RICK WAKEMAN'S GREATEST HITS

Don't be mislead by the title here, this double CD may include some of Wakeman's (and Yes') best know works, but these are not the original versions. It is in fact a "home made" re-recording by Wakeman alone (OK, with a drummer and a bass player), of a mixture of his solo works and those of Yes.

Disc two is all Wakeman compositions, and is dominated by "Journey to the centre of the earth" in full. No vocals or orchestra, just synthesisers. While entertaining, it does become somewhat tedious and lacking in variety the longer it goes on. By the end of disc one, your left gasping for something which sounds even slightly different.

Disc one is the same, but with Yes numbers rather than Wakeman. The best way to hear these is to listen to one track at a time, not he whole disc in one go. By doing so, numbers such as the extended "Starship trooper" spring into life as a highly enjoyable interpretation. This version is based more on the "Keys to ascension" version than the "Yes album" original, ending as it does with a quickening pace, and screaming synthesisers in the final "Wurm" section.

This release smacks a bit of being little more than a money making project, especially in view of the "economical with the truth" title. The tracks are best taken in small doses, not heard as a complete piece, but in that context, they do at times have considerable merit, especially the Yes pieces.

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