NEM#219: Oliver Wakeman Beyond the Keyboard

Nakedly Examined Music Podcast

Oliver is the son of Yes keyboard wizard Rick Wakeman, and has not shied from this association, displaying similar sounds and chops, and serving as Yes’ keyboardist himself for four years. His work has in part played in this prog rock space, creating concept albums with Clive Nolan, working with Yes’ Steve Howe and Peter Banks, and playing with Starcastle and (another band his father used to be in) Strawbs. However, he’s also created a few explicitly New Age albums, the Oliver Wakeman Band seems more centered on hard rock, and Oliver has an evident love for ’80s power ballads.

We discuss “Golden Sun in Grey” from Anam Cara (2024) (feat. Hayley Griffiths singing), “Is This the Last Song I Write?” from Ravens and Lullabies (2013) (an album credited to Gordon Giltrap and Oliver Wakeman; the vocals are by Paul Manzi), and “Mind Over Matter” from The 3 Ages of Magick (2001) (an album credited to Oliver Wakeman with Steve Howe). End song: “To the Moment” by Yes from From a Page (recorded 2010, released 2019). The intro is “Diving” from Oliver’s first album, Heaven’s Isle (1997). More at oliverwakeman.co.uk.

Watch the videos for Oliver’s new singles “Miss You Now” and “Inside of my Fear.” Watch Oliver play one of his Yes songs solo during the pandemic. Hear the first album Oliver did with my previous guest Clive Nolan (featuring Rick Wakeman reading poetry), Jaberwocky. Hear the harder rock side of Oliver’s output with a song we mention, “The Agent,” from the live album Coming to Town. An Asia-like tune from its source album Mother’s Ruin (2005) is “Walk Away.” Watch that band live playing an Oliver-heavy instrumental. Watch Oliver and Gordon Giltrap live playing another song we mention, “Credit Carnival.” Watch Yes with Oliver live in 2011. Here’s Oliver with Starcastle in 2009. Here’s a song by another band Oliver played with, Light Freedom Revival.

Sponsor: Give online therapy a try at BetterHelp.com/nakedly.

Hear more Nakedly Examined Music. Like our Facebook page. Support us on Patreon.