Continuing Ace U.K.'s release program for Rick Wakeman?s President recordings, here is "The Seven Wonders Of The World", recorded in 1994 and 1995. In keeping with some of his earlier A&M recordings, Rick returns to t... more »he concept album. This instrumental song cycle sets out to capture the particular mood of each of the seven marvels of the ancient world and the atmosphere of their individual time and place in our history. Each track is prefaced by a short narrative delivered by the actor Garfield Morgan. The strong modern orchestral rock style has been created entirely on digital keyboards and features the renowned Wakeman dexterity throughout.« less
Continuing Ace U.K.'s release program for Rick Wakeman?s President recordings, here is "The Seven Wonders Of The World", recorded in 1994 and 1995. In keeping with some of his earlier A&M recordings, Rick returns to the concept album. This instrumental song cycle sets out to capture the particular mood of each of the seven marvels of the ancient world and the atmosphere of their individual time and place in our history. Each track is prefaced by a short narrative delivered by the actor Garfield Morgan. The strong modern orchestral rock style has been created entirely on digital keyboards and features the renowned Wakeman dexterity throughout.
"Rick Wakeman may still be best known for his albums with Yes. I agree that this was the highlight of his career, but he has produced any number of impressive solo disks. I can't rate this up there with the excellent remake of Journey to the Centre of the Earth, but it's quite good. The songs are a little "spacey" for my taste, but they keep my attention. The spoken introductions by one Garfield Morgan is a nice touch."
Wakeman in a more relaxed mood
Bruce Gray | Shenandoah Valley, VA, USA | 11/10/2001
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Fans of Wakeman's "Yes" era who discover this album without trying any of his other solo work may be disappointed. It's not the high-energy Wakeman one would expect. It's much more laid back and "new age" sounding than "Six Wives" or "Journey". It's closer in feel to "Myths and Legends", although the narration, provided by the same narrator as on "Journey", evokes memories of his better works. The basic story is, he wrote these tracks to evoke images of the seven wonders of the world, only one of which still remains. And that's part of the problem. I believe one of the better tracks is the "Great Pyramid" sequence, which might have been influenced by pictures of the Pyramids. Other "wonders" aren't as evocative of their names, probably because they no longer exist. Don't pick this up as your first exposure to solo Wakeman, but his fans will love it."
7 Wonders is Ricks own submission as the 8th.musical wonder
Bruce Gray | 02/07/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Magickman from n.j. says: Rick out does him self, and shows a mystical, magical theme that intefaces synth muzic with old world electro-cultured themes of the seven wonders of the world. A nice feature of the very informative cd is each track is double tracked meaning: you can get a discription of each wonder that can be tracked with or with out the narration.A wonderous musical masterpiece that will appeal to anyone who wants something unique and different but very easy to enjoy. SOOTHSAYERS WILL DELIGHT IN THE KOOL STORIES BEFORE EACH SONG"
A "Soundtrack" for the Ancient World
Henry R. Kujawa | "The Forbidden Zone" (Camden, NJ) | 06/03/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Who says music can't be educational? Actor Garfield Morgan narrates the brief introductions to each musical piece here, supplying some intriguing background info to their various inspirations. With electronic keyboards & percussion programming, the sound is in a style similar to 2000 A.D. INTO THE FUTURE, but going back in time instead of ahead. (This could provide a neat soundtrack for TV shows like HERCULES or XENA!) More laid-back than some, it's about mid-range between Rick's other synthesizer sets and his "relaxation" albums. Morgan fits well here (better, I feel, than when he returned for the uncalled-for biblical remake set, THE NEW GOSPELS, a short time later)."
HIstoricaly Hypnotic
David Harte-Maxwell | Council Bluffs Iowa | 08/21/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If you are intriguiged by the incredible efforts of our forborours then this is your work. Rick Wakeman has researched these great works and focused on what they have meant to the people at the time, from the Great Light House to the Temple of Zeus. I am very impressed at how his voice are followed by the music.
This is an example of Rick Wakeman's more human musical track. If you want to travel in time and visualize what these ancient marvels meant to their people, you should hear this."