Tribute to the Beatles

Performer: Rick Wakeman
Engineer: Stuart Sawney
Producer: Rick Wakeman; Stuart Sawney
Distributor: MSI Music Distribution

Notes: Tributee: The Beatles. Personnel: Rick Wakeman (keyboards); Fraser Thorneycroft-Smith (guitar, guitars); Phil Laughlin (bass instrument, bass guitar); Stuart Sawney (percussion programming). Audio Mixer: Stuart Sawney. Prog-rock legends Yes had covered Beatles songs in the past, but TRIBUTE represents Yes keyboardist Rick Wakeman's full-blown homage to the Fab Four. It contains his instrumental, keyboard-dominated versions of 11 Beatles classics. Instead of slathering these tunes with prog-rock grandeur, though, Wakeman keeps things relatively close to the bone. Rather than resorting to displays of technical flash, the keyboard king focuses on expressivity when interpreting the carefully wrought melodies of such Beatles tunes as "Norwegian Wood" and "She's Leaving Home."

Keyboardist Rick Wakeman (who also played with the Strawbs and several other acts as a session player in the 1960s) began releasing solo albums while still a member of Yes, and let no grass grow under his feet after leaving that band for good in 1979. The ever-inventive composer and player has released over 100 albums since the '70s (nine in 1991 alone) and played on many more. With elaborate stage-shows (including a King Arthur on Ice in 1975 at Wembley Pool) and a musical style that balances prog rock with new age and just about every other keyboard-based pop style in between, he's carved a unique niche for himself. Between releasing albums, he also scores films, has hosted a weekly radio program, and is a familiar face on British chat shows.

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