Rick Wakeman was always something of a maverick within the proggy confines of Yes, so it s no surprise that for his seventh solo release recorded right after he rejoined Yes in 1977 for the Going for the One album he turned to the transgressive subjects of crime, punishment and villainy. And he got his just desserts Criminal Record hit the charts in both the U.S. and U.K., where it went Top 30, and remains a favorite among his fanbase. Both Alan White and Chris Squire play on the record, which features (on Judas Iscariot) the same church organ from St. Martin s church in Vevey, Switzerland used on Going for the One to great effect. Oddly, this standout record from Wakeman's catalog has only been available domestically on a limited-edition, long out-of-print CD; our Real Gone release adds notes by Bill Kopp and includes the text from the inner sleeve, which sets the stage for each song with scholarly notes on such charming subjects as the guillotine.
C**A
One of my favorite albums of all time
One of my favorite albums of all time. I have the vinyl version from when it was first released (and yes that dates me - I was in High School at the time). I don't know what genre of music to call this - but at the time I was loving the "progressive rock" movement. It is hard to call this album "rock" of any sort, it is more like "progressive classical music, with influences from jazz, rock and electronica, as interpretted by 1/2 of Yes and by Rick Wakeman's own Journey to the Center of the Earth." LOL. Here's the thing: upon a first listen, it will seem like rather bizarre and hypersonic keyboard playing, but after a 3rd or 4th listen, it will embed a electrochemical pathway through your neurons that will crave being refreshed over and over - which means that you'll want to keep listening to it again and again. I hesitatingly introduced it to my 19 year old son, and he love is too. He has his friends listening to it now as well. Perhaps good music truly can be timeless, even if it dates from the 1970's.
S**S
Justice has been served!
Finally a record label that has picked up several A&M releases and have not only given the fans these long out of print CD's, but have done the Justice of giving the sound quality the royal treatment. I had the original A&M release on CD and it sounded very muddy. This is not only great to finally own, but Real Gone Music has made it bright and crisp sounding. Years ago people would pay hundreds of dollars or Russian pressed CD's by Mister Wakeman and the wait is finally over. Check out, "No earthly connection", and also "White Rock", by Real Gone Music. They have finally been paroled! Get them before they are gone.
E**R
A+ Sound, A+ Pieces.
To me, this is Rick's best rock album, even above Six Wives.. The entire Side One has Squire & White, sounding better than on any Yes album! -Seriously, it seems they know the songs very well & are at the peak of their playing, and we're really getting the long lost Wakeman-Squire-White trio!Then on Side Two there's a beautiful multi-piano piece, a really quirky one about urine, and a grand choir & church organ finale!
V**S
the rest of it is right up there with 'Six Wives' when it comes to Wakeman coming up with beautiful melodies. In fact
I had waited literally decades for this album to come out on CD. While the 'Breathalyzer' track is a bit silly and outdated, the rest of it is right up there with 'Six Wives' when it comes to Wakeman coming up with beautiful melodies. In fact, a good friend of mine used the song 'Birdman of Alcatraz' in his wedding ceremony after I turned him on to this album. [It was later version of the same song, but still...!]
M**E
Great music - not so good post-production
Rather like the vinyl original, the audio is too compressed, but the music is as stunning as ever.
S**T
I have enjoyed his music all the way from when he was ...
Rick Wakeman has been one of the most impressive and prolific keyboardists to come along in a long time. I have enjoyed his music all the way from when he was keyboardist for "Yes", went solo with "The Six Wives of King Henry the Eighth", and so on.... Between him and Keith Emerson, we have had a lot to enjoy.
P**K
Happy to listen
One of my Wakeman's solo favourites. Sometimes I just have the cravings for instrumental music, and Rick can play keyboards in so many ways and intertwine his music with beautiful tunes that stay in your mind for some time.From his collection this one deserves 5 stars by my opinion.
S**M
Four Stars
decenr product/ great transactionhelps complete collection
A**E
Criminal Record - criminal pricing!
Well this is just one amazing Wakeman album. I used to have it on vinyl but that went years ago in a house move. Now once again I have it, this time on CD (why so expensive?) and I can tell you after 10 years of not hearing it, I remembered every note, chord and wallpaper-stripping MiniMoog solo. Also, this album featured a keyboard called a Birotron which an old colleague of mine worked on the design and constant maintenance of - I don't think it made it any further than Wakeman's ex-keyboard crypt after this record!
I**S
A great record - which I bought in vinyl when it ...
A great record - which I bought in vinyl when it was first released - is back and now in a flawless CD version. And it is a feast for the ears! Mr Wakeman is truly our generation's greatest symphonic rock composer and performer. And his "Criminal Record" is there to prove it. :-) Buy and enjoy!
J**E
Five Stars
It's Rick. Words are inadequate to describe this genius.
D**A
The Modern-day Bach
The title says it all. What a musician!
D**S
Five Stars
I love this CD. Vinyl copy is history.
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