What does it sound like?:
It sounds like what it is: Yes soundboard recordings transferred to vinyl. Let’s get that out of the way first, this is no audiophile release. But, it surprised me.
The energy is, at times, beyond anything I’ve heard from this version of the band. We’ve all heard the stories about Wakeman hating this album and tour, but in real life he plays like a man possessed, inserting new parts into the material from Topo and, the best I can think of saying it, playing seriously – no comedy car chase piano! Moogs and Mellotrons dominate. He inserts a whole new section into The Remembering.
Steve Howe is, as with Yessongs, flying forward at a million miles an hour, sometimes stumbling, but often adding flair and expressive, bluesy (or countryish) licks into some of the material that seemed a bit flat on the original album.
Chris Squire is Chris Squire.
Alan White is a powerhouse here, on the Ritual he raises the tempo and the band go flying, improvising sections and turning the worst track into a beast, Howe responds with some amazing steel guitar. It’s like a different song at times. Off the scale.
Jon Anderson is of course the front person of this stuff, sadly he goes a bit flat a couple of times but otherwise he’s probably still the driving force of the band. He adds bits of percussion, occasionally some guitar, and harp.
We get all four parts of Topo, although some are truncated (fade-in or fade-out). All except side two come from the Zurich date. We also get Close to the Edge plus And You And I. Both with the same almost manic energy as the rest.
There’s one flub in side one, where Alan White sounds like he might have had too much carrot juice or something and seems to be playing a completely different bit to the rest of the band. But they are so good, they just adapt.
What does it all *mean*?
It means that the story around ‘Topo’ is wrong. They were a great unit and the material is alive and exciting. It almost felt like I did when I saw Get Back – ah, so THIS is what really happened.
Goes well with…
To be honest, your other Yes bootlegs. The RSD 2023 Knoxville one is a hummer as well (from the previous tour).
Release Date:
RSD 2026
Might suit people who like…
THE YES.
Dawn of light lying in between Recently Updated and soul sources. —>
I wouldn’t say Ritual is the worst track by any means…surely that dubious honour falls to The Ancients (side 3 as was), with the notable exception of the Leaves of Green part. Still love the album as a whole though. A misunderstood masterpiece!
Side 3 is The Ancient (Giants under the sun), isn’t it..? That’s where the leaves of green bit lives anyway.
My memory! Now corrected and thanks for pointing that out and saving my blushes 😊
I’m in the wrong, I say The Ritual is the worst side in my review, but I meant to say The Ancient. That is the most improved song here, closely followed by The Remembering which has maximum Wakeman.
(I like side 3 – closest to free jazz…)
It is. Certainly you get that free jazz vibe in the version here.
Sold. I’ll see if I can find a copy!
The material is all in the recent Topo super deluxe set, for what it’s worth.
I decided against buying that – hard to justify the cost – but I’d be very happy to get the live bits!
I’ve never seen what the problem with TFTO was. Now “Tormato”..
If ever an album desperately needed a remix…
A robust edit would be better.
Well, yes – Circus of Heaven straight in the bin. But there’s some potentially good stuff on there, trying to fight through a poor mix. Howe and Wakeman competing for space?
Jon’s songs should have been kept for his solo work. The man needed a slap sometimes. Yes, a remix, and indifference to changing trends would have helped.
My jumping off point with Yes. Dreadful self indulgent tosh. I had the misfortune of seeing them play it start to finish at the Birmingham Hippodrome.
Loved their previous albums and still do but this?
Would sooner stick needles in my eyes than listen to this again. OOAA.
I’m certainly not trying to change anyone’s mind, it is what it is. I’m probably drawn towards music that isn’t user friendly.
OOMBA but I agree.
A desperately disappointing concert that sticks in the memory.
Close To The Edge 1972, Going For The One 1977, and in between just the small matter of touring, Tales, Relayer and solo albums. These lazy boys should have tried harder to please everyone.