Gone Too Soon: The Absolute Best of Emerson, Lake, and Palmer (2009) (Unofficial Compilation)

Genre: Progressive Rock, Classic Rock, ...later songs: Experimental, Avant-Garde, Jazz, Melodic Rock
About: Arguably the most talented and influential Progressive Rock band of all time. I compiled this tracklist because I was so annoyed at how selective and overall bad the "official" best of's and box sets and compilations are. They often just have the chart-toppers which, if you know anything about pop music they are often not all the artist's best songs.

So, I have included what I feel are their best songs, which spans from their first album in 1970 to their last in 1994. I spent a significant amount of time picking these 25 tracks, and I have listened to every album in their catalog, multiple times in the past so I have a good feel for what their best songs are.

There is at least one song from every studio album, plus Pictures at an Exhibition, often multiple songs from each album. It is in chronological order, so you will get a feel for how their sound has progressed over time. From a Classic Sound, to more Progressive and Experimental, to just plain Avant-Garde/Jazz on a track such as "Bullfrog", then back to the Progressive Classic style in the 90's, only somewhat more Melodic Rock-styled.

Enjoy! And if you like it, spread the word!


Track List (2:05:33):

1970 - Emerson, Lake, and Palmer - Emerson, Lake, and Palmer
1. Take a Pebble (12:32)
2. Lucky Man (4:38)

1971 - Emerson, Lake, and Palmer - Tarkus
3. Stones of Years (3:44)
4. Iconoclast (1:16)
5. Mass (3:12)
6. A Time and a Place (3:02)
7. Are You Ready Eddy? (2:10)

1971 - Emerson, Lake, and Palmer - Pictures at An Exhibition (Live)
8. The Hut of Baba Yaga (1:06)
9. The Great Gates of Kiev (5:12)

1972 - Emerson, Lake, and Palmer - Trilogy
10. The Endless Enigma (Part Two) (2:03)
11. From the Beginning (4:16)
12. Hoedown (3:47)

1973 - Emerson, Lake, and Palmer - Brain Salad Surgery
13. Jerusalem (2:44)
14. Karn Evil 9: 1st Impression, Pt. 2 (4:46)

1977 - Emerson, Lake, and Palmer - Works, Volume 1: Black
15. C'est La Vie (4:20)
16. L.A. Nights (5:46)
17. Fanfare for the Common Man (9:46)

1977 - Emerson, Lake, and Palmer - Works, Volume 2: White
18. Tiger in a Spotlight (4:35)
19. Bullfrog (3:52)
20. I Believe in Father Christmas (3:19)

1978 - Emerson, Lake, and Palmer - Love Beach
21. Memoirs of an Officer and a Gentleman (20:16)

1992 - Emerson, Lake, and Palmer - Black Moon
22. Affairs of the Heart (3:47)
23. Changing States (6:02)

1994 - Emerson, Lake, and Palmer - In The Hot Seat
24. Hand of Truth (5:23)
25. Gone Too Soon (4:12)


Download pt 1
Download pt 2

John McLaughlin - Industrial Zen

Genre: Guitar Virtuoso, Jazz, Fusion, Progressive Rock
About: This is awesome even if you don't think you like Jazz. I'd say one of the best albums of 2006. Plus, the best drummer ever is in it, Dennis Chambers.

Year: 2006
Download pt 1
Download pt 2

Thrice - The Alchemy Index Vols. 3 & 4: Air & Earth, Vols. 1 & 2: Fire & Water

Genre: Progressive Rock, Emo, Post-Hardcore
About: This band started out as a fairly generic emo/post-hardcore band but has since found their own very unique sound. This 4-part concept album (First half released 2007, second half released April 2008) is split into 4 parts: Fire, Water, Air, Earth, and each part has a unique sound. This album is closer to Progressive Rock than anything else in my opinion, but it doesn't fit into any one category. This is a must-listen for fans of these genres.

Year: 2007, 2008
Download Vol. 1: Fire
Download Vol. 2: Water
Download Vol. 3: Air
Download Vol. 4: Earth

Toad - Toad

Genre: psychedelic rock, progressive rock, classic rock
About: Early 70's psychedelic similar to Black Sabbath, Scorpions, Pink Floyd, etc. Unfortunately, no one has ever heard of them, probably for two reasons: They are Swiss, and their name is a very common word. Thanks, whoever recommended this! Check it out.

Album: Toad
Year: 1971
Download


Edit - August 2009, their other albums can be found here, uploaded on Mediafire:
http://aberrantmusic.blogspot.com/search?q=toad

Toad - Tomorrow Blue (1973)
Toad - Dreams (1974)