back My Friend" yell. It again features rapid fire organ and synthesizer work by Keith augmented by solid and inventive bass lines by Greg lake and powerful drum work by Carl Palmer. The title track "Trilogy" is one of my many all time favorite ELP tracks. It starts mellow with melodic singing style of Greg Lake accompanied with nice piano - heavily influenced by classical music. My true love is really when the music blasts off altogether (after great piano punches) with all instruments are played in continuous streams of music where bass guitar provides solid beat keeper accompanied with drum. Synthesizer gives its solo for quite reasonable duration throughout the track. Usually I play LOUD at my stereo set during this instrumental part. So uplifting man!

"Living Sin" (3:12) is a beautiful and funny song for me me. Funny? Yeah, because Gregg Lake provides his very low register notes vocal at the intro part but he suddenly sings the high register notes in full power accompanied with accentuated music with organ / synthesizers and drum work. Beautiful composition and very melodic. The song also offers many styles especially during transition pieces. The album concludes beautifully with an instrumental track "Abaddon's Bolero" (8:07).

Overall, it's a HIGHLY RECOMMENDED album If you are new to prog, this album is an excellent introduction to prog rock. Keep on proggin' ..!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW

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