NO EARTHLY CONNECTION

The fact that this album is not available on CD (yet?) is one of the big tragedies in rock music! Together with King Arthur, this is Rick Wakeman's best album. And together with Chris Squire's Fish Out Of Water album the year before, this album is among the best solo albums by any Yes member. This is also one of Rick's most consistent albums. The vocalist is Ashley Holt for the whole album and he does a great job.

No Earthly Connection is also one of Rick's most progressive albums. However, the Music Reincarnate suite is a little bit too long and repetitive to be a masterpiece. But there is much to enjoy in it. Also, I think that this album would have benefited from more electric guitar. It is not exactly a hard rock album.

The Prisoner somehow reminds me of The Hangman And The Papist by the Strawbs (on which Rick played) partly because of the lyrics and partly because of the music.

Please release it on CD and restore it to dignity!

Highly recommended for Yes fans and absolutely essential for Wakeman fans.