Heard some intersting rumors at the NAMM show in LA about Keith Emerson's next project, which is said to also feature 'someone you'd never guess'- another MAJOR keyboard player- who will be playing onstage with Keith....hmmmm....now who might it be????
Things are really warming up towards the release of "Return To The Centre Of The Earth" and now we are able to announce some further release dates and a few amendments. The UK release will now be the first and we are expecting to be adding all the further worldwide release dates during the course of next week, so keep checking if your country isn't listed yet. The dates are on the main details page but I'm sure the page you'll really want to look at is: Cover Artwork where we can exclusively reveal the album artwork by Roger Dean. Furthermore, we have more details about the original painting from which the artwork is taken. And if that doesn't make you want place your advance order, nothing will!
Bye for now...
Regards,
Wayne Smith & Jo Richardson
Webmaster and Webmistress
Hey, guys!!
Thanks to everyone who followed my suggestion and voted Rick's THEMES as the best album of 1998. In the latest issue of Music Street Journal, we find that Rick's THEMES won as the top album "by a large margin."
Check it out at: Music Street Journal poll
What a great way to thank Rick for all he has done, and it's an even better way to launch into the coming year with RETURN! We're definitely starting 1999 on a high note.
Thanks again, everyone.
For those of you in the USA, all of the HOPE Records product will be available from me soon again. A year and a half ago I had an initial stock of product and later experienced some problems in getting restocked. I have been waiting for Rick to actually acquire all of the stock himself and with all of the attention that RttCotE required it took this long to finally get to this point. I should be receiving all of the CD's and videos and I will take orders soon (BUT NOT YET!) I will also be able to bring in a few related items that people are asking for, such as Jabberwocky and Themes, etc.
It will still take about a week before you hear anything new regarding this, but remember, this "HOPE USA" service is really only for USA/North America buyers. For those of you not in America or Europe, I am also going to attempt to have HOPE product picked up for distribution via a major import distributor, so you will be able to order it through a local shop soon enough.
Thanks for your patience.
Hey gang,
Received an e from Nic last night, he asked me to pass this along:
================================
I received my copy of the CD finally today. I say finally because it was sent to my old home address (where I lived three years ago!). The package was rerouted to me. When the delivery man came into my business to have me sign for a package I didn't realize at first that this was the new Wakeman CD. When I saw "EMI - UK" on the package I exclaimed "It's the Return to the Centre of the Earth CD!!" The delivery man (about my age- 40 something) asked, "You mean Rick Wakeman?" I said, "Are you familiar with Rick?" He replied, "Yes, "Journey To The Centre Of The Earth" was one of my favorite albums." So, I told him that THIS is the sequel, 25 years later!
But there was no way I was going to hear this CD for the first time in my CD store. I was going home for the day!
Starting with the artwork, much has already been said since it was added to the RWCC website this week. It seems that everyone likes it alot, despite not being a tremendously colorful piece, but when you focus on all the intricate work in the background it really is a beautiful and unique Roger Dean masterpiece, reminding me of Relayer. I am very pleased with it and I for one can't wait to have a poster and a limited edition gatefold vinyl copy.
So, now I put the CD on and give the old Yamaha a good dose of volume...
LOUD!
I am not going to play the spoiler here. I just want to tell you a few things that I felt while listening, and what you might expect.
I agree with Roy DeR. that bringing Patrick Stewart on board for
narration might have been the greatest move. There were other actors considered, who probably should remain nameless, but once EMI suggested Stewart to Rick it was a no brainer. Rick actually had Stewart on his own short list! Patrick Stewart's role in the recording is very important and his voice is never intrusive on the music.
The Overture.... The orchestrations are FULL and the choral sections are beautiful. Then Wakeman enters with a signature mini moog solo. Right then I knew the "Return" was on!
