The Nice - VIvacitas Live in Glasgow

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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.

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rhinn Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Newbie Joined: March 26 2008 Status: Offline Points: 32	Topic: The Nice - VIvacitas Live in Glasgow Posted: May 25 2008 at 20:53
	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.

Walker Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: May 20 2005 Location: Atlanta Status: Offline Points: 824	Posted: May 25 2008 at 21:57
	I don't know what you are seeing in that review, but it doesn't seem "poor" to me. He actually sounds rather enthusiastic about it. After all.. in the end he says it is a worthwhile experience. As far as the two musicians who "replace" Greg and Carl... all he says is that they took their roles for a few ELP songs. What else do you want from the guy? Edited by Walker - May 25 2008 at 22:00

ClassicRocker Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: March 02 2007 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 894	Posted: May 26 2008 at 11:44
	I agree with you, Walker - there's really nothing wrong with the review at all, and whoever reviewed the album didn't treat it as a joke whatsoever! Sorry rhinn, but your criticisms of this review fall flat if you actually go back and re-read the review carefully. To explicitly address some of your complaints: - The reviewer says "Jackson's distinctive tones have altered little over the years" - The reviewer never stated that Williams and Riley *replace* Lake and Palmer. Instead he says they "take on the roles of Lake and Palmer". He actually is saying that they are only different musicians. - "A Karaoke version indeed!" is obviously meant to be humorous. And the reviewer really didn't "miss the point" at all, and actually seems well informed as to who was playing at the concert , what they were playing, how they were playing it, and in what order. - His conclusion states that it is an exercise in nostalgia obviously because the band hadn't played for 32 years! Additionally, the album really only appeals to someone who enjoyed the band back then... possibly being a source of some gasp nostalgia for them! - FINALLY, people listen to and review live albums because they never had the opportunity to go to that exact concert... I'm assuming that you made that last statement for effect, and not literally (but we all know what assuming does.) Anyways, hopefully a different perspective benefited you. Edited by ClassicRocker - May 26 2008 at 12:01