As a true Yes fan it is wrong to think that everyone who's into this band has the entire album collection under his or her roof. What about those fans who have only discovered the band through their latest studio effort The Ladder? And what about those numerous solo sidesteps and occasional collaborations? In other words, the thirty year career span of the band offers much, much more than most of us "diehards" could ever imagine. To shed a light on the diversity of output, Eagle records have just released a great compilation filled with very recent material. By including no less than three tracks from The Ladder both band and record company deliver the proof that they are very happy with the way the current band sounds and develops it’s musical evolution. Obviously because of the "contractual" situation there are also two tracks from the Open Your Eyes album included, but don’t let that spoil the fun. Contrary to the previous compilation on Connoisseur records, this 2CD set's emphasis is on the work of only a couple of members or ex-members instead of adding short bits and pieces in order to have all of the Yes family onto one disc. So apart from the contemporary Yes approach you’ll also hear two songs from the Conspiracy album by Chris Squire and Billy Sherwood. There’s some Esquire material, solo stuff by Steve Howe, Jon Anderson and Rick Wakeman (then again this compilation was compiled by Brian Adams who, if my memory’s correct, once was Wakeman’s manager) and highlights from Bill Bruford’s Earthworks. One of the highlights for me has to be the Adam Wakeman track “Madman Blues” from the album of the same name that is no blues really, as it’s pure swingjazz, which will no doubt delight Bruford when he hears this! Although there is an ace piano solo, it’s mainly the cohesion between drums and brass which are a treat to hear. The set also includes one-off collaborations such as Steve Howe and Annie Haslam who deliver “It’s All Over Now Baby Blue” from Steve’s acclaimed Portraits of Bob Dylan album. Don’t forget, Steve has always been a big Dylan fan, hence the fact that his son is called Dylan Howe! The highlight of that "tribute" album, if you like, is also included, and of course we’re talking about “Sad Eyed Lady Of The Lowlands” here featuring the charismatic Jon Anderson. The main incentive for Yes addicts to buy this compilation certainly has to be “Night Trade," a previously unreleased little gem courtesy of Steve Howe. The drumming is rather bland but it’s once again that characteristic guitar sound which makes all the difference. Classic tracks by Rick Wakeman such as “Merlin The Magician” and “Catherine Howard” sound completely revamped as these are the versions from the Classic Tracks album where Rick wrote completely new arrangements for his solo antics. Musically “From The Balcony” goes back to the early Yes days, but nevertheless is lifted from the band’s Open Your Eyes album from 1997. All in all a nice bonus if you have all of Yes’s albums but know little about the solo quality of the various members. Sadly Eagle records has mainly looked into their own vaults, so instead of a double disc this could well have been a four CD box set had they included other publishers and record companies. Nice one to hang onto though. Reviwed by: John 'Bobo' Bollenberg |
