Digitally remastered and expanded edition of this 1970 release from the '60s Psychedelic/Art Rock band. This expanded edition includes two tracks from the final recording session by The Nice for a BBC Radio One Sounds Of ... more »The '70s session. The Nice would go down in history as one of the most exciting live acts of their age and as the creators of a series of excellent albums that would fuse the worlds of Rock and classical music, taking in elements of Jazz, Psychedelia and Rhythm & Blues on the way, effectively spawning the genre of Progressive Rock in their wake. Virgin. 2009.« less
Digitally remastered and expanded edition of this 1970 release from the '60s Psychedelic/Art Rock band. This expanded edition includes two tracks from the final recording session by The Nice for a BBC Radio One Sounds Of The '70s session. The Nice would go down in history as one of the most exciting live acts of their age and as the creators of a series of excellent albums that would fuse the worlds of Rock and classical music, taking in elements of Jazz, Psychedelia and Rhythm & Blues on the way, effectively spawning the genre of Progressive Rock in their wake. Virgin. 2009.
PHILIP S WOLF | SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CA. USA | 04/15/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"When I ordered this LP from my Record Club in 1971, The Nice had been a Memory for over a Year's Time. "Jackson Height's", was Up-And-Running, as was a Group called: "Emerson,Lake & Palmer". But, as a Fan of The Nice, {since 1969} it was a pleasant surprise to see this...the Last Release, by a Sixties Band that was so different from everyone else, and a Band that could play circles around just about everybody else in the Music Business, had One more Record left for us.
With the Piano of the Opening Track: "Hang On To A Dream", we here have what is widely regarded, as Keith Emerson's finest moment on Stage with the Nice. With just Bass Guitar, Triangle and Traps, and Mr. Emerson {The Man with 12 Hands}, this Re-Working of the Tim Hardin Classic, is almost a History Lession of the last 100 Years of Popular Music. This 12+ Minute Track, with Keith going Gonzo, and backed by the Amazing Walking Bass Lines of Lee Jackson and the Subtle Percussion of Brian Davison, is Fantastic, and ELP aside...this is one of Keith's Best Moments on any Record, by far my Favorite Track by The Nice.
Track Two is: "My Back Pages", a Bob Dylan Tune, that was a Minor Hit for The Byrds in 1966. This Selection almost made onto: "Five Bridges", but was left off that gem at the last minute. Keith is still on Piano for the first half of this Number, but in Dramatic Fashion he switches to his Hammond, and it is here where it all takes off, Mood & Timing...The Nice were Masters of this!
Side Two begins with "Pathetique", which I had heard before on: "Five Bridges" with the full Orchestra. Now this Version of The Tchaikovsky Classic is performed by Keith, Lee & Brian, without assistance and allows the Trio to show the World as nice as the Orchestra was, the Nice don't need one to sound like one. This is the Third Great Track in a row.
The Closer is of course: "America" with Keith creating just a little bit of Drama here {He Rapes The Organ} and finds some Sounds inside his Hammond that no other Musician has ever found. The Final Minute or so of: "America", is Quite Frankly the Finest Musical Noise this Side of Jimi Hendrix, on Record. Played at a Breakness Pace: "America" is the Number that The Nice will always be remembered for...This is Exciting Stuff!
This Edition of: "Elegy" features 6 Bonus Tracks. Five of those Tracks are from an EP called: "Charisma Perspective" issued in the UK in 1968.
And as they are a little outta place here on "Elegy", I am glad they have been included as they are Amazing Early Works by this Band. "Dawn" is a Wonderful Find, this one is a Mindmelter, all by itself. Many of the things that Keith plays here will show again as parts of ELP Songs, years later. Any Early Music from The Nice is important to what was to later become: "Progressive Rock". And with an Alternate Version of "Azirial" tacked on at the end, so closes this Expanded Edition of: "Elegy".
Again, this is not an Album of Left-Overs and Odds & Sods. It was a great LP in 1971, and today in a Brand New Century, it is STILL GREAT !
Forget all the "Tags" that are stuck on Popular Music as there is Only Good Music & Bad Music...."Elegy" is Overflowing with Great Music !!!"
Forget The "Nutrocker"Pathetique Rules!!
Tobias | United States | 03/13/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The "Pathetique" Mvt is The Greatest Thing Keith Ever Did With The Nice,It Kicks Arse(so does The Hammond L-100),Espically when he starts Blusing it Up At The End,The Energy Of This Thing Is Just Over The Top.Tchaikovsky would have Sprung A Woody seeing Keith Peforming This Number Live.Really Nice Innovative Piano In "My Back Pages" & "Hang On To A Dream"(In time you'll even get use to Lee Jacksons Off Key RASPY Vocals),as well.P.S. Live Version Of America Is Great Too."
Very nice!
R. Pevlor | Tampa, FL. | 01/09/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is certainly the best of the collection.Outstanding performances of "Hang On To A Dream","My Back Pages"and "3rd Movement". This version of "America" is their absolute best.The six extra cuts from previous works fill out the album nicely.A truly great work!"
Hail and Farewell to the Nice
K. Lewis | OZ | 02/14/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Of course the highlight here is the live "America" from madman Keith Emerson at the knive-ridden Hammond L100. THis is like ELP on steroids folks, highly recommended and I think I like The Nice better than ELP in a strange way, they were much more raw and in your face."