Ranking The ELP Studio Albums

Ranking the albums from worst to first: Emerson, Lake & Palmer. The absolute pinnacle of Prog excess, ELP at their peak were arguably the biggest and the best band in the world. Oh, how it would all go so terribly wrong in the end...
0:00 Introduction
3:20 #12 In The Hot Seat (1994)
4:01 The Power Of Three (1988)
5:05 Black Moon (1992)
5:52 Love Beach (1978)
6:46 Emerson, Lake & Powell (1986)
7:54 Works, Vol. 2 (1977)
8:31 Works, Vol. 1 (1977)
9:11 Pictures At An Exhibition (1971)
10:00 Emerson, Lake & Palmer (1970)
10:44 Tarkus (1971)
11:36 Trilogy (1972)
12:23 Brain Salad Surgery (1973)
#elp #progrock #progressiverock #prog

[@carlosabad6596]

I love E.L.P. !! When I discovered this wonderful band back in the 90's , they blew my mind. Still they are ! Absolutely , one of the greatest in rock history.

[@TheProgCorner]

I love them!!!

[@ingivalgeirsson4483]

Great video. It's fun to listen to a person who knows the subject well. Tarkus has always been my favorite, both sides. For me, the first 5 albums are all 5 headphones.

[@TheProgCorner]

Absolutely!!! No question. ELP was a very important band to me. The deaths of Keith and Greg in 2016 hit me hard.

[@robertpottle5427]

Greg Lake was born in the town where I live, Poole in Dorset. Hence the obvious King Crimson connection who came from Bournemouth, just down the road from here.

[@TheProgCorner]

I heard Greg and Robert had the same guitar teacher!!!

[@klausschlichting1591]

It' always good seeing other people sharing the same enthusiasm for this fantastic music which led me through my life so far. Greetings from Germany.

[@TheProgCorner]

Hello from Ohio!!!

[@fourseasons4105]

1. Trilogy 2. Brain salad surgery 3. Self titled 4. Pictures at an exhibition 5. Tarkus 6. Works Vol. 1 7. Works Vol. 2 8. Love beach 9. Black moon 10. In the hot seat

[@TheProgCorner]

Trilogy!!! Yes indeed.

[@mattwaters6987]

Totally agree with your picks in order too! Welcome back my friends to the show that never ends! Cheers! 🎶😃

[@TheProgCorner]

I will always love ELP!!!

[@wizardofoz6811]

Thanks for the video, very interesting data and comments. Great band! My number 1 is Pictures at an exhibition

[@TheProgCorner]

I have a real emotional attachment to Pictures!!! It was one of the first albums I ever bought.

[@DRichardson00]

Cant help but notice The Moody Blues "In Search of the Lost Chord" album behind you, would love to see a video on your favorite proto-prog/psych music from the 60s! Great video keep on rockin!

[@TheProgCorner]

Excellent idea. I just love that 1967-1971 period. Everything was changing so rapidly!!!

[@user-wi2dt1vc4h]

Another great list. Man, I have to tell you that your channel is the only one I follow and truly love. Every day i check if there is a new video. Musically we're speaking on one language. And today is my birthday so i'll go with my all time favorite from ELP - Trilogy

[@TheProgCorner]

Happy Birthday!!! And thank you for your support.

[@Best_Wrestling_Promos]

Great delivery and very interesting info!

[@TheProgCorner]

A few too many Mountain Dews!!!

[@igetsmart]

Such an awesome band. Amazing talent Great video My favorite album Welcome back triple

[@TheProgCorner]

They were one of the best bands ever!!!

[@evank794]

Hey, I have found myself stuck in The Prog Corner!!! I know this comment is two years late, but I wanted to say thank you for these great videos - keep it up!! I'm glad that you love ELP. I only discovered them about a year ago because I was curious what they sounded like. Now they're absolutely one of my favorite bands!! I actually only used to listen to classical music a couple years ago, but I've branched out a lot since then. One of the aspects of the band that really drew me in was not only how their music was influenced by classical music, but that they actually do "covers" of classical songs/works! So, obviously, I love Emerson's extremely technical piano and keyboard skills. Additionally, I LOVE Palmer's drumming - especially when he has the crazy drum solos where his speed is ON FIRE (like the solo on the song "Tank"). And then, of course, Lake's voice and bass playing. I have speculated that his voice is ABSOLUTELY one of my favorites I've ever heard. I don't know how to describe it.... other than perfect! In short, ELP brings to the table what I think are the best elements of music. As a young adult, I'm excited that I still have so many more years ahead of me to discover incredible music like this (including the Prog music you talk about!). Sorry this is long, but thanks for this channel to appreciate the wonderful blessing of music!!!

