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Our 10 Rock Star Albums With The London Symphony Orchestra article is a fun article that looks at some cool collaborations between rock stars and pop artists and the legendary London Symphony Orchestra. While many rock and roll artists have recorded either in the studio or live on stage with orchestras, not many have recorded with the prestigious London Symphony Orchestra. Bands like The Moody Blues, Yes, Emerson Lake & Palmer are often incorrectly labeled as recording with the London Symphony Orchestra when it was the London Philharmonic Orchestra that those bands worked with. The same goes for bands like Metallica who worked with the San Francisco Orchestra, Procol Harum with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, and many others who worked with various orchestras. However, a collaboration with the London Symphony Orchestra in rock or pop is rare.
The London Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1904 and has established itself as the world’s most famous orchestra. Many of the world’s most famous classical musicians and conductors have performed with the London Symphony Orchestra, which at one point released a series of albums covering rock music.
This article avoids those albums and presents the material that the London Symphony Orchestra recorded with actual rock stars and pop artists. It’s a list mixed between complete live performances with a band or artist, one or two-track appearances on a famous rock album, or albums recorded as a collaboration between the rock artist and the London Symphony Orchestra for a unique album. What they all have in common is that they are extraordinary recordings that define the power of the London Symphony Orchestra in taking the music of these brilliant artists to soaring heights.
# 10 – José Feliciano – In Concert With The London Symphony Orchestra – Live From The Royal Albert Hall
We open up our 10 Rock Albums Recorded With The London Symphony Orchestra article with the great artist Jose Feliciano and his wonderful live album recorded with the London Symphony Orchestra, which was released in 1973. The record contained some great Jose Feliciano originals as well as his legendary covers of songs from The Beatles, The Doors, The Mamas and the Papas, and Bill Withers.
# 9 –Three Dog Night -Three Dog Night And The London Symphony Orchestra
While this album definitely missed Chuck Negron’s presence, it still stands as a fantastic recording of Three Dog Night songs with the rest of the band. This is not a live recording. The album was recorded at Abbey Road Studios in London and released in the UK in 2003.
# 8 – Elton John – Blue Moves
Elton John’s double album Blue Moves stands as one of the most underrated albums of his career. Many die-hard Elton John fans would argue that this was the last great Elton John album of the classic 1970s Elton John era. The London Symphony Orchestra played on two tracks on this classic album. It’s the first one that was so mind-blowing. On side one of the record, the London Symphony Orchestra played on the track “Tonight.” It’s one of the most beautiful and saddest songs Elton John has ever written. The London Symphony Orchestra also played on the album’s huge hit single “Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word.”
# 7 – Neil Young – Harvest
At number seven on our 10 Rock Albums Recorded With The London Symphony Orchestra list is Neil Young’s classic album entitled Harvest. The London Symphony Orchestra performed on the songs “A Man Needs a Maid” and “There’s a World” which were recorded at London’s Barking Assembly Hall. The arrangement and interlude on “A Man Needs A Maid,” will leave you breathless.
# 6 – Jethro Tull – A Classic Case
While the previous albums all were based on guest appearances by the London Symphony Orchestra, the album Jethro Tull is actually a London Symphony Orchestra album that featured members of Jethro Tull including Ian Anderson performing Jethro Tull music together. The album was released in 1985.
# 5 – Neil Diamond – Classic Diamonds
Neil Diamond’s album Classic Diamonds recorded with the London Symphony Orchestra was a monstrous tribute to the music of Neil Diamond. The combination of the performance by Neil Diamond backed by the London Symphony Orchestra is just simply stunning. Do not miss the video below.
# 4 – Rick Wakeman – Journey To The Centre Of The Earth
Yes fans went crazy over this one. The legendary keyboardist Rick Wakeman of Yes released the ultimate solo album of his career when he issued the album Journey To The Centre Of The Earth. The merger of Rick Wakeman’s intense keyboard work juxtaposed with the majestic performance of the London Symphony Orchestra’s massive sound made for one of the all-time great progressive rock records ever released.
# 3 – Frank Zappa – London Symphony Orchestra
The original release of Frank Zappa’s album London Symphony Orchestra was issued in 1983. The album consisted of all instrumental music written by Frank Zappa to be performed by the London Symphony Orchestra. A second release was issued in 1987 based on more material that was recorded during the same recording sessions used from the first album. The genius of Frank Zappa is on full display on this magnificent recording.
# 2 – Tommy
The performance of The Who’s album Tommy by the London Symphony Orchestra is similar in fashion to Jethro Tull’s A Classic Case London Symphony Orchestra album. The London Symphony Orchestra performed the Tommy album with not just members of The Who but also with special appearances by Rod Stewart, Sandy Denny, Steve Winwood, and Ringo Starr.
# 1 – Deep Purple – In Concert with The London Symphony Orchestra
We close out our 10 Rock Star Albums Recorded With The London Symphony Orchestra article with this fantastic recording that features Deep Purple and The London Symphony Orchestra. The album was released in 1999 on both DVD and CD. It also featured a great guest appearance by Robbie James Dio. Just listening to the London Symphony Orchestra play the riff to “Smoke On The Water” is almost an out-of-body experience.
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