Customer Reviews

Vivacitas: Live at Glasgow 2002

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I will tell you what this is exactly, and then you can decide if is worth the price. If you search you might be able to find it at lower price. If you don't want to pay this price, you might want to get the Nice's Swedish Radio Sessions instead.

Keith Emerson went on a short tour with the two members of the Nice (Lee Jackson and Brian Davison)plus a three other musicians who were in an ELP tribure band. This is from the show in Glasgow.

The first disc is around 50 minutes long and features the Nice, plus David Kilimister, from the tribue band on guitar. The second CD is 40 minutes long and does not feature the Nice. The first two tracks are keyboard solos from Emerson. The remaining tracks feature the members of the tribute band. The sound quality is very good to excellent. The third disc is a 22 minute interview with the Nice, talking about what is was like to play in concert 30 years ago.

The first disc, featuring the Nice, is very good. Unlike what another reveiwer said, it is not a note perfect copy of the original Nice. They play every song in a new and different way. Some of the new renditions are great.

It starts out with a Rondo/America medly. Both tunes have been overplayed by Emerson, both with the Nice and with ELP. So, hearing them again can be tedious, especially on some of the later ELP live records. But, here they are given a new treatment with other bits of music mixed in. So, for the most part it is fairly interesting. Here, as on a number of the tracks, the addition of Kilimister's guitar adds new depth to the work.

Next is a really fun and very good jazzy rendition of Little Arabella and a rocky version of She Belongs To Me, with a searing guitar solo. This is followed by the worst track on the album, Cry of Eugene. This is the worst version of the song I have ever heard, and it has a very lame guitar solo. Jackson never had a good voice and it is really rough here. The best version of Cry of Eugene done by Lee Jackson's group called Jackson Heights (and it is the best song that group does).

The version of Hang On To A Dream is completely different than any other version and features a long accoustic guitar solo. It is extremely good. However, I still prefer the version on Elegy, which features one of the best keyboard solos of all time. But, I am glad that the group just didn't try to duplicate what it has done before.

Country Pie is fairly good, but suffers from the keyboard playing at the end, which sounds like it was pulled out of Van Halen's Jump.

The final track is a searing version Karella Suite, which has some firely guitar and keyboard solos.

Overall, this is a 4 to 5 star disc, and would be worth buying on its own at a reasonable price.

On the second CD, the first 2 piano solos are fairly interesting, but nothing significantly different than what Emerson has done before.

These are followed by a complete 20 minute version of Tarkus. It is played differently than how ELP has done it in the past. It is very good and very energetic. It is played differently enough that it is worth owning (unlike the live version of Pirates, by ELP, for instance). The only downside is Kilimister's vocals. He sounds like a screaming corporate rock lead singer, like something you would hear from Kansas or Foreigner.

The final tracks are Hoe Down and Fanfare for the Common Man, which are 2 more tracks that have been overplayed by Emerson. The odd thing is that the original studio versions of these 2 tracks still remain the best and most energetic versions. These tunes are played different than the originals, but I don't think anything is added to make these worth owning.

The Nice started out as a quartet, with David O'List on guitar. O'List was more of a leader than Emerson in the beginning. The CD, The Swedish Radio Sessions, captures the Nice before their first record was released. It is a great album. The band was more jazz oriented and O'List was an amazing guitar player. O'List only stayed for two albums. The group continued on without a guitartist and became more classical oriented. The Nice was on the leading edge of "Art Rock".

The Nice's lead singer has been Lee Jackson, who really doesn't have a good enough voice to lead a band. He would be a great secondary singer, doing choruses. At times, he has this very unique whine that adds an interesting texture and atmosphere to some of the songs. Jackson even admits on the interview CD that he isn't a lead singer, and if the Nice reformed, he would like to add a guitarist and lead singer.

I think the Nice's two best albums are Elegy, (with the fantastic Hang on To A Dream) and the Swedish Tapes. This CD is a nice addition, but it is questionable if it is worth the price.

This is a US release of the very expensive British import. The cover on this release is black on white. On the import, the cover is more colorul with a black background.

Keith Emerson went on a short tour with the two members of the Nice (Lee Jackson and Brian Davison)plus a three other musicians who were in an ELP tribure band. This is from the show in Glasgow.

The first disc is around 50 minutes long and features the Nice, plus David Kilimister, from the tribue band on guitar. The second CD is 40 minutes long and does not feature the Nice. The first two tracks are keyboard solos from Emerson. The remaining tracks feature the members of the tribute band. The sound quality is very good to excellent. The third disc is a 22 minute interview with the Nice, talking about what is was like to play in concert 30 years ago.

The first disc, featuring the Nice, is very good. Unlike what another reveiwer said, it is not a note perfect copy of the original Nice. They play every song in a new and different way. Some of the new renditions are great.

It starts out with a Rondo/America medly. Both tunes have been overplayed by Emerson, both with the Nice and with ELP. So, hearing them again can be tedious, especially on some of the later ELP live records. But, here they are given a new treatment with other bits of music mixed in. So, for the most part it is fairly interesting. Here, as on a number of the tracks, the addition of Kilimister's guitar adds new depth to the work.

