White Rock is the second soundtrack album by English keyboardist Rick Wakeman, released in January 1977 by A&M Records. It was produced as the soundtrack to White Rock, a 1977 documentary film about the 1976 Winter Olympics held in Innsbruck, Austria.
In 1999, Wakeman released a sequel soundtrack, White Rock II.
Recording Wakeman had forgotten about a track he had been asked to compose, titled "After the Ball". Instead of confessing to the producers that he forgot to write something, he said he had a composition ready and proceeded to play a completely improvised track. The first take was a success, without the need to record a second take. "After the Ball" has become part of Wakeman's repertoire, featured on several future albums and videos.
"Ice Run" uses parts of "Anne of Cleves", a track from Wakeman's first album, The Six Wives of Henry VIII (1973). The comparison can be made by listening to "Anne of Cleves" at 00:48 and "Ice Run" at 3:29.
Critical reception
The Pittsburgh Press wrote that the album "is electronic, popular and interesting... Wakeman plays more keyboards than most people know exist."
Track listing Side one "White Rock" – 3:10 "Searching for Gold" – 4:20 "The Loser" – 5:30 "The Shoot" – 3:59
Side two "Lax'x" – 4:53 "After the Ball" – 3:03 "Montezuma's Revenge" (traditional) – 3:56 "Ice Run" – 6:11
Personnel Music Rick Wakeman – Moog synthesiser, Steinway grand piano, Mellotron, Mander pipe organ, RMI Computer Piano, marimba, RMI Rock-Si-Chord, Hohner clavinet, Fender Rhodes piano, Hammond C3 organ St Paul's Cathedral Choir Tony Fernandez – drums, percussion
Production Rick Wakeman – production, arrangements Paul Hardiman – mastering Richard Lewzey – assistant on "After the Ball" and "Montezuma's Revenge" Ken Thomas – tape operator
Charts Chart (1977) Peakposition Australian Albums (Kent Music Report) 38
Certifications
References