Wakeman Returns to Brasil
From: wakeyfan [wakeyrules@yahoo.com] - April 9

fellow Wakefans; http://www.rockprogressivo.com.br/. See you there!

Premiere of "Return to the Centre of the Earth"
From: [brian_neeson@solectron.co.uk] - April 10

This has already been mentioned on a couple of lists to which I subscribe, but I haven't seen it here, so I thought you might like to know. The Programme (Tour Book) for Rick Wakeman's most recent UK Tour announces that the Premiere performance of "Return to the Centre of the Earth" will take place in Quebec, Canada on June 30.

There has been some doubt expressed as to the the reality of this. I spoke to Rick on Saturday, and asked him if it was really going to happen. He confirmed the the show will go ahead. I expressed my doubt by way of querying why there had been no Promotion so far. Rick said that the Publicity machine will start this week. He seems to be in NO doubt. So there you are - see you in Quebec. It's a Saturday night.

Rick Wakeman at Elviga Theatre, Chesham - 7th April
From: [brian_neeson@solectron.co.uk] - April 11

I had a very difficult decision to make last Saturday. My team were playing for the Scottish Premier Championship, on the same day that Rick Wakeman was playing the final date of his final UK Tour. Rick won. I figured there would be many more Championships ahead.

I arrived in Chesham around 5.30pm on Saturday night, having found a Pub in London to watch the match, which the Celts predictably won. It was pouring down when I started to look around for a Hotel or B&B. Guess what? There are NO hotels in Chesham. I had to take a taxi to Amersham, about three miles away.

First person I met when I got back to Chesham was Brad, who had travelled over from Memphis for this show, and the one on the previous night at Hemel Hempstead.

Brad gave me the news that Ramon Remedios had not played the previous evening due to illness, and that Ashley Holt, who lives in Chesham, had taken over. For those of you who don't know, Ashley sang on "Journey" and "No Earthly Connection".

I later met an old friend Colin from Poole, whom I first met at a Yesshow in Chicago, and Pam from the Steve Howe Fan Club. I also bumped into Tony Emmerson, writer for Progression magazine.

I was told before the show that there was to be a special guest this evening, and when I bumped into Tony Fernandez and Adam Wakeman at the bar, I hazarded a guess that it might be one of them. Tony was non-committal. Elviga holds around 500 people, 20 rows of 25, and it was completely sold out. There was only 1 empty seat in the Theatre, and that belonged to Bryan Jones, who got stranded in Texas, on his way from Denver.

My seat was second row centre right, so the view was fine, but the sound was rather muffled.

Rick opened with my favourite track from "Return" - "Dance of 1000 Lights". He plays the Piano with an Orchestra backing track. No jokes about the Choir and Orchestra being patched through from the Car Park tonight. Rick then played a couple of Yessongs "And You and I" and "Wondrous Stories". He introduced these songs with a Jon Anderson story, which had the audience roaring with laughter. I will do my best to transcribe this from Memory, but you really had to be there to appreciate it fully. It went something like this.

[ snip - you already saw this bit]

The setlist was rather different due to Ramon's illness, but we therefore got to hear some rare live pieces. Rick followed with After the Ball from White Rock. Rick's story is that he wrote this piece off the cuff when he recorded that Album, which was the musical accompaniment to the Film about the 1986 Winter Olympics. At the end of the Recording Session the Film Producer had thanked Rick for his work, and said "Only one piece to do now - the Female Figure Skating". Rick had apparently forgotten to write this piece, sat down at the Piano, and ad-libbed to the Film of the skater. "Brilliant" said the Producer.."well worth waiting for", and Rick was pretty pleased with himself, until the Engineer said "could you run through that one more time, Rick, I'm not sure I've got it".

Rick then introduced Ashley to a huge round of applause from his Local audience. They played "The Realisation" and "The Prisoner" from "No Earthly Connection", which was a first for me. This is a very emotional song, and Ashley performed wonderfully, especially when you consider that he has probably not sung it for years.

"Morning has Broken" was given the usual intro, and Rick really milked the Audience sympathy tonight, as they "aaahh-ed" his misfortune at every opportunity. The story, of course, is that Rick was never paid for his session on the Cat Stevens version of this song, and was not given a Credit on the Album "Teaser and the Firecat" - (which actually reads "Piano - Cat Stevens"). There is twist to the tale now. Rick received a call a few months ago from Cat Stevens, who had heard a tape of Rick's previous tour, and apparently it came as quite a surprise to him that Rick had never been paid or credited. Then just a couple of weeks ago, a package arrived for Rick from Cat Stevens. Mr Stevens had ordered the Record Company to re-write the sleeve of "Teaser and the Firecat" to read "Piano - Rick Wakeman", and Rick was given a complimentary copy of the new version. The downside to this is that we might not get to hear that hilarious story anymore.

