Ranking the Studio Albums: Emerson, Lake & Palmer (ELP)

[@mikeL65000]

Brain Salad Surgery is one of the greatest albums ever.

[@JeffYoungTube]

TRUE FACT.

[@tommyboyindy1157]

That’s my favorite and all the others tie for second.

[@cancel1913]

True dat!

[@cancel1913]

@@cassmcmlix Wow awesome!

[@mariconsciencia139]

toccata! oh gosh

[@jameshunter7303]

Was hoping for an appearance in a Love Beach T-shirt for this Pete. We all know you’ve got one hidden away...

[@seaoftranquilityprog]

LOL! Nope!

[@Boblobblaw88]

bwahaha....hilarious!

[@ronniefarnsworth6465]

Lol, One of my friends bought this when it came out, and the next day we "Burned it" with lighter fluid behind his house as we were cooking burgers and enjoying a Beer !! : D

[@blackcatcentralmusic]

Did anybody actually buy the tee shirts and outfits advertised in the original vinyl album release?

[@socalltd]

I have my Trilogy T shirt. .

[@thewal1ofsleep]

RIP Greg Lake and Keith Emerson.

[@thewal1ofsleep]

@toby buckwyler agreed. He's one of my top 5 drummers.

[@peteh7966]

Nice user name :-)

[@brunovallesmunoz4757]

Three words: WHAT A TSHIRT !!!!! Thanks man for keep doing this!

[@Justin-hn1oj]

ELPs first 4 albums are phenomenal. I personally prefer trilogy because of how heavy the organ is

[@15tjhag]

I Agree! Trilogy, hands down my favorite! Feel like I've listened to it over 2000 times & I always listen to the whole thing, just like The Who - Quadrophenia. Took my brother to see ELP in Cincinnati early 90s, he loved it & he was'nt evn a big fan.

[@melinadyhr1210]

Love trilogy

[@jimsha9984]

Yes Trilogy all the way. Title song is a monster tune.

[@Southbound63]

Agreed.

[@budlensing1161]

Thanks for mentioning the EL Powell album.

[@marcbergeron8690]

I wonder if Emerson and Lake chose Cozy Powell because his name begins with a P so they could continue to name themselves ELP. Personnaly I don't cheer for this album but I like some entries. No more.

[@budlensing1161]

I would say that had to be a plus on his part. Not that his drumming resume needed any help.

[@johnbenard9550]

Ultimate Prog Trio! Gotta give props to Cozy Powell for filling in for Carl Palmer during his absence! 01. Brain Salad Surgery 02. Trilogy 03. Tarkus 04. Emerson, Lake & Palmer 05. Emerson, Lake & Powell 06. Black Moon 07. In the Hot Seat 08. Pictures at an Exhibition 09. Works Volume 1 10. Works Volume 2 11. Love Beach

[@dynosmith4096]

was at the concert when , they recorded pictures at Newcastle city hall, fave album elp!

[@biggawinnacrapsa3870]

Are you the one who set off the firecracker?

[@lizfowle2473]

I’m jealous that’s beautiful what a lucky person !!!

[@dynosmith4096]

@.to Liz fowle.yes I feel very lucky to have seen them three times all great concerts. I genuinely feel sorry for fans of elp who for one reason or another never got to see them*

[@dynosmith4096]

@to bigga wigga crapsa NO?

[@lizfowle2473]

Dyno Smith I’m happy that you have seen them and had good memories I love watching the video of them performing Pictures At An Exhibition is beautiful !!!!

[@adrianvinicius8216]

My favourite today is Tarkus. Just because the amazing tittle track. From Brazil ✌✌

[@tarkus522]

ELP has been my favorite band ever since my brother brought home Tarkus when it first came out. Also the first concert I ever saw on the Works tour. I'm adding Pictures to my list. Even though it was a live album it was separate, original material as opposed to a normal live album. Tarkus (my all time favorite album) BSS Trilogy Emerson, Lake, and Palmer Pictures at an Exibition Works vol 1 Black Moon Works vol 2 Love Beach In the Hot Seat I actually got to meet them at a signing/meet & greet when the Return of the Manticore boxed set was released. Obviously I got my copy signed by all 3!

[@tommyd1871]

Keith Emerson is the greatest keys player and without question of all time. Those first 3 songs from the EL and Powell cd are the finest songs they wrote. Thanks Pete for doing them!!!

[@craigfazekas3923]

According to Greg Lake, Tarkus started as an Ian Underwood composition, and was given to Keith Emerson by Frank Zappa.

[@markrago7217]

Wow

[@craigfazekas3923]

@@markrago7217 I know, right ? This info was in Greg Lake's autobiography, "Lucky Man". The book was written when Mr. Lake knew of his cancer. He obviously took the pleasant route throughout, not describing any unpleasant forays with any bandmates- other than his & Keith's excitement/disappointment, again, about the opening of Tarkus. Greg Lake did NOT like the 5/4 time signature in the opening. He thought it was being "crafty" for the sake of being crafty, sounding forced. Mr. Emerson disagreed & a big argument ensued. Mr. Lake backed down in the end, saying he wasn't going to break away from ELP over 1 passage of 1 song's time signature. He also described a very raucous crowd in Japan where tear gas was used & that the crowd surged toward the stage as a result at the beginning of Carl's solo during Tank. Keith & Greg ditched the stage & the show altogether. He said that as they were leaving in limos from the outdoor venue, they could hear Carl playing the riff over & over & over that was the signal for Greg & Keith to re-join the song.... Poor Mr. Palmer was left on his own & extremely pissed off when he got back to the band's hotel that evening !!

