Search - Rick Wakeman :: Almost Live in Europe

Powerful late 80's Live Wakeman

Henry R. Kujawa | "The Forbidden Zone" (Camden, NJ) | 05/30/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I've heard at least 7 "Live" Wakeman albums so far (not counting those he did with YES and other bands) and this may be one of the most powerful-sounding. Quality is excellent (helped along by a bit of studio tweaking-- hence the "Almost" in the title) and Ashley Holt, Rick's main vocalist from the 70's, is here in fine form. Beside the expected bits from HENRY VIII and KING ARTHUR, there's also a pair of songs from the lesser-heard NO EARTHLY CONNECTION and 2 from TIME MACHINE (one of my top faves of Rick's, and pretty recent when this tour was recorded). An original tune not found elsewhere, "A Crying Heart", serves as an interesting "bridge" between the popular "Catherine Of Aragon" and "Catherine Howard" and the only live version I've heard on disc of "Jane Seymour". One wonders, HOW many times can someone play the same song live-- but somehow, Wakeman keeps things listenable, however often the same tunes crop up."