The Best Emerson, Lake & Palmer Album
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Topic: The Best Emerson, Lake & Palmer Album
Posted By: Michael678
Subject: The Best Emerson, Lake & Palmer Album
Date Posted: September 13 2013 at 15:20
the most critically mixed prog band (if u know what i mean), ELP is a leader, and probably the first, prog rock supergroup, comprising of Keith Emerson of The Nice, Greg Lake of King Crimson, and Carl Palmer of The Crazy World of Arthur Brown and Atomic Rooster. Episode 5 heads into their direction and its time to see what the best ELP is there to offer. Anyone??
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Replies:
Posted By: rushfan4
Date Posted: September 13 2013 at 15:21
Just a suggestion but I am quite certain that with the use of the search function you will find that these all albums by classic bands polls have been done multiple times.
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Posted By: The.Crimson.King
Date Posted: September 13 2013 at 15:30
Brain Salad Surgery. The 1st prog album I ever bought. The only record I had to re-buy 3 times 'cause I kept wearing out the vinyl.
"Come and see the show!"
------------- https://wytchcrypt.wixsite.com/mutiny-in-jonestown" rel="nofollow - Mutiny in Jonestown : Progressive Rock Since 1987
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Posted By: Man With Hat
Date Posted: September 13 2013 at 15:45
BSS for certain.
------------- Dig me...But don't...Bury me I'm running still, I shall until, one day, I hope that I'll arrive Warning: Listening to jazz excessively can cause a laxative effect.
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Posted By: Roj
Date Posted: September 13 2013 at 15:56
Easily Brain Salad Surgery.
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Posted By: elpprogster
Date Posted: September 13 2013 at 15:58
Trilogy for me; this album features such a sophistication and romanticism as no other ELP album manages to do  
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Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: September 13 2013 at 16:06
Like it or not (I once loved it), I do think Trilogy a pretty darned impressive album.
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Posted By: The-time-is-now
Date Posted: September 13 2013 at 16:33
Brain Salad Surgery.
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One of my best achievements in life was to find this picture :D
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Posted By: pfloyd
Date Posted: September 13 2013 at 17:08
the debut, but i like them all. Trilogy has alot of really cheesy songs though... so that's my least favorite of the first four.
------------- check out my art: http://alexanderbennett33.wixsite.com/portfolio
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Posted By: Neo-Romantic
Date Posted: September 13 2013 at 17:37
pfloyd wrote:
the debut, but i like them all. Trilogy has alot of really cheesy songs though... so that's my least favorite of the first four. |
This minus the "I like them all" part. I'd go as far as to say I don't actually give anything resembling a care about Trilogy. It's the epitome of mediocre in my book. Not bad, just right in the middle of the spectrum, warranting only feelings of indifference. Love that debut though! The only one I'd give 5 stars.
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Posted By: Hercules
Date Posted: September 13 2013 at 18:03
Trilogy, followed by the debut.
Never really liked BSS myself.
------------- A TVR is not a car. It's a way of life.
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Posted By: Tom Ozric
Date Posted: September 13 2013 at 18:52
rushfan4 wrote:
Just a suggestion but I am quite certain that with the use of the search function you will find that these all albums by classic bands polls have been done multiple times.
| I was just thinking the same thing
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Posted By: Wanorak
Date Posted: September 13 2013 at 18:56
BSS by a wide margin, a masterpiece and IMO their most consistent album!!
------------- A GREAT YEAR FOR PROG!!!
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Posted By: Epignosis
Date Posted: September 13 2013 at 19:04
Tarkus. The title track alone is better than all of their other albums combined.
------------- https://epignosis.bandcamp.com/album/a-month-of-sundays" rel="nofollow - https://epignosis.bandcamp.com/album/a-month-of-sundays
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Posted By: Barbu
Date Posted: September 13 2013 at 20:57
^ Good Point. The Tarkus suite is the best thing they've ever done but alas there's...side 2.
