Return to the Centre of the Earth
Encyclopedia
Return to the Centre of the Earth is a 1999 concept album
by Rick Wakeman
. This work is a sequel
to Journey to the Centre of the Earth
, an earlier album by Wakeman released in 1974.
on June 30, 2001. Performing with Wakeman were The English Rock Ensemble, his son Adam
on keyboards, guitarist Ant Glynne, bass player Lee Pomeroy, and drummer Tony Fernandez.
The album was performed in its entirety on July 15, 2006 on the Plains of Abraham in Quebec City
. Wakeman was accompanied by an all-star 45-pieces symphonic orchestra conducted by Gilles Bellemare, the Vocalys Ensemble (a 20 persons choir), the English Rock Ensemble, various vocal guests including Jon Anderson
, Annie Villeneuve and Vincent Marois and a narration from Guy Nadon. All this garmented by a large set of giant screens, fireworks and lights. Wakeman has stated that this show was the highlight of his career.
Concept album
In music, a concept album is an album that is "unified by a theme, which can be instrumental, compositional, narrative, or lyrical." Commonly, concept albums tend to incorporate preconceived musical or lyrical ideas rather than being improvised or composed in the studio, with all songs contributing...
by Rick Wakeman
Rick Wakeman
Richard Christopher Wakeman is an English keyboard player, composer and songwriter best known for being the former keyboardist in the progressive rock band Yes...
. This work is a sequel
Sequel
A sequel is a narrative, documental, or other work of literature, film, theatre, or music that continues the story of or expands upon issues presented in some previous work...
to Journey to the Centre of the Earth
Journey to the Centre of the Earth (album)
Journey to the Centre of the Earth is the second album from the English keyboardist and composer Rick Wakeman, released through A&M Records in May 1974. The album is a live recording from his second of two sold-out concerts on 18 January 1974 at the Royal Festival Hall in London...
, an earlier album by Wakeman released in 1974.
Track listing
- A Vision (2:34)
- The Return Overture (2:39)
- Mother Earth (3:48)
- The Shadow of June
- The Gallery
- The Avenue of Prismed Light
- The Earthquake
- Buried Alive (Ozzy OsbourneOzzy OsbourneJohn Michael "Ozzy" Osbourne is an English vocalist, whose musical career has spanned over 40 years. Osbourne rose to prominence as lead singer of the pioneering English heavy metal band Black Sabbath, whose radically different, intentionally dark, harder sound helped spawn the heavy metal...
vocal) (6:01) - The Enigma (1:18)
- Is Anybody There? (Bonnie TylerBonnie TylerBonnie Tyler is a Welsh singer, most notable for her hits in the 1970s and 1980s including "It's a Heartache", "Holding Out for a Hero" and "Total Eclipse of the Heart".-Early life:...
vocal) (6:35) - The Ravine (0:49)
- The Dance of a Thousand Lights (5:41)
- The Shepherd (2:01)
- Mr. Slow (Tony Mitchell vocal) (3:47)
- Bridge of Time (1:12)
- Never is a Long, Long Time (Trevor RabinTrevor RabinTrevor Charles Rabin is a South African born musician, best known as a guitarist, vocalist and songwriter for the British progressive rock band Yes from 1983–1994, and since then, as a film composer.- Early years :...
vocal and guitar) (5:19) - Tales from the Lidenbrook Sea (2:57)
- River of Hope
- Hunter and Hunted
- Fight for Life
- The Kill (5:23)
- Timeless History (1:10)
- Still Waters Run Deep (Justin HaywardJustin HaywardJustin Hayward is an English musician, best known as singer, songwriter and guitarist in the rock band The Moody Blues.Hayward was born in Dean Street, Swindon, Wiltshire, England...
vocal) (5:21) - Time Within Time (2:39)
- The Ebbing Tide
- The Electric Storm
- Ride of Your Life (Katrina LeskanichKatrina LeskanichKatrina Leskanich is an American singer and musician, long time resident of the United Kingdom. She is best known for being the lead singer and namesake of the pop band Katrina and the Waves.-Early life:...
