Oliver Wakeman Latest News

16 Jan 2026

Mercury Studios Celebrates Two Decades of Award-Winning Composer Oliver

Wakeman’s Milestone Album Mother’s Ruin with 20th Anniversary Edition

Out March 13

~Wakeman Also Announces March U.S. Dates with Father Rick Wakeman, Plus April & November U.K. Dates~

Preorder Link HERE

New York, NY (January 16, 2026) – Mercury Studios commemorates two decades of award-winning composer, keyboardist, and pianist Oliver Wakeman’s critically acclaimed album Mother’s Ruin with Mother’s Ruin – 20th Anniversary Edition, a remixed, remastered, and expanded release out March 13, 2026. Long unavailable, the prog-rock gem will return on all streaming platforms and be released physically on CD and double LP.

“I was always waiting for the right moment to revisit Mother’s Ruin. Now, 20 years on, the opportunity finally came,” said Wakeman. “It was carefully remixed and updated with today’s tools, presenting the album as I had always envisioned it.”

Mother’s Ruin – 20th Anniversary Edition reveals new dimensions through a nuanced, modern mix that uncovers lost instrumentation and includes additional tracks

featuring alternate versions. The 14-track collection also serves as a time capsule from a creatively fertile period, when Wakeman was developing Mother’s Ruin as a standalone band while simultaneously following in his father’s footsteps—as the eldest

son of Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Rick Wakeman—performing with both Yes and Strawbs.

This March, Oliver will perform alongside his father as Wakeman & Son for 13 U.S. dates, followed by four April U.K. dates of his own, performing The From a Page Tour: An Evening of Yes and Original Works.

Originally released in November 2005, Mother’s Ruin was well-received but faced significant setbacks. The record label folded shortly after release while the band was still touring, and the tour cycle was further cut short when Yes summoned Oliver to join

the band.

Despite these challenges, Wakeman has always remained proud of the album’s compositions and musicianship. Revisiting the material with longtime mix engineer Karl Groom (Yes, DragonForce, Threshold, Pendragon) allowed the album to be revitalized. “Rather than a simple remaster, I wanted to explore what could truly be enhanced,” Wakeman explained. “We discovered that several nuances—and even entire keyboard parts—had been lost in the original mix, partly due to the limited technology and budget constraints at the time.”

The bonus material offers a fascinating dive into Mother’s Ruin lore, including an early version of “Calling for You” featuring original band vocalist Damian Wilson, alongside re-recorded tracks by Mother’s Ruin touring vocalist Paul Manzi from a limited-run EP that also included “Busy Going Nowhere.”

Originally conceived as a standalone band, Mother’s Ruin eventually solidified after two lineup changes around the musicians heard on the album: Oliver Wakeman (piano, keyboards, acoustic guitar, production), Moon Kinnaird (vocals), David Mark Pearce (electric guitars), Tim Buchanan (bass), and Dave Wagstaffe (Martin Turner’s Wishbone Ash, Steve Howe) on drums and percussion. The resulting album is a masterful, multi-faceted work—anthemic and theatrical, ethereal and haunting, elegantly intimate, and brimming with Wakeman’s imaginative melodies, adventurous arrangements, and dazzling musicianship. Mother’s Ruin – 20th Anniversary Edition sits comfortably alongside today’s lush, orchestral prog-metal releases.

Wakeman has released solo albums since 1997, with his music featured on BBC1, independent television, and in commercial jingles. He is an in-demand session musician who has collaborated with Steve Howe (Yes), Peter Banks (Yes), Tony Fernandez (Strawbs), Rick Wakeman, Tracey Hitchings (Landmarq), Bob Catley (Magnum), and 1970s guitar legend Gordon Giltrap. He also appeared on Ayreon’s Top 10-charting album The Human Equation, alongside James LaBrie (Dream Theater), Ken Hensley (ex-Uriah Heep), and Heather Findlay (Mostly Autumn).