[@randallsage6740]

Correct, Frank (Zappa) also gave to Greg (Lake) the..... hmmm never mind.

[@georgeadams8230]

That is correct, Emersons most quoted piece of music wasn't even his, gifted player who stole from others or did arrangements of other people's work, clever stuff.. but how many other musicians did that on his level? The solo from aquatarkus from the live album was from an album called the minotaur, the composer thought about suing emerson for not giving him credit. Piano improvisations was hardly improvised and had other peoples work. Still he was a superb keyboardist and the best in his time. Rest in peace.

[@craigfazekas3923]

@@georgeadams8230 I relate to what you say, but Keith often quoted passages from others as a form of humor, at least when he was younger, to lighten the proceedings by putting "shave & a hairct" into an intense jam, or to quote Stravinski or Holst in the same token- flashy with humor many, many times- you often see Greg or Carl cracking up- before the rot settled in, in the later years. But between The Nice & ELP ? He produced VOLUMES of self written greats, and followed up with awesome soundtrack work later. Yeah, we lost a good one....who liked music, no matter who wrote it. Music is the best~ FZ 🚬😎👍

[@chevken1831]

"Love Beach" is the "Plan 9 From Outer Space" of albums.

[@truckerkevthepaidtourist]

no doubt about it so far out of the genre and so far gone..

[@marguskiis7711]

You probably never listened it!

[@dr.juerdotitsgo5119]

Hmm hardly. Plan 9 is actually amazing.

[@truckerkevthepaidtourist]

@@dr.juerdotitsgo5119 you might think it's amazing.. but most people don't understand the meaning behind the term

[@dr.juerdotitsgo5119]

@@truckerkevthepaidtourist The love/criteria for bad movies have always been a challenge to describe, yeah. But "love beach" is plain bad, lazy, dishonest. Not an enjoyable shitfest like "Monster in the Closet". In fact, I don't think there are bad movies equivalent to bad music. There are no "bad music" fans.

[@spydergkh6337]

This is wonderful, Pete!! 🍻 Thanks for posting this! Your ranking is pretty much the same as mine with the exception of me ranking their debut album, "Emerson Lake & Palmer at #1. I'll never forget when that album was released!!! Just as fantastic today as it was in 1970. I was in attendance at their show in Tucson, AZ on February 22nd, 1974. That was, of course, the 'Someone Get Me A Ladder' tour. At the time most of us just called it, The Brain Salad Surgery tour. 😀 What a show! What a band!! I'm glad Carl is keeping the music alive with his trio these days! 👍

[@boguslavaki]

I saw Emerson, Lake and Palmer during the Brain Salad Surgery tour. It was one of the most spectacular shows I have ever seen. I don't think I was ever the same.

[@Tom-ok2rh]

Dave Puckett Yep. I saw them a few times myself 👍

[@rossb.4773]

@@Tom-ok2rh the TIGHTEST BAND...

[@kermit3421]

Yep..saw that tour...Quad sound at the old St. Louis arena!

[@aloscalzo2112]

Good list - hard to rank those last few for sure. Anybody else like the ELPowell album? I love it.

[@richgrillo5457]

Yes love that album

[@brianlobo1512]

Me too. ELP meets late Led Zep.

[@martynseed380]

What's not to like about Mars Bringer of War. Had to be Powell or there'd be EL?

[@scottmcgregor562]

I remember Greg Lake saying that the "Works" albums were soundtracks of ELP breaking up.

[@VincentBautista365]

The "Works" albums were a band falling apart. On "Love Beach" they are no longer a band, just three guys fulfilling contractual obligations.

[@drummusicinc4027]

Ah, was waiting for this one. Your top 4 are the ones I own and love. Great albums. Tarkus and BSS are exceptional essential and awesome. Nice list, Pete 🙏👍 Happy to hear Camel is coming soon😬

[@mikeschrammel1790]

1 - E L P 2 Trilogy 3 - Tarkus 4 - Brain Salad Surgery 5 - Works vol 1 Yep I love their first 4 albums as well

[@williamgeorgefraser]

I totally agree with you on the top 4. Difficult to say one is greater than the others. At the same time, I love the Cozy Powell album.

[@cyclesport245]

Hi Pete - great channel - ELP my favorite band - Keep up the good work across the board for all of us real music fans.

[@cachan1234]

I was lucky to see ELP live in June 1997. It was absolutely amazing show!

[@Northernlightshow]

Thanks for mentioning the ELPowell album, it’s one of my favourites. Both versions of the band were amazing. Sadly the last ELP show in London in 2010 was a little flat, but it was still nice to be there one last time.

