EVENING OF YES MUSIC PLUS

This live album put out by Anderson Bruford Wakeman and Howe is essentially Yes without major bass presence. John Anderson never sounded greater, Steve Howe is at the top of his game, and Rick Wakeman is still giving great live performances. Bill Bruford did very well during the show, however, I'm not much for the sound of electronic drums, it sounded unfitting for Yes music. Jeff Berlin plays the Squire bass work as well as the Levin work on the ABWH studio album, but it is lost deep into the mix and in sometimes inaudible.

Now, to the show. Rather than the popular Firebird Suite intro, they open with Benjamins Brittens Young Persons Guide to the Orchestra, they go straight into an unplugged session beginning with a combination track of Time and a Word, Owner of a Lonely Heart, and Teakbois off of their new album. The transition from track to track is very fluid and almost unnoticeable. After that comes Steve Howe's guitar "solo" so to speak. A combination of both Clap and Mood For a Day, his acoustic work never ceases to amaze me. After Steve Howe, Rick Wakeman gets his solo spot, which includes Merlin off of King Arthur, and a top-notch performance of Gone but Never Forgotten. The next track is the first track that everyone plays together on. Long Distance Runaround is still played precisely and fluidly, and after comes Bill Bruford's electronic drum solo. To close out the first disc is And You and I and Starship Trooper, both played note to note perfect. I especially enjoy the section right before Wurm in Trooper where Anderson combines Soon and Ritual into the mix. And Steve Howe's solo on this track is off the wall, just as it always has been live.

Beginning the 2nd Cd is classic Yes staple Close to the Edge, played perfectly once again, except that Rick Wakeman's keyboards during I Get Up, I Get Down don't really have that synthy-organ feel they had on the album, more of a piano feel. After that is Themes, a rollicking track that goes through different themes (no pun intended) and has a very laid-back feel. Brother of Mine is played exactly as it is on the album, and it sounds great. Nothing more to say on that track. Heart of the Sunrise sounds great, however, Wakeman's keys in the intro sound a little dated, and the bass during that great jam part is very quiet (and sounds a bit distorted). Otherwise, the track is great. Concluding the album are two great versions of Order of the Universe and Roundabout, which end a great live show.

Overall, this is a very strong live effort from ABWH. However, if you have Yessongs, or any live Yes album, you won't really need to get this album. It still is good, but unnecessary. 2.5/5