As a composer, Wakeman has been commissioned to write new age, incidental music, and film scores. He’s won multiple best soundtrack awards for his work on the animated

film Yendor by British illustrator and album cover artist Rodney Matthews. From 2008 to 2011, he was a member of Yes, appearing on 2011’s Fly From Here and 2019’s mini-album From a Page, and was also a member of Strawbs during that period. He has been nominated multiple times for the Classic Rock Society’s “Best Keyboard Player” award and has won it three times. 

TRACK LISTING

Don’t Come Running

The Agent

In The Movies

Walk Away

Mother’s Ruin

Calling For You

If You’re Leaving

I Don’t Believe In Angels

Wall of Water

Busy Going Nowhere

Calling For You (original mix feat. Damian Wilson)

If You’re Leaving (original mix feat. Paul Manzi)

Mother’s Ruin (original mix feat. Paul Manzi)

Walk Away (original mix feat. Paul Manzi)

TOUR DATES

US March 2026 – Wakeman & Son (with Rick Wakeman)

3/11 – Ridgefield, CT, Ridgefield Playhouse

3/13 – Phoenixville, PA, The Colonial Theatre

3/14 – Poughkeepsie, NY, Bardavon Opera House

3/15 – Derry, NH, Tupelo Music Hall

3/18 – St. Louis, MO, Sheldon Concert Hall

3/20 – St. Charles, IL, Arcada Theatre

3/21 – Kent, OH, The Kent Stage

3/22 – Cincinnati, OH, Ludlow Garage

3/24 – Richmond, VA, The National

3/25 – Englewood, NJ, Bergen Performing Arts Center

3/26 – Huntington, NY, The Paramount

3/28 – Westerly, RI, The United Theatre

3/29 – Red Bank, NJ, The Vogel – Count Basie Center for the Arts

UK April 2026 – “The From A Page” tour

(An evening of Yes and original works)

4th  Fletching, Trading Boundaries

7th  Milton Keynes, Stables

10th Cardiff, Earl Haig Club

11th  Worcester, Huntingdon Hall

UK November 2026 “The From A Page” tour

4 Totton, Hanger Farm 

6 Leek, Foxlowe Arts Centre

7 Kinross, Green Hotel

8 Settle, Victoria Hall

13 Lowdham, Village Hall

About Mercury Studios

World Class Music Content. Working with a global network of creatives and artists, Mercury Studios develop, produce, distribute and invest in award-winning content. We are filmmakers in the world of music.

Headquartered in London, with offices in LA and New York, current and recent projects include ONE TO ONE: JOHN & YOKO directed by Academy Award-winning director Kevin Macdonald, Grammy-winning, Academy Award and BAFTA award-

nominated AMERICAN SYMPHONY, directed by Matthew Heineman for the Obamas’ Higher Ground Productions/Netflix, REGGAETON: THE SOUND THAT CONQUERED THE WORLD / NBC Peacock, and IF THESE WALLS COULD SING, directed by Mary McCartney for Disney+.

Mercury Studios also produced and distributed performance capture films ANDREA BOCELLI 30TH: THE CELEBRATION, directed by Sam Wrench (Taylor Swift The Eras Tour) for global Theatrical and TV, BACK TO THE BEGINNING: OZZY’S FINAL BOW, for global Livestream and Theatrical, and QUEEN ROCK MONTREAL for IMAX and Disney+.

In 2025, Mercury Studios also hosted world premieres at the Tribeca Festival for METALLICA SAVED MY LIFE and JUST SING.

Mercury Studios represents the world’s leading catalogue of music-related content, consisting of thousands of hours of premium music-driven film and television programming.

13 Jan 2026

The previous news item mentioned that 5 more dates have been added to the FROM A PAGE tour where we'll be playing songs from the YES record but I also wanted to add a bit more news about an addition to the band.

I am delighted to announce that my son Arthur will be joining us on stage for some of the set to help out on second keyboards.

Arthur has been playing piano for quite a while and has performed with me twice before at the Charity concerts I organised with my wife in 2023 and 2024.

It seemed quite fitting as I will have just come back from a tour with my Dad!

I'm sure you'll join me in welcoming Arthur to his first taste of life on the road!

