Rick WAKEMAN: No earthly connection LP. 1976 progressive rock concept album. The Yes keyboards virtuoso. Check audio (whole album)

Description

The album is currently out of print in Europe and the USA. There are currently no plans for an official CD reissue in the rest of the world.

We shouldn’t forget just how damn good Wakeman is, but we are fickle beings. The cover could be considered a nice gimmick, but if you do the cylindrical job it actually shows some interesting images. Anyway, you want to hear a keyboard virtuoso at work? Spin this and be amazed. Some amazing work with The English Rock Ensemble. A&M, 1976.

No Earthly Connection is a 1976 progressive rock concept album by Rick Wakeman. It was recorded in France for tax purposes.
The LP records sleeve attributes the album to Rick Wakeman and the English Rock Ensemble. In addition to Wakeman with his wide variety of keyboard instruments, including harpsichords, Mellotrons, Moog synthesizers, organs, and pianos, musicians on the album are vocalist Ashley Holt, Roger Newell (bass guitar and vocals), John Dunsterville (guitars, mandolin, and vocals), Tony Fernandez (drums and percussion), Martyn Shields (trumpet, French horn, and vocals), and Reg Brooks (trombone and vocals).
The original LP release contained a small square sheet of reflective plastic that could be curved into a cylinder, which when placed on the front cover allowed the viewer to see the cover drawing undistorted and with a 3D-like effect. A barely noticeable thin colourful arc on the cover appeared then as a rainbow keyboard about to be played by Wakemans hands, in consonance with the albums theme of a creation myth based on music.
The album is currently out of print in Europe and the USA. There are currently no plans for an official CD reissue in the rest of the world.

https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_k62fACypPFokC7wydere9l0JGQQPmdH2s&feature=gws_kp_album&feature=gws_kp_artist

SAMPLES:  www.allmusic.com/album/no-earthly-connection-mw0000467646

Vinyl LP version:
Side one
“Music Reincarnate” 20:24
“Part I:The Warning”
“Part II:The Maker”
“Part III:The Spaceman”
“Part IV:The Realisation”
Side two
“Music Reincarnate (Continued)”
“Part V:The Reaper” 7:34
“The Prisoner” 7:00
“The Lost Cycle” 7:00

(A & M AMLK 64583)
This album was released in 1976 and got to number nine in the British album charts during a nine week run. The inner sleeve has the song lyrics on one side and album credits on the other.

Personnel:
Rick Wakeman pipe organ, Hammond C.3, grand piano, electric piano, clavinet, moogs, harpsichord, electric harpsichord, upright honky tonk piano, mellotrons, Godwin organ, effects pedals
Ashley Holt vocals
Roger Newell bass guitar, bass pedals, vocals
John Dunsterville acoustic and electric guitars, mandolin
Tony Fernandez drums, percussion
Martyn Shields trumpet, flugelhorn, french horn, vocals
Reg Brooks trombone, bass trombone, vocals

5.0 out of 5 stars What a Relief,
Rick has been one of my heroes for years and I used to wait with baited breath for the next instalment. The concept album seems to have bitten the dust nowadays. If anyone has any doubts about using the service or even trying this album, I can only convey that it is brilliant and well worth it. Order and enjoy a true celebration of life and the life after, if you get the same meaning from the lyrics that I do.
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5.0 out of 5 stars I remain connected,
This album left a huge impression on me as teenager – it conjured up many images and emotions. It really is a very powerful piece of music. And of course this is part of the theme of the album. It is a bit cosmic which is not fashionable nowadays, but it is still a worthy, beautifully composed work of art that is a total pleasure to listen to.
I do not know what the historical issues are with this album – why it is not generally available or why Rick never plays any these tracks at his gigs (I’ve seen him play many times and never had a track off this album), but I consider my self lucky to have got this import at last.
If you like any of Rick Wakeman’s albums or, for that matter, Yes’, then this is a must have for your collection.