As its title would suggest, The Red Planet finds prog-rock keyboard wizard Rick Wakeman setting his sights on space exploration — at least through the lens of musical experimentation.
A collaboration with The English Rock Ensemble (Wakeman on keys, Dave Colquhoun on guitars, Lee Pomeroy on bass and Ash Soan on drums), The Red Planet has been in the works for a while … and today, Aug. 28, it has touched down on Earth, so to speak.
(Click here to purchase Rick Wakeman’s The Red Planet from our Rock Cellar Store on CD, and click here for vinyl).
Wakeman previewed it in recent weeks with “Ascraeus Mons,” which is a wild experience:
The album is inspired by the year 2021 being the anniversary of humans’ first trips to Mars, as well as our ongoing explorations of the titular red planet, Wakeman said in a statement he was felt compelled by:
“ … the incredible information discovered and of course some astonishing images. You just have to look at the photos online or in books to be inspired, the landscapes are fascinating and the volcanoes are huge …..bigger than anything on earth. It was the perfect subject for me to be inspired musically.”
Wakeman contiues:
“The main themes and ideas were all written on the piano, with photographs of Ascraeus Mons scattered around. I wanted the start of the album to be a statement and I always felt the church organ as an initial solo instrument said it all. This is certainly a track that screams out to be played live … so I’d better get practising !!”
Take a trip of your own by listening to The Red Planet below via Spotify.
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