12 Jan 2026

I've been getting a lot of question about whether we are going to do more shows on the From A Page tour.

I am beyond excited to announce that due to the great response we had for the first leg, there are now a further 5 dates added for a 2nd leg of the UK tour in November 26!

Here are the new dates and links to the ticket pages.

NOVEMBER 2026

WED 4th  Totton, UK  Hanger Farm https://hangerfarm.ticketsolve.com/shows/1173664404/events

FRI 6th   Leek, Foxlowe Arts Centre 

https://wegottickets.com/event/688060

SAT 7th Kinross, Green Hotel 

https://www.mundellmusic.com/live-music-shows/

SUN 8th Settle, Victoria Hall

https://www.settlevictoriahall.org.uk/eventsandshows/oliver-wakeman-band-081126

FRI 13th   Lowdham, Village Hall 

https://warthoglivemusic.com/gigs/oliver-wakeman-band-friday-13th-november-2026-lowdham-village-hall-8pm/

If you are as excited as we are to perform music from the YES record From A Page then please do come out to support us!

31 Oct 2025

Here's a bit of exciting news - Dad and I will be doing a one off warm up show in the Devizes Corn Exchange, Devizes on the 21st of February!

Tickets available here 

https://www.ticketsource.com/whats-on/devizes/devizes-corn-exchange/wakeman-son/2026-02-21/19:00/t-mjndmln

20 Oct 2025

Oliver Wakeman and his band - “The From A Page” tour

An evening of YES and original works

April 2026

4th  Fletching, Trading Boundaries

7th  Milton Keynes, Stables

10th Cardiff, Earl Haig Club

11th  Worcester, Huntingdon Hall

Following last years successful headline slot at the Winters End festival and the continued interest in the YES album From a Page, now is the ideal moment for Oliver and his band to bring some of these beloved later-era YES tracks to the stage, particularly as he'll have just returned from a 3 week tour of the US with his father, Rick Wakeman, which is bound to feature some YES related material!

The show is split into two dynamic halves: the first showcasing music from Oliver’s extensive solo work and collaborations, the second highlighting material from his time with YES. Audiences can look forward to an evening full of musical surprises and captivating turns.

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 double 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 legends Gordon Giltrap and Steve Howe, band mate to both Oliver and his father in YES.

The Band

Featuring the vocal talents of Hayley Griffiths (Riverdance), the guitar virtuosity of long time Yes tribute band guitarist Oliver Day (Yes Please), Dan Nelson on Bass (Cyan) and drums from Scott Higham (Pendragon)

16 Sept 2025

I know a lot of people know about this already but I am delighted to be going out on a US tour with Dad in March next year.

It's the first time we have ever been on tour together and have only ever played together about 6 times so this is something unusual and quite special.

Here is the poster and for more details you can visit Dad's website
https://www.rwcc.com/live.php#wakemanandson

28 Jun 2025

I recently received a call from Nicola Pracownik about the very sad news of the passing of the artist and great friend Peter Pracownik.

I have written a tribute about him which can be seen on my website here
https://www.oliverwakeman.co.uk/memories-of-peter-pracownik

8 May 2024

The first video single from the new "Anam Cara" album is now available. 

You can watch "Miss You Now" on Oliver's YouTube Channel

7 May 2024

The release date for the new Anam Cara album has been brought forward by a week to the 10th May. It is available to pre-order from the shop which can be found at burningshed.com/store/oliverwakeman

22 Mar 2024

It's finally available to pre-order!

The new studio album "Anam Cara" is now available to pre-order from Burning Shed and Cherry Red. 

Housed in a wonderful digipack adorned with Anne Sudworth's wonderful artwork, the album features some of the finest musicians Oliver has had the honour of working with, including Hayley Griffits (Riveerdance), Troy Donockley (Nightwish), Oliver Day (Fragile), David Mark Pearce (Munroe's Thunder/OWB) and Scott Higham (Pendragon)

These 10 new songs are amongst the most emoptic pieces Oliver has written. The promo video can be seen here and you can pre-order here

Press Release 

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 musicians.   

