PICTURES AT AN EXHIBITION

I love the original version of Pictures at the Exhibition, as well as the Ravel's orchestrated version. Knowing ELP's tendency to overt-showmanship, I was skeptical of their attempt to record a rock version of this. And indeed, there are sections here where Emerson goes a bit too wild on the synth solo, making noises not for musical reasons but for show. They insert a blues variation on the main theme. Furthermore, ELP commit a classical cardinal sin by writing new movements for the piece, including some with cheesy vocals. Saying this, I don't mind this version either. While it is never going to become the penultimate version of Mussorgsky's classic, it seems to me that ELP (especially Emerson) liked this piece so much that they/he really tried to make it musical. It works sufficiently that one doesn't feel the need to rip it off the turntable, and the way they interpreted is sufficiently interesting that even purists will probably stop and think about how well different sections work or not. Saying this, its not at the level to deserve four stars, and I still would rather listen to a virtuoso pianist play Mussorgsky's original piano version than this one. But it is a valid interpretation, and is good enough to keep in the ELP discography. I give it 6.8 out of 10 out of 10 on my 10-point scale, which places it in the mid 3 PA stars realm.

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