The Immediate Years by The Nice: A Retro Trip Worth Taking
Let’s get real for a sec—when you stumble across an album like The Immediate Years by The Nice, it's kinda like finding a dusty vinyl in your grandpa's attic. Released in 1987 but packed with reworked gems from their earlier days, this record feels more like a time capsule than just another compilation. With genres spanning Rock, Prog-Rock, Psychedelia, and even some British Garage vibes, there’s something here that’ll stick to your brain long after the needle lifts off.
One track I can’t stop thinking about is "Rondo (69)". Man, this one hits hard. It’s got Keith Emerson on keys doing what he does best—making every note sound like it might explode into chaos at any moment. The song takes classical influences (shoutout to Dave Brubeck) and throws them into a blender with psychedelic rock. What comes out is wild, unpredictable, and oddly satisfying. There are moments where the music feels almost too big for its own good, like it’s trying to break free of the speakers. That tension? Incredible. If you’re into instrumental freakouts paired with tight musicianship, this one’s gonna grab ya by the collar.
Then there’s "Daddy, Where Did I Come From?", which... well, let’s just say it doesn’t pull punches. This isn’t your typical soft-focus ballad—it’s raw, maybe a little awkward, but totally memorable. Lee Jackson’s vocals have this gritty edge that makes you feel like he’s sitting right next to you, spilling his guts. And the lyrics? They’re as direct as they come, tackling themes most bands would shy away from. You won’t forget it anytime soon—not because it’s perfect, but because it’s so damn honest.
What really stands out about The Immediate Years is how it balances nostalgia with innovation. Yeah, these tracks were recorded years before the release date, but they still feel fresh thanks to remixes and remastering by Peter Rynston. Listening to this album is like revisiting old memories through new eyes. Sometimes it works beautifully; other times, it’s messy—but hey, life’s messy too, right?
Here’s the kicker: While digging through all these songs, I realized how much work went into piecing this thing together. Credit goes to Lee Jackson not only for producing but also holding down bass and vocals throughout. And props to Brian Davison’s killer drumming—it keeps everything grounded when things threaten to spiral out of control.
So yeah, if you’re a fan of prog-rock or psychedelia, give The Immediate Years a spin. Just don’t expect perfection. Instead, expect weirdness, brilliance, and a whole lot of heart. Oh, and here’s a random thought to leave you with: Why do we always assume “classic” means flawless? Maybe flaws are what make art worth remembering.
Tracks 1-1 to 2-4 recorded at Olympic Studios, London, Autumn 1967.
Tracks 3-3 to 3-6 recorded at Trident Studios, London, 1969.
Tracks 3-7 & 3-8 recorded at Fillmore East, San Francisco, CA, April 9-10, 1969.
Tracks 1-1 to 1-8 : " The Thoughts Of Emerlist Davjack " originally released in 1967.
Tracks 2-8 to 2-11, 3-1 to 3-2.6 : " Ars Longa Vita Brevis " originally released in 1968.
Tracks 3-3 to 3-8 : " Nice " originally released in 1969.
The box contains the complete output of The Nice on the Immediate label, including rare single B-sides and the previously unreleased demo of " Brandenburger ".
Includes 32page booklet with tracklisting, bandhistory, photos.
Barcodes
Barcode: 3229260007292
Barcode: 4 017692 261721
Label Code: LC8477
About The Nice
One of the first art-rock bands to experiment with classical forms and fusion, the Nice was an early vehicle for the talents of keyboard virtuoso Keith Emerson, who plundered Mozart, Bach, Sibelius, and Tchaikovsky for his extended rock instrumental forays. The group began as the backing band for British soul singer P.P. Arnold and also featured guitarist David O'List, drummer Ian Hague, and bassist Lee Jackson. In September 1967, only four months after formation, the group split from Arnold, replaced Hague with former Mark Leeman Five drummer Brian "Blinky" Davison, and released a single called "The Thoughts of Emerlist Davjack," which became the title track of their 1968 debut album. The Nice quickly built a reputation as an exciting, theatrical live band thanks to Emerson, who dressed in silver lame, hurled knives into his Hammond organ to produce strange sounds, and mimed masturbation onstage. Emerson's antics spawned controversy with an adaptation of Leonard Bernstein's West Side Story song "America." The Nice performed it at the Royal Albert Hall while trying to burn a replica of an American flag, and Bernstein subsequently attempted to stop the song's release in the U.S., although it was released in edited form on the U.S. release of their second album Ars Longa Vita Brevis.
Emerson had emerged as the star of the group, both in terms of instrumental skill and showmanship, O'List, who had become erratic and unreliable had departed the group before the release of Ars Longa Vita Brevis to join the Misunderstood and subsequently Roxy Music. The reduction of the Nice to a trio allowed the band to further explore fusing rock with jazz and classical music, most notably with an adaptation of Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No 3 titled "Acceptance Brandenburger".
Nice and Five Bridges became big hit albums in Britain, but the group never broke through in America. In 1969, Emerson met Greg Lake, then with King Crimson, on a U.S. tour, and broke up the Nice in frustration in 1970 due to its lack of success. He, Lake, and drummer Carl Palmer formed the much more popular Emerson, Lake and Palmer, which expanded on Emerson's innovations with the Nice. After the Nice, Lee Jackson formed Jackson Heights which recorded four albums between 1970-1973 and Brian Davison formed the short lived band Every Which Way and was in a mid 70's line up of Gong. Davison and Jackson formed Refugee with keyboardist Patrick Moraz, this was however short lived as the group disbanded after Moraz was invited to replace Rick Wakeman in Yes. In 2002 and 2003 Emerson, Jackson and Davison reunited for a one off Nice tour in the UK.
Here’s a cool fact: The album *The Immediate Years* by The Nice is like a time capsule of rock experimentation. Released in 1987, it features tracks that blend genres like Prog-Rock, Psychedelic Rock, and even British Psychedelia. One standout detail? It includes both original versions and remixes of songs like "Bonnie K" and "Tantalising Maggie," giving fans a chance to hear how the band evolved their sound over time. Plus, with Keith Emerson on keyboards, you know the musicianship is next-level. Fun bonus: some tracks were remastered by Peter Rynston, adding a fresh layer of clarity to these classic tunes.
