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Jon Hinchliffe

Jon's Album Reviews

Last Modified On 08/11/2004

Occasionally I write reviews of albums for mailing lists. I have therefore started to keep them here to.

Rick Wakeman - Rock n Roll Prophet Plus
Rick Wakeman - Cost of Living
Rick Wakeman - Phantom Power
Rick Wakeman - Aspirant Sunset
Rick Wakeman - The Classical Connection
Rick Wakeman - Prayers
Rick Wakeman - Can You Hear Me?
Rick Wakeman - The Making Of Surreal State Circus - Video
Rick Wakeman - Gole and Hero - Soundtracks - Video
Rick Wakeman - Themes
Rick Wakeman - Piano Vibrations
Rick Wakeman - Return To The Centre Of The Earth
Rick Wakeman and Mario Fasciano - Stella Bianco
Rick Wakeman and Mario Fasciano - Black Knights At The Court Of Ferdinand IV
Rick Wakeman - Two Sides Of Yes
Damian Wilson - Disciple
Other Albums

Rick Wakeman - Rock n Roll Prophet Plus

This is a rather quirky Wakeman with 3 tracks sung buy Rick himself. At times all I can hear is the quirky style but at other times I really enjoy this album. Normally it is the latter. The Plus tracks, seems to belong on 2000AD rather than Prophet. Even though Rick has attempted to keep to the style of the album, I think he fails because of the use of modern instruments.

Rick Wakeman - Cost of Living

I own nearly all of Rick albums on CD and this is the only one I find tortuous to listen to (well maybe Rhapsodies as well). Rick completely missed my wave length on this. Every other track is an awful vocal one. The gentler tracks are more listenable but what was he doing on Bedtime Stories? The one redeeming feature of the album is "Gone But Not Forgotten". Fortunately I prefer the recorded version on "Greatest Hits". I suspect a lot of people will like "Elegy" though.

Rick Wakeman - Phantom Power

Phantom Power - The film

My first impression on watching the film was that although the soundtrack fits the film on a minute by minute basis I was not quite so sure about a scene to scene basis. The instrumental passages certainly follow the film. My favourite example is a piece where the Phantom is playing an Organ and the music is shown as being Don Juan Triumphant. Rick starts this section on an Organ sound and when the phantom stops he switches to synths. When the Phantom continues again he adds back the Organ.

In general it is the songs which made me wonder most about weather Rick was doing and album or a soundtrack. But even these have bits that directly tie to the film. For instance in "Heat of the Moment" there is an organ solo which again starts as the phantom plays organ but this time it carries on when the phantoms stops. A few seconds later the phantom gets angry and hits the organ and this is reflected by the song.

After I had watched 30 minutes of the video I had got used to the presentation and enjoyed the film and really enjoyed the music. After viewing the film once I rewound it and watched it again. I felt like I had been to a concert and did not want it to end. I also made a soundtrack copy to cassette so that I could listen to the music properly.

Rick wrote the soundtrack in a style that I found instantly appealing. I am normally very slow at making my mind up as to weather I like a piece of music so I guess other people might find it a bit shallow.

I decided I would let a friend watch the film and see what he thought. If I like something Rick does he usually dislikes it and Vice Versa. I prefer the full band presentations he likes the ambient and piano styles. As I expected he thought the film a bit odd and did not get on with it. I also tried my OAP parents with the film and they did not complete the film since the music was "too modern". Both commented it was confusing having songs sung at the same time as words were displayed in the film.

Phantom Power - The Album
Over the years I enjoyed the music so much that I wanted a copy on CD. Unfortunately I had difficulty finding a copy and bought the last one Yes Music Circle had as soon as I decided to give the fanzine a look. It has greatly annoyed me that President have not seen fit to re-release this album (It is out again now!). I think they have re-released every other album Rick put out on Ambient with the exception of Black Knights at the court of Ferdinand IV. Another excellent album despite the Italian vocals.

Now that I have a copy of the CD I decided to compare it with the film and see what had and had not been used.

Phantom Power - Live
The only time I have heard anything from Phantom played live was on the Classical Connection II tour. I saw this at Chatam on 24/11/91. Rick played a Phantom medley consisted of at least Phantom Power, Heaven, You Can't Buy My Love and One Night Of Love. Although I am normally deaf to bass work I have to say I really enjoyed the bass playing of Alan Thompson on this night.

