Rick Wakeman- The Myths and Legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table

DSCN1075This was $3.00.  It looked completely over the top so I wanted to check out it (SPOLIER ALERT: It is completely over the top).

Rick Wakeman is best known for his work with Yes.  Before that, he was a session musician.  After joining the Strabs, we joined Yes thru their successful Fragile period.  He started his solo career in 1973 between weaving in and out of Yes over the years.  He would release over 100 solo records but his first three are his most successful.  This was his third.

Rick’s Web page

If you do not like Prog Rock, this record is not going to change your mind.  In fact, it will probably reinforce all that you think is silly about the genre. Because on the surface, it is quite silly. A musical tribute to the King Arthur legend, this record is over the top.  First off, he uses (and credits individually) a choir and orchestra, both with around 50 members each.  This record, along with its predecessor, Journey to the Center of the Earth, were expensive to record.  For instance, for Journey, Rick had to sell cars and mortgage himself to fund recording.  These records once recorded, however, sold well.DSCN1076

Touring for these were equally ridiculous.  A 20 date tour of North America for Journey complete with the National Philharmonic Orchestra and the Choir of America, along with Rick’s backing band, set Rick back 125,000 pounds according to Wikipedia.  For this album, it got crazier.  Along with a band, choir, and orchestra, Rick played three sold out shows at Wembley Arena complete with an Ice Show.  You read that right. People on ice skates skating to the music. It should be noted that this was back in a time when concert tickets were relatively cheap.  This endeavor proved to be unfeasible and was quickly discontinued.

The album itself, released in 1975, is good but pretty over the top.  There is a Spinal Tap vibe to the album, its packaging, and the back story.  As you would expect, the keyboards are quite intricate playing themes and motifs thru out the album. Rick employs a variety of keyboard instruments on his . When they cut loose, it is quite a majestic sound put against the Round Table mythology.  An interesting side note; he started writing this album while resting in the hospital after a minor heart attack at age 25. His doctors advised him at the time to quit music.  According to his web page, he incorporated this experience into the story and describes this record as a musical autobiography of sorts.

“Merlin” is the song most fans seem to gravitate to but I picked “Sir Galahad” as a sample.  I like the contrasting tempos, the rising choir and the intricate parts.  Again,  if you hate Prog, this will do nothing to persuade you otherwise.

This is a satisfactory record for me.

2 thoughts on “Rick Wakeman- The Myths and Legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table”

    1. The opening piano I believe is part of Arthur’s theme and is played throughout the album. I think the ice show is very crazy.

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