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Posted By: Barbu
Date Posted: September 13 2013 at 20:58
Emerson, Lake and Palmer
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Posted By: dr wu23
Date Posted: September 13 2013 at 21:36
Barbu wrote:
Emerson, Lake and Palmer |
^this
------------- One does nothing yet nothing is left undone. Haquin
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Posted By: ten years after
Date Posted: September 13 2013 at 22:11
Trilogy. Awesome album from start to finish.
BTW. I think Pictures at an Exhibition could reasonably be included in the list. Although a live album it contains no material that is available on a studio album.
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Posted By: Tom Ozric
Date Posted: September 13 2013 at 22:39
'Piccies' for me
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Posted By: Progosopher
Date Posted: September 14 2013 at 00:08
Brain Salad Surgery followed by Trilogy. And yes, Tarkus is the best song they had ever done.
------------- The world of sound is certainly capable of infinite variety and, were our sense developed, of infinite extensions. -- George Santayana, "The Sense of Beauty"
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Posted By: mongofa
Date Posted: September 14 2013 at 00:16
Love Beach! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Posted By: Tom Ozric
Date Posted: September 14 2013 at 00:50
^ Righty-oh......
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Posted By: Neo-Romantic
Date Posted: September 14 2013 at 00:51
Barbu wrote:
The Tarkus suite is the best thing they've ever done but alas there's...side 2. |
That's exactly how I feel too.
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Posted By: Moogtron III
Date Posted: September 14 2013 at 03:50
The debut is their best IMHO but BSS comes close.
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Posted By: The Bearded Bard
Date Posted: September 14 2013 at 04:08
Not much between their first four for me. Today I'll go with BSS.
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Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: September 14 2013 at 04:11
elpprogster wrote:
Trilogy for me; this album features such a sophistication and romanticism as no other ELP album manages to do  
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I think your comments are correct although I voted for BSS as always. 
What seems unquestionable is that the first four albums completely overshadow everything else that followed. Would ELP be more respected ( or just respected at all) if they had stopped in 1973?
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Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: September 14 2013 at 04:13
Neo-Romantic wrote:
Barbu wrote:
The Tarkus suite is the best thing they've ever done but alas there's...side 2. |
That's exactly how I feel too. |
side two does have it fans and to be fair there are some excellent tracks (The Only Way and A Time And A Place) so its hardly a write off. However side one was a special moment for sure.
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Posted By: verslibre
Date Posted: September 14 2013 at 04:24
richardh wrote:
elpprogster wrote:
Trilogy for me; this album features such a sophistication and romanticism as no other ELP album manages to do  
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I think your comments are correct although I voted for BSS as always.  What seems unquestionable is that the first four albums completely overshadow everything else that followed. Would ELP be more respected ( or just respected at all) if they had stopped in 1973? |
No doubt they would be. But "Karn Evil 9" is a sterling slice of prog evolution, nonetheless.
------------- https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_ipg=50&_sop=1&_rdc=1&_ssn=musicosm" rel="nofollow - eBay
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Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: September 14 2013 at 04:34
When I said first four I was counting BSS  . I should have said five to include Pictures which was an unusual live album as it was not the usual live versions of tracks of the previous album releases and it had that studio like sheen to the sound (thanks to Eddie Offord)
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Posted By: octopus-4
Date Posted: September 14 2013 at 05:24
Trilogy has been one of my introductions to the prog's world
------------- I stand with Roger Waters, I stand with Joan Baez, I stand with Victor Jara, I stand with Woody Guthrie. Music is revolution
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Posted By: Tom Ozric
Date Posted: September 14 2013 at 05:37
Lake's bass sound on Pictures is SUPERB.....
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Posted By: Xonty
Date Posted: September 14 2013 at 06:32
Brain Salad Surgery 
I don't see how it's not amongst the top 100 prog albums. As the poll shows, it's an astonishing album and IMO is very consistent and adventurous but works brilliantly! Much better than the debut 
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Posted By: MonsterMagnet
Date Posted: September 14 2013 at 07:32
ELP > Brain Salad Surgery > Tarkus > Trilogy > Works II > Works I >
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Posted By: The Pessimist
Date Posted: September 14 2013 at 07:52
Brain Salad Surgery. Karn Evil 9 is just incredible!
