Review of Rick Wakman live from Buenos Aires

This is Wakeman as I reckon he should be heard, with a nice solid rhythm section behind him, in this case the English Rock Ensemble. I couldn't get the date of the concert but from Ricks hairstyle I figure around 1998. Tony Fernandez, Wakeman's long time drummer, is again bashing the skins and his son, Adam Wakeman, appears on keyboards and backing vocals. This DVD probably isn't worth the admission price if you already have (as I have) a number of Rick Wakeman's works playing either solo or (preferably) with YES unless you're a die hard fan, but it does showcase the worlds best contemporary keyboard player.

I would be more enthusiastic about this DVD if the singer, Damian Wilson, didn't sound like Ozzy Ozbourne on speed during a bout of influenza. As a member of the group Threshhold and having sung on several YES tribute albums, I would have thought he would be more Jon Anderson than Axl Rose. Fortunately he doesn't sing on all tracks. Track listing includes Lancelot and the Black Knight, Catherine of Aragon, Journey to the Centre of the Earth (I must admit that even Damian Wilson sounds better than Ashley Holt singing on this one), Merlin the Magician and Starship Trooper (sounds way better on Anderson, Wakeman, Bruford and Howe). Sound is supposedly in Dolby 4.1 although I couldn't get anything but 2 channel out of my rig, even in stereo the sound quality is pretty good with plenty of tight bass and percussion.

All in all an excellent DVD of Rick Wakeman, I've sat through it twice now and if it wasn't for the screeching of Mr. Wilson I'd be really looking forward to the next session.Audio 4 out of 5
Video 3 out of 5
Content 4 out of 5