The Nice 1971 Elegy

Genre: Progressive Rock
Rate: 245 kbps VBR / 44100
Time: 01:02:27
Size: 107,91 MB




Review by Bruce Eder

Comprised of songs cut during the final 13 months of the Nice's existence, Elegy is a must-own title for fans of Keith Emerson, offering his best live performance on piano ("Hang On to a Dream") ever to get a legal release, showcasing his organ playing on unique and beguiling arrangements of Tchaikovsky and Dylan material, and ending with a live version of the Nice's showstopper, "America."



Tracklist:

01 - Hang On To A Dream 12:41

02 - My Back Pages 09:11

03 - 3rd Movement 07:05

04 - America 10:18

05 - Diamond - Hard Blue Apples Of The Moon 02:46

06 - Dawn 05:05

07 - Tantalising Maggie 04:19

08 - Cry Of Eugene 04:30

09 - Daddy Where Did I Come From 02:46

10 - Azirial 03:46





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The Nice 2002 Vivacitas

Genre: Progressive Rock
Rate: 255 kbps VBR / 44100
Time: 02:00:59
Size: 214,80 MB




Review by Alex Henderson

Although progressive rock reached its commercial peak in the '70s, it still enjoys an enthusiastic cult following -- and not all of its fans are over 40. These days, the prog rock experience ranges from the classic albums of Yes, ELP, Pink Floyd and King Crimson to all the younger prog rock bands that emerged in the '90s and early 2000s. Today's younger prog rock converts seem to welcome new bands as well as concerts by a veteran like keyboardist Keith Emerson, who is reunited with Brian Davison and Lee Jackson on Vivacitas. Emerson, of course, knew Davison and Jackson from the Nice, which was formed in 1967 and broke up in 1970 -- and this three-CD set finds the prog rock survivors performing a Nice reunion concert in Glasgow, Scotland in 2002. The first two CDs focus on the concert, while the third disc contains a 2001 interview with British journalist Chris Welch.

Emerson, Davison and Jackson sound like they're really enjoying themselves in Glasgow, where they revisit "Hang on to a Dream," "Little Arabella," "She Belongs to Me" and other gems the Nice originally recorded in the late '60s. Emerson has long been a major jazz enthusiast, and part of the fun on Vivacitas is hearing the jazz-like quoting that sometimes takes place -- this 2002 edition of the Nice quotes everything from Miles Davis' "So What" and Dizzy Gillespie's "Manteca" to Johann Sebastian Bach. Although pleasing, Vivacitas falls shorts of essential; those with a more casual interest in the Nice should stick to their old 1967-1970 output. But hardcore fans will enjoy hearing Emerson and his compatriots reunited after all these years.



Tracklist:

01 - America, Rondo 11:14

02 - Little Arabella 04:57

03 - She Belongs To Me 06:22

04 - The Cry Of Eugene 05:02

05 - Hang On To A Dream 10:30

06 - Country Pie 05:57

07 - Karelia Suite 07:59

01 - A Blade Of Grass 02:11

02 - A Cajun Alley 04:12

03 - Tarkus 21:00

04 - Hoe Down 05:06

05 - Fanfare For The Common Man 07:55

06 - Honky Tonk 06:06

01 - Interview With Chris Welch 22:28





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The Nice 1970 Five Bridges

Genre: Progressive Rock
Rate: 128 kbps CBR / 44100
Time: 01:06:14
Size: 60,53 MB




Review by Mike DeGagne

Five Bridges is a delectable representation of early-'70s progressive rock. Its makeup contains all of the elements needed to complete a solid prog album: a heavy intermingling of synthesizer and electric guitar, strong punctuation of both bass and drums, a central concept, and the fusing of rock and classical music, which in this case employs the Sinfonia of London.

The eight tracks, centered around Newcastle's urban structure and life in a blue collar society, are as colorful as they are intricate. "Intermezzo" from Sibelius' Karelia Suite, and Tchaikovsky's "Pathetique" are marvelous examples of classical and rock commingling, with the spotlight focused on Keith Emerson's keyboard virtuosity. The second movement from Fantasia is a sparkling model of improvisational use containing various rock & roll rhythms and time structures, while the third track entitled "High Level Fugue 4th Bridge," was inspired by Guida's "Prelude and Fugue" and incorporates assorted jazz techniques and boogie-woogie styles into a classical recipe. "Country Pie/Brandenburg Concerto, No. 6" unites Dylan with Bach for a most extraordinary illustration of instrumental creativity.

