01	Statue Of Justice			R. Wakeman			06:20
	02	Crime Of Passion			R. Wakeman			05:44
	03	Chamber Of Horrors			R. Wakeman			06:40
	04	Birdman Of Alcatraz			R. Wakeman			04:13
	05	The Breathalyser			R. Wakeman			03:53
	06	Judias Iscariot			R. Wakeman			12:15

Rick Wakeman's Criminal Record ( 1977)


Catalogue
Type Cat No. Label Country
Vinyl LP AMLK 64660 A&M UK
Cassette CKM64660 A&M UK
Vinyl LP SP4660 A&M USA
CD D32Y3127 A&M Japan
Vinyl LP 394 660-1 A&M Germany

Track List
Title Length
1 Statue of Justice 6' 20"
2 Crime of Passion 5' 46"
3 Chamber of Horrors 6' 40"
4 Birdman of Alcatraz 4' 12"
5 The Breathalyser 3' 51"
6 Judas Iscariot 12' 15"

Artist List
Name Instrument
Rick Wakeman Keyboards
Alan White Drums
Ars Laeta of Lausanne Choir
Bill Oddie Vocals
Chris Squire Bass
Frank Riccotti Percussion


Additional Information
Studios:
 Mountain Studios, Montreux, Switzerland during Apr/Jun 1977.
 Choir recorded at Eglise De Planches, Montreux

Engineering:
 John Timperley
 Dave Richards (1/3)

Equipment
 Steinway 9' Grand Piano
 Mini-Moog Synthesizer
 Poly-Moog Synthesizer
 Hammond C3 Organ
 Birotron
 Mander Pipe Organ
 RMI Computer Keyboard
 Harpsichord
 Fender Rhodes 88 Electric Piano
 Hohner Clavinet
 Baldwin Electric Harpsichord
 Church Organ


Reviews
Ron Grech on 27/08/2002 [Other reviews by Ron Grech ]

I heard this album for the first time today. I literally had tears in my eyes listening to Birdman of Alcatraz. What a wonderful collection of music. This album is as good, maybe even better than Six Wives of Henry VIII.

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Tim Boudewijn van der Wart on 30/03/2002 [Other reviews by Tim Boudewijn van der Wart ]

If there were any academy-awards for best album Rick would win these for this album every year again! The first half of the album consists of three very beautiful, versatile and energetic pieces of perfect Wakeman keyboard art And the second part really knocks you off your socks every time you listen to it. Birdman of Alcatraz is probably his best pure piano composition, the Breathalyser is a fast and striking keyboard piece with a funny vocal ending, and Judas Iscariot is...it is so amazingly good that it can make you cry over and over again. This album is unquestionably a top three album if not number one in the Wakeman album charts!

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John Chivers on 16/01/2002 [Other reviews by John Chivers ]

This is the album that first got me in to Rick's music (and consequently Yes). Recorded at the same time as Awaken (my favourite Yes track), this album is Rick's finest. I saw it once on CD (Japanese import), but didn't buy it immediately and it was gone when I went back! Finally found it on vinyl. Judas Iscariot is simply wonderful - the sheer power of the church organ, together with the choir is awesome and beautiful. I'd like to see Rick do more albums like this. Note its place in the favourite albums poll, despite how rare it is.

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T Jordan on 12/01/2002 [Other reviews by T Jordan ]

On this album you'll hear piano,synthesizer and church organ. Judas Iscariot without doubt is the best track with all the above instruments and that amazing church choir. Time may pass but everytime I play this track it is guaranteed to give me goose bumps. I remember hearing Rick playing the church organ when I first heard Awaken and Parallels on the Yes album Going For The One. If you can find this album,BUY IT!

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Matias Mendez Lopez on 18/09/2001 [Other reviews by Matias Mendez Lopez ]

The best Rick Wakeman album I've ever heard. I think it has some of the most beautyful piano pieces and arrangements. I love "Birdman of Alcatraz". Just a MASTERPIECE.