[@smithmann5616]

I saw ELPowell at Massey Hall in Toronto. Sound was like listening on headphones. After the encore with Fanfare, Rondo and America and Keith's organ gymnastics the crowd went nuts (his keyboard rig had rotated around to reveal an L-100 against a brick wall (a la West Side Story) and he spray-painted the ELP symbol on the wall). Well after the encore, the lights came up and the exit music came on and the roadies came out to start dismantling the equipment, but the crowd wouldn't stop cheering. People were standing on their seats just screaming (I mean ELP's energy fills a stadium, imagine all that power in an intimate venue? We were jacked). This went on for about 15 minutes, and then the came back out! They played Fanfare again, sans the segue into Rondo and America, because obviously everything had to be programmed so they couldn't just jam. The review in the newspaper the next day said that even they were awed by the power they were able to create. We got in the car the next day and went to see them in Montreal. Met them after the show and they said that the response they got from the Toronto crowd was overwhelming. Well they were overwhelming. Best of the best.

[@inoxiafilms7230]

1. Brain Salad Surgery 2. Trilogy. 3. Tarkus 4. Pictures at an Exhibition.

[@CristianVargaMastervargas]

yeah Pictures is live but it contains "original" material, as in original interpretation, so I guess it should've been included. I just love that album

[@agpe13]

Pictures fantastic album!

[@billnole2188]

Watched while nodding 20 minutes of Pictures live by Carl Palmer Band. Should have slept through the middle 10 minutes because it ruined the experience while beginning & end were very good.

[@jimcirile]

This list is spot-on. I would also like to point out that Lake's lead guitar playing on BSS was exquisite, and it's baffling why he only played acoustic for the most part after this. It's almost as if he looked at Jimmy Page and said, "I can't compete with that." Which is our loss.

[@petemarr824]

Thanks so much for ranking ELP :) A great band, Emerson and Lake so sadly missed RIP.

[@jensmillgard]

I like Trilogy the best of ELP's studio albums. It just makes me feel so good. Warm and balanced yet powerful.

[@Geerladenlad]

This is making me want to go listen to some ELP. I really like that Emerson Lake and Powell album too.

[@craigfazekas3923]

I saw Emerson, Lake & Powell at the Mann Music Center in Philly, 1986. They did a killer version of Pirates at that show. I was so great seeing Cozy Powell playing in that format- very, very interesting to hear & see.

[@blackcatcentralmusic]

I was there! That was a great show. I think a local band, Bricklin, opened the show.

[@evilrusty]

Yes! I was at that Mann show as well. Excellent set list and performance. Still love that album

[@brianlobo1512]

Craig Fazekas Madison square garden in sept 86. Pirates was awesome and Powell made it a new ELP

[@robertglisson6319]

@@craigfazekas3923, agreed. It was like John Bonham sat down to play with them, as Cozy and Bonzo were very similar-styled drummers...

[@ronniefarnsworth6465]

Okay it always moves around with time for me but it's the Classic ones of course !! : ) 1, Tarkus 2, Brain Salad Surgery 3, Pictures at an Exhibition 4, Emerson, Lake & Palmer 5, Trilogy 6, Welcome Back, Yup it's Live but so is Pictures !! All so close for me, Love them all.

[@nezzam100]

Great stuff. ELP are everything most people hate about prog rock and I love them. Favourite albums 1. Pictures at an Exhibition (Not a studio album so couldn't be on Pete's list) 2. Trilogy 3. Brain Salad Surgery 4. Tarkus 5. Emerson, Lake an Palmer

[@davek6949]

01. Brain Salad Surgery 02. Tarkus 03. Emerson, Lake & Palmer 04. Pictures at an Exhibition 05. Trilogy 06. Works Volume 1 07. Emerson, Lake & Powell 08. Black Moon 09. Works Volume 2 10. In the Hot Seat 11. Love Beach

[@rossb.4773]

Greg Lake soooooo underrated as a bassist ; still always in the top 7 of any bass category ; also played keyboard ( mellotron)and bass way before ugg, Geddy Lee...

[@Rextum]

What a crazy band! A classic ELP album usually includes a side length epic masterpiece, a jarring church hymn, a sappy ballad and a good ol’ time saloon rock with joke lyrics. At least ELP in their height is never boring! That’s entertainment!😄👍🏻

[@damianczarnecki8775]

My rank: 1 Emerson, Lake & Palmer 2 Brain Salad Surgery 3 Tarkus 4 Trilogy 5 Works Vol 1 6 Works Vol 2 7 Black Moon 8 Love Beach 9 In the Hot Seat

[@richkurl]

Many thanks, Pete, I was waiting for this. Trilogy was my first encounter with the great ELP, and still ranks at or near the top of my favorite ELP, Progressive Rock, and albums overall. We get to listen to the masterful acoustic piano work that Keith was so passionate about. And just as Trilogy and each of your top 4 were revelations for me, Love Beach was traumatizing.

[@dt1978]

ELP were actually my favorite of the classic progressive rock bands for some time. I have no discernible favorite classic prog-rock group at the moment, but still love ELP to pieces. My rankings: #10. Love Beach #9. In The Hot Seat #8. Black Moon #7. Works Vol. 2 #6. Works Vol. 1 #5. ELP s/t debut #4. Trilogy #3. Tarkus #2. Brain Salad Surgery #1. Pictures At An Exhibition I include Pictures because, even though it is a live album, it was a full recording of a work not found anywhere else. I don't count the truncated, and to my ears, inferior studio version recorded over two decades later. In any event, Pictures has always been my top favorite.

