I interviewed Rick about his new album recently and that piece will appear soon in Goldmine.
rick was the subject of a huge feature article in the indianapolis star last sunday, may 23rd, page 1 of the entertainment section. check it out at www.starnews.com. the article featured a BIG picture of rick and the caption "keyboard hero". there was much talk of "return" (which, by the way, is awesome) as well as other classic wakeman interview material. article was written by marc allen (?).
if its not still posted on their web-site, let me know and i'll post a bit of it when i get a spare minute or two. that might be a while as i'm teaching 2 summer classes and getting ready to move closer to indianapolis (and closer to jan, big smile!).
Check out this latest RICK WAKEMAN interview!!
http://www.smartlink.net/~yesman/WakeView1.html
Big Bear Records
Av. Santa Fe 1653 L.7
(1060) Capital Federal
Buenos Aires - Argentina
www.bigbear.com.ar
Tel: +54(11)4815-6633
Fax: +54(11)4816-7301
The Musical Box radio show
www.angelfire.com/mb/TheMusicalBox
As of today you can get the double CD The Masters by Rick Wakeman at our shop. It's the double CD released by Eagle Rock which is a compilation of some of the best stuff fron the Prersident label albums. This double CD costs $23
We have just recieved the new Steve Howe album Portraits Of Bob Dylan. It sells for $23.
The latest Artist Shop newsletter is out and you'll find it in its entirety at
On our import preorder page
WAKEMAN,RICK & MARIO FASCIANO-STELLA BIANCA ALLA CORTE DI...
I don't know why... but I have been notified by an import CD distributor I do business with that the remastered "reissues" of Wakeman's "Six Wives of Henry VIII" and "Myths & Legends of King Arthur" are "CANCELLED". I was not told why, but what this means is we probably won't be seeing them now or for a long time : (
***********************************
From: Gary Davis [artshop@artist-shop.com] - June 4
Yes, I'd heard the same about Six Wives some weeks ago. The news about Myths and Legends just came yesterday. At the same time I was also informed that the Buried Alive single was also cancelled. Drat. Oh well, with so much brand new Wakeman stuff coming out (2 box sets, 3 or 4 albums) I suppose cancelling some reissues can be seen as a reprieve to one's wallet. ;-)
Marc Harry wrote:
"Those of us lucky enough to have seen Rick so far on his Half A Century Tour (I've been twice) can testify to the highlight of the show involving the most phenomenal organ samples I've ever heard being used on just one track I never thought I'd ever hear RW play live. (I won't tell all as there are many who've not been yet and I don't want to spoil the surprise - just whet the appetites!)"
Having just heard this last night in Derby I was about to spill the beans, but having read Marc, perhaps I too ought to say, if you haven't booked up yet, get to one of these performances, they really are great with some real new treats. Before () there is Morning has Broken (yes the original arrangement) and after () there is Rossini's Barber of Seville, sorry, Wakeman's Barber of Wigan, which is very funny, even if it has some lines like:
He is the Barber of Wigan
Rick's lyrics also had the Barber realising, after selling his soul to the Devil, that he hadn't gone to hell, he had been there all the time. (Wigan's not so bad!).
Even after numerous performances, (this is half way through the tour) both Rick and Ramon clearly still enjoy playing it with Ramon choking with laughter at one point.
The audience was quite small, no more than about 200 I wouldn't have thought (although that was nearly full - how does the tour pay?) and it seemed to me that perhaps a majority of the 'congregation' were regulars at the church rather than dedicated Rick fans.
This really deserves a much larger stage. I can feel the frustration of Rick fans over the pond and elsewhere distant from these shores to think that these pearls are being cast before so few.
A nice feature was a reception afterwards with Rick and Ramon which gave a good opportunity to talk to them. I managed to ask Rick a couple of things which are probably of interest to people here. One was given the fantastic highlight of hearing () live, would he now be able to do Judas Iscariot live which I thought could sound even better live in a church. Rick replied that he and Ramon had considered it for this tour but was considering another tour in November and was thinking of including Judas then. I signed up straight away.
The other was about how well Return was selling in the US and
how likely a Return tour was now. Rick seemed to think that US sales were running ahead of what they had hoped and that 'there would be a Return concert' where and when he couldn't say but he thought that there were too many people who wanted it to happen for it not to.
If you are still to go to a Half Century evening, enjoy it - if not, why aren't you going? you don't know what you are missing.
