1984 [Import]

Rick Wakeman | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 5, 1999)
• Original Release Date: 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Griffin Records
• ASIN: B000001LDM
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #494,789 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. 1984 Overture, Pt. 1/Pt.2/Wargames

2. Julie's Song

3. Hymn

4. Brainwash

5. Robot Man

6. No Name

7. Sorry

8. Forgotten Memories

9. Proles

10. 1984

Editorial Reviews

1984 by Rick Wakeman

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars At last - real lyrics to go with the great music, December 29, 2003

By 

Amanda Bartels (Eltham, Victoria Australia) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: 1984 (Audio CD)

Of course getting Tim Rice to write the lyrics helps. This was going to be a rock musical but didn't get off the ground. It's a pity because the music and lyrics are both really good, a rare combination in Rick Wakeman's discography. '1984' is a musical interpretation of George Orwell's 1984 which Wakeman released 3 years early, good taste on Rick's part but bad timing as he was about as popular in 1981 as a fart in a Chanel factory, as he puts it.

There is less Wakeman keyboard here than in most of his other albums, as it is in true musical format so relies on strong lyrics to propel the story, with keyboards and orchestra providing accompaniment. There is a flattering list of guest soloists, including Chaka Khan, Steve Harley and Jon Anderson, with even Tim Rice singing during the Proles (not very well, but it doesn't really matter.)

Overture is a strong instrumental that sets the mood well, and Julia is a lovely sad love song. My favourite track is Robot Man, which is funky. I like Jon Anderson's pastoral Hymn track, and all the others are listenable as well. Tim Rice's lyrics are excellent, just what you'd expect from him and it is probably safe to say that if Rick had written them I would be knocking at least 2 stars off this rating. Orwell's book is not really brought to life in this short excerpt, but you can see where the album was heading and if 1984 had made it to the stage as a longer version, it could have been up there with Chess and others from the same era.

Overall, this one is in my Wakeman top ten. Not really like anything he's ever written before or since, either. Well worth the price.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Maybe his best album, January 1, 2000

By 

Craig Loftin (Los Angeles) - See all my reviews

This review is from: 1984 (Audio CD)

Once you've listened to Wakeman's essential 3 classics (King Arthur, Center of the Earth, and Henry VIII), you notice that Rick has a TON of albums out there. Many of them s#@k. This one, however, is a total joy. Great arrangements, a cleverly told story, and great guest apparences, especially from Chaka Khan. Tim Rice (who wrote all of the lyrics) also does a guest vocal, with curious results.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars It`s not a 70`s Wakeman, but don`t worry, it`s great !, May 9, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Brasilia, Brazil) - See all my reviews

This review is from: 1984 (Audio CD)

I have listened this album for the first time in a friend`s house when I was at school, in the early 80`s, in my hometown, Rio de Janeiro. Of course I expected something like King Arthur or Journey to the Center (or Centre, to respect his British origin !)of the Earth, and although it was a less known work, it is as good as the most famous ones. It`s also his most "80`s" work, similar in many things to the others made during the 70`s, but different in many ways that I simply can`t explain, and what makes a Wakeman, a real Wakeman, always in his style but never repetitive. The only regret is to have listened the album and have never bought that. Chaka Khan and Jon Anderson are also very happy in their appearences on the album. I would like to say "buy it and listen to it", but unfortunately it`s out of catalogue, although for the ones who have how to find it, I can say one thing: Don`t worry, it`s simply great !