MASTERS FROM THE VAULTS

Like some many other ELP "Die-Hards" (who've yet to see the trio live), the release of this DVD (in a format acceptable to a bog standard UK player!), came as a welcome addition to what is unashamedly a rather hefty collection - started in 1970 - of vinyl, tapes & CDs. For me, the chance to see the lads performing at a time when the band was relatively new, gives an insight into what appeared to be three exceptionally talented young men giving a performance dramatically superior (in terms of musical ability), to at lot of what/who else was around at the time (1970/1971?), with the notable excpetion of Yes.

I wonder what audiences seeing the guys for the 1st. time must have felt like? I know that I was truly impressed by the quality & presentation of (they looked as though they were really enjoying performing) the tracks in this DVD selection).

For me, seeing Mr. Emmerson seriously abusing the Hammond C3 was both entertaining & sobering (in Pounds Sterling, how much dammage has he caused in that way??).

I bet any self-respecting Organ manufacturer would cringe!

Also interesting (and I'm being a bit of an "Anorak" here), is that I'm sure one of the verses on Knife Edge was missed out & the 1st. verse repeated instead. I wonder why.

Also, the version of Tank pleasantly surprised me - much more jazzy & "lighter" than on the 1st. album. What made them change the format?

By the way, I also happen to like the album version very much as well.

Overall, money well spent as far as I'm concerned, just a shame the picture quality seems a bit faded (not surprising, considering the age of the original film, I suppose).

By the way, was there any truth in the rumour that this DVD wasn't officially sanctioned?

Thanks

Steve P.