WAKEMAN WITH WAKEMAN [AKA: LURE OF THE WILD]

Slightly stronger than "no Expense Spared". This is the first album in which Wakeman with his son (Adam) get together to record an album. There are no vocals in this one. It is instead an album to demostrate the flexibility of keyboards. (like Six Wives of Henry VIII). The drumming is unfortunately programmed, but the outstanding keyboard work by the father and son redeems that. Keyboards have many layers here.

Like many other Rick Wakeman albums, this feels like it has a big highlight and the rest can't keep up with that song's quality (but the rest in this case is good music). I am talking about the Progressive rock epic "Caesarea". If that song was recorded with real drumming, and better keyboard sounds, it could have been a classic because the songwriting here is excellent. The introduction of the piece (the first section) is my favourite, and I love how it builds up. The second section is a long synth solo. The third section is another solo with good keyboard playing.

The rest of the music here is accessible, and straightforward. It is nothing experimental nor progressive, but the duo do what they do best : create good instrumental songs, with extended solos. The last song disappoints : it is a cover from the Rolling Stones. The Wakeman's did surgery and killed that song.

Highlights : Caesarea, Lure of the Wild

Let Downs : The suicide Shuffle, Paint it Black

Grade : C-

The father, the son, and the holy ghost

As Rick tells on his official website, this album (aka Lure Of The Wild) was almost completely finished before Adam Wakeman came on board. It was decided at the last minute that this would be released as a "Wakeman with Wakeman" album to go with the already planned tour featuring Rick and his youngest son. I can only assume that the two compositions credited to Adam - Megalomania and Past And Present - where pasted onto to the album during its final stages.

This album is completely instrumental and it features only the dual keyboards of Rick and Adam and programmed drums by Stuart Sawney. There is however a live album from the following tour which featured also bass and drums by Alan Thompson and Tony Fernandez respectively. Personally, I much prefer the live album where the music really comes alive. This is evident when comparing the studio version of the best track here by far, the opening track Lure Of The Wild, with its live counterpart on the Wakeman With Wakeman Live album (aka The Official Bootleg). While the studio version is very good, the live version of the same is amazing! Also Past And Present and the Rolling Stones cover Paint It Black were performed live and included on the live album.

The rest of the tunes here are a mixed bag, covering a variety of styles. While it is better than many other albums in Rick's vast discography and definitely an enjoyable and pleasant listen in it own right, it never really takes off. I can recommend this album to fans and collectors, but my advice is to start with the aforementioned live album which offers a better introduction to the Wakeman With Wakeman project and hold the ultimate version of the great Lure Of The Wild.