THE WORD IS LIVE

I wouldn't as a rule, usually write about a YES album. Great band of course and I have been a fan of the 70's material for years, but so many of you have beaten me to it. After all, I think most of us now know what CLOSE TO THE EDGE and THE YES ALBUM sound like.

Really thought that this forgotten gem, needed the good review it deserves as it seems to have had some mixed feelings since release. First and foremost, I actually own a slightly different release from the one specified here. Disc 1 and 2 are present as listed, but the 3rd disc has been replaced with a DVD of the hard to find 1975 QPR concert. Good for me as I've never been interested in the 80's incarnations of YES really. My copy comes in just a digipack sleeve, sadly without the book. Anyone wanting this may find this online at a cheaper price than the box, so take your pick!

As for the music itself (I'm only reviewing the 2 CD's here), I have to say that I purchased this on the strength of the tracklist itself. Many songs that we haven't heard live before, one or 2 that were never even released and all gloriously extended for the stage - perfect recipie for a live album. I was not dissapointed. The sound quality is actually very good (despite what some people might say). Much better that YESSONGS which I find has a kind of 'distant' sound to it. I know that there are a lot of dodgy sound quality live CD's on the market from various prog artists. This is not one of them. Whoever complied this, was obviouly conscious not to just throw it together as performances are brilliant, all of the band on top form. Disc 1 in particular has some spectacular moments. The 17 minute version of America is just sensational and CHRIS SQUIRE'S bass solo on It's Love is sublime. These tracks were actually taken from the 1971 Crystal Palace gig, which was TONY KAYE'S last gig of the 70's.

I'm listening to disc 2 as I write, even on my rather tinny sounding PC speakers, the sound is great, very uplifiting.

So there you have it. Maybe not for the casual listener, but for any lover of YES, this is an essential purchase.

4.5 stars for this!