LIVE AT NASSAU COLISEUM '78

Judging from the group's releases during the latter half of the 1970's you might be forgiven for thinking that the band had run out of steam by 1978. But this live album recorded in that year proves beyond doubt that this perception is absolutely dead wrong! Emerson, Lake & Palmer was still a brilliant live act at this point.

The decision to tour and record with a full orchestra during the Works years marred the band both artistically and financially. Greg Lake has said as much in interviews that he wishes they had never done that and that they might have survived longer had they abstained for this. The In Concert album (later reissued as Works Live) was not bad but it paled in comparison with Welcome Back My Friends To the Show That Never Ends. After touring with the orchestra proved to be too expensive, the group reverted back to the trio format and the present release is a product of that tour. Comparing Live At Nassau Coliseum with Works Live it is very clear that Live At Nassau Coliseum is far superior. Indeed, this is the album that should have been released at the time.

The band is on fire here and show no signs at all of having declined since Welcome Back My Friends To the Show That Never Ends. The newer tracks at the time coming from the two Works albums sound much better here than in their original studio versions. This version of Pirates in particular is excellent and I would say the ultimate recording of that piece.

I was really very positively surprised with the quality of this performance and Live At Nassau Coliseum '78 is a terrific live album. It is hard to believe that this was recorded in the same year as Love Beach. Sadly, the band broke up shortly afterwards and did not reform until the 1990's (after projects with Cozy Powell and Robert Berry in the 80's).

Very highly recommended!

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