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From Amazon.com
What is the exact connection with Henry VIII and his wives? Hard to say. Why does the track dedicated to Anne of Cleves resemble the Hollies' "Bus Stop?" Who knows. It sounds to me like Italian horror film soundtrack music. Here is Wakeman's solo debut in 1972 in all its glory: state-of-the-art keyboard technology running free in the dandelion-strewn meadow of the classical-rock pastiche. Did Wakeman directly or indirectly influence Spinal Tap's Viv Savage--listen and decide. Next stops: Journey to the Center of the Earth and The Myths and Legends of King Arthur. --David Wolf
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
As with some other reviewers, I think this was Ricks best release of the 70s, and probably ever. Reasons? The things which I think let most of his subsequent releases down were one of the following: Dodgy vocalists, a limited range of instruments, or possibly in some cases an excess of instruments. Here, there are no embarrassing vocal performances, there are no unnecessary orchestras and choirs that age badly, yet it has the fullness of sound and instrumentation that is lacking on his synth only releases.
Highlights? The acid jazzy Ann of Cleves, with great drumming from Alan White (how many of Rick's tracks can be said to have great drumming?) and a Santana-like feel in places - unique among Rick's pieces. Also the gloriously baroque Jane Seymour - I remember playing this to my mother (a totally classically influenced piano teacher and organist) and watching her face as the strictly orthodox yet complex organ is suddenly augmented by one of the most in-your-face moog interruptions ever. Stunning. And finally, by Anne Boleyn - just the most perfect balance of classical and rock instrumentation - the closing section of the Day thou gavest... is just incomparable.
All in all, utterly 70s, yet utterly timeless, always fulfilling and never embarrasing. The question for me is ... why the heck couldn't Rick seem to tick all the boxes ever again?
Highlights? The acid jazzy Ann of Cleves, with great drumming from Alan White (how many of Rick's tracks can be said to have great drumming?) and a Santana-like feel in places - unique among Rick's pieces. Also the gloriously baroque Jane Seymour - I remember playing this to my mother (a totally classically influenced piano teacher and organist) and watching her face as the strictly orthodox yet complex organ is suddenly augmented by one of the most in-your-face moog interruptions ever. Stunning. And finally, by Anne Boleyn - just the most perfect balance of classical and rock instrumentation - the closing section of the Day thou gavest... is just incomparable.
All in all, utterly 70s, yet utterly timeless, always fulfilling and never embarrasing. The question for me is ... why the heck couldn't Rick seem to tick all the boxes ever again?
22 of 23 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This was Wakeman's first solo recording and still is his best. Its interesting that Amazon does not have a sound sample of Catherine Parr, the best and most well known track on the album. If more people heard it Amazon would be deluged with orders.
Wakeman showed at the time that someone who was trained and the Royal Academy of Music could play and compose 'rock' music.
His keyboard technique has to be seen and heard to be believed, and having done so, you understand that this album shows off all those skills. Nothing he has recorded since comes close to the quality of all his massive abilities.
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I first heard this on a hissing vinyl on a mono record player. It sounded great all the same. Having purchased the CD recently to replace my worn out vinyl, I listened to it again and again. Sadly short in length (about 35 mins), but the power of Wakeman's keyboards are finally reproduced on the CD without the buzz and distortion of the old needle on vinyl. A classic at a bargain price from a keyboard master. If you're looking for a first Wakeman CD to buy, you could do worse, try Myths and Legends or, if you can get hold of it, Criminal Record. Sounds good, doesn't seemed to have aged (but Wakeman has updated it), and it still sounds good 30 years on.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Rick Wakeman at his Brilliant Best
What more can you say about this Album,
Rick was a bit sidelined from YES on Tales from Topographic Oceans which was well overlong and tedious
so Rick decides to release... Read more
Rick was a bit sidelined from YES on Tales from Topographic Oceans which was well overlong and tedious
so Rick decides to release... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Andrew Goodman
The ghost of prog walks abroad ...
I remember hearing this album around at a friends house years ago when a school boy whose ears were relatively untouched by the world of rock. Read more
Published 3 months ago by os
Rick Clearly Loves English Heritage And History.
Who, as a session musican, played keyboards on David Bowie's 1969 Space Oddity and on Cat Steven's 1970 Morning Is Broken?
You've got it, Rick Wakeman. Read more
You've got it, Rick Wakeman. Read more
Published 8 months ago by J. Thompson
They say never go back .....
Bought this album as a 15 year old in 1973 as my concession to "classical" music. Haven't owned a record player since 1985 and everytime I saw it, usually when moving house, I... Read more
Published 11 months ago by NOTiFY
Excellent...
Easily the best solo work by Mr. Wakeman. Just great, and Catherine Howard is definitely my favourite of the six.
Published 18 months ago by G. J. Woodward
Wow Wow Wow
Yes we all have the album a bit scratched by now and you try to convert it to an MP3 track. Dont waste your time. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Mr I Lowther
Rick Wakeman's flagship
Like several other reviewers I already own the vinyl version of this album but wished to have the convenience of a CD to play in my car. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Mr. DJ KING
A Prog Masterpiece
Just wrote a really long review and the computer crashed, so I'm going to chop this down.
In reality a long winded review could never describe how wonderful this album... Read more
In reality a long winded review could never describe how wonderful this album... Read more
Published on 8 Mar 2010 by The xGx Man
Well Executed!!!
This is the album that got Rick Wakeman's solo career up and running after making his name in groups like The Strawbs and Yes as well as his well known session work and it's quite... Read more
Published on 15 Oct 2009 by Stotty
Not sure what I expected here!
I bought this to sample Rick Wakeman and I must admit I am disappointed with the listen! It may well grow upon me as other albums already have; but I will need to persuade myself... Read more
Published on 19 Aug 2009 by Mr. Paul Edwards
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