Search - Rick Wakeman :: 1984

At last - real lyrics to go with the great music

Amanda Bartels | Eltham, Victoria Australia | 12/29/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Of course getting Tim Rice to write the lyrics helps. This was going to be a rock musical but didn't get off the ground. It's a pity because the music and lyrics are both really good, a rare combination in Rick Wakeman's discography. '1984' is a musical interpretation of George Orwell's 1984 which Wakeman released 3 years early, good taste on Rick's part but bad timing as he was about as popular in 1981 as a fart in a Chanel factory, as he puts it. There is less Wakeman keyboard here than in most of his other albums, as it is in true musical format so relies on strong lyrics to propel the story, with keyboards and orchestra providing accompaniment. There is a flattering list of guest soloists, including Chaka Khan, Steve Harley and Jon Anderson, with even Tim Rice singing during the Proles (not very well, but it doesn't really matter.)Overture is a strong instrumental that sets the mood well, and Julia is a lovely sad love song. My favourite track is Robot Man, which is funky. I like Jon Anderson's pastoral Hymn track, and all the others are listenable as well. Tim Rice's lyrics are excellent, just what you'd expect from him and it is probably safe to say that if Rick had written them I would be knocking at least 2 stars off this rating. Orwell's book is not really brought to life in this short excerpt, but you can see where the album was heading and if 1984 had made it to the stage as a longer version, it could have been up there with Chess and others from the same era.Overall, this one is in my Wakeman top ten. Not really like anything he's ever written before or since, either. Well worth the price."

At last legal remastered edition!

Nessy NH | Nashua, NH United States | 06/16/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a pleasant gift for all Rick/Yes fans: Rick's classic album was funally issued legally, and this is remastered version, according to Voiceprint Records.

Before only pirate versions of this album were available."