Rick Wakeman - Out There

(CD 2014, 50:39, Esoteric Recordings)

The tracks:
  1- Out There(13:11)
  2- The Mission(6:29)
  3- To Be With You(6:23)
  4- Universe of Sound(7:43)
  5- Music of Love(6:47)
  6- Cathedral of the Sky(10:25)




Website      Esoteric Recordings
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Originally, this album was released 11 years ago, but can now be enjoyed as a nice re-release of this conceptual progressive rock album by keyboard-virtuoso Rick Wakeman. On this album Wakeman is joined by Tony Fernandez (drums), Ant Glynne (guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass guitar) and vocalist Damian Wilson. I think that this was/is one of Wakeman's best solo efforts over the years, although albums like The Six Wives Of Henry VIII (1973) or Journey To The Centre Of The Earth (1974) are much better still. If you like bands like Ayreon or Threshold, then Out There is definitely an album you might enjoy. The album was inspired by space exploration and is dedicated to the crew of space shuttle Columbia, who lost their lives in the disaster after take-off. The epic title track, divided into seven parts, belongs to the highlights of the album; especially the voice of Wilson and Wakeman's keyboards solos are truly divine. The last track, The Cathedral Of The Sky, also belongs to my personal favorites. The album is eleven years old already, but this remastered version of Out There sounds really “fresh” and exciting. Play it loud if you can!

**** Martien Koolen (edited by Esther Ladiges)

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