THE SIX WIVES OF HENRY VIII

With a reputation built up as a session musician, former member of The Strawbs, but above all for his fundamental contribution to the sound of the legendary Yes, Rick Wakeman decided to release his first solo album, "The Six Wives of Henry VIII", in 1973. Taking the story of the wives of the controversial king at a time of reforms and profound political and religious transformations in 16th century England as a source of inspiration, the Englishman uses his excellent virtuosity to evoke each of the wives with his countless keyboards and the support of a large and renowned group of guest musicians.

From the chords of the melodic "Catherine of Aragon", Wakeman draws on instruments such as classical piano, hammonds, mellotrons and moogs, accompanied by a female choir that brings a halo of drama to the track, and continues more aggressively with the long, linear "Anne of Cleves" backed by Alan White and Frank Ricotti's relentless, pounding percussion. The album's finest moments come with the piano tunes of the beautiful, shifting "Catherine Howard" and the celestial solemnity of the baroque "Jane Seymour" and the soulful sonority of the organ of London's St. Gilles Cathedral, which Wakeman masterfully combines with the moog.

And after the volatile contrasts and instrumental variations that portray the most famous of the wives, the temperamental "Anne Boleyn" including a short hymn attributed by Wakeman to the 19th century composer Edward J. Hopkins, the album concludes with another great track a must in Wakeman's live repertoire, the intense "Catherine Parr" and its lilting back and forth keyboards, with a brief chorus and the melodramatic effect of the moogs underpinning the closing.

It's worth noting that fragments of the work are compiled in the six and a half minute superlative medley "Excerpts from The Six Wives...", contained on Yes' live album "Yessongs".

"The Six Wives of Henry VIII" is one of the best albums, if not the best, in Wakeman's vast discography, and conveys the luminous state of grace he was in at the time.

4/4.5 stars