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It was The Nice while it lasted (1967 to 1969), after which the band splintered into Emerson, Lake and Palmer and Jackson Heights/Refugee.

When this world spaghetti-strings into sweet oblivion, The Nice will be fleetingly remembered as a fascinating footbridge between Cream and Emerson, Lake and Palmer. The group left behind some indelible moments of mad delirium (“Flower King of Flies,” “Bonnie K”) and quasi-classical rock (“Ars Longa Vita Brevis,” “Five Bridges”) that stood as tall as anything from the early psychedelic rock spelunkers. At the center of this musical maelstrom was Keith Emerson, whose overamplified keyboards belched forth as much fire and smoke as any guitarist. Slightly to the left stood Lee Jackson from the storied line of singing bass guitarists and, behind them, Brian Davison on the drums. Initially a four-piece band featuring an actual guitarist, David O’List, The Nice slimmed down to a power trio after The Thoughts of Emerlist Davjack. Four more albums followed, two of them released posthumously, highlighted by Emerson’s classical fancies and Jackson’s radical songcraft and unconventional singing. Emerson apparently outgrew the group and left to form Emerson, Lake and Palmer, while Jackson and Davison channeled their energies into Jackson Heights and, later, Refugee. The first four albums from The Nice should be deemed required listening by prog aficionados, while the repackaged product that followed is best avoided.

The Discography

THE THOUGHTS OF EMERLIST DAVJACK (1968)
Flower King of Flies / The Thoughts of Emerlist Davjack / Bonnie K / Rondo // War and Peace / Tantalising Maggie / Dawn / The Cry of Eugene. Released on mono and stereo elpee on March 1, 1968 in the UK (Immediate, IMLP/IMSP 016) and the US (Immediate, Z12 52004). Re-issued on elpee in 1972 in Canada (Daffodil, SBA 16037) with unique cover. Re-issued on elpee in 1973 in the US (Columbia Special Products, P11633). Re-issued on re-sequenced elpee in 1976 in the UK (Charly/Immediate, CR 300021) with different cover and track order. Re-issued on compact disc and cassette in 1992 in the US (Sony, AK/AT 52425). Re-released on expanded 2CD in 2003 in Europe (Castle, CMQDD790) with 18 bonus tracks.

ARS LONG VITA BREVIS (1968)
Daddy, Where Did I Come From? / Little Arabella / Happy Freuds / Intermezzo from The Karelia Suite / Don Edito El Gruva // Ars Longa Vita Brevis: Prelude; 1^st Movement: Awakening; 2^nd Movement: Realisation / 3^rd Movement: Acceptance “Brandenburger”; 4^th Movement: Denial; Coda-Extension to the Big Note. Released on elpee in November 1968 in the UK (Immediate, IMSP 020) and in 1969 in the US (Immediate, Z12 52020). Re-issued on elpee in 1973 in the US (Columbia Special Products, P11634) with US track listing. Re-issued on elpee in 1975 in France (Charly, CR 300019) with unique cover. Re-issued on 8-track in 1977 in Italy (Immediate, ZNSIM 33049). Re-issued on elpee and compact disc in 1998 in the UK (Castle, CLALP/CLACD 120). Re-issued on compact disc in 1999 in Europe (Essential, EMSCD 646).

America (1968)
b/w Diamond Hard Blue Apples of the Moon. Released on 7-inch single in July 1968 in the UK (Immediate, IM 068) with picture sleeve. Reached #21 on the UK charts.

Brandenburger (1968)
b/w Happy Freuds. Released on 7-inch single in 1968 in the UK (Immediate, IM-072).

NICE (1969)
Azrael Revisited / Hang on to a Dream / Diary of an Empty Day / For Example // Rondo 69 / She Belongs to Me. Released on elpee in August 1969 in the UK and the US (Immediate, IMSP 026) with gatefold cover. Reached #3 on the UK charts. Re-packaged as Everything As Nice As Mother Makes It on elpee in the US (Immediate, IMOCS 102) with gatefold cover. Re-issued on elpee in the US (Immediate, Z12 52022) with different cover.

Hang on to a Dream (1969)
b/w Diary of an Empty Day. Released on 7-inch single in 1969 in France (Immediate, 2C 006-90.903 M) with picture sleeve.

