YESSONGS

For me, this was Yes at their very best. The ability to improve on one's song during a live concert has always impressed me and Yes do not let me down. Not only are their best songs on here (Relayer withheld), but Roger Dean gives us a plethora of his imaginative paintings. I first heard this album on my father's turn table and I absolutely loved it.

I think the most outstanding track for me is Close to the Edge. Not only do they put more drive in their sound, but Yes proves that even they can improve on perfection. Whether it's the slightest little guitar riff or some echo effect added with Squire's Rickenbacker, there is a lot more to discover here than on the studio version. And, while there are a few quality differences as expected, Close to the Edge stands on top of this album as a staple of Yes's prowess and skill.

Also worth mentioning is the lengthening of Squire's The Fish. What was once a three-minute psychedelic drowning in bass riffs is now a nine+ minute bass solo that simply rocks your socks off. This live version is the reason Squire is regarded as one of my favorite bassists, if not already my favorite.

Rick Wakeman shares with us some moments from his solo album, "The Six Wives of Henry VIII", which is all the evidence needed for why he is regarded as one of rocks best keyboard players. Both virtuous and technical, those keys have never sounded happier.

Two parts of this album stand as one of my favorite moments in Yes history: 1. The heavy pick-up halfway through "I've Seen All Good People", which makes the studio sound like a car commercial jingle. 2. Steve Howe's extended guitar solo in "Yours is No Disgrace", which is why he is my favorite guitarist. I'm 85.62% sure that it was improvised, only loosely based off previous concert solos.

In conclusion, I highly recommend this album to anyone who is both fond of Yes and familiar with their early discography. Hearing these versions of our beloved Yes songs are like hearing newly fresh songs and deserve as much credit as their studio albums. Definitely worth a listen.