[@TheProgCorner]

You rock!!!!! Always good to hear from someone who appreciates the greatness of ELP!!!!

[@miask]

I’m a girl, well, woman of a certain age, ELP was my favorite band throughout H.S. I met them and was able to talk to Greg about singing. He even listened to me sing a little Art song I was working on with my voice teacher. He was very kind, they all were. Of course, we were 15-16 and had a overly protective Italian brother with us. I was glad of it then, and now. Meeting them was such an honor. I was on cloud nine for weeks!😊

[@TheProgCorner]

Wow!!! That is such a beautiful memory. I never met Greg but I miss him enormously. Thank you for sharing that with me.

[@miask]

@@TheProgCorner Thank you!

[@miask]

@@edljnehan2811 That’s so cool! 🙂

[@robertpottle5427]

A great show Scott, extremely well presented. I agree about side 2 of Tarkus, some great songs there. I think the Emerson, Lake & Powell album is very underrated. And I also like Works Vol 2, some good songs on there even if it does sound a bit like an odds and sods album.

[@wizardofoz6811]

I like your videos of lists and tops, very dynamic, understandable and music centered. Always spoken with criteria and insight. Keep on! I suggested you to comtinue up to 1969. Yes!! That'll be great. Another suggestion: why not a top of prog songs year by year?

[@TheProgCorner]

Two great suggestions!!! I've been thinking about how far back to go in the Year End Rankings...

[@alanboas810]

You made my day better with this ELP ranking video. Brain Salad Surgery does it for me still just like it did while it was part of my teenage collection of records that bothered the hell outta my parents! Lately I've been listening to Pictures and Tarkus. Very impressed with your music knowledge! 🦓

[@TheProgCorner]

Thank you, Alan!!! You rock!!!

[@alanboas810]

@@TheProgCorner 🦓

[@Sammeep02]

Tarkus is the bomb. That armadillo tank is so adorable!

[@TheProgCorner]

I thought it was a sad story. As a kid I felt bad for that armadillo!!!

[@Sammeep02]

@@TheProgCorner But it was the Manticore which went on to be ELP's symbol.....I feel bad for that armadillo, Lol!

[@jeniferallan6693]

I only own an original copy of Brain Salad....the cover drew me in...I will now listen to it with the knowledge and enthusiasm you present... Always a pleasure to listen to what you have to say.

[@TheProgCorner]

I’m such a geeky fan boy when it comes to ELP!!!

[@bumpdunlop]

I've only seen ELP once. It was during the Welcome Back My Friends tour. A great show!!! As a bonus, me and my life long friend, Kenny Smith, Jazz/Prog/Fusion guitarist, and I sat right behind Starcastle's Gary Strater and Terry Lutrell.

[@TheProgCorner]

RIP: Gary, Keith and Greg!!!

[@craigbrtnik9905]

Hey man. Awesome ranking! I am a HUGE ELP fan, and also a keyboard player from Toronto. Saw them every time they were here and even went to Keith's house once! Yours is the only ranking which is exactly the same as mine!! I agree that Love Beach is not THAT terrrible. Yes, the 1st side is sad but Canario follows the classical pursuit from most of their albums. And I think "Memoirs" is a fine suite, great piano and synth throughout and a pretty good story. Also, YES side 2 of Tarkus is pretty good. In the hot seat is truly bad because most of us know Emerson was suffering terribly in the right hand and ELP without the keyboard solos is just basically a pop band. I saw THREE in Toronto and they were pretty good. Pob Berry has a pleasant voice and is a good bass player. EL Powell had a good show as well. I wish I could talk to you a bit but I am not on Facebook so I guess this will have to do. Keep up the good work. Pianoman Craig.

[@TheProgCorner]

You were in Keith’s actual house? Amazing!!! For my money, he was the single best showman I’ve ever seen!!!

[@craigbrtnik9905]