FIVE BRIDGES (1970)
The Five Bridges Suite: Fantasia: 1^st Bridge; 2^nd Bridge; Chorale-3^rd Bridge; High Level Fugue: 4^th Bridge; Finale: 5^th Bridge // Intermezzo “Karelia Suite” / ”Pathetique” Symphony No.6, 3^rd Movement / Country Pie/Brandenburg Concerto No.6 / One of Those People. Released on elpee and 8-track in June 1970 in the UK (Charisma, CAS 1014), the US (Mercury, SR/MC8-61295), France (Philips, 6459.001), Germany (Philips, 6303 004) and Japan (Philips, SFX-7204) with gatefold cover. Reached #2 on the UK charts and #197 on the US charts. Re-packaged with Autumn ’67 and Spring ’68 on 2-for-1 cassette in the UK (Charisma, CASMC 103). Re-issued on cassette in 1983 in the US (Mercury, 830 291-4 M-1). Re-issued on expanded compact disc in the UK and the Netherlands (Virgin, CASCD 1014) with 5 bonus tracks. Re-issued on expanded compact disc in Europe (Virgin, 787384) with bonus tracks. Re-issued on expanded super high material compact disc on June 10, 2003 in Japan (Charisma, VJCP-989001) with 3 bonus tracks.

Country Pie (1970)
b/w One of Those People. Released on 7-inch single in 1970 in the UK (Charisma, CB-132).

HANG ON TO A DREAM (1970)
Rondo / Hang on to a Dream / Diary of an Empty Day // Dawn / Tantalising Maggie / Happy Freuds / Ars Long Vita Brevis 4th Movement: Denial/Coda Extension to the Big Note. Released on elpee in 1970 in the Netherlands (emidisc, 5 C 048-50722).

THE NICEST OF THE NICE (1970)
Hang on to a Dream / War and Peace / Little Arabella / Azrial (Angel of Death) / Rondo (69) // America / Bonnie K / Azrael Revisited / Intermezzo from the Karelia Suite / Don Edito El Gruva. Released on elpee in 1970 in Japan (Immediate, IP-9540).

ELEGY (1971)
Hang on to a Dream / My Back Pages // 3^rd Movement, Pathetique Symphony / America. Released on elpee, cassette and 8-track in April 1971 in the UK (Charisma, CAS 1030) [pink label], the US (Mercury, SR/MCR-4/MC-8-61324), Australia, Germany, and Italy (Philips, 6303 011) and Japan (Philips, RJ-7290) and in 1972 in France (Philips, 6324 001) with gatefold cover. Reached #5 on the UK charts. Re-released on elpee in the UK (Charisma, CAS 1030) [mad hatter label] with gatefold cover. Re-issued on elpee and cassette in the US (Mercury, 830 292-1/4). Re-issued on cassette in the UK (Charisma, 7208 568). Re-issued on elpee in August 1982 in the UK (Charisma, CHC-1). Re-issued on expanded compact disc in 1990 in the UK (Charisma, CASCD-1030) and Europe (EMI, 787383) with 6 bonus tracks.

THE BEST OF THE NICE (1971)
America / Little Arabella / The Diamond Hard Blue Apples of the Moon / Intermezzo from The Karelia Suite // The Thoughts of Emerlist Davjack / War and Peace / The Cry of Eugene / Brandenburger. Released on elpee in 1971 in Germany (Immediate, 1C 048-90 674). Re-issued on compact disc in 1998 in the UK (Castle, ESMCD-629).

ATTENTION! THE NICE (1972)
Third Movement Pathetique / The Thoughts of Emerlist Davjack / America // My Back Pages / Country Pie/Brandenburg Concerto No. 6 / One of Those People. Released on elpee in Germany in 1972 (Fontana, 9929032). Re-issued on elpee in 1973 in Japan (Charisma, PAT-20).

1967-69 (1972)
America / The Thoughts of Emerlist Davjack / Diary of an Empty Day / Daddy Where Did I Come From // Rondo / 3^rd Movement Acceptance “Brandenburger” / 4^th Movement Denial / Coda – Extension to the Big Note // Intermezzo from the Karelia Suite / Don Edito El Gruva / For Example // Rondo (69) / War and Peace /Hang on to a Dream. Released on 2LP in 1972 in Germany (Immediate, 1C 148-93 604) with gatefold cover.

KEITH EMERSON WITH THE NICE (1972)
Fantasia-1^st Bridge / 2^nd Bridge / Chorale-3^rd Bridge / High Level Fugue-4^th Bridge / Finale 5^th Bridge / Intermezzo “Karelia Suite” / ”Pathetique” Symphony No.6, 3^rd Movement / Country Pie/Brandenburg Concerto / One of Those People // Hang on to a Dream / My Back Pages / 3^rd Movement, Pathetique Symphony / America. Released on 2LP and 8-track in 1972 in the US (Mercury, SRM-2/MCT-8-2-6500), Germany (Philips, 6610 011) and Italy (Philips, 15056-A2). Reached #152 on the US charts.

AUTUMN ’67 AND SPRING ’68 (1972)
The Thoughts of Emerlist Davjack / Flower King of Flies / Bonnie K / America // Diamond Hard Blue Apples of the Moon / Dawn / Tantalizin’ Maggie / The Cry of Eugene / Daddy Where Did I Come From. Released on elpee in 1972 in the US (Charisma, CS 1). Re-packaged as The Nice Featuring America on elpee in 1972 in Canada (Pickwick, SHM 917).