[@itsno1953]

First 2 LPs I ever bought (on the same day), not counting the "Best of the Monkees" LP that I bought off the back of a cereal box: 1) ELP - Trilogy 2) Star Wars 2LP Soundtrack

[@dennissweeney6774]

Miles Davis one of the great one's. Love ELP and Powell .I am so glad to to have seen them. The 70s and 80s were great times to see shows tickets were cheap and there were so many great shows. Thanks Pete for the job you are doing and your knowledge of music is impressive .wishing you all the best buddy. Long LIVE ROCK

[@skdesign98]

Nice list Pete! Love Brain Salad Surgery one of my all time fav albums!! Nice mentioning Emerson Lake and Powell which I agree a solid album!

[@lucy-texasgal3679]

Thank you Pete. I am going to agree with your ranking of these. All of the top albums were produced by Greg Lake. Yes I understand not adding Pictures at an Exhibition as well, but I would put it at #2 on my list. Of course, I would probably change the ranking too and even individual tracks. Rest In Peace maestro Keith and beautiful Greg and thank you Carl for carrying on the legacy. ✌🏻❤️🤘🏻

[@robscalise]

Whatever, whatever, Blah, Blah. Thank you so much for keeping the memory of ELP recordings alive. Thank you for mentioning ELPowell recording. I will never forget seeing ELP's first US shows at the Fillmore East in the early 70's for two nights in the second row. So much of Prog was not just the music, but their fearless performances. What would a modern audience make of Keith today! "Trilogy" will always be my favorite as it feels less super group and more those three young lads wanting to explore that state of the music art in the studio.

[@EastmanD]

I absolutely agree with your blah, blah. The power of Emerson, Lake and Palmer was in their live performances. Good observation.

[@robscalise]

@@EastmanD So sorry for the Blah, Blah comment. I'm an older fan and can be a bit moody. I'm very grateful to Pete for all these videos keeping the memory of these Prog recordings alive.

[@pompeomagno5916]

Tarkus was the very first vinyl I bought -- I didn't even have a turntable to play it on, I borrowed it from a neighbour. Oh gosh what a feeling that was

[@Tom-ok2rh]

To show the talent of these 3, back in the 70s Playboy Magazine had their annual All-Star band members that readers voted on. Many years Emerson was tops on the Keyboards, Palmer was best on the drums, and the only reason Lake was second on bass was Paul McCartney usually occupied that spot. My favorite would probably be Trilogy if I had to choose

[@philjamieson5572]

I think videos like this are pretty important. They remind me of how far ELP's influence has reached. My favourite is the live, 'Welcome Back My Friends...'. I first saw them during that tour. Thanks for this.

[@markkasick]

I forgot to mention those who love ELP should check out Cozy Powell solo records, Octopus and Tilt. When they were out on vinyl, they were incredibly hard to find. They kick ass.

[@jeremydraper733]

Just recently getting into ELP. I got their debut and the welcome back live album, and I’ve heard Tarkus and BSS and have been really enjoying them. This video came at a pretty good time haha

[@peteh7966]

Better late than never LOL Enjoy!

[@Tom-ok2rh]

Random Name Trilogy will impress you too. Debut album great too

[@maryelms5948]

The Powell album seems to get a bad wrap. You can always pick it up for $5 at record shows. I think it's quite good.

[@sadusattack2628]

I'm also a big fan of the Emerson, Lake & Powell release! Touch and Go is a classic song!

[@rockonthestone4907]

My favourite band! Thanks for this Pete My ranking would go: 9. In the Hot Seat 8. Love Beach 7. Works Vol 1 6. Black Moon 5. Works Vol 2 4. Debut 3. Trilogy 2. Brain Salad Surgery 1. Tarkus

[@thegood9]

YES, My fave band of all time! Black Moon is an underrated gem!

[@Tom-ok2rh]

Jason Lee Agree. Only real ELP fans aware of this one

[@JimmyPlato1]

I am a HUGE ELP fan. They were so special in their prime in the 1970's. I think Greg Lake was a great bass guitar performer and an incredible singer. I rank Greg Lake as the 3rd greatest bass player in Rock history: #1. Paul McCartney #2. Peter Cetera #3. Greg Lake #4. John Paul Jones #5. John Entwistle #6. Gene Simmons #7. Sting #8. Chris Squire #9. Bill Wyman #10. Geddy Lee

[@MrJermyWurmy]

Funny rumour: Hendrix was to join ELP and they would be called H.E.L.P. , ridiculous. Could you imagine though? Very talented musicians. Was fortunate to see them.

[@Rekko82]

Yes, they would have played The Beatles covers.

[@MrJermyWurmy]

Brilliant!

[@craigfazekas3923]

Same rumor swirled around in the early 80s, but with Steve Howe....

[@MrJermyWurmy]

That's possible. I'm not sure where I heard it.

