Photos/Writer: Rudy Lu

Classically trained keyboardist Rick Wakeman has been professionally performing since 1969. The audience was treated to a solo overview of his long career in a 90 minute set, that was a retrospective into his career and a glimpse of his continuing creativity.

The stage at the Hart Theatre was stark. Only 2 instruments were present, a set of 2 electronic keyboards on a single rack stage left and a grand piano stage right. The amplification and sound were from the house system.
Rick walked upon the stage as the stately gentleman that he is. The hair flowing down to his shoulders from the days of yore were absent, he wore a long rainbow striped black sport jacket, covering a t shirt.

He walked over to the keyboards and opened with “Jayne Seymour”(Wife 3).Pipe organ like flourishes like you were in a large cathedral enveloped the audience. The long trills and runs surrounded the audience and amazed us as the original did back in 1971, This was quickly followed by “Catherine Howard”(Wife 5), a more rapidly based paced piece, simulating the sounds of an acoustic piano, a touch of honky tonk with a mixture of electronics. The sounds emanating just from Wakeman made you forget, the originals included a backing band.

Before he joined any bands, Rick was known as a “fixer”, the equivalent of a studio musician in L.A.’s Wrecking Crew and anonymously appeared on many recordings. One of his better known performances during was backing David Bowie in “Space Oddity” and “Life On Mars”. His fond recollection of his period was prefaced with a ribald story about picking up paychecks from some sessions from a producer engaged in some fantasies with his wife.

He next played a medley from his long concept album on King Arthur, performing “Guinevere”, “The Last Battle” and “Merlin”. This was the most daunting challenge that has been mostly avoided until now as the original was recorded with complete orchestra and choir along with narration. This version was Rick by himself on keyboards. Sounds of a harpsichord, organ, piano, calliope and honky tonk piano were creatively placed throughout the performance, giving variety to what could have been long and ponderous.

Perhaps, the greatest association that Wakeman has had is with this on-again/off again association with prog rock heroes Yes (1971-2004). This was represented in the form of a piano sonata that took many months from conception to execution. Bits of pieces of many Yes compositions were interwoven, those immediately recognized were : Wondrous Stories, Starship Trooper, You and I, Total Mass Retain, South Side Of The Sky, Heart of the Sunrise and their only breakthrough single Roundabout.

As if this wasn’t enough, the encore consisted of 2 covers of the Beatles. “Help”was performed in the style of French composer Saint Saens. This interpretation added many moods to what basically is a very simple pop song “Eleanor Rigby” was performed in the style of Russian composer Prokofiev. He transformed a slow solemn piece with one with movement without losing the solemnity. One could picture Father Mackenzie chasing

Eleanor through the church and graveyard as if in a slowly revealing nightmare. Other concerts featuring former members of yes are scheduled. Jon Anderson will be appearing with backup band, The Band Geeks at the Egg June 6.