IN MEMORIAM (1972)
America / Rondo “69” / The Diamond Hard Blue Apple of the Moon / Intermezzo from the Karelia Suite // The Thoughts of Emerlist Davjack / Azrael Revisited / Gang on to a Dream / Brandenburger. Released on elpee in 1972 in France (Immediate, 2C 054-91951).

THE IMMEDIATE STORY (1975)
Flower King of Flies / Thoughts of Emerlist Davjack / Bonnie K / Rondo // War & Peace / Tantalising Maggie / Dawn / The Cry of Eugene / The Diamond Hard Blue Apples of the Moon // America / Daddy Where Did I Come From / Little Arabella / Happy Freuds / Intermezzo from the Karelia Suite / Don Edito el Gruva // Ars Longa Vita Brevis. Released on 2LP in 1975 in the US (Immediate/Sire, SASH 3710/2).

GREATEST HITS (1977)
Medley: America/2^nd Amendment / Hang on to a Dream / Intermezzo from the Karelia Suite // The Thoughts of Emerlist Davjack / The Diamond Hard Apples of the Moon / The Cry of Eugene / Rondo / Ars Longa Vita Brevia (3^rd Movement) Acceptance Brandenburger / Ars Longa Vita Brevis (4^th Movement) Denial. Released on elpee in 1975 in the US (Immediate, IML 2003).

GIGANTES DEL POP, VOL. 52 (1981)
Country Pie/Brandenburg Concerto No. 6 / Five Bridges Suite // Hang on to a Dream / America. Released on elpee in 1981 in Spain (Philips, 92 79 525).

LA GRANDE STORIA DEL ROCK 15 (1981)
3^rd Movement, “Pathetique” / One of Those People / My Back Pages // The Five Bridges Suite. Released on elpee in 1981 in Spain (Curcio, GSR-15).

HISTORIA DE LA MUSICA ROCK #25 (1982)
Five Bridges Suite // Hang on to a Dream / America. Released on elpee in 1982 in Spain (Philips, 68 41 150).

THE NICE COLLECTION (1985)
America/Second Amendment // Happy Freuds / The Cry of the Eugene / The Thoughts of Emerlist Davjack / Rondo / Daddy, Where Did I Come From? / Little Arabella / Intermezzo from Karelia / Hang on to a Dream / The Diamond Hard Apples of the Moon / Angel of Death / Acceptance Brandenburger. Released on compact disc in 1985 in the UK (Castle, CCSCD 106). Re-packaged as America & Other Classic Tracks on compact disc in 1990 in the Netherlands (Woodford Music, WMCD 5526).

AMERICA: THE BBC SESSIONS (1996)
America: America/Second Amendment / On of Those People / Azrael Revisited / St. Thomas / For Example / Five Bridges Suite: 2nd Bridge/Choral 3rd Bridge/High Level Fugue 4th Bridge / Pathetique (Symphony No. 6 Third Movement) / Little Arabella / Happy Friends / Better Than Better / Sombrero King / Aries / Diary of an Empty Day / Ars Longa Vita Brevis (2nd Movement). Released on compact disc in 1996 in the UK (Receiver, RRCD 224).

ALL THE BEST (1999)
The Thoughts of Emerlist Davjack / Azrael (Angel of Death) / America / The Diamond Hard Blue Apples of the Moon / Brandenburger / Happy Freuds / Hang on to a Dream / Diary of an Empty Day / America (US single edit) / Flower King of Flies / Little Arabella / Intermezzo from the Karelia Suite / Azrael Revisited / Rondo ’69 / She Belongs to Me. Released on compact disc in 1999 in the UK (Repertoire, REP 4822).

HAVE A NICE DAY (1999)
America (6:06 single version) / Hang on to a Dream / The Thoughts of Emerlist Davjac / The Cry of Eugene / Diamond-Hard Blue Apples of the Moon / Azrael (version one) / America/Second Amendment / Daddy, Where Did I Come From? (second version) / Little Arabella / Brandenburger (demo) / Intermezzo from “Karelia Suite” / Rondo. Released on compact disc in 1999 in the E.C. (Neon, NE 34526).

