WAKEMAN, RICK - JOURNEY TO THE CENTRE OF THE EARTH
- Format: (LP) Vinyl record 12"
- Executor: WAKEMAN, RICK
- Title: JOURNEY TO THE CENTRE OF THE EARTH
- Catalog number: AMLH63621
- A country: England
- Label: A&M
- Year of issue: 1974
- Complictation: FOC, BOOKLET
- Type of publication: FIRST PRESS
- Condition (record/cover): NMint/NMint
- Style: Prog Rock
- Rarity: star_rate
Rare British original. Journey to the Centre of the Earth is the third album of keyboardist Rick Wakeman, released on may 3, 1974 record label A&m Records. This is a live recording of the second of his two concerts at the Royal festival hall on 18 January 1974 premiere of his 40-minute orchestral rock piece based on the eponymous science fiction novel by Jules Verne in 1864 . It tells the story of a Professor Lidenbrok, his nephew Axel and their guide Hans, who follow a passage to the center of the Earth, initially opened Arne Saknussemm, an Icelandic alchemist . Wakeman performs with the London Symphony orchestra, English chamber choir and a select group of musicians for his rock band, which later became the English rock ensemble. Actor David Hemmings tells the story.
Journey To The Centre Of The Earth was generally well received by music critics. It reached No. 1 in the British album chart, the first album from A&M to do it, and reached No. 3 on the Billboard 200 in the United States. It was certified gold by the recording industry Association of America in October 1974 for sales of 500,000 copies. The album brought Wakeman nominated for an Ivor Novello Award and a Grammy award for Best pop Instrumental performance.
