Rick Wakeman's Criminal Record: Difference between revisions

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Line 1: {{Use dmy dates\|date=April 2022}} {{Infobox album \| name = Rick Wakeman's Criminal Record Line 4 ⟶ 5: \| artist = [[Rick Wakeman]] \| cover = criminal_record_lp.jpg \| released = {{Start date\|df=yes\|1977\|11\|}} \| recorded = April–June 1977 \| studio = [[Mountain Studios\|Mountain]], ([[Montreux]], [[Switzerland]]) \| genre = {{~~Flatlist~~hlist\|[[Progressive rock]]\|[[instrumental rock]]}} * [[Progressive rock]] * [[instrumental rock]] }}▼ \| length = 39:04 \| label = [[A&M Records\|A&M]] Line 18 ⟶ 16: \| next_title = [[Rhapsodies (album)\|Rhapsodies]] \| next_year = 1979 \| misc = {{Singles \| name = Criminal Record \| type = studio \| single1 = Birdman of Alcatraz \| single1date = April 1979<ref>{{cite book\|url=https://archive.org/details/greatrockdiscogr00stro/page/878/\|page=878\|title=The Great Rock Discography\|date=18 August 1995 \|isbn=9780862415419 \|last1=Strong \|first1=Martin Charles \|publisher=Canongate Press }}</ref> }} {{Album ratings▼ \|rev1 = [[Allmusic]]▼ \|rev1score = {{Rating\|3\|5}}<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/criminal-record-mw0000531588\|title=Rick Wakeman: Criminal Record\|author=DeGagne, Mike\|publisher=[[Allmusic]]\|website=allmusic.com}}</ref>▼ \|rev2 = [[Variety (magazine)\|Variety]]▼ \|rev2Score = (favourable)<ref>{{cite magazine\|url=https://search.proquest.com/docview/1401321975/fulltext/B954A225D2E24E86PQ/82?accountid=248\|title=Music Records: EW&F, Midler, Boz, Wakeman, Crosby-Nash, Allman-Cher, Van, Rawls, Genesis Top New LPs\|date=November 30, 1977\|page=58\|issue=4\|volume=298\|publisher=[[Variety (magazine)\|Variety]]\|website=proquest.com}}</ref>▼ }} '''''Rick Wakeman's Criminal Record''''' is a studio album by English keyboardist [[Rick Wakeman]], released in November 1977 on [[A&M Records]]. After touring his previous album ''[[No Earthly Connection]]'' in August 1976, Wakeman rejoined the [[progressive rock]] band [[Yes (band)\|Yes]] as they recorded ''[[Going for the One]]'' (1977) in Switzerland. When recording finished, he started work on a new solo record which took form as a keyboard-oriented instrumental album similar to that of his earlier album, ''[[The Six Wives of Henry VIII (album)\|The Six Wives of Henry VIII]]'' (1973), and loosely based on criminality. Several guest musicians play on the record, including [[Chris Squire]] and [[Alan White (Yes drummer)\|Alan White]] of Yes, percussionist [[Frank Ricotti]], and comedian [[Bill Oddie]] on vocals. '''''Rick Wakeman's Criminal Record''''' is the seventh [[studio album]] by English keyboardist [[Rick Wakeman]], released in November 1977 on [[A&M Records]]. The album was recorded in [[Montreux]], [[Switzerland]] after Wakeman rejoined [[Yes (band)\|Yes]] in late 1976 as they were making ''[[Going for the One]]''. With its [[concept album\|concept]] loosely based on criminality, the album is an instrumental [[progressive rock]] record with the exception being "The Breathalyser", in which [[Bill Oddie]] provides vocals. Bassist [[Chris Squire]] and drummer [[Alan White (Yes drummer)\|Alan White]] of Yes also play on three tracks. The album received some mixed reviews upon release, and reached No. 25 in the UK. In 2006, the album was remastered as a limited edition with 5,000 copies produced. ==~~Production~~Background== In August 1976, Wakeman finished touring his previous studio album, ''[[No Earthly Connection]]''. The album and tour was a musical departure for Wakeman, as he had scored worldwide success with three concept albums and toured with symphony orchestras and choirs, and by the end of 1975, had become costly endeavours. The 