The Myths and Legends of King Arthur ... Rick Wakeman

The Myths and Legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table by Rick Wakeman, 1975 album

I have spoken at length about Richard Christopher Wakeman, known as Rick Wakeman, in the article “The Sophisticated Symphonic Rock of YES” but I like to recall that he is an immense keyboardist and composer, a great improviser, master of ambitious and grandiloquent symphonic progressive rock that makes extensive use of keyboards, an instrument of which he is among the most virtuosic, trained as a classical pianist, later moving on to keyboards and synthesizers, with a long and prolific solo career, characterized by some successes especially in the mid-Seventies: the instrumental album The Six Wives of Henry VIII (1973, over six million copies sold), The Myths and Legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table (1975) and Journey to the Centre of the Earth (1974, over twelve million copies sold). He has often played as a guest or session man for very different artists, such as David Bowie, Elton John, Cat Stevens, Lou Reed, the Black Sabbath, John Williams, Al Stewart and the Brotherhood of Man. 

The Myths and Legends of King Arthur … is a great classic of symphonic progressive rock, an ambitious album that highlights Rick Wakeman's great virtuosity, a committed and demanding album.
It is a rock opera based on the legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, with rock instrumentation, a large orchestra and a choir for epic compositions through grand orchestral arrangements with Wakeman's performances on keyboards of great technical skill. 

The tracks are long and complex starting with Arthur, a powerful opening track 

Lady of the Lake lasts only 45 seconds and is a choral piece, with the voices of the English Chamber Choir singing the main theme with an enchanted atmosphere with piano and synthesizer.

Also beautiful is Guinevere, a melodic piece with piano, splendid harmonies and a great choir.

Sir Lancelot and the Black Knight has a heavy riff and a stunning synthesizer solo, but the masterpiece of the album is Merlin the Magician, a spectacular instrumental track on the album, with Wakeman's extraordinary speed on the keyboards.

Sir Galahad is one of the most powerful tracks that perfectly represents the chivalric spirit, with an epic atmosphere and a "majestic" triumphant tone that evokes a sense of heroism and nobility.
Also notable is The Last Battle, which closes the album, a sort of synthesis of the main themes of the album, with a beautiful continuous, orchestral and choral progression.

The artwork is beautiful, also by Roger Dean like many works by the Yes and Wakeman.

An exciting and at times thrilling album, a must-listen for symphonic rock enthusiasts, excellent album, recommended!

Note: All links to the musicians' works are in the TAGS under the article title or on the "Artists" page

Tracklist

1. Arthur (7:26)
2. Lady Of The Lake (0:45)
3. Guinevere (6:45)
4. Sir Lancelot And The Black Knight (5:21)
5. Merlin The Magician (8:51)
6. Sir Galahad (5:51)
7. The Last Battle (9:41)

Duration 44:58

LineUp

- Rick Wakeman - keyboards, synthesizers, grand piano, producer

With:
- Ashley Holt - vocals
- Gary Pickford Hopkins - vocals
- Jeffrey Crampton - lead and acoustic guitar
- Roger Newell - bass
- Barney James - drums
- John Hodgson - percussion
- New World Orchestra
- Nottingham Festival Vocal Group
- English Chamber Choir - choir
- Guy Protheroe - choir director
- David Measham - choir and orchestra conductor
- David Katz - orchestral coordination
- Wil Malone - orchestral arrangements
- Terry Taplin - narrator