Tony Banks or Rick Wakeman

I love the Genesis early period a lot more than I do the Yes earlier period (except for the Relayer album which is up there with the best - and Wakeman wasn't involved with Relayer). Looking at both artists I have to go with Rick Wakeman and my resoning for that is comparrison between Banks and Wakeman solo efforts. Banks never did anything like the Journey to the Centre of the Earth album or anything that could compare to any of the early Wakeman albums in scope or in ability. I also wonder how much of what Banks is credited with in Genesis inspiration wise came from him as opposed to how much came from the other Genesis members - looking at his solo albums which are uninspired for the main part I can guess at the answer to that. I also wonder, after watching a large number of interviews of the Genesis band members, who was ultimately responsible for the direction which Genesis took with their later output - many "blame" Collins for what happened however I think that Banks was the "culprit" and not Collins. I lay the demise of the old, loved, sound of Genesis when they changed direction fully on Banks's doorstep as I also lay the "blame" for the departure of Gabriel and then Hackett.

The.Crimson.King wrote: richardh wrote: Live performance - Banks nails it every time but rarely varies from pre-rehearsed solos. Could phone in his performance most of the time. Wakeman is prepared to improvise much like Emerson. Good point.  Banks is my favourite lead synthesizer player.  Emo & Wakeman could improvise circles around him but Banks' solos are well thought out mini-compositions.  The best example I've found is the synth solo from "In The Cage".  I learned to play it along with the backing organ chords a few months ago and it's a master class in how to build a solo melody on top of a harmonic background.  Genius.

Rick Wakeman was a favorite of mine for some time but I really keep discovering how much I've overrated him... He is a great player and sometimes even a good composer (I love the "Arthur" album) and of course his playing on my all-time favorite album Tales from Topographic Oceans is beyond stunning. Still I can't help how easy he was replaced by Patrick Moraz for me, he really wasn't that essential for the Yes sound as it seemed while he was in the band. 

Rick is funnier

Hey, we need to post this poll over at Yesworld....

I should have written something about fanboys on another thread 

Personally, I can't stand most of Wakeman's solo albums; they are often quite cheesy and he can't select a good vocalist to save his life(IMO)!!

Neo-Romantic wrote: I've never been too keen on Wakeman. Patrick Moraz is my favorite Yes keyboardist. Only took one album for him to effectively displace Wakeman in my book.

Banks.

This is very close for me, since I enjoy both of them a lot. Quite different styles, but excellent overall, so it's quite hard to make a choice. No vote.