TOP 1967 Psych THE NICE THOUGHTS OF DAVJACK Prog GEM

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51

  Not perfect BUT one of the BEST copies seen in a long while 

                      1967 ORIGINAL: 

                 THE  NICE

 THOUGHTS OF EMERLIST DAVJACK

\                                          USA - IMMEDIATE RECORDS - Z12 52 004

REALLY CLEAN ....Original 1967 first pressing vinyl on then Rolling Stones manager Andrew Oldham’s Immediate Records label...the first release from December 1967...the dark cover almost ALWAYS is found with shelf wear ...here's a minty clean survivor...

The Thoughts of Emerlist Davjack is considered one of the first albums from the progressive rock genre...

The name Emerlist Davjack is a pseudonym created by combining the last names of the four members of the group; Keith Emerson, David O'List, Brian Davison, and Lee Jackson.
The cover, photographed by Gered Mankowitz, shows members of the band apparently unclothed except for being wrapped in cellophane.

David O'List was the main vocalist and did all the backing vocais including the choir parts on America Keith did not sing and Lee could not do backing vocals. Lee was given the chance to sing his own lyrics but it got out of hand. David was the producer and arranger it was his sound design from the start and the only proper recording artist with production, writing, arranging and recording experience. Andrew Oldham gave him the job of producing it after Mick Jagger became too busy. Doing these unusual fusions was the only way into the charts and David O'List new this. He actually produced and arranged and co-wrote this entire album from scratch, the bare bones of Em and Jack songs would have been unreleasable and Andrew would not have given The Nice a contract had he not trusted David to produce them up to top twenty standard. David invented the name and the music it was his group. It's true, the Nice's debut was a psych record, an unmistakable classic of paisley-soaked Britpopsych-progressive and a perfect specimen of lava lamp excess. As well, the painful 'singing' of guitarist/arranger Dave O'List & bassist Lee Jackson is legend, as is Keith Emerson's spastic keyboard teeth-pulling. It's all there and something more is happening here, this is indeed the first rock album that convincingly infused true classical and jazz motifs with psychedelia/progressive-- not as a gimmick or with studio tricks and clever production, but with quality playing by musicians who had the background to support such ambitions. Remember, it was 1967, an amazing year for music; 'Sgt. Pepper's', 'Smiley Smile', 'Axis', 'Piper', 'Absolutely Free', all creating history as the world watched and this debut from a "pop band" was making its mark not on pop or psych, but on a new form of music that took from the best of what had come before while maintaining a rock spirit. And though King Crimson's landmark 'In the Court of the Crimson King' (1969) is seen as the first Prog album with all elements present, the Nice did it first and, in certain ways, did it better. Especially in those early days when Crimson wasn't much more than a new version of the neat but nerdy Giles,Giles&Fripp, just with better production and a good-looking singer. No, the Nice were the genuine article when the others were still staring at colors in the sky, and the proof is all there.

Fresh out of Gary Farr and the T-Bones, Keith Emerson and Lee Jackson had joined forces with a good drummer (Brian Davison) and an over-hyped guitarist (Davey O'List) to back singer P.P. Arnold. After a stint with Arnold, they intended to make a record that might appeal to the growing underground market. But because of the quality of musicianship, the session became much more. On the surface, opener 'Flower King of Flies' is an ordinary 60s romp, clangy and dusty. But Emerson's sophisticated changes and high-tech trills raise the bar, turning this into an early prog giant that still excites with high energy and a neat arrangement, echo chamber fun and Davison's marching drums. Sunny Beach Boys vocals and Beatles cliches flood the title cut but 'Bonnie K' saves the day with her fun, heavy bounce. In the classic 'Rondo' we hear some of the very earliest prog rock as we know it-- symphonic prowess, jazz spaces, gothic colors and rock'n roll bravado, seamlessly brought together for over eight straight minutes. No bluffs, no bullsh*t, just quality stuff with a little wit attached. 'War and Peace' doesn't do much more than dance around, though, and 'Tantalising Maggie' is more a joke than a song, saved by a great classical piano break from Keith, and 'Dawn' creeps open with dungeon noises and a smooth organ vamp enhanced by the skill and unexpected good taste of this group. This is progressive rock in its infancy, just starting to break away from its beginnings, walking upright and not looking back. The album concludes on the remarkable and sublime 'The Cry of Eugene' with church bells, beautiful organ and some squeaky horns.  Innocently wonderful album and full of the best intentions, the Nice were destined to fade away but the impact they made and contributions to the future of rock music was immeasurable, and we all owe them a debt of gratitude.

- Brian Davidson / drums, tympanis, tubular bells
- Keith Emerson / organ, harpsichord, piano, backing vocals
- Lee Jackson / lead vocals, bass, guitar, tympani
- David O'List / guitar, flute, trumpet, backing vocals

FLOWER KING OF FLIES

THOUGHTS OF EMERLIST DAVJACK

BONNIE K

RONDO

SIDE II

WAR AND PEACE

TANTALISING MAGGIE

DAWN

THE CRY OF EUGENE

CONDITION: The cover: The dark cover is top stiff and solid, the dark colors are usually well worn by now ...here a survivor, though there are some hairline scuffs, still a great collectible from 43 years ago at VG++ to "EX"(excellent) including the MINT back cover group photo ... no split seams, NO bends, no writing and 4 sharp corners

The vinyl: immaculate M- clean on both sides...including MINT Immediate Records labels ...what a nice upgrade or first time score...  

      A cool addition to anyone's music library!

SEE: SELLERS OTher items for similar cool sounds for "head" people...

EFFICIENT/CAREFUL GRADING

All imperfections are noted both cover & record