Cirque Surreal

Wakeman wrote this music to accompany performances of the Cirque Surreal, a modern, all-human circus employing high-caliber gymnasts and lighting effects. There are a variety of tracks, all of which are dominated by Wakeman's fine playing: uptempo rockers with screaming guitar solos, tuneful keyboard-led instrumentals, and a few slower pieces (one of which is, for some reason, punningly titled "Tubular Balls"). Four tracks feature vocals by Chrissie Hammond; the rest are instrumental. This is one of Wakeman's strongest rock band efforts since the '70s. ~ Stephen Raiteri