Product Description

Welcome Back is a musical biography outlining the birth and rebirth of a supergroup. In the first 10 years of their existence, Keith Emerson, Greg Lake, and Carl Palmer produced six platinum and five gold albums. In 1991, the three musicians came together to work on a new album and this video follows the creative and sometimes difficult reunion of one of rock's foremost progressive bands. Welcome Back features live performances from their sellout 1992/93 Black Moon Tour, proving that after a 10-year break, none of the magic has been lost. Including vintage footage, interviews with the band and over 70 minutes of classic ELP, this is a collector's piece for all true fans. Songs: Romeo and Juliet, Karn Evil 9, Pictures at an Exhibition, Paper Blood, Honky Tonk Train Blues, Creole Dance, Tarkus, Closer to Home, Pirates, C'est La Vie, Tiger in the Spotlight, Watching Over You, Lucky Man, Changing States/ Hoedown, Black Moon, Drum Solo, Joplin Rag, Fanfare For the Common Man, Improvisation. 79 minutes.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #39753 in DVD
• Released on: 2001-03-27
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Color, Dolby, DVD, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 80 minutes

Amazon.com
Celebrating Emerson, Lake & Palmer's 1992-93 "Black Moon" comeback tour, this 79-minute documentary is a jumbled hash of footage from throughout the band's two-decade career. But despite its haphazard assembly, it's a guaranteed treasure for ELP loyalists. Any attempt to visually document ELP's history would pose a challenge, since their visual record is relatively sparse compared to many of the major rock acts of the 1970s. So it's a blessing that this documentary digs thoroughly into the archives, and every important phase of ELP's evolution is included, however briefly. One might argue with the strategy to forgo chronological progression and weave disparate footage into a convoluted tapestry, but it's the music that counts, and on that point the film delivers the goods.

In addition to grainy footage from the earliest days of ELP's prog-rock ascension (including what little footage exists of their breakthrough debut at the 1970 Isle of Wight rock festival), the documentary integrates several ELP interviews with crucial performances of the band's best-known compositions. The highlight, by far, is footage from ELP's record-breaking performance in Montreal's Olympic Stadium in 1977, during their brief (and prohibitively expensive) tour with a 67-piece orchestra. The performance of "Pirates" alone makes this a must-have disc, even though it's interrupted by older footage and interview clips. A video of "Black Moon" and 1992 Royal Albert Hall concert footage round out the program. It's a mixed blessing, to be sure, but given the lack of choice, Welcome Back is a welcome and altogether essential document for ELP fans everywhere. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews

A MUST HAVE FOR SERIOUS FANS !!
I read all of the reviews posted here after I had ordered the DVD, but before it arrived. I was sick to my stomach, because I was sure I made a big mistake as I also thought it was a concert DVD. When it arrived, I considered returning it but instead cranked up the sound and settled in for an hour and a half. What I found was a well put together documentary of the band with some great clips from the past. Whereas "Live at the Royal Albert" is a concert video (of 50+ year old men trying to rock), this one has excerpts from some of the great shows of the past. I do stress excerpts, because the songs are either incomplete or interrupted with voice overs. BUT - it does have "Pirates" from the Montreal concert (with orchestra) and footage of the spinning piano from the California Jam show. I'd much rather see these then watch an hour and a half of the "new" show. So what I ended up with is a mixed bag. The sound quality is average at best, the video can be frustrating (SHOW the orchestra for goodness sakes!!), but what makes this disc essential is it's historical significance for ELP fans. Take a walk down memory lane and give this one a try. If you were a big fan in 1975, then it's "guaranteed to blow your head apart" and you will be happy. If "Black Moon" is your cup of tea, then I say take a pass unless you want to see the roots of the band.

A serious disappointment
Sometimes things are not what they appear to be on the cover. And this is one. If you want a DVD that is mostly interviews and interrupted music, this is for you. Cutting in and out of the outstanding perdormance of Pirates was horrible. This DVD is an injustice to a great band.

Only for the hard core
Some great footage from the early days, but the bits are too far apart and too short. Most of the tunes on this disc from the Black moon tour aren't up to usual ELP standards.

If you're looking for an ELP concert disc, this ain't the one. Get this one after you've gotten the rest.

Also, I have to agree that this disc wasn't put together very well. Very hap hazard and disjointed. The sound's pretty good, though.