1976 tour had barely broke even, and Wakeman fell into financial trouble which was partly down to tax payments he could no longer afford. To combat this, he became a [[tax exile]], recording ''No Earthly Connection'' in France, and entered tentative rehearsals for a new rock trio with drummer [[Bill Bruford]] and vocalist and bassist [[John Wetton]]. After they split, Wakeman rejoined the [[progressive rock]] band [[Yes (band)\|Yes]] as they were recording ''[[Going for the One]]'' (1977) at [[Montreux]], Switzerland. During his first Christmas in Montreux, Wakeman came up with the album during a meal, where he was asked if he had a [[criminal record]]. "I said, 'No, but I think I soon will have.'"<ref name=MP77/> Wakeman did not start work on the album until recording for ''Going for the One'' was complete as he realised that making a band and a solo album simultaneously was not feasible.<ref name=wakeman2003/> With members of Yes and the production crew still in Montreux after the album had been done, Wakeman felt it was the right time to start work on a new solo album for [[A&M Records]], to whom he was signed as a solo artist. Yes bassist [[Chris Squire]] asked Wakeman about the project during a visit in the White Horse pub in Montreux, and learned that the keyboardist intended to produce an album with its [[concept album\|concept]] based on criminality and revealed its title.<ref name=wakeman2003/> At the time, Wakeman wished for the album to feature a band playing, but wanted to do "something completely different this time around" and pointed out that typically, the keyboard tracks got put down last after the group had played their parts, leaving the keyboards fighting for space around the pre-recorded music. Wakeman, however, wished for ''Criminal Record'' to be similar to his first, ''[[The Six Wives of Henry VIII (album)\|The Six Wives of Henry VIII]]'' (1973), and be an album where the keyboards take precedent.<ref name=wakeman2003/>▼ ▲Wakeman did not start work on the album until April 1977, when recording for ''Going for the One'' was complete as ~~he realised that~~ making a band and a solo album simultaneously was not feasible.<ref name=wakeman2003/> With members of Yes and the production crew still in Montreux ~~after the album had been done~~, ~~Wakeman felt it was the right time to start work on a new solo album for [[A&M Records]], to whom he was signed as a solo artist.~~ Yes bassist [[Chris Squire]] asked Wakeman about the project during a visit in the White Horse pub in Montreux, and learned that the keyboardist intended to produce an album with its [[concept album\|concept]] based on criminality, and revealed its title.<ref name=wakeman2003/> At the time, Wakeman wished for the album to feature a band playing, but wanted to do "something completely different this time around" and pointed out that typically, the keyboard tracks got put down last after the group had played their parts, leaving the keyboards fighting for space around the pre-recorded music. Wakeman, however, wished for ''Criminal Record'' to be similar to his first, ''[[The Six Wives of Henry VIII (album)\|The Six Wives of Henry VIII]]'' (1973), and be an album where the keyboards take ~~precedent~~precedence.<ref name=wakeman2003/> He also described ''Criminal Record'' as "a 1977 version of ''Henry''", of which its music was a follow-up to what he had put on his second soundtrack album, ''[[White Rock (album)\|White Rock]]'' (1977).