Tag: Rick Wakeman

Review – Rick Wakeman – Yessonata – by John Wenlock-Smith

Rick Wakeman will, I’m sure, be known to many of you as he was the keyboard player during the golden era of Yes in the 1970’s, where his talents added significant input to the albums ‘Fragile’, ‘Close To The Edge’ and ‘Tales From Topographic Oceans’ before leaving the group and rejoining for ‘Going For The One’ and ‘Tormato’ after Patrick Moraz had left the band, in part due to the “enormous psychological pressures within the group”.

‘Yessonata’ is the much requested Yes highlights segment of his two shows at the London Palladium in 2023, where he performed his early solo albums in full on the first night. The second evening was a set of classic Yes material along with a performance of ‘Journey To The Centre Of The Earth’. `In among all this was a newly composed ‘Yes Suite’ in three parts, The Meeting, Wondrous Stories and South Side Of The Sky. Also included were versions of Roundabout, And You And I and Starship Trooper /Wurm. This was very warmly received, so much so that fans started to ask where they could get this, other than the 4CD live album where it was included on disc 3. This showed Rick that there was a demand for a recording of that to be made available so, in 2024, Rick set about  pulling the three parts together, adding a few more bits and creating his own Yes Sonata, hence the album title.

This new release was a bit too short so Rick also produced a piano variation of the ‘The Myths and Legends of King Arthur…’ album and is entitled The King Arthur Piano Suite. This album, whilst short, is excellently conceived, produced and delivered by Rick using a sole Steinway Model D Concert Grand Piano.

The music is truly sensational but the real fun is in recognising which pieces Rick is playing from which albums. The press release cites ‘more than 30 musical fragments’ but I don’t know the Yes back catalogue that well to recognise them all. Google search would give more insights but for me just hearing Rick perform this piece of work at his age is remarkable, as he still has great dexterity and ability.  I grew up as a teenager being introduced to Rick’s music through my brother’s friend who had ‘The Six Wives of Henry VIII’ album and my brother’s copy of ‘Yessongs’, which included Rick’s brilliant solo parts. I was totally mesmerised by his skills, this was further enhanced by a live Rick Wakeman DVD that I acquired in the 2000’s which included his hilarious Nursery Rhyme Concerto which is brilliant, extremely funny and superbly delivered. Rick is not only a classically trained pianist but also a fine raconteur with his off kilter sense of humour being well known to all.

A clip of that concerto is here:

In this piece Rick shows his tremendous talents, dismissing it as a simple little thing before then firing off a staggering piano motif or run that repeats throughout the track.

That same skill is on offer on this album of two tracks, ingenuity coupled with complexity and a confident delivery. It’s actually a rather fine collection of piano motifs compiled together to create a concerto that does as it says, it conveys the melodic sensibilities of the Yes canon in one single piano interpretation. It is an easy listen but also offers the listener the challenge of identifying the particular melodies that are so eloquently delivered. The King Arthur Piano Suite is similar in style and concept, again this is impeccably performed and distils the essence of the near 40 minute album to a mere 20 minute piano improvisation whilst still maintaining the feel of the original album.

The cover art from Roger Dean is equally as impressive and conveys the Yes connection through the images. With a sound that is clear and crisp, all in all this is a highly impressive concept and a unique album in which you can appreciate the music of Yes in a unique and possibly simpler manner than the albums.

Released 8th November, 2024

Order from Cherry Red Records here:

https://www.cherryred.co.uk/rick-wakeman-yessonata-cd-edition

John Wenlock-Smith’s review of the 2024 musical year

2024 has been quite a year hasn’t it really? From the vagaries of politics and re-emergence of Donald Trump to again become US President again, the implosion of the Tory party and the triumphant Labour landslide, to the downfall of Assad in Syria, it has all been quite eventful, all in all.

Thankfully, musically it has been a good year, especially for the likes of Taylor Swift, whose ‘Era’ tour was a huge success, the reunion dates for Oasis were another success, especially for it’s promoters, if less so for their fans who struggled to get any reasonably priced tickets. Prog thankfully doesn’t suffer in the same way and great music shows could be easily found for very reasonable prices, except maybe David Gilmour tickets, but Steve Hackett and Big Big Train shows were far more fairly priced, as their sell out statuses clearly showed.

