| Boomer Media Review |
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EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER
Brain Salad Surgery
Remaster 2007
Shout Factory
Ok, so what more that is
worthwhile could be written about
one of the most famous
albums-and covers- in pop
history?
Well, how about some perspective,
almost 35 years on?
ELP's fourth studio album
appeared late in December, 1973,
with a ground breaking cover,
designed by H R Giger, who went
on to do equally amazing things
with the movie, Alien.
Originally, Giger had been
contracted to do the artwork for
the working title of the LP, which
was, "Whip Some Skull On Ya,"
that record company suits were
not too enamoured with.
The title was changed-courtesy of
a lift of a lyric from Dr. John's
Right Place, Wrong Time, but the
skull motif remained.
All this and more is nicely laid out
in an excellent essay by Dave
Thompson in the digi-pak's 24
page booklet.
This classic has also been given a
fresh remaster, and it probably
sounds better now, than ever
before.
As well, this issue contains two
worthy bonus tracks:
An instrumental mix of the LP's
showpiece, Karn Evil 9, and an
alternate mix of the album and
single, Jerusalem, which
incidentally, was banned by the
BBC as much too sacrilegious for
the time.
But for those around when the LP
first came out, it is the packaging
that may make you say, "wow."
The original LP cover, with
fold-out sides has been
reproduced, as well as an
originally supplied poster.
So, if you still haven't replaced
your vinyl copy, or even if you
have one of the CD versions, this
new edition of some of the best
prog rock ever written and played,
is really the one you should own.
It's far out, man.
Really.
Brain Salad Surgery
Remaster 2007
Shout Factory
Ok, so what more that is
worthwhile could be written about
one of the most famous
albums-and covers- in pop
history?
Well, how about some perspective,
almost 35 years on?
ELP's fourth studio album
appeared late in December, 1973,
with a ground breaking cover,
designed by H R Giger, who went
on to do equally amazing things
with the movie, Alien.
Originally, Giger had been
contracted to do the artwork for
the working title of the LP, which
was, "Whip Some Skull On Ya,"
that record company suits were
not too enamoured with.
The title was changed-courtesy of
a lift of a lyric from Dr. John's
Right Place, Wrong Time, but the
skull motif remained.
All this and more is nicely laid out
in an excellent essay by Dave
Thompson in the digi-pak's 24
page booklet.
This classic has also been given a
fresh remaster, and it probably
sounds better now, than ever
before.
As well, this issue contains two
worthy bonus tracks:
An instrumental mix of the LP's
showpiece, Karn Evil 9, and an
alternate mix of the album and
single, Jerusalem, which
incidentally, was banned by the
BBC as much too sacrilegious for
the time.
But for those around when the LP
first came out, it is the packaging
that may make you say, "wow."
The original LP cover, with
fold-out sides has been
reproduced, as well as an
originally supplied poster.
So, if you still haven't replaced
your vinyl copy, or even if you
have one of the CD versions, this
new edition of some of the best
prog rock ever written and played,
is really the one you should own.
It's far out, man.
Really.
All pictures taken from the CD booklet, and shot on Nov.
19, 1973, at Roosevelt Stadium, Jersey City, New Jersey,
USA
19, 1973, at Roosevelt Stadium, Jersey City, New Jersey,
USA