Having been a member of both YES and The Strawbs, he has toured a large part of the planet and has appeared on over 60 albums throughout his career.   

The last few years have seen him re-release a great number of albums from his back catalogue including 2019’s YES album ‘From A Page’, his musical collaborations with Clive Nolan and 2013’s award winning Raven’s and Lullabies album with Gordon Giltrap.  

However, 2023 saw him return to the studio with a collection of talented musicians to record his new album ‘Anam Cara’ which is due for release in 2024.  The album features a stellar collection of musician including Hayley Griffiths (Riverdance) - vocals, Troy Donocley (Nightwish) - whistles and pipes, Oliver Day (Fragile) - acoustic guitars, lute and mandolin, Scott Higham (ex-Pendragon) - Drums and Percussion, David Mark Pearce (Munroe’s Thunder) - Electric Guitar, Robert McClung (Telergy) - Violin, Steve Amadeo (Aynsley Lister Band) - Bass and Mick Allport - Sax & Clarinet all alongside Oliver’s trademark keyboard and piano skills.  

Oliver’s love for making every album he writes different to the preceding one, continues with this release. A blend of Celtic Rock and progressive tendencies, the album features beautiful ballads, atmospheric rock songs along with epic tracks featuring a multitude of musical styles weaving their way through stories beautifully delivered by Hayley’s haunting vocals.  

The origins of the ‘Anam Cara’ album begin prior to Oliver joining YES, however due to the pressures of touring and recording it was put on the back burner and the collection of song snippets and ideas were put aside for the right moment for Oliver to develop them and bring them to life. This started in 2023 with new music being written throughout the year with recording taking place in various studios in the UK and the US.  

Mixed by Karl Groom (Threshold) and recorded in part by John Mitchell (It Bites/Frost) the album is packaged with Artwork by the world renowned Artist Anne Sudworth.    

Oliver "Anam Cara refers to the Celtic concept of a Soul Friend. This seemed to fit perfectly with the songs I have written for the album, all of which are short stories from the romantic “Miss You Now” to the prog rock spy story epic “Marble Arch”. Not only did the album allow my imagination to run riot, it was also a perfect excuse to be able to call upon some of the finest musicians around to help realise my vision for the album. They have all truly become ‘Soul Friends’"

21 Mar 2024

“We should do this again” said Rick Wakeman as he, his son Oliver, Gordon Giltrap and Carrie Martin took to the stage to thunderous applause at the conclusion of last year's charity concert “The ‘Other’ Coronation Concert”.

Featuring sets from all four artists, the evening was a beautiful mix of music, stories and laughter.

True to his word, Rick has agreed to perform again along with Oliver, Gordon and Carrie.

Last year's concert was a very special occasion and sold out within a few weeks, raising a tremendous amount of money for two local schools - hopefully this year we will be able to do the same, this time raising money for Milestone School and The Roses Theatre itself. So, take your seats and prepare for another evening of breathtaking virtuosity, great stories and beautiful songs.

This time around, the artists will perform their own set of material from their retrospective careers, with occasional appearances in each others' sets throughout the show to create a truly unique one-off concert. 

One not to be missed!

Tickets available from https://www.rosestheatre.org/book/instance/301201

7 Oct 2023

To read an overview and update on the new album please visit the blogs page

27 Sept 2023

You can view the video on Oliver's YouTube channel

A video in which Oliver talks about the new John Wetton book "An Extraordinary Life" which is available now from Rocket88 Books at https://johnwettonbook.com/ 

Oliver and John toured together back in 2009 and some of the stories are recounted in this video as a taster for the wonderful stories which his friends and musician colleagues have contributed to this book.

16 Aug 2023

John Wetton An Extraordinary Life features stories and tributes from more than seventy people who knew and worked with John – among them Oliver Wakeman and former bandmates in Family, King Crimson, Uriah Heep, Wishbone Ash, Roxy Music, U.K., Asia, the John Wetton solo band, and more.

