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Rick Wakeman's Criminal Record is the fifth studio album by English keyboardist Rick Wakeman, released in November 1977. 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 was recorded at Mountain Studios from April to June 1977 with John Timperley as engineer and mixer and Dave Richards as assistant engineer. Wakeman put his keyboard parts down first, followed by bass guitar and drums. Squire and Yes drummer Alan White agreed to play the respective parts, and are featured on side one of the album. However, instead of giving Squire and White preconceived music or ideas on what to play, Wakeman told the pair to record what they wanted on top of the keyboards, thereby giving them complete control of what they played. He added: "I deliberately didn't go anywhere near the studio. The first time I heard it was after about ten days, I can't even remember where I went. I didn't even stay in Switzerland!"

After Richards informed Wakeman of the completion of the bass and drum parts, Wakeman returned to the studio and enjoyed listening back to the songs transformed as it felt like he was listening to them for the first time. He remembered White called him "some gynaecological term" as the music continually varied in pace and he had refused to use a click track due to his distaste of them. Wakeman praised Squire in particular as he contributed some interesting parts that he would not have thought to write. Wakeman was so pleased with Squire and White's performance that he wished to re-record and re-arrange some of his keyboard parts, but there were insufficient tracks left to use and no more budget.[4] The final parts were put down by percussionist Frank Ricotti, who added timpani and tuned percussion, and comedian Bill Oddie of The Goodies fame, who provided a humorous, tongue-in-cheek lyric for "The Breathalyser". Both were recorded in the course of a day.

Statue Of Justice 6:20 Crime Of Passion 5:46 Chamber Of Horrors 6:40 Birdman Of Alcatraz 4:12 The Breathalyser 3:51 Judas Iscariot 12:15

Rick Wakeman – Steinway 9' grand piano, Minimoog synthesiser, Polymoog synthesiser, Hammond C3 organ, Birotron, Mander pipe organ at St. Martin's church in Vevey, RMI computer keyboard, harpsichord, Fender Rhodes 88 electric piano, Hohner clavinet, Baldwin electric harpsichord

Chris Squire – bass guitar on "Statue of Justice", "Crime of Passion", and "Chamber of Horrors"

Alan White – drums on "Statue of Justice", "Crime of Passion", and "Chamber of Horrors"

Frank Ricotti – percussion on "Statue of Justice", "Crime of Passion", "Chamber of Horrors", and "Judas Iscariot"

Bill Oddie – vocals on "The Breathalyser"

Ars Laeta Choir of Lausanne – choir on "Judas Iscariot" Alto vocals – Anne Claude, Christiane Durel, Christine Frehholz, Elisabeth Pahud, Francoise Wannaz, Janine Isaaz, Janine Pradervand, Josianne Henn, Liliane De Berville, Marlyse Berney, Mary Lise Perey, Nicole Metraus, Pierre Humbert

Bass vocals – Claude Alain Morasini, George Caille, Jean-Michel Favez, Peirre Tharin, Piere Alain Favez, Roland Demiville, Samuel Chetrit, Yves Lamberey

Soprano vocals – Anne Catherine Noinat, Annette Fonjallaz, Christine Riesen, Claire-Lisa Valet, Claudine Corbaz, Claudine Mange, Daniele Meystre, Eliane Henchoz, Francoise Cardinaux, Francoise Cottet, Lise Dutray, Marlyse Paschoud, Sylviane Savez

Tenor vocals – Andre Borboen, Bernard Dutruy, Charles Moinat, Claude Alain Von Buren, Daniel Borgeaud, Francoise Emery, Jean Maurice Juvet, Raphael Bugnon, Rene Monachon

Robert Mernoud – choir conductor on "Judas Iscariot"

Production

Rick Wakeman – production John Timperley – engineer, mixing Dave Richards - assistant engineer on "Statue of Justice", "Crime of Passion", and "Chamber of Horrors", mixing Jim McCrary – photography Chuck Beeson – visual concept, design Roland Young – art direction Sean Davies – disc cutting