THE THOUGHTS OF EMERLIST DAVJACK

Before I have listened to this album I had "got acquainted" with "Ats long vita brevis" & "Nice" and I'm sure that it isn't so mature like them but "The thoughts of Emerlist Davjack" is equally enjoyable (even better than "Ars longa." 'cause titled suite isn't very interesting for me there.). It's much more psychedelic than progressive rock (at first sight we can notice that there aren't any very long length tracks like later suits "Ars longa." or "Five Bridges.") but it isn't important for me (in fact psychedelic rock was a kind of progressive rock in 60'.Don't you think ?.) 'cause first of all I am fan of organ-driven rock in general and Keith Emerson in particular. OK, let's check all these songs one by one:

1. Flower King Of Flies This track begins with some strange-psych irregular sound of bells and. then starts quite simple psychedelic-pop song dominated by Hammond organ. Nothing special but really listenable.

2. Thoughts Of Emerlist Davjack Another psych-pop song again dominated by Emerson but we can hear .a lot of fine "choruses" too. Of course it's "a little" out of date nowadays but it suits this very "happy-light" song. Pleasant. P.S. Very good organ (a la church organ) solo which is out of place here.but never mind.

3. Bonnie K More straight rock'n'roll song. The most important instrument here is O'List's guitar and we can listen to something non typical for "Emerson's" band: guitar-organ interlacing solo ! Unfortunately vocal in this song is really awful and weak !

4. Rondo My favorite track in this album and I think my favorite from all Nice's songs ever. It starts from some bass playing and suddenly Emerson begins play in his Hammond really ground-breaking riff.It's a real heaven for all fans of this instrument ! besides we can listen to very loud, repetitive bass lines which intensify the atmosphere and electric guitar solo as well. One of the best instrumental tracks I've ever heard ! Believe me ! Really furious and melodic playing simultaneously, where classic music meets rock..

5. War And Peace The second instrumental composition in this album. But it isn't as good as the previous one 'cause I can't find any main riff or melody here. This is more like some kind of jazzy-blues free jamming. A little irritating .but not so bad at all. I can only add that the guitar and organ plays equal roles here.

6. Tantalizing Maggie It's the weakest song for me. Vocal is awful again and it's very indistinct (singing like from under ground or something like that). And this terrible poppy refrain..

7. Dawn the most psychedelic "song". We can hear a lot of whispers, breathing and some kind of very silent monologue. There are many irregular drums' beats, experimental sounds and even really pleasant harpsichord solo. I like "Dawn" 'cause it creates really strange atmosphere. Try to listen to this track when you are alone in dark room.It impresses.

8. The Cry Of Eugene the most peaceful piece of music in this album. Instead of dominated organ we have a lot of piano, guitar and even trumpet's music here. Quite listenable.

In remastered editions we can listened to some bonus tracks:

Azrial (Angel Of Death)

This is first version of "Azrael Revisited" from "Nice" album which includes organ & guitar instead of piano. In fact I prefer the latest version but it isn't one of the best Nice's song for me in general.

Diamond Hard Blue Apples Of The Moon Really fine song. I think that it should take place in main album instead of for example terrible "Tantalizing Maggie". Catchy melody and not bad vocals.

America My number two in "The Thoughts Of Emerlist Davjack" ! I love this instrumental track. It has everything what progressive rock needs: thrilling start ("cathedral" organ, some kinds of shoots' sounds, screams), maniac organ riffs and solos, interesting guitar playing.Stunning !

To sum up it's enjoyable album for psychedelic and symphonic prog rock fans (especially "Rondo" & "America" for this second group) as well. I can especially dedicate it to people who like such albums like Pink Floyd's "Piper At The Gates Of Dawn" or Arthur Brown's "The Crazy World Of Arthur Brown". Psychedelic which announces progressive rock.

Greetings from Poland !