WAKEMAN & COUSINS: HUMMINGBIRD

Although included here under Rick Wakeman's listing, "Hummingbird" is in fact a joint venture by Rick Wakeman and Dave Cousins. To those familiar with these two legends, but unfamiliar with their backgrounds, this may seem like an unlikely combination. Dave Cousins, is the leader and only ever present member of prog folk rock band the STRAWBS, while Wakeman is of course a time-to-time YES member, and a prolific solo album maker.

The two however were at one time band-mates in the Strawbs, the pinnacle of that period being their "From the Witchwood" album. It was his work with the Strawbs which drew Wakeman to the attention of Yes, and led to him being invited to join that band. Cousins highly distinctive, indeed unique vocals, mean that overall this album has something of a Strawbs feel to it.

The music is a very relaxed, with folk influences such as those which dominated the Strawbs earliest work, and heavy leanings towards an acoustic sound. Wakeman and Cousins are clearly at ease in each others company and this comes through throughout this album. The album apparently came about after the two longstanding friends (of over 35 years) had reunited at a gig by Wakeman's band the English Rock Ensemble staged by the Classic Rock Society (of which Wakeman is president, and Cousins a director).

The general structure of the album consist of a Cousins dominated vocal track, preceded and/or followed by a short Wakeman instrumental interlude which takes it basic theme from the vocal track it sits with. Piano features heavily in the instrumental accompaniments to the vocal tracks, the majority of which are soft, melancholy numbers. The two notable exceptions are the opening track "The Young pretender", and "All in vain" The fact that the latter, which is track 10, is the first upbeat song with drums and bass since track one, gives a strong indication of the mood of the album. "The young pretender" does have one of Wakeman's "Merlin" like synth solos to finish, together with some fine violin work by Ric Sanders (Fairport Convention). "All in vain" also has some of Wakeman's soaring synths, reminiscent of his solo on "The black night" ("King Arthur").

Although at the time of its release, Wakeman was keen to dispel any suggestion that this was in any way a Strawbs album, a couple of tracks originally by that band are included. "So shall our love die" (Nomadness) and "Stone cold is the woman's heart" ("Ringing down the years") are both performed as soft acoustic ballads. It has to be said that some of Wakeman's solo tracks are quiet to the point of being barely audible (this isn't really an album to listen to in the car!).

In all, a worthwhile album by these two legends which, while notably understated throughout, has the underlying strength one would expect from masters of their art.

While the cover notes give no indication of who produced the album, it appears Wakeman and Cousins undertook these duties themselves, adding to the home-grown nature of the finished product. The cover painting of a humming bird in flight is by Rick's partner Alina Bencini, who also receives a name-check in the title of his final solo track on the album "Via Bencini".

Incidentally, when my son saw this album, he took it to be by Rick Wakeman and some relatives!

Share this RICK WAKEMAN review

Social review comments () BETA

---

---

Review related links

• Send comments to Easy Livin
• Report this review (#40015)
• Buy RICK WAKEMAN music online with PA partners
• Show all RICK WAKEMAN MP3/Stream
• Go to RICK WAKEMAN page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
• Go to Wakeman & Cousins: Hummingbird page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
• Search the Forum for RICK WAKEMAN related discussions