| Rick's Perspective |
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| Notes |
| After going out yet again on tour with a second Classical Connection line up, it was deemed necessary to have another release to coincide with such an event and so Classical Connection II was born which was half live and half studio, which always made it an unsatisfactory compromise as far as I was concerned. |
| Wakey's Verdict |
| If you've already got Classical Connection in your collection, then I suppose it makes sense to have Classical Connection II as well. |
| Little Known Trivia |
| Davy Paton, (the original Scotsman who performed on the first Classical Connection tour was known for his extreme frugalness with money but this was well beaten by Alan Thomson his Scottish replacement who actually came out on this tour with 38 pence in his pocket to last the entire four weeks!) |
| Reviews |
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Julia Harries on 11th November 2000 [Other reviews] This recording contains a selection of Rick Wakeman's compositions and two of his best covers, all performed in a classical style. "Eleanor Rigby" has been arranged by Wakeman in the style of his favourite composer Prokofiev and gives the listener not only a virtuoso performance by the maestro but also a brilliant accompaniment by David Paton on guitar. It's as close to a duet as you can get. The wonderfully gentle "Birdman of Alcatraz" has been rearranged from the now unavailable "Criminal Record". "Summertime" by Gershwin is another triumph of interpretation and is a perfect lazy Summer Sunday afternoon track. "Farandol" was recorded in 1971 during the recording sessions for Wakeman's first solo album "The Six Wives of Henry VIII" and is special because it features Steve Howe on guitar, Chris Squire on bass and Alan White on drums. It's only short but it's a real fun piece. All the tracks are good but one other that stands out for me is "Art and Soul". It's a piano piece with digital orchestral accompaniment, which is just brilliant. |
Julia Harries on 31st October 2000 [Other reviews] This recording contains a selection of Rick Wakeman's compositions and two of his best covers, all performed in a classical style. Eleanor Rigby has been arranged by Rick in the style of his favourite composer Prokofiev and gives the listener not only a virtuoso performance by the maestro but also a brilliant accompaniment by David Paton on guitar. It's as close to a duet as you can get. The wonderfully gentle Birdman of Alcatraz has been rearranged from the now unavailable Criminal Record. Summertime by Gershwin is another triumph of interpretation and is a perfect lazy Summer Sunday afternoon track. Farandol was recorded in 1971 during the recording sessions for The Six Wives of Henry VIII and is special because it features Steve Howe on guitar, Chris Squire on bass and Alan White on drums. It's only short but it's a real fun piece. All the tracks are good but one other that stands out for me is Art and Soul. It's a piano piece with digital orchestral accompaniment, which is just brilliant. |
Mats Landstrom on 1st October 1997 [Other reviews] A collection of some old and obscure Wakeman pieces. I think most tunes are re-recordings though. Some good tunes but the weak point is lack of coherence. The styles are quite diverse; some rocking numbers and some quiet ones. "Farandol" seems to be from the Six Wives period. Some pieces has been used in commercials originally I think. We even get a Beatles cover; Eleanor Rigby! I wonder why this is called CC2 as it bears little resemblance to CC. |