<ref name=MP77>{{cite news\|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87728462/rick-wakeman-1977/\|title=In the Groove: The Rolling Stones/Rick Wakeman & Yes\|first=Steve\|last=Wosahla\|date=1 December 1977\|newspaper=Messenger-Press\|page=7\|via=[[Newspapers.com]]\|access-date=11 January 2022}}</ref> With the concept settled upon, Wakeman proceeded to record the album at Mountain Studios with [[John Timperley (sound engineer)\|John Timperley]] as the engineer and mixer and [[David Richards (record producer)\|Dave Richards]] as assistant engineer. Wakeman wished to put down his keyboard parts first, followed by bass guitar and drums. Squire and Yes drummer [[Alan White (Yes drummer)\|Alan White]] agreed to play the respective parts, and are featured on side one of the album: "Statue of Justice", "Crime of Passion", and "Chamber of Horrors". However, instead of giving Squire and White preconceived music or ideas on what to play, Wakeman told the pair to record what they wanted on top of the keyboards, thereby giving them complete control of what they played. He added: "I deliberately didn't go anywhere near the studio. [...] The first time I heard it was after about ten days, I can't even remember where I went. I didn't even stay in Switzerland!"<ref name=wakeman2003>{{cite web\|url=http://nfte.org/interviews/RW275.html\|title=Conversation with Rick Wakeman [NFTE #275]\|first=Tim\|last=Morse\|date=21 March 2003\|publisher=Notes from the Edge\|accessdate=21 July 2017}}</ref> After Richards informed Wakeman of the completion of the bass and drum parts, Wakeman returned to the studio and enjoyed listening back to the songs transformed as it felt like he was listening to them for the first time. He remembered White called him "some gynaecological term" as the music continually varied in pace and he had refused to use a [[click track]] due to his distaste of them. Wakeman praised Squire in particular as he contributed some interesting ideas and parts that he had not thought of.<ref name=wakeman2003/> With the keyboard, bass, and drum parts down, Wakeman brought in [[Frank Ricotti]] to add timpani and tuned percussion, and comedian [[Bill Oddie]] of [[The Goodies]] fame to record a humorous, tongue in cheek lyric for "The Breathalyser", both in the course of a day.<ref name=linernotes/><ref name=wakeman2003/>▼ ==Recording== ~~Looking back on the album, Wakeman recalled A&M Records "couldn't understand it" and continue to hold some dissatisfaction towards it.<ref name=rwcc /><ref name=wakeman2003/>~~ [[File:Bill Oddie (383148953).jpg\|thumb\|right\|[[Bill Oddie]] provides vocals on "The Breathalyser"]] ▲~~With~~The ~~the~~album ~~concept~~was ~~settled~~recorded ~~upon,~~at ~~Wakeman~~Mountain ~~proceeded~~Studios tofrom ~~record~~April ~~the~~to ~~album~~June ~~at Mountain Studios~~1977 with [[John Timperley (sound engineer)\|John Timperley]] as ~~the~~ engineer and mixer and [[David Richards (record producer)\|Dave Richards]] as assistant engineer. Wakeman ~~wished to~~ put ~~down~~ his keyboard parts down first, followed by bass guitar and drums. Squire and Yes drummer [[Alan White (Yes drummer)\|Alan White]] agreed to play the respective parts, and are featured on side one of the album~~: "Statue of Justice", "Crime of Passion", and "Chamber of Horrors"~~. However, instead of giving Squire and White preconceived music or ideas on what to play, Wakeman told the pair to record what they wanted on top of the keyboards, thereby giving them complete control of what they played. He added: "I deliberately didn't go anywhere near the studio. [...] The first time I heard it was after about ten days, I can't even remember where I went. I didn't even stay in Switzerland!"