KEYS TO ASCENSION 2

"I've seen all good people" is good as ever. in the end of the song,when the vocals are left alone,white starts playing a "contra" beat,that gives a rock mood for the moment.it turns out great,although it has funny mixing...

"Going for the one" is lowered to D major,simply because Anderson is no longer 20 years old. The song has extremely high vocals,so this was the only way to perform it, I guess... they also cut the song by throwing out some of the lines just before the end. But anyway,the energy is there,the atmosphere is right,and they played it flawless!

"Time and a word" - a pleasant surprise on the tracklist.this is kinda' acoustic version with Wakeman's piano intro. Anderson's and Squire's voices really sound beautiful on this one. Wakeman and Howe also have a solo witch they did very stylish.

"Close to the edge" is always looked through different eyes then the other songs.it's a very demanding piece in which they change number of states,moods,spaces and instruments.I have just one thing to say about this version..."Rick,my man...why didn't you bring your Hammond to the stage for this one?" The organs he used sounds kinda' modern....I dislike that very much. But I forgive him.He,as a keyboardist,is in a position that he must adjust with the time he's in.The result is dozen synths on stage to replace his Steinway,RMI,Melotrons and Hammond. The only thing he used from the old days is the minimoog.Bravo!!! clap,clap,clap,clap... Anyway,they pulled this epic off nicely,in a way only THEY can do.

In my opinion "Turn of the century" is the most beautiful love song ever written. i could listen to the original anytime... Ah,but this version...I was little dissapointed.Anderson failed to do his part (they had to lower the last section of the song back to C major instead to E major).I can understand that the man is older than the last time he has signed this one,but I think he could have signed from the original key.This key change ruined the song for me,even though they did it almost unnoticable.Oh yeah,and Squire sounds like he is howling while singing back vocals on this one...:)

"And you and I" is done in a standard solid way...Just a reminder: they performed the whole "Close to the edge" album,just like they did on "Yessongs" when they were at their peak.That shows just how much the band loves that album,and what it means to them... Way to go!!!

The "new studio tracks" are....NEW...:) They are recorded flawlessly,and played in the same manner...and, funny,that's what I don' t like... They don't have that edge,that rusty sound and originality as the classics such as CTTE, Roundabout,Yours is no disgrace... But they are deffintly better than the songs from the 80's era...After all the line up is the classic YES

Oh yes,almost forgot...BUY THIS, ASAP!!!!

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