THE SIX WIVES OF HENRY VIII

Without question this is Rick Wakeman's best album. He has a great group of guests helping him out here including the membes of YES minus Jon Anderson. Rick puts on an amazing display here on a variety of keyboards.The topic is of course Henry VIII's six wives. He recorded this while he was still with YES.

"Catherine Of Aragon" opens with piano and drums standing out before we get some added organ. Nice bass from Squire early on. He and Howe appear on this track only. I like when it settles a minute in until the vocal melodies arrive 2 minutes in. More piano later. "Anne Of Cleves" is more dynamic and uptempo. Alan White is active on the kit. Church organ 5 minutes in dominates everything briefly then it kicks back in.

"Catherine Howard" is slower paced with piano early but then it picks up.Contrasts continue. Some crazy synths and mellotron too. "Jane Seymore" is very Classical sounding with harpsichord too. Church organ and synths follow. Not a fan. "Anne Boleyn" opens with relaxed piano melodies then it kicks in with some good piano and synths runs. Mellotron later. "Catherine Parr" opens with drums, bass, organ and a more Rock flavour. Rick then lets it rip on the keyboards. Love the mellotron 2 1/2 minutes in as it settles. The tempo continues to change.

Man if your into keyboard dominated music check this out. 3.5 stars.