------------- "Market value is irrelevant to intrinsic value."
Arnold Schoenberg
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Posted By: presdoug
Date Posted: September 14 2013 at 08:23
Posted By: progmatic
Date Posted: September 14 2013 at 08:45
My favorites in order:
ELP Trilogy Pictures at an Exhibition Welcome Back My Friends Tarkus Brain Salad Surgery
The remaining albums were no longer the ELP I loved
------------- PROGMATIC
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Posted By: MFP
Date Posted: September 14 2013 at 09:40
Posted By: Metalmarsh89
Date Posted: September 14 2013 at 10:02
Brain Salad Surgery is their best I think. As for my favorite song, I know it's not Tarkus. I think that would be Fanfare for the Common Man.
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Posted By: someone_else
Date Posted: September 14 2013 at 11:09
BSS followed by the debut.
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Posted By: Neo-Romantic
Date Posted: September 14 2013 at 15:13
richardh wrote:
Neo-Romantic wrote:
Barbu wrote:
The Tarkus suite is the best thing they've ever done but alas there's...side 2. |
That's exactly how I feel too. |
side two does have it fans and to be fair there are some excellent tracks (The Only Way and A Time And A Place) so its hardly a write off. However side one was a special moment for sure. |
A Time and a Place is pretty good, sure. I cannot agree on The Only Way. One of the few examples of a song in which I just will not like based on the lyrics. It's not all that musically rewarding during the first half either. Infinite Space was far better. And then there's the issue of the other tracks basically unilaterally sucking, making the pacing of the album come across as they got lazy after creating a monolith. All that makes side 2 seem so much worse by comparison. But you're right, there are people out there who don't agree, and I respect that. It's all about subjectivity and personal taste.
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Posted By: b_olariu
Date Posted: September 14 2013 at 15:17
Posted By: HolyMoly
Date Posted: September 14 2013 at 15:34
Epignosis wrote:
Tarkus. The title track alone is better than all of their other albums combined.
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------------- My other avatar is a Porsche
It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle if it is lightly greased.
-Kehlog Albran
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Posted By: bloodnarfer
Date Posted: September 14 2013 at 17:20
The.Crimson.King wrote:
Brain Salad Surgery. The 1st prog album I ever bought. The only record I had to re-buy 3 times 'cause I kept wearing out the vinyl.
"Come and see the show!" |
Yeah! BSS holds a special place in my heart for being the first prog album I've ever heard, so I will have to vote for that...
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Posted By: Barbu
Date Posted: September 14 2013 at 17:27
Neo-Romantic wrote:
richardh wrote:
Neo-Romantic wrote:
Barbu wrote:
The Tarkus suite is the best thing they've ever done but alas there's...side 2. |
That's exactly how I feel too. |
side two does have it fans and to be fair there are some excellent tracks (The Only Way and A Time And A Place) so its hardly a write off. However side one was a special moment for sure. |
A Time and a Place is pretty good, sure. I cannot agree on The Only Way. One of the few examples of a song in which I just will not like based on the lyrics. It's not all that musically rewarding during the first half either. Infinite Space was far better. And then there's the issue of the other tracks basically unilaterally sucking, making the pacing of the album come across as they got lazy after creating a monolith. All that makes side 2 seem so much worse by comparison. But you're right, there are people out there who don't agree, and I respect that. It's all about subjectivity and personal taste. |
I actually quite like side 2 and always listen to Tarkus in it's entirety. It's just that with side 1, I'm listening to music, and when side 2 starts, I'm starting to do something else.
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Posted By: N-sz
Date Posted: September 14 2013 at 23:42
Trilogy
------------- https://blankspacerecords.bandcamp.com/" rel="nofollow - Blank Space Records
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Posted By: The.Crimson.King
Date Posted: September 15 2013 at 00:23
bloodnarfer wrote:
The.Crimson.King wrote:
Brain Salad Surgery. The 1st prog album I ever bought. The only record I had to re-buy 3 times 'cause I kept wearing out the vinyl.