It didn't take long, less than 9 minutes into the album the first vocal track is performed by OZZY OSBOURNE, "Buried Alive". For any of you who might think that the combination of Rick and Ozzy is peculiar, well let me tell you now- THEY KICK ASS! This song rocks! There has got to be a video and a single for this song! I could see it now, Ozzy in a video with an orchestra and choir along with Rick. Now that would grab some attention- even on MTV....
The thing that impressed me the most about this CD and especially on this track with Ozzy was the bottom end. The bass is incredible. You would think that the emphasis on orchestration and voices would leave you drowning in a sea of highs, but that's not the case.
The next vocal track is by Bonnie Tyler, "Is Anybody There?" I wasn't sure of what this would sound like, because I never even liked her singing with Mike Oldfield. But she's great on this song, an eerie kind of ballad.
One of the big instrumental tracks for Rick to really shine on is "Dance Of A Thousand Lights". It's a fast paced orchestral piece that has Rick playing a lot of fast piano for over five minutes. In the middle I think I hear a little nod to the original "Journey" with french horns and other wind instruments.... but maybe not. This is one of the most awesome tracks on the album.
The next vocal track is by the newcommer, Tony Mitchell, titled "Mr. Slow". This slow ballad reminds me of something that comes from Tony Banks "Curious Feeling" album. Vocals are nice, it's my wifes favorite because it sounds kind of romantic.
Finally, I get to the Trevor Rabin track, "Never Is A Long, Long Time. As soon as I hear his voice I have a feeling inside that makes me very glad to finally hear him sing again, for the first time since 1994's Talk. Yes fans and Rabin fans will like this song alot. It's rocks and Rabin's gtr solo is very tasteful but hot. The tune almost reminds me of a Supertramp kind of song.
The other two vocal tracks by Justin Hayward and Katrina (Leskanich) are very good, I think I like Katrina's performance a lot more. The feel of this tune is very upbeat and contemporary, perhaps good for a single as well.
There's a narrative piece that comes next, "Floating", which has some of the most beautiful choral music while Stewart is speaking. I love the narrative, but I would REALLY love to hear some of these pieces free of the narrative someday.
Getting to the last of the CD, we come to track 20 "Floodflames", a short instrumental which begins with the Rabin tune melody and then goes for a wild ride of other reocurring melodies while Rick is interacting with moog solos, similar to how he plays the moog solo as the end of Starship Trooper speeds up.
Finally, we come to the "End of The Return". This is the finale, and I am not at all ashamed to admit that by the time I got to the middle of this track I had my eyes well up with tears of happiness for Rick. The finale is powerful. This last tune made me think that Rick Wakeman has not only completed his "Return to the Centre of the Earth", but also a RETURN TO THE TOP!
This album is the greatest recording in the career of Rick Wakeman. It is a triumph, for a man who has gone through so much,... and now to finally do this.... it's just incredible. He deserves it, and so do you. Us fans have waited for many years ourselves for Rick to be able to make a proper album on a proper record label with a proper budget. This is it folks! Perhaps the best prog album in over 20 years! (And it is prog!) Now I know why Rick was so close to death during the making of this album, he pored everything he had into this album, and it almost did him
in.
The album won't be out for several weeks, but at least it's coming soon. I can't wait to see it live, I may need a paramedic myself after the finale!
Sorry I didn't write such an eloquent review, I'm tired after a long day and all the excitement, but I just wanted to pass this information on to everyone.
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.
Jeff Marx wrote:
“I know it's early to think of the concert tour, but does anyone know whether Patrick Stewart has been approached concerning his availability/desire to go out on the road as narrator?”
Patrick Stewart has told Rick that if and when a concert takes place he (kindly) "expects" to be invited to do the narration, meaning he does want to do it. I think Rick is going to make every effort to schedule around Stewart's schedule. Let's hope so!
************************
From Nic: - Feb. 7
New Wakeman EMI press photo's to promote "RETURN" are up on the Wakeman website
It sounds like Rick might be on VH-1 UK Talk Music at 9.30 next Saturday. They certainly mentioned him as they closed the program today anyway.
