Emerson, Lake & Palmer: Greg Lake, Keith Emerson, Carl Palmer.
Recording information: 1971 - 1992.
In some ways Emerson, Lake & Palmer were the definitive progressive rock group: highbrow, experimental, and technically advanced, yet with enough hard-rock bombast and classic-rock accessibility to draw stadium crowds. Shout Factory's two-disc compilation THE ESSENTIAL EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER gives a spot-on overview of the trio, collecting the best--and most musically representative--tracks from across their discography.
The band members supervised this compilation themselves, and the selections naturally favor their 1970s glory days. Highlights include "Lucky Man," "Still You Turn Me On," and their version of Aaron Copeland's "Hoedown." Throughout the set, which includes almost 160 minutes of music, it's the instrumental prowess of the band, particularly the inventive dazzle of keyboardist Keith Emerson, that captivates the most. Crisp remastering, and a beautifully assembled booklet with liner notes and photos, makes THE ESSENTIAL an excellent introduction to the band.