Return To The Centre Of The Earth

Amazon.com
To celebrate the 25th anniversary of his bestselling 1974 album Journey to the Centre of the Earth, keyboard maestro Rick Wakeman has created a conceptual opus that serves as both impressive sequel and ambitious revisitation to his original premise. Wakeman himself has continued the Jules Verne narrative, delivered here with flawless thespian diction by Patrick Stewart, and his music draws together a seamless cohesion of the London Symphony Orchestra, the English Chamber Choir, and guest vocalists including Ozzy Osbourne, Bonnie Tyler, Justin Hayward, Trevor Rabin, Katrina Leskanich, and Tony Mitchell. Wakeman can be accused of overindulgence in both arrangement and production, and, frankly, his talent as a lyricist leaves much to be desired. But even when this bravura effort slips into heavy-handed pretension (which fortunately isn't often), it's great to hear Journey reconceived with the state-of-the-art recording technology. Whether it's heard in its entirety or with music and narration tracks isolated, this is a dynamic recording that grows richer with each listening. Sure, it's likely to appeal primarily to Wakeman's fans and receptive converts, but overall this is a journey well worth taking. --Jeff Shannon

Return To The Centre Of The Earth,Rick Wakeman,L.S.O.,English...,Patrick Stewart,EMI Classics,Classical Music,Pop,Rock,Rock/Pop

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Return To The Centre Of The Earth

Average customer rating: Rick Wakeman's Masterpiece Except for the title, does not compare to the original. A master piece Rick Wakeman's masterpiece Good Ozzy Tune...Otherwise Skip This One

Return To The Centre Of The Earth Rick Wakeman , L.S.O. , English... , and Patrick Stewart Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | New Age | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Journey to the Centre of the Earth Myths & Legends Of King Arthur & The Knights Of The Round Table The Six Wives of Henry VIII Songs of Middle Earth: Inspired by The Lord of the Rings Retro ASIN: B00000IL1O Release Date: 1999-04-20

Tracks:

1. A Vision
2. The Return Overture
3. Mother Earth: The Shadow Of June/The Gallery/The Avenue Of Prismed Light/The Earthquake
4. Buried Alive
5. The Enigma
6. Is Anybody There?
7. The Ravine
8. The Dance Of A Thousand Lights
9. The Shepherd
10. Mr. Slow
11. Bridge Of Time
12. Never Is A Long, Long Time
13. Tales From The Lidenbrook Sea: River Of Hope/Hunter And Hunted/Fight For Life
14. The Kill
15. Timeless History
16. Still Waters Run Deep
17. Time Within Time: The Ebbing Tide/The Electric Storm
18. Ride Of Your Life
19. Floating: Globes Of Fire/Cascades Of Fear
20. Floodflames
21. The Volcano: Tongues Of Fire/The Blue Mountains
22. The End Of The Return

Amazon.com

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of his bestselling 1974 album Journey to the Centre of the Earth, keyboard maestro Rick Wakeman has created a conceptual opus that serves as both impressive sequel and ambitious revisitation to his original premise. Wakeman himself has continued the Jules Verne narrative, delivered here with flawless thespian diction by Patrick Stewart, and his music draws together a seamless cohesion of the London Symphony Orchestra, the English Chamber Choir, and guest vocalists including Ozzy Osbourne, Bonnie Tyler, Justin Hayward, Trevor Rabin, Katrina Leskanich, and Tony Mitchell. Wakeman can be accused of overindulgence in both arrangement and production, and, frankly, his talent as a lyricist leaves much to be desired. But even when this bravura effort slips into heavy-handed pretension (which fortunately isn't often), it's great to hear Journey reconceived with the state-of-the-art recording technology. Whether it's heard in its entirety or with music and narration tracks isolated, this is a dynamic recording that grows richer with each listening. Sure, it's likely to appeal primarily to Wakeman's fans and receptive converts, but overall this is a journey well worth taking. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

Rick Wakeman's Masterpiece.......2007-01-01

This is trully the best album since the original Journey came out.

Don't expect the same sound, it's been improved. The story is far more attracting. Vocal guest are excellent and it trully one album made with heart and passion.

It's a pleassure to heard the whole album.

Except for the title, does not compare to the original........2006-07-21

A really boring CD - Rick needs to be less prolific and more thoughtful in his efforts - in my opinion most of his recordings beyond Criminal Record, e.g., White Rock II, Time Machine, 1984, The Real Lisztomania, etc. are not worth the price of the CD.

A master piece.......2006-04-18

i see lot of people here that rate this album with one star, its awfully!, this album is a master piece symphonic prog rock, good vocal players, fortunately ashley holt is not here, i mean i buy this album just for the dance of the thousand lights!, a master piece, and you know you can give your opinion about this album if you dont listen to it lot of times, rick wakeman music is complex, is not eaasy listening, have a chance and buy it, it is from piano and orchestra, and new age narrations, from the symphonic prog rock,and check buried alive with ozzy osburne voice, suport artist like rick this is a quality album!!!! Buy it now!.

