ELP Emerson Lake & Palmer - Trilogy 12" Vinyl LP Album

- Island Records

ELP's 1972 "Trilogy" 12" Vinyl LP on Island Records, Germany, epitomized progressive rock. Produced by Greg Lake, the album's sonic brilliance, captured by Eddie Offord, echoed through Advision studios. The gatefold cover, a visual masterpiece designed by Hipgnosis, added aesthetic allure. The release marked a significant chapter in 1972's German music landscape, solidifying ELP's influence in the realm of progressive rock.

 

High Resolution Photo elp emerson lake palmer trilogy island

"Trilogy" Album Information:
Description

Emerson, Lake & Palmer (ELP), already giants of the progressive rock movement, released their ambitious third album "Trilogy" in 1972. The album cemented their reputation as virtuosos and sonic adventurers, showcasing a dazzling blend of classical influences, rock energy, and a touch of the avant-garde.

Pushing the Envelope

"Trilogy" embodied the spirit of progressive rock's boundless exploration. Keyboardist Keith Emerson's flamboyant, organ-driven compositions drew heavily from classical music, showcasing his staggering technical prowess. Greg Lake's vocals and basslines added warmth and a touch of melancholy, while Carl Palmer's drumming was a powerhouse of precision and energy.

The album contained sprawling, multi-part compositions like the title track "Trilogy" and the ominous "Abaddon's Bolero," demonstrating ELP's mastery of complex arrangements and shifting dynamics. Their adaptation of Aaron Copland's "Hoedown" showcased their playful side and ability to weave diverse influences into their sound.

"From the Beginning" and Controversy

Lake's acoustic ballad "From the Beginning" became a surprise hit, its gentle melodies and introspective lyrics a stark contrast to ELP's usual bombast. However, the album was not without its detractors. Some critics found it overly pretentious and self-indulgent, a common criticism leveled against progressive rock bands of the era.

Production and Legacy

"Trilogy" was produced by Greg Lake, signaling the band's desire for creative control. The album's sonic clarity and dynamic range were a testament to the skills of engineer Eddie Offord. Furthermore, the iconic cover art by Hipgnosis added a visual element to the band's larger-than-life aesthetic.

Music Genre:

Progressive Rock Acid, Psych Synth Music

Collector's info:

This is the hard to find Gatefold/FOC (Fold Open Cover) Album Cover Design (this album has also been released as non-gatefold.
Album Production: 
Album cover art design Hipgnosis
  • Hipgnosis – British album cover art design group

    Hipgnosis is my favorite proof that a record sleeve can be a full-on mind game, not just a band photo with better lighting.

    Hipgnosis is the legendary London-based art design group that turned rock sleeves into visual myths. The core duo, Storm Thorgerson and Aubrey "Po" Powell, were childhood friends of the Pink Floyd inner circle in Cambridge—a connection that allowed them to bypass the stiff mandates of EMI’s in-house design department in 1968. Their debut, "A Saucerful of Secrets," was only the second time in EMI history (after The Beatles) that an outside firm was granted creative control. The very name "Hipgnosis" was a piece of found art; Syd Barrett, during one of his more enigmatic phases, scrawled the word in ballpoint pen on the door of the South Kensington flat he shared with the duo. Thorgerson loved the linguistic friction of it: the "Hip" for the new and groovy, and "Gnosis" for the ancient, hidden knowledge. While Peter Christopherson later joined as a third partner in 1974, that initial Barrett-endorsed moniker defined a decade of surrealist mastery for bands like Led Zeppelin, Genesis, and 10cc, before the group dissolved in 1983.

    Hipgnosis Gallery
    		•

    Record Label & Catalognr:

    Island Records 86 230 IT  

    Media Format:

    12" Vinyl LP Record

    Year & Country:

    1972 Made in Germany
    Band Members and Musicians on: Emerson, Lake & Palmer Trilogy (Island Records)
      ELP 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: Emerson, Lake & Palmer Trilogy (Island Records)
      Songs on Trilogy:
    1. The Endless Enigma Part One (Emerson/Lake) 6:37
    2. Fugue (Emerson) 1:57
    3. The Endless Enigma Part Two (Emerson/Lake) 2:00
    4. From the Beginning (Lake) 4:14
    5. The Sheriff (Emerson/Lake) 3:22
    6. Hoedown Taken from Rodeo (Copland) 3:48
    7. Trilogy (Emerson/Lake) 8:54
    8. Living Sin (Emerson/Lake/Palmer) 3:11
    9. Abaddon's Bolero (Emerson) 8:13
    Album Cover Photo Gallery of: Emerson, Lake & Palmer Trilogy (Island Records)

    High Resolution Photo elp emerson lake palmer trilogy island

    High Resolution Photo of the Inside Page of the Gatefold Cover Side One  

    High Resolution Photo elp emerson lake palmer trilogy island

    High Resolution Photo of the Inside Page of the Gatefold Cover Side Two  

    High Resolution Photo elp emerson lake palmer trilogy island

    Enlarged High Resolution Photo of the Record's Island Label  

    High Resolution Photo elp emerson lake palmer trilogy island

     Note: The images on this page are photos of the actual album. 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 ).

    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)
    ELP EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER - Love Beach album front cover vinyl record
    ELP EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER - Love Beach

    "Love Beach" was primarily a result of contractual obligations with their record company. The band had completed their previous album, "Works Volume 2", which was a double LP featuring individual contributions from each band member.

    Love Beach 12" Vinyl LP
    ELP EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER - Mussorgsky's Pictures At An Exhibition (Three European Versions) album front cover vinyl record
    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)
    ELP EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER -Trilogy (Three European Versions) album front cover vinyl record

    ELP EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER - Trilogy (Three European Versions)

    Greg Lake demonstrated his musical prowess, steering the ship of "Trilogy" into uncharted waters. The album showcased a seamless fusion of classical influences, jazz improvisation, and rock elements

    - 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

    "Works" by Emerson, Lake & Palmer is where rock’s excess meets classical ambition head-on. Each side lets a band member take the wheel—Emerson with his grand piano concerto, Lake with melodic reflections, Palmer with percussive fireworks—before reuniting for the glorious roar of “Fanfare for the Common Man.” A lavish experiment pressed in Swiss precision wax.

    ELP EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER - Works Volume 2 album front cover vinyl record
    ELP EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER - Works Volume 2

    "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.

    Works Volume 2 12" Vinyl LP