DVD review: ELP – Special Edition (Pictures At An Exhibition, Isle Of Wight Festival 1970, Live At Montreux 1997)

ELP - Special Edition

Eagle Vision [Release date 14.10.13]

If you like Emerson, Lake & Palmer  (ELP) then you are gonna love this new three DVD box set, comprising of “Pictures At An Exhibition”, “The Birth Of A Band- Isle of Wight Festival 1970” and “Live At Montreux 1997”.

Originally formed in 1970, the band was one of the first supergroups and with their brand of progressive rock went on to sell over 45 million albums.

“Pictures At An Exhibition” captures the band live at London’s Lyceum Theatre in December 1970 and features some of those early 70’s live special effects that gave birth to the massive live spectacles we now witness some 40 odd years later.

The set list includes the likes of “The Sage”, “Knife Edge”, “Take a Pebble” and “Rondo”. However, it’s the bonus feature that steals the show here, a live appearance and interview from 1971 on Belgium’s “Pop Shop” TV show.  We are also treated to the original trailer for the 1971 film.

Sticking with 1970, the second DVD “The Birth Of A Band” finds the band live at the inaugural Isle of Wight Festival in August of that year. Everyone involved, from a performer’s perspective, will tell you it was not very well organised- yet the festival had a massive audience and it was this that catapulted Emerson, Lake and Palmer into the big time.

The band admits that this was great exposure, the day before the festival they were relatively unknown- the end of the day after? Known around the world. The live footage on “Birth of a Band” shows how well the band went down on the day.

This documentary features interviews with the band members, as well as then manager John Gaydon. As you would expect from the title, it covers the story of the band. Oh, and before we move on, yes- they are real cannons used in the band’s live show.

Fast forward a quarter of a century and we get to the final DVD of the trilogy “Live at Montreux 1997”. Time has been kind to the band and they still sound great.

The 85 minute show features all the songs you would expect and particular highlights amongst the 14 tracks on offer include “Tiger In The Spotlight”, “Touch and Go”, “Knife Edge” and “Lucky Man”.

With the band appearing to be back on a hiatus, or possible retired, fans will enjoy the chance to look back over these highlights of ELP’s stellar career.  ***1/2

Review by Nikk Gunns


Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.

In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Josh Taerk Sunday Sessions 2024

Latest session: Sunday 25 February
Next session: Sunday 14 April

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio



David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 3 March 2024.


UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 5 March 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com


Power Plays w/c 18 March 2024

GYPSY’S KISS We’ve Come To Play
FM Out Of The Blue (Frontiers)
SHOTGUN MISTRESS Shot Down (indie)
ATTIC THEORY Violent Delight (indie)
FLOYA Yume (FiXT)
SAHAJI Tell Me All Your Feelings (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 18 March 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023
12:00-13:00 LEAVES’ EYES Myths Of Fate (AFM Records)
14:00-16:00 HOLLY LERSKI Sweet Decline (indie)


To see our Tweets you need to be logged in to a Twitter account



Popular (last 10 days)


This entry was posted in ALL POSTS, DVD REVIEWS and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Leave a Reply