1 Jun 2023

I have written up a short story about the wonderful charity concert which was held on the 6th May and featured Dad, Gordon Giltrap, myself and Carrie Martin. It can be found in the blogs section of the website (or by clicking on this bit!)

19 May 2023

The music of Yes indelibly shaped the original sound of progressive rock. But the true tale of this landmark band goes well beyond headline-making albums like Fragile and Close to the Edge. In this book, Kevin Mulryne tells the absorbing story of the final Yes album of the 1970s, Tormato, uncovering myriad fascinating twists and turns for the first time.

Featuring a foreward by Oliver and available from the Burning Shed shop

28 Apr 2023

Evergreen manages to be Carrie’s most eclectic and varied collection yet, featuring tracks ranging from the delicate folk of ‘Lost In The Right Time’, through the soul-blues of ‘Deep Blue Heaven’ and the poppier ‘Girl With A Feather’, all the way to the prog-rock influences displayed on the ambitious eight-minute ‘Keep In The Light’. Oliver appears on two tracks.

Available from Psychotron Records 

11 Mar 2023

The latest winter offering - a single track CD of an original piece of music co-written by Pete Coleman and Tony Clarkin, with Matthews' lyrics inspired by a quote from Kenneth Grahame's classic tale The Wind in the Willows:

"Beyond the Wild Wood comes the Wide World," said the Rat. "And that's something that doesn't matter, either to you or to me."

Despite the warning, Mole resolves to enter the Wild Wood, intent upon making the acquaintance of one particular inhabitant, Mr Badger.  His cheer and exhilaration of exploration however is short-lived.  For the Wild Wood is not just a place, but a state of mind! As dusk advances the psychological terror begins: faces loom, hard-eyes pierce, shrill whistling, chasing, pattering footsteps!  Could there be anything worse - the Wide World perhaps?

Tony Clarkin (Magnum) - Composer/Guitar

Pete Coleman - Composer/Multi-instrumentalist

Bob Catley (Magnum/Avantasia) - Vocals

Charlotte Dickerson - Vocals

Oliver Wakeman (Yes) - Keyboards

Roberto Vitelli - Bass

Clare Hines - Electro Hurdy Gurdy

Rodney Matthews - Drums

Available from the Rodney Matthews website!

24 Feb 2023

I have finally finished my review of 2022 which contains information about the work I have was involved in during the year! Please read it in full here...

15 Nov 2022

So where to start with an update on the new album. Well even though over the last 4 years I have released the box sets Collaborations, From a Page and Tales by Gaslight which included the new records Dark Fables and From a Stage (plus over 150 sessions!) it could be perceived that I haven’t released a ‘new’ album since Ravens & Lullabies in 2013.

So I have been determined to get a new record out for 2023. I currently have about 3 records in the works but I decided to focus on the one which I have wanted to do for quite a while, Anam Cara. This was an idea for a project I wanted to do many years ago when I started working with the singer Rachel.

However, as that band dissipated and morphed in into the Oliver Wakeman Band and the Mother’s Ruin album, the ideas I had for this album were put on the back burner. So when I was in discussion with the management company about what was coming next, I mentioned this album idea and got the green light to progress.

So where are we at the moment? Well, nearly all the music is written and I have David Mark Pearce doing the electric guitars, Steve Amadeo on bass and Scott Higham on drums. A formidable rhythm section and great lead guitarist I’m sure you’ll agree. There will be more announcements over the coming weeks about the vocalist and other musicians confirmed on the album. 

I am very excited about this project and am also delighted to announce that Anne Sudworth will again be providing one of her wonderful pieces of artwork for the sleeve. The album will be in the very capable hands of Karl Groom who will be handling the mixing and mastering.

We are currently aiming for an early 2023 release date. More news to follow but it’s really starting to take shape nicely! 

11 Nov 2022

Many people who follow my music career will be very familiar with my regular Guitarist David Mark Pearce. Dave has appeared on lots of my records, most recently 'Dark Fables'.

He has been working and writing a new album as part of a band called Munroe's Thunder featuring the wonderful vocal talents of Ronny Munroe. Dave can be heard playing some lovely guitar throughout. There is a promo single video available to see on YouTube.

