Check out this killer Rick Wakeman Solo

[Prague]

Yes, keep in mind this video is a solo spot. (Keyboard players used to be able to garner a solo from the guitarist back in those days). To even question the musicality is purely subjective. He earned a top solo spot on the world stage.

 

I sure prefer "mindless" keyboard playing of the likes of Wakeman, as opposed to what we hear these days: No keyboard players.

 

Maybe Wakeman and Emerson are so good, no one else dares even try to be in their league.

[LithoJazzoSphere]

Whoa! Not OK to play at the speed of light if you play synthesizers?

 

LMAO!! I guess I'll just throw away my old Chick Corea and Jan Hammer recordings....

 

Don't get me wrong, I'm ALL for musicians playing slowly and tastefully from the heart. I'm also ALL for them kicking it up and showing me what they've got. It's about variety AND versatility. Now you could make the argument that Wakeman's solo is all flash - but that's one of the features of what that particular genre is about. It's what the customer base is paying to hear (listen to the cheering in the background). Play to the audience/customer.

 

Personally, I'd give my left nut to be able to play like Jordan Rudess - fast or slow. And I disagree - I think he can be very tasteful at slower speeds. Certainly not 'unemotional' and certainly not 'lame'.

Actually, my entire post was expressing (sarcasticallly) my disdain for the view that most synthesizer and electric guitarists play too fast.

 

It's really too bad the rock genre hasn't sprouted any more players of his calibre.

He and Emerson are the only two rockers who have ever been considered Lead Keyboardists. If there were more players like them we would be held in the same esteem (to the general public) as guitarists.

There are actually quite a few of similar calibre, they just are rarely talk about. Don Airey, Thomas Bodin, Clive Nolan, Matt Guillory, Toumas Holopainen, Jens Johansson, Vitalij Kuprij, Jon Lord, Tony MacAlpine, Kevin Moore, Michael Pinnella, Jordan Rudess, Derek Sherinian, Joost Van Den Broek, Oliver Wakeman, Richard West, just to name a small handfull.

 

It's all flash and no substance to steal money from the ignorant masses.

This is a good example of the "synthesizers can't be played fast" view, which I strongly disagree with.

[cnegrad]

It's all flash and no substance to steal money from the ignorant masses.

This is a good example of the "synthesizers can't be played fast" view, which I strongly disagree with. [/QB]

 

That's my quote, and you couldn't be more wrong about me. I'm definitely a proponant of fast playing, when it's done with substance and taste. I agree that people use the "less is more" crutch WAY too often. I actually think that very often "more is more", when it's not done mindlessly like Wakeman has done here. But this clip is just a musical waste of time; just a lot of flashy masturbation.

 

Some of you have proposed an interesting question: If the more musical keyboardists can't garner the spotlight in this day and age, do we prefer flashy, non-musical ones representing the keyboard world as a whole, rather than have none at all? Also, I think that you're making a distinction between pianists and multi-synthesists. I mean, you've still got Stevie, Alisha, Hornsby, Herbie, Elton, etc., but I'm guessing you're not putting them in the same category as the multi-synth guys like Sherinian.

[DirtyRubberDuck]

Holy mother of the living Jesus! I agree that's some awesome technique.

 

Nice for showing off chops to the crowd, but not too musical (reminds me of the YES concert). I'm an advocate of good licks vs. good chops.

 

And I promise my attitude is in no way related to any bitterness on my part because I am unable to play that fast.

 

DRD

[MidLifeCrisis]

Originally posted by LithoJazzoSphere:

There are actually quite a few of similar calibre, they just are rarely talk about.

That was the point I was trying to make.

There are a lot of great players out there but they go unnoticed by the general population. Ask a non musician to name 10 keyboard players. My guess would be that 99 out of 100 can not. I would also guess that 999 out of 1000 could name 10 guitarists.

 

We need more keyboard heroes.

[NYKeys]

If there is one thing this video has made me aware of is that Technology has made me lazy. Now we can click a button and get instant Arp. Patterns. Although it may be convenient it is also a crutch.

 

For me it's time to go back to the woodshed and practice, practice, practice to bring my skills up.

[Ben One]

I recently picked up a used D-550 rack that I have not used very much. So would anyone offhand know what preset Wakeman used for that solo? Learning part of it, starting a slower speed of course, would be a good excuse for me to hook it up again!

 

Also, this thread raises an interesting question: which fast players compose the best slow stuff? My votes would go to Jan Hammer and Kevin Moore though I am sure there are other good choices such as some of those mentioned earlier in the thread!

 

Ben

[sbrock1san.rr.com]

Originally posted by BenOne:

I recently picked up a used D-550 rack that I have not used very much. So would anyone offhand know what preset Wakeman used for that solo?

I think it was called "Living Calliope". I own that concert video (Anderson, Wakeman, Bruford, and Howe- An Evening of Yes Music ) and it sounds to me like a Korg M1 "pan flute" and D-50 combined.

[RudyS]

Originally posted by MidLifeCrisis:

We need more keyboard heroes.

working on it!!!

 

about the pedal thing, i think Wakeman can learn something from joe Zawinul. I think of him as the pedal master!

[orangefunk]

Hey Rudy, I think Rick could learn a lot from Joe, period!

 

On a passing note. Btw, whats the name of that huge bar that goes on for ever in Groningen? I was at the Uni in 2003 at a software engineering workshop.

[RudyS]

mmm huge bar that goes on forever? all bars in groningen go on forever, but maybe you mean "de drie gezusters"?