Yes. Here is the actual story. In 1980 I was sitting playing in the casino in Nassau. Hoedown came on the radio and I told the dealer it was my favourite band. He said, "oh that guy lives right here in Nassau"!!! I found out where he lived and jumped in a cab to the villa. (Harbor Mews, no longer there.) I got out of the cab not knowing what to do, it was a villa complex with hundreds of units. Believe it or not I saw a Korg synth in one of the windows. Wow! Now I was really nervous but knocked on the door anyway shaking. A maid answered the door and I said I was a huge fan of Mr. Emerson. Her English was limited. she thought I said friend and let me in. We were alone for about 10 minutes as I looked in awe at the grand piano and the dozens of plaques for best keyboard player hung on the wall. Then in walked his wife Elinor with a girlfriend. She freaked on the maid demanding to know why she let a stranger in. I calmed her down and started naming all the obscure Nice songs which no one but a fan would know. LOL. Then she became real friendly and sat outside chatting with me for half an hour. I left him a message but he was too busy to get back to me. She said he was working on the Inferno album. Wild story, eh? Unfortunately it ends there as I never got to meet my idol. I went back next day and she said he was impressed a fan would go to that trouble but was too busy. Re your review I love and share your enthusiasm which other reviewers seem to lack. My fave is probably Karn Evil, I love all 3 impressions, even #2 with all the jazz piano. I also love Trilogy and the 3 Fates with the wickedly difficult piano solo (Lachesis). Anyway, keep in touch if you are not too busy. Regards, Craig and hope you enjoyed my story.@@TheProgCorner

[@TheHarold1966]

Scott this is a really good and interesting episode. I totally agree on your Emerson Lake & Palmer show. I own all albums including 3 and Emerson, Lake & Powell. My top 3 is nr. 3 Trilogy, nr. 2 Tarkus and nr. 1 Brain Salad Surgery. Emerson, Lake & Powell is a really great record. Also check out Robert Berry's 3.2 with The Rules Have Changed 2020 (music by Keith Emerson) and The Third Impression 2021.

[@TheProgCorner]

I have both 3.2 albums but confess to not spending enough time with either!!!

[@robertharvey2604]

It took a few listens for me to get into ELP. There's a lot to digest. Quite frankly I'm still taking it all in.

[@TheProgCorner]

ELP can be divisive. I love them. I love the pomp and pretentiousness!!!

[@videobasis]

Scott perfect!! my choice exactly. I've been a fan since I was 14. My big sister took me to a concert. Then it happened to me :-)

[@TheProgCorner]

Your sister rules.

[@ericschmitt7472]

Didn’t know you were an ELP fan. I got into them in 1978. Bought all of they’re albums. Out of the box

[@TheProgCorner]

So amazing!!! Long live ELP!!!

[@TheHarold1966]

Also great is the Keith Emerson solo album with Marc Bonilla from 2008. On this album you hear all the old keyboard instruments.

[@TheProgCorner]

I need to revisit that album. I remember I liked it…

[@emerson1978365]

I am a die hard fan. I love every single album, including these so-called "bad" albums. Everyone of us experimented ups and downs in our lives, so we need to develop some empathy with the people who gives all of their best to us. Keith Emerson is my all-time hero, and I hope when my turn comes in, being received by him when entering to heaven. I think about him everyday since I play the piano too and I love his compositional side. I think he deserved more recognition than the media gave him when alive, maybe that thing could give more happyness to the already sad life he had. There is so much to discover about these 3 amazing mans, they are truly unique and irreplaceable.

[@TheProgCorner]

Such an amazing band.

[@johngranda3556]

I agree with you about most of your ratings (especially the top 3) but I'm weird, I think Works Vol. 2 is underrated. I love that album. Carl's drumming is amazing on it. That's why he is probably my favorite drummer. Thanks for the video though. Hopefully you'll get to ranking the albums by Brand X (RIP John Goodsall) and Jeff Beck. Thanks in advance!

[@TheProgCorner]

Brand X!!! Oh yeah. Fantastic band. The first two with Phil were on constant rotation in my teens.

[@johngranda3556]

@@TheProgCorner The only band I think is better is Gentle Giant.

[@TheHarold1966]

I have seen Emerson, Lake & Palmer live in The Netherlands in 1992 and in 1997. Two great shows with one of my most beloved prog rock bands.

[@TheProgCorner]

They were so good live!!!

[@hanssipkes8179]

Me too, my brother and I saw them in de statenhal and in paradiso ( I just couldn,t believe they were performing in my hometown) supberb concerts

[@TheProgCorner]

What an amazing band!

[@masudaharris6435]

I have been listening to them since 1970 but they have not always gone in a direction that I liked. My favorite is Pictures at an Exhibition.

[@TheProgCorner]

What a terrific record. Imagine, Neither of their labels wanted to release it…

[@christiantoma5917]

awesome video! you should do genesis next!!!!!

[@TheProgCorner]

Oh, it’s coming!!! I’m holding out a bit on them (and Yes) until I get a little better at this KZbin thing!!!

[@DanSPsych67]

Atomic Roosters first album, really does sound like Elp.... Good ranking my friend...

[@TheProgCorner]

I love their first three albums quite a bit!!!

