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Sunday, July 13, 2008

Rick Wakeman - (1977) Criminal Record


Rick's Perspective:
Notes: This was always a loosely based concept album that was recorded in Switzerland with Alan White on drums and Chris Squire on bass. The album never really turned out as I wanted it to except perhaps for the Judas Iscariot track. The drums and bass were recorded after the keyboards and they did such an excellent job that I wanted to redo some of the keyboards again and change a few things I'd played....but there were no tracks left and no money either.

Studio Album, released in 1977

This is in my opinion Wakeman's 3rd best album, and I highly recommend this to any fan keyboard-driven compositions. Here, you can hear wakeman composing music darker than his usual compositions, yet putting a fun track and a pretty ballad for balance.

1. Statue of justice 7/10 : A good opener that sets the tone of the album. It is full of keyboard playing.

2. Crime of passion 8/10 : this track is stronger than Statue of Justice, and contains a great change from a pretty piano piece to a dark, heavy, and menacing sounding track.

3. Chamber of horrors 6/10 : The bass guitar work (from Squire) is pretty cool here, and the song is ok, yet it lacks the magic the album has. The keyboard solo in it is not for everyone, it sounds a little silly. The song ends with a powerful scream of terror from a girl.

4. Birdman of Alcatraz 10/10 : Probably my favourite piano solo piece of all times. I cannot exactly describe how beautiful this track is, and the amount of imagery it provides the listeners. It should be a classic on the classical music genre.

5. The breathalyser 7/10 : It is a fun track (that rocks!) and is finished with an amusing vocalist talking about getting arrested from alcohol intoxication while driving. The singer is really talented.

6. Judas Iscariot 10/10 : I think this is Wakeman's Finest work, and should be a classic in the Classical Music genre too. It combines church organ with keyboards to create a menacing atmosphere. The moods change often in this track, and sometimes with vocal choruses, it may sounds serene. The highlight of the track is when the moog synth takes over and plays one of the most inspired and best sounding moog solos I ever heard.

I highly recommend this album, especially for fans of classical music. Wakeman has never composed classical music of this quality.

Track Listings

1. Statue of justice (6:20)
2. Crime of passion (5:46)
3. Chamber of horrors (6:40)
4. Birdman of Alcatraz (4:12)
5. The breathalyser (3:51)
6. Judas Iscariot (12:15)

Total Time: 39:04
Line-up/Musicians

- Rick Wakeman / keyboards, synths, Birotron, harpsichord
+ Bill Oddie / vocals (5)
- Frank Ricotti / percussion
- Chris Squire / bass (1-2-3)
- Alan White / drums (1-2-3)
- Ars Læta Choir of Lausanne, Switzerland
- The Church organ of L'Eglise St. Martin, Vevey, Switzerland

1 comment:

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