Search - Emerson Lake & Palmer - Live at Montreux on DVD

K. K. (GAMER)
Reviewed on 10/5/2021...

Could not really get into this but if you are a fan, it's a must!

Grim. Beyond bad. DREADFUL.

David S. Jenkins | On the Road | 02/07/2005

(1 out of 5 stars)

"I'll give this a token one star because Carl Palmer can still play like hell and Greg Lake plays the most beautiful bass guitar I've ever seen (not heard, mind you, seen.) Otherwise this disc is literally going in my trashcan. I can only assume that my fellow reviewers who've looked upon this DVD kindly are so young that they never saw ELP in their prime, when they were an amazing band and their concerts a thrilling, spine tingling experience. I HAVE NEVER SEEN THREE MUSICIANS WHO HATE PLAYING TOGETHER SO OBVIOUSLY as I do on this DVD. The bad vibe between Emerson and Lake is palpable, they won't even look at each other. Emerson's chops are all but gone, he's content to substitute speed for accuracy, he's all over the place, sloppy BEYOND belief, the Alvin Lee of keyboards. Greg Lake plays some nice acoustic guitar but plays bass like he hasn't picked it up for a decade and isn't all that sure where the right notes are. His voice is....well, it's gone. He sounds like me doing a really, really good imitation of Greg Lake in the shower, with the flu. Technically, as others have noted, the sound is dreadful, as is the stage lighting which never surpasses that which you saw at your high school prom. On the positive side, even at half effort, playing with two guys who clearly don't give a damn, Carl Palmer shows why he was one of the greatest drummers of his era, if not the greatest. If you're a young fan, please know that ELP were honestly one of the most important, groundbreaking, genuinely awe-inspiring bands of the 70's... though you'd never know it from this travesty of a performance. If you're an ELP fans who remembers their greatness, avoid this at all costs. It's a quick cash desecration of their past brilliance, a trashing of their own art and their own heritage. It's just too sad."

Save Your Money - This Isn't the Real ELP

R. Herbert | Charlotte, NC USA | 12/15/2004

(1 out of 5 stars)

"I soooo wanted to like this DVD concert, and soooo looked forward to it. I'm an original ELP nut, going back to having seen their shows after the Brain Salad Surgery release and on the Works tour (lucky enought to have seen them with the full orchestra). In the mid-70's and early 80's nobody was a bigger ELP fan than I.

That said, I can't excuse the terrible production values of this DVD. I'm so sick of concert DVD's released with sound quality that no one would ever accept from a current movie release. The sound here simply sucks - and this thru a system with more than $40,000 of equipment. Keith's keyboards come in at various volumes, Carl's drums are not distinct in the least, and Greg's bass and singing are a muddy mess. This might be one of those instances that those with lesser home theater system might not notice - but state of the art this is not (not even average compared to today's best). It all sounds like something recorded by a bootlegger in the audience.

Performance-wise, the boys are clearly past their prime here, and it's a shame to see a once unbelievable performance band reduced to kinda-getting-by. Keith's keyboards are not as sharp as the once were, and he occassionally seems to be off, time-wise, with his mates. Carl was once the most promising of the rock drummers, with technical skill and energy that were far above his peers. His playing here has none of the fire and technical acumen it once had. Greg seems solid by comparison; both in playing and singing, but the aforementioned poor sound quality makes it hard to tell.

Unless you gotta have something to remind you of what this band once was, I'd save your money. This is nothing like the greatness of their prime performances."

Do not even think twice about buying this!

Fan from out west | 11/22/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"****Pay no attention to the review w/ONE star.. Whoever wrote that needs a new telescope!*** I own all the DVD's by this group. The production on this is AWESOME. It would have been nice to have an overhead cam on Keith Emerson..(only a minor quibble) but... there is PLENTY of great technical shots, so do not worry!! This is killer picture and sound! Great "patience" by the director too, as I cannot stand directors who jump too quickly with camera angles. Great job! Most of the new Montreaux releases are getting the same great reviews..See the Gary Moore Montreaux reviews for example, as they too rave of the quality. I paid only $9.00 for this at Tower. Just a fantastic show...Keith even hits a really bad note on the solo for "From the beginning" which makes him seem almost human?(Yeah right)..Actually no, ...he is not human... he is incredible! The "one star reviewer" claims his "timing is off throughout the entire show???? Yeah ok, that's believable...NOT. (Mr one star needs a gyroscope to go with the new telescope)I don't think Keith has slowed one bit. It isn't 1972 anymore and most artist get better with age and Keith and Carl are no exceptions. Keith is better on the Piano segments then back then.(Lake has slowed, and his voice has dropped, but most fans know that)..Buy this one! It blows away that Royal Albert Hall DVD (AND THE OTHER ONES TOO)"