Yes fans have been spoilt during 2024. The prog giants have been playing their “The Classic Tales Of Yes” tour which resumed in May in the UK, the year has also seen the reissue of parts of their back catalogue including a 4CD version of Talk also released in May. Original vocalist Jon Anderson has just released his stunning new studio album True, with his “Band of Geeks” project which harks back to those halcyon days in Yes, as well as continuing to tour and re-release his older titles. Steve Howe has also just joined the fray with his Guitarscape solo album being released at the end of September 2024. As for former on/off keyboard player Rick Wakeman, he has been playing a number of contrasting shows since February when he released the 4CD set of his two sell out 2023 London Palladium gigs (reviewed here) featuring titles from the most popular parts of his history over two nights at the iconic venue.
Included in those London shows was “Classic Yes” a portion which featured ‘The Yes Suite’, a three part medley housing ‘The Meeting’, Wonderous Stories’ and ‘Southside Of The Sky‘. The piece was so well received that it was also incorporated into the set on the subsequent tour. The suite continued to get rave reviews prompting Wakeman to take the concept one step further on his “Final One Man Solo Tour” by rearranging over thirty music snapshots from his time with the prog icons and combining them in his “gift for fans”, Yessonata. Recorded at The Old Granary in Suffolk and cut at the world renowned Abbey Road Studio, Yessonata now makes its studio debut. Initially released as a limited run on vinyl in October this is bound to be a popular collectors item for the die-hard Yes/Wakeman vinyl head which I’m sure will be snapped up prior to the 8th November release of the CD version. Identifying each track represented is bound to have fan forums buzzing as geeks sift through the content as Wakeman’s fingers fly over the keyboard of his favoured Steinway model D concert grand piano, and there is no way I have either the in-depth knowledge or musical talent to pick out all of the various tracks (some of which are very brief) so I will leave that to said “experts”. Needless to say ‘Wonderous Stories’, ‘Your Move’, ‘Heart Of The Sunrise’, ‘Close To The Edge’, ‘Long Distance Runaround’, and ‘The Meeting’ are all in there somewhere (I think!). What I will say is whenever Wakeman returns to the piano stool as with his Yes: The Piano Variations album (2002) and parts of Two Sides Of Yes (2001) it is always a concept which he triumphs in and combining the multiple musical themes takes the experience to another level. On this release not only are we treated to ‘Yessonata’ but flipping the vinyl to side two we find a similar piano treatment of his ‘The Kings Suite’. Condensing the 1975 solo album The Myths And Legends Of King Arthur from its original grandiose forty-five minutes to the half an hour suite which was also featured in his one man set. This is an album not only for the progressive rock fan but also for those with classical inclinations as Wakeman shows he is a true master of all aspects of his craft.
Rick’s Final Solo Tour culminates in his last ever solo dates in the United States during October and November before he returns to the UK for his Yuletide Christmas Shows through until Christmas, where alongside him not only will you find his keyboard playing son, Adam, but also vocalist Mollie Marriott (daughter of Steve) who has become a regular touring companion over the past year. In his twilight years Wakeman seems to be in a very good place, stating “I always planned to stop touring by my 77th birthday – but there is so much to fit in before then” and “the one man shows will continue as final tours in other countries (than the USA) through until 2027”, so we may have seen the last of “The Grumpy Old Rock Star” but we certainly haven’t seen the last of Rick Wakeman. With Yessonata, Wakeman has built a musical cryptic crossword. Good luck as you “Name That Tune”… no cheating by using Shazam (other music search apps are available).
- Reviewed By Peter Brockwell.
- Yessonata is released via Cherry Red Records on vinyl on 4th October 2024 and CD on 8th November 2024.
- Official Rick Wakeman Merchandise Store
Track List:
Side One:
1. Yessonata
Side Two:
1. The Kings Suite
