Rick Wakeman - Journey to the Centre of the Earth (DVD + CD)

Posted by ProductHit.com 20 August, 2008

Binding: DVD
Region: Region 1
Actor: Rick Wakeman
Format: Color, DVD-Video, NTSC
Run Time: 95 minutes
ASIN: B000069HXX
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Manufacturer: Classic Pictures
Release Date: 2002-07-30
Average Customer Review: (From 19 total reviews)
List Price: ~~$19.98~~
Amazon Price: $6.28 (3 new 2 used available)
You save: $13.7 (68.57%)

Price is accurate as of the date/time indicated. Prices and product availability are subject to change. Any price displayed on the Amazon web site at the time of purchase will govern the sale of this product.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com:
They should have named this DVD Journey to the Centre of the ’70s. Recorded before a huge Australian audience on February 4, 1975, this Rick Wakeman performance is precisely the kind of prog-rock pretentiousness that was so hilariously skewered in This Is Spinal Tap, and even Wakeman would have to agree it’s pretty cheesy in retrospect. As a time capsule, however, this is must-see TV for Wakeman completists, albeit diminished by technical shortcomings of mid-’70s video. Remastering for 5.1-channel Dolby can’t vastly improve the average recording–the Melbourne Philharmonic and Chamber Choir sound particularly muddy in this mix–so Wakeman fans will prefer the original Journey release to what is, essentially, an authorized video bootleg. Still, this is the only way to see the white-robed Wakeman in his solo prime, and offerings from his then-new King Arthur album (especially the fan-favorite “Merlin”) are impressive highlights. Keyboard wizardry doesn’t get any better, even when it’s haphazardly preserved from an age best forgotten. –Jeff Shannon

Description:
This spectacular 94-minute concert was recorded live with the Melbourne Philharmonic Orchestra in 1975, at the Sydney Myer Concert Bowl in Melbourne Australia to a 30,000 audience. This mammoth sell-out concert to tens of thousands was at the end of the ‘Journey Tour’ to promote the album Journey to the Centre of the Earth, which sold over 12,000,000 copies worldwide. The concert opens with the greatest hits from Rick’s biggest selling album The Six Wives of Henry VIII, followed by the complete ‘Journey’ and also includes hits from his then-new album King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. This is classic Rick Wakeman, one of the world’s finest keyboard players, at the very pinnacle of his legendary progressive rock career.

Customer Reviews

View it as a piece of history by progstock
As a few other reviewers have stated, you have to evaluate the DVD from two different perspectives: historical and qualitative.

From a historical perspective, it’s quite engaging and downright amazing. At times in the background, you can see two-man crews lugging the massive cameras ’round behind of the musicians. No handheld camera technology on this baby! Read the review titled, ” I was at that concert and lusted for a video copy for 26yrs” for some really interesting background about the equipment used, along with insights into Melbourne video capabilities of the era. It’s like watching the Beatles perform on The Ed Sullivan Show…you can put up with the corn pone because you’re watching history in the making. It’s just a pity none of the camera angles could get a shot of Wakeman’s piano hand.

From a qualitative perspective, the sound is nowhere as good as the vinyl edition featuring the London Philharmonic. The orchestra sounds unrehearsed and the chorus sounds at times like they’re not sure what key they should be chanting in. Where David Hemmings’ narration on the vinyl is dramatic without going over the top, on the DVD the narrator is way over the top and much too dominant. There are also equipment problems — at least one of Wakeman’s minimoogs goes waaay out of tune towards the end of the concert. I used to own an Arp 2600 with oscillators that could drift off a full semi-tone in only a few minutes, so I can only imagine the challenges faced with attempting to keep an entire bank of them in tune. So once again, I think this is an example of something you need to chalk up to the technology of the era and view within its historical context. If you’re able to do that, you’ll enjoy this piece of history. If you can’t get past the 70s technology issues, questionable sound quality and orchestral miscues, this video is not for you.

You had to be there . . . by Mr. IT
Just in case you missed it, there is a distinct split in the reviews of this product between those who were there and those who weren’t. Those who “WERE” tend to love this DVD. Those who “WEREN’T” don’t.

The words of the song say it so well,

“It was juvenile,

It was something wild.

Part of every child,

Yeah, you had to be there.

It was rough and tough,

It was peace and love,

All of the above,

Yeah, you had to be there.”*

Personally, I WAS there (Anaheim Convention Center 1975) and I loved this DVD. I think that if you “WERE” too you will . . . too!

* excerpted from “You Had To Be There” by Peter Frampton

GREAT ARCHIVAL MATERIAL !!! by JUAN MARTIN GABASTOU
Taken on a standalone basis,this is of huge historic value for sympho rock.Extremely well shot for the aussie TV in 75,the picture is OK exhibiting only minor flaws.The sound is not very good and features all kind of noises like mic saturations and audible vibrations especially along the softests passages.A very young long white robed Rick Wakeman with his earliest band is a delight to the eye,but the narrator leaves a lot to be wished especially if we compare it to the one on the cd (a nice bonus-optional subtitles).This is raw vintage live,no big philarmonic orchestra and the place is an open amphitheatre.If you?re looking for a filmed version of what you heard on the cd,forget it.But it?s a nice nostalgia addition to your DVD collection especially if you can find it in a bargain bin like I did.

youth revisited by laurie Atlas
My wife who is 9 years younger than me does not get my love for this DVD at all. But wow when I found out this was available I grabbed it not because I was there (infact I went to his concert in Perth which I am sure was better)but because as a tour it and he was the biggest thing around at the time.

Sure the sound is not great but its not hideous( buy the Barry White concert DVD if you want to hear hideous)its actually quite good.It is also a testament to the talent of Rick Wakeman who in his 70’s undertaking’s bit off far more than he could chew and then absolutely chewed like buggery.