AN EVENING OF YES MUSIC PLUS

The performance on this CD is, more or less, Yes with bassist Jeff Berlin replacing Chris Squire. Given that Squire has always been my favorite member of Yes, you might think I'd have a problem with that. As it turns out, though, Berlin does a fine job. (And it's my understanding that Squire was having health and addiction-related problems in the late 1980s - - so even if Squire was included in this project, Berlin may have been preferable anyway.)

Interestingly, Berlin is serving as a substitute on An Evening of Yes Music Plus, for Tony Levin, who had fallen ill during the tour. Levin would re-join for the next leg of the tour, which is documented on Live at the NEC, released in 2010.

The setlist of An Evening of Yes Music Plus is divergent, to say the least: after an opening medley, the rest of the show is made up of songs from two periods: 1971-1972 and 1989. The centerpiece is "Close to the Edge," which, prior to this tour, hadn't been performed by Yes in over a decade - - and which Bruford had never performed live. The rendition on An Evening of Yes Music Plus is different from live versions from the 1970s, but is nonetheless one of the highlights of the album. Other Yes songs that are done especially well are "Starship Trooper" and "Heart of the Sunrise." The ABWH original "Brother of Mine" also stands out.

I've mentioned Jeff Berlin's bass playing, but really, all of the performers are top-notch. In particular, keyboardist Rick Wakeman and drummer Bill Bruford are excellent, and between the two of them account for most of the liberties the band takes with the material on An Evening of Yes Music. Guitarist Steve Howe provides some blistering solos, particularly on "Starship Trooper." The vocals are also strong throughout.

Yet I can't consider An Evening of Yes Music Plus "essential" per the Prog Archives guidelines. As good as the performances are, there are better performances of each - - in fact, a majority of these songs are on the classic Yes live album Yessongs.

So, a good album, and one worth having; but hardly essential to a respectable progressive-rock collection.