THE SIX WIVES OF HENRY VIII

Oh my God ... How come I have not reviewed this seminal work by the keyboard maestro? It happened when I planned to cut and paste the review of this album to my 'Music for Life' blog but I found none from me. I was surprised that I really missed this album from my review because actually this album is a...

True masterpiece of all time ...

....where I usually spin in balance with other new prog bands for refreshment. But when I was aware last week that I had not given any word or rating about this album. This album really BLEW me away the first time I listened to it in the seventies. I was at that time actually did not quite favor anything full instrumental album; but ths one for me was different because it's so dynamic and many changes in terms of style from opening track until the album finishes. It's really great, I tell you. As this was an ambitious project, all members of Yes except Jon Anderson took part in the studio work.

One thing so obvious about this album is that the music is so dynamics; Rick is really an innovative musician who can create wonderful compositions that stimulate our adrenaline and inquiring the mind. Yes, of course he made it based on his thorough study on the characters of Henry VIII's wives. But that's not really important to me because I know nothing about history. Thing that matters to me is how innovative he was composing nice melodies, harmonies and structural integrity of each song so that altogether the 6 tracks form one single story that is cohesive as a whole album. Perfecto!

"Catherine of Aragon" (3:45) opens the album with a nice and complex keyboard work with great piano fills as well as a bit flavor of guitar fills. The keyboard solo reminds me to the Yessongs album where Rick performed his solo work. And flows dynamically into second track "Anne of Cleves" (7:50) with dynamic drumming. This second track has become my best favorite track since I heard this album for the first time in mid seventies. I like the way the music flows in its dynamic style combining inventive keyboard and jaw dropping drum work. Oh man ...this track is really rocking and progging! Two thumbs up for Rick for having composed and performed this track wonderfully! All remaining tracks are at the same excellence as the opening two tracks. "Catherine Howard" (6:36) starts mellow with piano touch in classical music style; and then moves wonderfully through great transition pieces with piano fills as well as acoustic guitar. It then moves dynamically with keyboard work and solo. It's really great!. "Jane Seymour" (4:44) is really classic symphonic as Rick explores his inventive keyboard and organ works dynamically. The music flows beautifully with a piano touch in "Anne Boleyn (Incl "The day thou gavest Lord is ended")" (6:31). "Catherine Parr" (7:00) concludes the album wonderfully with great music dynamics combining keyboard and excellent drumming. Wow! what a great concluding track!

It's a masterpiece!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW