Aardvarks Aattic Blog

Emerson, Lake and Palmer - Pictures At An Exhibition - Deluxe Edition


Artist: Emerson, Lake and Palmer

Label: Sanctuary Records

Release Dates:

Original: November, 1971
CD: October 7, 2008

Discs: 2

Aardvark's Rating:


out of 5



Emerson, Lake and Palmer's take on Ravel's arrangement of Mussorgsky's classical piece "Pictures At An Exhibition" has never been one of my favorites works in their cannon, yet it still stands up as a uniquie glance back at a time in progressive rock's infancy, when anything went.

Originally the band recorded and filmed an entire concert at the Lyceum Ballroom, but an intermitent hum from the vocal mikes negated any kind of release of that material. It was decided to give it one more go and their performance of Mussorgsky's masterpiece was captured to the bands satisfaction at the Newcastle City Hall in England. ELP's encore from that period, B Bumble and the Stingers hit "Nut Rocker", a rock take on the Nutcracker Suite, was included.

At the time Pictures was intended to be included as a bonus disc with their then current release, Tarkus. The idea was scraped and was, instead, released as a budget priced disc on it's own.

The piece, or an abreviated version of the piece, would remain in the bands repetoire throughout the rest of the 70's and for their 90's reunion tours.

With more modern recording and editing techniques, any sonic issues with the original recordings meant to comprise the Pictures LP have been eradicated. Their entire set from that night is included in this deluxe edition on disc two.

If your idea of the quintessential Emerson, Lake and Palmer song is Lucky Man, then run, don't walk, away from this release. If, however, you enjoy some of their more demanding pieces this release is for you.

Disc One (Recorded live Newcastle City Hall, England 26th March 1971): Promenade (Instrumental) The Gnome / Promenade (Vocal) / The Sage / The Old Castle / Blues Variation / Promenade (Instrumental 2) / The Hut Of Baba Yaga / The Curse Of Baba Yaga / The Hut Of Baba Yaga (Part 2) / The Great Gates Of Kiev / Nut Rocker / Pictures At An Exhibition Medley i) Promenade (Instrumental) ii) The Gnome iii) Promenade (Vocal) iv) The Sage v) The Hut Of Baba Yaga / The Great Gates Of Kiev/


Disc Two (Bonus Tracks - Live at the Lyceum Ballroom, December 9, 1970): Promenade (Instrumental) The Gnome / Promenade (Vocal) / The Sage / The Old Castle / Blues Variation / Promenade (Instrumental 2) / The Hut Of Baba Yaga / The Curse Of Baba Yaga / The Hut Of Baba Yaga (Part 2) / The Great Gates Of Kiev / The Barberian / Knife Edge / Rondo / Nut Rocker