Why is it whenever someone mentions an artist that was clearly progressive (yet not the Symph weenie definition of Prog) do certain people feel compelled to snort "thats not Prog" like a whiny 5th grader?
1. Six Wives
2. Criminal Record
3. King Arthur
4. No Earthly Connection
That's all I need from mr. Wakeman (well I gotta admit I have 6-8 other albums of his on my shelf...).
My progressive music site: https://pienemmatpurot.com/ Reviews in English: https://pienemmatpurot.com/in-english/
I created a medley from all the solid musical bits of No Earthly Connection and got a 5 minute piece
needless to say, it doesn't work for me
Why is it whenever someone mentions an artist that was clearly progressive (yet not the Symph weenie definition of Prog) do certain people feel compelled to snort "thats not Prog" like a whiny 5th grader?
Coincidentally, I gave a fresh listen to NEC today, inspired by this thread. Yowza! I recall not caring for this, and this listen reminded me of why. I just find Wakeman's vocal bits very off-putting, and this album is chock full of vocals. And the singers he got are really not that good to my ears. Same problem with Moraz Story of I.
I'm intrigued by the prospect of an instrumental Prog album from Wakeman, but I'm keeping my hopes extremely low. The only albums I like of his are Six Wives and White Rock, so I'd at least give an instrumental album a listen. We'll see what happens.
Bill
RE; Criminal Record. A good album overall. But the synth sounds are a little dodgier this time out IMHO. Not just on the thoroughly silly throwaway 'The Breathalyzer', but also on the cheese-laden ending of 'Chamber Of Horrors'.
Outside of the Squire/White tracks, I do like 'Birdman Of Alcatraz' a lot on this one.
This album has never been easy to get on CD in the UK. The remaster campaign from a few years back stalled.
Last edited by MYSTERIOUS TRAVELLER; 01-17-2020 at 06:03 PM.
Why is it whenever someone mentions an artist that was clearly progressive (yet not the Symph weenie definition of Prog) do certain people feel compelled to snort "thats not Prog" like a whiny 5th grader?
I have a soft spot for No Earthly Connection. It may be Wakeman's cheesiest album but it came out at a time when I was heavily into prog rock and wanting anything with those synthesizer sounds to it. I still enjoy the album a lot. Judas Iscariot from Criminal Record is my favorite piece of music ever written by Rick.
I have 1984 somewhere in my collection on vinyl, didn't listened it for decades... didn't left me with a memorable impression either. Should I give it a second chance ? The only 1984 inspired musical work to which I regularly return is the Anthony Philips version, truly a major achievement for this artist (and mainly keyboard based too).
I have no idea why Journey to the Center of the Earth is held in such high regard. I find it excruciatingly bad, particularly in the vocals department. For me, Six Wives and Criminal. The rest is schmalz! IMHO, of course!
My progressive music site: https://pienemmatpurot.com/ Reviews in English: https://pienemmatpurot.com/in-english/
I like some of the musical passages on Journey..., but it's hard to disagree on the lyrics/vocals. Some people really liked the 'new' version he did in 2012. (I have heard the Return To The Centre Of The Earth album. It's not really much like the original, more song-based.)
I don't really go for 'orchestral rock' in general anymore. I prefer Arthur on balance, though. I still don't like the choral stuff, but the songs are better IMHO.
I share others feelings about the deluge of “new age” and piano albums etc but i have all of them nonetheless. Albums often classified in these sections worth checking out IMHO;
Zodiaque
Seven Wonders of the World
Stella Bianca
I don't care how many people say Journey is crap or horrible, I still enjoy it and after all these years still play it once in awhile which is more than I can say for most prog albums that I have from 1980 on.
Have fallen out out of love with everything Wakeman except
1) Six Wives
2) Criminal Record
3) 1984
Continue to be fond of those - I believe they are still prog classics
v
Pre-order is up:
https://www.rwcc.com/notice_theredplanet.asp
I want to dynamite your mind with love tonight.
I've got a good feeling about this one
Why is it whenever someone mentions an artist that was clearly progressive (yet not the Symph weenie definition of Prog) do certain people feel compelled to snort "thats not Prog" like a whiny 5th grader?
Cadet for me too! It does look and sound promising.
A small part of me can’t help thinking...why couldn’t he have worked on this music with Jon and Trevor? It seemed like they were struggling for ideas?
Bookmarks