FANFARE FOR THE COMMON MAN [THE ANTHOLOGY]

Emerson Lake and Palmer's back catalogue comes up for recycling every few years, usually resulting in the original albums being "remastered" or "expanded". Along with these re- releases, a compilation will usually appear which invariably concentrates on the band's early, most creative albums.

"Fanfare for the common man" is another great collection which covers virtually all of the band's history, from the first track on their first album ("Barbarian"), through to "Affairs of the heart" and the title track from the "Black moon" album.

The band's first album is well represented, the whole of the first side of the LP being included, plus "Lucky Man" from side 2. The whole of the magnificent "Tarkus" track is here, although side 2 of that album is all but ignored. Interestingly, only part 2 of the "1st impression" of "Karn evil 9" makes it onto the album, while both tracks from the final side of "Works vol. 1" (Fanfare for the common man" and "Pirates") are present. Later albums such as "Works vol. 2", "Love beach" and "In the hot seat" are given little or no space at all.

Inevitably there are large overlaps with other collections such as the superb "The Atlantic years", but as this collection tends to be available at a budget price, it is well worth checking out for those yet to be convinced. There is one inexcusable major goof however, "The endless enigma" inexplicably fades out about 2 minutes before the end of the track!