Search - Rick Wakeman :: Recollections: The Very Best of Rick Wakeman (1973-1979)

A Long-Awaited Wakeman Sampler

Doc Sarvis | 04/18/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Rick Wakeman's solo career has been the stuff of legend for me, ever since I listened (as a kid) to my brother's copy of "Journey to the Center of the Earth". His music has always been different from his work with Yes; a bit mysterious, less vocal-oriented and more opaque than the relatively "commercial" (to the extent that prog rock is ever "commercial") output of his counterparts. I think that his solo eforts, particularly the first three albums, are ampong the great underappreciated influences of the progressive rock movement.As a result, I was glad to see that this, the first "real" compilation of his career, was finally available. (I have looked in vain for something like it for many years). While it doesn't fully sample his prolific recording output, RECOLLECTIONS does provide a nice sampler of his 70's efforts.Every song on this collection is strong, and there are a few truly amazing tracks. I'd certainly recommend this to any fan of prog music, but I also think that anyone who appreciates well-crafted keyboard music (with occasional vocals) will be just as delighted. Give it a listen!"

Killer Keyboards

Lonnie E. Holder | Columbus, Indiana, United States | 11/18/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have mixed emotions about a "Best of" Rick Wakeman. Having a "Best of" Rick Wakeman is like having a "Best of" Beethoven or Bach or Handel or any of numerous other classical artists. Rick Wakeman wrote albums, and selecting a part of any album takes away from the point behind the album, as each was a fully formed concept album. Sort of like the awful excerpts of "Thick as a Brick" by Jethro Tull. I'm sorry, but sometimes it's all or nothing.Yet, after all my complaints, these excerpts of Rick's albums retain a goodly character and flavor of Rick's skill and creativity. I was worried that the juxtaposition of selections would be uneven and lose something in the translation from the albums. I was WRONG (third time this year!). The selections actually fit pretty well together.I suppose I should stop complaining, after all, I did rate this CD five stars, but once you have this collection then you want the albums that they came from, and I don't think they are all in release. The albums are definitely better. I only have "Journey to the Center of the Earth" and a much newer work, "Return to the Center of the Earth", but I've borrowed his albums from friends, and the albums tell an entire story, if only musically.After the generally negative comments above, I'll finish with all the positives.The sound quality on this CD is dynamite. Period. Incredibly fantastic compared to the vinyl, and much better than many remastered tapes from the 70s. Whoever did this CD really knew what he or she was doing. The sound is full and clear, some of the best quality I've ever heard for progressive rock, which often has quiet places where hiss, wow or flutter (I know, that's vinyl-speak) would show up like doggy-doo on the living room carpet.Would I buy this CD again had I to do it over again? YES YES YES! I still want to buy all the albums, but this CD has to be a substitute until then. Rick Wakeman had strong classical leanings to his progressive rock, away from the pop overtones of The Moody Blues' progressive rock, and from King Crimson's metal, jazz, and whatever else they could throw in progressive rock, and even dissimilar to Yes' progressive rock, which, while heavily influenced by Rick, was also in its own class.It's nice to know that rock music can encompass just about everything you can throw at it and still be rock. Progressive rock is the melting pot of musical styles. If you like classical, rock, Yes, The Moody Blues, and Rick Wakeman, buy this one."

The perfect RW sampler for fans and beginners

K. Lewis | OZ | 02/18/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"For the fans, included are these rare to CD RW recordings...

Statue Of Justice, Crime Of Passion, Chamber of Horrors- side 1 of the out of print "criminal record"

The Palais is from the great underrated Rhapsodies



For the uninitiated- Included are the best works from his first 3 solo albums.

Good compilation, does not dissapoint"