Rick Wakeman Regent Centre, Christchurch THERE was no sign at the box office of my review ticket for an evening with Mr Richard Wakeman.
“Was Rick supposed to leave it for you?” enquired the lady.
“Ah, Rick and I haven’t seen each for a long time,” I replied.
I am afraid I lost track of Rick Wakeman somewhere in the mists of the 1970s, but the memories of the Myths and Legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table alone were strong enough for me to volunteer to review his one man (plus piano) gig at the Regent Centre.
The place was full and the audience age range reflected Wakeman’s contribution to the music scene spanning six decades.
He played his first concert aged five and is still going strong at 62.
His compositions in a set of two and bit hours include Birdman of Alcatraz, Nursery Rhyme Concerto, Catherine Howard (from Six Wives) and songs from the Strawbs and Yes years, notably A Glimpse of Heaven and Wondrous Story.
In his heyday Wakeman was the master of the big production concert at the top venues with orchestras, laser light shows and casts of hundreds.
But on his own at the piano he is also spellbinding.
He is also very funny, interspersing the music with stories from his life, with the timing and delivery of a professional comedian.
Wakeman wrapped up the show with Eleanor Rigby in the style of Sergei Prokofiev.
Absolute genius.
Andy Martin
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