Progarchives, the progressive rock ultimate discography
Rick Wakeman - Rick Wakeman and the English Rock Ensemble: Live in Buenos Aires (DVD) CD (album) cover

RICK WAKEMAN AND THE ENGLISH ROCK ENSEMBLE: LIVE IN BUENOS AIRES (DVD)

Rick Wakeman

Symphonic Prog


From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website

Bookmark and Share
erik neuteboom
PROG REVIEWER
4 stars Last week I watched the DVD from this set and decided to write a review for this site. To my surprise it was not yet included so this morning I added this DVD/CD set to the prog Archives site, I'm looking forward to other reviews!

The band sounds inspired and dynamic and the compositions often contain fresh and surprising re-arrangements. Mr. Rick Wakeman is surrounded by a huge pile of keyboards, in the first part of the set he is wearing an odd bathing wrap, halfway he changes into the 'caped crusader' with a beautiful coloured, glittering cape. The whole gig Rick makes a very relaxed and happy impression and delivers great work on his Minimoog, organ and clavinet (swinging break in "1984"). An extra dimension is added by guitarplayer Ant Glynne with his powerful and harder-edged style (slide guitar in "Journey to the centre of the earth" and some great soli in other tracks). The absolute highlight on this DVD is the composition "Starship trooper" (And now ... some YES, Rick revealed to the crowd). Halfway it is solo time and his son Adam steps into the spotlight with a 'key-tar' (a special shaped keyboard that is played like a guitar), he delivers a stunning, very spectacular solo. This is watched by a proud and smiling Wamekan senior, knowing that this is the perfect father and son identification (after all the misery in the past with the Yes troubles, the women, the divorces, the alcohol and the removals to foreign countries). This emotional scene evoked wet eyes and goose bumpes! Then a killer heavy guitar solo and finally the Rick Wakeman Minimoog solo, again goose bumps, 6 STAR CATEGORY! This is a very entertaining DVD, my only negative remark goes to singer Damian Wilson: he has a pleasant and distinctive voice but lacks power in the more bombastic parts.

Nonethless, NOT A MASTERPIECE BUT THIS IS AN ESSENTIAL RICK WAKEMAN DOCUMENT!!

Report this review (#44680)
Posted Monday, August 29, 2005 | Review Permalink
Gatot
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR
Honorary Collaborator
4 stars Watching this DVD is something that brings good memory for me personally. Thanks Erik for adding this live DVD in this set. This live performance by keyboard master is very similar with the performance of Rick Wakeman and English Rock Ensemble couple of years ago - to be exact on 21 February 2002 - in Jakarta, Indonesia. It was my first experience watching the show "real" after I have been listening to Rick's music for 29 years. It's a worth it as the live performance was awesome and I was at the front row, Rick's wing and had a chance being photographed on stage. This live set has almost the same line-up; only the guitarist has changed but it does not change the overall quality of this live DVD.

I really enjoy watching this DVD as Rick performed his classics from Arthur "Lancelot and the Black Knight" (5' 24") as the show opener and followed excellently with excerpts from "Six Wives" album "Catherine Howard/Catherine of Aragon" (12' 0") . I can see here that the band plays this live set more dynamically especially with the energetic stage act of Ant Glynne whom reminds me to Japanese guitarist for HTP (Hughes and Turner Project). Tony Fernandez also plays his drums with energy and passion. "Journey to the Centre of the Earth" (16' 16") is also performed in almost the same style like The Hammersmith live performance. The only thing that I miss so much is my all-time favorite Rick Wakeman's song "The Prisoner" from the "No Earthly Connection" album. It was performed wonderfully in Jakarta but I don't know why it is not featured here. In terms of lead vocal, I prefer Ashley Holt's voice than Damian Wilson who does not seem to fit with Rick's music - he has less power, as Erik said.

Recommended. Keep on proggin' .!

Report this review (#45045)
Posted Wednesday, August 31, 2005 | Review Permalink
memowakeman
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR
Honorary Collaborator
4 stars I bought this DVD last year, and of course it was a great purchase, lets start.

I am a HUGE fan of Rick Wakeman, and of course i am always expecting the best from him, this DVD is a concert in Argentina, im jelaous becasue he hasnt played in Mexico City (only with Yes), well, here Rick and his band played some of the most well known songs of him, starting with Lancelot and the Black Knight, a great piece with good arrangements and great music, we know the beauty of that song,, then a great performance of Cathering Howard and Catherine of Aragon, piano work and choir ensemble made a great job and a beautiful sound, both songs were played like only one, but sounds good, the next piece is The Visit another great song, not so loder but excellent, in this DVD we can watch the developement of his son Adam as a keyboardist, he plays very well, i was very surprised to see him with his father, the made a "duel", and it was great, also here the vocalist is Damian Wilson, im not a huge fan of his voice, maybe that is the weakest point in this concert, i think he hasnt the best choice to sing Wakeman`s themes, the guitarist i dont remember his name, is great but i think a bit more hard edged, and the drummer Tony Fernandez, an excellent drummer to a concert of Wakeman, the next song is the great Journey to the Centre of the Earth, we know, here we can watch a great musicianship between all the members and the orchestra, great performance, next, my favorite part, first they played the beautiful Catherine Parr, and next Merlin the Magician, both songs are two of my favorites of him, i really enjoy them in this DVD, all the moogs and synths sounds amazing, then , Buried Alive and 1984, both from that album 1984, good songs, not my favorite, but very well played, and the last was a bit of Yes, Starship Trooper, all get excited with that, but its not the same Jon Anderson`s voice than Damian Wilson, i can say it was bad, for that points and reasons, and because i really enjoy this DVD, i will give it 4 stars, because it is not a masterpiece, but its really great and it wcould be a great addition for any prog rock fan.

