Greg Lake - 2007 - Live

(105:00; Spirit of Unicorn [2025 Edition] )






















What we have here is a reissue of a CD and DVD which were originally released in 2007 combined as a triple CD set with a few additional tracks (I only have the audio). Recorded at the Stevenage Concert Hall, Stevenage, England on 11th November 2005, this reissue also includes photos and an interesting essay by Jerry Ewing. I don’t think there is any doubt that Greg, Keith and Carl all worked best in a group environment as the ELP, Emerson Lake & Powell and 3 albums demonstrate and that they were often lost without each other, but put any of them in a concert hall with a strong band around them and there is no doubt everyone would be in for a great night. 

For the 2005 tour Greg provided vocals, bass and guitar, and he was joined by David Arch (keyboards), Brett Morgan (drums), Trevor Barry (bass), Florian Opahle (guitar), Josh Grafton (second keyboards), Jai Ramage (backing vocals) and Bekki Carpenter (backing vocals). There is no doubt this was a blast, with “Fanfare for the Common Man” being a particular standout with the expanded band as opposed to a trio. It is hard to pick a fault with the setlist, as we get material from ELP, EL&Powell plus King Crimson, and if one was to pick the highlights of his career then many of these would be included. I must admit to being pleasantly surprised to see “Pictures at an Exhibition”, clocking in at more than 19 minutes, and if I had been given the choice I would have asked for the complete version of “Karn Evil 9” as opposed to “just” “1st Impression - Part 2”, but given we have “Touch and Go”, “Lucky Man”, “21st Century Schizoid Man”, Take a Pebble”, “In The Court of the Crimson King” and so much more it does feel I am being somewhat picky.

The double CD set is more than 100 minutes long, and while I will always play ‘Welcome Back My Friends..’ as opposed to this, there is no doubt this is a very strong performance and for those like me who have not previously come across it this is a load of fun, and so much better than the later ‘Songs of a Lifetime’ where he gigged with an acoustic guitar and backing tracks. 

Kev Rowland, September 2025

Links:
http://www.greglake.com/
https://spiritofunicorn.co.uk/

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