Customer Reviews

1984

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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.

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 !

I guess any time you get a collection of diverse talents in one place, the results are bound to be uneven. That certainly happened here, as Rick presents a musical 'adaptation' of George Orwell's novel about a future where conformity is all and love a crime against the state. Much of it is too harsh & 'noisy' for me, yet in here are 2 of my very favorite Wakeman tracks. "Overture" is a glorious, magnificent work of sheer wonder! (The first 5:02 of it anyway, before it turns nasty-- thank goodness for CD players!) And then there's Chaka Khan's vocal on "Julia", one of the most beautiful (and yet tragic) love songs I've ever heard. For Rick, only "Heaven" from PHANTOM POWER even comes close! Anyone who's heard this and liked it should also definately get themselves a copy of THE CLASSICAL CONNECTION, which is where I first heard it, in instrumental-piano form.

I first bought "1984" in a second hand CD place about 10 years ago simply because I wanted to amass some more albums by Rick Wakeman. That, and I knew that Jon Anderson contributed vocals on "The Hymn." I think I listened to it once or twice back then it has since resided on my CD shelf. I always liked the "Prolouge" (the first half) and the closing number "1984", but nothing that much in between.

I've come to really like just about all of this album. I even like Chaka Kahn's contributions on the "Prolouge" and "Robot Man." No, this isn't your typical Wakeman album, but I believe it is probably his last album that you could term "essential."

Tracks like "Julia", "Robot Man", "The Proles", & "Sorry" have now become highly enjoyable with each additional listen I give it.

The fact that Wakeman is trying to put the Orwell classic to music doesn't work all that well overall, but if you understand the basic concept of the novel, then you'll be able to at least have an idea of where he was going.

The closing song, "1984", neatly sums up several of the themes presented earlier in the record closing in classic fashion with a drawn out reprise of "The Hymn".

If you are a casual to moderate Wakeman fan (like me; other than this album, I own Six Wives, Journey, King Arthur, Rhapsodies & No Earthly Connection) I recommend picking this one up. It may take a while but you will definitely appreciate it as time goes on.

Rick with both Chaka Kahn and Jon Anderson, a must for Rick's fans

YES man Jon Anderson saved this album with his appearance on The Hymn. Actually, the album is worth it for that tune alone. But any true Wakeman fan should get the work, simply because it's Wakeman.

I'm not familiar at all with the Yes legacy or Rick Wakeman but when I heard Chaka Khan was featured on a rock opera concept album, I had to bite. Chaka did not fail to deliver on the 3 songs for which she is the featured vocalist. She shows her remarkable versatility allowing her to be true to her musical self and the genre.

On War Games, Chaka comes out of the gate with voice blazing and builds up to a blistering crescendo that few established rocker chicks could ever dream of handling. Ironically, this would be an very timely song for the current state of affairs in the world.

On Julia, Chaka shows a soft side of her voice that few people have ever heard. What is so amazing on this ballad is her ability to tune her voice to the accompanying piano perfectly. There is such a serene beauty to her singing that you are ready to dismiss the song's tragic lyrics.

Robot Man is a synth funk rock groove that Chaka handles with all the confidence in the world and it actually counteracts some of the more corny vocoder moments.

I have to be honest that the rest of the songs on here just didn't work for me because this just isn't the usual type of music I listen to.

This is a pleasant gift for all Rick/Yes fans: Rick's classic album was funally issued legally, and this is remastered version, according to Voiceprint Records.

Before only pirate versions of this album were available.

This album became a rarity in my country. I know it well but I can't find any CD containing it. This relates almost all Rick Wakeman's album - it's a pity, because I am his fan during more than 20 years.