[@leesnider4363]

Love ELP, but It's really frustrating that no one seems to know about Emerson's first band, the Nice. Saw them in 1969 and they were fantastic. I fell asleep to their second album, Ars Longa Vita Brevis, every night for a year. Great band, though not as commercially viable as ELP.

[@damirhlobik6488]

Thnx, nice show man ELPs were / are / will be for me the best band ever, period. Welcome back had to be the last album, because everything later is not ELP ELP 1 is influenced by The Nice, King Crimson and Atomic Rooster, raw perfectionism Tarkus is a completely new approach, side A is extremely complex, side B is a little less demanding to listen to Pictures is "now let's have some fun" The trilogy is a masterpiece in every sense BSS - they have broken all boundaries of perfection Which album is the best? Of these 5, the best are all 5 :-)

[@TheProgCorner]

Yeah, they could do no wrong up through BSS!!! Amazing!!!

[@NESProgNerd1970]

Rest in peace Greg Lake one of my favorite prog vocalists of all time ELP isn’t my Favorite prog band but I love and appreciate them for they’re early 70s albums so much 1. Brain Salad Surgery 1973, 2. Tarkus 1971, 3. Emerson Lake And Palmer 1970, 4. Trilogy 1972, 5. In The Hot Seat 1994, 6. Pictures At An Exhibition 1971, 7. Black Moon 1992, 8. Works Vol 1 1977, 9. Love Beach 1978, 10. Works Vol 2 1977, my personal ranking

[@TheProgCorner]

Wow! In The Hot Seat at #5 is a hot take!!!

[@dangerdolls]

Solid ranking order. No quibbles here. Give or take a one position switch possibly here or there I agree completely.

[@TheProgCorner]

Their discography is pretty straightforward!!! It was all great…until it wasn’t. Even still, I like all of them!!!

[@dangerdolls]

@@TheProgCorner Ha! I have through the top eight you picked, but I draw the line at Love Beach and have none of the rest.

[@TheProgCorner]

It got a little sketchy!!!

[@JohnnyRecently]

I'm a Works Volume One fan. Especially Sides 2, 3, and 4.

[@TheProgCorner]

Sides Three and Four were the ones I connected with most but Greg’s stuff is always great!!! ELP were so important to me as a teenager in the seventies.

[@peterratcliffe9139]

Saw them at the Albert Hall. Amazing live versions of Pirates and Close to Home. But I think my favourite track is aquatarkus live on the triple album. Listen to this on headphones and it will blow your mind.

[@TheProgCorner]

I love the live version of Tarkus!!!!!

[@Emerson278]

Apparently a movie studio has secured the rights to the lyrics of "KARN EVIL 9". Carl Palmer confirms this and says it should be released either later this year or maybe next year.

[@TheProgCorner]

Same people who did Jumanji!!!

[@Emerson278]

@@TheProgCorner Yep ! I really hope they don't make some shlocky pile of dog feces.

[@TheProgCorner]

Movies nowadays usually disappoint me…

[@sherkonia644]

i actually didnt know Love Beach was a cocaine album haha. Agree with your number 1. When I first got into music I think I listened to all of Karn Evil 9 once a week

[@TheProgCorner]

So good!!! But who wins? The computers or the humans?

[@mikereiss4216]

I would probably put Black Moon ahead of Love Beach but ymmv. ELPowell is one of the best mainstream prog albums along with ABWH, Rush albums and KC albums.

[@awickedtribe]

Side Two of 'Tarkus' is amazing and kills. I'm old-school Prog, when it meant experimenting with other genre's not usually thought of. I think ELP did a great job by doing just that. First you have the Epic Suite that shows off one style of Prog, the Side Two does the same thing with different motifs. It's been one of my all-time favorite albums since the day it was released. That's typical of all their songs, each one is a picture, like a painting, of some different motif, even the ones from 'Pictures.' As far as I am considered, this album is the epitome of Prog. Even though their first five albums were Concept albums, each sing can stand-alone while still being a part of the Library... Brilliant. My ranking is the first album to the fifth reverse order because I listened to their albums as they were released, and each one I liked better than the one before. I like Black Moon next then Emerson, Lake and Powell, In the Hot Seat, with 3 then Works 1 second to last because Works 2 and Love Beach are fighting for the second to last spot.

[@TheProgCorner]

Outstanding!!!! ❤️❤️❤️

[@awickedtribe]

@@TheProgCorner You should do a video on bands who borderline on prog... I need to argue why War's 'World is a Ghetto' is a prog concept album

[@TheProgCorner]

That’s coming!!!! Great episode idea.

[@emperor6376]

1. Brain Salad Surgery 2. Trilogy, ELP, Tarkus ... and the rest

[@TheProgCorner]

That’s about right!!!

