Emerson, Lake & Palmer - Emerson, Lake & Palmer

Rock

Prog Rock

1970

EL&P started writing and recording their first album in summer ’70, interrupted by their first gig, August 23rd at Plymouth Guildhall in front of 3000 visitors, followed by their second gig 6 days later, August 29th at the Isle Of Wight Festival, where they made their international debut before a crowd of 600.000.
By the end of the first week of Sept. 1970 they cut their debut album within 1 week at Advision, London.

The first track, „The Barbarian“ which has been adapted from Béla Bartók’s 1911 piano piece „Allegro Barbaro“, who wasn’t credited initially is an especially aggressive piece of music, realised by by Emerson’s Hammond Organ attack. A sprightly piano interlude in the middle section set the tone for what EL&P’s music emphasised, the unpredictability factor. EL&P got into hot water from Bartók’s estate with regard to the copyright.
The main objection was not the missing credit but more that the band had changed the piece so much.
Similar problems were encountered with Leo Janacek’s „Sinfonietta“, which was adapted in the track „Knife Edge“.

„Take A Pebble“, the second track, Lake wrote in late 1969. It starts as a folk song, but it really turned out as a piano showcase for Emerson. It’s quite a drop in the tempo after „The Barbarian“.

The relaxing atmosphere is brought to a halt by the next track „Knife Edge“. The heavy organ sound makes it a good companion to „The Barbarian“. Lake wrote the lyrics with some help by Robert Fraser (a roadie), who also wasn’t credited initially. The band is very together here and it’s very heavy.

„The Three Fates“ opens side two on vinyl editions.
It refers to the legend of the three goddesses in Greek mythology.
„Clotho“ - the organ solo was recorded at the Royal Fesival Hall.
Lachesis – a piano solo.
Atropos – a piano trio.
It is a Emerson concept piece.

„Tank“, the next track, features a studio drum solo. The music is firstly dominated by a clavinet and then the Moog Synthesizer, which create a dense layer of sound that dazzle the senses.

The final track is „Lucky Man“, penned by Lake and one of their most famous pieces. It was written when Lake was still a schoolboy. The synthesizer part was a groundbreaking solo and is still to be mentioned in relevant publications.

The first edition was released by Island in the UK, November 1970 and by Cotillion (Atlantic) in US, January 1971. Reissues on vinyl were on Manticore label.