Rick Wakeman live from '75

In a Moog Mood? Here's a forum for discussion of general Moog topics.
User avatar
Kevin Lightner
Posts: 1587
Joined: Sat Jan 15, 2005 5:20 pm
Location: Wrightwood

Rick Wakeman live from '75

Post by Kevin Lightner » Thu Nov 29, 2012 10:10 pm

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. ;-)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KsxmsrS3R7I
Better to be king for a night than schmuck for a lifetime. - R. Pupkin

Mr Arkadin
Posts: 600
Joined: Fri Jun 06, 2008 8:43 am

Re: Rick Wakeman live from '75

Post by Mr Arkadin » Thu Nov 29, 2012 10:14 pm

I love Prog. I love Yes, but I never got on with Wakeman's solo stuff much for some reason. I mean King Arthur On Ice! Really?!

I'll have a listen though as there's bound to be some good stuff in there.

There should be more capes in music today.
http://soundcloud.com/luke-antony

User avatar
MC
Posts: 2907
Joined: Tue Aug 12, 2003 2:20 pm
Location: Secluded Tranquil Country

Re: Rick Wakeman live from '75

Post by MC » Thu Nov 29, 2012 11:34 pm

Found that DVD last year - really good one.
Gear list: '04 Saturn Ion, John Deere X300 tractor, ganged set of seven reel mowers for 3 acres of lawn, herd of sheep for backup lawn mowers, two tiger cats for mouse population control Oh you meant MUSIC gear Oops I hit the 255 character limi

Brian G
Posts: 605
Joined: Sat Jul 19, 2003 11:04 pm

Re: Rick Wakeman live from '75

Post by Brian G » Thu Nov 29, 2012 11:59 pm

.
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

EricK
Posts: 6010
Joined: Fri Apr 09, 2004 2:09 pm

Re: Rick Wakeman live from '75

Post by EricK » Fri Nov 30, 2012 12:30 am

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.
Support the Bob Moog Foundation:
https://moogfoundation.org/do-something-2/donate/

I think I hear the mothership coming.

User avatar
Kevin Lightner
Posts: 1587
Joined: Sat Jan 15, 2005 5:20 pm
Location: Wrightwood

Re: Rick Wakeman live from '75

Post by Kevin Lightner » Fri Nov 30, 2012 12:49 am

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.
Better to be king for a night than schmuck for a lifetime. - R. Pupkin


User avatar
MC
Posts: 2907
Joined: Tue Aug 12, 2003 2:20 pm
Location: Secluded Tranquil Country

Re: Rick Wakeman live from '75

Post by MC » Fri Nov 30, 2012 1:14 am

filtered wrote:musical masturbation
You're just jealous because Rick has a bigger organ than you
Gear list: '04 Saturn Ion, John Deere X300 tractor, ganged set of seven reel mowers for 3 acres of lawn, herd of sheep for backup lawn mowers, two tiger cats for mouse population control Oh you meant MUSIC gear Oops I hit the 255 character limi

User avatar
Kevin Lightner
Posts: 1587
Joined: Sat Jan 15, 2005 5:20 pm
Location: Wrightwood

Re: Rick Wakeman live from '75

Post by Kevin Lightner » Fri Nov 30, 2012 1:20 am

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.
Better to be king for a night than schmuck for a lifetime. - R. Pupkin

Rob Smith
Posts: 181
Joined: Mon Mar 15, 2004 10:56 am
Location: Huntington, NY

Re: Rick Wakeman live from '75

Post by Rob Smith » Fri Nov 30, 2012 6:29 am

What a Spinal Tap moment! Thanks Kevin. I wonder if Nigel Tufnel and David St. Hubbins were at that show. :lol: 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.

jimtheswede
Posts: 16
Joined: Tue May 24, 2011 4:03 pm

Re: Rick Wakeman live from '75

Post by jimtheswede » Fri Nov 30, 2012 3:43 pm

Kevin - thanks for the link! Haven't watched it yet but will soon. One thing I never cared for on the album was the vocalists.

"Six Wives" and "Switched on Bach" changed my life back in the day!
Last edited by jimtheswede on Sat Dec 01, 2012 7:31 pm, edited 1 time in total.

User avatar
Voltor07
Posts: 5197
Joined: Sun May 25, 2008 3:04 am
Location: Waukegan, IL USA
Contact:

Re: Rick Wakeman live from '75

Post by Voltor07 » Fri Nov 30, 2012 3:50 pm

Kevin Lightner wrote: 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.")
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. :)
Minitaur, CP-251, EHX #1 Echo, EHX Space Drums/Crash Pads, QSC GX-3, Pyramid stereo power amp, Miracle Pianos, Walking Stick ribbon controller, Synthutron.com, 1983 Hammond organ, dot com modular.

w00fa
Posts: 31
Joined: Fri Nov 23, 2012 4:09 pm

Re: Rick Wakeman live from '75

Post by w00fa » Fri Nov 30, 2012 5:42 pm

This is great!!! Thank you.

jimtheswede
Posts: 16
Joined: Tue May 24, 2011 4:03 pm

Re: Rick Wakeman live from '75

Post by jimtheswede » Fri Nov 30, 2012 8:32 pm

Yeah! Watched the whole vid. Has tracks from "Six Wifes"! Cool.

BTW - Kevin the Ody you rehabbed for me is doing great and I really enjoy it! Hope you and Monica are doing OK!

User avatar
filtered
Posts: 271
Joined: Sun Jan 29, 2012 12:42 am

Re: Rick Wakeman live from '75

Post by filtered » Sat Dec 01, 2012 12:09 am

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! :wink:

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!-

Post Reply