Disc 1 1 The Score 2 Touch & Go 3 Knife Edge 4 Pirates 5 From The Beginning 6 Lucky Man 7 Fanfare For The Common Man 8 Mars Bringer Of War / Drum Solo 9 Karn Evil 9 (2nd Impression) / America / Rondo
Disc 2 1 The Score 2 Learning To Fly 3 The Miracle 4 Knife Edge 5 Tarkus 6 Pictures At An Exhibition 7 Lucky Man (Excerpt) 8 Still You Turn Me On 9 Love Blind 10 Mars Bringer Of War 11 Touch & Go 12 Pirates
It was 1986 and a reunion was being planned for the 1970s British super-group, Emerson, Lake & Palmer. Carl Palmer however was still contractually obliged to record two more albums for Geffen Records with his own platinum band, Asia. Although ELP hadn’t worked together for nearly seven years, there was still considerable demand for the band and its music. So, with the blessing of Carl Palmer, Emerson and Lake decided to carry on with another drummer. After a brief search, it was suggested to Emerson and Lake that they should approach Cozy Powell, a handsome Brit with a long list of successful band memberships, would soon prove to be the best choice to fill Palmer’s illustrious shoes. For one thing - and although both Emerson and Lake said the “P” in his last name had nothing to do with their decision to hire Powell - it allowed for the popular nickname of the band ELP to remain intact. But after only one rehearsal, it was clear to both Emerson and Lake that ELPowell would indeed be a very different sounding band than Emerson, Lake & Palmer. Cozy Powell, having played in a wide spectrum of rock bands ranging from The Jeff Beck Group and Bedlam to Richie Blackmore’s Rainbow and the post-Ozzy era Black Sabbath, was no lightweight. Nor was his drumming style. Having cut his teeth in heavy metal and hard rock acts, Powell brought machine gun-like precision along with a hammer-like power to the band and its repertoire, both old and new. Six weeks prior to the start of its 1986 U.S. tour, Emerson, Lake and Powell began rehearsing inside a London recording studio, recording each day’s progress. As well as the live concert CD, this special double album features the best selection from what is now known as The Sprocket Sessions. For posterity the band’s chatter and song fragments have been kept in place - it’s all here, including a few mistakes. In the end, most fans should find the historical value in these recordings far outweigh the rough edges. It is also a chance to hear the progress behind an actual band rehearsal. Previously, these recordings could only be heard on illegal bootlegs, with considerably poorer audio quality, but after locating a first generation board recording, the tapes were digitally re-mastered and are now sonically better than ever. Since Emerson, Lake & Powell only lasted for one studio album and one tour (before Palmer returned) these tracks remain among the few professional recordings of the band made outside of its official LP. Enjoy a trip back to 1986 and the year of Emerson, Lake and Powell!