I just finished listening to the album and I think it was a great idea! Rick Wakeman is so detailed in his music that a studio version adds a lot - but as another reviewer said, it's just another version, not necessarily better or worse - except for the direction given to the story narration. I think the complete change in emphases was unnecessary and less passionate than the original live recording. I've been listening to the live album frequently for over 30 years, and I also own the VHS of the same concert in Australia. I didn't know this existed until today! I liked the extra tracks a lot!

If you are Rick Wakeman fan, this is a must pick-up. What it lacks in spontaneity and energy of the original, it makes up for in sonic cleanliness, playing and reflection. This is, in my opinion, not a better version, simply a different one. I grew up listening to the original and this builds on that one. One very odd thing: when I downloaded it from iTunes, it came in two forms: a song-by-song form and a complete, 54-minute version.

This is a much appreciated and splendid rendition of the classic 1974 effort. A Little know fact is that Rick worked so hard on this production that he suffered a heart attach during it's creation...

The album review above is for the original 1974 live recording. This is the expanded 2012 studio version. And it’s great.

I have been waiting for this for a while. Wonderful mix of rock and orchestra. Excellent! Hope Rick brings this to North America.