Each example of genre merging is pristine and fluid, making the actual overlapping of multiple styles completely transparent. Five Bridges may rank just a tad below The Thoughts of Emerlist Davjack or Ars Longa Vita Brevis on the patience scale, but it does demonstrate how Emerson's work with ELP came into fruition.



Tracklist:

01 - Fantasia 1st Bridge, 2nd Bridge 02:41

02 - Chorale 3rd Bridge 03:26

03 - High Level Fugue 4th Bridge 04:00

04 - Finale 5th Bridge 07:56

05 - Intermezzo Karelia Suite 08:59

06 - Pathetique (Symphony No. 6 3rd Movement) 09:20

07 - County Pie, Brandenburg Concerto No. 6 05:39

08 - One Of Those People 03:08

09 - The Thoughts Of Emerlist Davjack 04:11

10 - Flower King Of Flies 03:35

11 - Bonnie K 03:18

12 - Diary Of An Empty Day 03:57

13 - America 06:04





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The Nice 1968 The Thoughts Of Emerlist Davjack

Genre: Progressive Rock
Rate: 128 kbps CBR / 44100
Time: 00:50:44
Size: 46,34 MB




Review by Evolver

The first album by The Nice is their only studio album with founding guitarist David O'List. In a way, it actually helped their sound to have another instrument to temper Keith Emerson's keyboards. And the album is quite progressive for it's time (1967). While there is only a hint of what Emerson will eventually do with ELP, I'd still call it progressive.

As on any album by The Nice, Lee Jackson's vocals can be annoying. At least he only uses that drunken barroom voice sparingly.

The title track is interesting, if only for the 60's flower child vocals on the intro. It's fun to picture Emerson (who is credited for background vocals) singing along. Then there's Rondo. While I like the song somewhat, I wish they had had the courtesy to credit Dave Brubeck with the composition (and turned it into a 4/4 song).

War And Peace is a cool, blues rock jam, but Emerson seems to have gotten short changed in the mix. His keyboards are waaaay in the background at times.

The rest of the songs are primarily sixties psychedelic, with Emerson's flourishes adding a slight symphonic prog flavor.



Tracklist:

01 - Flower King Of Flies 03:21

02 - The Thoughts Of Emerlist Davjack 02:50

03 - Bonnie K 03:25

04 - Rondo 08:24

05 - War And Peace 05:16

06 - Tantalising Maggie 04:37

07 - Dawn 05:19

08 - The Cry Of Eugene 04:37

09 - Azrial (Angel Of Death) 03:46

10 - America - Adapted From 'West Side Story' 06:21

11 - The Diamond Hard Blue Apples Of The Moon 02:48





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The Nice 1969 The Nice

Genre: Progressive Rock
Rate: 128 kbps CBR / 44100
Time: 00:43:55
Size: 40,13 MB




Review by Gatot

For those who really want to explore prog music, I advise you to enjoy this CD and try to understand the subtleties of the music and how they later influenced the further advancement of prog music. The music might not really favor your ears for two reasons: sonic quality and (probably) excessive use and improvisations of keyboards by the maestro: Keith Emerson. Remember, the Nice was the embryo of what later became ELP (Emerson Lake and Palmer) and Refugee (which comprised of Lee Jackson, Brian Davidson and Patrick Moraz who later joined Yes). So, the band itself is a legendary in the history of prog rock.

The music features all elements of classical music, improvisations as well as song-oriented music. "Rondo" is a good example of how the band blended classical music and long improvisations (which may cause you to get bored). Oh yeah, if you are already familiar with early albums of ELP, you would definitely like this song because all keyboards sounds are completely ELPish. Through this track Keith Emerson demonstrates his virtuosity in playing the keyboards with some complex notes throughout musical segments. Unfortunately, this does not seem so attractive for me because the rhythm section which comprises drums and bass are so boring - repeated chords and notes all the time while Keith delivers his keyboard work.

"Hang On To A Dream" is a good example of song-oriented composition. It has nice and catchy piano / keyboard works on top of strong melody sung by Lee Jackson. I personally love the voice quality of Lee Jackson. I think, his voice is so unique that I cannot find any other vocalist can sing like the way he does. Try Refugee, you will fully understand what I mean. But in this "Hang On To A Dream" he also sings excellently.

Overall, this is a good album which explores all components of classical music, improvisations and song-orientated compositions. This is a must for those of you who really want to explore prog music from its roots. You would understand how classical music influenced prog. Keep on proggin' ..!


Tracklist:

01 - Azrael Revisited 05:57

02 - Hang On To A Dream 04:47

03 - Diary Of An Empty Day 04:00

04 - For Example 08:58

05 - Rondo 69 07:56

06 - She Belongs To Me 12:17





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