The Nice

9-29-09 The Nice

Not sure whether I first heard about Emerson, Lake & Palmer…or The Nice. Certainly, I must’ve seen records by The Nice before ELP, but…did I know what they were? Fans and record companies agree – Keith Emerson was the star.

7" AMERICA IMMEDIATE US ZS7 5008

1967 2 TRKS no pic sleeve, promo

LP ARS LONGA VITA BREVIS IMMEDIATE US Z12 52020

1968? 12 TRKS 2^nd album

LP AUTUMN '67 TO SPRING '68 (Collection) CHARISMA UK CS 1

1972 9 TRKS ('67/'68 recordings)

CD ELEGY CHARISMA UK CASCD 1030

1970 10 TRKS ('90 issue) (6 x bonus tracks)

LP ELEGY CHARISMA UK CAS 1030

1970 4 TRKS full-size hatter, 5^th album

LP EVERYTHING AS NICE AS MOTHER MAKES IT IMMEDIATE US IMOCS 102

1969? 6 TRKS stereo, 3^rd album – original edition

CD FIVE BRIDGES CHARISMA UK CASCD 1014

1970 13 TRKS ('90 issue) (5 x bonus tracks)

LP FIVE BRIDGES CHARISMA UK CAS 1014

1970 9 TRKS UK original issue, 4^th album

LP THOUGHTS OF EMERLIST DAVJACK, THE IMMEDIATE US Z12 52004

1968? 8 TRKS stereo, 1^st album

My collection is modest – I never became a completist on The Nice. That I only have CD’s for their two final albums is telling. Well, on the two Charisma / Virgin CD’s, the bonus tracks are all of the “Autumn ’67 to Spring ‘68” album – plus a few others! So, it’s like all three of their Charisma LP’s on 2 x CD’s (11 bonus tracks between them, and they’re not even re-masters in clear trays!).

After The Nice, Lee Jackson went on to form Jackson Heights, and Brian “Blinky” Davison had “Every Which Way” (both bands were initially signed to Charisma UK). And Jackson and Davison effectively re-formed The Nice with Patrick Moraz taking Mr. Emerson’s place – as Refugee (again, on Charisma). And Keith Emerson made all those Emerson, Lake & Palmer albums. Only Mr. Davison is no longer with us – the others are all still walkin’ around.

I should also mention their original guitarist Davy O’List, who was on the Immediate albums – he eventually turned up in Jet, that wonderful mid-70’s faux-Sparks glam rock band, with a self-titled LP (on CBS UK).

My favorite tracks by The Nice are easily “One Of Those People” on “Five Bridges” and some of the swank psychedelia found on the “Autumn ’67 to Spring ‘68” album.

The Nice also provided backing for Roy Harper on “Hell’s Angels” , as found on his “Flat Baroque & Berserk” (Harvest UK) album, in 1970 – but I don’t think they were credited, as such.