Keith Emerson and The Nice

Artist: Keith Emerson and The Nice
Title: Vivacitas-Live At Glasgow 2002 (3 CDs)
Genre: Progressive Rock
Label: Sanctuary Records-http://www.sanctuaryrecordsgroup.com
Website: http://www.keithemerson.com

Rejoice progressive rock fans! The Nice has returned. Well, in a sense they have, now introduced as Keith Emerson and The Nice, which is no surprise considering what the keyboardist has accomplished since the bands inception.

I remember visiting my brother in Boston when I was 16 and checking out his album collection and finding a red vinyl LP of The Nice. At that time, I did not have clue, if I only knew then what I knew now.

Well it seems like it is never too late, with bands reforming for one last show, or CD and DVDs coming out and even better, reissues. There is a multitude of ways to relive the past in music now. Vivacitas-Live At Glasgow 2002 is one of those special events captured for those to relive their past or for the uninitiated to discover who some of the pioneers of prog-rock were.

What makes this set so enjoyable is the fact that you get select tracks from the catalogs of The Nice and ELP, what more can you ask for? An interview disc? Well, you get that too; the only thing that is missing now is the DVD so maybe that is next?

With the exception of the worn out vocals of Lee Jackson, who sounds like he has been on a diet of Camel straights and JD for many years, this is an outstanding performance. Emerson is brilliant, particularly on the 21-minute expos