Greg Lake

Recorded live at a 2005 UK gig, this self-titled album (not to be confused with his eponymous 1981 solo debut) shows vocalist/guitarist Greg Lake aging gracefully in his decade-long hiatus from prog rock pioneers Emerson, Lake & Palmer. His once mellifluous voice, now darkening in the upper registers, still does fine service to such ELP staples as "Karn Evil 9 (1st Impression — Part 2),” "Lucky Man,” "Fanfare for the Common Man” and 18-minute epic "Pictures at an Exhibition.” Though it benefits from the "young hands” of guitarist Florian Opahle, the venerable "Take a Pebble” falls flat with insufficient Emerson-copped keys, and "Paper Blood” (from ELP’s embarrassing final studio effort) is wholly unnecessary. However, Lake shines radiantly when he dips into his catalogue of debut-era King Crimson — the group he left to join ELP — on "In the Court of the Crimson King” and "21st Century Schizoid Man.” While this album is ideal for nostalgic purposes, fans can only hope that Lake reunites with Emerson and Palmer one last time before obsolescence sets in permanently.