Ars Longa Vita Brevis (album)

Infobox Album |
Name = Ars Longa Vita Brevis
Type = Album
Artist = The Nice


Released = November 1968
Recorded =
Genre = Progressive rock
Length = 46:11
Label = (Original) UK Immediate IMSP020
*US Immediate Z12 52020 (1968)
*UK Castle Communications (ESM 646) (1998)
*US Repertoire REP 4289-WY (1992)
Producer = The Nice
Reviews =
*Allmusic Rating|4|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&token=&sql=10:cefibkj96akn link] |
Last album = "The Thoughts of Emerlist Davjack" (1967)
This album = "Ars Longa Vita Brevis" (1968)
Next album = "Nice" (1969)

"Ars Longa Vita Brevis" is the second album by the English progressive rock group The Nice.
Guitarist David O'List left the band during the recording of the album, leaving the remaining three members to complete it. After flirting briefly with replacement guitarists (including Steve Howe, later to join Yes), The Nice decided to carry on as a keyboard-led trio. For a discussion of meanings of the title, see the article here: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ars_longa_vita_brevis] . Keith Emerson's interpretation of this can be gauged from his sleevenote:

Newton's first law of motion states a body will remain at rest or continue with uniform motion in a straight line unless acted on by a force. This time the force happened to come from a European source. Ours is an extension of the original Allegro from Brandenburg Concerto No. 3. Yesterday I met someone who changed my life, today we put down a sound that made our aim accurate. Tomorrow is yesterday's history and art will still be there, even if life terminates.

Structurally the album started where its predecessor left off- shortish songs and extended work-outs based on classical themes- but a step forward was taken with the addition of an orchestra and the extended length of "Ars Longa Vita Brevis" itself, forshadowing the later Five Bridges Suite.

The US release of the album added "America" which was originally a single in the UK.

Track listing (Original Release)

#Daddy, Where Did I Come From (Emerson/Lee Jackson) (3:43)
#Little Arabella (Emerson/Lee Jackson) (4:17)
#Happy Freuds (Emerson/Lee Jackson) (3:27)
#Intermezzo from the Karelia Suite (Sibelius) (8:57)
#Don Edito el Gruva (Jackson/Emerson/Davison) (0:13)
#Ars Longa Vita Brevis: (19:20):*Prelude (Emerson):*1st Movement - Awakening (Davison):*2nd Movement - Realisation (Jackson/O'List/Emerson)

::"Ars Longa Vita Brevis"::"Life is too short to paint a kiss"::"So sing a picture, paint a song"::"Take it home and bang your gong"::"Life is an ill cast comedy for fools."::"Ars Longa Vita Brevis"::"A caption to a life of bliss"::"A rose too beautiful to see"::"Jumped off the bush to speak to me"::"Of life that's an ill cast comedy for fools"

:*3rd Movement - Acceptance "Brandenburger" (Jackson/Emerson/Davison):*4th Movement - Denial (Jackson/Emerson/Davison):*Coda - Extension to the Big Note (Jackson/Emerson/Davison)

Bonus Tracks on the 1998 Rerelease:
*Daddy, Where Did I Come From (Mono single mix)
*Happy Freuds (Mono single mix)

Personnel

*Keith Emerson - keyboards
*Lee Jackson - Bass Guitar
*Brian Davison - drums
*Robert Stewart - Orchestral Arranger/Conductor
*Don Brewer - Engineer/Consultant
*Gered Mankowitz - Cover Photograph & X-Rays of The Nice [Although it is clear from examination of the cover that the three x-rays are identical]

References