"Trilogy", "Brain Salad Surgery", and "Welcome Back, My Friends, To The Show That Never Ends" are the next three classic Emerson, Lake & Palmer albums released by BMG on September 30th, 2016. This important event is part of an on-going comprehensive re-issue campaign that spotlights ELP's nine studio albums as well as their live recordings and compilations. All ELP albums have been re-mastered and are available in a variety of formats including high quality CD, freshly cut vinyl LP and HD digital download. At the special request of Greg Lake, the LPs are presented on 140 gsm vinyl to endure a superior, high quality sound.
The CD booklets contain extensive liner notes with new band interviews by legendary rock journalist Chris Welch and the audio has been re-mastered by world-renowned rock studio engineer Andy Pearce.
Emerson, Lake & Palmer was one of the most successful and innovative British groups of the 1970s. Blending different styles from rock to classical and jazz they were pioneers of a Progressive Rock genre currently enjoying a major resurgence in popularity.
The founding members were Keith Emerson, their superb keyboard virtuoso and composer, Greg Lake, lead singer, guitarist, bass player, composer and producer and Carl Palmer, percussionist and showman drummer. The group was formed in 1970 and made its debut at the Isle of Wight Festival, when their explosive stage act and dynamic music stole the show.
The trio went onto conquer the rock world as they embarked on massive stadium tours, sold over 40 million albums and enjoyed hit singles with "Lucky Man" and "Fanfare For The Common Man". They delighted fans with spectacular shows that featured lyrical songs and epic arrangements like the 21-minute composition 'Tarkus' now hailed as a Prog Rock milestone.
All of ELP'S first seven albums were U.K. Album Chart Top 10 hits, U.S. Top 20 hits, and are Certified GOLD by the RIAA. The first three 'Emerson, Lake & Palmer,' (1970), 'Tarkus' (1971) and 'Pictures At An Exhibition' (1971) were re-issued by BMG on July 29th, 2016. The latest batch, to be released on September 30, 2016 comprises 'Trilogy' (1972), 'Brain Salad Surgery' (1973) and 'Welcome Back, My Friends, To The Show That Never Ends – Ladies And Gentlemen - Emerson, Lake & Palmer (1974)'.
The Upcoming Albums:
"Trilogy":
'Trilogy' was the group's third studio album that shot to Number 2 in the U.K and Number 5 on the U.S. album charts in 1972. It has eight classical-rock numbers, including a joyful version of Aaron Copland's 'Hoedown' that would become the band's signature tune, as well as Greg Lake's U.S. Top 40 hit single ballad 'From The Beginning.'
One of the group's own favorite albums, it is packed with exciting, challenging music, and is full of stunning musicianship, with Keith Emerson playing grand piano, organ and synthesizer with commanding expertise. 'The Sheriff' shows his versatility when where he plays authentic ragtime piano.
'Trilogy' will be presented in a 2CD format. Disc 1 has the original 9 track 1972 album, as remastered in 2015. Disc 2 is an 11-track 'Alternate Album' utilizing Jakko M. Jakszyk's 2015 stereo mixes, with an alternate version of 'From The Beginning' and a 'live' 'Hoedown' from 1972. The LP version is cut from 2014 remastered files with the original sleeve and distinctive artwork faithfully reproduced, together with a foreword by Greg Lake.
"Brain Salad Surgery":
ELP's boldest and most popular album. A massive best seller it represented the group at its best in terms of playing, production and creativity. The first release on their own label Manticore Records it dominated the charts and airwaves, reaching Number 2 in the U.K. and Number 11 on the U.S. album charts.
Disc 1 of the 2CD set has the original 8 track 1973 album, presented in its 2014 re-mastered version. Among the highlights is Greg Lake's superb vocal rendition of the much loved hymn 'Jerusalem' and the ballad 'Still...You Turn Me On' while Keith Emerson's keyboard brilliance shines through the aggressive 'Toccata' and extended concept piece "Karn Evil 9".
Disc 2 is "The Alternate Album" with Jakko M. Jakszyks' 2014 Stereo Mixes of 13 tracks including B-Side single versions of the tongue in cheek 'When The Apple Blossoms Bloom In The Windmills Of Your Mind I'll Be Your Valentine' and 'Brain Salad Surgery.' Together with alternate versions of the 'Karn Evil 9' tracks and an extract from a rare NME Flexi Disc, this will be of special interest to die-hard ELP fans and collectors.
The vinyl LP is cut for the first time from 2014 re-mastered files and the elaborate original sleeve is reproduced with a die-cut gatefold sleeve and fold out poster and a foreword from Greg Lake about the 140 gsm LP format.