Next is a really fun and very good jazzy rendition of Little Arabella and a rocky version of She Belongs To Me, with a searing guitar solo. This is followed by the worst track on the album, Cry of Eugene. This is the worst version of the song I have ever heard, and it has a very lame guitar solo. Jackson never had a good voice and it is really rough here. The best version of Cry of Eugene done by Lee Jackson's group called Jackson Heights (and it is the best song that group does).

The version of Hang On To A Dream is completely different than any other version and features a long accoustic guitar solo. It is extremely good. However, I still prefer the version on Elegy, which features one of the best keyboard solos of all time. But, I am glad that the group just didn't try to duplicate what it has done before.

Country Pie is fairly good, but suffers from the keyboard playing at the end, which sounds like it was pulled out of Van Halen's Jump.

The final track is a searing version Karella Suite, which has some firely guitar and keyboard solos.

Overall, this is a 4 to 5 star disc, and would be worth buying on its own at a reasonable price.

On the second CD, the first 2 piano solos are fairly interesting, but nothing significantly different than what Emerson has done before.

These are followed by a complete 20 minute version of Tarkus. It is played differently than how ELP has done it in the past. It is very good and very energetic. It is played differently enough that it is worth owning (unlike the live version of Pirates, by ELP, for instance). The only downside is Kilimister's vocals. He sounds like a screaming corporate rock lead singer, like something you would hear from Kansas or Foreigner.

The final tracks are Hoe Down and Fanfare for the Common Man, which are 2 more tracks that have been overplayed by Emerson. The odd thing is that the original studio versions of these 2 tracks still remain the best and most energetic versions. These tunes are played different than the originals, but I don't think anything is added to make these worth owning.

The Nice started out as a quartet, with David O'List on guitar. O'List was more of a leader than Emerson in the beginning. The CD, The Swedish Radio Sessions, captures the Nice before their first record was released. It is a great album. The band was more jazz oriented and O'List was an amazing guitar player. O'List only stayed for two albums. The group continued on without a guitartist and became more classical oriented. The Nice was on the leading edge of "Art Rock".

The Nice's lead singer has been Lee Jackson, who really doesn't have a good enough voice to lead a band. He would be a great secondary singer, doing choruses. At times, he has this very unique whine that adds an interesting texture and atmosphere to some of the songs. Jackson even admits on the interview CD that he isn't a lead singer, and if the Nice reformed, he would like to add a guitarist and lead singer.

I think the Nice's two best albums are Elegy, (with the fantastic Hang on To A Dream) and the Swedish Tapes. This CD is a nice addition, but it is questionable if it is worth the price.

I just got the CD box a few days ago and enjoyed it very, very much. When I came here to write a review, I was rather shocked to see so many low ratings for this collection. While some of the criticisms are valid, I still believe this CD collection is at least a 4 as there is a lot of good stuff here. Here is the breakdown on my rating:

CD1 - All Nice titles; I don't think I ever heard the Nice sound so good! With the addition of Dave Kilminster on lead guitar and Pete Riley/Phil Williams backfilling on drums/guitar, I think all of the Nice titles sounded rich, full and delicious. My favorites were America/Rondo, Hang On To a Dream and Country Pie. This whole disc was a real pleasant surprise. Total score: 5+

CD2 - This was the Emerson/ELP side; Some pluses and minuses here. Tarkus was a slight disapppointment; virtually no vocals and they gutted Battlefield to just a few bars (my favorite part!!! Damn!) but I liked the guitar riffs. Also, Aquatarkus sounded just like it was off the original album so I enjoyed that (except the ending which sounded a little thin). Fanfare for the Common Man was OK; the Albert Hall version has yet to be beat IMHO. Hoedown was tasty. Overall, I rate this disc as slightly uneven. Total score: 3.

CD3 - No score. Just a BS interview that was OK, but I wish they put music here instead of meandering banter.

Overall score: 4 If you're a die-hard ELP fan (like me), you'll still enjoy this collection.

It is just a great album. That is what it is suppose to sound like in Year 2000 . Critics who are of opinion that older versions from 60s and 70s were better, should better listen to the two versions at same time.
New version has more energy and lots more awesome lead guitar which complements Emo's keyboard playing ...and gives more scope of jamming...base player Phil is just amazing...neither nice nor ELP ever had one like this..I am sorry but Greg Lake cannot even touch Phil with a pole....
and hey listen to Moog..jeez...i was comparing it with versions from 60s and 70s..Moog sound so thin and timid there, compared to here...check Hoedown, Hoedown, Fanfare for common man,America/Rhondo if you have doubts..
Dave Kilminster as lead guitarist is just awesome..He doesnot kills Emo's keyboard...just compliment it..His vocals are good too...atleast a thousand times better than Lee Jackson..
Album is a must buy, if you are looking for Emo's 21st century sound

If you expect lots of surprises, don't look for them here. Instead, this CD set is a great example of how some things in popular culture may in fact find a way to endure. "Vivacitas" reunites The Nice with supporting musicians and delivers a note-perfect synopsis of the music that lead the way to new forms in rock that seem as viable today as they did when they were first performed. The playing here is unusually crisp -- especially when compared to some of the weaker moments of "Elegy" so many years ago. Maybe that's just due to the improvement in recording technology. Maybe it's just being away from the material for a while. And what makes "Vivacitas" interesting is that the musicians choose not to simply replay these pieces by rote. The resulting music is that much fresher for the decision because this CD is not a document of a recital, it is definitely a performance, and a very good one at that.

