Rick Wakeman - (1991) The Classical Connection

Studio Album, released in 1991

It's a very sad situation.When Rick Wakeman releases lamentable albums over and over again,it can become frustrating,tasteless and damaging for that person who seeks quality."The Classical Connection 2" is not far from the "lamentable album" status,keeps a certain dignity within it,but not much and nothing else than that drop of decency.My dissapointement however is the fact that this album comes as a follower of an album that was great in every aspect.While the 1991 "Classical Connection" equaled in value with the amazing project of the "Airs" trilogy and is weaker only to "The Piano Album",this second achievement of the project is of low quality,it generates no emotional effect and makes no impression whatsoever.And that,for me,equals zero.I don't recommend this album to anyone who enjoyed the charming virtuous music in the first "Classical Connection" and expects a similar thing in this one also;cause they will be dissapointed.It is at the same line with any of the numerous weak albums in Wakeman's musical acomplishm,ers history.No motivation to create something worthy.It is of the same recipe that has made the 80's and the 90's so cheap.And being an album of old material,reworked in a special,apparently,way makes it even more unimportant.You listen to it and you forget it as soon as it finishes.Cause there is nothing there to make you interested.It can even prove tiresome,lethargic,inexpressive,unemotional and unsatisfacatory material.Again,this is no major surprise,as album and concepts like this started being created long before 1992 and will continue till present time in the same manner,without even the slightest sign of desire to improve to appear.When you face a situation like this is to just listen to it and focus on the better albums,that's all (doing,of course,a more thoroughly examination of what exactly do you expect from Wakeman the next time you think of listening again).But the most disturbing aspect remains that it is a failed sequel.

So what ruined everything (well,almost everything) here? There are many debatable aspects and posibilities.The main presumption of mine would obviously be the influence of that new age,soft ambiental,mellotronic etc. period."Classical Connection 2" has the same recipe as "Classical Connection":reworked themes,in a personal interpretation,focusing on Wakeman's keyboardist capabilities and powers,the same line-up of Wakeman and Patton (Bruford,Squire and Howe guests only on the tenth track,thus of no relevance),so basically the same (or at least similar) approach,concept and method.The flaw however comes in Wakeman's decision to focus more on the keyboards than on the grand piano,used preponderently and with a great effect in the 1991 album.And thus he launches in that inexpressive,tiresome,old-fashioned manifestation.There is no point in talking too much about the pieces,one at a time.Simple themes,with repeative elements and musical phrases,typical to Wakeman perspectives,getting either monotonic,either of little importance.Personally,I find a small spark only in the "Art and soul" piece.The rest just flows without anything interesting happening.But that is me,being used to this.Other may interpret things differently.Who knows,some may enjoy this style.Anyway,from where I stand,it is a problem of mentality that caused this weak result.Improvising and finding new ways of expression was not really Wakeman's ace of spades this period.

Track Listings

1. Gone But Not Forgotten (5:48)
2. After the Ball (3:32)
3. Elgin Mansions (6:06)
4. Sea Horses (4:58)
5. Merlin the Magician (5:58)
6. Catherine of Aragon (3:59)
7. Catherine Howard (7:20)
8. 1984 Overture (3:50)
9. The Hymn (5:08)
10. Finale (Incorporating Julia) (6:11)

Total Time: 53:36

Line-up/Musicians
- Rick Wakeman / piano, keyboards
- David Paton / acoustic guitar, bass