Hoo boy. This is a good one.
I've got a rotation of perhaps three or four ELP songs that I would call my favorites, based on such things as mood, time of day, and the level of blood in my caffeine stream.
They are, in no particular order:
- Karn Evil #9, First Impression
- Piano Improvisations (because, DAMN, can Keith Emerson play)
- The Only Way (Hymn)
As for WHY?
Karn Evil #9 because it's musically and stylistically a well designed and engineered song. Every member adds a great deal to the piece -- it's not All Keith or All Greg or All Carl. It's All ELP.
Piano Improvisations? Because, well, Damn.
The Only Way (Hymn)? Because I like it. It's nice pseudo-classical organ work coupled with a profound message. It just gets me right *here*.