LIVE AT HIGH VOLTAGE 2010

9 months since the gig and I am one of the very few submitting a review for this album. An album both sold on the festival (huge ques was reported) and in the shops some days later. An excellent idea, btw.

The problem with this album is called Welcome To The Show. That is; the live album which is the ultimate live album by ELP and by whom everything ELP has done live is judged against. Which is impossible, but not unfair. I would also add Live at Isle Of Wight as an album every other ELP will be judged against too.

Live at High Voltage 2010 is perhaps the final gig ELP has ever done and the final farewell to this band. Yes, there will be tonnes of new compilations and some live albums too from the 1970s. But Live at High Voltage 2010 is the last tones from this band. I would say, let it go. Retire with grace. We already have tonnes of excellent stuff from ELP (and The Nice, btw) to warm our hearts with.

I was not at the High Voltage festival so I have no emotional attachments to this gig and to the farewell of ELP whatsoever. I judge this album on what comes out of the speakers. I am not that impressed. The band sounds aged and that goes for in particular for Greg Lake. This live album does not have the same gutso as their live albums from the 1970s and that's a big problem when it comes to ELP. Gutso is what they relies on, to a large extent. But the songs are by default great songs.

In short; the songs are great, but the delivery of the songs sounds tired and not particular inspired. Hence my score.

3 stars