Home

admin's blog

Benefit (The 50th Anniversary Enhanced Edition)

Jethro Tull's 1970 classic Benefit will be celebrated in a brand-new 4CD/2DVD set, featuring remixes by Steven Wilson, an abundance of previously unreleased material, packaged within a deluxe hardback book, containing 100 pages of commentary from numerous contributors alongside hordes of images of the band creating and performing their first million-selling album. After pandemic-enforced delays, Benefit (The 50th Anniversary Enhanced Edition) will finally be out on November 5.

Highlights include:

  • Original album and associated recordings remixed by Steven Wilson

Renaissance: Scheherazade & Other Stories, Remastered & Expanded 3CD Box Set

Esoteric Recordings is pleased to announce the release of a newly re-mastered and expanded 3 Disc clamshell box edition of the classic album, Scheherazade & Other Stories by RENAISSANCE.

Recorded at Abbey Road studios in May 1975, the album is rightly regarded as one of the band’s finest works, featuring the epic Song of Scheherazade (which dominated the album’s second side on the original LP release) and other classic tracks Trip to the Fair, Ocean Gypsy and The Vultures Fly High. Upon its release the album reached the US Top 50 and was one of the best-selling Renaissance albums.

Wigwam Pop Liisa Studio Live 1976

Renaissance RTL4 Studio Luxemburg 1974

Nektar "...Sounds Like Swiss" Live in Switzerland 1973

Unearthed audio and video recordings from legendary progressive rock band Nektar captured live in Switzerland, 1973. Includes an hour-long concert videotaped for Swiss TV's Kaléidospop, unseen since its original broadcast. The two CDs include the audio portion of the TV show as well as a complete show soundboard audio recording from the Pavilion des Sports in Lausanne, Switzerland in May 1973.

Debut solo album from Tony Kaye

"Tony Kaye retired from Yes in 1996, and came out of retirement the week following the events of 9/11 and began to write this album, the power of its music helped Tony to process the day that became the End of Innocence. The album takes you on a journey from the peace of the night before, to the emerging hopeful looking to the future. Tony Kaye met Dani Torchia in the week following 9/11. This album has been interwoven with the growth of their relationship. The artwork is painted by Roger Dean, the artist best known for his work with Yes and Asia.

Robby Steinhardt, RIP

Sad news received, violinist and vocalist for Kansas, Robby Steinhardt has passed away after a battle with acute pancreatitis at age 71. "Surely heaven waits for you". My condolences to his family and friends.

Van Der Graaf Generator Announce The Charisma Years Box Set

Van der Graaf Generator are next up with the deluxe box set treatment, this covering their Charisma catalogue, from 1970's Least We Can Do Is Wave through 1978's Vital. Trident/Real World engineer Stephen W Tayler was at hand for the new stereo mixes as well as 5.1 surround mixes of four albums: H to He Who Am the Only One, Pawn Hearts, Godbluff and Still Life. The box is also packed with Blu-ray of video performances, a 68 page book, and underwhelming cover art. Due in early September.

Tags:

John Lawton, RIP

Vocalist John Lawton passed away suddenly last week in Bulgaria at the age of 74. Best known for his work with Uriah Heep and Lucifer's Friend, he was also a member of the Les Humphries Singers and featured on the 1976 Eurovision awards. My condolences to his family and friends.

Franco Battiato, RIP

Sad news. Franco Battiato, one of the world's greatest musical artists. His catalog is a veritable sound track through the last five decades, from beat to prog to avant to pop icon to world to classical. Immense and unparalleled talent. RIP, Maestro.