“Supergroups” existed even before Emerson, Lake & Palmer was formed in 1970. And many came after them. But few, if any, could match the chemistry of the British trio and their unique combination of virtuosity, vision and energy. Five months after the release of the band's second album, “Tarkus,” “Pictures At An Exhibition” – a live album by the British prog rockers – was released on November 12, 1971, by Island Records and on January 4, 1972, in the United States by Cotillion Records. “Pictures At An Exhibition” made it into the top ten of the domestic album charts almost everywhere, reaching number 3 in Canada and the UK and even number 2 in Japan. To date, almost 750,000 copies of this album have been sold! In a poll conducted by the British magazine Melody Maker, ELP was voted best band of the year. “Pictures At An Exhibition” was also included in the book “1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.”
The first band adaptation of the famous piano suite by Russian composer Modest Mussorgsky (1839-1881) was recorded and filmed live at the Lyceum Theatre in London on December 9, 1970. However, the trio was dissatisfied with the footage, editing and sound, and therefore decided to record another live performance, which ultimately took place on March 26, 1971, at Newcastle City Hall. After hours of rehearsals and sound checks, ELP delivered a performance for the ages that blurred the boundaries between genres and underscored the collective's unique virtuosity and vitality. The live spectacle also featured three additions to the original suite and an encore called “Nutrocker” – a playful rock ‘n’ roll version of Tchaikovsky's “The Nutcracker.”
Lovingly mastered from the original tapes at MoFi's California studio and pressed on 180-gram vinyl (33 RPM) at Fidelity Record Pressing, this new edition presents this live classic LP in audiophile reference quality for the first time: With spectacular three-dimensionality and attention to detail, this collectible reissue pays tribute to the trio's perfectionist approach, which shaped both the musical interplay and the recording of the album. The live dynamics of the recording come to the fore on this strictly numbered MoFi reissue, just as they deserve! Housed in a Stoughton Printing gatefold jacket, this MFSL edition comes with the iconic cover artwork by William Neal.
Title
Side A
1. Promenade
2. The Gnome
3. Promenade
4. The Sage
5. The Old Castle
6. Blues Variation
Side B
1. Promenade
2. The Hut Of Baba Yaga
3. The Curse Of Baba Yaga
4. The Hut Of Baba Yaga
5. The Great Gates Of Kiev The End
6. Nutrocker