"Come and see the show!" |
Yeah! BSS holds a special place in my heart for being the first prog album I've ever heard, so I will have to vote for that... |
I still remember the day I bought it...early summer after my freshman year in high school...ride my 10 speed to the local record store...looking through the racks and I see the album cover...What in the world is that? Then I read the album title...OMG! Then I get it home and drop the needle...been a prog maniac ever since 
------------- https://wytchcrypt.wixsite.com/mutiny-in-jonestown" rel="nofollow - Mutiny in Jonestown : Progressive Rock Since 1987
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Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: September 15 2013 at 06:37
Neo-Romantic wrote:
richardh wrote:
Neo-Romantic wrote:
Barbu wrote:
The Tarkus suite is the best thing they've ever done but alas there's...side 2. |
That's exactly how I feel too. |
side two does have it fans and to be fair there are some excellent tracks (The Only Way and A Time And A Place) so its hardly a write off. However side one was a special moment for sure. |
A Time and a Place is pretty good, sure. I cannot agree on The Only Way. One of the few examples of a song in which I just will not like based on the lyrics. It's not all that musically rewarding during the first half either. Infinite Space was far better. And then there's the issue of the other tracks basically unilaterally sucking, making the pacing of the album come across as they got lazy after creating a monolith. All that makes side 2 seem so much worse by comparison. But you're right, there are people out there who don't agree, and I respect that. It's all about subjectivity and personal taste. |
For me Lake is at his very best on the The Only Way. It was of course his very personal view of organised religion.
The oddest thing about side two is how different it sounds production wise. Eddie Offord pulled out every trikc in the book for Tarkus while Side Two might just have been recorded live. Perhaps they were hedging their bets a bit with a get out clause if the Tarkus suite bombed ? (or it might have been laziness  )
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Posted By: hellogoodbye
Date Posted: September 15 2013 at 11:10
Posted By: octopus-4
Date Posted: September 15 2013 at 11:12
hellogoodbye wrote:
Tarkus. |
Tar
The second half is not so good 
------------- I stand with Roger Waters, I stand with Joan Baez, I stand with Victor Jara, I stand with Woody Guthrie. Music is revolution
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Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: September 15 2013 at 11:16
I love Tarkus. I can't remember hearing the second side though Maybe I should flip the ol vinyl from time to time...
------------- “The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.”
- Douglas Adams
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Posted By: dr wu23
Date Posted: September 15 2013 at 19:44
Guldbamsen wrote:
I love Tarkus. I can't remember hearing the second side though
Maybe I should flip the ol vinyl from time to time... |
I can still recall people in college not playing the other songs when the Tarkus track was done.
I'll never understand why ELP insisted on putting those second rate short 'beerhall' songs on Tarkus, Trilogy, and BSS. They always ruined the flow of the lp's for me.
------------- One does nothing yet nothing is left undone. Haquin
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Posted By: Neo-Romantic
Date Posted: September 15 2013 at 20:28
dr wu23 wrote:
Guldbamsen wrote:
I love Tarkus. I can't remember hearing the second side though
Maybe I should flip the ol vinyl from time to time... |
I can still recall people in college not playing the other songs when the Tarkus track was done.
I'll never understand why ELP insisted on putting those second rate short 'beerhall' songs on Tarkus, Trilogy, and BSS. They always ruined the flow of the lp's for me. |
Hence my sentiment that their only masterpiece album as a whole is their first.
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Posted By: HolyMoly
Date Posted: September 15 2013 at 20:35
octopus-4 wrote:
hellogoodbye wrote:
Tarkus. |
Tar
The second half is not so good  |
I like enough of side 2 to make it worthwhile for me though.
------------- My other avatar is a Porsche
It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle if it is lightly greased.
-Kehlog Albran
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Posted By: Argonaught
Date Posted: September 15 2013 at 21:19
I've just done an (apparently) weird thing .. voted for Works Vol. II.
What can I do? To me, it's definitely the only ELP album, which I can play without track skipping - from Tiger to The Way to Go Home.
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Posted By: Blacksword
Date Posted: September 16 2013 at 07:32
Hercules wrote:
Trilogy, followed by the debut.Never really liked BSS myself. |
Exactly this.
