WELCOME BACK MY FRIENDS TO THE SHOW THAT NEVER ENDS

Back in the old days of yes,elp and wnewfm, I was an avid ELP fan. Even to the point where I walked around alot with a jean jacket with the elp logo and even the bird from that 1st album. One of my prize purchases back then was this album, Welcome Back My Friends.... Looking back now with a more educated ear towards this music, I realize now how understatingly important Greg Lake's guitar prowess was to this music, you can hear what I'm talking about, specifically on Karn Evil 9, where Greg Lake's guitar riffs really drive this music. But the gem of the album, and the reason to buy it is Aquatarkus. Here again is evidence of that secret jazz album that was begging to be released by ELP(there is none unfortunately), Here is the rare instance of an ELP spontaneous-like jam, the latin-tinged percusive rhythms of Palmer's drums, the almost cubanlike tones of emerson's moogs have made me wish there had been an album of free flowing funky jams from elp, Just take a Pebble has a whole section that hints at this. And on works II, with "apple blossoms.." and some of the other tracks as well, it is my theory that there was a great jazz album waiting to be made by Emerson Lake and Palmer that just never happened, this is one of the tragic consequences when these particular types of prog musicians feel compelled to stay within the mainstream formula despite having already made zillions on it, what would prevent elp from doing such an album now? when I first saw Asia, before the album came out, this is what I was hoping for but never got from these guys, the chance to see them finally open up and jam a little. Aquatarkus is one of those rare great moments when ELP allowed itself to jam, along with Karn Evil 9 part ii, and that middle section of just take a pebble, reason enough to buy this album. I give it 4 stars just based on these tunes, but that's it!!