The next piece was "Merlin", and as usual Rick surprised a stooge from the Audience with the Sustain pedal.

That took us to a short intermission.

"Sea Horses" from "Rhapsodies" followed. This was another "ad-lib" composition. He had composed this at the Piano, in a friend's house, while watching his Friend's film of Seahorses taken while on a diving expedition. Tour staple "Nursery Rhyme Concerto" was next. The victims tonight were Mozart, Ravel, Rachmaninov, and of course, Les Dawson.

Ashley came back on for "Make me a Woman", which was followed by a "1984" Medley which included "Julia".

Rick introduced "Fool on the Hill" featuring Ashley, and "Eleanor Rigby in the style of Prokofiev" by saying that he doesn't care what McCartney thinks about his adaptations, as he never comes to Rick's shows anyway. There had been a few Panto-style interventions from the Audience during the set, and I was half-expecting someone to shout "Behind you", and Paul to appear from behind the Curtains. He didn't.

Rick interrupted the shortest encore applause you might ever hear. "I don't know why we bother with Encores - you know I'm just standing over there behind the Curtain".

Rick introduced Adam as the Special Guest. The encore numbers were "Gone but not Forgotten" a duet with Adam, which always brings tears to a few members of the Audience, and "Summertime" with Ashley, who bedecked Rick in a Gold cape, as he took the stage.

This was yet another memorable evening with Rick, and quite sad that it may be the last time we will see this kind of concert. Rick will still play One-off dates in the UK, and he confirmed to me after the show that the 30th June "Return to the Centre of the Earth" Premiere in Quebec is definitely going ahead. However the intimacy and humour at this kind of show, are attractions that are unique.

Pictures from April 6 Hemel Hempstead Concert
From: Brad McCabe [komax@pipeline.com] - April 12

Pictures of Rick (and Ashley Holt) from the April 6 Hemel Hempstead show can now be seen at: http://www.pipeline.com/~komax/London2001/Wakeman/RickWakeman.html

--
Web Page: www.pipeline.com/~komax
Featuring the London 2001 - 5000 Pubs, 7 days tour.

Rick Shows in Rio during Easter Time!!!
From: Roberta Coelho [robertarcoelho@yahoo.com.br] - April 17

On his fourth time in Brazil, there were only two notes and a small interview about Rick Wakeman and his New English Rock Ensemble shows in Rio de Janeiro in the local media. One of the articles was pretty funny: it said that the Easter Bunny was blond and had straight hair - well, he sure was! And he was also wearing a cape (just like on the old days)!!!

Wakeman performed live on the 14th and 15th of April and attending his concerts turned out to be the best way to celebrate Easter this year. His "carioca" fans simply crowded Canec„o nightclub on the weekend is spite of the poor advertising and the Holiday itself. And that couldn't have been any different; after all, it was an eight year-break to see Rick again!

Oddly enough, the first time Rick came around, in 1975, it was the newspaper "O GLOBO" - one of the most important in the country - that made his visit possible by organizing "Aquarius Project" (Genesis had also came here because of that). At that time, it was almost impossible to see an international live act in Brazil, and now, only by this year, we have already been blessed to see Camel and Wakeman.

The New English Rock Ensemble are Adam Wakeman (keyboard), Tony Fernandez (drums), Damien Wilson (vocals), Lee Pomeroy (bass) and Ant Glynne (guitar). Not only the band was excellent and VERY much in tune, but also the set was SPECTACULAR, ranging from "Journey To The Center Of The Earth" to "No Earthly Connection" pieces and some others by the Beatles ("Eleanor Rigby") and Yes (the starting tunes of "Heart Of The Sunrise" and "Starship Trooper"). In the two hour-concert, many GREAT stuff was performed, such as some Return To The Center Of The Earth's; 1984's "The Hymn"; Rhapsodies' "Pedra da G·vea", - named after beautiful large rock located in Rio and especially composed by Rick after his first time in Brazil -; almost all "The Myths And Legends Of King Arthur..." (except "Guinevere"). There was also an outstanding new version of "Merlin, The Magician", in which Adam and Rick performed a duet of keyboard solos using some mobile keyboards and staring at each other, smiling. It was really moving to see him and his son playing together (although they did come here together in 1993 in the "Wakeman with Wakeman" tour); then Rick went walking straight into the audience to his fans' delight. That was probably the highlight of the show.