No RWIS announcement of this, but I thought you'd like to know that there are some further territory announcment dates on the site, an announcement (but not dates yet) of a UK Church tour, official press photos for "Return" (see the new fit and lean Rick) and a list of online stores that should be able to sell you "Return"
Oh yes, and UK people might like to know that he's appearing on "Can't Cook, Won't Cook" on Apr 1st. Really!
Good news for all UK-living Yes/Wakeman Freaks: keyboard-god Rick Wakeman will be doing a three weeks church tour in the UK during May/June.
Details can be found at www.rwcc.com/rwcc/code/live.htm
And don't forget to pre-order those Return To The Center Of The Earth-copies (again, details at www.rwcc.com/). UK release date is March 15.
Jeff Marx wrote:
"Greetings fellow Wakeman sojourners,
You know, we've all been talkin' a whole lot lately about RttCotE; the music and how good/great/epic it will be and all that. But...does anyone know the storyline? Well...I'm sure Nic does yes? :) Is it a Jules Verne story? Is Rick responsible for the story, what's the basic storyline of this thing?"
Good question. The story is by Rick Wakeman, inspired by Jules Verne. Patrick Stewart said to Rick that he would have made Jules Verne very proud! In fact, I heard that Patrick Stewart probably wouldn't have done the project if he didn't like the story, so that's a great sign there! The basic storyline is similar to the original.... but I won't play the spoiler too much ; )
Just switched on London today this lunchtime and Rick was on talking about Return. They had a couple of short clips, and a bit of Patrick Stewart. Before the interval they'd showed Rick going down a cave. I suspect that there will be more on this evening' London Today if anyone gets this in time.
Bill Hammell wrote:
The label and publicist have already been working on that very thing : )
It's a cold February evening in West London, and the crowds are
expectantly filing in to the Earth Gallery of the Natural History Museum to witness a rare sight in this day and age. Long since gone are the launch parties for the progressive masterpieces
of the seventies - until 9th February, when they come back with a
vengeance.
Hundreds are gathered to watch EMI Classics launch Rick Wakeman's "Return to the Centre of the Earth", 25 years after the original masterpiece. If you weren't in the know, you'd think that the setting had been created especially for the occasion, for the Earth Gallery is a long, thin, exceptionally tall expanse, at the far end of which stands an immense globe, through which a long escalator ascends to the rest of the museum. The assembled masses wait expectantly, milling around the exhibits of precious stones and geological artifacts - straight out of the centre of the earth.
With television crews and photographers vying for space, the opening strains of "Return" start to powerfully fill the narrow space. The lights dim, except for dramatic uplighters along the walls. As Patrick Stewart's voice begins the narration, the enormous globe begins to revolve around the escalator, the globe lights illuminates and the Roger Dean logotype dances across the Earth's surface.
Then as the overture begins, down the escalator comes Rick Wakeman, standing perfectly still, dressed in a long leather coat, striking the same pose as the "Wookey Hole" press photographs. A spotlight follows him down as thunderous applause and cheering fills the vast cavernous space. It's such a powerful entrance, it could only be appreciated by those in attendance.
At the bottom, a brief greeting for the crowd is followed by an invitation to move further down the gallery to a presentation of the new album. The crowd surges forward, jockeying for position, and at the far end we again all wait expectantly.
Rick Lyttelton, President of EMI Classics says a brief introduction to a promotional video, "The Making of Return". After this, Rick takes to the stage again and after a pause to listen to Trevor Rabin's track "Never Is A Long, Long Time", introduces us to some of the stars from the album, Bonnie Tyler, Katrina Leskanich, Tony Mitchell, the two conductors David Snell and Guy Protheroe and the artist Roger Dean, whose original painting of the album artwork was proudly on display as we entered. Then the rest of the evening was devoted to press photo calls and television interviews, the BBC, VH-1, MTV and host of others were there, all patiently waiting to talk to Rick, who looked slim, incredibly fit, and definitely in character in his leather outfit.
