It all started when I was reviewing the Christmas programmes recorded by some of the hospital radio presenters at the hospital radio station where I volunteer. In one show called Progressive Rock, the presenter played a Wakeman track from The Six Wives of Henry VIII. It instantly took me back to my youth where I got caught up in and became a huge fan of Wakeman and Mike Oldfield. I asked my partner [10 years younger than me] if she had heard what I thought to be the best Wakeman album; King Arthur AND that I wouldn't have thought this music as Progressive Rock.
Well, she hadn't heard it so this afternoon I dug out the CD recording of the 1975 album and we listened to it. My partner said it was 'rock opera' which I think is acceptable but I did think that yes, it was Progressive Rock as it was a huge and diverse progression from the mainstream rock of 35 years ago. It was a concept album and it was lavish with full orchestra and choir and I got a kick out of it still today when I listened.
Funny, but I still have exactly the same thoughts on it today as I did when I first bought it and that, in most parts, it works and works fantastically well but in other parts it does not work, for example the circus/vaudevillian inclusion right in the middle of it all, what on earth was that all about?
I also still do not like the lead vocals which were either Ashley Hold or Gary Pickford Hopkins. Which ever of them it was, they were shrill and sang very much out of their vocal range, at times reaching so high it made you hold your breath in anticipation of him getting there. But is does have spectacular moments and none better that track 4: Sir Lancelot and the Black Knight where Wakeman works up a frenzy on the keyboards plus the climactic last track heralded by a clash of the cymbals.
It's great stuff though I was very disappointed at the quality of the CD which I was playing on a very good sound system. From the very first track I knew it was a different mix and not so rich. For me it's definitely vinyl over CD.

'Gone are the days of the Knights..'
Fab lyric.

This will stay in my music collection