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.[1]
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.[2]
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.
Marc Loren's retrospective review on AllMusic described Greg Lake as a "powerful and enjoyable album" which contains "well written songs and some sizzling guitar work by Gary Moore", and praised Lake's production skills.[2] Paul Stump, in his 1997 History of Progressive Rock, called the album "characterless" and straightforward to the point of being dull.[3]
Greg Lake charted in the United Kingdom and the United States, reaching the same number 62 spot in both countries.[4][5] 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.[6] "Nuclear Attack" was a minor radio hit and reached number 34 on the Mainstream Rock chart.[7]