The Birth of a Band: Isle of Wight Festival – Emerson, Lake & Palmer

Although it was technically the band's second show together, rock historians generally regard this performance as the real debut of Emerson, Lake & Palmer. The first ELP album was still months away and no one in the crowd had ever heard of the band or its music, but the trio put on a great show that was touted as a huge popular and critical success. In retrospect, there can be little debate that this performance at the legendary Isle of Wight Music Festival launched ELP internationally and, listening to this disc, one can definitely hear flashes of the innovation and daring that would later thrust ELP to the forefront of the progressive rock movement. Though bearing the wrinkles and spots typical of a festival recording, this CD (created using original soundboard masters and digitally remastered 27 years after the actual event) is an experience beautifully illustrating what made ELP -- from day one -- a group unlike any that had come before. Furthermore, it is an important historical testament to one of the last great rock festivals and to the debut of a prog rock institution. For ELP fans, this is where it all began -- and this CD vividly captures the moment. [Live at the Isle of Wight Festival was re-released in 2006 as a CD/DVD DualDisc called Birth of a Band: Isle of Wight Festival.] ~ Alan Ticheler, All Music Guide