Various Artists - Excalibur II: The Celtic Ring

This 16-song opus offers a wealth of enjoyable prog-rock from the lighter end of the spectrum. Alan Parsons opens things in fine orchestral Celtic style with the title track, before Asia’s John Wetton and Jethro Tull’s Martin Barre collaborate on the folky Lugh. Yes’ Jon Anderson is in equally laid back mood on Circle Of Life, before the Clannady pipes of Flook and Blackmore’s Night stylings of Karan Casey. Maddy Prior’s soaring vocals mark out Secret Garden, Fairport Convention do their Uilleann thing on Pilgrims, and Pentangle’s Jacqui McShee breezes through the harp tune Sacrifice. The Moody Blues’ Justin Hayward and Supertramp’s John Helliwell join on a strings-andpipes Earth & Sky, while Barclay James Harvest’s Les Holroyd’s Call is typically reposed. A refined fireside-tipple listen.