Search - Rick Wakeman :: No Earthly Connection

Best prog-keyboardist solo album

Noel Pratt | Washington, D.C., and better places | 01/17/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Hands down! This is the most solid art-rock record by any one of the giants of the keys. I wish I could point to something by Emerson that's this good. Rick even outdoes himself -- the music here is actually on a par (no pun intended!) with his SIX WIVES, and the vocals better than those on MYTHS AND LEGENDS. Rock momentums and classically trained delicacies all made to work in a complete and interesting "journey" (well better than than that album, BTW). When you think you can't take anymore of the crafty, meat-and-potatoes rockin' greatness, it starts over again: you discover you've got one more hunky track to go and you're thankful. That ain't excess; that's a perfect assembly of players and, most importantly, Rick having gotten on and stayed on a consistently melodious wagonwheel of progressive songwriting since his deft but spare contributions to Yes. NO EARTHLY CONNECTION has the best of everything, thus doesn't really even have the feel of a keyboardist's solo album. So glad it's back. And the production? Even the mp3s sound fabulous!"

Wakeman at his peak

Steve Arasu | Australia | 12/22/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Just like Yes had a "main series" of albums, No Earthly Connection is one of Wakeman's "main series".



The tracks on this album are separate but interconnected, with themes appearing, developing, then re-appearing. All this happens effortlessly, and is a demonstration of Wakeman at the peak of his creativity. The tunes are highly engaging and just flow easily. This is very melodic rock, brimming with beautiful sounds, music and tunes."

Best Wakeman solo album

John Sposato | Syracuse, NY, USA | 10/22/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Originally released 1976, this is a concept album (like most of Wakeman's and prog in general). The theme is where music comes from and how it affects our lives. This is explored on the first half's suite. "The Prisoner" is about a convicted murderer being executed. This is the first with Tony Fernández on drums. Ashley Holt does the vocals on his own for the first time. This was cut at the same French studio Elton John recorded a few albums, in tax dodge fashion. I could listen to this a lot, but there's no need. I have the UK LP, but if I find the mini-LP at a decent price, I might get it. One of the best Yes solo releases ever. Followed up in 2003 by "Out There" with the same theme gone further."