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From the Vault...
08/22/1999
#643 |
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info
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
"Works, Volume 1"
© Atlantic Records
Rating:
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track listing
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Piano Concerto No. 1:First Movement
Piano Concerto No. 1:Second Movement
Piano Concerto No. 1:Third Movement
Lend Your LoveTo Me Tonight
C'est La Vie
Hallowed Be Thy Name
Nobody Loves You Like I Do
Closer To Believing
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Emerson, Lake & Palmer related sites:
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Emerson, Lake & Palmer
"Works, Volume 1"
This album is credited to the group Emerson, Lake & Palmer, but actually,
Works, Volume 1 features songs that were recorded in solo form by the
members of ELP: Keith Emerson, Greg Lake & Carl Palmer. (This was also said
about The Beatles' White Album; the songs on that album were solo
recordings by John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison & Ringo Starr.)
Works, Volume 1 is a double CD-disc set (originally a double vinyl
album). The first disc features three songs by Keith Emerson, and four songs
by Greg Lake. The second disc features six songs by Carl Palmer, and the
remaining two songs are by Emerson, Lake & Palmer.
Keith Emerson
I have always been fascinated by classical music, especially
when it is performed by rock artists. Of these performers, it seems that
rock keyboardists aim their directions toward classical. Keith Emerson,
Yes' Rick Wakeman, and lately, Billy Joel and Neil Sedaka have switched their
regular rock format to classical.
Keith Emerson's contribution on this album, is his "Piano Concerto
No. 1". There are three movements in this concerto, (terms heavily used in
classical music pieces). He performs each movement with the London Philharmonic
Orchestra. The first and second, titled "Allegro Giojsoso" and
"Andante Molto Cantabile", are beautiful compositions, pleasant in sound,
and can be compared to just about any famous classical music composer, Beethoven
in particular. The third movement, title "Toccata Con Fuoco" is a
highly-charged operatic classical piece. It has a lot of energy behind it,
and, like the previous two movements, it's an excellent piece.
Greg Lake
Greg Lake was the main vocalist in ELP, and he features his vocal talents
in his four songs in Works, Volume 1. "Lend Your Love To Me Tonight"
and "C'est La Vie" music styles are like any previous ELP song heard;
progressive in sound, likewise having a pleasant, classical aura about it.
Of the two, "C'est La Vie" is truly a great song, that would easily get
a lot of airplay on rock, classical and/or jazz formatted radio stations.
"Hallowed Be Thy Name" has a more rock beat, as this song has some
Steely Dan-inspired piano ("My Old School"). "Nobody Loves You Like
I Do" has the atmosphere of a broadway stage song, "Closer To Believing"
is definitely progressive, as in songs by a band that Greg Lake was previously
in, King Crimson. It also has a classical touch to it, and is beautiful and
romantic in sound.
Carl Palmer
Drummer Carl Palmer provides some interesting music, starting the second
CD disc. Of the six songs, they are all instrumentals. Five are
progressive-energy instrumentals, and one is a short classical piece.
"The Enemy God Dances With The Black Spirits", and "L.A. Nights"
are songs that can easily be soundtrack compositions for action-adventure movies.
In the middle of "L.A. Nights", I can't help but to imagine hearing the
common chorus of JoJo Gunne's 1972 hit, "Run Run Run" along with this song.
"New Orleans" is another instrumental, and it has a funky rock beat.
"Two Part Invention In D Minor" is a classical piece, and like Keith
Emerson's music, it is definitely beautiful to listen to.
"Food For Your Soul" is another progressive-energy tune, and this
one can be great as an introduction for one of those famous 1970s cop shows.
It also features extended long drum solos here and there (after all, this is
the drummer's contribution to the album). "Tank" is another song in
the same style as "Food For Your Soul," as both of these songs have an
upbeat jazz atmosphere in sound.
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
"Fanfare For The Common Man" is a powerful instrumental, with its
intro in the style of music heard in a King Arthur-type movie. The rock of
this song has organs similar to Grand Funk Railroad, as this song is truly
a great, powerful song, that would easily get heavy airplay on rock/progressive
radio stations. It's as powerful as ELP's most famous rock-energy song,
"Karn Evil 9." "Pirates" is another classical-inspired
progressive rock song with Greg Lake on vocals. And like any other song of
this style, it is an excellent piece of Work.
Emerson, Lake & Palmer's Works, Volume 1 is an excellent album.
It features the individuality of the three members of the group. And each
member's side is different that one another: Keith Emerson portrays his
enjoyment of classical music. Greg Lake continues the traditional ELP sound,
that is progressive rock. Carl Palmer features jazz fusion with his contribution.
All in all, this album will be enjoyed for those who enjoy progressive rock.
And it will also have the progressive rock listener experience in other types
of music, classical and jazz. This just may intrigue the prog-rock observer to
experiment more with the latter two musical styles. ELP would also release
in the same year (1977) Works, Volume 2, which will be reviewed at a
later date here on the WSVNRadio.net website.
Again, I find it amazing how Emerson, Lake & Palmer records their albums.
They are an experience, as they perform songs that are not of the common
rock sound. Their music is progressive and classical. Of these kinds of rock
groups (King Crimson, the early years of Genesis and Yes), ELP is the best
group of musicians who can clearly define the sound of progressive rock.
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Review or any portion may not be reproduced
without written permission. Cover art is the
intellectual property of
Atlantic Records
and is used for reference purposes only.
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