LIVE AT THE NEC

One of two official live releases from the multi-leg 1989-1990 ABWH tour, Live at the NEC was recorded just a month and a half after the show that would be released as An Evening of Yes Music Plus. In fact, they only played four shows between the two dates memorialized on CD. Live at the NEC is largely superfluous but for a couple of details that have been widely discussed: it features bassist Tony Levin (Jeff Berlin had appeared on An Evening of Yes Music), and it contains two more songs.

In terms of the change in bassist, Levin is a bit more appreciated by Yes fans, but Berlin is just as good, and while each of these CDs is an engrossing listen, neither rivals the best Yes live albums, and neither gets many spins from me anymore.

An Evening of Yes Music is a better recording than Live at the NEC, so it makes sense that it was chosen for contemporary release. But complicating the question of which is better overall is the fact that Live at the NEC contains what is probably the best version of 'I've Seen All Good People,' the Chris Squire instrumental which is always (as far as I know) played as a medley with 'You're Move.' Keyboardist Rick Wakeman and guitarist Steve Howe are absolutely on fire. For whatever reason, this song isn't included on An Evening of Yes Music.

Without "I've Seen All Good People," Live at the NEC would be fall a bit short of three stars, but with this great performance, a three-star rating is warranted.