Emerson, Lake & Palmer Album: “Original Bootleg Series from the Manticore Vaults, Vol. 4 [Box Set]”

I just got my set today here in the US via Amazon UK. C'mon, if you're if you're thinking of picking this set up, then you probably own Vol's 1-3 already. Right? If you've enjoyed those for what they're worth....OFFICIAL BOOTLEGS......then you'll be very pleased with Vol 4. Eight discs....cool stuff! Of the two 1992 shows that are three days apart, the July 22nd show from Pennsylvania has the best sound. Plus, you're in for a real treat as Keith's midi goes out during Romeo & Juliet, stopping them in their tracks, as they tell the crowd, "uh oh." Then there's playful banter between the crowd and ELP as they try to fix the problem. The crowd's in good spirits and enjoys the humor. Pay attention to the audience member who shouts a joke that's a "tip of the hat" to Spinal Tap. So yeah, they're audience recordings. That shouldn't be a surprise to anyone. And if you're an ELP fan like me, and own Vol 1-3, then you've already ordered Vol 4 without needing to read user reviews. Cheers......and enjoy!!!!

Volume #4 seemed to have completely caught me by suprise. Out Of The blue[excuse the unintended pun]. I was indeed unprepared; Since I own volumes I-III; I had no choice but to buy this ELP set. Volume IV contrasts dodgy to somewhat good -great audio performances of ELP specifically comparing/contrasting the ELP years of 1977/1978/1992. It is a true sucessor to volumes I-III.

Like the KCCC, Grateful Dead, (retired to pasture Dick's Picks); The Doors' Ban The Boots And Frank Zappa's Beat The Boots Volumes I and Duex(reversed?); These performances are not par excellence. But really, that's not the point is it?

To recap thus far: Volumes I-III are notoriously consistent with the varigated ELP interpretations of "Tarkus," "Pictures At An Exhibition," and "Take A Pebble." Why can't Yes do something like this? Jon, Chris and Steve? Earth to Jon and Chris...? Are you there?

Volumes I-III are worth getting for ELP's interpretations of "Tarkus" and "Rondo." They are of a piece. If anything the variations on these two ELP songs are like the interpretations of the 'Islands' band of King Crimson of that said material and The Grateful Dead's Dick's Picks series of "Dark Star" and "Sugar Magnolia" Yes' The Word Is: Yes, 3 CD set is a good try. Great stuff. But? I know you guys are sitting on some good Yes performances. The Word Is: Yes is varigated, uneven, but still - very good to great. For the Yes fan. I'd buy it. I did, eventually. I'm glad I did.

The mere fact that the ELP camp released this crusty and whorey tidbit means to me that there is still life in ELP(of some unassumable phantasm?). This particular survey of juxtipostioned ELP performances minimizes "Rondo" to give preferent maximum exposure to the 1990s new stuff and "Pictures." Sure: "Pirates" still cooks through all 4 performances. It drips Emersonian/Lake bliss....

Volume IV Live From The Manticore Vaults is aesthetically on par with volumes I - III. Once again I refer you to Dick's Picks and The King Crimson Collectors Club. ELP has just a different way of releasing its "bootleg" stuff. Greg Lake's voice may be shot to hell; Keith Emerson may be contemplating recording with The Nice; Carl Palmer seems to be the 'active member' currently.

Ahhhhhhhhhh.... There was a time when ELP were where it was "at." Even the 1990s second coming still had rough hewn teeth. But hey you decide for your self. No really expressive "Rondo"'s on this set. But maybe they deliberately wanted to highlight "Pictures?"