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White Rock (album)

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White Rock
Studio album by
Rick Wakeman
ReleasedJanuary 1977
RecordedJanuary–September 1976
StudioAdvision Studios, Fitzrovia and The Music Centre, Wembley
GenreProgressive rock
Length34:52
LabelA&M[1]
ProducerRick Wakeman
Rick Wakeman chronology
No Earthly Connection
(1976) 		White Rock
(1977) 		Rick Wakeman's Criminal Record
(1977)
Singles from Lisztomania
  1. "White Rock"
    Released: June 1977 (US)[2]

White Rock is the second soundtrack album by English keyboardist Rick Wakeman, released in January 1977 by A&M Records.[3] It was produced as the soundtrack to White Rock, a 1977 documentary film about the 1976 Winter Olympics held in Innsbruck, Austria.[4][5]

In 1999, Wakeman released a sequel soundtrack, White Rock II.

Recording[edit]

Wakeman had forgotten about a track he had been asked to compose, titled "After the Ball". Instead of confessing to the producers that he forgot to write something, he said he had a composition ready and proceeded to play a completely improvised track. The first take was a success, without the need to record a second take. "After the Ball" has become part of Wakeman's repertoire, featured on several future albums and videos.

"Ice Run" uses parts of "Anne of Cleves", a track from Wakeman's first album, The Six Wives of Henry VIII (1973). The comparison can be made by listening to "Anne of Cleves" at 00:48 and "Ice Run" at 3:29.

Critical reception[edit]

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[4]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music[6]
The New Rolling Stone Record Guide[7]

The Pittsburgh Press wrote that the album "is electronic, popular and interesting... Wakeman plays more keyboards than most people know exist."[8]

Track listing[edit]

Side one

  1. "White Rock" – 3:10
  2. "Searching for Gold" – 4:20
  3. "The Loser" – 5:30
  4. "The Shoot" – 3:59

Side two

  1. "Lax'x" – 4:53
  2. "After the Ball" – 3:03
  3. "Montezuma's Revenge" (traditional) – 3:56
  4. "Ice Run" – 6:11

Personnel[edit]

Music

Production

  • Rick Wakeman – production, arrangements
  • Paul Hardiman – mastering
  • Richard Lewzey – assistant on "After the Ball" and "Montezuma's Revenge"
  • Ken Thomas – tape operator

Charts[edit]

Chart (1977) Peak
position
Australian Albums (Kent Music Report)[9] 38
Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM)[10] 69
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)[11] 12
UK Albums (OCC)[12] 14
US Billboard 200[13] 126

Certifications[edit]

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[14] Silver 60,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References[edit]

  1. ^ The Rolling Stone Illustrated History of Rock & Roll: The Definitive History. Random House. 1992. p. 499.
  2. ^ Strong, Martin Charles (18 August 1995). The Great Rock Discography. Canongate Press. p. 878. ISBN 9780862415419.
  3. ^ Strong, Martin Charles (1995). The Great Rock Discography. Canongate Press. p. 878. ISBN 9780862415419.
  4. ^ a b "White Rock [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack] - Rick Wakeman | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  5. ^ Romano, Will (2014). Prog Rock FAQ: All That's Left to Know About Rock's Most Progressive Music. Hal Leonard Corporation. ISBN 9781617136207.
  6. ^ Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 8. MUZE. p. 474.
  7. ^ The New Rolling Stone Record Guide. Random House. 1983. p. 533.
  8. ^ Allan, William (20 February 1977). "World of Records". The Pittsburgh Press. p. F8.
  9. ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  10. ^ "Top RPM Albums: Issue 5278b". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved October 5, 2023.
  11. ^ "Norwegiancharts.com – Rick Wakeman – White Rock". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 5, 2023.
  12. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 5, 2023.
  13. ^ "Rick Wakeman Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved October 5, 2023.
  14. ^ "British album certifications – Rick Wakeman – White Rock". British Phonographic Industry.
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