Your last listen

[Lordie82360now]

Well Fret you are certainly going through a “Yes” resurgence!
Personally anything after Relayer was a bit of a disappointment until …..
The Steven Wilson remixes of the good stuff and “Magnification” which
you suggested was a good listen!
I concur it is good - Thanks for your insight!

[CN211276]

The Steve Wilson remixes of the early Yes albums sound great. Time and a word is conspicuous by its absence.

[savvypaul]

Pompeii - Cate Le Bon

[CN211276]

The Black Crowes - The southern harmony and musical companion
Saxon - Carpe Diem

[antonio66]

Yes 'Symphonic Live' (2003)



Yet another Yes-with-orchestra post-millenium release (yawn...) ... but before boredom completely claims your interest, this is the final recording from what could be regarded as the 'classic' Yes formation and they are at the summit of their powers here.

In 2001, Anderson, Howe, Squire and White toured in support of the 'Magnification' album. The concert in Amsterdam, with full orchestra, was filmed from which video and audio editions have been issued.

As on 'Magnification', Yes are on top form here with fiery, passionate versions of old favourites interspersed with equally-good new material. The recording quality doesn't quite match the pristine result from Alan Parsons on 'Symphonic Music of Yes' but this is the soundtrack to a live concert film and sounds just fine.

The more I follow the trajectory Yes have taken, the more I realise that Chris Squire's bass is the dominant voice in the band; supporting, driving, injecting energy into the rest. You can hear that on 'Heaven & Earth' he wasn't in good health and that album lacks power. Billy Sherwood has now taken the 'Big Generator' role over - but that's for another time.

'Symphonic Live' is a terrific live document, taken from a single performance and ranks as one of the best examples of what Yes were capable of.

[CN211276]

Jethro Tull - The zealot gene
Neil Young - Landing on water
Scarlet Rebels - Show your colours

[antonio66]

A concluding trio of Yes live albums has arrived and my excavation through the archeological layers of the band's history is drawing to a close.

Yes 'House of Yes - Live from House of Blues' (2000)



On triple, transparent-blue vinyl.

Recorded in Las Vegas in 1999 with the 6-piece 'Ladder' formation including Igor Khoroshev on keys and Billy Sherwood on 2nd guitar and backing vox.

A major surprise (my expectations were low) as this is the hardest, heaviest rock-out that Yes ever laid down. Energy levels are at blistering and the guys are blowing the roof off the joint in front of an excited, enthusiastic crowd.

Khoroshev is a solid keyboard player who knows his Wakeman-style theatrics, he was told to leave the band after assaulting a female security guard during the tour.

Billy Sherwood (I'm a fan) has a magic that empowers the whole band, he has worked with Yes off-and-on since 1990 when he almost became the lead singer. Here he brings hard-rock riffing and swagger that gets the others shooting for the stars.

This album blasts off with a massive version of 'Yours is No Disgrace' that recalls the jagged, hungry young band who first recorded it. The early-period material at this show has never sounded so convincing, Yes play this gig with a commitment that borders on angry - if it weren't so joyous.

Recording quality is rough-and-ready but it's the energy that flies out of the speakers.

Breathtaking.

[Fretless]

Yes 'The Royal Affair Tour' (2020)



It's 2019 and Yes are back in Vegas at the Hard Rock Hotel. Now we have the Steve Howe-led, post-Chris Squire lineup with Billy Sherwood on the bass, Geoff Downes keyboards, Jon Davidson vocals and with 2 drummers: Alan White being deputised by Jay Schellen on some songs.

This is an album that I really wanted to like - but it is simultaneously intriguing and dissatisfying. The cover and artwork is terrific, a gorgeous 10/10 Roger Dean triple gatefold sleeve with luxury inners and a glossy 16-page booklet - this is still a band that knows about presentation!

The music, well, when it's good, it's good; with a great steaming run though 'Tempus Fugit' for example. Jon Davidson is excellent with a pure high sound that easily reaches notes that JA would strain to hit. Billy S nails Squire's bass lines and imbues a rocking aggression with his own character. But ...

... much of the show sounds like a cabaret cover band. Vegas-style with jazzy intermezzos and crowd-pleasing numbers. And the drums ... you can tell there are 2 drummers with one holding down a simple backbeat (White, with health problems) and the other (Schellen) applying some muscle to the faster songs. Also the drum-sound is tinny and way down in the mix leaving a rather anaemic sound overall.

A patchy affair. Good bits and mundane bits (all of side 3). Not essential.


One more to go ....

[Fretless]

The closing chapter in my personal voyage over the Topographic Ocean, and it seems fitting that the final destination after 50 years of Yes music is:

Yes '50 Live' (2019)



Recorded with the same group and in the same year as 'Royal Affair' this live album is a complementary edition (only repeating 'Roundabout' and 'Starship Trooper') and is, fortunately, a far more satisfying listen than the Vegas-nightclub gig.

For this 50th anniversary a member of the very first 1968 lineup, Tony Kaye, appears as a guest alongside Patrick Moraz (from 1974's 'Relayer'). The band is Steve Howe (since 1970), Alan White (1972), Geoff Downes (1980), Billy Sherwood (1990) and new recruits Jon Davidson and Jay Schellen. So the current group is a representative mix of old, long-serving and new.

Immediately on starting '50 Live' you hear a far better sound than the limp 'Royal Affair', this looks to be down to a careful mixing job by Billy Sherwood (can't find a mixing credit on 'Royal'). So the overall feel is fuller, richer and tougher. The band also seems to be more fired-up and play with obvious passion. One thing I notice is that some songs, like the excellent opener 'Close to the Edge', do appear to be slower that one expects - I suspect that this is due to Steve Howe (then 72 years old) not playing with quite the speed and fluidity of yesterday - but what he does do is all spot-on.

Another quibble is Geoff Downes, who has never appeared to be comfortable playing Wakeman's parts. The opening track of 'Fly From Here' is his composition and his 80's-style synths have their own charm. Jon Davidson is getting more and more comfortable with the band's early repertoire, which he delivers with competence and conviction. Billy Sherwood is totally reliable on bass and B-vox, the drums are still back in the mix but better reproduced than the other live effort.

A respectful bow to the past with fine renditions of 'Close to the Edge', 'Awaken', 'Yours is No Disgrace', 'Parallels', 'Roundabout' and 'Starship Trooper'. If you're interested to hear what Yes can (still) do after 50 years, then this is the place to be.

[CN211276]

The Moody Blues - A question of balance
Magnum - The monster roars