I recently noticed that YouTube had the full 1975 concert of Rick Wakeman’s Journey to the Center of the Earth.
Now if you don’t know this album or care for old progressive rock, this definitely won’t be your cup of tea.
However if you’re into cape-wearing overachievers playing dual Minimoogs, Mellotron, Steinway, Clavinet, Rhodes, Hammond and others, there’s some amazing stuff here.
Wakeman hardly offers any facial expressions or even moves his arms much (as opposed to say, Keith Emerson.)
Unless a camera is showing his hands, you’d often think he was a statue.
But his fingers are definitely flying and he doesn’t seem to have any difficulty with left/right hand independence.
This is over an hour and a half.
It’ll take some bandwidth.
If you have the capability to download it, it comes in at 324.1 megabytes.
One either has to like Wakeman, Minis or both.
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Have had it on DVD for years. Interesting concert DVD, is it perfect, no, is it worth owning for any Wakeman fans ? Yes. There are two DVD of the same thing, maybe both are still out there. One is the 30th Anniversary DVD, has a Black and White photo of Rick on it. The other a color photo.
There are several other Wake DVD worth checking out, Rick Wakeman 2000, The other Side of Rick Wakeman… most of the most recent DVD are worth checking out, Jumping to Keith Emerson, the Keith Emerson Band in Moscow is a great concert
I never was really exposed to this stuff. Wakeman and Emerson aren’t on my list of faves really. I lean more towards Herbie and Chick, but I get that from my Father.
I love classical music, and I love rock, but I don’t know if I really love them together in this fashion.
Both Rick and Emo have amazing chops though.
Thanks for posting this, I’ve been looking for more DVD stuff. Watching it on video is better than listening to the record I will say…as long as he closes his mouth at some point.
Rick is definitely a mouth breather, but much can be forgiven with his chops.
Back when I started listening to this stuff, I was just desperate to hear any synth.
TV commercials, Captain and Tennille.. anything.
Even the Paia telephone answering message was something to listen to.
The one thing I’ve not enjoyed about Rick’s work is his tendency to start off with a beautiful motif, then suddenly jump into what could be cartoon music featuring a duck and penguin getting drunk and rollerskating.
It got only worse once he got a Polymoog and then a Prophet V.
He IS the master of the low note priority Mini trill tho.
Musical masturbation?
Perhaps, tho I’ve usually reserved that term for techno.
(usually one male playing with a machine… or a knob.)
With DJing, I prefer to think of it as “blow up doll” music.
(usually one male playing with the likeness of another and then considering it “his.”)
Regardless, Wakeman sold over 12 million records early on and often used a full orchestra.
When so many others are playing your music and so many more buying it, it’s a bit hard to consider it masturbation.
I did warn you that it might not be your tea, but it certainly appeals to many others.
What a Spinal Tap moment! Thanks Kevin. I wonder if Nigel Tufnel and David St. Hubbins were at that show. I always thought that there should have been an album of just famous Wakeman Solo’s. Like you Kevin, I couldn’t get enough of that sound at the time. It was like a dog whistle to my ears. I agree, He is the trill master.
I agree with this. Wakeman is a genius compared to a lot of the techno stuff out there today. Actually, Wakeman is in my top five list of favorite keyboardists.
Musical masturbation?
Perhaps, tho I’ve usually reserved that term for techno.
(usually one male playing with a machine… or a knob.)
hahahaha!!
How could I not agree to that statement!
Ahhh, I do have to admit I did have an early Yes obsession in my teens, and don’t regret it, or hesitate to put some selections on the Ipod, when doing housework especially!-
Shame that he peaked at the age of 25; brilliant. I like the way he’s dialing in the next patch on Minimoog #2 while playing his Organ like a dickens.
I had a chance to see him @ Prince Albert Hall a few years ago but my flight was cancelled on the way to Heathrow and I had to fly the next day. Ended up buying the program, that was as close as I got.
Six wives is my cup of tea, and a few tracks off of Retro; but the singer on the studio Journey To album is a bit of a bummer. Reminds me of the guy from Tommy : )
I listened to Close To The Edge so much that I had to purchase a second one as a back up. The three Prog Rock standards are Selling England by the Pound by Genesis, Trilogy by ELP and of course Close to the Edge by Yes… IMHO. It all probably started with, In the Court of the Crimson King by… King Crimson and ended with UK Danger money. 8 to 9 fun years in music. Im glad I was there for the ride!
Yep - pretty much agree. I was in the seat next to you. Those were some exciting times for music and synths! Many other albums we could mention though - Gentle Giant, Brand X, etc., etc. - and of course Richard Wright with PF!
I was 16 when Six Wives came out. I loved that album no end. Then when Journey to the Centre of the Earth hit the stores, I ran out to buy it. It never spoke to me then, and still doesn’t.
I considered him washed out and tired with his contribution to Tales from Topographic Oceans. It was a great relief to me that he opted out of Yes and allowed the keyboard seat to pass to Patrick Moraz. When Rick got back together with Yes, it was never the same. Some of that old magic was left behind.
Thanks for the link Kevin, I enjoyed watching him do his strange head movements just like I remembered them from so many years ago. He seemed so young then, just a fresh kid who happened to play quite the dazzling keyboard.
I always thought that there should have been an album of just famous Wakeman Solo’s. Like you Kevin, I couldn’t get enough of that sound at the time. It was like a dog whistle to my ears. I agree, He is the trill master.