[@findmusic8797]

Carl's steel drum kit was mighty heavy too.

[@TheProgCorner]

Oh yeah!!!

[@KenSmith-bv4si]

Back in 1970 I had a summer job working with a one handed man(I was 14yrs old), he turned me on to ELP.

[@TheProgCorner]

Thanks, one armed man - where ever you are. Good job. 👍👍👍

[@poluxsaurus1454]

As for Black Moon I beg to differ regarding side 2! Changing states / Burning bridges / Close to home are probably my fav tracks off the album.

[@TheProgCorner]

Really? I’ll take another listen!!!

[@JimBagby74]

I agree with your Top 3 all the way. And I love Tarkus Side 2!

[@TheProgCorner]

Yes!!!!

[@AlexDizzys]

1. Brain Salad Surgery 2. Trilogy 3. Tarkus 4. Emerson Lake & Palmer --. Pictures at an Exhibition 5. Love Beach (for side 2) 6. Works vol. 2 7. Works vol. 1 8. Black Moon 9. In the Hot Seat

[@TheProgCorner]

I wish they had had more great albums…

[@AlexDizzys]

@@TheProgCorner They were quintessentially 70's band, like VDGG.

[@PatSmith-cp8rg]

Wow. I live outside of Milwaukee. Went to a few concerts at County Stadium. Fell in love with Brain salad the first time I heard it. Didn't even know who they were. Nothing of there's come close, but I'll keep trying.

[@TheProgCorner]

For me Trilogy and Tarkus come close but I agree: BSS is their masterpiece. I remember seeing Pink Floyd there!!! And the Brewers, of course.

[@PatSmith-cp8rg]

@@TheProgCorner Saw the Brewers many times. Was also there to see Floyd during Animals tour. They floated a pig above stadium that they exploded and shook the entire place. Ah, the good old days.

[@TheProgCorner]

Yep!!! Marquette 77.

[@PatSmith-cp8rg]

@@TheProgCorner Tosa West high school 77. Visited Cousins sub many times by Marquette. Saw Jeff Lorber fusion on Marquette campus.

[@oliviergeoffroy9823]

saw them in paris in '92 by curiosity and it was very amasing evening (emerson did his knife things on his hammond :-))) ...very surprised was not a huge fan but after the show i promised myself to buy some of their records like tarkus and get a deeper listening ...:-)

[@TheProgCorner]

That was a great tour!!! They were still a great live act in 1992.

[@danieleggenberger9034]

Trilogy is my favourite. Not a bad song on it. Fantastic arrangements

[@TheProgCorner]

Incredible album. And probably the best-produced ELP record!!!

[@tadpoleslamp]

Dude! Tank!!!

[@TheProgCorner]

Written by Emerson, credited to Palmer because Keith wanted all three to make money…

[@spentron1]

Emerson said Tarkus was almost it's own thing, that's so crazy Lake didn't like it. It's a true masterpiece without 1 second of wasted space within its generous duration. I love their best albums but that thing towers over a lot more than side 2 and their other music.

[@TheProgCorner]

It’s an unimpeachable classic!!!

[@elfensteen5222]

difficult to say witch album for me is best, the first 5 are all very good, my first E.L.P album was; Trilogy and I think that this is my favorite.. but the welcome back my friends live album is also my favorite ,the live version Tarkus and the great instrumental aquatarkus is just amazing.., one pity is they play only one song from Trilogy Hoedown (and a piece of the sheriff) and the Karn evil is live better.. just the sound of it ... thank you by the way; "Tales" from Yes has always been my favorite Yes album, can you do a personal review of this Yes album ? like to hear your opinium

[@TheProgCorner]

I just threw out a Tormato video to take the temperature of the Yes crowd.!!! Tales is my favorite album ever. Any band. Any genre. Any era. I might have to do that although it would probably be me crying like a baby for 15 minutes!!! It means that much to me.

[@elfensteen5222]

@@TheProgCorner I have seen that new Yes Tormato video, still have to watch it. and I new that "Tales' is your favorite Yes album, that's why I would like to hear what you have to say about this great album.. I know lot of yes lovers are not so positive about "Tales' I do not understand it.. thank you !

[@TheProgCorner]

I actually kind of understand the hate. I too disliked it for a very long time. It took me years to fully appreciate its greatness!!!

[@PointyTailofSatan]

I'm a classically trained organist, and I think Pictures is easily ELP's best album, mainly because it is not simply a "cover" of the original work. It's actually a gigantic improvement over both the original keyboard work, and Ravel's orchestral transcription. Quite frankly, it's a work of genius. Sadly though, it's classical roots and minimalist guitar work alienates many "rock only" listeners, who in many cases, probably are or were not even aware of the original work.