On the following day, at the very same Canec„o, Rick changed not only the sequence performed the other night, but also did other songs; at that time, almost all "Six Wives Of Henry VIII" was played, including a marvelous one-showmanship performance in "Jane Seymour".

On both days, Rick and his band let the fans get to the backstage and get autographs and take pictures. Rick Wakeman is truly a very kind person - like all his mates - and even talked about the invitation he received to play in Yes again a few weeks ago, which he actually had to turn down because of his busy schedule. He talked about what will come next, as well - he will tour Italy (where Wakeman is now living most of the time), the Netherlands, Japan and Indonisea this very year. And the Wakeman & Emerson project CAN happen in a couple of years, according to Rick himself; actually, it was also told that they have already recorded some material.

I just hope that everybody gets to see Wakeman and his New English Rock Ensemble concerts as soon as possible. Argentineans, for example, have been blessed enough to see their shows for two consecutive years now. Well, no one can never get enough of Rick anyway!!!

What the Easter Bunny really brought us this year was a perfect Progressive Easter. And it would be much better if everybody could be able to take part in such events instead of getting stuck in a traffic jam because of the Holiday and get mad at each other, getting stressed in some travel and ruining the Easter spirit. Actually, the only trip I (and all the fans in Rio) took last weekend was down to the center of the Earth, at Rickís concert, and I am sure that ALL were REALLY happy with delight. There would be no better way to celebrate Easter INDEED and that was shown through the two almost sold-out shows :-) Thanks to Rick, the Holiday in the city of Rio de Janeiro was much brighter this year.

Love Thoughts to All in the list

And thank you very much for the hint, Skip :-D

Rick Wakeman in Sao Paulo
From: Paulo Henrique Leocadio [paulohl@microsoft.com] - April 20

Greetings from the sunny days of the tropical autumn!

Fellas, Wacko made it, really. First concert was great, the second even better since technical sound problems were perfected on the 2nd evening. Set list was basically the same, great difference was a drum solo intro to the Myths and Legends excerpts on the second day that gave us more 8min. Please let me know if you want the set list for both days. The vocal was great (I am not talking about the vocalist but about his vocal since his presence is polemical indeed). With the sound and equalizations corrections for the second dayn the hard/neo-prog guitar did great on the second day also.

I think that this is the last Wakeman tour ever in my country, something to remember.

Another thing: I got my original No Earthly LP signed by Rick and Tony both with respective oooohhh's

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From: Jon Affonson [mailto:joao-affonso@uol.com.br] April 20

Yeah, Paulo... Great show! Great band! Great set list! Rick is playing his best!!!!

After the show, we had ALL OUR STUFF signed by Rick, a very very kind person...

I asked him about his Yes comebacking, and he said he offered himself to do some guest appearances, but they said: "No! We want a full time member", and he replied: "I don=B4t have all that time to Yes"... When I told him Yes is going on tour without keyboardist, replaced by a local-orchestra musician, he almost didn=B4t believe... he said: "They are doing WHAT?"... ahahahaha...

Then I asked him if Adam would be good to Yes, and the answer was amazing: "Adam would be good to Yes, of course... but I don't think they would be good to my son" Adam was beside him and said: "I'm not in Yes because they didn't ask me YET"...

Rick told us that Return will be performed in June 29, in Canada, only in french, no guest appearances from Ozzy or Trevor or Justin... Rick is plannig to record another epic album in two years... Toni Fernandez is learning portuguese, =B4cause he is moving to Portugal...

Adam finished the Yes Tribute Album, and he told us this is the first time that HE IS THE BOSS... all musicians in this project are paid by him... he seems to find it very funny... ahahahaha... he told us that he sit on the big chair and says: "Damian, Lee, Ant, that part is not good... do it again"...

And many other things... 2 unforgetable nights!!!!
Best Wishes,
The power of love can open every heart in everyone
Minute by minute...
Jon Affonson
Yessucker and Prog-Snob

Photos of the Rio de Janeiro gigs
From: Maria Lucia [epeters2@maine.rr.com] - April 22

I already have a lot of pictures of the Rio de Janeiro gigs on my pages, more than 50! There are 5 pictures at the top that were taken during the rehearsal and they are fantastic ("ensaio" is "rehearsal", in case you look for them on the page). I'll have some pictures of the Sao Paulo gigs soon and I'll let you know when they are available.