[@marcbergeron8690]

The Man In a Long Black Coat and Give Me a Reason To Stay are great but they are covers. Pictures At an Exhibition has been performed and created live but it contains "original material" if we don't consider that it's essentially a cover from Mussorgski. For this reason, I include this album in the classic 5 (the 5 first). My fav: Trilogy.

[@craigfazekas3923]

Trilogy was Greg Lake's favorite, too. They had serious issues however, trying to replicate some songs from that album while on tour. Abaddon's Bolero was only performed a few times- with Lake using a Mellotron in a few junctures during the song. It was deemed a failure & dropped shortly thereafter. Keith Emerson refused to employ a Mellotron himself. In his eyes, the 'Tron took employment away from perspective paid musicians & refused to use one on those grounds. In fact, the British musicians union took the makers of the Mellotron, Streetly Electronics, to court trying to stop their production.... Fun fact: the lone authorized import agent for Streetly/Mellotron in the USA during the late 60s & early 70s ? None other than Rick Nielsen, later of Cheap Trick ! 😎 Strange to think that when you hear the Mellotron on Free Bird & Tuesday's Gone- Rick Nielson sold it to the studio that Skynyrd recorded in (Studio One in Georgia with Al Kooper supervising those sessions) Too bad Kooper & Skynyrd recorded those tracks with the 'Tron slightly out of tune !! But, I've rambled on enough here....😎

[@michaelbeaule1966]

Marc Bergeron strong argument for Pictures. Their version of Pictures on the Return of the Manticore box set was stellar!

[@marcbergeron8690]

@@michaelbeaule1966 It's the same as the one on In the Hot Seat. I prefer the original.

[@mmmbbq]

I was never into ELP, but I picked up the debut at a Goodwill for a buck. I gotta say, I've grown to absolutely LOVE this record. Lucky Man was so ubiquitous and why would I need to hear it? Well, it sounds absolutely incredible when you sit down and listen to it as opposed to hearing it a the grocery store or whatever. And Tank, what a system tester! The bass is crazy! I have the rest of the top four as well and have them in the rotation. And I got Love Beach because the cover is hilarious!

[@GMHG777]

Man i just noticed your subs are at 25.6K now wow, when I joined late in October of 19 you had like 14k the growth on this channel in 5 months has been crazy !!! Congrats Pete !

[@thegood9]

1- Brain Salad, 2- Welcome back my friends (don't know if that counts, since it's live, but still!, if it doesn't, I go with their eponymous 1st record), 3- Tarkus

[@BluesImprov]

I saw them live at the Mississippi River Festival on the campus of Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville in the summer of 1972. Since I was a student there I was able to go for free, but that concert was one of the largest paid attendance events at the MRF that summer. I remember feeling like they sounded better and more true to their recorded sound than I thought they would. The MRF was a fabulous outdoor concert festival that ran from 1969-1980. It featured many legendary artists such as The Who, ELP, The Eagles, Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin, Harry Chapin, Yes, Chicago, Ike and Tina Turner, BB King, The Grateful Dead and so many more. The St. Louis Symphony even played there as well. Just an incredibly cool memory of my college days at SIU-Edwardsville.

[@efectomariposa7032]

For me "Emerson, Lake and Palmer" Is #1

[@willsonnett6693]

Right on again Pete.

[@geraldmellon740]

Superb Pete.

[@michaelbeaule1966]

Thanks for covering ELP. My top 5: 1, Trilogy. 2, Their first. 3, Brain Salad. 4, Tarkus. 5. Works. Loved Emerson, Lake & Powell and the Emerson project entitled - 3: To the Power of Three.

[@johnmurphy8189]

Great video Pete. I have Trilogy as my number 1 but all top 4 are great albums.

[@EastmanD]

Trilogy is Greg Lake's favorite album for good reason. It shows the band at it's most diverse and without too much reliance on other composer's material. The title track is the maybe the greatest track the band ever recorded cause it shows the power of the Moog synths (without the declaration that it can replace orchestras), Lake's lyrical prowess and the ability of the group to flat-out JAM with Palmer as the juggernaut lynchpin....ALL in under 10 minutes ! However tempting it is to gloat about ELP's much loved (and deservedly so) epics, it's best not to always go straight to dessert. If ELP had never released tracks like Tarkus, Pictures.., Karn Evil 9 and such the band would still have been a powerhouse. Tracks like Benny the Bouncer, Are You Ready Eddy, Karn Evil 9 1st Impression Part 2 (I HATE when KE9 is strung as one long track !), The Only Way, The Sheriff, Lucky Man, Nut Rocker, Jeremy Bender (oh damn just put the whole second side of Tarkus on there) are just as strong as any of the lengthy pieces and definitely should not be overlooked by recently interested fans. The great thing about prog music (especially ELP) is that it incorporates many different styles of music and can be a GREAT learning tool for young folks just "cutting their teeth" in music. And tracks such as the ones listed above provide many different styles for'em to delve into. Barrelhouse, trad jazz, folk, singer-songwriter..the list is long. Love to see comments where people (I presume most of them to be young) have been become admirers of music that i love so much. Good work Pete, for keeping the flame burning !