[@TheProgCorner]

What an amazing album!!!

[@FeloniusMonkInGSharp]

Mitch Mitchell? WOW! Emerson, Lake and Granny Goose

[@TheProgCorner]

Makes you wonder…

[@danieliasbeck]

My top 5: 1 Pictures 2 LOVE BEACH 3 Tarkus 4 First Album 5 Emerson Lake and Powell

[@TheProgCorner]

Love for Love Beach? I love it.

[@Somalsis]

I have almost every ELP album on vinyl! Just need BSS, Trilogy, Works 2 and their 3rd live album.

[@TheProgCorner]

I love ELP!!!

[@Somalsis]

@@TheProgCorner Me too! Yes is my favorite band though. Check out the band Utopia too!

[@RC-gf8cs]

Saw 73.74.774x..elpowel.etc..thru 2000 jones beach ny...brainsal..trk.1st..tril.wk1..pic..lbeach.wk2..the 8 orig my fav..now?? im old..

[@TheProgCorner]

Aren’t we all?

[@grantross2609]

the live triple set WBMFTTSTNE deserves a mention imo tho..... captures the sheer might of the band at the height of their powers !

[@TheProgCorner]

Just amazing!!!

[@stephenlegg262]

I saw them in Wales on the Trilogy tour. They were amazing.

[@TheProgCorner]

Wow!!!!!! Did Greg play the Mellotron?

[@stephenlegg262]

I don’t think so.

[@stephenlegg262]

Keith was running up the aisles playing a mini keyboard.

[@alexnejako777]

most kids who watched MTV are probably best familiar with Emerson Lake and Powell at least for starters. in the 80s you could hear multiple ELP songs on mainstream radio per day

[@TheProgCorner]

Back in the day!!!

[@seanwelch71]

Tarkus was a revelation to me at age 15.

[@TheProgCorner]

It shook me to the core!!!

[@shanebullock5005]

BSS always no.1 for me and my personal no.1 of all time.Tarkus and Trilogy I cannot seperate and in my top 10 . ELP first next. WBMFTTSTNE my favorite live album of all time. Great presentation,

[@TheProgCorner]

Thank you!!! Long live ELP!!!

[@FeloniusMonkInGSharp]

Carl Palmer is so cool he had to bang two gongs to get it on!

[@TheProgCorner]

Take that, T Rex!!!

[@fcamiola]

I'm back on an ELP kick right now!

[@TheProgCorner]

Welcome back!!! I go through ELP phases where I binge and then don’t listen to them again for a year or two!!!

[@fcamiola]

@@TheProgCorner Right on! True story: first time I ever smoked weed was through a homemade bong while listening to Brain Salad Surgery at a friend's house. Just the three of us. When "Toccata" came on, I didn't know WHAT was going on, but I did notice my heart was racing and the tunes were WEIRD :). I ended up on the kitchen floor laughing uncontrollably while my buddies threw hard candy on me and "Karn Evil" (side two) was cranked.... unforgettable!

[@TheProgCorner]

The Prog made me do it, Mama!!!

[@fcamiola]

@@TheProgCorner lol

[@giovannicaprini7780]

only one word : LEGENDS

[@TheProgCorner]

ABSOLUTELY

[@SRV2013]

Saw them three times in the 1970's.

[@TheProgCorner]

Awesomeness!!!

[@19trebor53]

Why they are not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is ridiculous.

[@TheProgCorner]

It makes zero sense to me. 😡

[@atlasking6110]

Brain Salad Surgery #1 for me. Trilogy is probably a stronger album overall and I rate it #2, but BSS just has the "it factor" for me. After BSS and Trilogy, I go: Tarkus, Pictures at an Exhibition, Debut, Works I, Black Moon (I rate this a lot higher than most fans,) Love Beach, Works II, Hot Seat (bleccch!) I don't really count ELPowell or Power of 3, but if I did they would rank near the bottom. I count Pictures because although live, it was all material unique to that album.

[@TheProgCorner]

You are reading my mind regarding BSS and Trilogy!!! Either way, they are both 10/10.

[@ProggyGoat]

I agree with 1 & 2, but I am one of those who doesn't like side 2 of Tarkus. I love Black Moon as well 😂

[@TheProgCorner]

That is definitely the majority opinion about side two but we all hear music a little differently!!! Yeah, Black Moon isn’t half bad!!!

[@luizmendes8349]

Tarkus é genial!saúdo desde Salvador Bahia Brasil

[@TheProgCorner]

🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@brucebrown73]

Pictures at an Exhibition is my #1

[@TheProgCorner]

It's a monster!!!

