Album Info: "Brain Salad Surgery" is the fourth studio album by progressive rock band Emerson, Lake & Palmer, released in 1973 and the first under their Manticore Records imprint. It fuses rock and classical themes. Lyrics were co-written by Greg Lake with fellow ex-King Crimson member (and, beginning with this album, frequent ELP collaborator) Peter Sinfield. Cover art is by H. R. Giger.
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Album Description & Collectors information: Gatefold (FOC) cover design with artwork designed by the Swisss artist HR Giger (Aliens) |
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Music Genre: |
Prog Rock |
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Album Production Information: |
The album: "Emerson, Lake & Palmer - Brain Salad Surgery FOC" was produced by: Greg Lake Album cover artwork: HR Giger |
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Record Label Information: |
Manticore K 53 501 (53501) |
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Media Format: |
12" LP Vinyl Stereo Gramophone Record Total Album (Cover+Record) weight: 280 gram |
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Year & Country: |
1973 Made in France |
Personnel/Band Members and Musicians on: Emerson, Lake & Palmer - Brain Salad Surgery FOC |
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Complete Track-listing of the album "Emerson, Lake & Palmer - Brain Salad Surgery FOC" |
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The detailed tracklist of this record "Emerson, Lake & Palmer - Brain Salad Surgery FOC" is:
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Note: The photos on this page are taken from albums in my personal collection. Slight differences in color may exist due to the use of the camera's flash. Images can be zoomed in/out ( eg pinch with your fingers on a tablet or smartphone ).
Description
Emerson, Lake, and Palmer (ELP) were a progressive rock supergroup that emerged in the early 1970s. The band was composed of keyboardist Keith Emerson, bassist and vocalist Greg Lake, and drummer Carl Palmer. Together, they produced some of the most complex and innovative music of the era, blending classical and jazz influences with rock and roll to create a unique sound that continues to inspire musicians to this day.
Keith Emerson was already a well-respected keyboardist before joining ELP. He had previously played with the Nice, a British band known for its progressive sound. Greg Lake had also made a name for himself as a member of King Crimson, another influential progressive rock group. Carl Palmer, meanwhile, had played with Atomic Rooster and the Crazy World of Arthur Brown.
The three musicians first came together in 1970, when they formed ELP in London. They quickly gained a reputation for their virtuosic playing and intricate arrangements. Their eponymous debut album, released later that year, featured a mix of original songs and covers, including a memorable version of Aaron Copland's "Hoedown."
ELP's second album, "Tarkus," was a concept album that told the story of a mythical creature. The album showcased the band's ability to blend rock and classical music, with Keith Emerson's virtuosic keyboard playing taking center stage. The title track, a twenty-minute epic, remains one of ELP's most iconic songs.
The band's third album, "Trilogy," continued in the same vein as "Tarkus," with tracks like "The Endless Enigma" and "Living Sin" showcasing the band's musical range. ELP also began to experiment with synthesizers on this album, further expanding their sound.
ELP's fourth album, "Brain Salad Surgery," was another concept album that featured a longer, more complex version of "Karn Evil 9," a song that had previously been performed live. The album also included a cover of "Jerusalem," a song that had become popular in England as a kind of unofficial national anthem.
Despite their critical and commercial success, ELP were not immune to the changing musical tastes of the 1970s. The band's later albums, such as "Works Volume 1" and "Works Volume 2," featured more mainstream rock songs and failed to resonate with fans in the same way as their earlier work. The band eventually broke up in 1979, with Emerson and Lake going on to form a new version of the band in the 1980s.
ELP's influence on rock and roll cannot be overstated. Their intricate arrangements and virtuosic playing helped to define the progressive rock genre and inspired countless musicians in the decades since. Despite their short career, their impact on the music world continues to be felt today.