Report this review (#74592)
Posted Monday, April 10, 2006 | Review Permalink
SouthSideoftheSky
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR
Symphonic Team
4 stars Journey to the centre of South America

This DVD features a quite stunning performance by Rick and his English Rock Ensemble (a silly name for a great band). The vocalist here is Damian Wilson, known from Prog Metal band Threshold and Neo-Prog band Landmarq. He later did the new album Out There with Wakeman, which is one of Rick's best studio albums ever in my opinion. Too bad none of the Out There songs is present here, but they were not yet written at this time, I believe. I like Damian Wilson's voice very much and I prefer him over Ashley Holt. The rest of the band is equally amazing and all members are allowed to shine. Rick is a very 'democratic' leader of the band here and he does not need to be at the centre of attention all the time. The line up includes Rick's son Adam on extra keyboards, Tony Fernandez on drums, Lee Pomeroy on bass and Ant Glynne of guitars.

I have quite a few of Rick's live albums/videos and I must say that the present one is very special indeed. The nature of the concert is similar to that of the live album Out Of The Blue; identical line up and overlapping set lists. Indeed, I would say that they are something of companion pieces. Both of them feature something that the other one does not. But while both products are great, the CD album is without the few minor mistakes and technical imperfections present here. In that sense the album is preferable (and I did rate that one with the full five stars!), but on the other hand you won't get the visual aspect if you get only the CD and neither do you get the bonus material. Simply get both!

The present concert is a stunning show with strong band chemistry, great passion for music and immense instrumental and vocal skills of all involved. The set list is very interesting with several timeless Wakeman classics performed in new and very interesting arrangements. Rick's very best albums are all represented; Six Wives Of Henry VIII (Catherine Howard/Catherine Of Aragon (fantastic medley) and Catherine Parr), Journey To The Centre Of The Earth (the best arrangement of this song, much improved compared to the original!), The Myths And Legends Of King Arthur... (Lancelot And The Black Knight and Merlin The Magician (with vocals!)).

In contrast to the Out Of The Blue album, there is nothing here from No Earthly Connection. Instead there is 1984 (in a new and very good arrangement!). This song is rather rare live and it benefits greatly from Damian Wilson's vocals and Lee Pomeroy's blistering bass solo. The new arrangement of Journey To the Centre Of The Earth is an even greater improvement over its original version! The sometimes annoying narration of the original version is here removed and more space is left for instrumental workouts. It is slightly edited, but all the important bits are there and stronger than ever.

Buried Alive, originally from the Return To The Centre Of The Earth (a 1999 follow up to the original Journey album), and originally sung by the great Ozzy Osbourne (a personal friend of Rick's, I believe), is also better here than in its studio version. The original version is a little bit too orchestral and bombastic for my taste, while the present version has a much harder edge. The same is true, and even more so, of The Visit. This song was originally from the rather obscure Phantom Power album. While the original album in this case is very weak, in this version the song is great! We are also treated to a Yes classic in the shape of Starship Trooper. Again, what we have here is very different arrangement compared to the original and also incorporating snippets of Heart Of The Sunrise to great effect!

The only thing that could possibly improve such a marvellous set list would be to make it longer; presumably the Buenos Aires concert had a few more songs not included here for some reason (am I right?). It would have been nice to have the whole concert. Something representing the No Earthly Connection would have been nice, but you can't have everything can you? Or can you? As I have already mentioned a couple of times, the Out Of The Blue album does feature a great version of (part of) No Earthly Connection.

To sum up now, if all you know by Rick Wakeman is his early 70's albums you will be surprised by this and, dare I say, blown away! This performance rocks a lot harder than you probably think! Also, this live DVD brings together some of Rick's very best songs and presents them in new fresh ways - just the kind of live performance I like! This makes this both an excellent place to start if you want to discover Wakeman's solo career and an essential purchase for his most devoted fans. They really manage to create a strong band feeling that is often absent on Rick's studio albums and the musical atmosphere benefits greatly from this. For the most part they get things right, however. And all band members have their moments of utter brilliance!

Some imperfections are present, though, for example when Wilson forgets to come in at right moment on one occasion. Some minor faults are the only things that halt me from rating this with the full five stars! If you are looking for a live masterpiece, I would go for the Out Of The Blue live album. But don't miss out on this visual Prog fest!

