Label: Victor Records (Japan), VICP-60642
Style: Symphonic Rock
Country: London, England
Time: 43:51
Format: Flac Tracks 16/44,1 kHz
Size: 290 Mb
After
the rather dull Works, Vol. 1, the highly underrated Works, Vol. 2 is a
godsend. Works, Vol. 1 took their pompous, bombastic, keyboard-driven
prog rock epics to the limit; had it been stripped of its excesses and
coupled with the strongest cuts from Works, Vol. 2, the band may have
had an enormous success with critics and fans alike. Volume 2's brief,
eclectic compositions cover an array of musical styles, combining
stimulating originals and handsomely orchestrated renditions of "Maple
Leaf Rag," "Honky Tonk Train Blues," and "Show Me the Way to Go Home."
Lake peppers the tunes with guitar and bass flourishes, resulting in
some of his most challenging instrumental work, and both he and Palmer
deliver incredibly strong performances. Meanwhile,Peter Sinfield
contributes some of his most mature and accomplished lyrics. Emerson's
work is solid and creative, but sounds a bit dated, which is part of why
the band couldn't endure. Unlike some ELP albums, Volume 2's brief
pieces sustain interest; there really isn't a weak tune in the set. The
five instrumentals are highlighted by two short prog rock tunes,
including the jazzy "Bullfrog," which features Lake's brief jazz bass
solo and Palmer's fluid, versatile drumming. "Barrelhouse Shake-down"
and "Maple Leaf Rag" showcase Emerson's superb ragtime and barrelhouse
piano playing, and Palmer's jazz fusion/marching band piece, "Close But
Not Touching," features horns and Lake's psychedelic electric guitar
lines. The vocal pieces are equally interesting. "Brain Salad Surgery"
is progressive jazz-rock that bears some resemblance to King Crimson's
"Cat Food," unsurprising since each features Lake singing Sinfield's
lyrics. And, of course, there is the hit "I Believe in Father
Christmas," a beautiful Lake/Sinfield composition that highlights Lake's
strong voice and vibrant acoustic guitar.
(allmusic.com/album/works-vol-2-mw0000197673)
This
is a quite terrible album to be frank. I recall listening this trough
as a kid, and being amazed what kind of stuff the band managed to do
after "Pictures at An Exhibition" or their debut studio recording. After
that it has gathered dust in my bookshelf, except for the quick
re-listening done for this review. Maybe I should try to get an euro or
few from the local flea markets, as the second hand record stores won't
accept it. The leftovers found from love beach's low tide could for a
fine soundtrack for some Charles Bronson movies, where I understood
Keith Emerson ventured few years after this release. Cool band pic at
the back side of the album though, one solution would be cutting that
off and practice the arts of archery to this abomination.
(progarchives.com/album.asp?id=1875) Review by Eetu Pellonpaa. June 14, 2005
01. Tiger In A Spotlight (04:36)
02. When The Apple Blossoms Bloom In The Windmills Of Your Mind I'll Be Your Vale... (03:58)
03. Bullfrog (03:51)
04. Brain Salad Surgery (03:09)
05. Barrelhouse Shake-Down (03:53)
06. Watching Over You (03:58)
07. So Far To Fall (04:57)
08. Maple Leaf Rag (02:02)
09. I Believe In Father Christmas (03:20)
10. Close But Not Touching (03:23)
11. Honky Tonk Train Blues (03:12)
12. Show Me The Way To Go Home (03:30)
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