I was very honoured when he asked me if I would provide keyboards on a track or two. Before I knew it I was on the whole album. It is a harder edged rock album than I have been involved in before but I enjoy that style of music and so it was great to be involved. So much so that I was also responsible for the album sleeve layout and logo design!

The album is due out on the 11th November and can be purchased from the label directly in the US at https://www.rflrecords.com/shop or from Amazon in the UK.

10 Nov 2022

On the 26th of May I received a call from the Yes management (who also manage me) about the very sad news of the passing of Alan White. I worked with Alan during the YES tours and we wrote and jammed together often.

I wrote a tribute about him which can be seen on my website here

https://www.oliverwakeman.co.uk/memories-of-alan-white

I was also asked by the family if I would like to record a video for the Tribute concert that was being put together in his honour in Seattle. I was touched to have been asked and the video can been seen on my YouTube channel by the link below.

https://youtu.be/dLE7ENRqi2U

1 Nov 2022

It is often remarked upon that my favourite YES album is the often maligned 'Tormato'.

I am delighted to announce that I have written the Foreword for this new book written by Kevin Mulryne from the Yes Music Podcast all about this album.

If you are interested in pre-ordering the book then please visit tormatobook.com

5 Sept 2022

Here's a quick one-stop shop of some of the recent press Oiver has been involved in.

All Music Magazine interview (& Video)
https://allmusicmagazine.com/ex-yes-keyboardist-oliver-wakeman-discusses-new-box-set-his-iconic-father-and-his-love-of-comedy-3-18-2022/

https://youtu.be/dMWgU_Pedts

Yes Music Podcast
https://yesmusicpodcast.com/oliver-wakeman-talks-about-yes-and-his-recent-box-set-collaborations-528/

They also devoted two shows to the Raven's and Lullabies album which was split into two parts and they can be heard here:- Pt 1 & Pt 2

YesShift Ep50: Collaborations Album Review
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUd3YtuZoVw

YesShift Facebook live interview
https://www.facebook.com/Yesshift/videos/1034685450460613

VM Music Rocks Interview
https://vwmusicrocks.com/an-interview-with-oliver-wakeman-of-yes/

DPRP Collaborations Review
https://www.dprp.net/reviews/2022/040#wakeman

Rock Of Nations w/ Dave Kinchen Podcast
https://open.spotify.com/episode/3eqS3lIACkwKpBaMCnC33C?si=6I5XIHfSQ92vskCw2qdyHQ&nd=1

Michael's Record Collection Interview (Text and video)
https://michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com/p/oliver-wakeman-spotlights-his-collaborations

https://youtu.be/JEa1PHuQrZo

Classic Album Interview
https://youtu.be/tZarcBcoGUE

9 Jun 2022

I have added a section to the site about the sad news of the passing of the YES drummer Alan White. This can be found under the Blogs section in the menu above or by clicking here.

4 Jun 2022

I was delighted to be invited to be the guest of the YouTube/Internet challenge Genealogy program where they set a team of researchers to look into my family history...

There are some fascinating stories: another musician in my family (further back than Dad BTW!), a bicycle champion turned bicycle thief and a tragic train incident.

Well worth watching if you are interested in Genealogy and the Wakeman name.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLRI8Pz1Eas

1 May 2022

Claiming Peter Banks is a new documentary film about the ex YES guitarists life.

The trailer for the film has been released and features me alongside Fernando Perdomo, George Mizer, Jon Anderson, Steve Hackett, Trevor Rabin, Sepand Samzadeh, Jon Kirkman, Bill Forth, Steve Stevens, Thijs van Leer, Mike Hough and Colin Carter.

It can be seen on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLtAz_07JY4

30 Apr 2022

This wonderful children's film (which features my soundtrack) is now available to purchase or rent on Prime Video, Apple iTunes, Google Play and YouTube Movies.