The year has some truly fine and many very worthwhile releases and here is what really hit it off for me. As with previous years, I have a vocal winner and an instrumental winner of the year and you’ll understand why as I reveal them to you all.

There’s also a note about why each was selected as being so very good, invariably i’ll miss something that I should have included, such is often the case as its not always easy to recall timings and release dates etc., There are no live albums or ‘best of’ though, even though several of each were very good releases.

Here we go then..

20. Wedingoth – ‘Five stars (A) live’

A somewhat interesting mix of heavy metal with distinct Pink Floyd overtones, all recorded live and portraying their 2023 five star album.

19. PsychoYogi – ‘Astro Therapy Brain repair’

The 2024 quirky release from Chris Ramsing and band with more King Crimson styled jazz musings.

18. Nataraja – ‘Spirit At Play’

A one off project from Jack Jennings with Andy Edwards and John Jowitt of Frost/IQ mixing Indian classical music with synthesisers and fiery guitar a la John McLaughlin and Jimi Hendrix. A very intense listen but wonderfully conceived and delivered.

17. Infringement – ‘Black Science and White Lies’

More musings on the state of the world from the Norwegian stalwarts, full of dynamic music and strong observational lyrics.

16. Storm Deva – ‘Storm Deva’

Technically released at the back end of 2023 but gained popularity this year. Wonderful orchestral type music with fabulous vocalist/keyboardist Carollyn Eden along with sublime guitar work from Stuart Clark, some beautifully symphonic music and melodies.

15. Rick Wakeman – ‘Yessonata’

A totally solo piano album from the ex-Yes keyboard man which distils over thirty melodies from the prime era of Yes music. Have fun spotting the various melodies employed herein and, as a bonus, there is an instrumental synopsis of Rick’s ‘King Arthur’ piano suite.

14. Catalyst*R – ‘Pace Of Change’

A second album of impressive prog and electronic music from the ex Winter Machine men, check out the utterly epic Pendle Hill 1612.

13. Orion – ‘The Light Bringers’

The superb second full release from musical prodigy Ben Jones with lots of Rush overtones, especially with the spectacular artwork from Hugh Syme .

12. Kite Parade – ‘Disparity’

An album that highlights the challenges of this modern world most eloquently, there is some truly some great music on offer here.

11. The Windmill – ‘Mindscapes’

Latest release from the Norwegian retro-proggers. Just four tracks but such great tracks they are! One wonderfully long epic and the the other three being shorter, but no less impressive, pieces.

10. Age of Distraction – ‘A Game Of Whispers’

This offshoot group saw some of progressive music’s current stars (ex-This Winter Machine member John Cook, Ghost Of The Machine‘s Charlie Bramald and Mark Gatland of Hats Off Gentleman It’s Adequate to name three) band together in a new ad-hoc Project which married their progressive tendencies coupl with a harder edged sound to a fantastic impact. A second album is due in 2025 and possibly some live shows too!

9. Oddleaf – ‘Where Ideal And Denial Collide’

Surprisingly endearing and engrossing 70’s influenced Prog from new French outfit featuring the lovely Carina Taurer and colleagues.

8. Brendan Perkins – ‘Favourite Places’

A fantastic album that would most probably be of interest to Big Big Train ‘Passengers’ as the music is very expansive with very Pastoral overtones at various points. A most engrossing listen.

7. Nick Magnus – ‘A Strange Inheritance’

An excellent nautically themed collection of songs. This one really resonated with me and I really love Nick’s compositions on this album.

6. John Holden – ‘Proximity and Chance’

Another excellent release from the Cheshire based multi instrumentalist who, again, has enlisted some A-list players to support his epic pieces. This was, for several months, my album of the year but was then overshadowed by the following releases.

5. Kyros – ‘Mannequin’

Another top notch release and a fantastic fusion of 80’s style synth-pop and progressive music. An exquisitely produced and delivered album of sheer class.

4. Stuckfish – ‘IV’

This is a major step up from this north-east quintet and is full of great songs, some of which are crying out for more live performances. Sheer class and fine quality to boot.