------------- Ultimately bored by endless ecstasy!
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Posted By: octopus-4
Date Posted: September 16 2013 at 08:40
Blacksword wrote:
Hercules wrote:
Trilogy, followed by the debut.Never really liked BSS myself. |
Exactly this. |
I think I can second this
------------- I stand with Roger Waters, I stand with Joan Baez, I stand with Victor Jara, I stand with Woody Guthrie. Music is revolution
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Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: September 16 2013 at 09:01
dr wu23 wrote:
Guldbamsen wrote:
I love Tarkus. I can't remember hearing the second side though
Maybe I should flip the ol vinyl from time to time... |
I can still recall people in college not playing the other songs when the Tarkus track was done.
I'll never understand why ELP insisted on putting those second rate short 'beerhall' songs on Tarkus, Trilogy, and BSS. They always ruined the flow of the lp's for me. |
Like I said, I don't really recall the second side, but every time I read about it on this forum, it doesn't exactly inspire me to do so.
------------- “The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.”
- Douglas Adams
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Posted By: Prog Sothoth
Date Posted: September 16 2013 at 09:08
Tarkus.
I've talked to the winds of time on a couple of occasions when I was drunk, unless it was actually the toilet bowl flushing.
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Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: September 16 2013 at 09:15
As much as I adore that piece, the vocals do make me chuckle.
------------- “The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.”
- Douglas Adams
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Posted By: digdug
Date Posted: September 16 2013 at 10:47
debut for me
------------- Prog On!
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Posted By: VOTOMS
Date Posted: September 16 2013 at 12:25
Tarkus, both sides
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Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: September 16 2013 at 15:06
Argonaught wrote:
I've just done an (apparently) weird thing .. voted for Works Vol. II.
What can I do? To me, it's definitely the only ELP album, which I can play without track skipping - from Tiger to The Way to Go Home. |
yep you are very strange ..
... but its nice that someone appreciates it.
Actually I like some of it a lot. So Far To Fall could have been wonderful but for the really odd sound mix (vocals very high , organ very low). Wonder who was responsible for that 
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Posted By: antonyus
Date Posted: September 17 2013 at 02:26
love beach
kidding...Brain Salad Surgery for sure!
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Posted By: snowsnow
Date Posted: September 17 2013 at 05:58
If ever a prog band benefitted from a Best Of album it would be have to be ELP (IMHO)
I like songs such as Take A Pebble, Lucky Man, Fanfare and the vocal part of Karn Evil 9 but, like Crimson, I find their technical ability far outweighs the actual enjoyement of quite a few of their songs.
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Posted By: Bitterblogger
Date Posted: October 27 2013 at 17:36
ten years after wrote:
Trilogy. Awesome album from start to finish.
BTW. I think Pictures at an Exhibition could reasonably be included in the list. Although a live album it contains no material that is available on a studio album. |
Yes indeed--I wonder how it would've ranked. It even has some original material (The Sage, for instance).
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Posted By: hellogoodbye
Date Posted: October 27 2013 at 17:40
Posted By: proggman
Date Posted: October 27 2013 at 19:22
Cold and misty morning I heard a warning borne in the air
About an age of power where no one had an hour to spare
------------- When he rides, my fears subside. For darkness turns once more to light. Through the skies, his white horse flies. To find a land beyond the night.
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Posted By: Led_Rush_Floyd
Date Posted: November 03 2013 at 17:53
The first album is my favourite. I love it so much! I also love Brain Salad Surgery, Tarkus, and Welcom Back My Friends (Live), but just not as much as that first one. It was the first ELP album I ever bought and it was one of the first prog albums I ever listened to. ELP and Focus still give me memories of when I discovered prog rock.
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Posted By: iluvmarillion
Date Posted: November 04 2013 at 03:35
Works Volume 1 may not be the best Emerson, Lake & Palmer album, but it's a hundred times superior to Works Volume 2, so don't understand how Volume 2 scores a vote and Volume 1 no votes?
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Posted By: Svetonio
Date Posted: November 06 2013 at 21:06
Debut album is their best by far.
