THE SIX WIVES OF HENRY VIII - LIVE AT HAMPTON COURT PALACE

A great idea, perfect scenes and a fitting execution. This is a feast for ears and eyes, seeing pompous scenery outside with church organ on top of stairs, special place for grand piano and a myriad of keyboards for two persons, big orchestra and choir. Certainly one of the most pompous concerts of the new millenium.

Wenn you see 40+ instruments, you know get a bit of everything with keyboards and drums being the most audible. All well rehearsed and the sounds of the debut album painstakingly reproduced with a bit different live versions in particular because of orchestra. For a prog-rock fan, this will be a con since keyboards are not as in the foreground as in the studio version. For fans of concepts, history and classical music, it's an advantage since the sound is more balanced and the choir makes the spirit even more solemn. For me, the most memorable and solemn piece is "Jane Seymour" with church organ, really well executed and blood is chilling in my veins. Bonus tracks that didn't appear on the original album are not distracting and complement the experience. The only distracting element is the narrative which is only necessary to see once.

Recommended to all fans of pompous music and Rick Wakeman.