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The Nice - The Immediate Collection CD (album) cover

THE IMMEDIATE COLLECTION

The Nice

 

Symphonic Prog

3.55 | 4 ratings

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Easy Livin
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator / Retired Admin
3 stars A Nice compilation

The untimely demise of the Immediate record label led to the artists who were signed to them losing control of their catalogues. The situation was further complicated in the case of the Nice by the fact that the band had long since split up, with one Keith Emerson going on to form a third of a successful prog combo. In an effort to make as much money as possible for the labels creditors, the administrators sold the rights to the band catalogue of bands such as the Nice far and wide. This has resulted in many compilations of material by the Nice becoming available. Given that they only released three studio albums during their brief existence, this in turn has led to many of the compilations offering essentially the same material. Only a handful of such compilations are currently listed on this site.

What makes this particular compilation more worthwhile than virtually all the others is that is contains their three studio albums pretty much in their entirety. Also thrown in are a handful of single A and B sides, some alternate versions, and a demo of the "Brandenburger" interpretation which appeared on "Ars Longa..". I say "pretty much in their entirely", as some of the extra tracks here replace the original album versions of the songs rather than supplement them. This is a pity, as space is in fact available to include more than one version of some tracks. On the downside, the quality control takes a nosedive with the omission of the final track on "The Nice" album, "She belongs to me". This track is listed as being included according to the sleeve notes, but in an unforgivable lapse of attention to detail, does not actually feature.

That is the only grumble though, as the presentation is pretty good, with a detailed biography of the band's career by the improbably named Hugh G. Rection.

Given the rather patchy nature of the Nice's output, this is probably the best way to acquire most of their essential tracks. All that is needed to complete the picture is the "Five bridges" live album.

Easy Livin | 3/5 |

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