Emerson Lake & Palmer: Live At Montreux 1997
Emerson Lake & Palmer
Live at Montreux 1997
Seventies mega-group Emerson Lake & Palmer reunited in 1992, and through studio album releases and world tours, managed to stay at it near through to the end of the decade. Live At Montreux 1997 captures the prog trio in one of their later performances. The 13-song collection begins with arguably the bandâs most recognizable hit, âKarn Evil 9-1st Impression.â Yes the boys sound older here (and wiser?) but Greg Lakeâs voice is still pretty much up-to-snuff and drummer Carl Palmer wails. Hot on its heels, the jazzy âTiger In a Spotlightâ from the trioâs Works Volume 2 album fares even better. The bandâs acoustic guitar-based hit âFrom the Beginningâ is spot-on (Palmerâs percussion particularly very tasty) and âBitches Crystalâ showcases that, when they wanted to, Palmer and keyboard king Keith Emerson could battle it out at a kinetic speed. Emerson is best in his piano moments on âHonky Tonk Train Blues,â the less-is-more, middle of âTake a Pebble,â and his solo spot âCreole Dance.â I am a bit confused though by the messy last two mash-ups, âTarkus/Pictures at an Exhibitionâ (just too sloppy, really) and an albeit stronger, but very been-there-done-that concert ender âFanfare For the Common Man/Rondo/Carmina Burana /Toccata in D Minor.â Live At Montreux 1997 is a decent historic testament of what a live Emerson Lake & Palmer show was about in 1997. But I dare say, check YouTube videos of this band from the mid 70âs or better yet get yourself some of their albums. Youâll be happy you did.