I've got this rare Japanese import up for auction on ebay
http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=115379103
Having had White Rock II for two weeks now, maybe it's time
to write a brief review. Let me first say I am not overly
familiar with or extremely enthusiastic about the previous
White Rock effort. But I'd say the recordings bear little
resemblance anyway, though the cover art is virtually the same.
There are seven tracks on the album ranging from just over
3 minutes to almost 12 minutes.
As always, on the first listens one has to get used to the
sound of the drum computer again. It's excellently programmed,
but sounds dull-ish. As for the keyboard sounds, Rick does not
use the old White Rock sounds, but sticks to his typical 90s-sounds.
The 'WwW sound' is there, and lots of moogs. Also some organ.
The band further consists of Fraser on guitar, and Brad Waissman
on bass (which is presumably the same guy as on Themes, although
his name is spelled as Wiseman there..) Musically, it's all vintage Wakeman, very recognizable and enjoyable though there are no big surprises.
Track by track:
Ice Pie (8:54)
Dancing on Snowflakes (3:07)
Nine Ice Groove (7:03)
In The Frame (3:41)
Harlem Slalom (11:21)
Frost In Space (8:10)
All-in-all another very worthwhile album IMO. Lots of great keyboard. Get it if you think Return has not enough Rick on it. Or get it anyway.
Now I also got the Natural World trilogy, but I think I'll refrain from doing a track-by-track review (there are about 25-30 tracks on there). It sounds a bit more interesting than the Aspirant series IMO. Nice quiet melodic music.
From a local newspaper on Thursday June 3 1999
Yes .. Wakeman's still a Rick'n'roll animal
WHAT we wanted was a world-famous rock keyboard player - what we got was an evening of contrasts.
Rick Wakeman, one of the original wild men of rock, had teamed up with operatic tenor Ramon Remedios to produce an evening of inspiration, passion and unrestrained fun.
Classically trained Wakeman is better known for his prolific output of rock-based concept albums. However with his Half a Century Tour - so called because he recently celebrated his 50th birthday - he has put together a show that raises expectations, then exceeds them.
Last year the former Yes star was awarded the prestigious World's Best Keyboard Player Award - for the seventeenth time.
Besides churning out dozens of solo albums, picking up 47 gold and platinum discs in the process, he has performed on over 2000 recordings by other artists, including such luminaries as Lou Reed, Marc Bolan, and David Bowie. He is a one-man music factory.
Talents
The impressive venue - with its ancient vaulted roof, lofty pillars and stained glass windows - perfectly complemented the gigantic talents of both musician and singer.
Remedios, who studied at The National Opera School of the London Opera Centre and played the role of Piangi in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Phantom of the Opera, was in peak form. He gave every ounce of energy he possessed, his voice soaring to the roof and beyond.
When Wakeman launched into Merlin the Magician, he delivered an impossibly complex, swirling combination of notes and chords with a speed and dexterity that defied belief.
With the Dance of a Thousand Lights from the recently released Return to the Centre of the Earth album, and the awe-inspiring Jane Seymour; he had the notes bouncing from the church walls. The tunes were as intricately engineered as fine lace work, yet rich in melody.
How is it possible for one man and a bank of keyboards to produce such an elaborate sound? Were it not for the fact we were in a hallowed building I would have suspected witchcraft or a pact with the devil.
There was humour, too. At one point Remedios, resplendent in his perfectly pressed tux, took a breath and steeled himself to sing Nessun Dorma, only to fall victim to Wakeman's wicked humour as the Korg keyboard blasted out the first few bars of Nelly the Elephant.
There was also the hugely entertaining Nursery rhyme Concerto; with Pop Goes the Weasel played in the style of Rachmaninov, Ba-ba Black Sheep in the style of Mozart, Hickory-Dickory-Dock in the style of Debussy - and Twinkle Twinkle in the style of Les Dawson.
Enthralling
Wakeman finished with three Lennon and McCartney numbers; his arrangement and rendition of Eleanor Rigby had to be heard to be believed. He produced a barrage of notes and chords, that swept through the building, enthralling the audience and sending up a cheer that almost matched the volume of the PA system.
When the pair returned in response to the demand for an encore it was to perform Wakeman's favourite: The Day Thou Gavest Lord is Ended. It made for an electrifying and deeply moving finale.
Wakeman is more than just a huge musical talent. He is a comic, a showman, and an all-round good guy who sent us on our way in the pouring rain, with huge grins on our faces. --Drew McAdam
I took in two nights of this tour and I am glad I did as my health the first night left me feeling rather unsure of the night. Taking in the 2nd night (and not have my children visit prior to the concert!) meant I was able to appreciate the concert for the excellent night it was. Also the 2nd half started differently on the 2nd night.