Rick Wakeman - Aspirant Sunset

These discs were one of my last choices. I tend to prefer hard rock and Moog solos. But these discs have had a bigger place in my collection than I expected. I have to confess Sunrise somehow grabs my attention as being a favourite but someone already has a review on the Rick Wakeman site for that so I am writting this one. I think I then prefer Sunset but to be honest they are all pretty similar to me. Go on why not give one a go. They provide a great atmosphere for massaging your partner too.

Rick Wakeman - The Classical Connection

For years I struggled to appreciate Rick's quieter piano albums. This was my breakthrough album. This album is great. Rick's great piano playing (electric I think) goes without saying but what I really love is David Paton's bass work. I am normally deaf to bass work so when it hits me like this it is fantastic. This is the Best introduction to Rick's work in my opinion.

Rick Wakeman - Prayers

I was initially not to sure about buying this disc but I am glad I did it contains some great songs. "Hymn Of Hope" is has had its arrangement added to and now makes the Softsword version seems under worked. "I can hear you" is one of my all time favourite tracks it is an absolute Gem. The album contains readings by various people and I have to admit that I would normally program them out. I do find the "Devotion" track very thought provoking. A person purely interested in the songs should get the reworked versions on Can you Hear me? But I would recommend this to completists and the moog solo on "I can hear you" is at it full splendour on this.

Rick Wakeman - Can You Hear Me?

This album is a must have. Although this is Cross over Rock, Atheists like me self need not fear. You don't have to be Christian to like this. This album contains 5 tracks originally from the Prayers Album but they have been augmented with a new choir. I love it.

The Making Of Surreal State Circus - Rick Wakman - Video

My copy of this video came today and I guess it was much as I had expected it to be hence the reason for having delayed buying it for so long.

It is a kind of homemade production. Certainly not normal Tv Standards. And the sounds include from Rick are of very poor quality. I mean in the recording not performance. I think most of them must have been live performances recorded atmospherically from the Circus PA.

It was quite boring for the first 20 minutes or so but then there was more talk from Rick and the Circus was taking shape and you could see what was going on.

I am not sure of the Purpose of Making the video. I guess it was as a Souvenir of the Event. I wish it had been a recording of the whole circus performance.

There was some excepts of Music that I did not seem to recognise so my memory is faulty or it was not all included on the CD. If that was the case it would definitely have been good to see the whole performance on Video.

I had been tempted to go and see the circus but I don't think my family circumstances at the time permitted it. I would definitely go now.

Do I recommend the video? It was certainly interesting to watch. I think I would recommend you get it only when you have money to burn and have all other Rick Videos. I guess I would put it on a par to videos of Listomania and She.

It was also interesting that there was no sign of Chrissy Hammond at the circus which makes me wonder why Rick used her on the CD. 

Gole and Hero - Soundtracks By Rick Wakeman - Video

I have just spent the Last two days watching German Language Versions of Gole and The Hero.

It was interesting to see that Gole has a few bits of Extra Music. I think mainly because they were not long enough. Or my Memory is it's usual bad self and I am wrong.

The Gole World Cup ie 82 appears to have been about Fouls. The 86 one Hero about Maradona. The Music for Gole seemed Latin flavoured but was on decent keyboards (wasn't Matt or Eduardo?) whereas the Hero seemed to be more Ryhmn/Pucussion orientated and I guess more fitting as soundtrack music since I kept forgetting to listen to it. It seemed less remarkable certainly. I can see why it was not an album (to my knowledge).

Curiously the film ended on what must be a definite attempt by Rick at a Pop single. A song called "Special Kind of Hero" sung by Stephanie Lawrence (who is she?) There was lots of echo on her voice and I guess on first listen it was OK. Somewhat in the Ill of Moonlight Shadow given my limited knowledge of Female singers/music. Was it ever released?

I did not think much of Gole when i got it on tape some year back. Perhaps because the B'side was Rhapsodies. Anyway I have played it more this year and I find it to be quite good now

Rick Wakeman - Themes

I am bored so I thought I would do the review even though I am not completely sure what I think yet.

