b o b

This was the first Yes album I bought, back before I had ever heard the term "progressive rock" (back then, I just knew that I liked bands who tended to use a lot of keyboards and have long songs). Based on the track listing, I thought this was a greatest hits album. When it turned out to be a live album (and one with surprisingly poor sound quality), I was more than a bit disappointed. Eventually the album grew on me though, and since I gradually turned into a major Yes fanboy (the second half of the 90s cured me of that), I guess this set is a good place for new fans to start. The album contains some high points, as well as a few low points. Howe's guitar playing in the last couple minutes of "Siberian Khatru" is fantastic, possibly the best work he's ever done. "Perpetual Change" is impressive in that the band managed to pull off live that section where the studio album has two different "songs" playing in the left and right channels. Wakeman's solo performance isn't bad, and this version of "Yours is No Disgrace" adds a lot to the studio version. On the other hand, Bruford's drum solo is short on ideas and long on time, and Squire's bass noodlings during "The Fish" seem never-ending. Both of those solos have great moments to them, but would have benefited from some heavy editing. The live "And You And I" has never done much for me either. Despite its flaws, though, this is still a good live album featuring one of the biggest prog bands playing most of their prime material. Definitely worth picking up. review by Bob Eichler — undated —

s e a n

This live album features material from the albums The Yes Album, Close to the Edge and Fragile. As these albums are three of Yes' finest, it's no surprise that the live performance is also quite good. Several of the songs feature extended jams which pad their length considerably; for example "Yours is no Disgrace" ends up being over fourteen minutes long. The band shows off their chops during these moments, reminding why they were at the forefront of the progressive rock scene to begin with. The lineup for these shows is similar to the one that recorded the three albums in question, with the exception of Alan White on drums for most of it instead of Bill Bruford. There is little else to say about this album, actually. I generally go to live ablums after studio albums, and generally evaluate only if the album is equivalent to, inferior to, or superior to the studio works. In this case the live performances are up to par with what was done in the studio. Therefore it's not too difficult to recommend this album, particularly as a starter for the Yes newbie, as it features most of their strongest work. review by Sean McFee — undated —

j o e

Yes' first live album, a sprawling triple LP, and the first to feature drummer Alan White (save "Perpetual Change" and "Long Distance Runaround/The Fish," which are handled by Bill Bruford). As this was Yes in their prime, still hungry for an ascent which was impending, Yessongs features tear-throughs of all their classics, starting off with high-octane versions of "Siberian Khatru," "Heart of the Sunrise" (it was actually this version that turned me around to the song), and "Perpetual Change." This was also way before digital keyboards, and so you get the real deal here. To his credit, Wakeman inserts some nice touches, too, like string mellotron to the middle of "Yours Is No Disgrace" and blaring choir 'tron to the ending of "Starship Trooper." There are a few moments that drag, nonetheless, as is usually inevitable with most live albums. "Perpetual Change" gets carried on too long, with a rare but still unnecessary rawk drum solo from Bruford. "The Fish," by comparison, is longer than a blue whale on steroids and about half as exciting. I had to chuckle when I saw Yes on their 2002 tour, for apparently Squire still takes this dull segment out and milks it for all it's worth in the showboat department, way past the point the piece deserves. Also, the sound quality throughout is expectably murky, perhaps most evidently in "Your Move," a song whose folky qualities calls for a fair degree of sonic clarity for optimal impact. But on the whole, this is a worthwhile collection, from a band that more than three decades later surprisingly still puts on a pretty great show. If you are looking to purchase a live Yes album and are into pure energy and fire, but can stand some muddy audio, then get this one. If you cannot do with less than sterling sound, or need the subtleties of Steve Howe switching between acoustic and electric, then you should consider some of the band's later live output (e.g., the Keys to Ascension albums, House of Yes). review by Joe McGlinchey — 3-28-03 —

b r a n d o n

Though not made explicitly clear on the cover or back insert of the CD issue, Yessongs is a smoking double-CD live set, not just a greatest hits collection. Basically, it's The Yes Album, Fragile, and Close to the Edge all performed live, which should make most any prog fan happy. And indeed, for the most part the performances here are great. Disc one outshines disc two, especially with killer versions of "Siberian Khatru" and "Heart of the Sunrise". On the flip side, I never thought Bill Bruford to be one for lengthy drum solos, but he bombards us with one on "Perpetual Change". Also, "The Fish" is a bit overlong, and the rendition of "Total Mass Retain" from "Close to the Edge" is a little too frenzied and doesn't work too well. These are minor nitpicks, though, and this is definitely a live set that any fan of early Yes will enjoy. Sound quality is a little distant and muffled at times, but overall is pretty good, and not bad enough to complain about. I took one look at the track listing and bought the set, and I don't regret it. review by Brandon Wu — undated —