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Rick Wakeman: The Caped Crusader of Prog |
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Psychedelic Paul 
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 Posted: January 04 2021 at 07:36 |
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 Crimes of Passion (soundtrack) (1984) - An upbeat Pop/Rock album, and pretty good as soundtrack albums go.Rick's Perspective "A very messy soundtrack is all I can really say. Certainly there is some good playing and one or two really classy tracks, but once again, like all soundtracks it suffers from cohesion in order to satisfy all the parties concerned with the film." Rick's Verdict "If you like a bit of naughtiness in your films then get the DVD or video and if you don't then don't bother with the album either....unless of course you are a collector!" Review by Phillip Palmer on 26th January 2011:- "Although i am a die-hard Wakeman fan, this is one of my all time favorite albums. It brings back such great memories of me in my early 20'S. THANKS, Rick. U R the man in the cape!!!!!!"
Edited by Psychedelic Paul - January 06 2021 at 07:43 |
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Psychedelic Paul
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Joined: September 16 2019 Location: Nottingham, U.K Status: Offline Points: 40001 |
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Posted: January 04 2021 at 08:46 |
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Silent Nights (1985) - Another Pop/Rock album which represents a major departure from Rick's earlier Symphonic Prog epics. Rick's Perspective "Written and recorded during what I lovingly refer to as "My Great Unwanted Period", as whatever musically I tried at the time was received with total disinterest by media and press alike! In fact I was so fed up at the time that I even turned half the songs into Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band type of efforts. "Ghost of a Rock and Roll Star" and "The Dancer" being classic examples. Then in contrast there are prog rock tracks such as The Opera and then of course the almost poppy Silent Nights track. Confused? I was!" Rick's Verdict "If you want to hear what I was recording when I was somewhat confused as to what direction to go in, then this is the album for you." Elgin Mansions (video courtesy of Hyun Wook Cho) - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LsZDu3PfXio5Qqi3DUSkD7- Review by Mats Landstrom on 24th September 1997:- "Most songs on this album are quite straightforward melodic rock. Not many classical influences here compared with Rick's other work. Musically unadventurous with a weak production."
Edited by Psychedelic Paul - January 06 2021 at 07:47 |
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verslibre
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Posted: January 04 2021 at 09:37 |
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Another one I like a lot.
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Psychedelic Paul
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Posted: January 04 2021 at 10:14 |
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^ I've yet to come across a Rick Wakeman album I dislike. Even Rock 'n' Roll Prophet had its good moments, despite several PA reviewers giving the album a measly 1-star rating.
  Live at Hammersmith (1985) - A true return to form with four symphonic epics from the previous decade given an 80's makeover. Rick's Perspective "A pretty half decent live album in as much as it as least an honest appraisal of how my live performances were at that time. Not much else to say about it really. I thought the cover was dreadful when I first saw it, but after all these years I have warmed a little to it's "dreadfulness"!" Rick's Verdict "If you collect live albums in order to compare how the different pieces have changed over the years, then this is a must." Arthur (video courtesy of Rick Wakeman) - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LuAEq1ubEUr2xphGq46o7Qy Review by Bruce Treadwell on 19th June 2020:- "Wow, it's 2020 and I gain even more respect for this album over the years, it's from a 1985 performance. What a great capture of the voices Rick was using in the early to mid 80s. To me, this is a hidden gem amongst his vast catalogue. If you come across a copy, buy it, you will thank me later. I actually have a mint vinyl copy, which I treasure. My favorite track - The Three Wives, a 16+ minute medly that's so rich!" Edited by Psychedelic Paul - January 06 2021 at 07:51 |
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Psychedelic Paul
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Joined: September 16 2019 Location: Nottingham, U.K Status: Offline Points: 40001 |
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Posted: January 04 2021 at 13:05 |
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Country Airs (1986) - The first of Rick's pastoral New Age piano albums. Rick's Perspective "This was an album I never wanted to do. In truth at the time I desperately needed the money. Times were really difficult and sales of my albums had hit rock bottom. I was offered £5,000 to make a "new age" piano album and so I went for some long walks in the country and came up with the music. I recorded it over two days at a cost of £2,000 and kept the balance to pay off some very pressing bills. Overall, the music turned out to be pretty half decent and I enjoyed the experience of making a solo piano album." Rick's Verdict "The first of the "piano" albums, so collectable if you can find the original." Dandelion Dreams (video courtesy of Heart of the Sunrise 777) - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Lt1lud8m6DliXamRKSi2K-M Review by Robert Nancarrow on 26th May 2013:- "I was surprised to note Rick's comment that this wasn't an album that he wanted to record. On hearing it, on its release in 1986, I was overwhelmed by its lightness of touch and its ability to evoke vivid images. In some senses, it seemed a particularly mature undertaking and demonstrated Rick's undoubted talent as a musician and composer.
