Within the same year of re-joining Yes for 1977's Going for the One, Rick Wakeman released yet another solo instrumental concept album. Criminal Record, Wakeman's sixth album in five years, involves six tracks that instill Wakeman's keyboard wizardry to both fictional and historical accounts of punishment, villainy, and crime. With help from both Chris Squire and drummer Alan White, Wakeman managed to land the album within the U.K. Top 30 before the year's end, even though it fell well beyond the Top 100 on the U.S. album charts. Wakeman does a great job at sketching each theme with an appropriate dose of keyboard fire, with "Judas Iscariot" and "Crime of Passion" arising as two of the album's most potent tracks. Wakeman's employment of a Swiss Choir for "Judas" presents it with a wonderful pastoral feel, emphasizing the character's struggle between good and evil while toning different portions of the tracks with light and dark, as well as heavy and soft keyboard segments. Because there are only six cuts on the album, the concept in which Wakeman tackles never strays too far, and even in some of the less grandiose tracks like "Birdman of Alcatraz" or "Chamber of Horrors," there's a lingering sense of Wakeman's ideas hiding somewhere within his rock-infused keyboard styles. Although it may not be as musically dynamic or as instrumentally moving as his earlier concept pieces like Myths and Legends of King Arthur or Six Wives, he still manages to be both effective and entertaining throughout the length of the album, and, more importantly, his thematic intention is strongly held together without any vocal involvement. ~ Mike DeGagne
Audio Remasterer: Gavin Lurssen.
Recording information: Eglise De Plancers, Montreux, Switzerland (04/1977-06/1977); Eglise De Planches, Montreux, Switzerland (04/1977-06/1977); Eglise St. Martin, Vevey, Switzerland (04/1977-06/1977); Mountain Studios, Montreux, Switzerland (04/1977-06/1977).
Photographer: Jim McCrary.
Arranger: Rick Wakeman.
Personnel: Rick Wakeman (piano, Fender Rhodes piano, harpsichord, electric harpsichord, Clavinet, organ, keyboards, mini-Moog synthesizer, computer); Bill Oddie (vocals); Anne Catherine Noinat, Lise Dutray, Annette Fonjallez, Claudine Corbaz, Francoise Cottet, Eliane Henchoz, Claudine Mange, Francoise Cardinaux, Daniele Meystre (soprano); Raphael Bugnon, Charles Moinat, Rene Monachon, Andre Borboen, Jean Maurice Juvet, Bernard Dutruy, Francoise Emery, Daniel Borgeaud (tenor); Yves Lamberey, Samuel Chetrit, Claude Alain Morasini, Roland Demiville, Jean Michel Favez, George Caille, Piere Alain Favez (bass voice); Mike Egan (guitar); Alan White (drums); Frank Ricotti (percussion).
Audio Mixer: John Timperley.
Record Collector (magazine) (p.102) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "There are oodles of cascading keyboards, of course, with Wakeman painting vivid musical portraits of dodgy places, events and characters."
Criminal Record Definitely one of Rick's better albums! The first three tracks are absolutely prog-rockers. The fourth is classic Wakeman piano abilities being displayed. To me, the fifth/sixth tracks are weaker, however if you like Wakeman, you must own this CD!! Submitted by michelp (Grants Pass, OR) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 1 of 1 found this helpful.
in the top 5 of Rick's cd's one of the best rick has ever done. sharp synth leads, haunting pipes, and a great choir sound to boot. a little short, but what is on it is just prog at its best, way back when Submitted by teuscheld (jcksonville, fl. usa) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Worth it! I remember when this record came out (yes, "record"). The beauty and power of the pipe organ in "Judas Iscariot" is majestic.
The little humorous tag by Dr. John at the end of "Breathalyzer" is a rare "light" moment, and thematically nice.
The most wonderful moments for me, however, are the cascading lines and right hand octave melodic playing in "Birdman of Alcatraz". Probably my favorite all-time Wakeman piece of music. It absolutely puts you in the "yard" on a cool, wind-swept day, watching the birds enjoy their freedom.
If you can find this one, definitely worth picking up. Don't think you're going to hear "Yes" derivative stuff, or Medieval type music. This is just great musicianship, melody, and a plan. Submitted by arrangerx (West Chicago, IL, USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
one of the best prog at its finest. the pipes sound great. although its not Ricks favorite because he wanted more continuity in the cd, there is some excellent playing. In the top 5 of Wakemans recordings. Submitted by teuscheld (Jacksonville, Fl) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 0 of 1 found this helpful.
EXCELENTE Y RARO CLASICO Creo que criminal Record es uno de los mejores trabajos de Wakeman.
Junto con White Rock es del material difícil de encontrar ya que solo se edita en Japón y no se si se lo esta haciendo actualmente.
Sin duda alguna “Criminal Record” es un 5 estrellas de pura sangre
Submitted by rrosenblatt (BOLIVIA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo This review is for a different format.
Criminal Record
in the top 5 of Rick's cd's
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