RICK WAKEMAN: Rhapsodies

Real Gone Music concludes its survey of Rick Wakeman’s solo recordings for the A&M label with yet another first-time-on-CD-in-the-U.S. release, this time of his last album for the label, a double-LP from 1979. Unlike many of his other solo records, Rhapsodies consists of short, largely improvisational pieces (17 in all SELLING POINTS: for a 2-LP set—that’s practically Ramones- style for this composer!) that are brimming • After Becoming a Keyboard Icon with Yes, with the whimsy and prodigious chops we’ve Rick Wakeman Went On to Have a Very Successful Solo Career come to expect from the erstwhile Yes keyboardist. On the lighter side are the opening track, “Pedra da Gavea,” • Released in 1979, the Double Album which sets keyboard licks and processed vocals to none other than a Bo Rhapsodies Was His Last Solo Album for the Diddley beat, and “Swan Lager,” which arranges one of the main themes from A&M Label “Swan Lake” as a reggae number! But Wakeman’s closing solo piano take on “Summertime” is nothing short of gorgeous, and reminds us that, lurking • Never Before on CD in the U.S.; Previously behind the prog rock god/clown façade, was a sensitive and fully mature Available Only as a Very Expensive Double-CD artist…when he wanted to be. Otherwise, enjoy the dizzying array of musical Japanese Release ideas and motifs from the flying fingers of Mr. Wakeman, with artful annotation by Bill Kopp. Produced by Tony Vischonti of David Bowie fame. • Includes 17 Pieces, Featuring Versions of Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” and SONGS: “Summertime” 1. Pedra da Gavea 10. March of the Gladiators • Liner Notes by Bill Kopp 2. Front Line 11. Flacons de Neige 3. Bombay Duck 12. The Flasher • A Dizzying Blend of Styles and Moods, 4. Animal Showdown 13. Palais Anchored by Wakeman’s Prodigious Chops 5. Big Ben 14. Stand By 6. Rhapsody in Blue 15. Sea Horses 7. Wooly Willy Tango 16. Half Holiday 8. The Pulse 17. Summertime STREET DATE: March 31, 2015 9. Swan Lager LABEL: Real Gone Music GENRE: Rock FORMAT: CD ORDER USING: 848064003472

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RICK WAKEMAN: RICK WAKEMAN: RICK WAKEMAN: No Earthly White Rock Rick Wakeman’s Connection Originally intended Criminal Record His 1976 solo as a soundtrack for Recorded in 1977 album was a Tony Maylam’s right after he relatively stripped- documentary on rejoined Yes for down affair, the 1976 Winter the Going for the employing the six- Olympics in One album, piece English Rock Innsbruck, Austria, Criminal Record Ensemble, and as Wakeman’s 1977 remains a favorite such was probably solo album among Wakeman his most controversial release among captures all the thrills and spills of the ski fans both for its wildly inventive playing those accustomed to his more baroque jump, luge, downhill skiing, ice hockey and its transgressive subject matter of outings. But the theme was every bit as and figure skating with a massive array of crime, punishment, and villainy. Features grand, or even grander than anything he keyboards including moog, clarinet, Alan White and Chris Squire of Yes had done before, group or solo: a mellotron, Hammond organ and Fender metaphysical exploration of the musical Rhodes essence of man’s soul

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