[Ski 1642606170]

Originally posted by cnegrad:

That's fine, as long we agree on what we're talking about. It's all flash and no substance to steal money from the ignorant masses.

I would be one of the "ignorant masses" to whom you refer. I enjoyed Wakeman's performance, and Yes, the man has stolen my money on countless occasions. I also greatly enjoy listening/watching Keith Emerson and other good prog rockers, and just about any accomplished jazz or classical pianist. I guess that makes me thrice ignorant.

 

I'm off to search for enlightenment...

[cnegrad]

Ski,

 

If you hear substance in the above video clip, then Wakeman deserves your money. But don't twist my words to imply that my distaste for Wakeman reflects my opinion of other prog rockers. That would be incorrect, as I have considerable respect for players like Rudess, who are far more than just chops.

[LithoJazzoSphere]

Originally posted by cnegrad:

Ski,

 

If you hear substance in the above video clip, then Wakeman deserves your money. But don't twist my words to imply that my distaste for Wakeman reflects my opinion of other prog rockers. That would be incorrect, as I have considerable respect for players like Rudess, who are far more than just chops.

That's interesting, because it seems that there are a lot of people who think that Rudess is all chops, and that Wakeman has more substance. I like both a lot, regardless of whether they're playing fast or slow.

[cnegrad]

As the saying goes, "That's what makes a horse race".

[NYKeys]

Originally posted by LithoJazzoSphere:

Originally posted by cnegrad:

Ski,

 

If you hear substance in the above video clip, then Wakeman deserves your money. But don't twist my words to imply that my distaste for Wakeman reflects my opinion of other prog rockers. That would be incorrect, as I have considerable respect for players like Rudess, who are far more than just chops.

That's interesting, because it seems that there are a lot of people who think that Rudess is all chops, and that Wakeman has more substance. I like both a lot, regardless of whether they're playing fast or slow.

So If that is the case than I pose a question to everyone. Who do You feel is/was the total package?

 

Personally right now I'm diggin Herbie Hancock.

[cnegrad]

I tend to agree (regarding Herbie); but now someone will try and change the subject and say, "But he's not a prog rocker!"

[Jeebus]

Originally posted by Prague:

It's really too bad the rock genre hasn't sprouted any more players of his calibre.

I agree. To date, Wakeman is still the best arpeggio player in the world.

[NYKeys]

Originally posted by cnegrad:

I tend to agree (regarding Herbie); but now someone will try and change the subject and say, "But he's not a prog rocker!"

Hey I'm straight Gospel/Jazz, But Wakeman was smokin those keys. A good solo is a good solo regardless of what type of music it is.

 

Did you guys know that Wakeman posted on this board in 2003.

[Immo]

Where? Can't find it. Do you know hismember name? Who scared him off, was it the sheep?

[Prague]

Well, considering some of the sarcasm, I wouldn't post here if I was him, either. It usually doesn't pay to get musical opinions from other musicians.

 

Where to get cheap damper pedals is more productive.

[NYKeys]

I'm sorry it was for only one day in 2002

 

 

07-09-2002

 

RickWakeman

Member

Member # 30362

[gangsu]

He was pretty much ignored. Talk about ignorant!

[Steve in KS]

Originally posted by cnegrad:

. . . It's all flash and no substance to steal money from the ignorant masses. If that's the goal, then Wakeman is doing a great job. No argument.

Geesh, what a cranky pant load.

 

The guy tries to have some fun and entertain the audience and because the solo isn't compositionally intriguing to your musical intellect, he's stealing the audiences money.

And becaue they're enjoying it they're all ignorant.

It must get lonely looking down on it all from your high tower.

[Prague]

It seems some here think they can't learn anything from a Wakeman. They know it all!

 

The video on this thread was about 15 years ago. Wakeman was recording over 15 years prior to that. He also just played in Australia last week.

 

I guess he has nothing to teach some of us. Arrogance, indeed. But not on Wakeman's part.

[Sven Golly]

Originally posted by Prague:

Yea, my "pedal" comment is based on most of the keyboardists I've attempted to work with. Very few know how to use a CC pedal.

Gotcha... and I agree with you wholeheartedly.

 

The challenge, though, is that it's easy to overdo the dynamics in a live context, and drop yourself right out of the mix. It's a fine line to walk, and the better players can do it.

 

Of course, it's difficult to do with a large percentage of the guitarists/bassists out there... most of the time we're fighting to be heard!

 

Cheers,

SG

[marino]

Originally posted by gangsu:

He was pretty much ignored. Talk about ignorant!

I recall the Rick Wakeman who posted here. More than a question of being ignorant (I believe everybody knew who Rick is), I tend to think that nobody took his moniker too seriously.

 

He could have been the real Rick, though...

[gangsu]

You caught me, Marino. I used "ignorant" in the slang sense of meaning "rude". That would be the height of ignorance on my part to suggest that any of you don't know who Rick Wakeman is. In either sense of the word!

 

With the benefit of hindsight, I think it really was him. Why not? I know of at least one guy on this forum he's personal friends with.

[ITGITC]

Originally posted by Immo:

Who scared him off, was it the sheep?

No. I think Rick would enjoy the sheep.

 

Sven does.

 

Hi Sven.

[cnegrad]

LOL! I don't know that I'm arrogant; just realistic. In the above clip it's all mostly just argeggiated triads and not much else. Granted they're very deftly played at a ridiculous tempo; no question. But man does not live by technique alone. I'm sorry it offends your hero worship, but there's just not a lot musically going on there.