Best regards,
Maria Lucia
http://tinpan.fortunecity.com/dylan/799/fotosabril2001.htm

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I already have pictures of the Sao Paulo gigs on my site (56 pictures): http://tinpan.fortunecity.com/dylan/799/fotosabril2001.htm

Also, Clarissa has a page with very good pictures (in Sao Paulo) and two video clips of the gigs! Go to:

Rick Wakeman in Sao Paulo
From: Paulo Henrique Leocadio [paulohl@microsoft.com] April 24 - April 20

They said they will return in october this year again but I think no more Wacko world tours ... Set list was basically the same except for the opening drum solo on Arthur played only on the 2nd evening:

MD1 (aprox. 61min):
(1) Taped intro from Return to the Center of the Earth
(2) Journey to the Center of the Earth (excerpts)
(3) Never is a long, long time ...
(4) Drum Solo/The Myths and Legends of King Arthur (excerpts)
(5) The visit
(6) Catherine Howard/Catherine of Aragon

MD2 (aprox. 50min):
(7) The Hymn/1984 Overture/Robot Man
(8) Jane Seymour
(9) Merlin the Magician
(10) No Earthly Connection (excerpts)
(11) Catherine Parr

MD3 (aprox. 35min):
(12) Heart of the Sunrise/Starship Trooper
(13) Buried Alive
(14) Eleanor Rigby
(15) Taped closing from Return to the Center of the Earth

Rick in Alfa Centauri 2001
From: Stephen Yensen [Stephen.Yensen@siemenscomms.co.uk] - April 25 - April 20

Sorry if cross-posting is bad etiquette, but I think this may be of interest to some of you ...Cross-posted from beyond_em@yahoogroups.com without permission, I'm afraid...

I am hoping to be there. A lot depends on work and domestic commitments!

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Date: Fri, 20 Apr 2001 22:16:06 +0200
From: Quantum Productions [quantumproductions@wxs.nl]
Subject: Latest news about the 8th Alfa Centauri EM Festival, April 28 !

Dear all

only one week to go to the Alfa-Centauri EM Festival, which will take place on Saturday April 28, Venue: t Spant in Bussum, Netherlands featuring: Rick Wakeman, Roedelius, Peter Mergener, Lightwave, Alquimia and Erik Norlander

Box office opens: 10.30 hours, festival starts 12.00 hours; almost 12 hours of electronic music under one roof.... !

We have now closed advanced ticket sales, because processing payments and reservations would take too much time to be able to complete the reservations list. So please: do not send or transfer any money for tickets from now.

There will be tickets available at the box office. We do expect however, to sell the last available tickets at the box office, so we cannot guarantee ticket availability during rest of the festival day. We kindly advise you to be in time to get your ticket.

Advanced ticket sales turned out to be very, very well. Especially the last couple of days we got lot of telephone calls, faxes and emails due to the interview with Rick Wakeman, that has been published in some of the major dutch newspapers..... Rick promises that this once-off concert at Alfa #8 will be a very special one, with lot of his greatest hits, especially because this will be his last SOLO performance for some time. Rick is preparing for his new projects, such as his new band, studio projects (for example with Keith Emerson) and much more. So...don't miss this one !!

We have put a couple of latest festival updates at our website, such as a personal message from Erik Norlander, the final festival time schedule and more.

look at: http://www.alfacentauri.nl

Looking forward to meet you there !

Regards
eric

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And another one ...

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Date: Sun, 22 Apr 2001 20:49:24 +0200
From: Quantum Productions [quantumproductions@wxs.nl]
Subject: Re: For Rick Wakeman Fans attending Alfa

, the alfa-concert will definitely not be the same as the recent tour in South America

we have discussed with Rick the tracks that were asked for by the fans that will visit alfa, and most of the requests will be very likely or probably be played, although there is some overlap between the lists it will definitely not be the same do not forget his performance at alfa is a once-off, exclusive concert with which he closes a long time of touring and playing (solo) on stage

come and see (listen) for yourself, it's the last chance to see Rick Wakeman playing his show and many of his (greatest) hits for a long time...

eric

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Cheers,
Steve
in Nottingham, UK