3. Ruby Dawn – ‘Blood On Water’

The superb second release from Carola Baer and colleagues, who have crafted an album that is partly based on Romeo and Juliet but also contemplates life and all it’s seasons and challenges.

2. Forgotten Gods – ‘Memories’

This album came from nowhere but such is its emotional depth and rawness, along with its honesty and strong lyrics, it really makes a deep and lasting impression.

1st equal…

Instrumental album – Nick Fletcher – ‘A Longing For Home’

A further ten slices of Nick’s incredibly imaginative and polished musical musings with a truly impressive European based set of musicians. An album full of powerful themes and melodies along with jaw dropping skill and improvisation.

Vocal Album – John Wilkinson – ‘Imposter Syndrome’

Highly impressive solo album from The Swan Chorus and Ellesmere vocalist in which, over eight strong tracks, John sings of how he feels a fraud as a singer but goes on to prove that he is no fraud or imposter, rather he is a genuinely talented writer and performer. This album is a remarkable achievement and is a thing of beauty, crowned by John’s warm and evocative vocals.

It has been a vintage year for releases, you’ll notice that I’ve shied away from major label albums, despite there been several great ones but it us these 20 Albums have impacted me the most through 2024.

YES FEATURING JON ANDERSON, TREVOR RABIN, RICK WAKEMAN – LIVE AT THE APOLLO ON DVD / BLU-RAY / CD & LP

YES

FEATURING JON ANDERSON, TREVOR RABIN, RICK WAKEMAN

50TH ANNIVERSARY LIVE AT THE APOLLO – OUT SEPTEMBER 07 2018

“Glorious splendour, a cause for celebration…the true spirit of Yes’”– Louder Than War

On 07 September 2018, Eagle Vision release Yes, 50th Anniversary Live At The Apollo on DVD, Blu-ray, 2CD & 3LP.

In 2016, Jon Anderson, Trevor Rabin and Rick Wakeman combined their incredible talents and the heritage of Yes to take to the road for a series of concerts celebrating the band’s musical legacy from the seventies to the nineties. Yes, featuring Jon Anderson, Trevor Rabin, Rick Wakeman brought their live show to the UK in early 2017, including this sell-out performance, captured live at the Manchester Apollo.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPb-Iqrlc8Y&feature=youtu.be

With a setlist embracing the spectrum of their career, including classics Roundabout, Owner Of A Lonely Heart, And You And I, Hold On, Heart Of The Sunrise, Rhythm Of Love, I’ve Seen All Good People, Awaken and many more, the band were on superb form.  Wakeman’s keyboard sorcery wove its spell alongside Rabin’s masterly guitar skills and founding member Jon Anderson’s unique vocal and lyrical prowess to create a special night of musical alchemy for their fans.  This glorious show captures the true, enduring nature of this ever-powerful band.

Grammy Award winners Yes have sold more than 35 million albums and have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Line-up:

Jon Anderson (vocals, guitar, harp); Trevor Rabin (guitar, vocals); Rick Wakeman (keyboards). With Lee Pomeroy (bass) and Lou Molino III (drums).

Audio Mixed By: Paul Linford and Trevor Rabin.

Tracklisting:

1) Orchestral arr. Perpetual Change (Rabin) / Cinema (Rabin/Kaye/Squire/White) / Perpetual Change (Anderson/Squire)  2) Hold On (Rabin/Anderson/Squire   3) I’ve Seen All Good People : (i) Your Move (ii) All Good People (Anderson/Squire)   4) Lift Me Up (Rabin/Squire)   5) And You & I (i) Cord Of Life (ii) Eclipse (iii) The Preacher, The Teacher (iv) Apocalypse (Anderson/Bruford/Howe/Squire   6) Rhythm Of Love (Rabin/Anderson/Kaye/Squire/White)   7) Heart Of The Sunrise (Anderson/Bruford/Squire)   (CD Disc 2) 8) Changes (Rabin/Anderson/White)   9) Long Distance Runaround (Anderson) / The Fish (Schindleria Praematurus) (Squire)   10) Orchestral Shade (Rabin) / Awaken (Anderson/Howe)   11) Make It Easy (Rabin) / Owner Of A Lonely Heart (Rabin/Anderson/Howe/Squire)   12) Roundabout (Anderson/Howe)

