ELP EMERSON LAKE & PALMER - TARKUS 12" Vinyl LP Album

- UK Release with Gatefold cover

In 1971, Emerson, Lake & Palmer's groundbreaking album "Tarkus," produced by Greg Lake and engineered by Eddy Offord at Advision Studios, UK, marked a pinnacle in progressive rock. Enhanced by William Neal's captivating artwork, the LP's intricate compositions and classical influences defined the era. Released amid the genre's rise, "Tarkus" remains a testament to musical innovation, pushing the boundaries of rock in the early 1970s.

 

EMERSON LAKE & PALMER - Tarkus UK Release Gatefold 12" LP VINYL Album front cover https://vinyl-records.nl

UK First Pressing

Printed by E.J. Day Group (not Howard Printers)

Label is Island with PINK rim

Matrix / Runout (Runout, A-side, stamped): ILPS 9155 A - 1U

Matrix / Runout (Runout, A-side, hand etched): PORKY

Matrix / Runout (Runout, B-side, stamped): ILPS 9155 B - 1U

Matrix / Runout (Runout, B-side, hand etched): PECKO

"Tarkus" Album Description:

The year 1971 marked a pivotal moment in the progressive rock landscape with the release of Emerson, Lake & Palmer's iconic album, "Tarkus." Produced by the accomplished musician Greg Lake, the album not only showcased the band's exceptional musical prowess but also contributed significantly to the evolving soundscape of the early 1970s.

At the helm of the recording process was the skilled sound engineer Eddy "Are You Ready" Offord. His meticulous approach to capturing the intricate arrangements and complex compositions of ELP played a crucial role in defining the sonic identity of "Tarkus." Offord's expertise in the studio undoubtedly contributed to the album's rich and immersive sound, allowing the intricate details of each instrument to shine.

The recording sessions took place at Advision Studios in the heart of London. Advision, a renowned studio in the UK, provided the perfect environment for ELP to experiment with their musical ideas and push the boundaries of conventional rock music. The studio's state-of-the-art equipment and acoustics played a pivotal role in capturing the nuances of the band's performance, adding a layer of sophistication to the final product.

One cannot discuss the "Tarkus" album without acknowledging the captivating visual aspect brought to life by artist William Neal. Responsible for the album cover paintings, Neal's artistic interpretation provided a fitting visual representation of the music within. The intricate and surreal artwork adorned the gatefold cover, inviting listeners to embark on a visual journey that complemented the sonic exploration within the grooves of the vinyl.

Released in the United Kingdom in 1971, "Tarkus" arrived at a time when the progressive rock movement was gaining momentum. The album's fusion of classical influences, intricate compositions, and virtuosic performances resonated with a generation of music enthusiasts seeking a departure from conventional rock norms. "Tarkus" stood as a testament to the genre's ability to push boundaries and redefine the possibilities of rock music.

Music Genre:

British Progressive Rock 

Album Production Information:

The album: "EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER - Tarkus " was produced by: Greg Lake

Sound/Recording Engineer(s): Eddy "Are You Ready" Offord

This album was recorded at: Advision

Advision Recording Studio, located in central London, UK, was originally known as Guy De Bere Studios, built on the site of a former school. Initially designed for jingles and voice-overs, it transitioned to a premier recording facility under Guy Whetstone and Stephen Appleby, equipped with a Telefunken four-track tape machine. Renowned for iconic 1960s and 1970s pop and rock recordings, the studio later became The Sound Company in 1993, undergoing further development.

Album cover paintings: William Neal

Record Label & Catalognr:

ISLAND ILPS 9155
Packaging:Gatefold/FOC (Fold Open Cover) Album Cover Design with artwork on the inside cover pages

Media Format:

12" LP Vinyl Stereo Gramophone Record
Total Album (Cover+Record) weight: 280 gram  

Year & Country:

1971 Made in England / UK
Personnel/Band Members and Musicians on: EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER - Tarkus
    Band-members, Musicians and Performers
  • Keith Emerson (ex The Nice)
  • Keith Emerson – Keyboards

    The guy who made the Hammond and Moog sound like they were trying to escape the stage.

    Keith Emerson was the keyboard alchemist who made prog rock sound like a classical recital crashed into a rock club. I first caught him in The Nice (1967-1970), where he pushed rock into Bach, jazz, and sheer volume, then he helped launch Emerson, Lake & Palmer (1970-1979; later reunions 1990-1999) and turned the Moog into a headline act. His rig of Hammond, piano, and synths wasn't decoration; it was the whole plot, and he played it like a restless conductor. In the 80s he detoured through Emerson, Lake & Powell (1985-1986) and the trio 3/Emerson, Berry & Palmer (1988-1989), always chasing bigger sounds than the stage could hold, even when the band name changed.

    Keith Emerson Wiki
  • Greg Lake - Vocals, Bass Guitar
  • Greg Lake – Bass, Vocals, Guitar

    The voice behind "Lucky Man" and the basslines that kept prog from floating into space.