[@terrencereardon6374]

Mine 1) Brain Salad Surgery 2) Trilogy 3) self titled 4) Tarkus 5) Love Beach (blame The Atlantic Years and Manticore box set for me buying the album, take the cover away and call it Canario or Memoirs and use a black with white ELP logo as its cover and the reputation would not be bad) 6) ELPowell (whole album I enjoy) 7) Works I (love it all, LA Nights with Joe Walsh shredding FTW and Side 4) 8) Works II (Carl's songs were eh, rest was decent) 9) Black Moon (The only song I though eh was Burning Bridges) 10) In the Hot Seat (I only enjoyed Daddy, Heart on Ice and Pictures re-record, rest was bad Baywatch crap) 3 was not ELP. ELPowell is ELP on the other hand. Carl Palmer was with Asia so Cozy Powell came in and filled his shoes.

[@TheProgCorner]

It was a slow and painful decline. From five perfect albums to In The Hot Seat…

[@josedealbuquerquejr.941]

I would rank Emerson Lake and Powell higher, is better than Works 2, which is a collection of studio leftovers, and even Works 2, plenty of up and downs. Is a very consistent effort and is a rare ELP album where Emerson is really “in” to digital synthesizers, a perfect mix between 70 and 80’s sound, VERY overlooked indeed. And man, what amazing drummer Cozy Powell was, and a terrific dude as well

[@TheProgCorner]

I didn’t like it at all when it first came out but you’re right: it really is a good album!!!

[@mitchellconnolly2560]

Whaddya think of welcome back my friends?

[@TheProgCorner]

Great live album!!!!!

[@PointyTailofSatan]

Did you know that when guitarist O'List was dropped from the Nice because of mental illness, a number of replacement guitarists tried out, before it was decided to go guitarless. One of these guitarists become quite famous with another band. Can you guess who it was? Answer below. Steve Howe!

[@TheProgCorner]

I have never heard that before!!!!

[@grantross2609]

........seems to me there was a lot of guitarists looking for work in those dim & distant days tho !

[@guitarscatsandmusic7733]

Tarkus or Brain Salad are my top two

[@TheProgCorner]

Nice!! I love them both.

[@christiantoma5917]

have you listened to any magma?

[@TheProgCorner]

I have and I really love Christian Vander!!! Very unique and special band.

[@TokinTerrapin]

I think i would have to go with tarkus as my fav

[@TheProgCorner]

Can’t argue with that!!!

[@blueguitar5261]

ELP Super Band

[@TheProgCorner]

One of the best ever!!!!

[@brianoakley980]

16 years old long hair..I was scruffy in Jeans, leather jacket always a Cigarette hanging out of my mouth..every Girlfriends Mothers Dream..ahem, Went to see ELP at the Free Trade hall Manchester March 1971, not only do I have the ticket stub I have the set list written on the back..Barbarian, Tarkus, Rondo, Take a Pebble, only Pictures at an Exhibition, in full,Nutrocker then Jeremy Bender, read em and weep...sigh

[@TheProgCorner]

Wow!!! So jealous. I wish I had seen them earlier in their career but that Works tour with the choir and orchestra was insane!!! Glad I witnessed it!!!! What a band. Legends.

[@Z-eb]

time to do a guided by voices worst to best ?!

[@TheProgCorner]

That’ll be a REALLY long video!!!

[@richardtyson7884]

I love prog but I have an ELP bypass But there,again...

[@TheProgCorner]

I know a few people who feel the same. They’re pretty unabashed…

[@mikebyrne3682]

I disagree on the top 3, i would rate Trilogy and Tarkus equal number one and BSS as third but all absolutely the best music ever written and ELP have been my favourite band of all time and i am 64 yrs old

[@TheProgCorner]

I’m 59 and I have loved them since the day my older brother came home from college with a cassette of Tarkus in hand!!! (Fragile was in the other side!)

[@mikebyrne3682]

@@TheProgCorner my neighbours Daughter gave me a cassette of their first album when I was 13, I loved it, especiallyg

[@mikebyrne3682]

Especially Barbarian an Knife Edge, my Father always played classical music when I was 12 or 13 and that included Pictures and when I first heard ELP doing it I was totally blown away

[@TheProgCorner]

Your Dad knew what time it was!!!

[@mikebyrne3682]

@@TheProgCorner he did as he also played The Planets Suite by Gustav Holst and how many prog bands have covered tracks from that fantastic piece of music

[@DanSPsych67]

Gee!! Ya know buddy.... I have Tarkus # 1.. but that's just me.... Hey Milwaukee... From LaCrosse!!!!

