KEYS TO ASCENSION

Keys to Ascension is the fourth live and fifteenth studio album by Yes which was released as a double album in October of 1996. After both keyboardist Tony Kaye and guitarist Trevor Rabin left the band in 1995, they decided to reach out to previous bandmembers Steve Howe and Rick Wakeman about coming back with the band. Consequently, this album reunited Yes to include the same lineup as featured on their masterpiece Tales from Topographic Oceans released in 1973 and the excellent Going for The One released in 1977. Keys to Ascension comprises of half the live set from the shows performed in 1996 with two new studio tracks which marked a return-to-form for Yes. Keys to Ascension was able to reach number 48 on the UK Albums Chart and number 99 on the Billboard 200 during its two- week presence on the chart. Vocalist Jon Anderson thought the album was not promoted effectively due to the lack of funds with their label, Essential. Nevertheless, both the live and studio tracks presented on Keys to Ascension are quite excellent with both comprising of unique moments with solid musicianship throughout.

The band held two shows at the city's Fremont Theater on 5 and 6 March 1996 and had them recorded and released with the new studio tracks. The tracks chosen ranged from their 1970 to 1977 material while featuring lesser performed live tracks such as The Revealing Science of God (Dance of the Dawn) from Tales from Topographic Oceans and Onward from Tormato. In general, this is some of the best live material the band has ever released. The opening track, Siberian Khatru, receives a splendid live rendition which is full of energy. It becomes somewhat tricky to notice any parts in which the musicians seem to be performing to a lesser degree to how they could in the seventies, they are still at their peak! The Revealing Science of God (Dance of the Dawn) is unquestionably one of the highlights found on the album. This would mark the first time the band performed this piece since their 1973 tour to promote the album in which this track is found, Tales from Topographic Oceans. The band performs each of the melodies seamlessly in such a way it appears to be more concise than what was found on the original studio recording. In addition, Rick Wakeman's keyboard contributions are particularly noteworthy as he includes various differing keyboard sounds and sections throughout. The next track entitled America is a Simon and Garfunkel cover that was originally released on the compilation album, The New Age of Atlantic, in 1972. Furthermore, the track would be rereleased on the band's 1975 compilation album entitled Yesterdays. It is great to see the band perform this incredible cover in a live setting, and they do it with style. Steve Howe truly shines throughout while adding various new/extended segments of music during the course of the track. The band then slows down a bit with their live performance of Onward which is a solid live rendition but feels somewhat inadequate when compared to the breathtaking studio version that features a full orchestra. Nevertheless, the track is extraordinarily beautiful while showcasing excellent guitar work from Steve Howe not to mention stunning vocals from Jon Anderson. The upcoming suite Awaken is performed impeccably while being extended by a few minutes. Overall, a solid live rendition featuring noteworthy musicianship from the entire band. I guess a live performance wouldn't be complete without hearing yet another version of Roundabout. The track begins with Steve Howe's acoustic guitar intro that eventually introduces Jon Anderson's masterful vocals. Similar to a large portion of these live tracks, there is a lot of energy found throughout with a wonderful instrumental section. The last live track, Starship Trooper, remains to be the best live track the band has ever performed. While the first few minutes remain close enough to the original, the biggest changes can be found during The Würm section which begins at the five minute and forty two second mark. This segment improves the already incredible studio version of The Würm by miles. The interplay between Steve Howe on guitar and Rick Wakeman on keyboard is truly mesmerizing and feels as if this was what the band had always intended for the track to sound like when first recording it all those years ago. This live rendition remains to be my go-to version of Starship Trooper and I would recommend at least checking this out if nothing else from this entire album.

The first track of the new studio material is the three-part suite entitled Be the One. It is credited to Jon Anderson, Chris Squire, and Steve Howe. The former disclosed the song covers the idea of commitment, and how the band made a commitment to working together once again after a considerable length of time apart. Jon Anderson's vocals are performed wonderfully with noteworthy backing vocals from Chris Squire. Be the One contains incredibly powerful melodies with numerous soaring guitar and keyboard lines. One of the best tracks that Yes recorded since Drama! The second and last new studio track is a multi-part epic entitled That, That is. The piece opens with a wonderful acoustic guitar section that lasts over three minutes before a soft percussion is heard that gradually builds to a climax. Not long after, Jon Anderson begins a chant that transfers into the suite's main melody. Alan White's drumming is dynamic and powerful throughout while complimenting the instrumentation coming from the rest of the band nicely. There are numerous strong melodies found all through the track that ultimately come together as a genuinely impressive piece of music the band created later in their lengthy career. I wouldn't hesitate to say it is on-par to anything found on Tales from Topographic Oceans. Steve Howe's guitar performance deserves a special mention as well, he honestly performs flawlessly here. The only complaint I have about the entire piece is some of the lyrics which seem to deal with drug addiction and gang warfare which doesn't really fit Jon Anderson all too well. But at the same time, who ever comes to Yes for the lyrical content.

Keys to Ascension is a genuinely impressive addition in the Yes catalogue that features some of the band's best live performances while containing two wonderful new studio tracks. I wouldn't hesitate to say this is one of the band's best live albums in their impressively lengthy catalogue. It truly captures Yes doing what they do best. Keys to Ascension is an essential listen for any fan of the band, highly recommended. All in all the wisdom call, you shall be young, you shall be free!

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