WORKING LIVE VOLUME 1

It's long overdue for a member to speak up for this idiosyncratic and neglected album. Here we have one of the supposedly egotistical ELP supergroup letting his hair down in a modest event, and producing an unexpectedly hardcore rock performance. Herein lies the problem with its reception on this site, I believe. Those who would investigate this album are likely to be fans of Symphonic Prog, and not necessarily appreciative of this Progressive Metal delivery of ELP's music. Its perplexing assignment to the Crossover Prog sub-genre on Prog Archives will surely have whittled down its audience further.

Whatever, this is simply a great guitar (and of course drums) blast through most of my own favourite ELP pieces - 'The Barbarian', 'Tank', and the particular triumph of this concert - 'Toccata'. 'Canario' is simply a must-hear track, great fun. The guitar work is superlative throughout. Close to five stars for me, the only minor negatives being the recording quality, and Palmer's obligatory 'Drum Solo', which I am sure was great theatre to watch but comes across as simply an exercise in acceleration.

Verdict: recommended to fans of Dream Theater or Epica.