Rick Wakeman's masterpiece.......2005-08-20

I may be biased because Rick Wakeman is my all-time favorite musician, but I've heard one or two bores among his MANY solo albums. By Rick's own confession, Journey to the Centre of the Earth was a work he wanted to revisit and give it the treatment it deserves.

So he gathers an all star team of performers (I love most of them - it was as if I had half the votes :-) and writes broadly connected compositions with each performer in mind. For example, he wrote a beautiful song for Justin Heyward and a heavy metal song for Ozzy Osbourne. It's safe to say that those two could not have reversed roles. The same went for Trevor Rabin, Bonnie Tyler and Katrina Leskanich (from Katrina & the Waves.) I had not heard of Tony Mitchell before, but I was not impressed by his song.

Bookending and included throughout the album was a good rock band, The London Symphony Orchestra and The English Chamber Choir. The latter two appeared in the original Journey.... Of course, Patrick Stewart was an excellent choice for narration (again, I am biased as a Trekkie.) The first, last and four other tracks were just Rick, rock band, orchestra, choir.

I thought the pacing and flow throughout the album was excellent. The story is pretty good for a keyboardist trying to be Jules Vern - don't go in with lofty expectations of a tremendous plotline. The focus is on the music for a reason. The rock band held their own, but the choir and orchestra turned in a command performance that moved me emotionally. Couple that with the best keyboardist of our time, and you've got a masterpiece. The first track was a great setup musically and the last track was the most dramatic finish you can have without sounding bombastic.

I normally don't recommend albums like this for outside of Yes fans or Progressive Rock fans. But this album is a unique musical experience that most music fans will appreciate.

Good Ozzy Tune...Otherwise Skip This One.......2005-05-17

I'm not familiar with much of Rick Wakeman's work, nor have I heard the original Journey To The Center Of The Earth CD, but this album is just not that interesting. The story, voiced by
Patrick Stewart, fails to spark any excitement, and with the exception of Ozzy Osbourne's Buried Alive, the music just kinda lays there. I love the music of YES, but I would guess a person should start with other Rick Wakeman releases instead.

Average customer rating:

The Musical Life of Samuel Pepys Manufacturer: Saydisc ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Organ | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music Classical | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B000004530 Release Date: 1994-04-20

Tracks:

1. Gavott
2. Arise, Arise, Ye Subterranean Winds
3. Lucifero
4. Beauty Retire
5. Cloris Yielding
6. Hero's Complaint
7. Verse in g - Celia Harper
8. Inconstancy Return'd
9. Allemande - Robin Jeffrey
10. The English Dancing Master: Newcastle; Heart's Ease: St. Martin's
11. A Dream
12. Pavan
13. Lord, I Have Sinn'd
14. And Art Thou Griev'd
15. Down To The Very Centre Of The Earth
16. Orpheus Hymn
17. First Brawles/Second Brawles
18. Perche Quando
19. Such Moving Sounds - Richard Wistreich/Robin Jeffrey R

Average customer rating:

Rick Wakeman Return to the Centre of the Earth Manufacturer: EMI ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music ASIN: B000BAY89S

Product Description

Dolby Surround ///Rick Wakeman Return To The Centre Of The Earth //Narrated by Patrick Stewart // London Symphony Orchestra conducted by David Snell / Guest vocals: Justin Hayward, Trevor Rabin, Ozzy Osbourne, Bonnie Tyler, Katrina Leskanish, Tony Mitchell / English Chamber Choir conducted by Guy Protheroe / Keyboards Rick Wakeman, guitar: Fraser Thorneycroft-Smith, Bass guitar: Phil Williams, Drums: Simon Hanson/// 1. A Vision 2. The Return Overture 3. Mother Earth: The Shadow Of June/The Gallery/The Avenue Of Prismed Light /The Earthquake 4. Buried Alive 5. The Enigma 6. Is Anybody There? 7. The Ravine 8. The Dance Of A Thousand Lights 9. The Shepherd 10. Mr. Slow 11. Bridge Of Time 12. Never Is A Long, Long Time 13. Tales From The Lidenbrook Sea: River Of Hope/Hunter And Hunted /Fight For Life 14. The Kill 15. Timeless History 16. Still Waters Run Deep 17. Time Within Time: The Ebbing Tide/The Electric Storm 18. Ride Of Your Life 19. Floating: Globes Of Fire/Cascades Of Fear 20. Floodflames 21. The Volcano: Tongues Of Fire/The Blue Mountains 22. The End Of The Return

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