YESSONGS

A True masterpiece of progressive music! Although I was an avid listener of Pink Floyd, I had no idea what prog rock was, then one day my dad lets me listen to this wonderful live album, telling me this was one of his favirotes for years. That was the day I was opened up to prog rock. In my opinion, this is the single best piece of music I own (and thats A LOT of music).

Everything is perfect, even the recording, which was not known for good live music back in the day. The musicianship is absolutely superb, it's almost everything in the yes album through Close to the edge, but with a very assertive and passionate edge. Steve Howe is not known to be extremely flashy or pretensious, not even on this, but his talent just explodes all over the place, when I listen to his solo on yours is no discrace and siberian khatru, I hear a monster tearing away at the most amazing musical notes I have ever heard. Mr. Squire is right up there with him, it blows my mind that all he needs is a pick a rickenbacker bass, and a wah peddle, to make some of the most intricate and masterful basslines ever created, and when he breaks down the 2 minuete long bass solo the fish, into an 11 minuete masquerade, I cant help but think about Geddy Lee crying in hopelessness.

Jon Anderson and Rik Wakeman are at the top of their game, but then again, I havent heard anythng recorded where they arent. Now, as many of you know Bill Bruford left after Close to the edge, and that this was Alan Whites first recorded record with Yes, and although his performance will never live up to Bill Brufords legacy, he made some pretty good beats on siberian khatru, And you and I, and Starship trooper. Bill does get his chance to shine on perpetual change though... in a four minuete long solo that leaves you completely breathless from start to finish.

The tracks that really stand out to me are Siberian khatru, And you and I, and Perpetual change. Siberian Khatru because it's just intense from the intro, to the greatly improved solo where Steve hits notes to speeds where Eddie van Halen would be jealous. And You and I because it's just a beautiful song, with or without the acoustic guitar, and with the more aggressive last section, everything works perfectly. Perpetual change is a no brainer to anyone who has heard it, but the most glorious moment is when the bass and guitar switch and Squire starts playing a very fast and mean guitar line!

Props to Starship trooper for the excellent closing section, and Heart of the sunrise for being so beautiful.

If you like Yes or progressive music in general, get this, it is possibly the greatest piece of music ever!