<ref name=wakeman2003>{{cite web\|url=http://nfte.org/interviews/RW275.html\|title=Conversation with Rick Wakeman [NFTE #275]\|first=Tim\|last=Morse\|date=21 March 2003\|publisher=Notes from the Edge\|accessdate=21 July 2017}}</ref> After Richards informed Wakeman of the completion of the bass and drum parts, Wakeman returned to the studio and enjoyed listening back to the songs transformed as it felt like he was listening to them for the first time. He remembered White called him "some gynaecological term" as the music continually varied in pace and he had refused to use a [[click track]] due to his distaste of them. Wakeman praised Squire in particular as he contributed some interesting ideas and parts that he had not thought of.<ref name=wakeman2003/> With the keyboard, bass, and drum parts down, Wakeman brought in [[Frank Ricotti]] to add timpani and tuned percussion, and comedian [[Bill Oddie]] of [[The Goodies]] fame to record a humorous, tongue in cheek lyric for "The Breathalyser", both in the course of a day.<ref name=linernotes/><ref name=wakeman2003/> After Richards informed Wakeman of the completion of the bass and drum parts, Wakeman returned to the studio and enjoyed listening back to the songs transformed as it felt like he was listening to them for the first time. He remembered White called him "some gynaecological term" as the music continually varied in pace and he had refused to use a [[click track]] due to his distaste of them. Wakeman praised Squire in particular as he contributed some interesting parts that he would not have thought to write.<ref name=wakeman2003/> Wakeman was so pleased with Squire and White's performance that he wished to re-record and re-arrange some of his keyboard parts, but there were insufficient tracks left to use and no more budget.<ref name=rwcc/> The final parts were put down by percussionist [[Frank Ricotti]], who added timpani and tuned percussion, and comedian [[Bill Oddie]] of [[The Goodies]] fame, who provided a humorous, tongue-in-cheek lyric for "The Breathalyser". Both were recorded in the course of a day.<ref name=linernotes/><ref name=wakeman2003/> ==Music== "Statue of Justice" is named after the bronze statue of [[Lady Justice]] atop of the dome above the [[Old Bailey]] courts in London.<ref name=linernotes/> "Chamber of Horrors" is named after the [[Chamber of Horrors (Madame Tussauds)\|exhibition at Madame Tussauds]] wax museum in London that contains waxworks of notorious murderers and other infamous figures.<ref name=linernotes/> The scream at the end of the track was by a woman that Wakeman had met in a local pub in Montreux. He asked every girl in the pub to scream, and chose the best sounding one to record it in the studio. Wakeman recalled: "She dutifully screamed once more and then went back to the pub."<ref name=rwcc/> "Birdman of Alcatraz" was the nickname of convicted American murderer [[Robert Stroud]], who during his time at [[Leavenworth Penitentiary]], reared and sold birds and became a respected [[ornithologist]].<ref name=linernotes/> The piano was recorded at a church in Les Planches, a village outside Montreux.<ref name=linernotes/> The middle features sounds of birds chirping. "The Breathalyser" is about someone who fails a [[breathalyser]] and is taken to a police station, where he refuses a blood test and must submit to a [[urinalysis]]. The song purposely quotes [[Little Brown Jug (song)\|Joseph Winner's "The Little Brown Jug"]], a well known [[drinking song]], during the first bars. <ref name=TDI78>{{cite news\|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122162630/rick-wakeman-criminal-record-1978/\|title=Wakeman regains his credibility\|first=Pete\|last=Nelson\|date=1 March 1978\|newspaper=The Daily Illini\|page=9\|via=Newspapers.com\|access-date=2 April 2023}}</ref> "Judas Iscariot" is named after the [[Judas Iscariot\|biblical figure]] who was a [[Disciple (Christianity)\|disciple]] and one of the original [[Twelve Apostles]] of Jesus, whose name is often used synonymously with betrayal or treason.