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Posted By: iamathousandapples
Date Posted: November 06 2013 at 21:13
I gotta go with Trilogy. Only one really bad song on it(Why did they even bother trying to be seductive?) and it was my first ELP album so I have a bit more love for it than BSS
------------- http://www.last.fm/user/thamazingbender" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: November 07 2013 at 01:54
iluvmarillion wrote:
Works Volume 1 may not be the best Emerson, Lake & Palmer album, but it's a hundred times superior to Works Volume 2, so don't understand how Volume 2 scores a vote and Volume 1 no votes? |
Volume Two is an easy listen while Volume One is perhaps 'too much' and the spirit of ELP as a fun adventurous band is somewhat missing. However there is some of their best music on that album in terms of writing.
What about a best of Works?
1 Fanfare For The Common Man 2.Brain Salad Surgery 3.Close But Not Touching 4.Lend You Love To Me Tonight 5.Piano Concerto Movement 3 6.LA Nights 7.Hallowed Be Thy Name 8.Honky Tonk Train Blues 9.Pirates 10 When The Apple Blossom Blooms..
EDIT - included a tenth track. Those BSS session tracks are good uns.
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Posted By: Ruby900
Date Posted: November 09 2013 at 09:08
Debut, followed by Brain salad for me!
------------- "I always say that it’s about breaking the rules. But the secret of breaking rules in a way that works is understanding what the rules are in the first place". Rick Wakeman
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Posted By: LSDisease
Date Posted: January 09 2014 at 05:40
Brain Salad Surgery. Trilogy close second. Then Tarkus.
------------- "Du gehst zu Frauen? Vergiss die Peitsche nicht!"
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Posted By: Utnapishtim
Date Posted: January 09 2014 at 05:55
Emerson Lake & Palmer, the first album... really special!
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Posted By: genbanks
Date Posted: January 09 2014 at 11:53
Too difficult, no vote. The problem for me is that ELP has not great albums, but stunning tracks, so for example Tarkus is superb but the other side just don't like, and the same with Brain salad surgery and Karn Evil. So the best is between
TARKUS - BRAIN SALAD and ELPOWELL (This is not in the list)
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Posted By: smartpatrol
Date Posted: January 09 2014 at 14:00
I think I originally voted brain Salad Surgery, but If I were voting now I'd say Trilogy
------------- http://bit.ly/1kqTR8y" rel="nofollow">
The greatest record label of all time!
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Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: January 09 2014 at 14:48
genbanks wrote:
Too difficult, no vote. The problem for me is that ELP has not great albums, but stunning tracks, so for example Tarkus is superb but the other side just don't like, and the same with Brain salad surgery and Karn Evil. So the best is between
TARKUS - BRAIN SALAD and ELPOWELL (This is not in the list) |
the big I've highlighted I mostly agree with. ELP's albums are actually inconsistent rather than 'not great'. I suspect people pay too much attention to bands that are consistent and not enough to bands like ELP who could be totally inspired but occasionally hit the wrong note as well. ELP's debut through to BSS represent an excellent run of albums that are not far behind the very best prog of the time imo
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Posted By: chopper
Date Posted: January 10 2014 at 07:26
I have to go for Trilogy overall.
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Posted By: chopper
Date Posted: January 10 2014 at 07:31
ten years after wrote:
I think Pictures at an Exhibition could reasonably be included in the list. Although a live album it contains no material that is available on a studio album. |
That's actually incorrect now - check out "In The Hot Seat".
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Posted By: genbanks
Date Posted: January 10 2014 at 10:37
chopper wrote:
ten years after wrote:
I think Pictures at an Exhibition could reasonably be included in the list. Although a live album it contains no material that is available on a studio album. |
That's actually incorrect now - check out "In The Hot Seat". |
Yes, the one in wich the bonus is far far far better than the album itself, and I have this album just because this bonus track. In despite of that Pictures is shorter than the original, this studio version is killer.
