Rick Wakeman – Rhapsodies

Rick Wakeman – Rhapsodies

Released in May 1979, Rhapsodies is a wonderfully eclectic double album from “Rick Wakeman”, the celebrated keyboard player best known for his work with “Yes” and a prolific solo career. His final studio album for A&M Records, Rhapsodies deliberately moves away from the long-form symphonic suites associated with some of his earlier records, instead presenting a series of shorter, contrasting instrumental pieces ranging from progressive rock and jazz to classical, tango and theatrical themes. The album reached No. 25 in the UK Albums Chart.

Recorded during 1978–1979, the album was produced by Tony Visconti, who also contributed acoustic guitar and engineering. Wakeman handles keyboards throughout, joined by Nico Ramsden on electric guitar, Bruce Lynch on bass and Frank Gibson Jr. on drums and percussion. The musicians give the album a more conventional band feel than some of Wakeman's grander orchestral projects, while his keyboards remain firmly at the centre of the arrangements.

The album's title gives a good indication of its deliberately wide-ranging character. “Rhapsody In Blue” draws on George Gershwin's famous 1924 composition, while “Animal Showdown” incorporates the familiar melody of “Yes We Have No Bananas”. Elsewhere, Wakeman explores tango on “Wooly Willy Tango”, dramatic instrumental rock on “The Pulse”, and classical and theatrical influences on “March Of The Gladiators” and “Flacons De Neige”. The opening “Pedra Da Gavea” also features Wakeman using vocals and vocoder alongside his keyboards.

With its mixture of progressive rock, keyboards, classical influences, jazz, tango and eccentric British humour, Rhapsodies is a particularly distinctive entry in Wakeman's solo catalogue. This original 1979 A&M double LP is a strong choice for collectors of Rick Wakeman, progressive rock and the more adventurous side of late-1970s instrumental music.

Tracklist:

Side A

1. Pedra Da Gavea – 4:03
2. Front Line – 3:43
3. Bombay Duck – 3:14
4. Animal Showdown (Incorporating Yes We Have No Bananas) – 2:40
5. Big Ben – 3:37

Side B

1. Rhapsody In Blue – 5:26
2. Wooly Willy Tango – 3:22
3. The Pulse – 5:20
4. Swan Lager – 2:45

Side C

1. March Of The Gladiators – 5:00
2. Flacons De Neige – 5:01
3. The Flasher – 5:32
4. The Palais – 2:24

Side D

1. Stand By – 3:30
2. Sea Horses – 3:55
3. Half Holiday – 3:00
4. Summertime – 4:35
5. Credits – 3:10