Rick Wakeman came to prominence In the early 1970s when everyone involved with the music industry was determined to present progressive rock as the “new” classical music. In most cases it wasn’t anything of the sort, but the extraordinary talent of Rick Wakeman produced many classical style pieces, many of which are showcased in the series of albums known as The Classical Connection.

Now all the official recordings from this era in Rick's extensive career are available together for the first time, in a magnificent box set. Including a live album being available for the first time on CD.

RRAW are extremely proud to be able to present all four volumes of Rick Wakeman’s Classical Connection releases in one box set, for the many loyal fans of Rick's music to own and cherish.

THE CLASSICAL CONNECTION ONE (CD)

This was a live album based on a series of concerts performed by Rick and bass player David Paton, of the band Pilot and the Alan Parsons Project, who also played acoustic guitar.

Rick writes “The concerts proved very popular though and it was this period of time that spawned the now infamous Prokofiev version of Eleanor Rigby”.

Track Listing

1. Gone But Not Forgotten
2. After The Ball
3. Elgin Mansions
4. Sea Horses
5. Merlin The Magician
6. Catherine of Aragon
7. Catherine Howard
8. 1984 Overture
9. The Hymn
10. Finale (incorporating Julia)

THE CLASSICAL CONNECTION TWO (CD)

After going out yet again on tour with a second Classical Connection line up, a second album was recorded to coincide with the event and so Classical Connection TWO was born. It is half live and half studio, and the resulting album is magnificent.

Track Listing

1. Eleanor Rigby
2. Birdman of Alcatraz
3. The Day After The Fair
4. Opus 103
5. The Painter
6. Summertime
7. Dancing In Heaven
8. A Garden of Music
9. Mackintosh
10. Farandol
11. Pont Street
12. Art And Soul

THE CLASSICAL CONNECTION FILM (DVD - NTSC REGION 0)

This live recording from 1991, is from a concert at Hatfield in front of an audience, including Ian Lavender, (Pike of Dad's Army and Eastenders) and the late Malcolm McFee who played Craven in Please Sir. Julia Herries writes: “It is just Rick and David Paton performing a set that includes some great pieces in a classical style. The set starts with the ever brilliant "Merlin" and goes on to "After the Ball" which Rick introduces with the bowel-loosening story of how he "wrote" it. The brilliant arrangement of "Summertime" is just perfect followed by the lovely "Sea Horses" and then Rick's Prokofiev-style "Eleanor Rigby" which just gets better the more you hear it. David Paton contributes gifted guitar accompaniment throughout but his contribution to "Eleanor" is outstanding.”

Track Listing

1. Merlin The Magician
2. White Rock Anecdote
3. After The Ball
4. Summertime
5. Sea Horses
6. Hotel Room Anecdotes
7. Eleanor Rigby
8. 1984

THE CLASSICAL CONNECTION LIVE IN 1991 (CD)

This album is a real gem. It presents some familiar music played in an unfamiliar style, the neoclassical stylings bringing a whole new aspect to the material. Released for the first time on CD it captures a peerless live performance by Rick, together with the multitalented David Paton, who as well as being the main man of the criminally under-rated Pilot, also played with all sorts of people including Kate Bush and Elton John.

This CD features some fantastic songs. The cream of Wakeman‘s solo work at the time, performed In a neoclassical style by two wonderful musicians.

Who could ask for more?

Track Listing

1. Merlin The Magician
2. White Rock Anecdote
3. After The Ball
4. Summertime
5. Sea Horses
6. Hotel Room Anecdotes
7. Eleanor Rigby
8. 1984

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