BRAIN SALAD SURGERY

Emerson Lake & Palmer

Symphonic Prog

4.17 | 2123 ratings

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This was my introduction to ELP, and what is regarded as their best work.

The edition that i bought includes insightful liner notes and interviews with Keith Emerson, Greg Lake, and Carl Palmer at the end of the CD. The cover sports a 3D version of H. R. Giger's sinister artwork.

"Jerusalem", a traditional Anglican hymn, opens the set. Apparently, they got heat for doing a "rock" version of it by some purists. This follows "Toccota", a variation on a piano concerto by Alberto Ginastera. Their rendition features lots of eerie sounds from Keith's keyboards and Carl playing drums with computerized gadgetry. ELP were way ahead of their times back in 1973! This cut almost didn't make the album, as they had to pay a personal visit to the composer Ginastera who complimented this piece by declaring it "diabolic"! "Still You Turn Me On" is a nice acoustic track by Greg and features him on a wah-wah pedal. "Benny the Bouncer" is a cute vaudevillian number about a big bully who messes with the wrong guy and features some fine honkey tonk piano by Keith.

"Karn Evil 9" is a 3 part suite which features some lyrical help from Peter Sinfield (a King Cimson alumnist). The 1st Impression Part 1 starts out with promise ("I will be there, to heal your sorrow, to beg and borrow") and winds up in spectacle (moving onto Part 2, which many of you know as "Welcome Back My Friends to the Show that Never Ends"). The 2nd Impression is a Latino jazz piece (piano and steel drums). In the 3rd Impression, computers have taken over society ("Load your program, I am yourself") and are seen as Big Brother. It's funny how true their prophecy has become!

If you've never heard this masterpiece in its entirety, you're in for a big surprise!

asuma | 5/5 | 2004-11-19

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