YES Live And Solo: The Yes Collection
Union Square METRTCD812 (2006)
The Yes family tree has more branches than most, and the music still stands up today.
This 3CD box compiles, as the title suggests, various Yes live tracks with some solo work. And what a pleasure it all is, if rather self indulgent.
Disc 1 opens with a 13 minute 'Yours Is No Disgrace' and a 17 minute 'Awaken' before we get tracks by Jon Anderson (poor pop), Steve Howe and Rick Wakeman.
Throughout the set, the Yes material is far stronger, with Rick Wakeman's solo work coming a close second, and the extended live versions (20 minutes of 'Close To The Edge) sit nicely together, along with an epic 31 minute 'Journey To The Centre Of The Earth'.
Other solo work isn't as consistent, but interesting to compare. You would need a far bigger box to compile this material properly, and although a little more detail on track origination would be nice, it is a good comparison and also a good introduction, working for fan and casual listener alike.
****
Review by Joe Geesin
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