The subtle tones of" Ducks and Drakes" and " Waterfalls" evoke memories of childhood. My favourite track is "Wild Moors", which whilst quite short, seems to run the full range of emotions and captures the essential sense of Rick's prodigious talent. Take my advice, if you haven't yet heard this album, try it, you won't be disappointed." Edited by Psychedelic Paul - January 06 2021 at 07:54 |
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verslibre
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Posted: January 04 2021 at 16:53 |
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A quick story from Rick's first Grumpy volume:
Country Airs was a hit and it did top the UK new age album chart. "Waterfalls" sort of became an unofficial "hit single." Rick performed an intimate concert that featured only himself on keyboard and a chum on guitar. In the front row were seated a bunch of bikers! When the show ended and they took their bow, one of the biker toughs actually leaned over and grabbed Rick's arm and told him "Waterfalls" was his favorite tune, and were they going to play it? Well, naturally, Rick obliged; thus, "Waterfalls" was the night's encore!
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Psychedelic Paul
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Joined: September 16 2019 Location: Nottingham, U.K Status: Offline Points: 40001 |
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Posted: January 05 2021 at 06:06 |
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^ Who would've guessed a bunch of hairy bikers would choose the tranquil Waterfalls as their favourite song.
 The Family Album (1987) - A playful electric piano tribute to Rick Wakeman's extended family, including his pets!Rick's Perspective "An album that I can't play now as it is full of so much sadness for me. When it was first recorded it was all about everybody in my family and life that meant everything to me. Now, many have passed on or have proven not to be the great loves I believed them to be at the time. Knowing what I know now I would never have made this album." Rick's Verdict "A mistake, although not at the time." Black Beauty (video courtesy of Rick Wakeman) - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Ltne4s3R0KyIcxhRbHmX6Jw Review by Roberto Ugalde on 1st November 2003:- "One of my favorite CDs from the maestro. It is full of musical textures, ranging from slow moody tempos to fast upbeat phrases. Wakeman's writing trademark abound in every song... slowly constructing melodic themes, then making variations and finally resolving each song with beautiful mastery. It was very interesting (altogether highly shocking) to read Mr. Wakeman's opinion on the album, which tells how big of a sensitive genius he is. Thank you for the music!"
Edited by Psychedelic Paul - January 06 2021 at 07:58 |
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chopper
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Honorary Collaborator Joined: July 13 2005 Location: Essex, UK Status: Offline Points: 20030 |
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Posted: January 05 2021 at 06:24 |
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I don't know the album but I find it really sad that Rick could be that hard up.
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Psychedelic Paul
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Posted: January 05 2021 at 07:10 |
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^I know the music industry is a notoriously tough business, but it's sad to hear that even such an esteemed and successful artist as Rick Wakeman was struggling to make a living in the mid-1980's. I'm sure he must be a multi-millionaire by now though, and deservedly so too, after keeping us all entertained with over half a century of great music, both as a solo artist and with the Strawbs and Yes.
