Reviewed by Mike Rimmer

A little independent release from Mr Wakeman as he interprets the music of the Beatles in what turns out to be planted, unsurprisingly, somewhere between prog rock, New Age and elevator! The sleeve notes describe how this all started off as a bet between Mr W and his soundman, as to whether Rick's sound-check version of "Eleanor Rigby" would slay the crowds that evening. It did, and so an album concept was born. Rick's always been strong on concepts and so this album won't surprise his fans. Whilst the two longest tracks, "You've Got To Hide Your Love Away" and "Eleanor Rigby" are grand designs and well performed, the disco feel of "Come Together" is less successful, sounding more than a '70s detective series theme show, or even that other Beatle tune "Baby You Can Drive My Car". "Things We Said Today" sounds like something off one of those dodgy TV advertisement albums: all pomp, Hammond and again thumping sub-disco beat! Some of the slower numbers fare better. "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" is nice, particularly Fraser Thorneycroft Smith's guitar playing, which again comes to the fore on the beautiful "Blackbird". Overall, this is a bit patchy with some working and some not. I'm left wondering whether with the Beatles' catalogue pretty well covered from every direction by now, Rick might have been better ploughing in another field. Spice Girls tribute anybody?

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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