Pre-order here

 

Review – The Strawbs – The Ferryman’s Curse – by James R. Turner

If, like me in the early 90’s, all you knew about the Strawbs was the Hudson-Ford penned hit Part of the Union, upon discovering the album ‘Hero & Heroine’ in my parents record collector, it was hard to believe it was the same band, my love for the Strawbs grew as their albums were finally remastered and reissued (with some gems like ‘Deadlines’ being picked up at a Record Fair around 1994 on the original vinyl) and their transition from folk to rock (being placed in the prog bracket) a far more dramatic metamorphosis than that of Fairport Convention (who ironically went the other way, from psychedelic proto prog to the folk rock pioneers we know and love) with David Cousins unique vocals and lyrics, and Dave Lambert on electric guitar, and band members like Rick Wakeman, John Hawken, Blue Weaver, Chas Cronk and Tony Fernandez passing through the ranks in the 1970’s, they were a who’s who of top quality players. Through their reunions throughout the 80’s, their acoustic Strawbs and return of the full Electric band, and resurgence with albums like ‘Deja Fou’,  ‘The Broken Hearted Bride’, as well as classic live albums and archive releases, the bands legacy is assured. If you ever catch them live both the full electric, and acoustic trio are musicians at the top of their game, putting together some fantastic shows.

Now 8 years after their last studio album ‘Dancing to the Devils Beat’, the Strawbs return with what is probably their finest record since their golden period of the 1970’s. Produced by the legendary Chris Tsangarides (who sadly died in January) and with the core line up of David Cousins, Dave Lambert, Chas Cronk (three of the five members who recorded the classic albums ‘Hero and Heroine’ and ‘Ghosts’) and long term drummer Tony Fernandez are joined by  ‘new boy’ multi-instrumentalist Dave Bainbridge (currently touring in Lifesigns with former Strawbs keyboard player John Young – it’s such a small world isn’t it?), and whose work with Iona nicely dovetails with the original folk rock orientated sound of the Strawbs, and he fits perfectly in here, contributing considerably to the sound (on both guitar and keyboards) and songwriting with a writing credit on 5 of the 10 tracks on here.

Opening with the hauntingly wonderful symphonic In the Beginning, which segues nicely into The Nails from the Hands of Christ, where David Cousins is a lyrically sharp as ever and a subtle nod to older songs like the Man Who Called Himself Jesus.

In fact the band references themselves even more on the epic title track, a sequel to the equally magnificent The Vision of the Lady of the Lake from 1970’s ‘Dragonfly’ album.

It is of course one of the finest songs the Strawbs have done for many a year, echoing the original and rounding off the story superbly.

However that doesn’t mean that the band are merely relying on old glories and lazily retreading the past, that is absolutely not the case, as the classic Strawbs sound is there, along with the unmistakable vocals of David Cousins, but this is a contemporary Strawbs album. Musically the band are as tight as they have ever been, and Dave Bainbridge sounds like he’s been in the band forever, his keyboard work opening up the beautiful When the Spirit Moves has to be heard to be believed, whilst Dave Lambert’s caustically brilliantly bluesy The Ten Commandments shows he’s lost none of his edge either.

In fact the guitar work throughout this album is stunning, from the beautiful solos on The Familiarity of Old Lovers (with it’s lyrical twist being a contemporary classic piece of Cousins wordsmithery) to the closing We Have The Power, this is a band on top form.

With superb instrumentals like The Reckoning that leads into The Ferryman’s Curse, there is so much to love about this record. From the vocal contrasts between Cousins, whose voice is nicely maturing, Cronk and Lambert, a Strawbs trademark if ever there was one, to the sharpness of Cousins lyrics, showing the wit, the bite and the observation of human nature is still there, right through to the fact that this is a band who, despite being around in one form or another for over 50 years, are not going down the easy route of playing the nostalgia circuit.

The material on this album will more than fit into a set that showcases the best of the Strawbs, and proves that they still have plenty to say, plenty to play and on this album show bands that are much younger than them, how it is done.

Released 3rd November 2017

Order from Cherry Red:

https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/the-ferrymans-curse/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8djP47LWPQ