Very highly recommended!

Report this review (#177638)
Posted Monday, July 21, 2008 | Review Permalink
4 stars A great concert with a good set list. The only problem is that sometimes the Rick's keyboard is not in front enough in the mixing (unless for my taste). Some of the live tracks versions are superb and someother not at all. But the show as a visual enterteinmet is very good.

The highlights are

Catherine Howard: Great version playing with much soul by Rick. Far better than the original one (and longer)

Journey to the centre of the earth: I never liked so much the original album of this epic, mostly because the narrator, and because seems to be too long. This live version condenses all in 16 minutes, and sounds great. The keys by Rick are fantastic and the Damian Wilson voice fits well.

1984: A new version which combines the Overture with The Hymn in a good way. The track starts with Wilson singing the Hymn (very well) and then continues in the Overture, in which the begining is memorable.

Starship trooper: The first half, with Damian Wilson in voice is not a great thing, but the second half, with Adam Wakeman in the keyboard guitar and Rick with his historical solo is outstanding.

The others tracks are well performed but nothing exceptional. Merlin the magician is good but I don't like so much the version of Lancelot, it lacks of solemnity. Cahterine Parr is good but no more than this. I don't like the songs The Visit and Buried Alive.

As a progressive rock show it's an excellent addition. 4 stars.

Report this review (#284261)
Posted Sunday, May 30, 2010 | Review Permalink
4 stars I'm a Wakeman fan. Thanks to common sense I'm not obsessed with the man and don't feel compeled to buy all things Wakeman-related. The man is a monster composer, player and showman but really lost his quality control in the first half of the (damned decade!) 80's. But live shows are another thing and even with a disastrous discography an artist can make a good show, so imagine what a man with three consecutive masterpieces can do.

The place is beautiful and the audience is avid for prog pomp and circumstance. All artists of retiring age and/or with bank accounts on the red know that a trip to South America is a non-risk gamble. Even if some distances are now shorter than before we didn't receive all the time the musicians we love so we are very enthusiatic when they came.

The tracks selected are of course based on his three major works and, apart the intrusion of "The visit" and "Buried alive" (from "Phantom power" and "Return to the centre of the earth" respectivelly), is well-constructed and distributed along the show. I like the inclusion of the short 1984 suite although something from "Criminal Record" would be good too.

In other reviews someone said the guitarist is "no Steve Howe" and thank God he is not because Wakeman' s solo stuff simply did not match in style with his Yes contributions. So, sir reviewer, IMO the axeman does a good job as the rest of the band does too. Lee Pomeroy is a solid bass player, Fernandez is an old pal (keeping with Rick in his highs and lows and we know how many lows his career has from 1984 - the album - onwards) and little boy Adam helps Daddy to construct stunnig solos without being busy with his lef hand. The weak spot of this version of the English Rock Ensemble is the singer. He doesnt ruin the show but his voice is passionless (without mentioning his ridiculous hips-shaking during the songs) and unremarkable. Miss you, Mr. Holt (he came back after this).

From a performance point of view the show flows quite nicely. I prefer the original Merlin arrangement, without vocals and beggining with horns and soft piano but nothing is perfect during the Kali Yuga. Hate with all my strenght the non-vintage key sounds on old stuff but although I believe it would not cost a fortune to have at least a Hammond there, the palette chose by Rick was good. There was a MiniMoog on the corner to make our hearts happy. All ye keyboard players of the world, gimme back my Tron, Hammond, Moog and the whole family!

All in all even the pathetic Wilson vocals in Starship Trooper can't ruin this show. This was released as a low budget DVD here in Brazil (and the production wasn't much expensive either as we can see and hear from some weird camera shots and the problems with the vocals in the beginning of "Lancelot and the Black Night"). Here and there the keyboard sound could be higher as noted by another reviewer but nothing that can't take your pleasure from watching this wonderful and uncompromising concert. As long as I can't afford the Wakeman box of 5 DVDs on Voiceprint (the boy likes Wakeman but must be feed) this concert is an excellent adition to my music collection. 4 stars.

Report this review (#849332)
Posted Saturday, November 3, 2012 | Review Permalink

RICK WAKEMAN Rick Wakeman and the English Rock Ensemble: Live in Buenos Aires (DVD) ratings only


chronological order | showing rating only

Post a review of RICK WAKEMAN Rick Wakeman and the English Rock Ensemble: Live in Buenos Aires (DVD)


You must be a forum member to post a review, please register here if you are not.

MEMBERS LOGIN ZONE

As a registered member (register here if not), you can post rating/reviews (& edit later), comments reviews and submit new albums.

You are not logged, please complete authentication before continuing (use forum credentials).

Forum user
Forum password

Copyright Prog Archives, All rights reserved. | Legal Notice | Privacy Policy | Advertise | RSS + syndications

Other sites in the MAC network: JazzMusicArchives.com — jazz music reviews and archives | MetalMusicArchives.com — metal music reviews and archives

Donate monthly and keep PA fast-loading and ad-free forever.