The opening number was Birdman of Alcatraz which showed signs of a promising sets of different numbers to the last tour. Next up Ramon Remedios joined Rick for Await the Hour from the Gospels. He came out speaking another Language until Rick Pointed out he was from Liverpool. Rick also pointed out there had been a mistake on the poster and Ramon was now Rambo. The first night there were a few Jokes about Ramon going outside to steal some hub caps etc but not the 2nd night. It is interesting to see how the two nights differed and although Rick and Ramon obviously follow a certain routine, they are still human and therefore
adlib a bit. Nursery Rhyme Concerto was next and it was back to the familiar intro for this. The audience that have heard it before still seem to find it amusing though. I was then slightly disappointed by Rick doing Dance of a 1000 lights while Ramon went and conducted the Orchestra and Choir out in the car park ie
they played a backing tape. I guess Rick needed to promote Return at the concerts but from a fan point of view I think it would have been nice to see what he could come up with in the way of a solo arrangement. Rick is so good at doing this I am sure he could have figured something out.
Ramon returned and we got A Wish and Welcome a star with the story of Rick's first performance of the Gospels and the choir never having heard the piece in full and Robert Powell having hurt and leg and being on Morphine. Rick therefore had to nod at appropriate moments in the performance and when it started going well he accidentally nodded to say "it's going well isn't it" and they all came in wrong. The penultimate song of the first half was Merlin the Magician complete with change of Keyboard for the last crazy patch. For this he choose someone from the audience to come up and hold his sustain peddle. I think he choose the people from the same position each night but I won't say where :-)
The final song of the set was Nessun Dorma which was used in the World Cup some years back. This was at Ramon's request and when Rick started to play he started with "Nellie the Elephant" because he had misread Ramon's letter.
Set 2 at Norwich started with Rick mentioning he had helped David Bowie arrange Hunky Dory. However at Bury St Edmunds Rick came back on from the back of the Cathedral in his KGB uniform and gave a long story about how he got it out of Russia. I don't know why it didn't happen the first night and I forgot to ask Rick. It was a nice bonus for me to get something extra the 2nd night though. He then played Space Oddity and Life On Mars. He must be
getting used to them now as he was not relying so much on the piece of music or chord sequence he has pulled out on previous tours. Again that is something has baffled me in the past and I wished I had asked about it.
Next up was Morning Has Broken with the usual intro. It was nice to see this with a vocal from Ramon. Jane Seymour was again the highlight of both shows for me. I have played the original on Six Wives of Henry VIII and it was OK but to hear it all done by just Rick in a Church/Cathedral with great Organ sounds is really
something special. I have often wondered why it doesn't close a set. Perhaps it is because Rick doesn't feel church audiences no his own tunes as well as the others he plays. Ramon wanted to do the Barber of Siville but again Rick misread Ramon's letter and had written a new piece called Barber of Wigan which was very
funny but perhaps a little long for something that was not to me musically that great. It was a very good parody though and Ramon was very good in it. It was also interesting to see Rick smiling so much. I haven't noticed Rick's grin before. I took a roll of film the 2nd night so I might have some decent shots when I get round to adding them to my page. Then we moved into the area I was most unsure of, the last 5 songs. They were Help and Fool On The Hill with Ramon and then Eleanor Rigby as the set closer. Then for an encore The Hymn (from 1984) and The Day Thou Gavest
Lord Has Ended both with Ramon. The first night I was absolutely shattered before I had even got to the gig and I was incredibly disappointed that Help was still done in the slow Tribute style. I did notice that Ramon was making the words seem very meaningful but 4 slow songs out of 5 seemed a very bad way to end the set and I then went home with the impression the whole night had been slow paced. The 2nd night however I knew what to expect and was dreading Help and Fool on a Hill but to my amazement I found
I really enjoyed them and I got the feeling a lot better. I am interested to see how others viewed the choice of these five songs as the ending (and why there have been no reviews on the list!). I was also surprised my memory of the previous night had been so wrong with regards the pace of the concert and everything. I think Ramon's voice has cracked a bit during A
Wish and Welcome A Star so I suspect the first night was the better performance but I definitely preferred the 2nd night and as I said earlier was so pleased I had opportunity to take in two shows on the trot. If you had the chance to go and didn't bother I think it was a shame. It was also very nice to meet up with Chris Smith after the Bury Show. It is always nice to meet people you have spoken to on the net :-)
It was our turn to see Rick in Edinburgh last night. The church was absolutely full - about 250 people, with another 150 in an adjoining hall watching on a video link. It sounds like we got exactly the same set as you, Jon. We also got the same anecdotes. Isn't it amazing that no matter how many times we hear the
Morning Has Broken, and St Giles stories, we still crease up with laughter? I take your point about "Dance of A Thousand Lights" - it would have been nice to hear a special arrangement for solo performance. I guess he didn't have time to prepare this. We also had the Orchestra and Choir in the Car Park, the Brass section having just returned from the Pub. I was just thrilled to see it performed as it is my favourite piece on the album, and I had asked him if he would play it in the SYN interview a few weeks ago. You mentioned that he picks a victim from the same spot in the audience every night.
