KEYS TO ASCENSION

Back to '96: for some years prog had been less in focus for me. YES was naturally one of the bands I had come to know well in my early prog-listening years and which I had as LP's, not as CD's. Buying this new 2CD was an impulse purchase that had a strong effect. It brought YES (of the 70's) back to the top for me. The song selection was appealing: 'Siberian Khatru', 'Revealing Science of God', 'Starship Trooper', 'Awaken', 'Roundabout' and 'Onward' performed by the classic YES lineup - and so well, as if they hadn't got any older - was a memorable rendez-vous. Simon & Garfunkel cover 'America' was a new thing for me and I liked it immediately. Clever prog arrangement!

Two new long studio tracks... well, they were interesting to hear but haven't been listened that much (though I prefer them to most of the later YES I've heard). It's for having classics like 'Awaken' on CD that still makes this worthy for me. Very peaceful 'Onward' also became my favourite at the time as it has a beautiful acoustic guitar intro and a little different guitar playing than the original, and as Christmas was nearing.

Much better than Keys 2 which has more new studio material. I have rejected the temptation to buy Keys to Ascension DVD that I've seen once; I want this CD to remain as a sort of a turning (back to classic prog) point in my music history.

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