Search - Greg Lake :: King Biscuit Flower Hour Presents in Concert

MOTTS BISCUIT

Kim Fletcher | Pattaya, Chonburi Thailand | 07/05/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Recorded on Guy Fawkes day November 5th 1981, this concert was certainly full of fireworks. Recorded during the world tour at the Hammersmith Odeon, England, for his first solo album (simply titled "Greg Lake"). The show presented Lake on a London stage for the first time since the demise of his previous band "Emerson, Lake and Palmer".With its Massive American radio audience, the King Biscuit Flower Hour gave Lake's fans in the states a chance to hear him with this powerful guitar driven band, before they started their American leg of the tour. Now, gladly, it's out on C.D, a concert to be cherished. It was imperative for Lake to have a solo band as good as the one he was able to assemble for the tour this album comes from. After all he was rising from the ashes of E.L.P., one of the most successful bands in the history of music. At the time of their break-up, E.L.P. had gone out with a whimper. With this band behind him, Greg Lake re-emerged with a blinding bang.Lake was able to assemble a crackerjack line-up that included guitar virtuoso Gary Moore (fresh out of one of his many stints with hard rock legends Thin Lizzy and at the onset of his own solo career), Sensational Alex Harvey Band and Rory Gallagher drummer Ted McKenna. Very talented and very mercenary keyboardist Tommy Eyre (he jumped bands so often that he had played the Reading festival eight different times with eight different bands), and the marvelously monickered Tristram Margetts on bass. All five had worked on Lake's solo album along with members of Toto, ex King Crimson drummer Mike Giles, and Bruce Springsteen sidekick Clarence Clemmons on sax.First as a founding member, lead vocalist, writer and bassist for King Crimson, and then, as a superstar for a decade in E.L.P., Greg Lake was among the pioneers of the Progressive Rock Movement. From the bombastic crunch of "21st Century Man" to the acoustic simplicity of "Lucky Man" at the time he launched his solo career, the voice of Greg Lake had been a staple on both top 40 and album-orientated radio.Though the tour was used primarily as a way of promoting his solo album, Lake was not afraid to utilize the best elements from his past or his fellow band members. He was able to re-invent a few of the E.L.P. and King Crimson classics. He even did a re-make of the old Miracles hit "You Really Got A Hold On Me".From their opening medley of "Fanfare" and "Karn Evil 9" through to the ethereal impact of "In The Court Of The Crimson King", this Biscuit performance exhibits the scope and depth of Greg Lake's contribution to contemporary music.As in any real live album (no chance of overdubs here) there are a couple of minor flaws - the odd burst of feedback, a couple of notes that go off the mark, but then again that's what Rock `n' Roll is all about.Of the four tracks from the solo album, stand out track is "Love You Too Much". It was co-written with none other them Bob Dylan and an all-out belter it is, too. A fine concert on a fine night by a fine band.
Mott the Dog."

SHOULD BE RETITLED-GARY MOORE

cd-heaven | ROCK CITY | 03/04/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is not only a Greg Lake concert but a Gary Moore one at that. Greg brought Gary on tour with him and Gary does play guitar on Greg Lake's first solo album. But live in concert, Gary Moore just blows Greg, the audience, and you away! Gary probably rates 3rd on my live guitarist list(behind Steve Morse/Ted Nugent) but that doesn't make those 2 any better. Anyway, Greg Lake kicks things off with Fanfare which leads into Gary's Nuclear Attack, an explosive version where Greg sings lead. Greg does do solo material like The Lie and I love You To Much which are really good. There is also Lucky Man and another Gary Moore song Parisenne Walkaways, which Gary does a blistering solo, OUCH! There are more songs but the encore is just terrific, Greg does some King Crimson. 21st Century and In The Court Of The Crimson King. Gary's guitar just blows away Robert Fripp. This must be heard to be believed! This is one of the best King Biscuit shows ever!"

Greg Lake - 'In Concert On The King Biscuit Flower Hour'

Mike Reed | USA | 05/14/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Another nice CD release from the King Biscuit label archives.One thing about this eleven track disc that I couldn't help but to notice is that Mr.Lake and crew does sound quite a bit different than ELP.Keeping that in mind,'In Concert...' is a pretty decent assembled live recording.There are a couple of ELP staples here,like "Fanfare For The Common Man","Karn Evil 9" and one of Lake's signature songs "Lucky Man".Included also are three cuts from Lake's self-titled debut lp "Nuclear Attack","Retribution Drive" and "Love You To Much".Since guitarist Gary Moore was on this tour,there's a decent Moore/Phil Lynott tune that I don't believe I've ever heard before "Parisienne Walkways".Something that we may never get the chance to hear live again are two King Crimson tracks that closes the set,a sizzling "21st Century Schizoid Man" and an incredible performance of "In The Court Of the Crimson King".CD is a REAL treat for fans and collectors alike."