UNION

Following Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe's impressive eponymous debut and successful tour of 1989, it was decided to cut losses and join the 'Yes West' line-up for an album and tour.

In perhaps, the most gargantuan event in the group's history.. Anderson, Bruford, Howe, Kaye, Rabin, Squire, Wakeman & White embarked on the massive Yesshows 91' World Tour which by most accounts- was massively enjoyable and successful.

The album they toured on however, was a little less functional...although it does hold the distinction of being the last Yes studio album to make the Top 10 in the UK- proving that the venture was well promoted and received.

Most of its tracks were by the ABWH line-up (some spruced up with Squire's distinct, articulate backing vocals) and the rest were by the Anderson, Kaye, Rabin, Squire, White team- of which 'The Miracle Of Life' fairs best.

This was the first Yes album I ever bought and I liked most of the ABWH tracks. The musicians seemed to be firing on all cylinders- especially Bruford with his sophisticated metric drumming and use of electronic percussion hardware. 'I Would've Waited Forever', 'Shock To The System', and 'Silent Talking' are all great tracks musically.

Here's the rub though- Steve Howe's prodigious guitar playing is great on its own but Bruford really does pull the music in exciting directions at times which only hinted at the direction the ABWH lineup could have taken on their second album were it not for the corporate suits and 'Yes-men' getting involved...Talk about creative 'Coitus Interruptus'! But that's Yes for you...

For a more consistent example of how these two musicians excel when working together, listen to Howe's solo album 'Turbulence' released the same year (1991).

Another problem here is Rick Wakeman's keyboards. Where are they? There are so many session players on this album, it is sometimes hard to know who is playing what and no less than 14 people are listed as playing keyboards and synths.

Mostly, the ABWH tracks sound somewhat sabotaged by prototype trance loops and synth presets at the expense of good playing...a fact that has clearly incurred Wakeman's wrath over the years. It is worth mentioning also that there is no point on this album where all 8 Yes members play together. So Union therefore is quite a farrago of Yes styles- some successful, others not.

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