| "America"
(Bernstein and Sondheim; Emerilist-Davjack; Chappell &
Co. Ltd.) |
| Chart 10 July 1968;
UK #21 |
| The Nice: Keith Emerson
(keyboards), David O'List? (guitar), Guitar Lee Jackson (bass), Brian
Davidson (drums). |
| Produced by Emerlist
Davjack. |
| The Nice. 1968. Ars
Longa Vita Brevis. London: Immediate Records. [IMSP 020] |
|
| Given the political
and social upheavals in the world, and notably in the United States with
the assassinations of both Bobby Kennedy and Martin Luther King, the adaptation
of Leonard Bernstein's "America" from West Side Story was almost
a natural selection for Keith Emerson. Bernstein's original song is one
of praise by Puerto Rican immigrants. Emerson complement's this music
with quotations from Dvorak's New World Symphony. The Czech composer
drew upon American religious and folk songs for melodic material in his
praise of the new world. Now, Emerson and friends twist the intent of
original celebratory material towards the ironic. (NB: Decca had asked the Moody Blues the previous year to record a rock version of the New World Symphony.) |
| Section |
|
Meas. |
Description |
| Introduction |
A |
|
Quotation
from Dvorak's New World Symphony over the sounds of shouts, screams,
and "gun shots." |
| - |
B |
- |
Rhythmic
ostinato accompaniment for Bernstein's theme |
| Theme
1 |
- |
- |
Organ
plays principal "America" theme: A A B A A |
| Bridge |
- |
- |
Guitar:
extension of "America" rhythmic accompaniment |
| Theme
2 |
- |
- |
Organ:
Second theme from Dvorak's New World Symphony |
| Bridge |
- |
- |
Organ:
transition from exposition section to improvisatory development |
| Development |
Part 1 |
|
Extended
guitar improvisation over "America" ostinato |
| |
Part 2 |
|
Extended
organ improvisation over "America" ostinato with chromatic ascent |
| Introduction |
- |
- |
"America"
rhythmic ostinato |
| Theme
1 |
- |
- |
Organ:
A A B A A |
| Bridge |
- |
- |
Descending transition |
| Theme 2 |
- |
- |
Second Dvorak theme |
| Coda |
- |
- |
Child's voice over drum roll. |