9012LIVE: THE SOLOS

This album (or EP, in its original incarnation) is no more and no less than a necessary part of a complete Yes album collection.

The renditions of the full-band songs ("Hold On" and "Changes" on the EP and cassette, plus the CD bonus tracks "City of Love" and "It Can Happen") are the same versions featured the 9012live video, and as a whole, are solid live takes of average 90125 album cuts - - nice, but almost certainly of interest to collectors and fans only.

The other five cuts are even more obscure, and, I can only assume, are even less interesting to the casual listener. "Soon," by Jon Anderson (accompanied on synthesizer by Tony Kaye) is nice, though miles from essential. Kaye's "Si," and "Amazing Grace," performed by bassist Chris Squire, function well as technical showcases, but are frankly boring; thankfully they last a combined 4:50. "Solly's Beard," by guitarist Trevor Rabin, is interesting in places, but at 4:40, way too long. Rabin's choice of acoustic guitar is notable, as his solo spot replaced that of Steve Howe, whose acoustic solos were (and are once again) a highlight of Yes shows. Rabin is technically a better electric guitarist, and a fantastic keyboardist - - so I wish he had chosen one of those instruments.

The highlight of 9012live: The Solos is, oddly enough, not a solo. "Whitefish" is performed by Squire and drummer Alan White, with some contributions from Rabin and Anderson. It is a medley of a number of older Yes songs, including "Sound Chaser," "The Fish," and "Tempus Fugit." (It's surprising but fun to hear Anderson singing the "yes, yes" refrain from "Tempus Fugit," from what at the time was the only Yes album to exclude him.)

I do hope that some day they'll release the entire show, as these band-manner showcases would probably make a lot more sense in context. Until then, 9012live: The Solos is a nice curio.