Rick Wakeman ‘thrilled’ to make UK chart history with his new album

Featuring interpretations of a variety of rock classics and traditional songs in the ivory-tinkling format, ‘Piano Portraits’ has become the first solo piano album ever to reach the UK Top 10.

Reacting to the feat, Rick said: "If I’m really honest I’m amazed to see it in the top 10, but I am genuinely thrilled that so many people have taken Piano Portraits to their hearts, especially as every performance on the record emanated from my heart.”

Recorded at The Old Granary in South Norfolk, ‘Piano Portraits’ boasts two David Bowie classics that Rick originally performed on – the seminal ‘Life on Mars’ and Bowie’s breakthrough smash ‘Space Oddity’.

Other renditions include Led Zeppelin’s ‘Stairway To Heaven’, The Beatles’ ‘Help’ and ‘Eleanor Rigby’, 10CC’s ‘I’m Not In Love’ and Yes’s Jon Anderson penned anthem ‘Wonderous Stories’. There is also an original composition entitled 'Dance of the Damselflies'.

Rick plans to take the album on the road later this year, however, in the meantime he’s currently gearing up for Anderson, Rabin and Wakeman’s 10-date UK tour this March.

Performing “an evening of Yes music and more”, you can get tickets to ARW’s tour from Planet Rock Tickets now.

The ‘Piano Portraits’ track-listing is as follows:

1. Help
2. Stairway to Heaven
3. Life on Mars
4. I’m Not In Love
5. Wonderous Stories
6. Berceuse
7. Amazing Grace
8. Swan Lake
9. Morning Has Broken
10. Summertime
11. Space Oddity
12. Dance of the Damselflies
13. Clair de Lune
14. Vow To Thee My Country
15. Eleanor Rigby