I don’t have too many Emerson, Lake and Palmer (ELP) records, but here goes:

Tarkus – Their “second” album.  It was actually released before their first one, Pictures at an Exhibition, but hey, who’s counting?  This is a totally self-indulgent display of rather virtuosic, rock-star playing, complete with idealistic lyrics which reside somewhere between foreshadowing and metaphor.  I totally love this music, even though….ssshhhhh…don’t tell anyone.  Having said that…

Pictures at an Exhibition – Wow, I think I dislike this record as much as I like Tarkus.  Blech.  I must be biased, though.  I think it’s probably because I love Third Stream music so much, and this is just not quite as awesome (or even remotely) as records like Stan Getz’ Focus, or even – if you want actual jazz-meets-classical – Duke Ellington’s arrangements of various classical pieces.

Brain Salad Surgery – Ok, this should be a fave because it has all the Prog grooviness, including an extended quote of Sonny Rollins.  But…

And that’s where my ELP records end.

R.