Rick Wakeman

This is the second of Rick and Adam Wakeman's albums for the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, and the CD booklet features images from tapestries in the museum's collection. Like the first, Romance of the Victorian Age, this is a piano-based collection, though there are slightly more other instruments added here. Also like the first, Rick and Adam's compositions alternate, but this one also features a classical adaptation, a version of Debussy's "Clair de Lune" arranged by Rick. Again like the first, the album begins with its liveliest piece, here Rick's "Fremiet's Cat," and thereafter features mainly slower and more contemplative music, with simpler and more restrained pieces (mainly Adam's) contrasting with more complex ones (mainly Rick's). And finally, like the first, this one features fine playing by both men. But overall, the first one is better. ~ Stephen Raiteri, All Music Guide