Rick Wakeman Six Wives Of Henry VIII: Live At Hampton Court Palace CD

Personnel includes: Rick Wakeman (keyboards); Liza Strike, Judy Powell (vocals); Steve Howe (guitar); Chris Squire (bass); Alan White (drums); Barry St. John.
Personnel: Rick Wakeman (keyboards); Judith Powell, Sylvia McNeill, Laura Lee, Liza Strike, Barry St. John (vocals); Dave Lambert, Steve Howe, Mike Egan (guitar); Dave Cousins (banjo); Barry DeSouza, Alan White , Bill Bruford (drums); Frank Ricotti, Frank Riccotti, Ray Cooper (percussion).
Recording information: Morgan Studios, London, England (02/1972-10/1972); Trident Studios, London, England (02/1972-10/1972).
Released in 2009, veteran pianist/arranger/progressive rock giant Rick Wakeman's The Six Wives of Henry VIII: Live at Hampton Court Palace represented the first time that his groundbreaking 1973 song cycle had ever been performed and recorded in its entirety. Staying true to the project's foundation of Mellotron, Moog, and Hammond C3 organ, Wakeman's performance was bookended by two new pieces ("Tudorture '1485'" and "Tudorock," respectively) and included the previously unreleased track "Defender of the Faith," which was originally omitted from the 1973 version due to space restrictions. The performance also features narration from veteran British actor Brian Blessed, as well as backing by the English Rock Ensemble, who are accompanied by the Orchestra Europa and the English Chamber Choir. ~ James Christopher Monger
Not only did this album help pave the way for progressive rock, but it also introduced the unbridled energy and overall effectiveness of the synthesizer as a bona fide instrument. Six Wives gave Wakeman his chance to break away from the other instrumental complexities that made up Yes and allowed him to prove what a driving force the keyboard could truly be, especially in full album form. More than just synthesized wandering, Wakeman astoundingly conjures up a separate musical persona by way of an instrumental ode to each of Henry VIII's wives through his dazzling use of the Mellotron, Moog, and Hammond C3 organ. For example, Wakeman's fiery runs and fortissimo thwarting of the synthesizer throughout "Anne Boleyn" is a tribute to her feisty temper and valiant courage that she maintained while standing up to her husband. With "Jane Seymour," on the other hand, Wakeman's playing is somewhat subdued and gentile, which coincides with her legendary meekness and frailty, as well as her willingness to cater to Henry VIII. Wakeman's masterful use of his synthesizers is not only instrumentally stunning, but his talent of magically shaping the notes to represent behavioral idiosyncrasies of his characters is itself bewildering. Yes bassist Chris Squire lends a hand on "Catherine of Aragon," while guitarist Steve Howe and drummer Bill Bruford appear on a few tracks as well, as does former Strawbs member Dave Cousins, playing the electric banjo. The Six Wives of Henry VIII unleashes the unyielding power of the keyboard as a dominant instrument, but also displays Wakeman at the beginning of an extremely resplendent career as a solo musician. ~ Mike DeGagneRolling Stone (6/21/73, p.69) - "..he has a brilliant feel for tasteful impressionistic composition...an exceptionally interesting instrumental album...production is superb.."
Record Collector (magazine) (p.96) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "The 12 minutes of 'Kathryn Howard' mixes lovely trills with vaudeville touches..."