[@FundamentalsUK]

Huge ELP fan! ....BSS, Trilogy, Tarkus, debut, works 1 . Black moon great comeback imo. EL Powell, unsung classic 🤘🏻

[@musicnerd8969]

Pete, your list is solid. For my money I have a slightly different ranking. Because I see the two Works albums less as band albums and more as solo projects by the band, I pushed them down the list. I also have the same problems in the top three, but today the list reads as follows: 9. Love Beach. Seriously??? What were they thinking? 8. Works II. Great disk, but more disjointed than the first. Too much of the same thing... 7. Works. The better of the two, but again they are solo projects under the band name. That always bothers me. 6. In the Hot Seat. It has some great tracks, but it is a little long. It's not stellar, but it is a band project. I have to put it higher than works. 5. Black Moon. Again, some great tracks, but a little too long. As a whole I like some of the songs in "In the Hot Seat" better, but this is consistently strong. Still, these two flip-flop on any given day. 4. Tarkus. It's hard to deny the brilliance on this one, but the title track is a bit over baked for my tastes. 3. ST (ELP). Brilliant debut album with some killer, heavy tracks. Though it's an odd track I do like "Lucky Man"--though I understand the over-rated label. 2. Brain Salad Surgery. I love this one for many reasons. As with Tarkus I sometimes get lost in Karn Evil 9. By degrees it's the best long track they ever performed--which is why this one ranks this high. It's brilliant, and is only edged out by my top choice for today. 1. Trilogy. The thing I like about this one is it's not over-baked anywhere. Great performances, great compositions, great singing. This was the first ELP album I owned, so it will be dear to me for this reason. A shout out to the Emerson, Lake and Powell disk. This one became the formula for the two reunion albums with a serious dud in the remake of "The Locomotion", but it was a great album. If anyone could ever fill Palmer's shoes in this band, it was Cozy Powell. This one would have been included if you mentioned it--and would have been in the top 5. Cheers.

[@jimmycampbell78]

Pete did mention the Emerson Lake Powell album at 9:40 and said it would appear in his ranking between Works 1 and Works 2, so 6th in his list.

[@curlessmania4708]

Great list Pete, I am with you on ELPowell I think that is a strong record and I still listen to it quite often!

[@SciFiNut2]

My top 5 favorite ELP albums: 1 Emerson, Lake & Palmer 2. Brain Salad Surgery 3. Trilogy 4. Tarkus 5. Black Moon

[@jimibrown2043]

I got a chance to see ELP during (I believe) the Works tour. I was picking a friend up at the Philly airport - he was flying in from Chicago. We hit all this traffic and he asked me what was going on. I mentioned ELP was playing the Spectrum that night, and his response was 'let's go, I just saw them in Chicago with the orchestra.' Well, they had just 'fired' the orchestra and were back to being a three piece. After the Philly show, my friend commented that he didn't miss the orchestra at all! :-) Awesome, awesome show

[@JohannesYtterstrom]

Emerson, Lake & Powell - Very 80's but also very good!

[@rb5stevenumber903]

The one I listen to the most is Trilogy, followed by there first album, then BSS, then Tarkus. Was lucky enough to see them live in 1970, 72 and 74 and again in 92. Yes I remember the BSS tour in quadraphonic at Trentham gardens in Stoke on Trent England, fantastic. I also saw the nice in 68,69 and 70 just before they split. Seems a long time ago 1968, I was 16 years old and from then on I was hooked with Keith Emerson's playing. RIP Keith and Greg, awesome band, sadly missed.

[@ayeatropoulos1]

I''ve been a HUGE Camel fan since high school. I'm now in my 60's, so I'll be really curious to see this one. One of only a select list of bands that I know every album, every tune, and own ll of it. This is going to be great fun!!! If anyone on this planet is going to come close to listing the studio albums as I would, or at least fairly close, it's Pete. I'm reserving my ticket in the front row for this one!!!

[@rb89509]

I saw ELP at the Myriad in Oklahoma City back in the mid-seventies. Had floor seats around 12 rows back, and took a roll of underexposed pictures with a crappy Kodak camera. I remember Carl Palmer's and his entire drum kit rising from the stage around 15 feet or so and spinning around while he did his solo. Great Show!

[@paulsimister944]

Tarkus and Brain Salad Surgery tend to be the albums that are most praised because of the epics but I tend to be more attracted to the debut and Trilogy. I love Lucky Man and Take A Pebble because Greg Lake has such an amazing voice.

[@NFLed]

4 truly amazing albums.

[@Rolf2112]

First heard Fanfare for the Common Man on an intro of a TV Sports Show and I couldnt find out back then what was it. Fell in love with 'em from the start..

[@dennissweeney6774]

I believe it was wide world of sports. Aaron Copland was the brilliant author

[@michaelmarino3013]

Their first lp was released.played fillmore east .we went.what a sound.seasoned masters and they were so young.thanks Pete for full im ng in some dots.

[@delveguy]

The only quad show I ever seen!! It ROCKED!!

[@sunzero974]

Me: Wow, there can't be a worse prog album than "Love Beach" In the Hot Seat: Hold my beer.

