THE SIX WIVES OF HENRY VIII

"The Six Wives Of Henry VII" is an instrumental with chorus concept album based on the personal interpretations of musical characters of the wives of Henry VIII, is one of the 70's evergreen in music and one of the more balanced albums between virtuosity and melody. In my opinion "The Six Wives Of Henry VIII" is one of the best album by solo Prog artist and of Rock.

The music is strange combination of virtuosisms and melody because Rick managed to replace the vocals with his keyboards and because he wrote songs that are, primarly, Rock songs, without superstructures and with simply arrangements. clear that the linearity of POP Rock melodies should not clash with the virtuoso parts. The final result is a music that have great powerand magic. The sound of keyboards is simply and there is no search for new and particular sounds. "Annes Of Cleves" is a savage song, Rock and intricate but not difficult for a non Progsters or for a new Progsters, as "Catherine Howard" is a difficult song with various situatins that complicate the reading of the song. Also because this song is perfect for Yes but not proper a song for soloist, even Rick dominate the scene. Interestingthe alternating of joyful and majestic parts with the mellotron to the refrain, backed by acoustic guitar. Also a mellotron solo final is great. A personal view of Bach (Hmmm... Not a new idea on Prog) is the base of Jane Seymour (great the organ... A church organ!!!). Probably only "Catherine of Aragon" not conquest my mind.

A great album of Prog, not Symphonic or Eclectic, only Prog. Because this album represent the summary of Eclectic Symphonic Prog in 1973. And in definitive "The Six Wives Of Henry VIII" is an evergreen of 70's way of Rock!!!