Wakeman’s first solo album is a fantastic, instrumental journey that brings the historical figures of Henry VIII’s six wives back to life again.
Soon after joining Yes, Rick Wakeman was approached by A&M co-founder Jerry Moss to record a solo album. Wakeman, who had been toying with the idea of writing music based on the book The Private Life of Henry VIII, began sketching out pieces around the personalities of Henry and his six wives (the music for Henry himself was later scrapped). Thus began a love affair between English history and keyboard prog that continues to this day for Wakeman and his fans.
The Six Wives of Henry VIII is possibly the single greatest keyboard prog album ever written. Every song plays out like a rollercoaster of emotion and adventure, infused with humor and humanity and featuring an array of keyboards that are perfectly woven into complex, full-bodied arrangements. Every time I listen to this album, it brings me joy. Catherine of Aragon, Anne of Cleves and the rest of these storied ladies arrive like old friends.
While the earlier “Cans And Brahms” (from Fragile) was a pleasant enough diversion, The Six Wives of Henry VIII fully reveals the genius of Rick Wakeman for the first time. It’s my favorite of the Yes solo records (Olias of Sunhillow is a close runner-up), although Six Wives actually sounds more like a Yes/ELP hybrid. Wakeman and Keith Emerson are both sonic architects/saboteurs who can create grand cathedrals of sound and dismantle them in an instant with humor. It’s a process that Wakeman repeats with breathtaking ease on Six Wives, so that, despite the sheer number of notes on this record, each has its proper place.
Yes fans and the comparatively smaller number of Strawbs fans will no doubt pore over the musicians’ credits with interest. In the honorable mention department, Alan White is terrific on this album, and the cameos from Dave Cousins and Dave Wintour are also highlights.
The Players:
Rick Wakeman (keyboards), Mike Egan (guitar), Frank Ricotti (percussion), Alan White (drums) with Bill Bruford (drums on A1/B2), Ray Cooper (percussion on A1/B2), Dave Cousins (electric banjo on A3), Chas Cronk (bass on A3), Barry de Souza (drums on A3), Steve Howe (guitar on A1), Les Hurdle (bass on A1/B5), Dave Lambert (guitar on A3), Laura Lee (vocals on B2), Sylvia McNeill (vocals on B2), Judy Powell (vocals on A1), Barry St. John (vocals on A1), Chris Squire (bass on A1), Liza Strike (vocals on A1/B2), Dave Winter (Wintour) (bass on A2/B3). Produced by Rick Wakeman; mixed by Ken Scott, Paul Tregurtha, Dave Henshall (Hentschel) (A2); engineered by Paul Tregurtha and Ken Scott (A1/B3).

Released on elpee, quadraphonic elpee, cassette and 8-track on January 23, 1973 in the UK (A&M, ALMH/CAM-64361), the US and Canada (A&M, SP/QU5/8T-4361), Germany (A&M, 86 560 IT) and Japan (A&M, AML-173) with gatefold cover; reached #7 on the UK charts and #20 on the US charts (RIAA-certified gold record).

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