Fanfare - This is a track very much in the Wakeman with Wakeman mould. It is OK but nothing special to me so far.

Bassolla - This is rather an inverted song to me. It has a bouncy Bassey keyboard riff up front. This is rather repetitive. In the background are the higher and more changeable parts. I quite like this one but I am not sure if I will get bored of it.

Nothing Left to Say - This is a nice Piano Piece

Latin Cycle - This as the title suggests has a latin feel to it and could easily be from Gole to my ears.

Ambient Loop - I guess the title sort of describe this one. It is not like the Ambient stuff as it has more pace. It is a very nice track.

Without Love - This is undoubtedly my favourite track on the album. Rick said in 1983 on his GasTank TV Series that he writes from Emotion. I think this helps show it. Despite not being a great Lyricist Rick has written quite a few love songs and in general I think they are pretty good. Frazer Thorneycroft-Smith is the singer on this track which caught me out for the first few plays as I was expecting Chrissie Hammond and it is sung the way she would do it. In fact Chrissie is in the background. I don't know why Rick Wanted to use Frazer as like Adam I don't think he is a very good singer. But the vocals and Ricks Melody line really work well for me on this.

Section Seven - I guess this track is like something of Cirque Surreal. The guitar is much more conventional though. The sound Rick is using is Similar to that on Light up the Sky I think. The track is OK.

Hall of Fame - This one has an orchestrated feel to it that reminds me of Curved Air's Exsultate Jubilate. The is a lot of atmosphere stuff at the start of the song which is not music to me as such. I would like to see a whole album tackled in this style.

On Our Way - Mmm I suspect this is the Song Rick may have planned to use for the Intro of Linkers Golden boots. It is very Pop like, I guess in a similar way to Light up the Sky was but Rick does very little of interest on this and I am not that keen on the lyrics which are sung by Chrissie.

Forever And Ever - An atmospheric start with Frazer on guitar progresses into a JiggaJig sounding Keyboard from Rick and then to piano.

Freefall - I need to listen to this one more. I think it might will grow on me but at present I am convinced there is a problem with the mix or the recording. There is about three minutes of instrumental before the vocals by Chrissie start. But the vocals are the problem. The are either too far back in the Mix or they are recorded badly. They certainly lack clarity and it is as though they are a demo or something. This is most  disappointing.

As I say I think the track overall is quite good but I have not really started enjoying it yet because of this perceived problem.

Overall I don't think it is an outstanding album but I suspect I will be placing it in the Top 30 Wakeman albums along with the likes of Tribute.

I look forward to hearing others views on Freefall.

Rick Wakeman - Piano Vibrations

Here was my view of the album in 97. It still stands I think :-

You perhaps thought (hoped) I had forgotten this review but here it is

1. Take me to the Pilot - This track is very 70's sounding. It has a Soulful Female vocal on it. Piano, A brass section and Some Wah Wah Guitar. I can't say I really like it.

2. Yellow Man - This one is much better. It is a very Kinks sounding song. I have no idea if it should be. It has Male vocals on this one. On the Album there is credit a credit to Rick. And also "Chris who sang some songs". Is Chris the man or the woman though?

3. Cast Your Fate to the wind - This track has guitar and Piano which is complex in bits. It is a good jazzy Song

4. Gloria Gloria - The Opening of this one sounds like it could be from The Heritage suite. And then the rest is Awful. It sounds has 70's  Orchestra Music (the sort of stuff played in an Interval or to accompany a Test Card) and Electric piano or Organ on it.

5. Your Song - This is the First track I can hear Rick Sounding like Rick. This is quite a nice track. Again it has the Male Vocalist on it.

6. Delta Lady - Another track for the Lady Vocalist. More Orchestra and Brass but this track is kind of OK. There might be a very minor touch or Rick sounding Piano on this one. Along with the ordinary piano of course.

7. A Picture of You - Another bad instrumental like 4. Yuck!

8. Home Sweet Oklahoma - This has a Wakey like start and male vocals. It actually sounds very Rick in places and is a reasonably good track.