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Nic Neufeld on 12/10/2000 [Other reviews by Nic Neufeld ]

Rick Wakeman's BEST Record! (Although possibly tied with Six Wives of Henry VIII for that title.) An EXCELLENT album, showing Rick Wakeman's diversity extremely well. Statue of Justice starts on some jazzy piano stuff and eventual dives into some Hammond organ pyrotechnics reminiscent of Catherine Parr. Birdman of Alcatraz is a beautiful piano piece with gorgeous melodies. Judas Iscariot is a wonderfully deep piece, using a church organ and choir. Rather dark, albeit excellent. Overall probably his best work in my eyes.

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Max Hult on 29/02/2000 [Other reviews by Max Hult ]

I was really lucky to find this vinyl in perfect condition, with a promo stamp on it, for a low cost... this is a really entertaining album, with many great tracks... this album seems to be underestimated, as almost no tracks appear on any "greatest" record... Voyage contains "Judas Iscariot", though, which I think is the highlight of this Criminal Record... Rick's accompanying piano playing through the album is truly great, but this album contains a few weaker points too...

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Bjorn Olaf Syvertsen on 04/12/1997 [Other reviews by Bjorn Olaf Syvertsen ]

This record is truely great. "Judas Iscariot" is my favourite Rick Wakeman recording ever (admittedly I've not heard them all - who has?). That track alone is more than reason enough to buy this record. And the rest of the album is good as well, particularly "Statue of Justice", "Chamber of Horrors" and "Birdman of Alcatraz". Need I say more?

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Jon Leaffe on 08/11/1997 [Other reviews by Jon Leaffe ]

Perhaps the finest fusion of Rick's talents as a performer, composer and arranger. All the classical, rock and electronic techniques coming together for a focused, dynamic, exhilirating experience. Even though the work deals with some of mankind's most evil personalities, it never falls into mere shock or morbidness. For me, the most moving is the mini-epic: Judas Iscariot, surely the most reviled and perhaps misunderstood man in history. Rick gives this tragedy one of his most intense treatments, on one hand grandiose and on the other a feeling for the true torment that Judas must have felt (the worst thing about committing a crime is being aware of it). If you are new to the works of Mr. Wakeman, this is an excellent introduction!

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Fernando Larrea on 01/11/1997 [Other reviews by Fernando Larrea ]

Probably the best Rick Wakeman's album. A perfect balance between rock and classical, acoustic and electronic, rocky and intimate music. The melodies are wonderful, with a great collaboration of harmonies, rythms and instrumentation. After several beautiful and vital songs, the jewel of the collection arrives: "Judas Iscariot" is a long piece of music, in which a church organ combines perfectly with piano and syntethizer, and with a chorus. Emotionally powerful, profound and evocative, this piece is one of the major musical points of reference in Rick's career.

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Tom Brenny on 24/09/1997 [Other reviews by Tom Brenny ]

An album that has everything; the power of the church organ of 'Judas' (great for haunted houses), poignancy of the overdubbed pianos on 'Birdman...', humour of 'Breathalizer', and heavy electronics of side 1. Great production, performances, and the most melodic bass line I've ever heard (Chamber of Horrors). Great album!

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Mats Landstrom on 22/09/1997 [Other reviews by Mats Landstrom ]

Wonderful. Backed by Alan White and Chris Squire who were at their peak then, the first side is a feast for keyboard fans. Maybe not as hot as the first album, but the sound is bigger. As for "Judas Iscariot", well the only thing I can say is that that song, including Rick's best church organ work ever, as well as a big choir, gives me everything I want in music. Power, beauty, emotion!

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Levente Toth on 21/04/1997 [Other reviews by Levente Toth ]

A stunning, mainly instrumental album - baroque influences, dynamic keyboard lines, imaginative arrangements, wide symphonic passages. The last track takes the listener into a different sound universe- it is a dramatic, yet uplifting choral piece, where the tone of the music, the exquisite textures succeed to portray the controversial figure of Judas Iscariot.


c Rick Wakeman/RWCC/Wayne Smith 1995-2003