Description
Still sealed 4 cd set with bonus dvd featuring the complete Keys To Ascension recordings.
Keys To Ascension Part 1:
Yes, this time consisting of Jon Anderson, Chris Squire, Steve Howe, Rick Wakeman, and Alan White, got together for three nights in March of 1996 in San Luis Obispo, CA, to cut Keys To Ascension, the group’s fourth live album in 28 years, which is rounded out with two new studio creations. Four of the seven live tracks are covers of songs that the band originally recorded between 1970 and 1974. The group has aged well, and Keys To Ascension is a more satisfying album than 1980’s Yesshows. “Siberian Khatru” has less intensity but more lyricism than it did 23 years ago, making it slightly less dramatic — the ending lacks some necessary attack, replacing it instead with more articulate guitar. Tales From Topographic Oceans is represented by “The Revealing Science of God,” which shows off some superb ensemble playing on a 20-minute piece that is most difficult to bring off on-stage, with Wakeman the standout among the instrumentalists. Anderson’s falsetto has lowered slightly with age, and lost a bit of its power in the process as well, but the ensemble carries the piece successfully to its conclusion. Nearly as surprising is the presence of Paul Simon’s “America,” a song they cut back in the early ’70s, which comes off as a lot more engaging here than it did back when. “Onward” and “Awaken,” from the late ’70s, are well represented in beautiful live covers. The new songs featured as studio recordings on the second disc are superior to anything on the more recent Union “mega-Yes” album, with soaring harmonies and very spacious song construction.
Keys To Ascension Part 2:
This set is that odd musical griffin: a live disc plus a studio disc. While the live material is rendered well, it’s dispiriting that two of Yes three live albums of the ’90s rehash material adequately covered in Yessongs and Yesshows. While the appearance of Steve Howe’s classical guitar on the lovely “Turn of the Century” is a pleasant surprise, the rest of the live album is nothing that you haven’t heard before. The studio disc, at least, is a welcome return to form for the band. It opens with the epic “Mind Drive,” a multi-movement suite strongly reminiscent of early Yes; the song’s closing instrumental sounds straight out of Tales from Topographic Oceans. Wakeman’s parts were overdubbed last here, and it shows: the keyboards are solely for atmospheric effect, ceding the melodic drive to the bass and guitar. Not that Wakeman’s presence goes to waste; structured around a “Heart of the Sunrise”-like bass riff, “Bring Me to the Power” gallops through muscular Moog solos and equally slick harmonies. Like the rest of the studio tracks, it’s a perfect blend of vintage art rock craftsmanship and gleaming modern production.
Track list:
1. Siberian Khatru-live San Luis Obispo 1996
2. The Revealing Science Of God-live San Luis Obispo 1996
3. America-live San Luis Obispo 1996
4. Onward-live San Luis Obispo 1996
5. Awaken-live San Luis Obispo 1996
6. Roundabout-live San Luis Obispo 1996
7. Starship Trooper-live San Luis Obispo 1996
8. Be The One-studio track 1996
9. That, That Is-studio track 1996
10. I’ve Seen All Good People-live San Luis Obispo 1996
11. Going For The One-live San Luis Obispo 1996
12. Time And A Word-live San Luis Obispo 1996
13. Close To The Edge-live San Luis Obispo 1996
14. Turn Of The Century-live San Luis Obispo 1996
15. And You And I-live San Luis Obispo 1996
16. Mind Drive-studio track 1995/1996
17. Foot Prints-studio track 1995/1996
18. Bring Me To The Power-studio track 1995/1996
19. Children Of Light-studio track 1995/1996
20. Sign Language-studio track 1995/1996
Dvd track list: Live In San Luis Obispo 1996
1. Siberian Khatru
2. Close To The Edge
3. I’ve Seen All Good People
4. Time And A Word
5. And You And I
6. The Revealing Science Of God
7. Going For The One
8. Turn Of The Century
9. America
10. Onward
11. Awaken
12. Roundabout
13. Starship Trooper