Greg Lake
Studio album by
Greg Lake
Released25 September 1981
Genre
Length43:13
LabelChrysalis
Producer
Greg Lake chronology
In Concert (EL&P) 
(1979) 		Greg Lake
(1981) 		Manoeuvres
(1983)
Singles from Greg Lake
  1. "Love You Too Much"
    Released: 2 October 1981 (UK)
  2. "Let Me Love You Once"
    Released: November 1981 (US)
  3. "Nuclear Attack"
    Released: 21 January 1982 (Japan)
  4. "It Hurts"
    Released: 12 February 1982 (UK)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]

Greg Lake is the debut studio album by English rock singer and guitarist Greg Lake, released in the United Kingdom on 25 September 1981 by Chrysalis Records.[2]

The album

Background

In contrast to the progressive rock of King Crimson and Emerson, Lake & Palmer, the groups which Lake had been member of, this album is characterized by a guitar-driven straightforward hard rock sound. The change in musical style is explained by his desire to perform as a guitarist rather than playing bass.[1]

To record the album, Lake teamed up with a string of prominent musicians, including Gary Moore, Clarence Clemons, and Toto members Steve Lukather, David Hungate and Jeff Porcaro. Moore played a major role including writing the song, "Nuclear Attack". In 1993, when the album was finally released on CD (in Japan), it was re-titled Greg Lake & Gary Moore.

Reception

Marc Loren has given Greg Lake a retrospective rating of three stars out of five on AllMusic. He has described it as a "powerful and enjoyable album", which contains "well written songs and some sizzling guitar work by Gary Moore", and has praised Lake's production skills.[1]

Greg Lake charted in the United Kingdom and the United States, reaching the same number 62 spot in both countries.[3][4] Several songs were released as singles in different territories. "Let Me Love You Once Before You Go", a cover of the 1977 song written by Steve Dorff and Molly Ann Leikin for Dusty Springfield, was issued in the United States and peaked at number 48 on the Billboard Hot 100.[5] "Nuclear Attack" was a minor radio hit and reached number 34 on the Mainstream Rock chart.[6]

Track listing

Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Nuclear Attack"Gary Moore4:32
2."Love You Too Much"Bob Dylan, Helena Springs, Greg Lake3:56
3."It Hurts"Lake4:30
4."Black and Blue"Lake3:59
5."Retribution Drive"Lake, Tony Benyon, Tommy Eyre5:05
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
6."Long Goodbye"Eyre, Lake, Benyon4:00
7."The Lie"Lake, Eyre, Benyon4:47
8."Someone"Eyre, Lake, Benyon4:12
9."Let Me Love You Once Before You Go"Steve Dorff, Molly Ann Leikin4:21
10."For Those Who Dare"Lake, Benyon3:51
Total length:43:13

Personnel

Additional musicians

Technical personnel

Charts

Chart (1981) Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[7] 97
UK Albums (OCC)[3] 62
US Billboard 200[4] 62

References

  1. ^ a b c Loren, Marc. Greg Lake: Greg Lake > Review at AllMusic. Retrieved 23 August 2018.
  2. ^ "Welcome Back My Friend?". Melody Maker. London: IPC Media. September 1981. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
  3. ^ a b "Greg Lake | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart. Retrieved 23 August 2018.
  4. ^ a b "Greg Lake Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 23 August 2018.
  5. ^ "Greg Lake Chart History (Billboard Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
  6. ^ "Greg Lak Chart History (Billboard Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
  7. ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 172. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
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