Emerson, Lake & Powell – The Complete Collection (Cherry Red Records, 2024)
The Complete Collection by Emerson, Lake & Powell, a 3 CD boxed set commemorating the brief yet effective collaboration of these renowned artists, will be available April 12, 2024.
During the early 1980s, established progressive rock musicians faced challenges as the music landscape evolved. With the rise of punk rock and new wave, genres widely supported by the recording industry and the mainstream music media, the elaborate and expansive compositions of the 1970s fell out of favor. By 1979, Emerson Lake & Palmer, once a prominent band, found themselves struggling and eventually disbanded.
In 1984, Keith Emerson and Greg Lake, known for their work in The Nice, King Crimson, and Emerson, Lake & Palmer, sought their next musical project. Meanwhile, Carl Palmer enjoyed success with the commercial AOR band Asia. That opened an opportunity for Cozy Powell, a highly regarded drummer renowned for his work with famous hard rock bands Rainbow and Whitesnake, who joined Keith Emerson and Greg Lake, impressing them with his technical skill and stage presence.
Emerson, Lake & Powell was born out of this collaboration. The 3 CD boxed set features their sole studio album, Emerson, Lake & Powell, with three additional tracks. Also included are their live album, Live In Concert, and a CD of rehearsals titled The Sprocket Sessions, previously available only as a bootleg.
The studio album features a mix of progressive rock pieces that will delight ELP fans along with lighter fare with the characteristic power pop drumming of the 1980s, destined for radio airplay. The highlights are “The Miracle,” where you will find Keith Emerson’s formidable keyboard work, the commanding vocals of Greg Lake and powerful drums of Cozy Powell; “Step Aside,” a delightful song with a jazz swing vibe (Keith Emerson loved to inject swing into some of his pieces); and “Mars the Bringer of War,” one of the fantastic ELP recreations of a well known classical piece.
Live In Concert includes material from Emerson, Lake & Powell studio album as well as classic from the Emerson, Lake & Palmer period. Any live album where Keith Emerson was involved is a real treat. He was one of the finest keyboardists of his generation and always delighted the audience with variations on melodies and captivating improvisations.
The live album features a very high percentage of progressive rock material. My favorites are “Knife Edge”; “Pirates”; “From The Beginning”; “Lucky Man”; “Fanfare For the Common Man”; “Mars, The Bringer of War” with drum solo; and the “Medley Karn Evil 9 (1st Impression), America and Rondo.” However, I need to add that “Fanfare For the Common Man” is by far the most spectacular. After playing the main theme, Keith Emerson goes on a wild and lengthy set of mind-bending keyboard solos, using multiple keyboards. In addition, Cozy Powell shines as a drummer without the restraints of the 1980s power pop drumming. Likewise, Greg Lake demonstrates his skill as a rhythm machine on electric bass. It’s pure progressive rock goodness. Truly fantastic!
All content in the boxed set has been remastered by engineer Andy Pearce and is accompanied by an enhanced booklet featuring sleeve notes by Jerry Ewing, editor of Prog Magazine.
Emerson, Lake & Powell were: Greg Lake on guitar, bass, and vocals; Keith Emerson on keyboards; and Cozy Powell on drums.
Track list:
DISC ONE: Emerson Lake And Powell
The Score
Learning To Fly
The Miracle
Touch And Go
Love Blind
Step Aside
Lay Down Your Guns
Mars, The Bringer of War
BONUS TRACKS
The Loco-Motion – B-Side
Vacant Possession – B-Side
The Score – Single Edit
DISC TWO: The Sprocket Sessions
The Score
Learning To Fly
The Miracle
Knife Edge
Tarkus
Pictures At an Exhibition
Lucky Man
Still, You Turn Me On
Love Blind
Mars Bringer Of War
Touch & Go
Pirates
DISC THREE: Live In Concert
The Score
Touch & Go
Knife Edge
Pirates
From The Beginning
Lucky Man
Fanfare For the Common Man
Mars, The Bringer of War / Drum Solo
Medley
Karn Evil 9 (1st Impression)
America
Rondo