EMERSON LAKE & PALMER

Of their first four classic albums, this self titled debut is far and away my favourite. It's almost like it was tailor-made for me. Perfect fit. It's difficult to estimate how influencial this album became, but make no mistake it became a template for many bands who followed. I could heap praise upon each one of these three guys for their individual talents and no one would argue, but I think Palmer is the one who surprised me the most on this debut with his drum skills. I mean he's only 19 years old here but playing like a passionate, seasoned veteran.

"The Barbarian" is raw and dirty to open. Check out Lake's filthy fuzz bass ! Meanwhile Emerson is ripping it up on his Hammond organ. Palmer meanwhile is simply incredible on the kit. Things change 1 1/2 minutes in as piano and drums take over. A gong sound signals a return of that fuzz bass and those nasty organ runs. Palmer is so good just firing off round after round. A knock out punch and they're just getting started. "Take A Pebble" is pastoral track with Lake's pleasant vocals as Emerson tinkles on the piano. The tempo picks up after 2 1/2 minutes with piano leading the way. A calm before 4 minutes with Lake on acoustic guitar. The tempo picks back up 5 1/2 minutes in with clapping. Back to a calm and acoustic guitar. Piano takes over 6 1/2 minutes in. Drums start to get more prominant after 9 minutes and bass joins in too. Vocals are back before 11 1/2 minutes to the end of the song.

"Knife-Edge" features sinister sounding organ, and vocals that are darker. An uptempo organ/drum melody follows. These themes are repeated. Check out the organ and drums 3 1/2 minutes in. It becomes powerful 4 minutes in with vocals and killer organ runs. "The Three fates" opens with pipe organ. It's so powerful ! Piano 2 minutes in. Yes Emerson can play ! The organ is back 4 1/2 minutes in. Piano and drums follow. Great sound before 6 minutes. An explosion ends it. Appropriate. "Tank" opens with drums and a clavinet solo from Emerson. This all sounds pretty incredible. A collage of intricate sounds fills the air. Check Palmer out 2 minutes in until after 4 minutes when the other two finally join in. Love the synths 5 minutes in to the end of the song. "Lucky Man" was written by Lake when he was around 12 years old when he was learning to play guitar. He dreamed of what it would be like to be rich. To be a lucky man. I first heard this song when I was in my teens in the mid seventies and have never grown tired of it. It's a mellow song that tells a story. Acoustic guitar, vocals and drums to open. Awesome sound before 2 minutes. Palmer is so intricate, very Bruford-like here. Of course it ends with that famous moog synthesizer solo. Emerson didn't own one at this point, but there was one in the studio belonging to MANFRED MANN's Mike Vickers. He borrowed it and the rest is history.