Record Reviews

RICK WAKEMAN ~ THE SIX WIVES OF HENRY VIII (DELUXE EDITION) A&M 600753562383 (Barcode: 600753562383) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1972 Released: 2014 This is the debut album by British keyboardist / composer Rick WakemanFind albums by this artist, one of the most prominent and prolific figures of the Progressive Rock movement. The album was recorded while Wakeman was a member of the legendary Prog group YesFind albums by this artist, and features all the members of the band except for the vocalist, as well as members of Wakeman´s previous group StrawbsFind albums by this artist, which initially brought him to the public attention. As appropriate for the genre and the period, the album proposes many innovations, such as the fact that it is completely instrumental, that it is a concept album based on real historical figures, the fact that it focuses on the many different keyboard instruments, including synthesizers, which were in the early stage of their development, and so on. Upon its release the album was warmly received by the critics and turned out to be a huge commercial success, enjoying a legendary status and still selling more that forty years later. However, in retrospect, the album does show some serious cracks in its polished image. Although it does include some nice melodic themes, the keyboard arrangements and especially the extravagant effort to include as many different keyboard effects and sound layers sounds pretty naïve today, if not ridiculous at the most excessive moments. Rhythmically the whole album is very straightforward and holds no surprises or innovation. The whole affair could be describes as Baroque (if one wants to be nice) or simply pompous, to be honest. Throughout the album the music sounds as if performed by Yes, which of course is not surprising, considering the participation of the band´s members and Wakeman´s artistic grip over the band. Again in retrospect it shows how much Wakeman´s vision dominated Yes, changing the band gradually from an ambitious and unique outfit to a repetitive, pretentious, self-indulgent and eventually boring outfit by the time this album was released. This Deluxe Edition is quite a vulgar attempt to sell the same material again, as it offers absolutely nothing worthwhile in return for its price. The bonus tracks are two single edits of the album´s tracks and one different mix. The accompanying DVD brings high definition stereo and quad mixes of the same material (God only knows what for?) and a five minutes long video of Wakeman performing one of the tracks at the BBC. Overall this album brings back on the market music that did not age well, which is dishonestly packaged. It retains its historic value when judged in perspective.

CD+DVD 2 Digipak Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend