Rick Wakeman: The Caped Crusader of Prog

  Classic Tracks (1993) - Three classic tracks (and one not so well known track) are given a 90's reworking, and very good it is too, despite what Rick says about the album below.

 

 

"I despise this album in every respect. The master tapes of the back tracks were taken to America and appalling vocals put on them without my approval. The final result was also then sold without my approval and without my receiving a penny. The master tapes were never even returned to me. the album is a disgrace."

 

 

"If you buy it, don't expect me ever to autograph it."

 

Journey to the Centre of the Earth (video courtesy of Rick Wakeman) - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LsVnF3oaog1CqYWqqh3oGqB

 

 

Review by Topper Fralick on 22nd February 2002:-

 

"This album should be on everyone's want list! Instead of just rehashing songs for another compilation, Rick has rearranged and expanded the tracks to give them new life! 'Journey To The Center Of The Earth' is performed without narration and orchestration, giving space for inspired performance from Rick and the band. 'Catherine Howard' has been extended, allowing some interesting changes from the original version. 'Merlin The Magician' is fun! The new vocal and band arrangement really is ,well, magical! The sound of the recording is excellent as well. Bravo!!"

 

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  The Classical Connection 2 (1993) - More classical piano keyboard wizardry.

 

 

"After going out yet again on tour with a second Classical Connection line up, it was deemed necessary to have another release to coincide with such an event and so Classical Connection II was born which was half live and half studio, which always made it an unsatisfactory compromise as far as I was concerned."

 

 

"If you've already got Classical Connection in your collection, then I suppose it makes sense to have Classical Connection II as well."

 

Opus 1 (video courtesy of Victor Alfaro) - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LuwZLc3Z0_FVrsBx5S4bfI2

 

 

Review by Julia Harries on 11th November 2000:-

 

"This recording contains a selection of Rick Wakeman's compositions and two of his best covers, all performed in a classical style. "Eleanor Rigby" has been arranged by Wakeman in the style of his favourite composer Prokofiev and gives the listener not only a virtuoso performance by the maestro but also a brilliant accompaniment by David Paton on guitar. It's as close to a duet as you can get. The wonderfully gentle "Birdman of Alcatraz" has been rearranged from the now unavailable "Criminal Record". "Summertime" by Gershwin is another triumph of interpretation and is a perfect lazy Summer Sunday afternoon track. "Farandol" was recorded in 1971 during the recording sessions for Wakeman's first solo album "The Six Wives of Henry VIII" and is special because it features Steve Howe on guitar, Chris Squire on bass and Alan White on drums. It's only short but it's a real fun piece. All the tracks are good but one other that stands out for me is "Art and Soul". It's a piano piece with digital orchestral accompaniment, which is just brilliant."

 

Here's a "Special" New Year's message from Rick's Plaice, which is especially very "Special." 

 

  The Heritage Suite (1993) - Rick returns with some gently lilting piano ballads.

 

 

"The first solo piano album that I can truly say I was happy with. I was pleased with the playing, pleased with the writing and pleased with the way the music depicted the subject matter. The whole package, including the cover and booklet was very pleasing for me."

 

 

"If you like piano music in a 19th century classical style then this is for you."

 

 

 

Review by Ron Grech on 26th December 2009:-

 

"Surely this is the antidote for those who are wary of wandering through a minefield of Wakeman’s lesser-known works – particularly for listeners who have had issues with certain vocalists or cheesy-sounding keyboards. In this instance, Rick performs alone on piano, all instrumental, all original works. Rest assured, this is not sleepy music. The tempo is varied. The playing at times beautiful and restrained, other times deft and aggressive – providing the full range one expects to hear on a good Rick Wakeman album. This is an album that should be spoken of in the same breath as Six Wives of Henry VIII, Journey To The Centre of the Earth and Criminal Record – ranking among his best."

 

I tend to choose the most positive reviews and those that best reflect my own enthusiastic views on Rick's albums.

If you go to the top of Page 1 on this thread, you can see how I've rated all of Rick Wakeman's albums so far, which reminds me, I need to add on the ratings for today's albums. 

 

I've only counted seven 5-star ratings out of the 46 Rick Wakeman albums listened to so far, so I don't think I've gone overboard with praise.

   Prayers (1993) - A beautiful album of spiritual devotion. Thank Heaven for Rick Wakeman!  

 

 

"A second album for ASSIST and again one that suffered from an appallingly low budget and I really am ashamed of letting this album appear as no better that a bunch of good songs in demo form. The songs are good, the playing is poor. Chrissie Hammond's vocals are the only saving grace. Only 5,000 copies were ever meant to be pressed and I know it was all for a good cause but I have learned now to produce no more sub standard productions."

 

 

"Ignore this one and buy Can You Hear Me which was a much better recording and remix of the better tracks from this album."

 

The Answer (video courtesy of Rick Wakeman) - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LuKDc4fZAh4zRqMbmt_Ywmn

 

 

 

Review by Jon Hinchliffe on 9th August 1997:-

 

"I was initially not too sure about buying this disc but I am glad I did it contains some great songs. Hymn of Hope has had its arrangement added to and now makes the Softsword version seem under worked. "I Can Hear You" is one of my all time favourite tracks it is an absolute Gem. The album contains readings by various people and I have to admit that I would normally program them out. Although the Devotion track is very thought provoking. A person purely interested in the songs should get the reworked versions on Can you Hear me? But I would recommend this to completionists and the moog solo on "I Can Hear You" is at its full splendour on this."

One of the best tracks from Rick's entire career lurks quietly on this one. Let's change that!

"Recorded at Nottingham Studios for Central Television. It was good fun at the time. Says it all really!!!"

"Well there are other live performances I would rather have in my collection to be honest."

Catherine Parr (video courtesy of Tony Mort) - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LsjuWHjXiQZSzEQveaOSEvC

Review by Matt Wharton on 4th July 2002:-