Reviewed by Tim Cockram

Rick Wakeman's 'Can You Hear Me?' is a collection of old and new material, but with a difference. The old material has not just been reworked but transformed by Wakeman's trademark, a choir. So what? Well, there's something about many of Wakeman's works that the addition of a choir has a square law increase in the power of the music. "Hymn Of Hope", which appeared on the "Prayers' album as a piece that could give you goosebumps, has by the addition of the choir parts and a new guitar part by long time Wakeman sidesman David Paton (thought he had emigrated) been transformed in to a piece that is so big you could almost overdose on it. The album is very much in the genre of Wakeman's English Rock Ensemble period (pseudo) MiniMoog lines, the hint of funk and the general exuberance but it's more "grown up". Wakeman's music has changed and grown with the man. 'Can You Hear Me?' is definitely, definitely worth a listen. I have only one gripe - no real pipe organs or MiniMoogs. Next time, please sir.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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