9. Fire and Rain - Another tracks with high Rick Content and Female vocals. It's OK

10. Classical Gas - This tracks is my favourite. The first time I heard it, it reminded me of the ELO's first album track called First Movement. I have since discovered "Classical Gas" was a 1968 Chart single so I guess it influenced Roy Wood and therefore Woody "borrowed" some of it's structure in tribute, as he is known to do from time to time. Rick did not seem to do much on this track. It is mainly classical guitar to my ear

Overall not the greatest Album but ok. I would not recommend anyway bust a gut trying to find this one but it is like all album of Curiosity to all Wakeman Completists.

Rick Wakeman - Return To The Centre Of The Earth

We have had lots of initial impression but no one has really given a view after a lot of listens. So I will give mine to start us off (I hope). I was going to do a full review but since I don't normally do a track by track review when I get a new Rick album I think it would be unfair this time.

I get the impression this is a good album but not a great one. I think it is likely to end up in my top 20 Wakeman album.  But only around there. I spent some time listening to King Arthur, I can hear you (Both favourites) and Themes (a good but more middling album) last night because I was struggling to hear why the album is not getting me like it should. I think I now know. Rick's involvement in the album is more of a musical director and writer than a player. It is almost like he has made guest appearances on his own album. On Arthur you are aware that Rick is about on the album all the way through. On return it seem to be the orchestra more than Rick I can hear. If he is playing through out he is too low in the mix or he is using Orchestral sounding settings. On a normal Rick album you normally are aware of Ricks playing through out. On this one it is little patches. It does not make the album bad but it does not make it a great album for me either.

I suspect the orchestration is different from the type used on Arthur. On that I felt the was a lot to listen to the further you listened in. I think this time the orchestra is playing more in unison. I think Rick does a good job with the Orchestra throughout but it seems slightly different.

I played the Narration tracks on there own and they work really well (Mind you I did notice my main two cd players work differently. One gives the first 1/2 beat of the next track (in a couple of places) before moving to the next narration). There is a line in 17b that really annoys me "for inexplicable reasons beyond their understanding" seems to me to trying to sound clever while saying the same thing twice. I am surprised it got through to the album. Perhaps my poor English abilities are showing me up here, I don't know.

The musical accompaniment to the narration really works well. Although I am still naturally view them as interruptions to the real meat of the album. I guess because I am more inclined to faster or more active tracks.

I had a look at all the CD shops in town yesterday and Rick was on display in the chart section of them all. Perhaps except Virgin. I could not see where there stuff was and it was to busy to take my scooter to far inside. Since I pay 12 pounds maximum for any full price album I was horrified at the price they are selling the album for. I would have thought chart albums would be cheaper but it was still 14ukp in the cheapest shop I noticed. I must have seen a good 30 copies of the album available so people in Ipswich should not have trouble getting it and EMI have done a good job of selling it in.

So how is it going with other people that have played it a lot?

Rick Wakeman and Mario Fasciano - Stella Bianco

Stella Bianco(White Star) - This has a medieval beat to it. Rick solos on Moog type sounds a couple of times. These is as a sound I don't know how to described perhaps bells or guitar done on keyboard

A quatte mane (At Four Hands) - My favourite track for some reason. It uses the Wakeman with Wakeman sound. Has a speaking part from Rick. Ah yes it's because the solo breaks are very long and the verses jolly.

'O Core (The Heart) - The is guitar in this one. I can't see who by. Again extensive Rick solos. Again 90's in style. Adam did the arrangements (Rick was ill) for the album. I wonder what his contribution is on the end result.

Ariel - Sometimes Mario sounds like a drum machine but surely he isn't. There is a slowing down at the end so I don't know.

Aria di te (Air of you) - This is a piano acoustic guitar piece and very soft. Doesn't do a great amount but is pleasant enough

Romance Napoli - This is very much in the mode of Children of Chernobyl from No Expense spared. A very nice instrumental it still has the Black Knight feel to it with the keyboard sound I can't put a finger on.

Sologoccia (Only Drop) - Start reminds me of something from Softsword. Back into extended Rick solo. it has to be said I can't relate to the English version of the lyrics

Carcere 'e San Francisco (San Francisco's Prison) - This is really Ocean City from Time Machine. It has new Neapolitan verses and a lady (Aza) singing the Ocean city chorus in English. I thought the backing track was probably the same but perhaps "Black knight"ed a little. I just compared them though and I think the backing is the same or slightly remixed or the keyboard voices slightly changed. I can't figure out Marios role on this. I always thought Ocean city was my favourite on time machine and very in keeping with Black Knight. I think I might prefer having two vocalists though. Actually Custards last stand is my favourite on Time Machine. After all it has two of my heroes on it and Roy Wood's voice fits.

