THE SIX WIVES OF HENRY VIII

Rick Wakeman's most famous solo album is a solid example of classic symphonic prog. Spanning six tracks, each bearing the name of a different wife of that 8th old man named 'Enry (as Herman's Hermits would say), this wholly instrumental album is a consistent, well-composed and well-performed collection of classic keyboard sounds. From a technical standpoint, this checks just about all of the boxes for the 70's English symphonic ideal. The mood ranging from spacey and heavy psychedelic rock in "Anne of Cleves" to the light, pristine, and pastoral "Catherine Howard" and just about everything that can be heard in the discographies of Genesis, ELP or Camel. Unfortunately, though, as well done as the album is, none of the melodies really mesmerize or stick with you for too long. In that sense, I can't give it any more than a "non-essential" 3 star rating, but it is an album that will consistently keep you interested (or at the very least awake) while it's playing.