Rick Wakeman - The Myths And Legends Of King Arthur And The Knights Of The Round Table (LP) (1975) - €7,00

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The Myths and Legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table is a studio album by English keyboardist Rick Wakeman, released on 27 March 1975 by A&M Records. It is a concept album based on the stories and people of the King Arthur legend. Wakeman started to write the music in 1974 while recovering from a heart attack and recorded it with his five-piece band the English Rock Ensemble, the New World Orchestra, and the English Chamber Choir.

Wakeman was truly inspired when he decided that the legendary King Arthur was to be the subject of his next project. While the album will not really serve as a definitive historical document, it does capture the essence of the Myths and Legends of that period.
(For those who have seen the recent film “King Arthur”, this album bears little relation being steeped in the mythology of the period, rather than attempting to impart any historical accuracy in the way the film does.)
As with the previous “Journey to the centre of the earth”, the album is heavily orchestrated, with choirs and plenty of accomplished solo musicians.
This time however, Wakeman reverted to the studio to record the album, and thus the sound quality is excellent.
Two of the tracks, “Guinivere” and “Merlin the Magician” are sketches of the characters. The latter is one of Wakeman’s finest instrumental pieces, with synthesisers soaring and diving among a myriad of different sounds and atmospheres.
Those with suspect woofers in their hi-fi system are warned to beware of the very deep notes Wakeman hits at certain points!
The other tracks tell different parts of the story, from Arthur’s early days to his death; the music being superb throughout. “Arthur” is majestic, befitting the discovery of the new king, as he succeeds where all others have failed in pulling the sword Excalibur from the stone.
“Sir Lancelot & the black knight” reflects the pace of the battle, complete with one of Wakeman’s great synth solos, similar to the one near the end of “Revealing science of God” by Yes from “Topographic Oceans”.
The final tracks, “Sir Galahad” and “The last battle” combine to form a wonderful long piece telling the story of Arthur’s final days and beyond, before finishing in a triumphant climax to a great album.

Side A

A1.  Arthur - 7:24

A2.  Lady Of The Lake - 0:44

A3.  Guinevere - 6:30

A4.  Sir Lancelot And The Black Knight - 5:18

Side B

B1.  Merlin The Magician - 7:49

B2.  Sir Galahad - 6:54

B3.  The Last Battle - 8:19

Musicians

• Rick Wakeman – synthesisers, keyboards, grand piano
• Gary Pickford-Hopkins – lead vocals
• Ashley Holt – lead vocals
• Geoffrey Crampton – lead and acoustic guitars
• Roger Newell – bass guitar
• Barney James – drums
• John Hodgson – percussion
• New World Orchestra
• English Chamber Choir
• Terry Taplin – Narration

Production

• Rick Wakeman – production
• Terry Taplin – narrator
• Guy Protheroe – choirmaster
• Paul Tregurtha – engineer
• Jeremy Stenham – assistant engineer
• David Katz – orchestral co-ordination
• Wil Malone – orchestral arrangements
• David Measham – orchestra and choir conductor
• Fabio Nicoli – art direction
• Paul May – art direction, design
• Bob Elsdale – photography
• Bob Fowke – illustrations
• Dave Bowyer – illustrations
• Mansell Collection – engravings

Notes
Release: 1975
Format: LP, Vinyl
Genre: Progressive Rock
Label: A&M Records
Catalog# AMLH 64515

Vinyl: Goed (VG)
Cover: Lichte Gebruikerssporen (G) (Gatefold)

Prijs: €7,00