Rick Wakeman and Mario Fasciano - Black Knights At The Court Of Ferdinand IV

E Vuje' (And You) - This is almost Ocean City's Rhythm. Rick is using his 80's moog substitute and a fair bit in this track. The backing in quiet parts is like "The meeting" from AWBH I think. Again the sound I can't name but used only on these albums and therefore I feel Italian sounding

Favola (Fable) - Guitar and keys on this. Usually for Rick it is regular Hard Rock Guitar. It is quiet a mellow track at times with Rick using Breath sounds. Percussion and bass sound programmed to me. So nice little breaks in this. Might be my favourite. I don't think there was any Base on Stella.

Umberto II - That sound is bugging be what is it? It's very staccato on long notes. An instrumental I like it a lot today. I think I was less keen on it reviewed in Isolation

Umbe' (Humbert?) - Ah no this was Track of the Week and I wished it was the other track as this is just plain  and less interesting

Tommaso Aniello (A revolution leader in Naples) - Again a very nice track. Drums sound programmed but I don't care. Lots of atmosphere in the backing instruments and original hence my mental link to Robinson Crusoue being stuck on a foreign island (The book I was reading when this disk was new)

Fradiavolo (Fra'diavolo was a bandit) - This has a very lively start and again is a great track.

Farfarie - A speedy Instrumental. Lots of Bass. Excellent

'O Bilanco (The Balance) - This is a quiet track with lots of atmospherics from Rick.

When Rick first talked about more work with Mario it was for bonus tracks on a reissue on Black Knight. Both disks are short by today's standards and would fit a disk. They are very similar in many ways but the instrumentation shows their era well.

After I had digested Stella I went back to Knight and was disappointed. Today I am edging the other way because Knight was a band product. I am only edging though because Stella is an excellent Rick Showcase.  I think that is why I was disappointed by Black Knight it doesn't give me such a buzz. Stella is probably my favourite release by him since No Expense spared I loved it from the first play of the first song. I like his recent stuff but not as much as the late 80's/early 90's releases. I think this is perhaps more Melodic whereas some of the rock instrumentals lately seem disjointed or colder emotionally. They are interesting and fast and whatever but I can't quite get into them.

Clive Nolan and Oliver Wakeman - The Jabberwocky

I have written this review with two lists in mind so bare with me :-)

1. Overture - This gets the disc off to a cracking start. Good keyboards and Bob Catley singing a very interesting vocal line.

2 - Coming to town - This is another Catley song. And it reminds me of an early Magnum song I think "Captain America". My second favourite of the album

3 - Dangerous world - Tracy Hitchins sings the main part of this one. It is quite a pleasant song but I really hate the pantomime style harpsichord music for the Jabberwock. This starts and ends the track

4 - The Forest - This is a choir track with good keyboards much as I would expect from Rick Wakeman (although not played by him. They are played by Clive Nolan and Oliver Wakeman)

5- A Glimmer Of  light - Another Tracy track. Quite soft but I do quite like it.

6 - Shadows -  It starts with a good keyboard section. Goes into pantomime for the Jabberwock again. Then back to good keyboards again. It all sounds very Rick in style to me.

7 - Enlightenment - Paul Allison is the main voice on this and Bob also has a part. I am fairly indifferent to it until the Bob section which I love. It really brightens the piece and the instrumental break is good

8 - Dancing Water - Bob, Tracy and the Jabberwock (James Plumridge) are in this one. I can't say I am that struck by it

9 - The Burgundy Rose - This is my favourite of the disc. Bob Catley is not a big chap so singing "I don't feel so small and insignificant any more" somewhat amuses me. That's not the reason I like it though it is just a good soft piano/vocal track. The sort of track I like Bob doing best. The moog break is good to.

10 - The Mission - An up tempo Bob song. A suitable follow up.

11 - Call to Arms - The choir Bob and Tracy are on this mainly instrumental track. It has some nice keyboards but does do much for me overall.

