Exposé Online banner

The Oliver Wakeman Band — Coming to Town: Live in Katowice
(Metal Mind MMP DVD 0137, 2008, DVD)

by Paul Hightower, Published 2009-07-01

Coming to Town: Live in Katowice Cover artYes fans are probably aware that Rick Wakeman’s son Oliver has been playing keyboards on their recent tour, and for those curious to see what his own band looks and sounds like here’s your chance. Filmed in Katowice, Poland (yet another Metal Mind Production!), this DVD presents Wakeman and his band (Paul Manzi: vocals, David Mark Pearce: guitars, Paul Brown: bass, Dave Wagstaffe: drums) running through about an hour and a half of material, half drawn from 2005’s Mother’s Ruin and the rest from the Clive Nolan collaborations Hound of the Baskervilles and Jabberwocky. Some may be surprised by the aggressive and almost metal-tinged sound of the band (particularly Pearce’s Ritchie Blackmore-inspired approach) on songs “Don’t Come Running” or “The Agent,” where Wakeman rips through an electrified solo a la Derek Sherinian. Oliver’s pedigree is on display in the slower, more balladesque songs like “Mother’s Ruin” where the use of busy-fingered filigrees reveal his father’s tutelage. The DVD includes some clunkers, like Munzi’s attempts to get the crowd engaged in some audience participation, and songs like “I Don’t Believe in Angels” demonstrate that Wakeman has some maturing to do as a composer and lyricist. But he’s undeniably talented (if a bit stiff as a performer), and his band do an admirable job overall. This DVD is on par with past Metal Mind productions and the sound, lighting and camera work are uniformly excellent, plus you get a chatty interview. He is a Wakeman, after all.

Filed under: New releases, Issue 37, 2008 releases

Related artist(s): Oliver Wakeman

Latest news

2021-04-01
New Aristocrats Live Album on the Way – No foolin'! These supreme musicians toured Europe early in 2020, just before touring ceased to be a thing musicians could do, and there were some hot performances captured. On May 7, some of these will be releases as Freeze! Live in Europe 2020. » Read more

2021-03-25
Return of Jerry Lucky's Progressive Rock Files – After much consideration and surprisingly, positive feedback, Jerry Lucky is announcing the launch of the progressive Rock Files podcast, featuring the latest progressive rock music from around the world. » Read more

2021-03-14
Jewlia Eisenberg RIP – The sad news has come out that Jewlia Eisenberg has died. As a founding member of Charming Hostess, Eisenberg changed the face of music, bringing together Balkan klezmer, American folk, and experimental rock in a distinctive blend that garnered much praise. » Read more

2021-03-11
RIP Roger Trigaux – The sad news has come to our attention that Roger Trigaux, the guiding force of Present and former member of Univers Zero, passed away on the evening of March 10, 2021 after a long ilness. » Read more

2021-02-14
SoundQuest Fest 2021 – SoundQuest Fest, first experienced as a live festival in Tucson Arizona in 2010 was created by ambient music pioneer Steve Roach. This 2021 event will unite a worldwide gathering of artists and audience members together for a 3-day online event unique in the realm of ambient music. From March 26-28th a continuous flow of streamed performances, audio-video wonder worlds and deep immersion zones will burn bright on Roach’s YouTube channel. » Read more

More news

Previously in Exposé...

Lacrymosa - Joy of the Wrecked Ship – It’s been quite a long time since S. Chihiro (flip through an issue of Marquee, he's the one with the bass and the weird helmets) and company have released a full album – about ten...  (1994) » Read more

Random review

Listen & discover

McStine and Minnemann Invite You to Get with the Program

More recommendations
The Eighteenth Dream of Dr. Sardonicus Festival 2019

Print issues