For Immediate Release

Keyboard Virtuoso Oliver Wakeman To Release New Album “Anam Cara” on May 17, 2024

Spirit of Unicorn Music are delighted to announce the release of “Anam Cara”, the eleventh studio album from piano and keyboard virtuoso, OLIVER WAKEMAN.

Award-winning Oliver, eldest son of the legendary Rick Wakeman, is one of progressive rock’s hardest working musicians. He has appeared on over 60 albums and has performed in just about every corner of the globe! He was a member of prog rock veterans YES and has also toured and recorded with The Strawbs, as well as being responsible for a number of well-received collaborations with the likes of Steve Howe, Gordon Giltrap and Clive Nolan – to name but a few.

2023 saw Wakeman return to the studio to write and record “Anam Cara”, a project which actually began life prior to his joining Yes. However, the pressures of touring and recording meant that the song ideas and snippets had to be set aside for the right moment. Finally, last year Oliver was able to carve out time to develop the project and bring it to fruition.

Wakeman says “‘Anam Cara’ refers to the Celtic concept of having a Soul Friend.” Indeed, the album boasts an intriguing mix of Celtic rock and progressive tendencies. The collection of ten tracks spans beautiful, lamenting ballads, atmospheric rock songs along with epic tracks.

Wakeman is known for his love of creative diversity, making every album he writes differ from the last. He continues “The songs I’ve written for this album are all short stories. They have allowed my imagination to run riot. It was also the perfect excuse to call upon some of the finest musicians around who have helped me make this record exceed my expectations.”

The album features a stellar collection of musicians who contribute to a multitude of musical styles, bringing each vignette to life. Amongst these are Hayley Griffiths (Riverdance), Troy Donockley (Nightwish), Oliver Day (Fragile) and Scott Higham (Pendragon).

The album has been mixed by Karl Groom (Threshold) and recorded by John Mitchell (It Bites, Frost*, Lonely Robot). Album artwork is by world renowned artist Anne Sudworth.

Wakeman concludes, “The idea of a Soul Friend – a guide, companion, teacher, compassionate presence – seemed to fit so perfectly with the songs I have written.  As for the incredible musicians who have helped me to record this album, they have all truly become Soul Friends.”

Watch the promotional video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rBz3tsuJVE

“Anam Cara” will be released on May 17th and will be available on CD or via streaming services. It is released on Spirit of Unicorn Music and can be obtained via Cherry Red Records.

Musicians Featured on the album are:
Oliver Wakeman : keyboards, piano, guitars
Hayley Griffiths : vocals
Troy Donockley : pipes, whistle
Oliver Day : acoustic guitars, lute, mandolin
Scott Higham : drums and percussion
David Mark Pearce : electric guitar
Robert McClung : violin
Steve Amadeo : bass guitar
Mick Allport : saxophone, clarinet

“Anam Cara” – Track Listing:
1. The View From Here
2. The Queen’s Lament
3. Here In My Heart
4. 1000 Autumns
5. Marble Arch
6. In The Moonlight
7. Miss You Now
8. Instead Of My Fear
9. Lonely
10. Golden Sun In Grey

Pre-Orders can be placed here:
https://burningshed.com/store/oliverwakeman
https://www.cherryred.co.uk/oliver-wakeman-anam-cara-cd

ABOUT OLIVER WAKEMAN
Eldest son of Rick Wakeman, Oliver filled the keyboard role, once held by his father, with YES from 2008 to 2011. His work with YES includes the triple live album “In The Present – Live From Lyon”, “Fly From Here” and the “From A Page” box set. During his tenure with YES, Wakeman also toured and recorded as a member of The Strawbs. Wakeman’s debut album “Heaven’s Isle” (1997) was inspired by the island of Lundy. He has since released a number of solo and Oliver Wakeman Band albums. Oliver has released a number of collaborations with several renowned musicians, including Clive Nolan, guitar legend Gordon Giltrap and Steve Howe, bandmate to both Oliver and his father in YES.

For further information contact:
Sarah Ewing at TASK Agency: sarah@taskagency.co.uk/ 07947 400 510

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158 (USA), glassonyonpr@gmail.com

For Immediate Release

Oliver Wakeman Releases “Collaborations” Teaser Video For His New 3CD Box Set

3CD Box Set including re-issues of “The 3 Ages of Magick” with Steve Howe & “Ravens & Lullabies” with Gordon Giltrap

Oliver Wakeman has the honour of being one of the few musicians to have performed and recorded with some of Prog Rock’s most respected guitarists.

A new teaser video featuring music from all three albums featuring performances from Steve Howe, Gordon Giltrap and Paul Manzi is now available to view on Oliver’s YouTube channel.

