Reviewed by: Marcel Haster, September 2003
I hardly think Rick Wakeman needs any introduction? In the past 35 years he has built a very impressive reputation, first as guest musician for, amongst others, Black Sabbath, Elton John, David Bowie and T-Rex, and later as a member of Yes, but also as solo composer, having released a wide variety of albums through the years. In 1976 he released the progressive rock album No Earthly Connection and now, 26 years later, he has released another progressive rock album: Out There, which is a sort of continuation of his quest for the origins of all music.
The album, recorded with the New English Rock Ensemble (NERE), was a very pleasant surprise to me as it sounds fresh, buoyant and quite catchy. The NERE is formed by Tony Fernandez (drums), Ant Glynne (guitars), Lee Pomeroy (basses) and Damian Wilson (Ayreon, Star One, ex-Threshold) on vocals. The album is enriched with the English Chamber Choir, which truly adds a dimension to the songs. The first song and title track, "Out There," is a sort of a mini rock opera, being some 13 minutes long, and has absolutely great keyboard arrangements, which immediately captivates you. I found a very small reference in both lyrics and music to the Phantom Of The Opera ("The Music Of The Night") in it. Excellent vocals by Damian Wilson and a good guitar solo, followed by a smooth synth solo.
"The Mission" sounds a bit rockier, with some more crunchy guitars and the bass is more upfront, while the keyboards are more to the background. In contrast to this, "To Be With You," has a more electronic sound, but together with the choir, it gives a great atmosphere, with a yet undetermined feeling with it, a bit comparable to the first Era album. I can't define the feeling, I guess you should just listen to it, but I love the song very much! "Universe Of Sound" brings the guitars and drums back, in an up-tempo song, with a very catchy melody and great guitar riffs.
"Music Of Love" keeps going in the "rock direction," but with the keyboards more upfront, and once again some great guitar and synth solos. This journey through "Out There" unfortunately comes to an end with "Cathedral Of The Sky," which starts with Wakeman on organ and choir. After some two minutes the rest of the band falls in, and bring one of the most beautiful songs of the album! The choir gives it a bit of a musical sound.
What can I say? Out There is a feel good album and will brighten up your life, with solid compositions, great vocals and not of this earth keyboards, captured on a silver disc with outstanding production and sound quality. No doubt many will love this album, as I think it is one of the better albums Rick Wakeman has recorded. One piece of advice: although it is a very easy album to listen to, give it some time and try to hear the details of the songs. Then you will find this album has more to offer then you at first might think. Enjoy it!
PPO Rating: 8/10
[This review originally appeared at the ProgPower Online review site; see also Bobo's and Davide's reviews -ed.]
More about Out There:
Track Listing: Out There (13:09) / The Mission (6:22) / To Be With You (6:22) / Universe Of Sound (7:45) / Music Of Love (6:44) / Cathedral Of The Sky (10:20)
Musicians:
Rick Wakeman - keyboards
Tony Fernandez - electronic and acoustic drums and percussion
Ant Glynne - electric guitars
Damian Wilson - vocals
Lee Pomeroy - bass
Fraser Thorneycroft-Smith - add'l guitar solo (2) and acoustic guitar (1)
The English Chamber Choir
Contact:
Website: www.rwcc.com
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Discography
- Piano Vibrations (1971)
- The Six Wives of Henry VIII (1973)
- Journey to the Centre of the Earth (1974)