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Posted By: ExittheLemming
Date Posted: January 10 2014 at 10:53
As much as I like the debut album I'm always surprised at how many people completely miss the career microcosm it represents for both the demise of ELP and the Nice i.e. the ELP debut has what are tantamount to 3 solo tracks to appease their creators (3 Fates, Tank, Lucky Man) while come full circle, Works Volume One has 3 entire solo sides to appease their creators. The fatal flaws were there from the outset. Similarly, the Nice broke up after Jackson and Davidson voiced misgivings about renouncing the bread and butter rock elements in favour of the orchestral hybrid. Lake and Palmer said similar about the resultant Works tour.
BTW voted for Brain Salad Surgery. Emerson's music may have always been augmented by orchestral forces, but this existed largely in his head only.
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Posted By: infocat
Date Posted: January 11 2014 at 01:50
genbanks wrote:
chopper wrote:
ten years after wrote:
I think Pictures at an Exhibition could reasonably be included in the list. Although a live album it contains no material that is available on a studio album. |
That's actually incorrect now - check out "In The Hot Seat". |
Yes, the one in wich the bonus is far far far better than the album itself, and I have this album just because this bonus track. In despite of that Pictures is shorter than the original, this studio version is killer. | Was that version of Pictures record around the time of the ITHS album, or was it recorded long ago and just released then?
------------- -- Frank Swarbrick Belief is not Truth.
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Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: January 11 2014 at 03:06
The studio version of Pictures was recorded for the Return Of The Manticore box set which also included new versions of 21st Century Schizoid Man , Hang On To A Dream and Fire. It was track NO5 on Disc One (of four). That box set also includes a few previously unreleased tracks and also what appears to be a remix of Pirates with canons and additional percussion.
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Posted By: Mirror Image
Date Posted: May 11 2014 at 20:47
Brain Salad Surgery no question about it. I do like Trilogy and their self-titled album a good bit, though. I always thought Tarkus was a weaker album, but the Tarkus Suite is a great piece.
------------- “Music is enough for a lifetime but a lifetime is not enough for music.” - Sergei Rachmaninov
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Posted By: Mirror Image
Date Posted: May 11 2014 at 20:48
Whoever voted for Love Beach ought to be ashamed of themselves. 
------------- “Music is enough for a lifetime but a lifetime is not enough for music.” - Sergei Rachmaninov
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Posted By: ole-the-first
Date Posted: May 11 2014 at 20:55
Brain Salad Surgery
------------- This night wounds time.
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Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: May 12 2014 at 01:35
Mirror Image wrote:
Whoever voted for Love Beach ought to be ashamed of themselves.  |
its really the 'I hate this band' option so only 2 votes is not too bad
ironically its far from their worst album as that dubious honour goes to 'down the toilet seat' although it may have picked up one 'honest' vote for the bonus track Pictures At An Exhibition (although I doubt it)
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Posted By: Chicapah
Date Posted: May 12 2014 at 12:55
Just listened to Trilogy all the way thru not long ago and it still floors me. Their debut remains one of the most innovative eye-openers in history but it can't match Trilogy for overall consistency.
------------- "Literature is well enough, as a time-passer, and for the improvement and general elevation and purification of mankind, but it has no practical value" - Mark Twain
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Posted By: Mirror Image
Date Posted: May 12 2014 at 13:12
richardh wrote:
Mirror Image wrote:
Whoever voted for Love Beach ought to be ashamed of themselves.  |
its really the 'I hate this band' option so only 2 votes is not too bad
ironically its far from their worst album as that dubious honour goes to 'down the toilet seat' although it may have picked up one 'honest' vote for the bonus track Pictures At An Exhibition (although I doubt it) |
This is true I suppose. I think ELP gets so much dirt thrown at them for no good reason. I mean sure they made some terrible albums but so did all of the major prog bands at some point, although I maintain that King Crimson were one of the most consistent throughout their history.
------------- “Music is enough for a lifetime but a lifetime is not enough for music.” - Sergei Rachmaninov
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Posted By: Mirror Image
Date Posted: May 12 2014 at 13:12
Chicapah wrote:
Just listened to Trilogy all the way thru not long ago and it still floors me. Their debut remains one of the most innovative eye-openers in history but it can't match Trilogy for overall consistency. |
I'm re-listening to Trilogy right now actually. Not a bad album at all.
