Emerson, Lake & Palmer – Live at Montreux 1997
Eagle Rock Entertainment
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Rating: A

Considered by the band members themselves as an amazing gig, this is the first ever audio-only release of this classic concert.  The 2-CD release features a collection of songs that span all eras of ELP – even Emerson, Lake & Powell , as “Touch and Go” proves. 

The concert begins with the iconic “Karn Evil 9 – 1st Impression, Part 2.”  The opening lyrics may be the most famous in all of Prog Rock. When Greg Lake steps up to the microphone and says, “Welcome back my friends to the show that never ends…” one knows they are in for a wild ride that will include a ton of notes that will boggle the mind of the listener, song after song after song.

To say that Keith Emerson, Greg Lake and Carl Palmer are good musicians is like saying Babe Ruth could hit a home run or two.  These guys are amazing.  Incredible, even.   The track  listing to this concert is simply to die for if you’re a Prog nerd.  “Hoedown,” “Take A Pebble,” “Lucky Man,” “Tarkus,” “Pictures At An Exhibition,” and “Fanfare For The Common Man” are all included.  As if this was not enough, Live At Montreux 1997 also boasts rare tracks that have never appeared on ELP studio albums in “Creole Dance,” and “Carmina Burana.”

The CD booklet includes Emerson, Lake and Palmer reflecting on the classic evening as well.  

ELP were always in a league of their own, even in the prestigious world of Progressive Rock.  The only true peer they had that mixed virtuoso skills with commercial appeal were Genesis and Yes.  ELP brought more classical influences into their music than Yes, which set them apart even from them.  Assembled from The Nice (Emerson), King Crimson (Lake) and Atomic Rooster (Palmer) ELP were much more than a supergroup.  They were a SUPER GROUP of musicians who made their mark and put the bar up high for all others to attempt to reach. 

This is a classic concert that showcases, well into their careers, just how powerful and amazing of a band they were.

TRACK LISTING

DISC ONE:
1) Karn Evil 9 – 1st Impression, Part 2 
2) Tiger In The Spotlight               
3) Hoedown 
4) Touch And Go
5) From The Beginning
6) Knife Edge
7) Bitches Crystal 
8) Creole Dance 
9) Honky Tonk Train Blues 
10) Take A Pebble 

DISC TWO:
1) Lucky Man 
2) Medley: Tarkus / Pictures At An Exhibition 
3) Medley: Fanfare For The Common Man / Rondo / Carmina Burana / Carl Palmer’s Drum Solo / Toccata In D Minor
 

By Jeb Wright