The Nice vs The Moody Blues - Progressive Rock Music Forum

two great bands, the Nice with a shorter history, but as important as the moody blues, wich is the best one?

I bought "Days of Future Passed" the year it came out, and continued to buy each album when it was released until the mediocre "Octave".... I finally broke down and bought the 3-CD Immediate Records compilation of The Nice a few years ago, but it's been in my "sell" box for most of that time. I like a couple of the first album's psych songs, and a couple of other songs from later albums, but I had my fill of Emerson years ago. I'm sure I would've liked The Nice more if I'd bought their stuff when it was released (well, maybe; I didn't like Curved Air back then, but I do now)...

THE MOODY BLUES

The Moody Blues were better musicians (barring Emerson) and a better band.The Nice was all about Keith Emersons extravagant talent and wild theatrics.I prefer them for that reason and that reason alone.But musically they never reached the heights the Moodies did.

The Nice

neither are my favourites, but both has good music. I still think Moody Blues is mostly boring and I have heard very good song of The Nice, so I vote them

(PS what do you think about my chart (both appearance and, well, I've just created my account on last.fm - look down)

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The Nice is surely de first 100% Symphonic Proç band in history, IMO the Moody Blues was at the most Proto Prog at the beginning of their career and Long Distance Voyager.

This doesn't mean it's necessary better but I like Prog and their overblown style much more.

Ivàn

The Moody Blues is one of my favourite not Italian Prog acts.

And, naturally, I voted for them.

Drachen Theaker wrote:

The Nice were more variable in quality but I find them far more aggressive and exciting than the Moody Blues. Don't dislike the MBs though.

Richard - I don't agree that the Moodies were better musicians. Lee Jackson was a great bass player (listen to his amazing bass line on Rondo - he tried to teach it to Greg Lake who could never master it).

Brian Davison was also no mug on the drums - does some excellent work on the Ars Longa album and also with Refugee.

The Moodies were certanly superior in the vocal department though.

For Brian Davison at his peak I recommend Refugee (1974) ..certainly no mug as you say.I felt that the Nice lost their opportunity to be a great band when O'List (the original guitarist) left. As a four peice band they made serious waves.As a three peice their music was behind what ELP later achieved (IMO). Although Greg Lake had problems with Rondo I doubt that Lee Jackson could have coped with the intracisies of say Pictures At An Exhibition. Jackson was a solid bass player who could create interesting riffs as well as any... his bass riff on Five Bridges (Part 2) especially always gives me goosebumps!

Edited by richardh - February 15 2007 at 03:02

Speaking of Refugee I read on AN Other prog site there is a live album coming out shortly recorded at Newcastle City Hall 1974.

It features a version of the Nice's Cry of Eugene plus most of the Refugee album material. This is definitely on my to buy list (I just hope the sound quality is okay).

"It's 1973, almost dinnertime and I'm 'aving 'oops!" - Gene Hunt

Poll Question: Wich band do you prefer?
Poll Choice	Votes	Poll Statistics
The Nice	19	[43.18%]
The Moody Blues	25	[56.82%]
This topic is closed, no new votes accepted