Details on this reissue here
Gareth Davies-Morris | San Diego, CA USA | 02/19/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This last great ELP project preceded their rapid decline but itself gets better with age. Emerson's Concerto proves what I always thought, that his compositions are perfectly suited for orchestra. Lake's songs are lovely and show off just how good a ballad singer he is -- and what a pop star he is at heart! Palmer's tracks take the longest to appreciate but are also the most rocking material on the album next to that last superb set of ELP performances, Fanfare... and Pirates. Comparisons to Floyd's Umma Gumma and the Beatles' White Album are fitting, as is the cliché that there's a terrific single album lost within the indulgences of most double albums. But all that's been said before, so my review will concern itself with the specific qualities of this re-issue (the Castle / Sanctuary / Phantom version).
Sound: There's no substantial sound improvement over the original Atlantic release, and though I can't be certain, I believe that this series uses the same remasters that came out on Leadclass / Rhino in the 90s.
Manufacture: Annoyingly, the Emerson Concerto is now burned as a single track, so you can no longer play the three movements separately (unlike on the original Atlantic issue). Worse yet, a glitch noticeable on headphones, also one not on the original version, now appears at the start of Nobody Loves You. Finally, the bonus tracks are good performances but of seriously bootleg quality. They're from the same 1978 US tour concerts as the live tracks on the Works 2 reissue but are much muddier sounding and offer nothing new musically except for a brief bluesy intro to Nutrocker.
Package: As in the rest of the Sanctuary series, the booklet has great pix and informative liner notes, but it no longer offers Peter Sinfield's lyrics or any musician credits at all, hence it's still maddeningly unclear who plays what. In a nutshell, don't buy this version if you already have an earlier release; it's great music in an inferior presentation."
This album makes you feel bad...
SonzTwin | Orlando, FL | 09/30/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"... You question the Almighty: why didn't you give ME gifts like you gave these dudes? Why make me a mere mortal? The talent that's exhibited here, both in terms of composition and performance, is simply breath-taking and not a little inducive of life-cursing. Having "lost" this album for some time, I was glad to be able to revisit in the last week. It made me close my eyes and smile. There's some earth-shattering music here, despite what one ignorant (not to mention 'deaf') fellow reviewer would have you believe here in Amazon. For "M. Harris" to say that the Greg Lake side is "like Lucky Man 5-times over" is a mystery and downright unforgiveable ("M." must stand for "Moo"). Look: this may not be the best music that ever happened on the planet earth, but both the music and the lyrics are fresh and inviting. Dig the tasteful nostalgic turn on the accordion by Keith on C'est La Vie (accordion - French - get it?), or the urgency of Greg's delivery on Nobody Loves You Like I Do. How about the evocative mood set by I Believe In You? If this isn't good music, I'll just pack up and listen to bubble gum. And those who say this is "indulgent" - what does that mean? M. Harris didn't like Topographic Oceans either - that says a lot. There are those who haven't the time, or attention span, or intelligence to absorb and digest works of art. Oh well. If "indulgence" means showcasing your God-given ability, let me borrow Mr Lake's words, "Lead me to temptation...""
Track Listings (6) - Disc #1