Just read a particularly poor reveiw of this ablum on another site, basically treating it as a bit of a joke, with no real insight into the concert. It was obviously reviewed by a deaf man, as the concert which was recorded, bears no real similarity to the person who reviewed it.
I was at the concert recorded in Glasgow, and while it was filled with various anecdotes, the music was first class, although Jackson still cannae sing. Emerson still had the old magic
First and major slur is that Ohil Williams and Pete Riley replace Lake and Palmer, what a wally, there is no such replacemets, only different musicians.
Then he insults Tarkus by saying it is a karaoke version, does this person even have a brain cell? He obviously missed the point, this i snot ELP, this is a very good band doing something fresh to a stonking song.
The reviewer finally relents through his guff, and states that it is an exercise in nostalgia.....wow, i hope he doesn't get paid for his reviews? Whatever next Tangerine Dream use new technology to tart up old songs?
Here is the full ridiculous review...........next time go to the concert.
After over three decades, Nice reformed in 2002 for a series of live concerts. David O'List, the original guitarist, did not take part, and he was replaced by Dave Kilminster. A 3-CD set "Vivacitas" was released from the shows.
Disc one here covers the first half of the performance, which is dedicated to reviving songs which originally appeared on albums by that band. As Lee Jackson says after the opening run through "America" and "Rondo" plus sundry other familiar melodies, not bad for a 32 year gap. Jackson's distinctive tones have altered little over the years, his signing on a rather subdued "Little Arabella" being as throaty and distinctive as ever. The wonderful "Hang On to a Dream" sounds as fresh as it ever did, this rendition including a soft shuffling jazz interlude. The version of "The Karelia Suite" here sounds a little too like one of those awful tributes with Emerson simply rattling out the melody on a prosaic sounding synth. It certainly lacks the majesty and power of the Five Bridge version.
Disc two sees the Nice departing the stage, and Emerson returning to perform a couple of tracks taken from his solo albums, alone on piano. He is then rejoined by a Dave Kilmister and two new musicians. Phil Williams and Pete Riley take on the roles of Lake and Palmer for a run through of four ELP favourites, including a complete rendition of Tarkus. Listening to this version for the first time is rather disconcerting as there are initially no vocals, the vocals refrains being replaced by the lead guitar of Kilmister (a Karaoke version indeed!). Vocals do eventually appear for the Battlefield section which includes the diversion into an extract from King Crimson's Epitaph that first appeared on the "Welcome back my friends" album.
Jackson and Davidson actually return to the stage for a spirited run through of "Fanfare" for the common man. Here we have an enjoyable duel between Emerson on keyboards and Kilmister on guitar, even if it does at times seem like something of a battle!
The title of the third disc (Interview with Chris Welch) is misleading. It is in fact Chris Welch interviewing the three members of the Nice involved in the reunion gig. The guys spend over 20 minutes reminiscing and swapping anecdotes about their time together.
Vivicacas is first and foremost an exercise in nostalgia. For those who have enjoyed the music of the Nice and ELP in the past, this is through a worthwhile experience.