THE SIX WIVES OF HENRY VIII

The second solo album from Rick Wakeman is arguably his most recognizable work to date and also one of the most important releases of his entire discography as 'The Six Wives of Henry VIII' has cemented itself as one of the pivotal instrumental progressive rock albums of the 1970s. Undoubtedly this is an impressive offering from one of the best keyboard players of the UK - instrumental prog with strong classical influences might not always sound overly appealing, but Wakeman's flamboyant and expansive way of writing and presenting his ideas is the driving force behind this concept album's sonic cavalcade, with plenty of memorable moments. The ex-Yes keyboard maestro showcases his arsenal of keyboards and synths on this tight but dense album, alongside a cast of collaborators, many of which are coming from Yes and the Strawbs. Furthermore, this being a historically-inspired album, it is an ingenious retelling of the life stories of the features characters, and this necessarily renders the album an important part of the progressive rock movement.

Opening track 'Catherine of Aragon' is a more "traditional" and straightforward piece, much in the vein of Yes' music. 'Anne of Cleves', on the other hand, is quite an energetic and technical prog-pomp instrumental with a touch of baroque music; this might also be the funkiest song on the album. 'Catherine Howard' has a more electronic-driven sound with a more prominent use of the Mellotron, while 'Jane Seymour', the first track from the second side, features a haunting organ sound that provides for a sinister atmosphere - perhaps a brilliant reflection upon the tragic life story of the song's heroine. 'Anne Boleyn' then comes to be the perfect marriage between Wakeman's classic background and the epic nature of his unhinged prog explorations, a tremendous instrumental. Finally, 'Catherine Parr' features a plethora of keyboard sounds, and this is a dense track that attempts to finish off the album on a high note. 'The Six Wives' is essential Rick Wakeman and offers some of the caped keyboard wizard's finest early moments.

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