 The Gospels (1987) - Hallelujah! A religiously-themed symphonic epic with narration by Robert Powell (who once played the part of Jesus Christ!)Rick's Perspective "Why oh why did I let myself agree to making albums on budgets woefully lower than necessary to make a good finished article. This is the worst example of my falling into this trap. I so wanted to record this music but had little or no money to do it with and the end result, although deeply from the heart, is dreadfully recorded and mixed. Thank heavens I was able to rectify it at a later date." Rick's Verdict "A bit of Wakeman history and that's about all." Part 1: The Gospel According to St. Matthew (video courtesy of Rick Wakeman) - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LuhCWEHSWJuYCl6e_DAHdZs Review by Levente Toth on 21st April 1997:- "A quite innovative, daring and undeniably successful musical experiment based on the four Gospels. Blending synths, choir, Ramon Remedios' tenor vocals, Robert Powell's tranquil narration, it reflects the mood of a serene church reunion. With well-controlled emotional charge, it passes from moments of inner calm to passages of intense dramatic beauty." Edited by Psychedelic Paul - January 06 2021 at 08:01 |
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Psychedelic Paul
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Posted: January 05 2021 at 08:48 |
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Time Machine (1988) - One of Rick's "forgotten" 1980's Pop/Rock albums, which contains some pretty good songs, making it a worthy addition to any Rick Wakeman fan's collection. Rick's Perspective "The original deal for this album was with Polydor records, who just as I finished the album had a change of Chairman who told me he hated the idea, hated me and hated the music and was not going to release it. I tried to buy the album back but he refused. Six months later he sold it to President Records. Amazingly enough the album got pretty good reviews but it suffered through my being about as popular as a skunk in a perfume factory at the time and disappeared into oblivion." Rick's Verdict "I think some of the songwriting on this album is some of the best I have ever written. Ocean City and Custer's last Stand are two of my favourites and Ice is for me the best overall song I have ever written. Worth having in my book!!!" Ice (video courtesy of Home Studio 35) - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LvqW99pL9OhSEBCrjdGiGq1 Review by Tatiana P. Wakeman on 7th January 1998:- "Time Machine shows the influence of the 80s music in Rick's style. This is an album which has got one of the best moments from the keyboard wizard, and for the ones that haven't listened to the album, you should try to listen to songs like Ice, Angel of Time, Make me a Woman and Custer's Last Stand. Here comes a great album with great performances and great songs for people who like Rick's rock songs."
Edited by Psychedelic Paul - January 06 2021 at 08:05 |
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chopper
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Posted: January 05 2021 at 09:25 |
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"Ice" is a good song, I thought I recognised it. I've got it on a "Yes and Friends" compilation somewhere.
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Psychedelic Paul
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Posted: January 05 2021 at 10:00 |
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^ It's good to see that Ice is one of Rick's favourite songs too. I like every Rick Wakeman album I've heard so far, including Rock & Roll Prophet, which has a dismal rating on ProgArchives.
A Suite of Gods (with Ramon Remedios) (1988) - Rick Wakeman's first classical excursion, and it's an opera, but not as we know it.Rick's Perspective "This for me is a little masterpiece. It was recorded in the mid eighties and used one of the first computer recording packages that was about as stable as Iraq. The software was very primitive and crashed at regular intervals. All the sounds were keyboard created with the exception of the percussion which again although played by Tony Fernandez, was in fact electronic. The vocals were some of the best ever recorded by Ramon Remedios and all in all I was very proud of this album and only wish it could have been performed live." Rick's Verdict "I would dearly have loved to have recorded this with an orchestra but there was not the finance in place to do this. An album worth having...well in my opinion anyway!" Dawn of Time (video courtesy of Rick Wakeman) - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LtgiI7SPaX18D2MaLYdrXcw Review by Norman Hansen on 1st June 2014:- "Of the 52 albums I own from Rick, this I must say is the most beautiful. Not everyone, RW fan or not, can enjoy opera but this has the magic touch by Rick and tenor Ramon Remidios. "Giants roaming with a single eye". What a lyric. I think it's a classic. From creation to padamonium to the flood to hero's' it covers all of that era gone by. A must for true fans."
