Journey to the Centre of the Earth (Rick Wakeman) - EPL 84
Added 2025-02-08 20:28:35 +0000 UTCThis was such an enjoyable listen. I recognized that this recording is as much an historic piece of art as it is an historic artifact. And, the music was melodic, spunky, and enjoyable. Come along for a great sci/fi story!
Comments
I saw the tour in 1974, in Boston, probably the Orpheum Theater. When "The Battle" started, giant, inflatable dinosaurs appeared. It was awesome. Also, did you notice that the chorus got the words wrong in "The Battle"? They sang the bit about "Battle won a victor's pride/The three men thanked the Lord and cried" in the first part. :-)
Kevin Barrett
2025-04-16 00:52:10 +0000 UTCI am positive this show was taped, because I watched it and (sadly) absolutely hated it. I took it back and didn't press for a refund.
Mark Parker
2025-03-26 03:12:40 +0000 UTCThat was total nostalgia for me, and so, as Doug surmises, it is this recording that meaningful to me (and others it seems), even if the re-recording was a technical improvement. I think it was somewhere around the high water mark (in terms of popularity) of the first era of prog rock. Not long after this, prog began to fade from it's commercial heights, and never really got as big again. So this album seems to me an inevitable stop-off point for this channel. I'm glad we reached this sign-post, and I look forward to more of the new vistas like those that the channel has given to me already. I agree with everything Doug had to say about it BTW. I still like the overture and the coda more than any of the rest of the album. For the tech-minded, I believe the 'electric harpsichord' was a clavinet (on harpsichord setting of course). I echo Doug's sentiments about this place as a haven for those of us who love the music shared here, and we share a warmth of spirit together. My heartfelt sympathies for Doug, Meg, and all others here who are experiencing turmoil, and I hope everyone finds this a place to heal.
Adie
2025-02-10 23:56:07 +0000 UTCListening to Doug’s comments at the end…From memory, and I might be wrong because it was a long time ago, but the point of view and narration style reflected the way Jules Verne wrote the novel.
Chris Gadsby
2025-02-10 01:22:33 +0000 UTCThe 1974 Maple Leaf Gardens gig aired on ABC Toronto on TV
Si
2025-02-09 11:28:33 +0000 UTCThank you for this, Doug. I hope you and your family will be okay. Take care, sir.
Bill Brinkmoeller
2025-02-09 07:31:41 +0000 UTCWriting this about three quarters of the way through - as always, Doug, really enjoying your interpretation and analysis. Please try and get an interview with Rick - he is SO accommodating and SO funny! And pretty humble, too. But so talented as well!
Adrian Goodrich
2025-02-09 01:22:25 +0000 UTCHey thanks to you Doug for bringing your knowledge and experience to us so whatever you are going through remember the Joy, you bring us is much appreciated music and all art bring us all together.
Terence colin Shortman
2025-02-08 23:40:26 +0000 UTCThis wasn't on TV
Andy Pashley
2025-02-08 23:25:07 +0000 UTCA little anecdote Rick recants when asked has he ever written anything too complicated to play he said no but with Journey he had the piccolo section say they had a problem with one section he asked if it was too difficult, they said no but we do have to breath oops said rick forgot about that.
Terence colin Shortman
2025-02-08 22:51:13 +0000 UTCThe overall effect, I think, is to leave my memory with little to reflect/enjoy; his pieces always seem to disappear from my consciousness.
Allen
2025-02-08 22:37:00 +0000 UTCYes, I remember reading one criticism of Wakeman's "Henry VIII" that stayed with me: namely, that he moves too quickly between his melodic themes; as soon as I become interested in one motif, he's already developing something else.
Allen
2025-02-08 22:36:05 +0000 UTCNo. 1 before Yes. This was only a portion of the concert, the rest was Rick and the band. That portion was found finally released a few years ago. The tour was filmed in Australia and that’s also available. A funny story is how he had an unexpected issues in Japan where the choir had difficulties pronouncing words with “Rs” (crocodile teeth…). His follow-up was even more ambitious: The Myths and Legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. On ice. Yep, skaters as the key characters, including battles on “horseback.” Video is available…
Randy Hammill
2025-02-08 22:22:56 +0000 UTCThanks for the memories Doug, I was listening when it came out and still have the vinyl! Gutsy move from Mr. Wakeman. This version has an edit and it makes me a bit miff because we all would always look forward to the French Horn sour note near the end of side 1. They somehow smoothed it out for this release. It needs to be heard warts and all!
Stop Propaganda
2025-02-08 22:08:01 +0000 UTCShucks, I missed it ☹️
Klaus
2025-02-08 21:49:18 +0000 UTCI distinctly recall watching the live performance on TV as it happened. This has always been a favorite piece, and as I just listened to it with you I could visualize Rick (and his cape), the orchestra, choir, singers, and most of all sitting with my group of friends in 1974 as we watched. Many of them have now passed on, but you brought us together again for a moment. Thank you, Doug.
Joan Bounacos
2025-02-08 21:30:11 +0000 UTC
