Sir Rick doesn’t do things by halves – hence an 11-track DVD of this gig also seeing release, with interviews and backstage tour by the man himself. The nine tracks here, meanwhile, see him in magisterial form.
The original six-track album is bolstered by two new bookend titles and a re-imagined out-take, focusing on Henry VIII, whose ascendancy to the throne 500 years before was commemorated by the king of the keys. Wakeman is backed by a band featuring the likes of Ray Cooper (tablas and shades), plus a full orchestra and choir.
Rendered at Henry’s Hampton Court, the gig kicked off with a parping overture, Tudorture 1485, before the perky Catherine Of Aragon, a sweeping, sweet reflection on Henry’s first significant other. The 12 minutes of Kathryn Howard (probably as much as Henry mustered) mixes lovely trills with vaudeville touches, before the grandiose chorale and harpsichord tones of Jane Seymour. Defender Of The Faith rocks on with captivating backing and a climactic finale, before Katherine Parr, with brass and traditional airs to the fore. Annes Cleves and Boleyn offer refinement before the grand reprise of Tudorock, bringing a historic show to a close.
