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Salient. Victoria University Student Newspaper. Vol. 38, No. 12. June 4 1975

The Myths and Legends of King Arthur and the Knights Of the Round Table — ick Wakeman(A&M)

[unclear: The] Myths and Legends of King Arthur [unclear: and] the Knights Of the Round Table — [unclear: ick] Wakeman(A&M)

And if that ain't the longest album [unclear: tle] ever I'll eat my broadsword! Yeah [unclear: ell], It's better than "Journey", but still not [unclear: good] as "Henry VIII". As a work, it is [unclear: ore] coherent than "Journey", which was a [unclear: eak] composition, saved only by David [unclear: lemmings'] narration, and the high standard [unclear: f] musicianship.

That same high standard manifests [unclear: itself] on this new outing for Rick and the lads. [unclear: de] one opens with "King Arthur", which is [unclear: erfaced] by a bit of narration (y'know, "whoso [unclear: ulleth] this sword from this stone" and all [unclear: sat] fnurg.) It is fittingly a majestic piece, [unclear: aking] full use of the orchestra and choir. [unclear: Lady] of the Lake" is a short piece by the [unclear: oir], and then into "Guinevere", [unclear: which despite some] beautiful playing and rather nice [unclear: melod-s] fails as a long. I mean, Jesus, it's just pure [unclear: chmaltz], e.g.:

"Love me my Guinevere
In my court please be near"

[unclear: and]

"Guinevere
Golden tresses shing in the air
Spread against the Jasper sea."

C'mon Rick, just who the hell are you [unclear: ying] to kid with this sugary bullshit?

Actually, this brings me to a very valid [unclear: iticism] of both this album and "Journey"; [unclear: and] that is that Wakeman is not, and probably [unclear: ever] will be, a lyricist and songwriter. The [unclear: ong] portions of these last two albums simply [unclear: o] not come up to scratch. The lyrics read [unclear: ke] they have been written by a schoolboy, [unclear: nd] the tunes are quite unremarkable. Rick's [unclear: lents] are as a composer and arranger; in this [unclear: eld] he is one of the best. That is why "Henry [unclear: II]" remains hit most successful album to [unclear: ate].

Next up on side one is "Sir Lancelot [unclear: nd] the Black Knight", which is quite good, [unclear: ot] nothing remarkable. Those vocalists of [unclear: s], especially the loud mouthed one, are bloody [unclear: orrible] and should never have been let near a [unclear: ike]. If Rick insists on vocalists at least he [unclear: ould] get ones who can sing!

Side two, and "Merlin the Magician", easily the best track on the album. This track shows. Rick at his best, with its many changes in mood, from honky tonk to hard rock. Some really terrific synthesiser, and a warning: don't have your bass turned up on this one! I well remember this piece being one of the highlights of Rick's concert in Auckland. Nice one.

"Sir Galahad" is instantly forgettable, which leaves us with "The Last Battle", which is quite good, and rounds the album off nicely. Despite my complaints above, I like this record; as a whole it hangs together quite well, and like Rick's other albums, makes pleasant listening. Rick has a knack of appealing to all classes of music lover from the "head-music" freak with his Floyd and Genesis, right across the board to the easy listening pop fan who normally wouldn't have anything heavier than Neil Diamond or Elton John. A talented lad indeed, is our Rick. Let's hope he keeps it up.