KEYS TO ASCENSION 2

Once Yes surprised themselves (and us) with the commercially successful Keys To Ascension double set, partly documenting the classic (Bruford-less, but White-filled) quintet's reunion concert in a LA suburb and filling the second disc with two recent studio tracks, they decided to send more of the same into the fan's shelves and decks in exchange for some hard-earned cash. It might read as I am denouncing this stunt, but I'm actually glad they did send that second instalment, as I find it superior to the first package. With a derivative Keys artwork and a purplish slipcase to cover it, the album is very similar to its older brothern in its blueprint, with one Live disc and a full second disc of recently-recorded tracks.

The live disc brings the rest of that reunion concert, and like its predecessor, while it's nice to have, it doesn't bring much to the fan, if he owns Yessongs or Yesshows (despite their respective flaws). You can actually hear that the group hadn't rehearsed enough, as that becomes clear in the disjointed rendition of And You And I, but elsewhere too. Past the classics played in concert of the first disc, listen to Mind Drive - the best track since Awaken and probably its equal in finesse and delicate melodies. One of the "tricks" about this song and why it sounds so good (compared to the other studio tracks of both Keys sets) is that the song's origins date back to the late-70's & early 80's and that's probably why it's a fave with many older fans. The rest of the studio tracks are fine too but uneven, especially the excellent Steve Howe guitar Sign Language piece that closes the album, but the 9-mins Foot Prints is not doing it for me, sounding to early 90's for my tastes. Bring Me To The Power is maybe the weakest recent track of either set and reminds me a bit of the Lonely Fart days. Children Of Light is in the same mould as the track of their first Keys set.

My only but immense regret is that I have never heard Mind Drive live as I saw Yes about six times the following decade following this release. This double set has its place among or alongside their classic albums of the 70's, but I wouldn't get too over-excited about either Keys set, as I wouldn't qualify either of them as essential.