Emerson, Lake and Palmer, Live DVD!

Emerson, Lake and Palmer (ELP) perhaps more than any other progressive rock band, define the genre. Their use of classical elements, modern instrumentation and first class musicianship is the stuff of legend. ELP "Live at the Royal Albert Hall" is a DVD featuring a 1992 25th anniversary show. The band is sharp and tight as they work through a set which contains some classic ELP razzle dazzle. Although some of the flash may have worn off the show over the years, the musicianship and cohesiveness of the band remain. This DVD allows a front row seat at one of musics preeminent bands and it does o with very good sound and image quality.

The DVD has no frills and just as well. What is does offer is a full length concert, which has had some of the applause and intermission edited out. What we are left with is a show which can be mesmerizing! For those who have not seen or heard Keith Emerson play the keyboards, he is a wonder for the senses. His amazing dexterity, fearless risk taking and flawless technique continues to spell bound. Even during this shows filming, in which you see his obvious wrist pain due to his career threatening wrist injury, you see a master at work. Speed, timing, and range are are displayed by Emerson.

Speaking of speed, master drummer Carl Palmer displays his prodigious speed both with his hands and feet during his performance. His trademark double bass filled solo is still sharp. Drummers will sit open-mouthed at seeing and hearing Carl's amazingly fast double bass fills, still among the fastest of the day!

The talents of Emerson and Palmer are well anchored by Greg Lake, whose bass timing and solidity remain sharp. While his voice may have lost some range, he still guides the vocal tracks with style.

The sound quality is very good; in fact, you may just listen to the DVD after watching the show a few times! There was one glitch in the decoding during "Fanfare for the Common Man".

Highlights of the show for me include:
"Tarkus" - the classic ELP instrumental. It is tight and fresh. They make hard material seem so easy!

Prokofiev's "Romeo and Juliete" is another instrumental which is solid and moving. Musicians will appreciate how well the band performs this piece, whose slower tempo makes it difficult to pull off. But they nail it!

"Fanfare for the Common Man" features Emerson in his bad boy mood. He bangs and pounds at the keys like a man possesed. He even plays a beat up organ Backwards! It will remind you of the film Amodeaus!

If you never got to see ELP loive this is a great way to see them! The DVD captures some great elements of what made ELP the legendary progressive rock band they are. My only regret is that several stronger tracks of old should have found their way into the set. But there are so many, how can you choose!