THE 3 AGES OF MAGICK

You would think it unfair to compare keyboardist Oliver Wakeman to his more famous father, but there's practically no way to avoid doing so. Even had Oliver had another name and no familial connection to the old Strawbs and Yes keysman, there's one specific composer and player that is evoked by most of the tracks here; the gold cape-wearer of yore.

Some might consider such a comparison a compliment, but let me assure you that I don't mean is as such. Wakeman the elder has always been a very weak composer, turning in all his best work as a session musician or fairly reigned-in band member.

And Oliver's compositions are incredibly similar to his dad's; as ingratiating as a Howard Shore soundtrack and as inconsequential as New Age meditation music. There isn't a single note here that goes beyond the obvious and treacly, with romantic schmaltz fairly dripping off the keyboard flourishes amid the candyfloss of poorly synthesized bombast and pomp.

The record is credited to Oliver Wakeman and Steve Howe, and Howe does pop in here and there, either to entirely inconsequential effect or as a rather incongruous presence. I suspect that the former comes from him playing to Wakeman's specifications and the latter from when he's been allowed some room to improvise. Overall Howe is surprisingly subduded throughout (with the exception of some fine layered work on the album closer Hy Breasail) and there are very few unmistakably Hovian moments.

There's no doubt that Oliver Wakeman is a skilled player who could probably turn in some really good performances in the right context, but unfortunately, he's inherited his father's tin ear for keyboard sounds and his one-dimensional pseudo-classical composing style.

This album would seem to appeal mostly to die-hard Rick Wakeman fans - most of which probably have at least half of his 96 or so solo albums, making this release somewhat superflous. However, anyone who felt the way I did about Return to the Center of the Earth (somewhere between tears and racuous laughter) should probably give The 3 Ages of Magick a wide berth.

I believe that only because of the name Wakeman, we should not compare than both, they lived in an diferent time, and the work of Oliver Wakeman is so good as many of the progressive rock at his time... I believe too that this album is much better than the 80's Yes albuns. Steve Howe show's that he is still a fine composer, specialy in the classical guitars tracks. I recomend this album to all of those who like of a verry good record album with some fines smoths of the synth and the guitar...

This is a very good album, the combination between Oliver and Steve are excelent, I can see how Oliver takes the Rick's heritage but with his own style. is a serious work and worty to have. The ejecution is perfect and the band work as if there were playing for long time togeter. This album remembers me the Steve Howe and Billy Currie Transportation.

Oliver seems to be more busy than his brother these days. In the next issue I will be reviewing his new album with Clive Nolan, but first here is an instrumental album that he has recorded with Steve Howe providing all of the guitar parts. I am indebted to Dave Wagstaffe (Landmarq etc) who plays drums on this album, as it was only through his contact that I knew that this album had even been released.

To have not heard this would have been a shame as there are some glorious 'songs' to be heard. Steve seems inspired and produces some of his finest guitar work for a long time. The music is very emotive and the keyboards drive along in songs such as "Mind Over Matter" that make one feel that vocals would be an unwanted distraction. When reading the booklet it transpires that Karl Groom mixed the album and Rob Aubrey mastered it which is why the sound is so good.

In fact, the only disappointing thing about the album (love the front cover) is that it was released on Resurgence, which is an imprint of Voiceprint. This album deserves to be heard, and many prog fans would snap this up if only they knew that it was available. A prog album that can be enjoyed at all levels, first time.

Originally appeared in Feedback #65, Dec 01

The recent re-release by Esoteric Recordings includes three previously unreleased tracks and lots of looking back at the time when the elder son of Rick Wakeman had made his solo debut and was friendly contacted by Steve Howe. The collaboration however didn't start immediately, and perhaps Howe's role in the end product was primarily one of a mentor and producer, and to a lesser portion one of a co-musician. At least I would have wanted to hear much more of his guitars. The arrangements are extremely keyboard-oriented.

I have no urge to compare Oliver to his famous father as I'm not a fan of the latter (I do appreciate his collaborations in YES, but his solo output is usually too overblown and pretentious to my taste), and furthermore this is the only album I've heard from Oliver this far, but why stubbornly avoid some inevitable comparisons either? Oliver's composing style is much softer, not quite as oriented to the showing off in the keyboard virtuosity - who would ever expect it to be either. The atmosphere often approaches New Age; nocturnal, slightly mysterious, deeply romantic and with the inevitable "Celtic" flavour. Yes, quite beautiful and pretty, but on the other hand a bit clichéd and toothless. As I only had the CD in loan, I chose the best tracks to keep, but frankly the number of them was a small minority, in the end. Back in the early nineties when I listened to a lot of New Age and such, I would have been much more impressed. Some more edge and richer arrangements, please!