EMERSON, LAKE & POWELL: EMERSON, LAKE & POWELL

Twelve years ! This is the time between their last great album and this one. What the heck (except money) would an ELP reunion bring to their fans ? Very intelligently, they hired Powell who is replacing Palmer on duty with Asia. He was more used to drum with hard rock bands (Jeff Beck, Rainbow) that prog ones, but as is was rather skilled, I do not believe that it should be a problem to hold the drum kit. Not to replace Carl (no one can do that) but to help Keith and Greg in their project.

Even if this album is not a masterpiece it is way better than their infamous "Works" (I, II & Live). They have reverted to longer composition, very symphonic, pompous as usual of course especially "The score" and "The Miracle". But since it was their trade mark, the fans (to which I belong) can only be pleased by this return to the roots. During the former there will be several references to "The Show That Nevers Ends"... nostalgia I guess. Anyway these are excellent pieces of ELP music.

There are not really outstanding tracks. The album is well balanced and most of the songs are pleasant. "Touch & Go" is maybe harder than usual. The jazzy "Step Inside" is also weaker (but I am not really into jazz to be honest). We'll get the traditional tranquil Greg lake one with "Lay down Your Guns". A very nice ballad. It reminds me at times "Jerusalem", but it is not so strong. Still, it might well be my preferred song of the album.

"Mars, the Bringer of War" could have been the soundtrack of warrior movie. ELP in all its "grandeur". You can almost imagine the Roman army destroying anything they can on their way to glory. I had the same feeling during some passages of "Salisbury" from the Heep. This song is really too much. Kind of a "West Side Story" at times. This is a love / hate number.

"The Loco - Motion" is very much welcome. Dynamic and funny this cover won't be a memorable track, but it breaks the global mood of the album. A bit like "Nutrocker" did on "Pictures".

A good come back and quite a nice surprise actually. At least ELP sounds as ELP (which was not case for most of the giants of the seventies - except Floyd probably).

Three stars.