I missed the Haddington show last week due to a business trip, but I heard that he broke with tradition that night - he went to the back of the audience and picked out a very embarrassed young lady to do the pedal-pushing - Gemma Wakeman. (BTW - what was your source for the Haddington review? I may ask the writer if I can use it in the next SYN Newsletter).
Interesting that you felt that the five closing songs to be an odd choice - I enjoyed them thoroughly, particularly Eleanor Rigby. Fool on the Hill seems to suit Ramon's voice down to the ground. It was a fairly mixed audience - I would say around 80% parishioners and friends, and only 20% fans. Of course, by the end of the show it was 100% fans, and the Merchandise table was doing a roaring trade - I picked up White Rock 2.
At the end of the show, Rick came into the vestibule to do autographs and to chat. After 25 years I finally got my Crystal Palace Bowl, and King Arthur on Ice programmes signed. Rick mentioned that these were very rare, he hadn't seen a KA programme for years, and when he saw the Crystal Palace programme he said "What's this?" as if he had never seen it before.
(A wag behind me offered to sell them to Rick). I told him that these were the very Programmes that are scanned on the RWCC
page. (I now need to get the front pages re-scanned for everyone, Wayne).
Everyone enjoyed a marvellous evening of entertainment. Doug Shering who planned everything on a local level did a great job, and he has promised he will try to bring Rick back on the next tour. Rick also seemed to enjoy himself - he said it was the best welcome he had received anywhere on the tour - but I guess he says that every night? ;)
Here is a fuller review of last night's show.
I was privileged to witness a wonderful show by Rick Wakeman and Ramon Remedios in Edinburgh last night. Here is a short account of the performance.
Rick Wakeman and Ramon Remedios performed a memorable sell-out show at Wester Hailes Baptist Church on Sunday 13th June.
The small church was completely full, with 250 people crammed into the pews, and another 150 in an adjoining hall watching by video link. The set started with "Birdman of Alcatraz" from CRIMINAL RECORD. Rick has being playing different piano pieces as the opening number to warm-up on the tour, but seems to have settled on "Birdman" in the last few dates.
Ramon Remedios was warmly introduced by Rick. Rick mentioned that they had spelled his name incorrectly on the Concert Poster. Ramon retorted that "Remedios is not easy to spell". "They got Remedios right" says Rick "but there are 100 women here expecting to see Rambo".
It was a fairly mixed audience. I would guess that there were around 80% parishioners and only 20% hard-core fans, but even this early in the show, Rick had the whole audience in the palm of his hand.
Ramon sang "Await the Hour" from THE NEW GOSPELS beautifully.
The next number was a tour staple "Nursery Rhyme Concerto". Tonight this comprised "Bah-Bah Black Sheep" in the style of Mozart, "Hickory-Dickory Dock" a la Debussy, "Pop Goes the Weasel" - Rachmaninov, and "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" in the style of Les Dawson. "I had to include an English Composer" joked Rick.
There followed "Dance of A Thousand Lights" from RETURN TO THE CENTRE OF THE EARTH.
I asked Rick in an interview a few weeks ago if he would play this number. His response then was - "There may well be some "hints" at ~RETURN~ on the Half Century tour but remember there's just me as regards an instrumentalist which makes things pretty limited in that area,".
As Rick was explaining why he could not perform the number, Ramon burst on to the stage "Rick, the Orchestra and Choir are in the Car Park.". Rick - "What, even the Brass Section?". Ramon - "No they're still in the Pub".
So with the Orchestra and Choir mixed amazingly through from the car park, ;) Rick played the piano part to my favourite track on RETURN.
Ramon then joined Rick again to perform two songs from THE GOSPELS - "The Wish" and "Welcome a Star".