- Lisztomania (1975)
- The Myths & Legends of King Arthur & The Knights of the Round Table
(1975)
- No Earthly Connection (1976)
- Rick Wakeman's Criminal Record (1977)
- White Rock (1977)
- Animal Showdown (1979)
- Rhapsodies (1979)
- I'm So Straight I'm A Weirdo (1980)
- 1984 (1981)
- The Burning (OST) (1981)
- Rock n Roll Prophet (1982)
- Cost of Living (1983)
- G'ole! (1983)
- Crimes of Passion (OST) (1984)
- Live at Hammersmith (1985)
- Lytton's Diary (1985)
- Silent Nights (1985)
- Country Airs (1986)
- The Family Album (1987)
- The Gospels (1987)
- 20th Anniversary Limited Edition (1988)
- A Suite of Gods (1988)
- Custer's Last Stand/Ocean City (1988)
- Time Machine (1988)
- Zodiaque (1988)
- Black Knights At The Court Of Ferdinand IV (1989)
- Sea Airs(1989)
- Phantom Power (1990)
- In The Beginning (1990)
- Night Airs (1990)
- Phantom Power (1990)
- 2000AD Into The Future (1991)
- African Bach (1991)
- Aspirant Sunrise(1991)
- Aspirant Sunset(1991)
- Aspirant Sunshadows(1991)
- Rock n Roll Prophet Plus (1991)
- Softsword (1991)
- The Classical Connection (1991)
- Best Works Collection (1992)
- Country Airs (1992)
- Classic Tracks (1993)
- No Expense Spared (1993)
- Prayers (1993)
- The Classical Connection 2 (1993)
- The Heritage Suite (1993)
- Unleashing The Tethered One - The 1974 North American Tour (1993)
- Wakeman with Wakeman (1993)
- Light Up The Sky (1994)
- Live On The Test (1994)
- Lure Of The Wild (1994)
- Rick Wakeman's Greatest Hits (1994)
- The Stage Collection (1994)
- Wakeman with Wakeman - The Official Bootleg (1994)
- Wakeman with Wakeman Live (1994)
- Almost Live in Europe (1995)
- Cirque Surreal (1995)
- Rick Wakeman In Concert (1995)
- Rock & Pop Legends (1995)
- Romance of the Victorian Age (1995)
- The Piano Album (1995)
- The Private Collection (1995)
- The Seven Wonders of the World (1995)
- Visions (1995)
- Can You Hear Me? (1996)
- Fields of Green (1996)
- Orisons (1996)
- Tapestries (1996)
- The New Gospels (1996)
- The Word And Music (1996)
- Vignettes (1996)
- Voyage (1996)
- Welcome A Star (1996)
- Fields Of Green '97 (1997)
- Simply Acoustic - The Music (1997)
- Tribute (1997)
- Master Series (1998)
- Themes (1998)
- Official Live Bootleg (1999)
- Return To The Centre Of The Earth (1999)
- Stella Bianca Alla Corte De Re Ferdinando (1999)
- The Masters (1999)
- The Natural World Trilogy (1999)
- White Rock II (1999)
- Christmas Variations (2000)
- Chronicles Of Man (2000)
- Morning Has Broken (2000)
- Preludes To A Century (2000)
- Recollections - The Very Best Of Rick Wakeman (2000)
- Rick Wakeman The Legend Live In Concert 2000 (2000)
- The Caped Collection (2000)
- Classical Variations (2001/2002)
- Simply Acoustic (2001)
- Out Of The Blue (2001)
- Two Sides Of Yes (2001/2002)
- Treasure Chest Volume 1 - The Real Lizstomania (2002)
- Treasure Chest Volume 2 - The Oscar Concert (2002)
- Treasure Chest Volume 3 - The Missing Half (2002)
- Treasure Chest Volume 4 - Almost Classical (2002)
- Treasure Chest Volume 5 - The Mixture (2002)
- Treasure Chest Volume 6 - Medium Rare (2002)
- Treasure Chest Volume 7 - Journey to the Centre of the Earth + (2002)
- Treasure Chest Volume 8 - Stories (2002)
- Two Sides Of Yes - Volume II (2002)
- Wakeman & Cousins - Hummingbird (2002)
- Out There (2003)
- Retro (2006)
- Journey To The Center Of The Earth Live In 1975 (2001/2002) (DVD)
- Rick Wakeman The Legend Live In Concert 2000 (DVD) (2001/2002)
- Rick Wakeman & The English Rock Ensemble - Live In Buenos Aires (DVD) (2001/2002)
- Rick Wakeman & The English Rock Ensemble - Out There (DVD) (2004)
- Journey To The Centre Of The Earth Live In 1975 - 30th Anniversary Edition (DVD) (2004)
- Made In Cuba (DVD) (2005)
