NICE [AKA: EVERYTHING AS NICE AS MOTHER MAKES IT]

This album is a worthwhile peek into what Keith Emerson was up to in 1969, just before forming ELP. There were 2 later releases by the Nice, both released after ELP was formed. Several studio pieces on this album (Hang on to a Dream, She Belongs to Me, Hang on to a Dream) were later available elsewhere as better live recordings. Azrael Revisited is better than the original, which featured Davy O'List on guitar. By this time, he was gone and the Nice was a trio. And a much better band. Rondo (an un-credited re-working of Dave Brubeck's classic "Blue Rondo a la Turk") was recorded live and this may be the best available recording of it. ELP continued to play this number in concert for years. As is typical with the Nice's music, the vocals are WEAK.