12 - Finale - This is just a typical summary of earlier themes.

Rick Wakeman's Narration is good and the lyrics make sense. I don't think the album is brilliant but it is reasonably good. I wish the Jabberwock theme was different. I think any Rick Wakeman fan will like this album as will any Magnum fan. I think the main problem for me on the album is the filler type stuff to make it a concept album.

Rick Wakeman - Two Sides Of Yes

This disc has slipped out without a mention from Rick or his website. The first I heard of it was on a Classic Rock Legends Catalogue. It is now also making advertising in main Magazines. Wondrous Stories normally seem to be ahead of the rest with their adverts and it is currently on their back page. I guess advertising will follow elsewhere which will make a nice change for a Rick album.

So what is the disc? Well it is a bit of an oddball really. In 1993 Rick released “Greatest Hits” on which he reworked himself and 7 Yes tracks. Rick hit financial trouble in the late 1990's and I believe he had to sell the rights to all his work prior to about 1997. So Greatest Hits went to a new label. Now it seems Classic Rock Legends own the rights to the disc or at least 3 of the tracks. This disc contains 7 tracks and four recently recorded Piano versions “Your Move”, “Long Distance”, “Close To The Edge”, and “The Meeting”, which alternate with “Wondrous Stories”, “Don't Kill The Whale” and “Roundabout” from “Greatest Hits”. Rick in 1993 was working with Tony Fernandez on Drums and Alan Thompson on Bass.

I have to confess over the years I haven't played “Greatest Hits” too much as in 1993 Rick discovered a setting whereby if he holds a note for a while it changes tone or pitch at the end. I thought it OK on the “Wakeman with Wakeman” album but I got really fed up with it when he used it again on “Greatest Hits”. I do play the Wakeman plays Wakeman half of the disc from time to time but I almost never play the Wakeman plays Yes disc as to be honest I found the versions over long and repetitive.

I am not good at listening to albums where I hear a mix of old and new so I will review the “Greatest Hits” tracks first.

“Wondrous Stories” - When I first heard this version I was disappointed that the part Rick played on the Yes version is missing to my ears. Rick was the star of the Yes track to me so I particularly wanted to hear his part. Never mind though, I am now used to this version and think it is one of the better arrangements. There is some nice probably fretless bass work from Alan on this. I am not 100% certain Tony Fernandez actually plays on all Yes tracks. It sounds like computer drums to me but then Tony can sound like clockwork live to. I think it is just his style. Rick starts with a flute like voice for the vocal line. There is also a sound I recognise from “Children of Chernobyl” used in the Chorus. As I say there is no attempt at Rick’s Chorus lines on this version. For the 2nd version Rick switches to the voice, which changes at the end. It is then back to the flute like lead. The backing arrangements are quite complex but I find myself listening to the lead alone and with the drums it feels a cheap arrangement. I like the next voice Rick uses then it is back to a milder version of the sound I am not keen on to finish.

“Don't Kill The Whale” is straight in with "the" voice. Then onto a pipes type one for the chorus. I like the style of Rick's playing just not the settings. Alan is slightly less noticeable on this track. Rick basically swaps voices back and forth in a kind of dual. At four minutes this track is quite variable and about the right length for me.

“Roundabout” is sadly the track I liked least. The original Yes version is fine but at 13 minutes with Rick almost alone I find this goes on too long. The intro is fine and then we get a moog type sound on the main line and some nice extra voices in the chorus. At the 3 minute mark we have already started the third set of Moog. We do then get a break and I am certain Tony is really playing on this track. This section is rather good actually. Alan is just basic bass playing on this I think. By 7mins we have got to organ type break and I am now thinking my memory has been way to hard on this song. This is probably the best of the three tracks on this album. It is a lot less repetitive than the other tracks and Rick is ad-libbing and having fun. Towards 10mins he starts with "the voice" again. Then 10.45 it is back to the moog from the start.

Ok so that's the bits I am less keen on over and done with. I have been a bit harsh on them with my memory but I still don't particularly want to listen to them again and I find it extremely annoying that we go for acoustic Piano tracks to old familiar tracks with drums that either are computerised or very close to it. I have a feeling Rick had Tony using an Electric kit back in those days too.

