YESSONGS

If I had to make a list of bands that really got it right with their first live albums, Yes would be in the top three position! What's usually good about an early live release is that it captures the rising act with all of their raw energy and creativity in the right place, something that transforms into stale professionalism with time. Unfortunately, these early releases generally leaves out a few major classics and the sound production is much to be desired of. In this particular case, Yes managed not only to show their most energetic performance but also mix it up with what could easily be considered their essential classic material!

This band truly oozes energy out of each of these performances and even less interesting tracks like the overrated Siberian Khatru sound amazing here! I love how Yes expands some of their already quite lengthy pieces like Heart Of The Sunrise and Long Distance Runaround/The Fish with solo spots without making it straining on the ears. Most of these live renditions are actually superior to the studio material and it's mind-boggling how a five-piece was able to create all this organic music without relying on sampling and other neat tricks that are available to artists today.

If I had to pick my favorite moment then I wouldn't hesitate for a second in mentioning Close To The Edge since it's actually an even better version of the already great masterpiece! The live setting gives this lengthy piece more nuance and Rick Wakeman clearly gives a career-worthy performance here. Starship Trooper would be my runner-up candidate for the crown, while Perpetual Change and Wakeman's solo spot, Excerpts From "The Six Wives Of Henry VIII", share the third position.

This album has pretty much everything that a Yes fan can ever dream of and even though I do miss South Side Of The Sky, the loss of that track is of minor concern seeing that the pros certainly outnumber and even devour any nods!

***** star songs: Heart Of The Sunrise (11:34) Perpetual Change (8:44) Mood For A Day (2:53) Excerpts From "The Six Wives Of Henry VIII" (6:38) Close To The Edge (18:14) Starship Trooper (10:18)

**** star songs: Siberian Khatru (9:04) And You And I (9:34) Roundabout (8:33) I've Seen All Good People (7:09) Long Distance Runaround / The Fish (13:37) Yours Is No Disgrace (14:24)

*** star songs: Opening (Excerpt From "Firebird Suite") (3:48)