One odd decision is the choice of "Tarkus" over "Five Bridges". But despite the occasional Nice / ELP cross-sell attempts, this is music very much worth having. I'm not sure that I'll ever listen to Disc Three -- the Chris Welch interview seems like a bit of a task to sit through, especially after slogging through the band members' typically cliched "statements" about getting back together for this show -- but the two discs of music are a welcome reminder of how much of progressive music began, more than thirty years ago, and how much more promise the form still holds.

Talk about all the reunions of '60's and '70's bands you'd NEVER expect to see.This 3-CD release of the 2002 reunion of The Nice is actually very good to have.Keith Emerson has hooked up once again to work with Nice members Lee Jackson and Brian Davidson. This 13 track concert of The Nice's 2002 performance in Glasgow, Scotland comes out to a neatly played 95 minute set that's on disc 1 and 2. Tracks that were such a pleasure to listen to were "America/Rondo", "She Belongs To Me" (do I hear some Van Halen's "Jump" - like licks toward the end of this cut? You listen and tell me), the jazzy "Hang On To A Dream", the inventive "Karelia Suite", the 21-minute ELP masterpiece "Tarkus" (possibly the box set's best tune), the always great to hear "Hoedown" and "Fanfare For The Common Man". Disc three is a 22-minute interview that Chris Welch did with the band in 2001. Line-up: Keith Emerson-keyboards, Brian Davidson-drums, Lee Jackson-guitar, bass&vocals and Dave Kilminister-guest guitarist. A definite should-have.

I'm sure most die hard EMO/ELP fans already own this. So, for the casual listener or if your trying to resdiscover ELP, please dont pay more than 15.00 for this. Its interesting but something I doubt you'll listen to repeatedly.

Disc one: For old school nice fans, this is very cool. They cover "the hits" America, Hang on to a Dream, etc. As Keith has said, it's all about economics sometimes. Had they had more money(backing)& time, I cant help but think how much better this could have been.

Disc two: THis is Keith solo & with his band alone. As a ELP fan, I loved Tarkus. Presented here,updated, it's awsome! Again, w/more time & effort, Keith could probably rework a lot of the ELP songbook to sound like this (ie:better!). Hoedown, one of my favorite ELP songs is a train wreck. Emo needs to drop the stuff he cant play anymore. He's a genius but his hands are slowing down. The solo acoustic tunes, brillinat but probably not for the casual listener.

Disc three: I wish it was longer! To here these road kings talking about the Nice, Lemmy fm Motorhead, Keith's knives, etc. I found this totally entertaining. Again, it was like three old friends remembering the good times. I loved it. THe only problem was that it's only 1/2 hour long! I wanted more!

So, hope this helps. Again, I'm sure most EMO fans have it. I've seen it on-line for 30.00(too much). If you can find it cheap &/or used, it's not a bad assoortment of work. Had a major label footed the bill for this, more liner notes, more interviews on disc 3, better rehearsed material in a larger hall(now thats a wish list)-this would really have been an event!

I gave an extra star for Vivacitas because I've been a fan since the early '70s and anyone who listened to them then would recognise what a great band and what talented musicians they all were. Not that Vivacitas isn't worth 4 stars outright; the music is great and Kilminster on guitar is a worthy replacement for David O'List, although I don't know what he sounds like these days. Nevertheless this 2cd set is a must for all those Nice fans out there, anyone who have only heard ELP, or anyone else who may appreciate quality seventies style progressive music from a band with its own unique individual sound.

Half of this CD set is the Nice "Live" in 2002 and its great to hear our old pals Brian Davidson and Lee Jackson are still hanging in there. The Nice part is great but the second half of the CD set is the Keith Emerson band doing Nice stuff and all I can say is that if you cant do Nice nice, you shouldn't do Nice at all...............Still a "must have" for Nice fans.

The album is really a vehicle for Emerson to showcase his career with The Nice (actually playing with The Nice) and ELP (without L or P). The first CD is material by The Nice and should've continued for CD two. Instead Emerson brings out a different band to play ELP material, which suffers from the lack of Greg Lake's voice. There was enough quality music produced by The Nice that they shouldn't have been pushed aside to play ELP music with other musicians. As a result, the project lacks focus and the energy that ELP produced.

The production seems to be rather stilted, as if they simply set up the mixing board and walked away. Keith's keyboards always remain on the left and Dave's guitar is always on the right. Two words: Bor ing.

CD1 is worth having, the remaining two are throwaways, which makes this overpriced. They had an excellent opportunity and only partially fulfilled it, apparently in order to satisy Emo's Ego.