Oliver says, “Having a teaser video available really allows the listener to get a feel for the differing styles between the three albums and how, surprisingly, they complement each other. Putting this video together reminded me just how pleased I was with these albums. Hopefully this gives the music a chance to reach a new audience as well appealing to those who might already have the originals but are interested in the other projects and the bonus material contained in the Box Set.”

Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/1GvGJiCbgL8

Back in 2001, many years before he became a member of YES, Oliver and guitarist Steve Howe worked together on the “The 3 Ages of Magick” album. Supplemented by an array of talented musicians, this album became a hidden gem in the YES family tree of recordings.

Following his tenure in the keyboard seat for YES in from 2008 to 2011, Oliver teamed up with another British guitar legend, Gordon Giltrap, to record their award winning “Ravens & Lullabies” album, a collection of rock and acoustic tracks featuring the singers Paul Manzi (SWEET) and Benoit David (YES).

20 years following its original release, “The 3 Ages of Magick” is teamed with the album “Ravens & Lullabies” in the new “Collaborations” 3CD Box Set. Including remastered versions of both albums along with the previously unreleased acoustic live album, “From a Stage” features music from Wakeman & Giltrap’s many years of performing together across the UK.

The “Collaborations” box set, comprising 3CDs each with a 16-page booklet and individual art prints of the sleeves, will be released by Burning Shed on 11th April.

“The 3 Ages of Magick”, released in 2001, is an instrumental album based in the style of the great 70’s prog solo records. Featuring Steve Howe across 11 of its 13 tracks, the album is both gentle and outlandish in equal measure. The album, based on stories from British folklore, utilises traditional instruments to help tell each story. This remastered version also includes 3 bonus tracks not available on the original release.

10 years later, Oliver and another legendary guitarist, Gordon Giltrap, joined forces after meeting at one of his father’s (Rick Wakeman) Christmas concerts in which they both performed.

“Ravens & Lullabies” allowed Oliver and Gordon to intertwine their acoustic musical abilities in the Lullabies section of the record. The Ravens aspect of the album allowed Gordon to be re-introduced to the Prog community in which he had been a leading figure during his heyday when releasing albums such as “Fear Of The Dark” and “Perilous Journey” (which contained his hit song “Heartsong”). This remastered version also features the bonus studio tracks, “The Forgotten King”, “Bach’s Praeludium” and a new version of Gordon’s classic “Roots” which were only included on the limited-edition double disc release of the original. Also included is a new recording, a piano and classical guitar version of Oliver’s track “The Wedding Approaches”.

This box set package also includes a third disc, “From a Stage”. During the lockdown, Oliver was approached by the sound engineer from one of the Giltrap/Wakeman concerts to say he had found a multitrack recording from a Christmas concert Oliver and Gordon had performed at along with special guest Paul Manzi (SWEET). This allowed a great opportunity to put together the live album “From a Stage” featuring Oliver and Gordon’s interpretations of songs from their collective 20+ years of back catalogues. Including the warmth and musical interplay that became a trademark for their often sold out shows, the recording features songs such as “Heartsong”, “Glimmer of Light” & “Roots”.

The “Collaborations” box set contains 3 CDs each with 16-page booklets including lyrics, previously unseen artwork and many stories behind the creativity of Wakeman and Giltrap. The first 250 box sets will also include the 4th art print of the box set cover numbered and signed by Oliver Wakeman.

“Collaborations” will be released by Burning Shed on 11th April. You can pre-order the set here: https://burningshed.com/store/oliverwakeman

About Oliver Wakeman
Eldest son of prog legend Rick, Wakeman filled the keyboard role, once held by his father, with YES from 2008 to 2011. His work with YES includes the triple live album in “In The Present – Live From Lyon,” “Fly From Here” and the “From A Page” box set featuring recordings from his time in the band released in 2019. During his tenure with YES, Wakeman also toured and recorded as a member of The Strawbs. Wakeman’s debut album (1997) “Heaven’s Isle” was inspired by the island of Lundy, and he has since released a number of solo and Oliver Wakeman Band albums.  He has also released several collaborations with renowned musicians, including Clive Nolan, Steve Howe, bandmate to both Oliver and his father in YES, as well as writing and recording with guitar legend Gordon Giltrap. Oliver is currently working on his latest album “Anam Cara” due for release in late 2022.

For more information:
Website: www.oliverwakeman.co.uk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/OliverWakeman/
Twitter: @OliverWakeman
Instagram: www.instagram.com/oliverwakemanmusic/

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, Billy James, PH: 1-828-350-8158 (US), glassonyonpr@gmail.com