    Greg Lake was the warm-voiced anchor who made prog rock feel human even when the music went full sci-fi. I first heard him with King Crimson (1969-1970), where his bass, acoustic guitar, and vocals helped define the debut-era drama. Then he co-founded Emerson, Lake & Palmer (1970-1979; reunions 1990-1998), writing and singing the tunes that gave all that virtuosity a heartbeat. In the mid-80s he took another run with Emerson, Lake & Powell (1985-1986), proving the songs still landed even when the lineup shifted. Before the big leagues, he cut his teeth in The Gods (1967-1968), already aiming for bigger stages than the clubs could offer, with a songwriter's grin.

    Greg Lake Wiki
  • Carl Palmer
  • Carl Palmer – Drums, Percussion

    The human metronome who could still swing while the time signatures did parkour.

    Carl Palmer was the turbo-charged drummer who made prog rock feel like a high-speed chase in a concert hall. Before the supergroup mythology, he cut his teeth with The Crazy World of Arthur Brown (late 1960s) and Atomic Rooster (1969-1970). Then he strapped in with Emerson, Lake & Palmer (1970-1979; reunions through the 1990s) and turned odd meters into something you could actually head-nod to. After ELP’s first run, he helped launch Asia (1981-1986, 1989-1992, 2006-2022), where his precision kept the arena hooks from going soft. Palmer’s playing is all snap, elegance, and controlled chaos—the kind of drummer who makes keyboards and guitars behave by sheer force of timing.

    Carl Palmer Wiki
Complete Track-listing of the album "EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER - Tarkus "

The detailed tracklist of this record "EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER - Tarkus " is:

    Track-listing :
  1. Tarkus 20:35
    • Eruption (Emerson) 2:43
    • Stones of Years (Emerson, Lake) 3:44
    • Iconoclast (Emerson) 1:15
    • Mass (Emerson, Lake) 3:11
    • Manticore (Emerson) 1:52
    • Battlefield (Lake) 3:51
    • Aquatarkus (Emerson) 3:59
  2. Jeremy Bender (Emerson, Lake) 1:46
  3. Bitches Crystal (Emerson, Lake) 3:55
  4. The Only Way [hymn] (Emerson, Lake) 3:48
  5. Infinite Space [conclusion] (Emerson, Palmer) 3:18
  6. A Time and a Place (Emerson, Lake, Palmer) 2:57
  7. Are You Ready Eddy? (Emerson, Lake, Palmer) 2:10

Emerson Lake Palmer Vinyl Album Discography and Album Cover Gallery

ELP EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER - Brain Salad Surgery (Four European Versions) album front cover vinyl record
ELP EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER - Brain Salad Surgery (Four European Versions) 12" Vinyl LP

For progressive rock aficionados, Emerson, Lake & Palmer's (ELP) "Brain Salad Surgery" is a landmark LP. Released in 1973, it marked the band's first foray and stands as a testament to their fusion of rock and classical influences

- Brain Salad Surgery (1979, Austria) - Brain Salad Surgery (1973, France) - Brain Salad Surgery ( 1973, Germany ) - Brain Salad Surgery (1973, UK)
ELP EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER - Self-titled (Germany & UK Versions) album front cover vinyl record
ELP EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER - Self-titled (Germany & UK Versions)

"Emerson, Lake & Palmer" is the eponymous debut album of this British progressive rock band, released in 1970. As a first album from the newly formed supergroup, the album clearly demonstrates the variety of influences

- Self-Titled (1970, England) - Self-titled (1970, Germany)
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ELP EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER - (Mussorgsky's) Pictures At An Exhibition (Three European Versions)

Mussorgsky's "Pictures at an Exhibition" is a suite of piano pieces inspired by an art exhibition of his deceased friend Viktor Hartmann. Each movement depicts a different artwork, connected by a recurring "Promenade" theme. ELP's version is a bold reimagining of the suite, incorporating rock elements, synthesizers

- Pictures at an Exhibition (1972, Germany, Island Records) - Mussorgsky's Pictures At An Exhibition (1972, Germany, Manticore Records) - Pictures at an Exhibition (1972, Netherlands)
ELP EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER - Tarkus (Three European Versions) album front cover vinyl record
ELP EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER - Tarkus (Three European Versions)

At the helm of the recording process was the skilled sound engineer Eddy "Are You Ready" Offord. His meticulous approach to capturing the intricate arrangements and complex compositions of ELP played a crucial role

- Tarkus (1971, Germany, Island Records) - Tarkus (1971, Germany, Manticore Records) - Tarkus (1971, UK)
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- Trilogy (1972, Germany, Island Records) Trilogy (1972, Germany, Manticore Records) - Trilogy (1972, UK)
ELP EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER - Works album front cover vinyl record
ELP EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER - Works

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"Works Volume 2" by Emerson, Lake & Palmer is a 1977 vinyl LP showcasing the band's eclectic mix of prog rock, jazz fusion, and classical influences. Produced by Greg Lake and Pete Sinfield, the album features a diverse tracklist, highlighting each member’s musical prowess. It remains a testament to ELP's creative evolution in the late 1970s.

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