Now to the new Piano tracks and the reason I ordered the disc: -

Your Move is 7 and half minutes long. It's clever of them not to call it "I've Seen All Good People" as I really hate that one live. In the opening few bars I couldn't recognise the song but once I do I still enjoy it. Not everyone likes Rick on Piano alone but this is where his excellence really shows. There seems to be so many extra notes or Rickism thrown in. The arrangements seem so much better developed than the  93 ones. I can't decide if the “Seen Good People” section is in this version or not. The last three minutes seems almost new to me. They have certainly been changed well even if I recognise a few of the lines vaguely. I really like this track. Mmm that's annoying I can no longer claim to hate "I've Seen All Good people" just Yes' version of it ;-)

“Long Distance Runaround” is again about 7 minutes and is very busy for a one person piano performance. Rick's left hand starts with a good bass line. I see the sleeve notes say some of these songs are Piano Duets. This must be one of them. I have never heard Rick attempt a Piano Duet before. This works really well. I would like to hear a lot more.

Close To The Edge is also done in 7 and 1/2 minutes. I think this is the most fascinating piece to hear. Close To The Edge with Yes was 18 mins plus and seems a daunting task to convert down to just one or two pianos. Rick has done it beautifully though. It starts off very classically sounding. It's not until 100secs in I know for sure the part Rick is in. I recognise phrases before but not the whole section.

The Meeting has appeared in a Piano arrangement on a Rick CD before. Rick performed it live at Costa Mesa, California and it was subsequently released as “The Piano album”. That version was only short though as Rick chose to combine it with “And You And I”. On this CD we get a four minute version. Again it is a great piece beautifully performed but it is less essential for fans with most of Rick's catalogue.

This disc is supposed to be the first of a new series releases. I hope that means by Rick. As can be seen from my comments above I have very mixed feelings about this disc. Given the marketing I know Classic Rock Legends will give it, I wish it had been all new material. The piano only stuff is stunning and deserves a couple of extra tracks and a full release on it’s on. To me the 93 arrangements and the drums especially are just not up to the same standard. They are too simple and Rick's fingers aren't flying as much. I am worried that fans won't buy this because they have the 93 album. If they don't it might then put Classic Rock Legends off Rick. I hope not, he needs a break and this is Rick’s best opportunity since “Return To The Centre Of The Earth”. Classic Rock Legends are a great label who are out to promote good music and have the money to do so. If Rick can produce the goods I am sure he will do really well with them. Hopefully the average buyer will like the 93 stuff more than me and the album will work for them, fingers crossed. I am baffled that Rick made no comment on this new album in his Christmas newsletter. He mentions a “Classical Variations” album, which is in the same style and annoyingly is out at the same time.

Disciple - Damian Wilson

In his Career Damian Wilson has sang with Threshold, Landmarq, Jeronimo Road, Ayreon and Rick Wakeman. I wasn't keen on him in Jeronimo Road and I have reservations about his voice in some parts of Wakeman's catalogue but I found him OK overall and he is a really nice bloke personally.

Damian has also sung in Les Miserables so it is unclear what Damian prefers to sing. On the basis of this album it seems he likes quieter more introspective material.

When I heard of this album I heard it was very soft but quite good. I decided to give it a go but wasn't really expecting a lot from it. As it happens I really enjoy the album. This in fact is a special edition package with a 5 track EP "Grow Old With Me" included. Altogether the running time is only 55minutes so it is a reasonable combination.

The package's artwork is made up of children's drawings. Given the personal nature of the album's subject matter I will assume they are Damian's children although no surname is given.

Disciple CD: -

Disciple - Damian uses The City Of Sheffield Youth Orchestra on this album and they open this track. I was listening to a bootleg of Jeronimo Road this morning to find out my early thought of Damian's voice. I have got used to him over the years so I don't mind it as much as I used too and I thought him OK. I do find some of the louder singing doesn't really agree with me though. It is OK just less to my taste. On this track Damian sings quietly and gently and I think it suits his voice a lot more. The Orchestra are not used to make a big noise. They often get solo phrases on a single instrument with the strings being used for chords

Brightest Way - This starts with keyboards and percussion. Then the drums kick in and this one is a bit more upbeat than the previous song. The orchestra is again chord-like. There is a nice use of Organ. I liked the previous track but like this more.