Edited by Psychedelic Paul - January 06 2021 at 08:56 |
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Psychedelic Paul
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Posted: January 06 2021 at 02:00 |
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Zodiaque (with Tony Fernandez) (1988) - A magical New Age mystery tour through the twelve signs of the zodiac. Rick's Perspective
Sagittarius (video courtesy of Rick Wakeman & Tony Fernandez) - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LuGAut6SPLIb8C_ccjAqvYH Review by Sergey Lenkov on 4th May 2003:- "Very unusual record. Imagine: Milt Jackson and Modern Jazz Quartet finished their work and left the studio. Here comes Rick and Tony. They listened to MJQ and they began to play, but they did something different. It’s a jazz record not in style of music (let’s call it instrumental art-rock with a little touch of New Age), but in another sense: the album is a kind of dialog between keyboard player and drummer. It seems that not many overdubs were made there. And the mood in this record is a little bit darker than usually on Rick’s albums." Edited by Psychedelic Paul - January 06 2021 at 08:59 |
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Psychedelic Paul
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Posted: January 06 2021 at 04:12 |
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The Word and the Gospels (1988) - Magnificent! Magical! Majestic! An operatic masterpiece in what must have been a very busy year for Rick Wakeman, with his fourth album release of 1988. The album was performed live in Israel with eloquent narration by Robert Powell. Rick's Perspective "Originally recorded in Israel with a full orchestra and narration by Robert Powell the only tragedy is that I had not rewritten it before this filming took place. When the ultimate DVD is filmed of the New Gospels then certainly elements of this one will be incorporated as part of the music's history." Rick's Verdict "Wait for the ultimate DVD." The Word and the Gospels (video courtesy of EarthDog005) - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LvRntLkqT7ztMe2PpWQ36hP Review by Julia Harries on 11th November 2000:- "Open this video with a fabulous Rodney Matthews cover and you have a live performance recorded in an outdoor amphitheatre in Caesarea, Israel in 1988. It starts at sunset and the backdrop to the performance is a tranquil beach. Rick, soberly dressed in a black suit and wing collar shirt with sparkly dicky bow, looks really great and the performance is lovely. The story of Jesus Christ is narrated capably by Robert Powell both live and in the intercut scenes out and about in the Holy Land. This gives the video an interesting dimension and adds texture to the musical performance. Rick performs with the Israel Symphony Orchestra, the Eton College Chapel Choir and Ramon Remedios and the whole show is delightful. Regulars David Paton and Tony Fernandez are also in evidence. There are good shots of Rick playing and although his performance in this show is obviously more restrained than his rock shows, it's good to see him perform in this style. Highlights for me are the charming "Welcome a Star", Rick's great twiddly bits in the style we know and love on "The Baptism", "The Lords Prayer" which Ramon Remedios does brilliantly and "Children of Mine" which combines a terrific melody with great playing by Rick and vocals by Ramon." Edited by Psychedelic Paul - January 06 2021 at 05:40 |
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chopper
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Posted: January 06 2021 at 04:43 |
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This must be keeping you busy, when are you starting on the Phrozenlight albums?
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Psychedelic Paul
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Posted: January 06 2021 at 05:08 |
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I'll make a start on Phrozenlight's albums on the 12th of Never.  Rick Wakeman's 100+ albums should keep me busy till near the end of the month, then I'll be ready to start adding the third A-Z list of artists to my prog channel. Brian Augur Bill Bruford Curved Air Dire Straits The Enid Fantasy The Graeme Edge Band Justin Hayward Indian Summer Jackson Heights Karda Estra John Lodge Magenta The Nice Orpheus Mike Pinder Quatermass Roxy Music Supertramp (for Cristi) Ray Thomas UFO Visitor 2035 Richard Wright |
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chopper
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Posted: January 06 2021 at 05:16 |
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I think he actually releases new albums faster than you could add them to this thread. He's already released 14 so far today and it's only just lunchtime.
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Psychedelic Paul
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Posted: January 06 2021 at 05:20 |
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Edited by Psychedelic Paul - January 06 2021 at 05:21 |
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Psychedelic Paul
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Posted: January 06 2021 at 05:37 |
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Rick Wakeman & Mario Fasciano - Black Knights at the Court of Ferdinand IV (1989) - Rick ventures into Rock Progressivo Italiano territory with a Neapolitan Sundae of different musical styles. Rick's Perspective "The whole idea of this recording was to merge the wonderful melodies of the Neapolitan style from southern Italy, so melodic and romantic, with prog rock type of arrangements. I thoroughly enjoyed making this album although I was not happy with the mixes that I felt could have had better results if it had been mixed using a food blender." Rick's Verdict "If you understand Neapolitan Italian, then this is for you!" Evuje' (video courtesy of Rick Wakeman) - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LsZy3vThTRSMU3cCcQLa1np Review by Armando Betancourt on 15th July 1997:- "Rick's Third Royal Masterpiece. Lyrics in Italian (not included, unfortunately!), and excitingly close to the very best Italian progressive bands. In a rock trio format, Rick gives ample space to guitars and singer/drummer participation. Half of the tracks are great instrumentals. In a league by itself, "Black Knights..." shouldn't be overlooked!"
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chopper
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Posted: January 06 2021 at 06:39 |
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Do him after Phrozenlight then! This is great work Paul, thanks for this. The only problem is I keep reading about albums of his I'd never heard of, then going to check them on Spotify only to find they're not on there. Just listening to the Planets at the moment.
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Psychedelic Paul wrote: