White Rock (album) explained

White Rock is the second soundtrack album by English keyboardist Rick Wakeman, released in January 1977 by A&M Records.^[2] It was produced as the soundtrack to White Rock, a 1977 documentary film about the 1976 Winter Olympics held in Innsbruck, Austria.^{[3] [4]}

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

Recording

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

The Pittsburgh Press wrote that the album "is electronic, popular and interesting... Wakeman plays more keyboards than most people know exist."^[5]

Track listing

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

Music

• Rick Wakeman – Moog synthesiser, Steinway grand piano, Mellotron, Mander pipe organ, RMI Computer Piano, marimba, RMI Rock-Si-Chord, Hohner clavinet, Fender Rhodes piano, Hammond C3 organ, grand piano,
• St Paul's Cathedral Choir
• Tony Fernandez – drums, percussion

Production

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

Notes and References

1. Book: The Rolling Stone Illustrated History of Rock & Roll: The Definitive History . 1992 . Random House . 499.
2. Book: The Great Rock Discography. 1995. 878 . 9780862415419 . Strong . Martin Charles . Canongate Press .
3. Web site: White Rock [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack] - Rick Wakeman | Songs, Reviews, Credits ]. AllMusic. 10 May 2022.
4. Book: Romano . Will . Prog Rock FAQ: All That's Left to Know About Rock's Most Progressive Music . 2014 . Hal Leonard Corporation . 9781617136207 .
5. News: Allan . William . World of Records . The Pittsburgh Press . Feb 20, 1977 . F8.
6. Book: Kent, David. David Kent (historian). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. illustrated. Australian Chart Book. St Ives, N.S.W.. 1993. 0-646-11917-6.