For those who liked celebrity spotting (and some of these will only be recognised by the Brits here) we spotted: Chris Tarrant, Danny Baker, Norman Hale (Hale & Pace), Bobby Davro, Clodagh Rogers, Duncan Preston (Victoria Wood show), Ian Lavender (Dad's Army), Roland Rivron, Robert Powell & his wife Babs (Pan's People), Garfield Morgan, John Virgo (snooker), Jim Davidson, Richard Hudson (Strawbs), Mike Mansfield (producer), Ashley Holt & Tony Fernandez and there were probably loads more that I didn't recognise or spot. In fact, if you're a celebrity who was there and I've missed you - tough!
I took some video during the evening, and if I can find a way of sensibly getting it online, I will do so during the next few days, probably as a QuickTime download rather than streaming.
And that was about it, although I'll happily answer any questions that you may have. For the record, I spoke to an exhausted Rick at the end and he was very, very happy. It was a launch to remember, he just hopes that you'll all buy it now :-)
Wayne & Jo
P.S. For those wondering, Patrick Stewart was due to appear as well, as he's in the UK making a film. Unfortunately, the English weather played an unkind hand. The movie has a Christmas theme, and yes you've guessed it, we had snow - loads of it. Perfect for a Christmas movie, so perfect in fact, that the producers wouldn't let him leave Yorkshire - the snow was that perfect. What a shame. I think the folk from EMI Classics were less than impressed. I overheard, "He can have a helicopter, anything -
just get him here!" Probably the saddest bit, was the Patrick really, really wanted to be there.
"Talk music" on VH-1 contains a 4 minute section on the Launch of Return to the .... There were lots of clips of Patrick doing the talk plus Bonnie Tyler and Katrina (of the Waves) doing their bits in the studio. (I was worried by these, I have to say.) I suspect it was too short to form any opinions and I rarely like female singers. There were clips of the photo shoot in the caves etc. An interesting piece.
The next two showings are 9.30am Saturday and 3.30pm Sunday. Rick is on 15 mins in at the start of part 2.
This will be of interest only to UK list members I'm afraid. I came home early from work today and settled down with a coffee to watch Countdown (a word game show on TV). Guess who was on dictionary corner. Rick Wakeman! Richard Whitely introduced him as "the man who likes to play Yes". It was changeover day so he will be on for the next week, so if you are able to get to a TV at 4.30 Channel 4 you will see him. He didn't come up with any intersting words however but he was wearing a rather loud striped suit. I don't know how far in advance they record it, it may be done earlier in the day or the day before so I shall keep a look out for him as they record it in Leeds. I understand he is becoming quite a regular guest on the show.
I missed half of the show tonight. I was in Sweden and arrived home just in time to see the last 15 minutes. They were having the lyric round. The host gives the lyrics from a "well known
song", and the teams have to follow on with the next line and name the title of the song and the artist. The lyrics were
"Outboard River, Blue Tail, Tail Fly, Luther In Time, Sun Flower Asking, Cover, Lover, June Cast, Moon Fast, As One Changes......"
Both teams had no idea. Rick was role playing, colouring in a children's book. The host Mark LaMarre (sp?) siad "This is a Yessong, Rick". Rick looks up from his book. "Oh! which song?"
ML replies "Siberian Khatru". "I was on that" says Rick.
"What would be the chances of Rick making an apperance on Late Nite w/Conan O'Brian, and/or Late Show w/ David Letterman?Return to the Centre of the Earth - The Launch
From: Wayne Smith [wayne@rwcc.com] - Feb 10VH-1 [UK] Talk Music - Launch and making clips
From Jon Hinchliffe: [jon@praying-mantis.prestel.co.uk] - Feb 12The Wizard of the Dictionary
From: Elinor Bostock [elinor@sunfighter.demon.co.uk] - Feb 24Rick on Never Mind the Buzzcocks
From: Yescelt@aol.com - Feb 26Concert photos copyright ©1997 Roxi Cook
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