[@EastmanD]

I'll tell this tale cause it's probably the most opportune time to tell it. I kinda like me some ELP... thanks for the chance to gloat Pete !..... Have you guys ever been to Moogfest in North Carolina ? Just found out that 2020's festival was called off ! I hope that they can keep it going. Went in 2014 and saw Keith perform with his band, was applauding his exit off stage and waiting for Bernie Worrell to start, when my wife came and grabbed me and said Come now ! I got to meet Keith ! And when I say meet, I mean it was Keith, my wife and me alone ! Stood and talked to him for about 5 full minutes without interruption. He even complained of a toothache! I think he really took a shine to my wife but that's pretty easy to do. What a sweet guy, I can't tell you how amiable this guy was. But I hear that, from everyone who's ever written that they got to meet him. Also at the 2014 festival they had THE huge-ass Moog synth that Emerson used on the road with ELP. Some guy had taken it and painstakingly rewired the whole damn thing and was there doing a talk about the renovation/restora-tion of the beast...in walks Emerson, all smiles, crowd freaks and he starts talking about the Moog like its his long lost brother...even played the damn thing but nothing fancy. Im afraid that both guys felt like it just might fall apart. I'm not sure but I think the Moog factory (?) there in Durham actually stores it on premises but I could be wrong. The synth still had the small plaque on it with Keith's name (don't think I didn't snap a photo of that). THEN I go back to Moogfest in 2016 just months after his death..you walk into a really neat installation they had about Moog synths...you walk in the door and the first thing you ran into, was a 10 foot portrait of a beautiful photo of Keith..right alongside Isao Tomita, who I didn't even know had passed ! I'm sure that all the blood drained from my face. I was pretty emotional inside but had to still kinda hold it together. I just walked around the installation completely stunned, not really looking at anything in particular. Finally I shook it off and was able to enjoy a really cool exhibit...you got to play different Moog synths and it even had knowledgable folks there to tell you about the different models of synths. If you get a chance and it's not defunked, go check it out.

[@margix1172]

ELP is science fiction Music ...rock...jazz...classical....organ..piano..synthesizer...amazing drummer....one of the best vocalist of all times....ELP are WAY better than ANY other prog bands. My top 5: 1 ELP 2 Brian Salad Surgery 3 Trilogy 4 Tarkus 5 Picture at an exhibition

[@triniton100]

Cozy Powell play drums in the 90's in Black Sabbath albums Headless Cross, Tyr and Forbidden.

[@metalwarrior81]

@marcelo bascunan Yep, and he was the best drummer they ever had in my opinion. It's a shame he wasn't on more albums. He would've defiantly been on Dehumanizer and likely the followup Cross Purposes had he not broken his leg/hip in a horse riding accident. He also supposedly didn't get along with Dio unfortunately. Sucks because the two were the best at their respective crafts.

[@seaoftranquilityprog]

Correct, but I mentioned all the bands he was in BEFORE he joined up with E & L

[@scottuforox7654]

Reading the Cozy Powell story right now. My favorite drummer next to Carl Palmer.

[@billygibbons6534]

Ooooo!! It's my favorite band!!!💪👍👍👍👍👍👍👍 I like too much all albums E.L.P. It'$ classic !!! And ofcourse ,l have all c.d. in my collection✌️✌️✌️ Hello from Caucasus ,where people are very wilde!!!

[@andrearicci6026]

In my opinion I would've included Pictures at an Exhibition as well. Although it's a live album it doesn't feature live renditions of songs included in previous studio albums

[@DpHsHd]

Andrea Ricci I rather agree, but Pete makes the rules!

[@davejones5745]

True!

[@ChristopherKarl]

Dude... Love Beach RULES!!!!!! It's in my top 3!!!! I was hoping you'd not cave to public opinion on that one! :) Ugh... I can play EVERY song on that album!!!

[@patrickmperri3379]

Pictures at an exhibition was recorded live but its all new material . should be in the list. so great!

[@balthazarspencer704]

I like the album with Cozy Powell as well, it is a very strong record ! My top 3 is : 1. Trilogy (well written, the most acomplished for me) 2. Brain Salad Surgery (epic stuff) 3. Tarkus (for the awesome title track, the rest is meh)

[@Leightym]

Pictures at an Exhibition is their 3rd proper album. They just recorded it live. Welcome back my friends to the show that never ends... is a live album in the sense I think you mean - all previously released material, i.e. a normal concert. Pictures is all "new" material of a 100 year old (at the time) composition by Modest Mussorgsky. Thanks for the nod to Emerson, Lake and Powell. I really love that album. I love Holst's "The Planets" so of course I love their take on Mars the bringer of war. Touch and Go got them back on the radio for the 1st time since the mid 70's. I don't even own Love Beach.

