Search - Rick Wakeman, New English Rock Ensemble :: Out There

No Earthly Connection II

John Sposato | Syracuse, NY, USA | 08/15/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"That's what this album is considered, continuing in the vein of the 1976 opus. Only drummer Tony Fernández is on both, considered Rick Wakeman's favourite drummer for his solo career. Damian Wilson, formerly of Landmarq and Threshold is on vocals, his only studio appearance. Also in the New English Rock Ensemble is one-time Asia member Ant Glynne is on guitar, and Lee Pomeroy on bass. This took several years to write, record, and finance. Health problems and other projects slowed the process. All the hard work paid off, making what many believe Wakeman's first real prog solo release since NEC.

This was dedicated to the memory of the crew of NASA's Columbia, who paralleled 1986's Challenger tragedy before the album was released.

Originally released in 2003 by Music Fusion/Voiceprint. This edition has a blue cover designed by Rick's Italian girlfriend Alina Bencini.

The concept of this CD is that there's music way out in outer space. Makes you think, doesn't it?"

Wakeman soaring high above

P. J. Scott | Melbourne Australia | 08/30/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If Rick Wakeman had been born 200 years before, I'm sure he would be a house-hold name; up there with Beethoven, Handel and Mozart, etc..

His musical ideas have always been innovative and unique; none more so than on this album. On DVD or CD, this music is powerful and gripping. The DVD includes Apollo 11 moon landing footage and other space shots along with much animated imagery.

But it is the hauntingly high pitched vocals of Damien Wilson, the crushing guitar sounds of Ant. Glynn and superb percussion work from Mr. Tony Fernandez that tell you Rick's band have the ability to take you on a journey into the heavens.

These musicians are of the highest standard and Rick obviously is going to choose players of a stature similar to himself. This he has clearly done.

This composition starts furiously, has a quiet interlude with 'To Be With You' and then finishes magestically with strong keys and choral work on 'Cathedral in the Sky'.

Rick includes a brilliant arrangement of the English Chamber Choir to provide depth and substance, specially evident in the forceful conclusion to this work of genius.

'Out There' was in my opinion, Rick's greatest work, until I heard 'Made in Cuba' which just pushes this work slightly into number 2 spot on my all time favourite list."

To creative, only undesrtand it!

Angel Muñoz | Mexico City, Mx | 12/23/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I saw here very awful critics "in spanish" of the same author, and others I have that cd in my collection I am musician also and I Want to describe it very well, first of all it is a new concept we can call it a little bit "retro", because have some futurisitc themes combined with some 1980 and 1990 thinks, by the way if you look inside you can notice there are some wonderful electrif drumms by the drummer Tony Fernandez, the strange vocals of damian wilson that i am very proud about his voice not a lot of persons can do that, mr ant glynn on guitar, and lee pomeroy on bass the english rock ensemble and of course the master rick wakeman, In the first piece of music you can look like a heavy metal first but is part of the prog rock if you know about music , then in the same song you can notice the changes of times and harmony prog rock harmony to be exactly and thats all is prog rock except 2 songs of this that are like pop-rock, the others are progressive, in a different way dont expect a six wives of henrry 8th album is prog rock but a very different one, and you can buy that disk only to hear Cathedral of The sky, in my opinion is the best of that disk, also the universe of sound have some interesting vocals and harmony if you know about music, but if you only want to critizice it without thought you are lost in the space, rick wakeman is not a simple composer is a little bit more complex and really to catch it you need to hear to the cd two or more times and with all the history finally is a kind of history a proces if you are a rick wakeman fan you can find it interesting because there is no parts, its a full creation that you need to listen full. well to much words I RECOMEND YOU!"