YESSONGS

Yessongs was the introduction I had to the progressive world more than 30 years ago, and it remains one of the best live albums in my opinion in the history of progressive music and rock in general.

The execution of the songs are masterful and show us a band in a state of grace, where live versions they take on a much more intense character and practically transform the songs revitalizing and giving them a new meaning. With the most representative members of the band and with the best creative results achieved (we can only mention the change of Alan White for Bill Brufford on the drums in part of the tour of that year), I especially highlight four versions on the album: Perpetual Change (Bill Brufford in the drums is spectacular and the guitar solo of Howe too), And You and I, without the acoustic guitars to give way to a more cosmic and powerful version, for me the best song on the album, Long Distance / The Fish, shows also a much more complete version and adorned by the solo bass of Chris Squire, and Yours is no Disgrace, also highlighting clearly and leaving the studio version behind.

Of the rest of the songs, in a superlative standard for a step below the previous ones we have the versions of Roundabout, Heart of the Sunrise, Close to the Edge, I've Seen All Good People and Starship Tropper, which also show dynamism and gain a lot of respect to the studio versions.

To especially highlight the solo of Rick Wakeman keyboards, whose contribution to the whole band a superlative sound in the context of progressive rock. His more than 6 minutes interspersing classical piano and synthesizers place him on the crest of the wave of rock keyboardists.

Mood For a Day is a sample of Howe's virtuosity on guitar that also deserves to stand out. And finally Siberian kathru, song that follows the introduction of the concert keeps the level of the studio version.

Those who wish to listen to symphonic rock in a state of grace and in one of its best moments, this album is a perfect radiography of that. A masterpiece