[@darkenralph]

1. Trilogy would be my favourite. “You have to buy this LP. If you listen to it and you don’t like it, I will pay for it, but promise me you will first listen to it ten times,” my father said in a record store in Nijmegen back in 1993. I was twelve. Not to temper my father’s enthusiasm for Emerson, Lake and Palmer I took the LP home, listened to it and never thought to ask my father for money back. 2. Brain Salad Surgery (ELP was one of the first bands that I got into, I named my doom/death metal band even after one of their songs, Toccata). 3. Tarkus 4. Emerson, Lake and Palmer 5. Works Vol 1 6. Black Moon (it was released not long before I became a fan. It always had a special place in my heart.) 7. Love Beach (yeah, teribble cover and the 1st side is quite bad, but I do love the second side. Now totally overlooked because of those two reasons. Sad) 8. Works Vol 2 9. In the hot seat (some good songs actually but half of it is mediocre. I wish they had made one more album. The one with the epic Emerson wrote, that he partly used for his solo record. I liked that you didn't ditched their later output Pete, since their is still something to cherish.

[@GenesisLover2002]

I agree 100% with your Top 4: 1. Trilogy 2. Brain Salad Surgery 3. Tarkus 4. Emerson, Lake & Palmer I haven't bothered to listen to any of the rest, at least for now...

[@jazzandrocknroll3235]

Would love to see the Camel albums ranked! Very strong discography from that band!

[@gottbean5440]

Pete, as a big ELP fan, I completely agree with your ranking. That is exactly how I would have done it. However, I do feel that "Still, you turn me on" was better on the live album.

[@PurpleRecords1972]

Hi Pete - BSS - the most complete ELP album - i mean the artwork alone is a 10. Hearing this at school when it came out was a real talking piece , in fact we had a taster with the free flexi disc over here in the UK with the NME - will forever remain in my all time top 10

[@robertglisson6319]

It's interesting that ELPowell or 3 never seem to get included as part of the ELP canon because one member is missing. The Who remained The Who after Moon died. Yes is still Yes regardless how many 70s members are still in the band. Floyd carried on without Roger. Genesis without Peter or Steve. Jethro Tull? LOL!! There are too many bands to count that only did 4-6 excellent albums in a run before breaking up, replacing former members or simply switching genres, yet ELP seems to have the reputation of being something of a flash in the pan. They were as big as anyone else in the 70s, and why they are forgotten is beyond me. I blame the mainstream music media for their deliberate omission...

[@brucefranklin6295]

I'm not a huge prog fan, but have always loved ELP.Keith Emerson was the very best at his instrument in virtuosity and also as a composer. Of course Lake composed great stuff too.Anyway,my rankings: 1.Brain Salad Surgery 2.ELP 3.Trilogy 4.Tarkus ( love side one,but not side 2 so much) 5.Pictures at an Exhibition ( if that counts) I could take or leave the rest.Works is ok.

[@kevindayton9757]

Saw the "Brain Salad Surgery" tour (in surround sound - center - floor seats) ... One of the most memorable nights of my life.

[@lourossi3446]

Kevin Dayton lucky bastard!!!!!!

[@jimtremblay5539]

1. Brain Salad Surgery 2. Trilogy 3. Works Vol.2 4. ELP (Debut) 5. Tarkus 6. Works Vol. 1 7. Love Beach 8. Other two

[@djwak59]

#1 Brain Salad Surgery, #2 Tarkus, #3 Trilogy, #4 Pictures at an Exhibition, #5 Works vol. 1. ELP played a huge role in my high school years. After going to many of their concerts through the years, I was finally able to get a front row seat at an " Emerson and Lake" concert (no Palmer), where I was fortunate enough to have Keith sign a copy of his book for me. I think 2 or 3 years later, he was gone.

[@luisgarcia6007]

My top ELP: 1 Brain salad surgery. A masterpiece. Jerusalem awesome. The context and complex sound of this tune achieve the symbol of this holy city. Karn Evil 9 is amaizing: the talent on fire. Toccata too. 2 Trilogy 3 Tarkus 4 ELP 5 Works 1. Fanfarre is stunning One of the greatest prog band of all times

[@darrenyoung371]

Trilogy ❤️❤️❤️ What an unbelievable album

[@scotterrebo7118]

Glad you put the Emerson Lake And Powell in there. Pete we disagree a tad o this one. Just entered college in 1979, got the Love Beach album, listened to it for a long time, don't judge the cover for the music that is inside. 10. In the Hot Seat. *** out of 5 stars. 9. Black Moon **** 8. Works 1 **** Love Lake's side and Emerson's piano pieces. 7. Works 2 **** 6. Emerson Lake and Powell. ****1/2 5. Brain Salad Surgery. ***** 4. Tarkus. ***** 3. Emerson Lake and Palmer. ***** 2. Trilogy. ***** 1. Love Beach. *****. College radio disc jockey played "For You", "All I Want Is You", and "Canario" a ton.

[@scotterrebo7118]

In the hot seat 3 stars, Black Moon 4 stars, Works 1 4 stars, Works 2 4.5 stars, ELPowell 4.5 stars, Brain Salad Surgery 5 stars, Tarkus 5 Stars, ELP 5 stars, Trilogy 5 stars and Love Beach 5 stars. As you can tell big Emerson Lake and Palmer fan!

[@seaoftranquilityprog]

You just might be the only guy on the planet who would admit to Love Beach his favorite ELP album! LOL! Well, to each his own I always say.

[@scotterrebo7118]

@@seaoftranquilityprog Have loved it for 41 years now, and not ashamed to admit it. Take care Pete!