WAKEMAN, RICK - NO EARTHLY CONNECTION (2CD-2016 REMASTER/DIGI-PAK)

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Originally released May 1976, this was RW’s 6th solo album for A&M Records, containing the half-hour suite: ‘Music Reincarnate’ and two individual songs!

This 2CD Deluxe Edition comes with a Bonus Disc containing a concert from Hammersmith recorded in 1976 for the BBC. The booklet contains Extensive Notes and a new interview with Rick by ‘Prog’ magazine editor Jerry Ewing.

Recorded in France with his band the ENGLISH ROCK ENSEMBLE, ‘No Earthly Connection’ was the 6th album released by Rick Wakeman after his departure from YES.

The 1st side of the original LP was devoted to the half-hour suite: ‘Music Reincarnate’, and that spilled over on to the 2nd side on the vinyl pressing, splitting the difference between two songs: ‘The Prisoner’ and ‘The Lost Cycle’.

Compared to his earlier epics, the YES keyboardist’s ‘No Earthly Connection’ is a relatively stripped-down affair with respect to its orchestration, employing the six-piece ERE alongside Wakeman’s battery of keyboards for a metaphysical exploration of the musical essence of mankind’s soul. The album contains some brilliantly dynamic analog keyboard work from Rick and a great overall band performance.

This departure from the symphonic sound of his previous releases met with a decidedly mixed reaction from Wakeman’s fan base (though the album did hit # 67 on the charts); as he puts it, ‘No Earthly Connection’ was “…full of recording and production techniques that were way ahead of their time and the album has created more controversy than any other album I have made. It's either loved or hated…” Which may explain why this record has only seen a limited release on CD until now!
Yet, of all his solo records, ‘No Earthly Connection’, with its move away from classical themes, has probably the most appeal to modern-day Prog lovers!

The full musician line-up for ‘No Earthly Connection’ is: Rick Wakeman (keyboards / synthesizers / Mellotrons / harpsichord) and the English Rock Ensemble: Reg Brooks (trombone / bass trombone / backing vocals), John Dunsterville (acoustic & electric guitars / mandolin / backing vocals) / Tony Fernandez (drums / percussion), Ashley Holt (lead vocals), Roger Newell (bass / bass pedals / backing vocals) and Martyn Shields (trumpet / flugel horn / French horn / backing vocals).

The album was recently Remastered at London’s Abbey Road studios by Andrew Walter.

‘No Earthly Connection’ is also available as a Standard CD – Stock # 1906748
‘No Earthly Connection’ is also available as a 180gm Vinyl LP – Stock # 1906749

‘No Earthly Connection’ is released on 11th November 2016.

RICK WAKEMAN: NO EARTHLY CONNECTION Deluxe 2CD Track List:

CD 1:
01. Music Reincarnate - Part I: The Warning (8:19)
02. Music Reincarnate - Part II: The Maker (3:14)
03. Music Reincarnate - Part III: The Spaceman (4:03)
04. Music Reincarnate - Part IV: The Realisation (4:17)
05. Music Reincarnate - Part V: The Reaper (7:55)
06. The Prisoner (7:01)
07. The Lost Cycle (7:02)

CD 2 [Deluxe Double Disc Version Only - Live At The Hammersmith Odeon 1976]:
01. Music Reincarnate:
i.) The Spaceman
02. Catherine Howard
03. Myths And Legends Of King Arthur & The Knights Of The Round Table:
i.) Sir Lancelot & The Black Knight
ii.) Arthur
04. Music Reincarnate:
i.) The Realisation
ii.) The Forest
05. Catherine Parr
06. Music Reincarnate:
i.) The Prisoner
07. Myths And Legends Of King Arthur & The Knights Of The Round Table:
i.) Merlin The Magician