Rick Wakeman: Live in Concert 2000

Along with ELP's Keith Emerson, Yes' Rick Wakeman was the reigning king of the prog rock keyboards during the '70s. In this intimate performance from Wakeman's 2000 U.K. tour, the middle-aged master ivory tickler serves up a generous 93-minute set combining classical favorites ("Pachelel's Canon"--erroneously listed as "Pacobel" on the credits--and a wonderfully funny "The Nursery Rhyme Concerto" with nursery rhymes in the style of Mozart, Ravel, etc.), selections from Wakeman's trio of full-length mid-'70s concept albums (The Six Wives of Henry the VIII, Journey to the Centre of the Earth and The Myths and Legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table), a pair of Yes songs ("And You and I" and "Wondrous Stories") and beautiful covers of the Beatles' "Help" and "Eleanor Rigby." In between tunes Wakeman regales the audience with sometimes lengthy though often humorous reminiscences (of Yes lead singer Jon Anderson, Wakeman playfully observes that he's "the only person I know who is trying to save this planet while living on an entirely different one"). Presented in Dolby Digital 5.1 sound, the DVD has several notable extras, including 6 bonus studio tracks, and--talk about your bargains--a separate 13-track CD of the concert (great idea that I hope more producers will adopt). Definitely recommended. [Note: Also available from Music Video Distributors, the 1975 CD/DVD combo Rick Wakeman: Journey to the Centre of the Earth.] Aud: P. (R. Pitman)