ELP - From The Beginning

Another box, another overview

ELP have had almost as many Sanctuary reworkings as Uriah Heep. While there have been box sets before, this six-disc package compiles not just a best of, but adds B-sides, some unreleased alternate takes and rehearsals, and a 1972 gig in its entirety. There’s also The Manticore Years documentary DVD, plus a 60-page booklet with sleevenote contributions from Emerson, Lake and Palmer. The five CDs run to 53 tracks, ranging from classics such as the majestic Epitaph, pastoral acoustic Lucky Man and stormy Barbarian, to the lesser-lauded Karella Suite. And that’s just Disc One. The mighty Tarkus kicks off Disc Two, for all of 20 minutes, and is flanked by initial mixes of Jerusalem and Still You Turn Me On. Karn Evil 9 rages for nigh on half an hour on Disc Three, there’s an early version of the sweet C’Est La Vie, while a live take on Pirates clocks in at 13 minutes. Disc Four opens with an Aaron Copeland interview about the following Fanfare For The Common Man, before covering more neglected cuts such as Daddy. Finally, Disc Five runs through half a dozen live epics and shorter ditties, all in pretty decent audio quality. A fine one-stop for both adherents and initiates.

Sanctuary | cat no tbc

Reviewed by Tim Jones
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