Audiophile Digital

Rick Wakeman
Yessonata
Fragile Records FRICD101

For those who think my reviews are biased, I am neither a Yes nor a Wakeman fan per se, and an album with two suites consisting of solo piano is hardly my usual fare. For that matter, it’s not even particularly Yes-sy despite being an adaptation for solo piano of his ‘The YES Suite’ consisting of themes from the band and which has proven a hit in concert. ‘Yessonata’ is followed by ‘The King Arthur Piano Suite’, adapted from Wakeman’s The Myths And Legends Of King Arthur And The Knights Of The Round Table. A glorious recording to add to one’s shelf-full of demo CDs, it was recorded on a Steinway Model D Concert Grand, and I suggest you head to a music shop first to hear the real thing for a reference. KK

Sound Quality: 90%

Davy Graham
He Moved Through The Fair – The Complete 1960s Recordings
Cherry Tree CRTREE8BX28 (eight discs)

Fans of UK folk and blues, as well as devotees of acoustic guitar heroes, are gonna flip over this treasure trove from one of the most underappreciated influences in post-WWII British music. Although aficionados know him, the wider world needs to appreciate how Graham inspired just about every guitarist of the 1960s, which means a direct line to Pentangle, Steeleye Span, Fairport Convention and the rest of the finger-in-the-ear brigade. It’s a staggering achievement, containing more than a dozen studio and live albums, his work with Shirley Collins and previously unissued and demo material. KK

Sound Quality: 80%

George Harrison
Living In The Material World
Dark Horse DH0050DLXCD (two discs)

As is the form for anniversary reissues of Beatles’ solo albums, this slightly belated release is available as a single CD, a double LP, and a deluxe vinyl/CD box costing £180. I opted for this 2CD version with the album’s 2024 remix for the 50th anniversary on CD1, while CD2 provides a dozen extras. As with all of George’s solo efforts, the world is recognising belatedly that they comprise the better post-Beatle work, certainly superior to Lennon’s dirges if not quite as catchy as the Macca or Ringo catalogues. This gave us ‘Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth)’ and a drool-worthy host of guest musicians. The box includes a 20-page booklet and a poster. KK

Sound Quality: 85%

Various Artists
Dearly Beloved – A Prince Songbook
Cherry Red Records CD3BRED908 (three discs)

When the booklet tells you that Prince’s compositions have been covered by hundreds of artists, 52 tracks might not seem like enough to do the canon justice. And yes, there are some obvious versions missing, but – having discussed with reissue labels the viper pit that is ‘licensing’ – I’m staggered at what Cherry Red managed to secure for this. Among the gems are the extended version of The Bangles’ ‘Manic Monday’ and hits such as Sheena Easton’s ‘Sugar Walls’. The CDs are themed as songs ‘gifted’ to others, the second concentrates on funk, soul, jazz and R&B hits, and the third contains the more outré covers like Amanda Palmer’s ‘Purple Rain’. Dazzling. KK

Sound Quality: 85%