We are currently in discussion regarding the music for the follow up!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Yendor-Journey-Adventurer-Sarah-Matthews/dp/B09VYKWZDR

24 Apr 2022

This new teaser video contains music samples from all three albums featuring performances from Steve Howe, Gordon Giltrap and Paul Manzi.  

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 as 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.”   

You can watch the teaser video on Oliver's YouTube channel

10 Apr 2022

The new Collaborations box set is now available directly from Burning Shed!

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.   

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” featuring music from Wakeman & Giltrap’s many years of performing together across the UK.  

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. 

“Collaborations” is available from Burning Shed.   You can order the set here: https://burningshed.com/store/oliverwakeman  

1 Feb 2022

A lyric video “Moneyfacturing” from the box set, is now available to view on YouTube. The track is taken from the Wakeman/Giltrap “Ravens & Lullabies” record in the box set and features Paul Manzi (SWEET)

Oliver says: “This is one of my personal favourite band tracks I have ever written and recorded, allowing me to make use of a lot of my collection of keyboards. It is a radio-friendly song which also reminds people what a great electric guitar player Gordon is!”

Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/QupyT5apZ9g

“Collaborations” will be released by Burning Shed on 11th April.

You can pre-order the set here: https://burningshed.com/store/oliverwakeman

1 Feb 2022

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

Release April 11, 2022 – available to pre order now from

https://burningshed.com/store/oliverwakeman

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.

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.

A lyric video “Moneyfacturing” from the box set, is now available to view on YouTube. The track is taken from the Wakeman/Giltrap “Ravens & Lullabies” record in the box set and features Paul Manzi (SWEET)

Oliver says: “This is one of my personal favourite band tracks I have ever written and recorded, allowing me to make use of a lot of my collection of keyboards. It is a radio-friendly song which also reminds people what a great electric guitar player Gordon is!”

Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/QupyT5apZ9g

“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, band mate 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.

Collaborations  – Release 11th April

Pre-order the boxset here: https://burningshed.com/store/oliverwakeman

8 Dec 2021

My performance of Life on Mars *with* David Bowie!

Back in ‘17 I was demonstrating the Dexibell H7 electric piano & showed off the Bluetooth functionality by finding a version of Life on Mars without Dad playing. It gave me a chance to get as close as I was ever going to come to playing with David Bowie on Life on Mars! Here's the link to watch the song. https://youtu.be/ExRg2t_8eGw

Talking about Dark Fables

I thought I would do a video and talk about the Dark Fables single CD release and how it came to be. It can be viewed on my YouTube channel.

5 Nov 2021

Dark Fables, the rarities album featuring the music from the never finished proposed follow up to the Hound of the Baskervilles album has been released in digpack form today. This album was previously available as the third disc on the Tales By Gaslight box set.

Press release: Clive Nolan & Oliver Wakeman’s “Dark Fables” will be released on November 5, 2021. This standalone release was originally the third CD from Clive Nolan and Oliver Wakeman’s “Tales By Gaslight” box set released earlier this year.

“Dark Fables” contains over 30 minutes of music conceived for the abandoned “Frankenstein” album which would have joined the duo’s “Jabberwocky” and “Hound Of The Baskervilles” collaborations. As with the previous albums, “Dark Fables” features the duo’s virtuosic keyboard playing with sublime performances from Gordon Giltrap, Paul Manzi (The Sweet, Arena, Oliver Wakeman Band). Andy Sears (Twelfth Night), Karl Groom (Threshold), David Mark Pearce (Oliver Wakeman Band, Munroe's Thunder) and Charlotte Dickerson.

The set also includes unused pieces from their “The Hound Of The Baskervilles” album; “The Man Called Sherlock”, which was the original version of the “Overture”, and “221B”, inspired by Sherlock Holmes’ famous address in Baker Street. In addition, the release also features Rick Wakeman narrating the “Jabberwocky Poem” in full, a perfect way to round off the twists and turns of another Nolan/Wakeman project!Clive Nolan (Pendragon, Arena) and Oliver Wakeman (YES, Strawbs) first combined their considerable keyboard and compositional talents to create the two aforementioned rock opera/concept albums in 1999 and 2002. Peter Pracownik was the creative behind the original “The Hound Of The Baskervilles” artwork 20 years ago and has employed his talents again for the sleeve of “Dark Fables”.

