Moog Music Forum

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

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.

Found that DVD last year - really good one.

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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

filtered wrote:musical masturbation

You're just jealous because Rick has a bigger organ than you

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.

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!

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.

This is great!!! Thank you.

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!

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!-