Rick is probably just as well known for his work on piano as he is for his extravaganzas whilst behind a multitude of keyboards, and this is a very rare collection of some classic performances.

Some are not in great condition sadly because of the nature of the condition of the original apes when found indeed much had to be completely discarded and will be sadly lost for ever. However, with the aid of very advanced computer software, the odd minor miracle has been produced in order to create this album of piano works.

SOPHIE FOR JOY was written for Rick's daughter Jemma before she was born. Rick felt that she would "appear" a baby girl and an initial name had been chosen of Sophie.

At that time Rick was recording an album entitled "Cost of Living" and upon hearing the news that his wife was pregnant, went into the studio, sat down at the piano and asked the engineer to switch the tape machine into record. In his own words "I closed my eyes and then played exactly as I felt". Exhilarated and unable to put into words what he knew he could in music, he played for more than ten minutes before getting up from the piano, walking to the pub, and drinking a large bottle of champagne!

There was no more recording that day. In a typical "Wakeman" change of mind, his daughter was born the following February in 1983 and christened Jemma!

The second track on this CD is a home recording and it is amazing that it has survived at all having been record on a very cheap reel to reel tape recorded which Rick used in the early seventies to make his demo recordings. This is the recording of the very first demo of Merlin The Magician and was made in early 1975 The Nursery Rhyme Concerto has become a classic for stage performance on the theatre tours and no piano based CD would be complete with a version on board.

In the late seventies, Rick made a whole series of demos at his home in Switzerland ion his piano of which sadly only four had survived. These have been re-mastered and have now been given the title of "The Swiss Suite".

Finally there is the much requested Barber of Wigan that has never before appeared on any album. Recorded with the great operatic tenor, Ramon Remedios, this a rare captured piece of comical classical history. As it was recorded directly to the desk, it is almost impossible to hear the audience reaction, but it is likely that you will not miss it as you are likely to be too busy laughing yourself.