Rhapsodies - Stronger as a single album.

[Soundwaveseeker]

Haven't heard it in a while, but I remember liking side two of the vinyl the best out of all of it. I lost interest by the second disc, I forget most of the second disc. Padded? Sure. This is the kind of album one makes after straggling into the studio straight from the pub. Very cheesy stuff. Indeed, very Casio. I don't dislike the album too much, but it is the probably the weakest of the A&M ones, and as others suggested on here, a piss-take album.

The blue, mountainous cover - to me this sounds like a very 'January' album. Cheesy music to hit the slopes by. White Rock was better for that, but Rhapsodies is Skiing in January music or the kind of music featured in a lighthearted news clip about Skis or the lodge. You almost get snowblinded listening to it. Grab your hot cocoa, here comes Rhapsodies, the double album piss-take from Rick Wakeman.

Could totally have been a single disc, as long as all of the second side was included. The second disc seems like bonus material, and on CD Rhapsodies sorta goes on and on.

[True]

I ought it when it came out. I remember I enjoyed some of it, but yes, perhaps a single LP would have worked well.
I remember I liked the cover, I imagine my original copy must be here somewhere but I’d guess it’s been decades since I played it. Must get this out and have a listen...

[Ash Armstrong]

Now.

Climbin' the Matterhorn or in other words am playing Rhap from front to back. Lots of fuzzy, wizzy keys. Bland arrangements with keys dominatin' every solo. Every 2 minutes or so it sounds cool. But there is a lot of bland noodlin'. Did he do this double just to end his A&M contract early. Was he still drinkin'. What marriage was he on?

Bombay Duck? Surely he's taken the piss?

This is Saturday mornin' kids cartoon music. Video game music. Sounds like casio keyboard sounds.
Was there an audience for this in '79?

Well. Like I said I bought it. The vinyl.
What did Wakey say about Tales? Loads of paddin'?
Kettle. Pot. Black.

Now. I loved 6 Wives. Beautiful, complex music. No vocals. Great sounds. Is this the album that jumped the shark?

Did it force Rick to go new-age classical where there was a big audience? Force him to collaborate with Rice and other vocalists.

Until he gained enough confidence and was encouraged to go back to Journey. Perform whole 6Wives and Arthur?

Big Ben. Lots goin' on but no melody. Up and down runs , all fury signifyin' nothin'.

Can I take much more? Probly not. Cricket starts soon.

He didn't stop drinking till 1984 I think.

[Gilly Goodness]

Now.

Climbin' the Matterhorn or in other words am playing Rhap from front to back. Lots of fuzzy, wizzy keys. Bland arrangements with keys dominatin' every solo. Every 2 minutes or so it sounds cool. But there is a lot of bland noodlin'. Did he do this double just to end his A&M contract early. Was he still drinkin'. What marriage was he on?

Bombay Duck? Surely he's taken the piss?

This is Saturday mornin' kids cartoon music. Video game music. Sounds like casio keyboard sounds.
Was there an audience for this in '79?

Well. Like I said I bought it. The vinyl.
What did Wakey say about Tales? Loads of paddin'?
Kettle. Pot. Black.

Now. I loved 6 Wives. Beautiful, complex music. No vocals. Great sounds. Is this the album that jumped the shark?

Did it force Rick to go new-age classical where there was a big audience? Force him to collaborate with Rice and other vocalists.

Until he gained enough confidence and was encouraged to go back to Journey. Perform whole 6Wives and Arthur?

Big Ben. Lots goin' on but no melody. Up and down runs , all fury signifyin' nothin'.

Can I take much more? Probly not. Cricket starts soon.

The Pulse. He's takin' the piss. Surely.

[Ash Armstrong]

I bought it on release, probably played it twice at the most. I don't remember what happened to my vinyl copy. After the likes of Criminal Record and the brilliant White Rock, Rhapsodies felt like a piss-take.

[Yorkshire Square]

Might make a passable single sided flexi-single. Remember those?

[Gilly Goodness]

Wow. No room for Rhapsody in Blue?

Had this back in the day. Some curious song/arrangement choices. From memory I used to love Sea Horses. Lovely.

Was a hodge podge of ideas but after the glow of Wakey rejoinin' the Mothership. Bought it. And remember the car accident story of totterin' over the icy edge. That influenced the cover. As well as the artist Christo who wrapped everythin'.

For fun should go back and revisit it.

[gbh90125]

I love a lot of Rhapsodies but I condensed it down to a single album for a play list and to me , by removing what I consider the weak moments/songs, it is infinatly better.

Track 1 - Frontline
Track 2 - Big Ben
Track 3 - Wooly Willy tango
Track 4 - The Pulse
Track 5 - the Palais
Track 6 - March Of The Gladiators
Track 7 - Flacons De Neige
Track 8 - The Flasher
Track 9 - Sea Horses
Track 10 - Stand Bye
Track 11 - Summer Time

I think it would be up there as one of his best had he done it closer to this. Oh well - just a bit of fun