Chronicles of Man (2000)
| Rick's Perspective |
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| Notes |
| I like this album. It was recorded during a period when I was feeling a strong affinity to the piano and felt I was playing well at the same time with inspirational feel. This album was really a follow up to The Heritage Suite about the Isle of Man and was most enjoyable to record. |
| Wakey's Verdict |
| If you like classical style piano and a bit of history to boot, then this is for you. |
| Little Known Trivia |
| The proposed concert to launch the album on the Isle of Man was to have taken place at Rushen Abbey and subsequently the concert never took place. |
| Reviews |
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Solomon Eagle on 8th January 2003 [Other reviews] Okay, who's the dumbass? Saw this in a record shop years ago and didn't buy it - looked like Rick trying to pay the rent. Oh God, I was so wrong - if you like 'Country Airs' (and who doesn't, for its purity?), you'll love this: classic Wakeman, largely piano and totally beautiful; forget the tourist-like sleeve notes, and just listen...meanwhile, one eBay auction and a lot of money later, I've learned not to doubt Rick's judgement… |
Bjorn Olaf Syvertsen on 2nd November 2000 [Other reviews] This is perhaps the best pure piano album Rick has ever released. It is soft and melodic, but intense and fast as well. Therefore it is quite varied and never boring. It reminds me of the great Rick compositions; tracks like for instance "Caesarea" from "Wakeman with Wakeman". This album has a more "grandiose" feel than most of Rick's pure piano albums. |
Piotr Walczak on 31st October 2000 [Other reviews] I close my eyes and my body becomes adrift , floating to the Isle of Man. There, they are waiting for me, the Chronicles of the master Wakeman, glorious relaxation, a moment of contemplation, time has ceased its passage. The Steinway in Wakeman`s hands sounds uplifting, one can hear tunes that recall a whisper of the island`s history, this music touches the imagination. Having been in such a state for an hour, I return from that voyage into reality. Someday I must visit the Isle of Man. |
Nic Neufeld on 12th October 2000 [Other reviews] Absolutely beautiful! I ordered this from President Records in the UK (I'm from the US), and although I do not own a massive Wakeman collection (yet), it is one of my favorites. Stand-out track is #2, the Abbey Garden. Breath-taking interaction between the melody and chord progression. Very relaxing, a wonderful piano album. There are occasionally some string overdubs, but it is mainly Rick massaging your ears with his Steinway prowess. Top-notch stuff, really. |
Paul Good on 11th September 2000 [Other reviews] If Rick had performed this in the time of Medieval Britain he would have blown them away with this one. For us it awakens the spirit of history. A fine performance of classical meets rock virtuosos embellished with Rick's typical trills and frills with carefully crafted interlacing of majors and minors. One or two surprises though, a sprinkling of synthesised strings and possibly a mix up of titles between The Seige and Castle Rushen. If any of us ever wondered if Rick might have come from another planet, then this album confirms it! I aspire to his mastery of the instrument. |