YESSONGS

4.5 stars.This was released as a triple album back in 1973. Mostly taken from their "Close To The Edge" tour from 1972 with the exception of "Perpetual Change" and "Long Distance Runaround / The Fish" which were taken from the "Fragile" tour of earlier that same year. I don't know if they did that so Bruford would be on here or not. He had left of course right after "Close To the Edge" was recorded and joined KING CRIMSON. So Alan White does the drumming on all the other tracks. I should mention as well that the mellotron is all over this recording. Rick Wakeman uses it on all but 3 tracks. So on this recording we get all of the songs from "Close To The Edge" as well as songs from "Fragile" and "The Yes Album". The exception is the opening track and the song where Wakeman plays some excerpts off of his solo album.

It's actually quicker to tell you what i'm not that impressed with then giving the highlights.This is a stunning release.The opening track doesn't do a lot for me as we get an excerpt from "Firebird Suite" a classical instrumental. "Mood For A Day" is filled with acoustic guitar melodies and is ok. "Close To The Edge" seems to my ears to suffer the most form the sound quality.That's it for the negatives.

This is for me is one of those classic live albums that everyone should own. Everyone is in top form and there are too many highlights to mention. Interesting that on "Perpetual Change" we get a drum solo from Bruford, I think the only one recorded from him. Wakeman offers up a jaw dropping performance on his "Excerpts From The Six Wives Of Henry VIII". He even plays Handel's "Messiah" on his mellotron. Squire really shines on "The Fish" where he offers up a huge and long growly bass solo. He's all over this recording though.

Howe lights it up on "Yours Is No Disgrace" at 7 & 9 1/2 minutes in, getting a big applause when he finishes. Like Squire though he has many, many moments where he shines. I think Anderson's best vocal performance might be 6 1/2 & 10 minutes into "Heart Of the Sunrise" both emotional passages. The mellotron at the start of this song is incredible. How about 4 1/2 minutes into "And You And I", it's so moving. "Starship Trooper" is the perfect way to end it. So uplifting 2 minutes in. Amazing sound 6 minutes in as the crowd claps along.

I could go on and on but the bottom line is that you should own this recording.