EMERSON LAKE & PALMER

In my opinion, ELP's the only flawless album and the only five-star album. And a great masterpiece of progressive rock! Hard to believe in it since this is the opening album. "ELP" is much more impressive than any other opening album by any other famous band. I think YES and BANCO also had great openers too (titled, just like "ELP", after the names of the bands) but ELP's opener sounds mature. You don't get the feeling that the musicians are trying new ground or ony learning to play. Every track is memorable, every musician's performance is exemplary. Lake's voice of this period is one of the most beatiful voices in prog. Emerson is a virtuoso of composing, feeling and technique (ins't it he who is regarded the main composer for ELP?). Palmer is a fantastic , very technical drummer.

When I just bought "ELP" I immediately fell for 'Take a Pebble' and 'Lucky Man'. When Lake sings "Then watch the ripples ... " I get a goose skin. In fact, the effect is close to that produced by the four famous notes from 'Shine On You Crazy Diamond'. Now, after a few months of listening to the album, I also like the first track, 'The Barbarian', very much. I am sure no matter what your tastes are, you should include "ELP" in hundred best prog albums of all time!