Rick Wakeman appreciation thread

Originally posted by Ivan_Melgar_M Originally posted by DiamondDog Sorry, I know you mean well, but I dont agree with your point of view. For instance, In the example of Moraz, only Davison holds it together in terms acceptable to me. I think you're listening purely to the notes and techniques without an understanding of what rock really is. Then again, we all have your own opinions to which we are indeed entitled. Of course we can disagree, it's healthy for a forum (And fun for those of us who like a good debate).. But your comment of Refugee left me cold According to every piece of literature and almost every review of the album, describes the band as keyboard oriented and praises the work of Patrick Moraz, combining Rock, Classical and Jazz (Remember that Moraz made his early career as Jazz player rather than as Classical musician) with brilliance, the only weak point of Refugee were the terrible vocals Now, if you have to choose one early Yes album with lesser classical influence, you have to go with Relayer, Moraz is absolutely different to Wakeman in every sense, both are great, buit Moraz is much more aggressive and of course Jazz Rock oriented. I never cared for the Moody Blues, because of the poppy sound, but things changed in the fantastic "Long Distance Voyager", all the themes (except "Taking Out of the Turn") are much more rewarding and Rock oriented than anything done with Pinder. Patrick Moraz gave freshness to every band he joined, as a fact he changed the sound and style, listen him in Mainhorse (described as a combination between Deep Purple and Atomic Rooster), and tell me if the guy can't rock.  BTW: Haven't heard your opinion about Par Lindh or Jurgen Fritz, normally described as members of the school of Emerson and as clones by the mot radical ELP fans. Just in case you never heard him, this is the guy who studied Classical Music in a Conservatory, went for perfection  with almost 30 teachers and toured as a Classical pianist and organist: Now tell me that he can't Rock. Iván OK, he cant rock. But seriously, from my point of view you're looking in the wrong direction. We'll just have to agree to disagree. Over and Out.

I'm trying to leave it there, for we are poles apart. It seems to me that your symphonic/classical take on everything has led you to confuse swing with rock. Your taste in music is excellent, but you're definitely not versed in rock dynamics. And that's my final word.

wow he seems to have touched a raw nerve. Me thinkest thou doth protesteth too much.

^ I also used to enjoy his rants about the railways and such like when he had his weekly radio show on Planet Rock radio.

Wakeman the Prince; Emerson the King; but the most powerful and dynamic Hammond player of them all was Ritchie.

Although Rick Wakeman is one of the architects of Prog, many people (including ardent Yes fans) are only familiar with a small number of his solo albums (Journey, Six Wives, King Arthur, Criminal Record).  A great shame - because out of the 80+ studio albums he has recorded there are many that are well worth exploring.  He has also released some brilliant live albums.  I am currently listening to this: