Album Club: 04.10.2011: Emerson, Lake & Palmer - Brain Salad Surgery (1973) (SHM-CD)

[Tim]

Well I have no need to dally over this one, played it once earlier and just about to play it again as I have two copies - the original Atlantic CD and a remaster as well. As André will know, the BSS tour was also the first concert I went too and recently bagged a ticket on eBay (lost mine somewhere )

I bought this on vinyl when it was released as they were my favourite band at the time and I was in awe of the artwork, as well as (most of) the album. I love it all apart from BTB, which I never really got in 1973 and still don't now - it just doesn't work for me. However, Karn Evil 9 was a ground breaking piece of music, way ahead of it's time as were a lot of ELP's work. I shudder when some people write them off with other prog bands, as ELP were so different and IMO should NEVER be compared to Rick Wakeman! Still... You Turn Me On remains one of my all time favourite tracks as does Lucky Man and TBH I play the first album more than anything these days, so it was great to get this out again. In fact I am toying with ordering the vinyl again just to get the artwork

No brainier for me, a firm




£2.20

[griffo104]

quite looking forward to trying this out. I really have no clue about these except for the doc on beeb4.

[aquapiranha]

Brilliant album Andre, if not surprising as your choice. Musicians at the pinnacle of their prowess, with a stage show to match! I really like ELP, and remember watching a documentary that followed them on tour, might be available on youtube?

[MartinT]

I played it again just to remind myself what a towering achievement it was, possibly only matched by Tarkus in their output (I won't count Welcome Back... as that is a live album). The thing is, like all the best music, I keep getting more out of it. More recently, I've really appreciated KE9 2nd Impression, which could so easily form the basis of a piano concerto. Like Tim, I feel that BTB is out of place and wonder why they didn't put BSS on it

A wonderful album, as progressive as they come and great because of it. 5 stars.

[Alex_UK]

Superb choice Andre - and an album I only discovered a couple of years ago because of you, so thanks for that. Have to confess that I love Fanfare for the Common Man which would have to be my favourite ELP track, but overall this is such a stonking album... I will give it a fresh "Album Club Ears" listen as soon as I can, and then score it accordingly - but thanks in the meantime for your selection.

[Welder]

Good choice Andre, even for a pop loving peasant like myself
I’m not an ELP fan I have to admit. I like some prog but not the more common stuff.

Anyway, I have this and Tarkus on CD and I’ve given both a play today.
The CD is the re-mastered version with the bonus tracks.

Good things; Greg Lake and Carl Palmer. Bad thing, Keith Emerson.
My favorite tracks must be When Apple Blossom etc etc and Karn Evil 2nd.
I prefer Tarkus overall but I’ll probably give this another play over the next few days.
I had hoped you were going to go Gong and I could have given loads of fives but ELP is just a 3 for me.

[Rare Bird]

My favorite tracks must be When Apple Blossom etc etc and Karn Evil 2nd.
I prefer Tarkus overall but I’ll probably give this another play over the next few days.
I had hoped you were going to go Gong and I could have given loads of fives but ELP is just a 3 for me.

Can i just stress that the album in question consists of the below:

1. Jerusalem
2. Toccata
3. Still... You Turn Me On
4. Benny The Bouncer
5. Karn Evil 9 (1st Impression - Part 1)
6. Karn Evil 9 (1st Impression - Part 2)
7. Karn Evil 9 (2nd Impression)
8. Karn Evil 9 (3rd Impression)

......................

Bonus Tracks:

''Brain Salad Surgery'' (Was an A Side single) Never appeared on the album but later appeared on the 1977 album 'Works Vol.2'

''When the Apple Blossoms Bloom in the Windmills of Your Mind, I'll Be Your Valentine'' (Was the B Side to the ''Jerusalem'' single) ''WTABBITWOYM'' again appeared on the 'Works Vol.2' album

''Excerpts from Brain Salad Surgery'' : This was a flexi Disc offered in conjunction with New Musical Express, the flexi included the single ''Brain Salad Surgery'' but also included excerpts from the album as the title says..

[Tim]

Ah, the NME flexi-disc.... whatever happened to mine

[Rare Bird]

Would it suprise you lot if i admitted that i no longer own an issue of 'BSS' & don't plan in doing so

[Tim]

Would it suprise you lot if i admitted that i no longer own an issue of 'BSS' & don't pan in doing so

Not anymore André, I used to be constantly surprised by you, but now I always expect the unexpected

But that's funny