It has to be one of the best concerts I have ever been to - who would have thought that? !
The artist was Rick Wakeman
You know, there are a few older artists who rest on the laurels of just a narrow corridor of fame and regurgitate the same old same old.
But not Rick.
He played just one Yes song and even that was "You and I" based on a recording tape he'd rediscovered which was one of many he'd done when Yes were in the studio trying out different approaches to the song.
The rest of the 2 hour show was based on a whole raft of different stuff and his playing just had the audience spell-bound. 63 years old and he still plays the piano like a maestro. A veritable whirlwind of notes and arrangements and chordal structures that were a pleasure to listen to. His percussion, syncopation, and rhythmic style was just pure magic.
His stories were just as good. Full of wit, humour and interest.
I'm so glad I went.
When my boss told me he was shouting me a seat to join him I was really looking forward to hearing the 'man from Yes' and the writer of "King Arthur.." and "Return to the centre of the earth" etc , but when I heard on the radio it was just Rick and a grand piano my heart sank a bit - where were all the synthesisers, keyboards, moogs etc etc that one tends to associate Rick with ???
Happily, his talent was such tonight that the grand piano by itself was more than enough anyhow!
I just had to share - I am one happy camper