You can listen to the single release, “Why Do You Hate Me” on Oliver’s YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/hHgejgg5Wy4

28 Oct 2021

Press release: Jon Anderson and Jean-Luc Ponty Featured On Epic New Single Hall of Fame Prog-Rocker and Fusion Pioneer together again with Michael Lewis on Some People.

The magnificent pairing of Jon Anderson, the voice of YES, with world renowned violinist Jean-Luc Ponty saw its one and only album release in 2015 and its final tour in 2017.

Now, one more song has been added to their legacy with the release of Inventioning’s new high-octane single: Some People, co-written by Jon Anderson and Michael Lewis (the original co-founder of the group that became the Anderson-Ponty band).

“Jean-Luc rarely plays on other songs but I approached him with this one in 2012,” Lewis said. “He listened to the song, liked it, and agreed to record on it.” For Jean-Luc Ponty fans, the song features a jazz-fusion style violin solo that only he could play. “I really enjoyed recording as a guest on this track by Michael Lewis” Ponty remarked in a September 30th Facebook post about the upcoming release.

Inventioning, a dark horse on the Prog Rock scene, has gained recognition as an up-and-coming powerhouse with an all-star lineup and a unique sound. "Prog fanatics, meet your new under-the-radar favorite,” says Northwest Music Scene.

Jon Anderson (Owner Of A Lonely Heart) performs his signature vocal sound on the chorus message of “Some people don’t understand how lucky they are.” Inventioning’s powerful lead singer, Bridgette Lewis, added a vivacious rock vocal to the verses, interlaced with elaborate backgrounds. 

Keyboardist Oliver Wakeman, son of Rick Wakeman (legendary keyboardist for YES) added acoustic piano and two virtuosic Moog synthesizer solos to the song. For the rhythm section, Inventioning enlisted the talents of two Grammy award-winning Nashville session players – Brian Fullen on

drums and Adam Nitti on bass.

Some People is the second Inventioning single to feature Jon Anderson on vocals. Walking Talking, another Anderson/Lewis co-writing collaboration, was released in 2014. Alison Henderson of progarchy.com commented: “With or without Jon Anderson or Jean-Luc Ponty, it sounds as though Inventioning could be one of the next big Prog happenings.”

Unreleased until now, “Some People was the very first Anderson-Ponty recording, and may be the last in their combined legacy,” said producer Michael Lewis. “We’re glad it’s finally seeing the light of day. It brings everything full circle, and it’s a new beginning for us as the Inventioning Band.”

Inventioning songs are available from Apple iTunes, BandCamp and all major digital outlets. Visit http://inventioning.net for more information and to receive updates.

10 Jul 2021

I am delighted to hear that the Yendor Soundtrack received the silver award for best soundtrack at the Independent Shorts Awards in Los Angeles. This really in an hounour to have it recognised again in amongst other great soundtracks.

31 May 2021

Back in 2016 I was asked by English Heritage to provide a piano version of the Queen classic We Are The Champions for a video about the making of the Blue Plaque for Freddie Mercury. This version has the piano more audible than the original. It cna be viewed on my YouTube channel

7 May 2021

The third win for best soundtrack for Yendor! This award is presented by the Bristol International Short Film Festival/

5 May 2021

My score for the Rodney Matthews film 'Yendor' has picked up two best soundtrack awards which I am delighted about. The first was for 'The Monthly Film Festival' - https://tmff.net/winners/best-of-april-2021/ and the second was Best Soundtrack at the 'Europe Film Festival' - 

https://www.facebook.com/101581141587433/posts/293718709040341/?d=n A

4 May 2021

A few weeks ago Clive Nolan and I asked if anyone had any questions regarding the Tales By Gaslight project. We have now filmed our answers and you can see them on YouTube at https://youtu.be/ORy473PdJbw

It was great fun to chat with Clive again!