HERE COMES THE NICE: THE IMMEDIATE ANTHOLOGY (2000)
The Thoughts of Emerlist Davjack / Azrial (Angel of Death) / Sampler for The Thoughts of Emerlist Davjack LP / Flower King of Flies / Bonnie ‘K’ / Rondo / War and Peace / Tantalising Maggie / Dawn / The Cry of Eugene / America / The Diamond Hard Blue Apples of the Moon / Daddy Where Did I Come From / Little Arabella / Happy Freuds / Intermezzo from the Karelia Suite / Don Edito El Gruva // Ars Longa Vita Brevis / Brandenburger / Azrael Revisited / Hang on to a Dream / Diary of an Empty Day / For Example / Rondo 69 (Live at Fillmore East, New York) / She Belongs to Me (Live at Fillmore East, New York) // America (Live Newcastle ’68) / Rondo (Live Newcastle ’68) / The Thoughts of Emerlist Davjack (Long Version) / Flower King of Flies (Alternative Version) / Bonnie ‘K’ (Alternative Version) / America (Alternative Stereo Version) / Dawn (Alternative Version) / Tantalising Maggie (Alternative Version) / The Cry of Eugene (Alternative Version) / Daddy Where Did I Come From (Alternative Version) / Brandenburger (Demo Version) / Pathetique Symphony 4th (Live Fairfields Hall ’69) / Lt Kije (The Troika)/Rondo (Live Fairfields Hall ’69). Released on 3CD on November 6, 2000 in the UK (Castle, CMETD 055).

THE SWEDISH RADIO SESSIONS (2001)
She Belongs to Me / Flower King of Flies / Sombrero Sam / You Keep Me Hanging On / The Thoughts of Emerlist Davjack / Rondo. Released on compact disc in 2001 in the UK (Sanctuary, CMRCD 349). Re-issued on compact disc on July 28, 2004 in the US (Castle Music America, 72332).

BBC SESSIONS (2002)
Flower King of Flies / Sombrero Sam / Rondo / Get to You / Diamond Hard Blue Apples of the Moon / Brandenburger / Little Arabella (& Sorcery) / America: I.America II.Second Amendment / Lumpy Gravy / Aries / Ars Longa Vita Brevis / Little Arabella / Happy Freuds / Brandenburger / Intermezzo from the Korelia Suite / I’m Not One of Those People / Azrael Revisited / Blues for the Prairies / Diary of an Empty Day (& Top Gear Signature). Released on compact disc on May 7, 2002 in the UK (Castle, CMFCD 457).

22 CLASSIC ROCK STANDARDS (2003)
America / Hang on to a Dream / Rondo / Azrael (Angel of Death) / War and Peace / Tantalising Maggie / Dawn / Bonnie K / For Example / Flower King of Flies / Don Edito el Gruva / Azrael Revisited / Brandenburger (demo) / Happy Freuds / The Thoughts of Emerlist Davjack / Diamond-Hard Blue Apples of the Moon / Little Arabella / The Cry of Eugene / Diary of an Empty Day / Daddy, Where Did I Come From / Intermezzo from “Karelia Suite” / She Belongs to Me. Released on 2CD on February 13, 2003 in Germany (Excel, EXCEL 2111).

HANG ON TO A DREAM (2004)
Flower King of Flies / The Thoughts of Emerlist Davjack / Bonnie K / Rondo / War And Peace / Tantalising Maggie / Dawn / The Cry of Eugene / America (single edit) / Daimond Hard Apples of the Moon / Azrael (take 1) / She Belongs To Me // America (2^nd amendment) / Little Arabella / Happy Freuds / Intermezzo from “The Karelia Suite” / Don Edito El Gruva / Azrael Revisited / Hang on to a Dream / Diary of an Empty Day / For Example / Rondo. Released on 2CD on March 8, 2004 in the UK (Atom, ATOM 2005).

THE ESSENTIAL COLLECTION (2006)
Flower King of Flies / Thoughts of Emerlist Davjack / Bonnie K / Rondo // War & Peace / Tantalising Maggie / Dawn / The Cry of Eugene / The Diamond Hard Blue Apples of the Moon / Daddy Where Did I Come From? / Don Edito El Gruva / Ars Longa Vita Brevis // Little Arabella / Happy Freuds / Intermezzo from the Karelia Suite / Brandenburger / Azrael Revisited / Hang on to a Dream / Diary of an Empty Day / For Example / Pathetique Symphony 4th (live) / Lt. Kije (The Troika)/Rondo (live) / Rondo (69) (live). Released on 2CD in 2006 in the UK (Union Square, METROCD585).

EVERYTHING AS NICE AS MOTHER MAKES IT: THE BEST OF THE NICE (2006)
The Thoughts of Emerlist Davjack (Single Version) / Azriel (Angel of Death) / Flower King of Flies / Rondo / War and Peace / Dawn / The Cry of Eugene / America: Second Amendment / The Diamond Hard Blue Apples of the Moon / Little Arabella / Happy Feuds / Intermezzo from The Karelia Suite / Ars Longa Vita Brevis (Symphony for Group and Orchestra) // Azrael Revisited / Diary of an Empty Day / For Example / She Belongs to Me (Live) / The Five Bridges Suite / Country Pie/Brandenburg Concerto No.6 / Hang on to a Dream (Live) / America (Live). Released on 2CD in 2006 in the UK (Castle, CMEDD 1494).