Rick Wakeman's Criminal Record

Rick Wakeman's Criminal Record
Studio album by
ReleasedNovember 1977 (1977-11)
RecordedApril–June 1977
StudioMountain (Montreux, Switzerland)
Genre
Length39:04
LabelA&M
ProducerRick Wakeman
Rick Wakeman chronology
White Rock
(1977)
Rick Wakeman's Criminal Record
(1977)
Rhapsodies
(1979)
Singles from Criminal Record
  1. "Birdman of Alcatraz"
    Released: 20 April 1979

Rick Wakeman's Criminal Record is the fifth studio album by English keyboardist Rick Wakeman, released in November 1977 on A&M Records. After touring his previous album No Earthly Connection in August 1976, Wakeman rejoined the progressive rock band Yes as they recorded Going for the One (1977) in Switzerland. When recording finished, he started work on a new solo record which took form as a keyboard-oriented instrumental album similar to that of his earlier album, The Six Wives of Henry VIII (1973), and loosely based on criminality. Several guest musicians play on the record, including Chris Squire and Alan White of Yes, percussionist Frank Ricotti, and comedian Bill Oddie on vocals.

The album received some mixed reviews upon release, and reached No. 25 in the UK. In 2006, the album was remastered as a limited edition with 5,000 copies produced.