RHAPSODIES

Yeah, I guess this was the beginning of Wakeman´s decline. I remember at the time it was released asking a friend who had bought this album what he thought of it. His answer was: "Rick Wakeman´s disco record!" Needless to say I was not interested anymore. But this assertive was not entirely true. Ok, some typical disco bass runs on a few tracks, but still not quite the sellout I found on so many other artists of the time. And yet this is hardly one fo Wakeman´s memorable works. Short instrumental tracks, a few covers and the general sensation that he just made it to fulfill some constractual obligation. In other words, no energy nor power. Not bad, nor sloppy. In fact some tunes are pretty nice (Big Ben and Seahorses are nice exemples). The cover of Summertime also shows his terrific technique on the piano.

But that is pretty much it. Rick seems to be trying to get a more accessible sound for the mainstream, hence the new synth sounds, maybe. Or he just got fed up with the whole scene. The production is good, the performances of all musicians are flawless, and he is still Wakeman. However, unlike all his previous albums, his songs here do not reflect his genius like any other before did. Only hints of his tremendous songwriting habilities are shown. And to deliver such uninspired moment through a double album... this is really his criminal record.

Conclusion: for the first time a Wakeman record did not made me feel like listening to it again. I had to force myself into repeating listenings to write a fair review. But really, with a few scattered exceptions, it only made me miss his previous, truly symphonic works. This one is surely for fans and collectors only. 2 stars.