------------- “Music is enough for a lifetime but a lifetime is not enough for music.” - Sergei Rachmaninov
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Posted By: miamiscot
Date Posted: May 12 2014 at 18:23
Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: May 13 2014 at 02:02
Mirror Image wrote:
Chicapah wrote:
Just listened to Trilogy all the way thru not long ago and it still floors me. Their debut remains one of the most innovative eye-openers in history but it can't match Trilogy for overall consistency. |
I'm re-listening to Trilogy right now actually. Not a bad album at all. |
I wonder why this album is not higher rated on PA given that consistency is a big thing for most reviewers?
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Posted By: LittleMilton
Date Posted: May 13 2014 at 09:12
we used to call their debut, the dove album
and right now it edges out trilogy by a hair
in my mind
both are superb albums that never get old
and continue to surprise and amaze
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Posted By: Cactus Choir
Date Posted: May 13 2014 at 10:09
richardh wrote:
Mirror Image wrote:
I'm re-listening to Trilogy right now actually. Not a bad album at all. |
I wonder why this album is not higher rated on PA given that consistency is a big thing for most reviewers? |
As an ELP fan you just have to accept that they will never be universally loved, even in the Prog community. They have made albums that are intermittently brilliant (Tarkus), and albums that are solid and consistent (Trilogy), doesn't seem to matter. The debut album had 50% solo pieces on it which is cited by some as a weakness, but then half of Yes' Fragile is solo material of roughly similar quality (IMHO) and that is rated the 11th best album of all time on PA.
They are also criticised by some for being overly serious, and by others for having too many jokey songs!
------------- "And now...on the drums...Mick Underwooooooooood!!!"
"He's up the pub"
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Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: May 13 2014 at 16:09
Cactus Choir wrote:
richardh wrote:
Mirror Image wrote:
I'm re-listening to Trilogy right now actually. Not a bad album at all. |
I wonder why this album is not higher rated on PA given that consistency is a big thing for most reviewers? |
As an ELP fan you just have to accept that they will never be universally loved, even in the Prog community. They have made albums that are intermittently brilliant (Tarkus), and albums that are solid and consistent (Trilogy), doesn't seem to matter. The debut album had 50% solo pieces on it which is cited by some as a weakness, but then half of Yes' Fragile is solo material of roughly similar quality (IMHO) and that is rated the 11th best album of all time on PA.
They are also criticised by some for being overly serious, and by others for having too many jokey songs!
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Fragile though has solo pieces that are cleverly sprinkled across the album thus not destroying the overall feeling. I think it deserves its position.
Tarkus yep it has a patchy second half that is unforgiveable and BSS although my favourite album is marmite to prog fans.(its a love or hate it album). But Trilogy has no out and out weak moments and displays a pleasing maturity lyrically in terms of Lake's input. Vocally it was also Lake's finest moment. On top of that it has many beautifull moog moments and Carl Palmer's drumming was never more crisp or accurate. Add the final cherry of the Eddy Offord spot on engineering (the last time he worked with ELP) and honestly I would expect this to be higher rated. Ivan rates this as ELP's finest work and he knows his symphonic prog inside out.
I take your point though 
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Posted By: DiamondDog
Date Posted: May 13 2014 at 16:25
Posted By: Ruby900
Date Posted: May 14 2014 at 03:25
Very tricky one.....But the debut get's my vote. I love aspects of Brain Salad surgery, but some of the lyrics are just plain terrible. I love the swagger of the first album. A superb debut!
------------- "I always say that it’s about breaking the rules. But the secret of breaking rules in a way that works is understanding what the rules are in the first place". Rick Wakeman
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Posted By: AtomicCrimsonRush
Date Posted: May 16 2014 at 05:31
Brain Salad Surgery -and whoever voted Love Beach requires immediate Brain surgery... 
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Posted By: Kirillov
Date Posted: May 16 2014 at 05:58
BSS from that list but I would've voted for Pictures At An Exhibition had it been included.
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