<ref name=linernotes/> The 12-minute piece features the 44-piece Ars Laeta of Lausanne choir who were recorded at the Les Planches church, and a [[Mander Organs\|Mander]] [[pipe organ]] at St. Martin's church in [[Vevey]]. Both are featured on Yes's "Awaken" on ''Going for the One''. The closing section of the track contains the melody of the [[Christian hymn]] "[[There is a green hill far away]]".<ref>{{cite news\|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122162237/rick-wakeman-criminal-record-1977/\|title=Chancery Choice: Lookin' & Listenin'\|newspaper=Retford Gainsborough and Worksop Times\|page=10\|date=4 January 1978\|via=Newspapers.com\|access-date=2 April 2023}}</ref><ref name=TDI78/> Wakeman claimed [[Andrew Lloyd Webber]] took a section of the piece for ''[[The Phantom of the Opera (1986 musical)\|The Phantom of the Opera]]'' without credit.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.expressandstar.com/news/2007/11/08/wakeman-in-tune-with-fans/\|title=Wakeman in tune with fans\|date=8 November 2007\|newspaper=Express & Star\|access-date=2 April 2023}}</ref> ==Release== ▲{{Album ratings In 2006, Hip-O Select released a limited, numbered edition (5000 copies) compact disc, the first CD issue of the album ever available outside Japan. The album has subsequently been re-issued on CD by Real Gone Music.▼ ▲\|rev1 = [[~~Allmusic~~AllMusic]] ▲\|rev1score = {{Rating\|3\|5}}<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/criminal-record-mw0000531588\|title=Rick Wakeman: Criminal Record\|author=DeGagne, Mike\|publisher=[[Allmusic]]\|website=allmusic.com}}</ref> ▲\|rev2 = ''[[Variety (magazine)\|Variety]]'' ▲\|rev2Score = (favourable)<ref>{{cite magazine \|~~url~~id=~~https://search.proquest.com/docview/~~{{ProQuest\|1401321975~~/fulltext/B954A225D2E24E86PQ/82?accountid=248~~}} \|title=Music Records: EW&F, Midler, Boz, Wakeman, Crosby-Nash, Allman-Cher, Van, Rawls, Genesis Top New LPs \|~~date~~magazine=~~November~~Variety ~~30, 1977~~\|~~page~~volume=58298 \|issue=4 \|~~volume~~date=~~298\|publisher=[[Variety~~30 November 1977 ~~(magazine)~~\|~~Variety]]\|website~~page=~~proquest.com~~58 }}</ref> ▲}} ▲In 2006, [[Hip-O Select ~~released~~Records]] aissued ~~limited~~5,000 individually numbered ~~edition~~CDs ~~(5000~~which ~~copies) compact disc,~~marked the first ~~CD issue of~~time the album ~~ever~~was ~~available~~released on CD outside Japan. ~~The~~In ~~album~~2014, ~~has~~it ~~subsequently~~was ~~been re-issued~~released on CD once more by Real Gone Music. Wakeman looked back on ''Criminal Record'' as one that did not quite come out as he wanted, except for "Judas Iscariot". Despite calling it a "nearly" album and questioning whether it should have been recorded with ''The Six Wives of Henry VIII'' in mind, Wakeman said there were "some excellent all round performances".<ref name=rwcc>{{cite web\|title=Discography — Rick Wakeman's Criminal Record (1977)\|url=https://www.rwcc.com/product.php?int_titleID=7\|publisher=Rick Wakeman's Communication Centre\|accessdate=21 July 2017}}</ref> In 2003, Wakeman recalled A&M Records "couldn't understand it" and claimed the label continued to hold some dissatisfaction towards it.