[@TheProgCorner]

I grew up in Waukesha!!

[@DanSPsych67]

Waukesha... Very Cool. Had friends there.... Cold up there right now... Went to Collage in Madison and La Crosse.. Good times. They called UW..in Madison, Height- Ashbury of the mid west... Lots of fun!!! Lots of Record Stores and good Concerts!!!

[@TheProgCorner]

I left in 1977 - a few weeks after seeing ELP at the old Milwaukee Arena. Lived in Florida for years but now I’m back in the Midwest!!!

[@DanSPsych67]

@@TheProgCorner Yeah! I left in 75.. met my wife here in South Carolina, she's from Florida... We go back to visit in La Crosse, from time to time... Small World my friend!!!

[@cacauceluque]

I would consider Love Beach just below In the Hot Sit

[@TheProgCorner]

They are both pretty mediocre records.

[@FeloniusMonkInGSharp]

Cozy Powell was great with Jeff Beck

[@TheProgCorner]

Yes, he was!!!

[@FeloniusMonkInGSharp]

@@TheProgCorner I also really dug Appice's work with Beck and Bogert.

[@Realbillball]

"Hand of Truth" is a very good track. Rest is shit. Like the short version of "Pictures at an Exhibition", though. Don't dislike "The Power of 3". It has moments. "Black Moon" is kind of ok, but nothing more. "Love Beach" is an all through stinker. "Officer and Gentleman" included. "Emerson, Lake & Powell" I really do like from start to end. "Works 2" - never cared for it "Works" - never takes off. "Fanfare for the Common Man" has a good start, but it gets a bit boring after a while. But I saw them live in Oslo in 1992 (Greg's birthday mind you) and that was a completely different ballgame. So was "Pirates". Far better done live than in the studio. The rest? Keith's piano suite is good, but the rest is kind of boring. "Pictures at an Exhibition" - it's a mystery to me why I dig this. It hardly hangs together, but still I can't stop listening when I put it on. They must have been doing something right. "Emerson, Lake & Palmer" - "The Barbarian", "Tank", "Knife Edge", "Lucky Man" - those tracks alone makes this record worth the money. But some days I kind surprise myself by thinking who surprisingly well that Pebble-thing sits. So I wont rule it out. "The Three Fates" is not for rookies. Not a go-to track at all. It took time for it to sit, but it does...most days. Awesome album. "Tarkus" - my first listen to ELP. And it absolutely blew my mind. Side 1 is so spectacular it overshadows side 2. Most album sides from any artists can't compete with the track "Tarkus". Neither can side 2 of the album. But that side is also overloaded with pure gold. And here is my defense of the showstopper: You have spent 36 minutes and 52 seconds in full musical suspense. You need help to land yourself. So why not take a couple of minutes to settle down with something lighthearted and silly like "Are You Ready, Eddy?". It's about your health. Masterpiece, this album is. "Trilogy" - I absolutely adore this album. Might be my over all favourite from the band. Always on top 3. "Brain Salad Surgery" - on most days it's my number one ELP album. There are no weak spots here. Sooo - I guess we're in sync on the top 6 today.

[@TheProgCorner]

I will always defend Side Two of Tarkus!!! And your reasoning is sound - the brain needs to cool down after the suite.

[@soloperformer5598]

Sorry, Trilogy is number one for me with Tarkus second and Brain Salad Surgery third.

[@TheProgCorner]

All three are 10/10!!!

[@joseantoniobarbosa]

For me Black moon it's a very good album. But "love beach" very pop, all bad with this album

[@TheProgCorner]

Black Moon isn’t bad at all!!! I like it quite a bit!!! ELP rules.

[@BattManion1979]

I know most record collectors are not musicologists or cultural commentators, and if they had anything better to do they would not have time to make videos. but for Christ's sake please no more ranking videos. First of all, they all come out pretty much the same, and nobody cares anyway.

[@TheProgCorner]

Not gonna happen. I rank things. If there are six items on a menu I want to rank them. It’s what I do. I do other stuff too but I am what I am. Blessings to you!!!

[@BattManion1979]

@@TheProgCorner Ok....rank all the Faust records or all 50 Klaus Schulze records or something that floats the wierdos boats.

[@TheProgCorner]

Being a completist, doing Schulze would be quite the undertaking!!! Faust is on the horizon though!!! 👍👍👍

[@BattManion1979]

@@TheProgCorner There was once a time when whoever was gonna release a 50 disc box of Schulze? Wonder if that ever happened?

[@TheProgCorner]

I haven’t seen it but DAMN I really want it!!! A tragic loss for the music world…