Just come back from watching him in concert. Been a fan since primary school and now over 40 and still ever impressed by his skill and talent. One man show on a piano and with your eyes closed at times you could have imagined suporting musicians there, How can someone get such a rich breadth of sound out of one instrument. Played this one tonight and it just sounded fantastic. Even did Merlin unplugged which was incredible.
I heard this song many times in the past and never knew that it is actually music by Rick Wakeman and not Cat Stevens unitl I watched this video... simply inspiring, thanks for sharing...
Oh, this is so lovely!!! Thank you for posting!!! I am a forever fan -- since Journey to the Center of the Earth, Six Wives of H VIII -- all the Yes songs. This is so rich!!!
Absolutely brilliantly fantastic. I only found out today, after all these years, that Rick Wakeman was the pianist on this. I've loved is so much since it was in the charts, often wondered who the pianist was, just imagined it was an anonymous session musician.
Saw Rick play this when he did a small solo concert nearby a few days ago. What an incredibly talented man he is, yet he stayed around after the concert and signed our programmes, CD's etc and had a chat.
I do not remember ever underestimating Rick Wakeman... As a matter of fact, we worshipped him in the 70s as an Art Rock God. His work with Yes was never overlooked.
I never knew this either. No credit is given to Wakeman on the album credits either. I really hope this was an innocent ommission. for years I thought this was Cat Stevens doing the playing. Thanks for posting this!
@MusicStudyMan The song Rick was playing is 'Catherine Howard', heard on his Six Wives of Henry VIII album. I have this LP. (you can watch him playing Catherine Howard, here on YT).
After all these years, I had no idea that it was Rick Wakeman who arranged and played this for Cat Stevens. He's a phenomenal player, and he blew my mind when I saw him here in Philly. Keyboardist extraordinare, and can outplay ANYONE out there... Sorry Elton John and Billy Joel who were my idols. This guy IS "da bomb!!!!"
Rick Wakeman was the original keyboardist with the Strawbs, and created some great backing. Was a keyboard hero to me for his Strawbs work. Now makes me laugh as a 'grumpy old man' on TV.
There is no sheet music to this piece because Rick did it for £9 as sessional musician and he didn't get paid or any recognition at the time. Very few realise he actually played it. Nobody expected it to become so big and Cat Stevens took all the credit. His name isn't even on the original score so he kept the arrangment to himself at the time. I 'm sure this has been recitified since but the original arrangement is only in his head and always will be
@tomtomnj ...you should read what wakeman has to say about the recording of 'morning has broken' on wikipedia its pretty funny ... i was a teenager when this song came out an a yes fan so had heard the rumors that it was wakeman playing the piano but he was never credited with it ! enjoy :)
I heard this song many times in the past and never knew that it is actually music by Rick Wakeman and not Cat Stevens unitl I watched this video... simply inspiring, thanks for sharing...
Rick is one of the most Underated musicians in the history of music....
Just come back from watching him in concert. Been a fan since primary school and now over 40 and still ever impressed by his skill and talent. One man show on a piano and with your eyes closed at times you could have imagined suporting musicians there, How can someone get such a rich breadth of sound out of one instrument. Played this one tonight and it just sounded fantastic. Even did Merlin unplugged which was incredible.
What a great musician, I've always loved this hymn since schooldays but this is my favourite version.
I heard this song many times in the past and never knew that it is actually music by Rick Wakeman and not Cat Stevens unitl I watched this video... simply inspiring, thanks for sharing...
that he can sound so utterly mellifluous on a CP-80 is further testament to his artistry
- Rick rules!
this is the most enjoyable version of this beautiful hymn I've ever heard! Thanks for the post.
I love you Rick Wakeman Forever
Just plain beautiful.
Oh, this is so lovely!!! Thank you for posting!!! I am a forever fan -- since Journey to the Center of the Earth, Six Wives of H VIII -- all the Yes songs. This is so rich!!!
Absolutely brilliantly fantastic. I only found out today, after all these years, that Rick Wakeman was the pianist on this. I've loved is so much since it was in the charts, often wondered who the pianist was, just imagined it was an anonymous session musician.
i love this song
Very Very wonderful interpretation and video. Thanks
Erinnert mich an alte Zeiten ...
The most beautiful video on Y-Tube.....great pics' and thx for the poem.
Wakeman kicks ass.... ;-)
Saw Rick play this when he did a small solo concert nearby a few days ago. What an incredibly talented man he is, yet he stayed around after the concert and signed our programmes, CD's etc and had a chat.
I do not remember ever underestimating Rick Wakeman... As a matter of fact, we worshipped him in the 70s as an Art Rock God. His work with Yes was never overlooked.
I never knew this either. No credit is given to Wakeman on the album credits either. I really hope this was an innocent ommission. for years I thought this was Cat Stevens doing the playing.
Thanks for posting this!
@MusicStudyMan
The song Rick was playing is 'Catherine Howard', heard on his Six Wives of Henry VIII album. I have this LP. (you can watch him playing Catherine Howard, here on YT).
After all these years, I had no idea that it was Rick Wakeman who arranged and played this for Cat Stevens. He's a phenomenal player, and he blew my mind when I saw him here in Philly. Keyboardist extraordinare, and can outplay ANYONE out there... Sorry Elton John and Billy Joel who were my idols. This guy IS "da bomb!!!!"
Perfect.
thank you
1:23, 2:05, 2:12, 2:40, and finally the last picture.
@tomtomnj the beginning piano and middle parts were written by Wakeman. The song itself is actually a hymn going back several centuries ago.
EXCELENTE, muchas gracias.
No one living better than Rick
Wonderful
Rick is my mannnn!!
Rick Wakeman was the original keyboardist with the Strawbs, and created some great backing. Was a keyboard hero to me for his Strawbs work. Now makes me laugh as a 'grumpy old man' on TV.
@delron44 This is the same guy who played the piano for Yusuf Islam(Cat Stevens).Just for your information.
There is no sheet music to this piece because Rick did it for £9 as sessional musician and he didn't get paid or any recognition at the time. Very few realise he actually played it. Nobody expected it to become so big and Cat Stevens took all the credit. His name isn't even on the original score so he kept the arrangment to himself at the time. I 'm sure this has been recitified since but the original arrangement is only in his head and always will be
@tomtomnj Wakeman did put the piano intro of the song, while Stevens played the music on guitar first.
@tomtomnj
...you should read what wakeman has to say about the recording of 'morning has broken' on wikipedia its pretty funny ... i was a teenager when this song came out an a yes fan so had heard the rumors that it was wakeman playing the piano but he was never credited with it ! enjoy :)
like this even better then kat steavens
No-not really. I grew up a preacher's kid,and this was the tempo I always remember singing it at. :-)
@tuftynator over 40 ? the man is 63 now
it needs MELLOTRON!
Kinda fast, isn't it?
Played way to fast.
I heard this song many times in the past and never knew that it is actually music by Rick Wakeman and not Cat Stevens unitl I watched this video... simply inspiring, thanks for sharing...
that he can sound so utterly mellifluous on a CP-80 is further testament to his artistry
- Rick rules!