"Merlin the Magician" from THE MYTHS AND LEGENDS OF KING ARTHUR followed. This is a long-term fans' favourite, and Rick clearly enjoys playing it on every tour. He has a stooge from the audience hold the sustain pedal, while he moves from Electronic to Acoustic keyboard, and slowly reads some important message just handed to him by a member of the crew, has a well-deserved cup of tea, and combs that centre-parting so that it is just
right.
The next number is a special request from Ramon, and as the Tenor visibly prepares to enchant us with an Operatic classic, Rick "intros" him to "Nelly the Elephant". A well-rehearsed comedy routine takes over, as Rick and Ramon debate over what the number should have been. They still manage to make it look ad-lib, and the first half closes with "Nessun Dorma".
At the beginning of the second half Rick strode from the back of the Church to the stage wearing a full KGB uniform. He then regaled us with a tale of his adventures in Russia, a few years back. Stories of bribery, corruption, and deception had the audience rolling in the aisles. I was surprised that Rick found difficulty with this. After all he has been in the "Music"
business for 30 years.
The opening numbers in this half were Bowie's "Space Oddity" and "Life on Mars". After that we had "Morning has Broken". As usual, Rick told the story of Cat Stevens failing to credit Rick for Piano arrangement on his album, and how he has always refused through the years to share the arrangement with others. How is it that he still manages to have the whole audience laughing at his misfortune, even at the third or fourth hearing?
Remarkable 1999 collaborative outing from the former Yes keyboardist and Italian artist Mario Fasciano. All tracks were composed & performed by Wakeman; the lyrics are by Mario Castelnuovo, M. Mazzola and Banco's vocalist Francesco Di Giacomo. Banco's guitarist Rodolfo Maltese also guests on the record. A must for all fans of Wakeman's 'Six Wives Of Henry VIII' album, it contains eight tracks and a 16 page full color booklet with photos and lyrics in English, Neapolitan and Italian. Remasters Cancelled
From: Nic Caciappo [nicbeat@earthlink.net] June 3Half Century Tour
From: Ian [ilyon@fs1.ge.man.ac.uk] - June 6
He used to have a little comb
But now he has a big 'unCriminal Record CD
From: Steven Sullivan [sullivan@alcor.nlm.nih.gov] - June 8White Rock II
From: Joost Warners [J.P.Warners@its.tudelft.nl] - June 11
Oriental Iceman (11:48)
Starts with heavy guitar chords and some Anybody there?-like runs
before the main theme comes in. Which has an oriental sound to it. And is repeated for the next 9 minutes or so. Fortunately there are some nice moog intermezzos but all in all the track could have been a bit shorter.
Quiet melodic moog intro with nice bass work as well. Then it picks up pace before settling in a (Cirque-Surreal like) happy tune with nice moog intermezzos again and good guitar work.
Beautiful piano piece, accompanied by bass and acoustic guitar, and orchestral synth sounds.
A groovy piece indeed. Lots of moog and guitar solos. Very enjoyable if you like manic Rick soloing! (I do so this track always brings a great grin to my face).
Catchy uptempo track. Majestic moog intermezzos. Excellent stuff.
Again a very recognizable theme. The second part of the track has
a faster pace, nice moog runs and acoustic guitar. The subsequent part reminds me a bit of Running Away (Can You Hear Me?) probably due to the sound. In the end it's back again to the intro theme.
This track has a fast main theme (a bit reminiscent of the organ run of Catherine Parr to my ears (but only a tiny bit), which is repeated with different embellishments. The middle bit has a darker feel to it with heavy guitar chords, trance rhythm and subdued moog sounds. It all ends with the happy theme again.Rick Wakeman, St Mary's Parish Church, Haddington*****
From Jon Hinchliffe [jon@praying-mantis.prestel.co.uk] - June 13
Keyboard Wizard teams up with tenor Remedios for Church concert
Rick Wakeman, St Mary's Parish Church, Haddington*****
Exquisite in its simplicity the show offered moments of unbridled technical excellence. Wakeman's wizard keyboard playing laid the foundation on which the towering singing abilities of Remedios was allowed free reign.
Then there were Wakeman's anecdotes. Dressed in the uniform of a Soviet army officer, he told the story of how he had tried to get through Leningrad customs with no exit visa, no boarding pass, and with a KGB uniform secreted in his suitcase.Rick Wakeman - Norwich and Bury St Edmunds Cathedrals - 10-11 June 99
From: Jon Hinchliffe - June 13Norwich and Bury St Edmunds Cathedrals - 10-11 June 99 -> Edinburgh 13th March
From: brian_neeson@solectron.co.uk - June 14Rick Wakeman at Wester Hailes Baptist Church - 13th June
From: Yescelt@aol.com - June 14
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