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The second official concert package from Yes contains tunes recorded over a span of two years (1976-1978) and two different incarnations of the band. Like its live predecessor Yessongs (1973), Yesshows finds the combo during one of their states of perpetual change. Jon Anderson (vocals), Steve Howe (guitar), Chris Squire (bass/vocals), and Alan White (drums) are joined by Rick Wakeman (keyboards) on a majority of the selections. The exceptions being "Gates of Delirium" from Relayer (1974) and the Tales from Topographic Oceans' (1973) epic "Ritual" - which is presented in two parts - and has Patrick Moraz (keyboards) in Wakeman's stead. The original concept contained a few features that would have been akin to Yessongs…

Finnish Baroque Orchestra’s second release of Christoph Graupner’s (1683–1760) music continues to reveal delightful masterpieces by the Baroquemaster, who November 2014 during his lifetime was even more well known than his colleague Johann Sebastian Bach. After the acclaimed release of Graupner’s orchestral works (ODE12202; The Finnish broadcasting company YLE Record of the Year 2013), this new album focuses on some of the chamber works by Graupner – the Trio Sonatas. Graupner was extremely productive as a composer, with a catalogue of over 2’000 works varying from orchestral works to cantatas, concertos and chamber music. He also possessed a unique personal style of writing music and often favoured certain rarer instruments in his works. Among these are the viola d’amore as well as the chalumeau, both instruments being heard also on this disc. From his contemporaries Graupner’s music stands out with its exceptional command of melody and harmony.

Avid Jazz continues with its Four Classic album series with a re-mastered 2CD release by Dave Pike, complete with original artwork and liner notes. “It’s Time For Dave Pike”; “Pike’s Peak”; “Bossa Nova Carnival” and “Limbo Carnival”.
Perhaps not the first name that springs to mind when we think of jazz vibes players, nonetheless our latest (unsung) jazz hero, Dave Pike had an amazing career starting with his debut performance in 1958 with the Paul Bley Quartet. Our first two releases find Dave in a more traditional vibes mode, but take a look at the pianist on Pike’s Peak and it will indicate how well he was thought of back then, none other than the legendary Bill Evans joins Dave at his “steamtable” for a fine set of almost “jamming session” intensity…