<ref name=rwcc /><ref name=wakeman2003/> In 1979, "Birdman of Alcatraz" was used as the theme music to the BBC television drama series ''[[My Son, My Son (TV series)\|My Son, My Son]]''. It was subsequently released as a single with "Flacons de Neige" from ''[[Rhapsodies (album)\|Rhapsodies]]'' (1979) on the B-side. ==Track listing== Line 60 ⟶ 78: \| length3 = 12:15 }} ~~==Chart performance==~~ {\| class="wikitable"▼ \|-▼ ! Chart (1977–78)▼ ! Peak<br>position▼ \|-▼ ~~\| Norway<ref>http://tsort.info/music/3rbt8v.htm</ref>~~ \| align="center"\| 19▼ \|-▼ ~~\| [[UK Albums Chart]]<ref>http://www.officialcharts.com/search/albums/white%20rock/</ref>~~ ~~\| align="center"\| 25~~ \|-▼ ~~\| US [[Billboard 200\|''Billboard'' 200]]<ref>https://www.billboard.com/music/rick-wakeman/chart-history/TLP</ref>~~ ~~\| align="center"\|128~~ \|-▼ \|} ==Personnel== Line 82 ⟶ 83: '''Music''' * [[Rick Wakeman]] – Steinway 9' grand piano, [[Minimoog]] synthesiser, [[Polymoog]] synthesiser, [[Hammond organ\|Hammond C3 organ]], [[Birotron]], Mander pipe organ at St. Martin's church in [[Vevey]], RMI computer keyboard, [[harpsichord]], Fender Rhodes 88 electric piano, Hohner [[clavinet]], Baldwin electric harpsichord, church organ<ref name=rwcc>{{cite web\|title=Rick Wakeman's Criminal Record (1977)\|url=http://www.rwcc.com/title_detail.asp?int_titleID=7\|publisher=Rick Wakeman's Communication Centre\|accessdate=21 July 2017}}</ref> * [[Chris Squire]] – bass guitar on "Statue of Justice", "Crime of Passion", and "Chamber of Horrors" * [[Alan White (Yes drummer)\|Alan White]] – drums on "Statue of Justice", "Crime of Passion", and "Chamber of Horrors" * [[Frank Ricotti]] – percussion on "Statue of Justice", "Crime of Passion", "Chamber of Horrors", and "Judas Iscariot" * [[Bill Oddie]] – vocals on "The Breathalyser" * Ars Laeta Choir of [[Lausanne]] – choir on "Judas Iscariot"▼ Alto vocals – Anne Claude, Christiane Durel, Christine Frehholz, Elisabeth Pahud, Francoise Wannaz, Janine Isaaz, Janine Pradervand, Josianne Henn, Liliane De Berville, Marlyse Berney, Mary Lise Perey, Nicole Metraus, Pierre Humbert Bass vocals – Claude Alain Morasini, George Caille, Jean-Michel Favez, Peirre Tharin, Piere Alain Favez, Roland Demiville, Samuel Chetrit, Yves Lamberey Soprano vocals – Anne Catherine Noinat, Annette Fonjallaz, Christine Riesen, Claire-Lisa Valet, Claudine Corbaz, Claudine Mange, Daniele Meystre, Eliane Henchoz, Francoise Cardinaux, Francoise Cottet, Lise Dutray, Marlyse Paschoud, Sylviane Savez Tenor vocals – Andre Borboen, Bernard Dutruy, Charles Moinat, Claude Alain Von Buren, Daniel Borgeaud, Francoise Emery, Jean Maurice Juvet, Raphael Bugnon, Rene Monachon * Robert Mernoud – choir conductor on "Judas Iscariot"▼ '''Production''' * Rick Wakeman – production ▲* Ars Laeta Choir of [[Lausanne]] – choir on "Judas Iscariot" ▲* Robert Mernoud – conductor on "Judas Iscariot" * [[John Timperley (sound engineer)\|John Timperley]] – engineer, mixing * [[David Richards (record producer)\|Dave Richards]] - assistant engineer on "Statue of Justice", "Crime of Passion", and "Chamber of Horrors", mixing * [[Jim McCrary]] – photography * Chuck Beeson – visual concept, design * Roland Young – art direction * Sean Davies – disc cutting ==Charts== ▲{\| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" ▲! Chart (~~1977–78~~1977-1978) ▲! Peak<br/>position ▲\|- ! scope="row"\| Australian Albums ([[Kent Music Report]])<ref name=aus>{{cite book\|last=Kent\|first=David\|author-link=David Kent (historian)\|title=Australian Chart Book 1970–1992\|edition=illustrated\|publisher=Australian Chart Book\|location=St Ives, N.S.W.\|year=1993\|isbn=0-646-11917-6}}</ref> ▲\| align="center"\| 1976 ▲\|- {{Album chart\|Norway\|19\|artist=Rick Wakeman\|album=Rick Wakeman's Criminal Record\|rowheader=true\|accessdate=October 5, 2023}} ▲\|- {{Album chart\|UK2\|25\|date=19771127\|rowheader=true\|accessdate=October 5, 2023}} ▲\|- {{Album chart\|Billboard200\|128\|artist=Rick Wakeman\|rowheader=true\|accessdate=October 5, 2023}} ▲\|-} ==References== Line 103 ⟶ 124: {{yesband}} {{strawbs}} {{Authority control}} [[Category:1977 albums]] [[Category:Rick Wakeman albums]] [[Category:A&M Records albums]] [[Category:~~Concept~~1970s concept albums]]