Track Listing

1. Promenade (Instrumental)
2. The Gnome
3. Promenade (Vocal)
4. The Sage
5. The Old Castle
6. Blues Variation
7. Promenade (Instrumental 2)
8. The Hut Of Baba Yaga
9. The Curse Of Baba Yaga
10. The Hut Of Baba Yaga (Part 2)
11. The Great Gates Of Kiev
12. Nut Rocker
13. Pictures At An Exhibition Medley

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #5882 in Music
• Released on: 2008-02-26
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 53 minutes

Customer Reviews

Any progressive rock fan should add this to their collection
I have read reviews in the past in which people have criticised the quality of this recording. I don't know why - I think that 'Pictures' is one of the most outstanding live albums of all time. ELP were just about the only band with the skill (and audacity) to attempt a live stage performance of a classical work this complex, and make a success of it, especially given the technology available back in 1971 when the original recording was made.
This remastered CD manages to improve on something that was pretty excellent to start with (if that's possible). Certainly, any 40'Something progressive rock fan should add this CD to their collection.
ELP's interpretation of Mussorgsky may not be to the taste of every classical purist, but IMHO, this CD is a mind blowing experience, right from the intro: 'Were gonna give you Pictures at an Exhibition!' through to the 'Nutrocker' finale (which is based on Tchaikovsky, if you didn't know already).
(Incidentally, I have an orchestral version of Pictures at an Exhibition by the Cleveland Orchestra on CD, so I consider myself qualified to pass judgement on ELP's approach to the work).
I have one minor gripe, in that I would have liked more of the original Mussorgsky to have appeared, although back in the days of vinyl, they only had 45 minutes to play with - and I can understand them making room for the acoustic track 'The Sage' which is Greg Lake on his best form.
I should point out that the track ELP call 'The Old Castle' would be better titled 'Keith Emerson demonstrates the versatility of the Moog Synthesiser', whilst 'Blues Variation' actually uses the theme from the 'real' version of The Old Castle to create a piece of virtuoso Hammond R&B that blows the Ravel orchestration out of the water. 'The Great Gates of Kiev' captures the mood of the original work brilliantly. (Correct me if I'm wrong, but the creaking gate hinge effects on this track are not done on synthesiser - as many people think - but by messing with the innards of the Hammond C3. If you don't believe me - check out the noises on 'Intermezzo' from the live CD 'Five Bridges' by Emerson's previous band, The Nice).
What more can I say, other than you should not try to copy Keith Emerson's pyrotechnics on your keyboard at home without an adult supervising, otherwise you may get electrocuted!

Classical music turned into a live progressive rock show
Of course part of the sheer audacity of Emerson, Lake & Palmer's performance of Modest Mussorgsky's "Pictures at an Exhibition" was that they did in live at Newcastle City Hall, March 26, 1971. But while I appreciate the raw vitality of the performance I always wonder what the lads could have done if they had gone into the studio and polished this one up a bit like they did on some of their later albums with works by Aaron Copeland. Of course, Mussorgsky originally wrote the piece for the piano, before Ravel turned it into an orchestral piece, so it is pretty much an ideal choice for Keith Emerson to do on the piano, synthesizer, and every other key board instrument in the known universe that he could get his fast little fingers on. Emerson did the overall arranging but each of the premier progressive rock trio have a hand in adapting certain segments to their particular fortes (e.g., drummer Carl Palmer on "The Gnome"). Greg Lake even manages to find a few places for some lyrics. The evening is capped off by the "Nutrocker," one of the group's favorite encore pieces (but by a different Russian composer than Mussorgsky). Ultimately, "Pictures at an Exhibition" does not stand up against the group's own efforts such as the Tarkus suite, "Karn Evil No. 9," or "Pirates." This is the ELP album I listen to the least, but every once in a while there comes a time when you need to listen to a little "Pictures at an Exhibition.

Don't Make An Exhibition Of Yourself,........ELP have
I have liked ELP for along time, I can still remember getting the free floppy Brain Salad Surgery record with the New Musical Express. You placed this on a single to give it some rigidity and then it was played. This was a sample of the forth coming album. Nice Idea. This waffle is to inform you that I have known ELP music for quite a while. Also I love Greg Lakes voice, if you do? Then check out In the court of the crimson king by King Crimson.

Promenade: Starts of well. The great recognised tune is there. Like being in a church, sounds good. Anyone who loves the hammond organ would be in his element. Unfortunately I am not a lover, I like moogs and well played syns. Anyone who sticks knives into his organ is preeety strange to me.

Then there is the angelic voice of Greg lake singing to the tune of promenade track 3. What is he saying 'Chocolate tears', who cares? But its only 1 minute 23 seconds, far too short. He is back on track 4, lovely guitar and his voice is paradise. Still don't know what he is on about. Must be good though.

I bought this really to fill the gaps in my CD collection. So I wasn't expecting much. So I wasn't disappointed, you can understand why John Peel turned his back on this sort of music. Full of their own self importance, the production on this abysmal. Tracks are cut off brutally, but in some cases you are quite happy for the silence. I remember back in the heady days of the early 70's this was one of the albums bought to prove you were a fan, but hardly played! Maybe the Greg Lakes songs were played on a regular basis at first, but it was so much hard work back then. To get the record out without touching the playing surface and a job in itself of putting the needle just so, to play what you wanted. I am surprised that this generation wasn't always at hospital getting there hair cut from their turn tables. In this age of CD I will bang it on to hear the glorious Mr lake.

Greg Lake doesn't do it for me on track 9 though, and that bloody organ.
Better effort Mr lake on track 11, ruined by that ****ing organ. Talk about a one trick pony. If you want to hear classical music done with a modern feel then listen to Tomita's Snowflakes are dancing. If you do enjoy this CD totally, see a doctor.

This is a great piece of music done badly. the only reason it has stars at all is for the odd bit of none irritating music and of course the Great Greg Lakes Voice on 2 tracks. Unfortunately you get extra with this CD, just what you don't bloody need you might think? But then there is Greg Lakes Voice and his lovely song The Sage. Superb.

You know it is funny after over 30 odd years my original opinion has not changed!