Narrated by Patrick Stewart

London Symphony Orchestra: Conducted by David Snell

English Chamber Choir: Conducted by Guy Protheroe

Guest Vocals:
Justin Hayward, Ozzy Osbourne, Katrina Leskanich, Trevor Rabin, Bonnie Tyler, Tony Mitchell

Keyboards: Rick Wakeman
Guitar: Fraser Thorneycroft-Smith
Bass Guitar: Phil Williams
Drums: Simon Hanson

Guitar solos on "Never Is A Long, Long Time": Trevor Rabin

Tracklisting:
1.    A Vision......................................................................... (2:34)
2.   The Return Overture................................................... (2:39)
3.   Mother Earth................................................................. (3:48)
a.   The Shadow Of June
b.   The Gallery
c.   The Avenue Of Prismed Light
d.   The Earthquake
4.   Buried Alive (Ozzy Osbourne).................................. (6:01)
5.   The Enigma..................................................................... (1:18)
6.   Is Anybody There? (Bonnie Tyler)............................. (6:35)
7.   The Ravine..................................................................... (0:49)
8.   The Dance Of A Thousand Lights............................... (5:41)
9.   The Shepherd................................................................. (2:01)
10.  Mr. Slow (Tony Mitchell).......................................... (3:47)
11.   Bridge Of Time.............................................................. (1:12)
12.  Never Is A Long, Long Time (Trevor Rabin).......... (5:19)
13.  Tales From The Ledenbrook Sea................................ (2:57)
a.    River Of Hope
b.   Hunter And Hunted
c.    Fight For Life
14.  The Kill.......................................................................... (5:23)
15.  Timeless History.......................................................... (1:10)
16.   Still Waters Run Deep (Justin Hayward)................. (5:21)
17.  Time within Time......................................................... (2:39)
a.    The Ebbing Tide
b.   The Electric Storm
18.   Ride Of Your Life (Katrina Leskanich).................... (6:01)
19.   Floating......................................................................... (1:59)
a.     Globes Of Fire
b.    Cascades Of Fear
20.  Floodflames................................................................ (2:00)
21.   The Volcano................................................................. (2:10)
a.     Tongues Of Fire
b.     The Blue Mountains
22.   The End Of The Return............................................. (5:23)

Way back in the not to distant past, well, 1974 to be precise, a young keyboard player, who was already making a name for himself, not only as a member of Progressive Rock Band - YES, but as a solo artist too. Having released the highly acclaimed album "The Six Wives Of Henry VIII" the previous year. The name of this up and coming star was namely Rick Wakeman and with the release of the album "Journey To The Centre Of The Earth", based on the novel by Jules Verne, Wakeman blended classical and rock music together with a full orchestra and a narrator to tell you at the beginning of each track as to where you were in the story.

Well, since then Rick has released many albums as a solo artist and 25 years have passed and we now have the release of "Return To The Centre Of The Earth".

Rick has once again created a masterpiece. Oh, some of you may say, that this type of music is a little overblown and pompous and in some sense you may be right, but when you hear the quality of the material on offer, then who gives a damn. The fusion of classical and rock is seamless and with the excellent performances of the guest artists, this is surely to go down as a classic.

Besides the superfluous keyboard passages through out, the vocal performances by all are first class especially that of Ozzy, but the one thing that struck me most was the way in which the vocal tracks are placed on the album giving the album a real even flow.

Oh, and by the way, don't forget to check out the guitar solo by Trevor Rabin on "Never Is A long, Long Time", for further proof that classical and rock can stand side by side in perfect harmony, if you still need it.

O.K., 25 years may be a longtime to release a follow up, but make no mistake "Return To The Centre Of The Earth" is a work of pure class.
Highly Recommended!

Released By EMI Records (7243 5 56763 0)
EMI Website: http://www.emiclassics.com

Rick Wakeman Website: http://www.rwcc.com/