Heavenly Mine - Violin starts this one. Hand drums are in use too. This is not as noisy as the previous song but it is still upbeat. It reminds me of Sonja Kristina's solo work. Piano is used and gets a minor break near the end. The track is only 3mins so everything is short but it is a good song.

Beating Inside - Damian starts this almost alone. There is acoustic guitar but relatively low in the mix. As the song progresses it gets stronger and other instruments join in. This track is long for this album at 5 minutes and at 3mins or so there is a bass section (It can’t be described as a solo as it is too slow) with the sound of children. There are some strings and then piano then the heartbeat drumming slowly fades out. Again a nice sing.

What a Man Can Dream - A Xylophone starts this one. And the orchestra is used in full again. I really do like Damian's voice on this album. I guess this a rather simple song compared to some of the others.

Never Close The Door - Again this starts with a loud Damian and quiet guitar. A violin joins in and then a harp type sound. This song is also a fairly simple song. There is less instrumentation but again I like it.

Nothing Without You - This is a more upbeat song again. The orchestra is used in full and there are drums on the track. I guess Damian is more in his Rock voice mode on this one but only just. Again it is a remarkably short track less than three minutes. There is no intro prior to Damian singing.

Part Of Me - Damian and the guitar start this one and then there is an orchestral backing again. This song feels like it could get big but while it builds a bit it never grows that much. The whole album is really about the lyrics I think.

Adam's child - Keyboards introduce this one. It is then Damian and guitar again. Having seen Damian singing in the pub after a Rick Wakeman gig I can imagine him singing these songs to himself very well. This track has a good use of instruments again with bits of flute and violin. Then there is some more Piano and just prior to the last verse there are some Ah's. Again a nice song.

Quietly Spoken - This song starts with the guitar. Then Damian sings with just his guitar as accompaniment. On the previous song I was considering saying I liked the songs that have busier arrangements and intros to the verses etc but I like this song as much as any other on the album. It’s a very low key way to end an album though.

Grow Old With Me EP: -

Grow Old With Me - This one repulsed me the first time I heard it. It is far too slushy and syrupy for me. It is the only cover Damian has done and is by John Lennon. The arrangement feels very Stage Musical and there are female vocals by Alex Sharpe seems very Sarah Brightman like given my lack of knowledge in this area. The track starts with Piano and Damian has more reverb or something on his voice. Violin comes in at the end of the first verse. Then Alex sings a verse and the orchestra joins her. The orchestra then gets a section and it is then Damian and Alex together. It was Damian's ambition to record this song so I pleased he could do it in such a big way. I suspect Musical fans would love it.

In A word - Piano starts this and then drums that I am not keen on. Again the orchestra is a lot bigger on this EP than the main album. It much fuller I guess more symphonic. I don't like this EP anywhere near as much as the main album. Damian is quite powerful on this song. I think there is a stronger stage musical direction in the arrangements.

Just The Way It Goes – A quiet piano starts this one. Then Damian sings gently along with it. Damian is definitely singing stronger and more rock like on this EP. I like this song there is a good combination of quiet and loud and the orchestra provide good backing. The songs on this EP are fuller in length and therefore feel more satisfying to me. I wonder of the main album is underwritten and yet I prefer it overall.

A Monday Night In March - Piano starts this one. Again Damian's voice has got reverb or something on it. We have drums on this track and the piano playing chords. The orchestra is also present and actually gets a loudish break between Damian's soft vocals. I expected him to break into rock voice but he remains gentle thought the song.

Nothing Left In Me - It's straight in with Damian and his guitar. This is probably my favourite on the EP. It definitely shows the direction he was to go on Disciple's main disc. It is also seems to be about missing his children.

So there we have it. It seems I am not that struck on the Grow Old With Me EP but I really like the Disciple album. I find it hard to get excited about any particular song but I enjoy the album overall. I think the arrangements are very good in there quiet understated ways. I do wonder what the songs would be like he they were expanded and given a fuller treatment but I like the results all the same.

I will be seeing Damian Live this weekend for a solo gig in Rotherham and it will be most curious to see what sort of show he puts on.