TIGER IN A SPOTLIGHT / SO FAR TO FALL

Tiger in a Spotlight / So Far to Fall was a single released off the 1977 Works Volume 2 album by Emerson, Lake & Palmer. Both songs were penned by Peter Sinfield. Tiger in a Spotlight, originally recorded during the 1973 recording sessions for the Brain Salad Surgery, became somewhat of a minor radio hit and is considered one of few (if any, I dare to say) highlights of the Works Volume 2 album. It also was played regularly by ELP at their concerts from this time period, though I don't believe they revived it during their 1990s tours (I could be wrong about that!). It features some nice honky-tonk piano playing by Emerson and would have fit nicely if it had been included on the Brain Salad Surgery album.

So Far to Fall, the B-side, isn't nearly as interesting a song, though it is somewhat better than other numbers on this album as well as most of the Lake material from Works Volume 1. The lyrics on this one are, to put it bluntly, quite terrible. About the only thing I find that saves this song is the interesting use of brass instruments in a somewhat jazzy big band feel.

Interesting songs, but still a far cry from what ELP had been. A typical ELP single from the time period only of interest to die-hard fans, collectors, and completionists. Two stars.