Music review: Rick Wakeman – 鈥楶iano Portraits鈥�
It鈥檚 no secret that I started the new year in a relaxed mode musically.
After listening to a large variety of classical music over the holidays, I鈥檝e carried that vibe with me into 2017.
The latest album from Rick Wakeman satisfies my appetite for continuing my search for a more tranquil tone to calm the soul.
I鈥檝e been a closet Yes fan since the early 鈥�70s and have acquired the band鈥檚 entire discography for my listening pleasure. Wakeman became the group鈥檚 keyboardist in 1971 and first appeared on 鈥淔ragile,鈥� a masterpiece of progressive rock that is my favorite Yes effort.
鈥淐lose to the Edge鈥� and 鈥淭ales from Topographic Oceans鈥� followed with Wakeman鈥檚 distinctive playing and instantly won me over as a fan. On a side note, the album covers for these three glorious releases featured the gorgeous art designs of Roger Dean, further deepening my connection to the band. I even wore a belt buckle of the vintage Yes bubble logo while in middle school to display my obvious coolness.
Wakeman, a classically trained pianist, has also had a successful solo career by issuing over 90 albums since 1973. On his latest effort, Wakeman releases an engaging piano album that features arrangements from other artists that he previously appeared on and tracks that influenced him over the course of his distinguished career.
鈥淗elp鈥� opens the album with Wakeman giving the Lennon and McCartney track a tender charm that flows fluidly until closing with a small hint of 鈥淟ucy in the Sky with Diamonds鈥� and adding a nostalgic reminder of the crossover appeal of the Beatles. Wakeman continues to pay tribute to the Fab Four with 鈥淓leanor Rigby鈥� as the closing selection.
The haunting power of 鈥淪tairway to Heaven鈥� slowly builds in intensity as Wakeman鈥檚 playing infuses a spiritual serenity to the classic Led Zeppelin anthem.
Wakeman does a masterful job of capturing the true intentions of 10cc鈥檚 鈥淚鈥檓 Not in Love,鈥� relaying the eternal optimism of Yes鈥� 鈥淲onderous Stories鈥� and painting the simple beauty of Cat Stevens鈥� 鈥淢orning Has Broken.鈥�
My favorite track is an enchanting reworking of 鈥淟ife on Mars?鈥� from David Bowie鈥檚 鈥淗unky Dory.鈥� Wakeman also does a splendid interpretation of Bowie鈥檚 鈥淪pace Oddity.鈥�
Other highlights include Wakeman鈥檚 glorious versions of 鈥淎mazing Grace,鈥� 鈥淪wan Lake鈥� and 鈥淐lair de Lune.鈥�
鈥淧iano Portraits鈥� eloquently displays Wakeman鈥檚 genius and serves as a one-man work of true musical magnificence.