A Pictures Orgy
J. Johnson | Solon, OH | 12/13/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Here's what's on this deluxe version. Disk 1: Original 1972 album and 1970 Isle Of Wight Pictures named "Medley". Disk 2: Lyceum 1970 performance of Pictures along with Barbarian, Knife Edge and Rondo. One added note - the Isle Of Wight and Lyceum performances in their true unpolished versions totally reveal that the 1972 original version had a lot of in studio rework which is why it's always sounded so tight and perfect compared to other versions of Pictures. If you pick up this edition of Pictures you'll know what I mean and by all means it is clearly worth it."
Superb
George Farris | Houston, Tx | 11/15/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"As a ELP fan, I owned the single disc of "Pictures". Recently I saw this baby, and ordered it pronto. On disc one (73:31) the version of "Pictures" from March 26th 1971, that many an ELP fan has already. In addition to the March '71 version is a six song medley that runs 35min, also on disc one. I've not been able to tell when or where this medley is from. If you know, please let me know. It starts off similiar to the previous version, but it diffently takes some different turns. I'd say quite different indeed from the 1971 version. Keith Emerson really seems to pull out all the stops on this one. Very interesting. Disc two runs 76:54 and features an earlier version of "Pictures" from December 9th 1970 at the Lyceum. The second disc also features an early live version of "Knife Edge" and "The Barbarian" which sounds so amazing. It also has an 18 min. version of "Rondo" which really showcases Carl Palmer's superb drumming. Truly unbelievable. Yeah, I know it is a lot of "Pictures" for pretty much anyone, especially the casual fan. But for my money, it is well worth it. It is a good double dip. Just don't spend full price, of course."
Pictures Overload!!
JESSE R. MC Glown | Enterprise, AL | 12/09/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I bought this with a bit of trepidation, thinking they would've merely pulled the audio from the Lyceum show from the DVD/LaserDisc version, hence mono sound ( albeit "processed" to simulate stereo )...and I was pleasantly surprised: all of the Lyceum tracks have indeed been remixed for stereo! The 12/9/70 Lyceum version of Pictures is on disc two, and make no mistake; it's a "diamond in the rough" compared to the classic Newcastle version on disc one. Both the recording quality and E, L & P's performance are below par for the Lyceum show. That said, there's just something charming about the bum notes, the slight AC buzz throughout the Lyceum concert, plus a bit of informal dialogue that might have been edited from the original Newcastle album ( I've always suspected they might have doctored the Newcastle multi-track master tapes, way back in the day--the performance, given ELP's nature, always struck me as a little too sterile...or maybe the boys just had a spectacular night ).
There are also a few tracks of yet another Pictures performance tacked onto the end of disc one. Nothing is said or indicated in the liner notes as to where this truncated version came from. Disc two also offers The Barbarian, Knife-Edge, as well as Rondo from the same Lyceum show.
Not for the casual ELP fan ( if there is such an entity! ), but a good dose of three eager young guys back when they were hungry...now, IF ONLY they'll find the original master videotape of the Lyceum concert SANS all of the stupid superimposed crap, and release that gem to us...Hope Springs Eternal!!"