vocal) (6:01) - Floating (1:59)
- Globes of Fire
- Cascades of Fear
- Floodflames (2:00)
- The Volcano (2:10)
- Tongues of Fire
- The Blue Mountains
- The End of the Return (5:23)
Live performances
The world premiere performance of the album was in Trois-Rivières, QuebecTrois-Rivières, Quebec
Trois-Rivières is a city in the Mauricie region of Quebec, Canada, located at the confluence of the Saint-Maurice and Saint Lawrence Rivers. It is situated in the Mauricie administrative region, on the north shore of the Saint Lawrence River across from the city of Bécancour...
on June 30, 2001. Performing with Wakeman were The English Rock Ensemble, his son Adam
Adam Wakeman
Adam Wakeman is the current keyboardist for Ozzy Osbourne's band and also keyboardist for Black Sabbath...
on keyboards, guitarist Ant Glynne, bass player Lee Pomeroy, and drummer Tony Fernandez.
The album was performed in its entirety on July 15, 2006 on the Plains of Abraham in Quebec City
Quebec City
Quebec , also Québec, Quebec City or Québec City is the capital of the Canadian province of Quebec and is located within the Capitale-Nationale region. It is the second most populous city in Quebec after Montreal, which is about to the southwest...
. Wakeman was accompanied by an all-star 45-pieces symphonic orchestra conducted by Gilles Bellemare, the Vocalys Ensemble (a 20 persons choir), the English Rock Ensemble, various vocal guests including Jon Anderson
Jon Anderson
Jon Anderson is an English singer-songwriter and musician best known as the former lead vocalist in the progressive rock band Yes...
, Annie Villeneuve and Vincent Marois and a narration from Guy Nadon. All this garmented by a large set of giant screens, fireworks and lights. Wakeman has stated that this show was the highlight of his career.
Personnel
- Rick WakemanRick WakemanRichard Christopher Wakeman is an English keyboard player, composer and songwriter best known for being the former keyboardist in the progressive rock band Yes...
- keyboards - Justin HaywardJustin HaywardJustin Hayward is an English musician, best known as singer, songwriter and guitarist in the rock band The Moody Blues.Hayward was born in Dean Street, Swindon, Wiltshire, England...
, Katrina LeskanichKatrina LeskanichKatrina Leskanich is an American singer and musician, long time resident of the United Kingdom. She is best known for being the lead singer and namesake of the pop band Katrina and the Waves.-Early life:...
, Tony Mitchell, Ozzy OsbourneOzzy OsbourneJohn Michael "Ozzy" Osbourne is an English vocalist, whose musical career has spanned over 40 years. Osbourne rose to prominence as lead singer of the pioneering English heavy metal band Black Sabbath, whose radically different, intentionally dark, harder sound helped spawn the heavy metal...
, Trevor RabinTrevor RabinTrevor Charles Rabin is a South African born musician, best known as a guitarist, vocalist and songwriter for the British progressive rock band Yes from 1983–1994, and since then, as a film composer.- Early years :...
, Bonnie TylerBonnie TylerBonnie Tyler is a Welsh singer, most notable for her hits in the 1970s and 1980s including "It's a Heartache", "Holding Out for a Hero" and "Total Eclipse of the Heart".-Early life:...
- vocals - Patrick StewartPatrick StewartSir Patrick Hewes Stewart, OBE is an English film, television and stage actor, who has had a distinguished career in theatre and television for around half a century...
- narration - Fraser Thorneycroft-Smith - guitar
- Phil WilliamsPhil WilliamsProfessor Philip James Stradling Williams was a Welsh politician for Plaid Cymru and scientist.-Background:...
- bass - Simon Hanson - drums
- London Symphony OrchestraLondon Symphony OrchestraThe London Symphony Orchestra is a major orchestra of the United Kingdom, as well as one of the best-known orchestras in the world. Since 1982, the LSO has been based in London's Barbican Centre.-History:...
- David Snell, conductor - The English Chamber Choir - Guy Protheroe, conductor
Charts
| Chart (1999) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Album Chart | 34 |