The accordion is an instrument that is deeply rooted in Lithuanian folk music. Today, the accordion is also recognized as a versatile instrument of classical music, a change in perception that has largely been promoted by Martynas Levickis, one of the most internationally sought-after musicians in his field. With its lightness and melancholy, Astor Piazzolla’s music has fascinated the young accordionist from an early age, and so it goes without saying that he is dedicating himself to this exceptional composer in his anniversary year. Together with the Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra he recorded “Aconcagua” live in concert. For conductor Modestas Pitrenas, Piazzolla’s concerto – named posthumously after the highest mountain in the Americas – “conveys the climb to the roof of the earth in all its facets and symbolism: freedom, longing, loneliness, pain, transfiguration, peace.”
In their early days (1988-1990), Ricky Ross and his Deacon Blue bandmates (who all hail from Scotland) were one of the most prolific U.K. bands scaling the top of the European music charts. Early copies of their 1988 debut album Raintown contained Riches and More, a bonus CD featuring an album's worth of B-sides and other tracks that didn't make it on to the mother album. Although their 1989 follow-up, When the World Knows Your Name, did not feature a bonus disc, this 1990 two-disc release more than makes up for it. Containing almost two dozen non-album B-sides, soundtrack recordings and unreleased tracks (and no songs from Riches and More), this may be too much Deacon Blue for the average person, but is an absolute treasure trove for those smitten with the band since the debut album.
Las Orejas Y La Lengua is one of the most accomplished art-rock bands to come out of Argentina in recent times. They have caught the attention of many prog e-zines, although they don't usually feel comfortable with the "progressive" term (nor with the "RIO" label). Anyway, their challenging mixture of jazz-rock, psychedelic rock, RIO-like avant-garde, musique concrete, fusion and electronic experimentation has been translated into two impressive albums in the early 2000s, "La Eminencia Inobjetable" and "Error". Highly recommended to genuine appreciators of RIO, Canterbury, avant-prog and jazz-rock with a strong experimental component.
'Live At The Orleans Arena Las Vegas' captures Styx bringing their stunning live show to the world's entertainment capital. Backed by huge video screens the band rock their way through a string of hit songs and classic album tracks drawn from across their hugely successful career. With numerous platinum and multi-platinum albums to their name Styx are one of the biggest live draws in rock music and have an enviable reputation as supreme concert performers…