MASTERS FROM THE VAULTS

One of my 'prog rock frustrations' is that I've never visited an ELP gig, so I try to ease this pain with lots of video - and DVD live footage. This DVD has done a great job, what a thrilling experience: an inspired band, a warm interaction with the public and lots of great images from the band and the members (only a few non-live images in the beginning of "The Barbarian" spoils a bit pleasure). The footage is from the era just after their debut- album and contains strong and dynamic versions from "The Barbarian", "Rondo/Bach improvisations", "Drum Solo", "Nut Rocker", "Take a Pebble" and "Knife Edge". Of course the focus is on his splendid piano - and exciting Hammond organ play, what a wizard! More remarkable is the fact that Keith Emerson uses his Hohner clavinet a lot and his Moog synthesizer only during "Knife Edge". Greg Lake plays an intermezzo on his acoustic guitar (with some funny moments) and Carl Palmer has a virtuosic solo moment. The strong point from this DVD is that ELP plays very pure, later the extravagant shows and Emerson's spectacular stage antics distracted from their captivating music.