With A Gallery of the Imagination, Rick’s done something a bit different from what you may be have been expecting.
His previous album- The Red Planet – was a glorious return to his 1970s expansive keyboard/synth dominated progressive rock of the highest order with the concept being about the planet Mars.
Rather than continue with that style, Rick’s gone down a different, and I feel a rather personal, route with this album.
In the booklet notes, Rick explains his early piano teacher encouraged him to imagine painting a picture whilst playing. He says he continues to do that which influences how he plays. On A Gallery of the Imagination Rick says it’s geared towards the imagination of the listener. Interesting.
We have twelve tracks. Two instrumentals. Two piano solo pieces and eight tracks with vocals. He’s joined again by the English Rock Ensemble comprising Hayley Sanderson (vocals), Dave Colquhoun (guitar), Lee Pomery (bass) and Ash Soan (drums).
The albums is impeccably performed though for me somewhat lightweight. I get what Rick’s aim is around the painting pictures whilst listening and all that however it doesn’t work musically in my opinion and not in general to my taste.
The opener – Hidden Depths – raised hopes of classic Rick with it being a nice punchy instrumental with a nice guitar part and trademark Wakeman keys and synth flourishes after the gentle piano intro. Have a listen to it:
The other instrumental and the two piano solo pieces are enjoyable and instantly recognisable as typical Wakeman however it’s the eight vocal tracks I mostly can’t get along with. No doubt Hayley Sanderson has a fine voice though I found it a little cloying.
Songs such as The Man in the Moon and A Mirage in the Clouds rather lightweight. Cuban Carnival rather too cheesy.
The only one I can properly relate to and imagine whilst listening is A Day Spent on the Pier. Yes – it’s a gentle number however if you’re of a certain age living her in the UK the lyrics will take you back to those childhood holidays at the seaside when a day on the pier was a big thing. Ice cream, candy floss, helter skelters, fish and chips. Instantly transported me back to north Wales in the 1970s.
The musicianship is excellent with tasteful guitar, precise, melodic bass and crisp drumming. And Rick does let rip with those trademark mazy, dexterous and typically unmistakably Rick solo runs.
For me overall it’s not a bad album though probably one I won’t spin that often. I get what Rick’s aim is with the Gallery of the Imagination concept and that it must be something of a personal thing for him though the eight vocal tracks don’t quite work for me. The instrumentals on the other hand do. Particularly the Dinner Party with some superb synths at work.
All that said, for a bloke who has been around as long and done as much as he’s done over the decades Rick’s more than earned the right do to whatever the feels like doing musically. And long may he continue to do so.
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