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Various Artists (Concept albums & Themed compilations) - The Yes Story CD (album) cover

THE YES STORY

Various Artists (Concept albums & Themed compilations)

 

Various Genres

2.49 | 3 ratings

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Easy Livin
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator / Retired Admin
3 stars Not exactly novel, but rather impressive

The Yes story is a double CD budget label compilation of tracks by the band plus solo tracks by members past and present. It mirrors closely the "Friends and relatives" collections released several years previously, with many of the tracks here having appeared on those albums, and in particular on Volume 2.

There are 5 tracks by the band here, four of which are relatively recent live versions from the "House of blues" collection. As these include a 17 minute rendition of "Awaken" and an awesome 13 minute version of "Yours is no disgrace", there is over 45 minutes of music from the "House of blues" album in total. The fifth Yes track is the title song from the generally considered sub- par "Open your eyes".

The other album which features predominantly here is Rick Wakeman's "Classic tracks", an album which Wakeman has personally rejected and urges people "not to buy". Two of the three tracks which make up he album are present, including a 32 minute reworking of "Journey to the centre of the earth" and a rendition of "Merlin the magician" with added vocals (the vocals were added without Rick's approval).

A couple of variations on further Yes songs appear in the form of an acoustic interpretation of "To be over" (originally from "Relayer") by Steve Howe and a dance orientated version of "Owner of a lonely heart" credited to Jon Anderson. Howe also contributes two further tracks, both from his Bob Dylan tribute. These include a wonderful 12 minute cover of "Sad eyed lady of the lowlands" with Jon Anderson on vocals and "It's all over now baby blue" featuring the great voice of Annie Haslam (Renaissance). Anderson's other solo track "Dancing fool" is a rather ordinary number from "The more you know".

Chris Squire's contributions are from his collaboration with Billy Sherwood, "Violet purple rose" being the sort of song which would have fitted in well on "Big generator" or "Open your eyes". "Lonesome trail" on the other hand is an impressively well produced and highly melodic power rock number. Squire's wife Nikki is also here with her band Esquire performing "Tron Thomi" from their "Coming home" album. The song is surprisingly adventurous, the hand of Chris being detectable in the Yes type arrangement. While there's a slight stage show feel to the song, this 8 minute piece is certainly worthy of investigation.

Rick Wakeman's only daughter Jemma makes a rare appearance on a Yes related collection with "I believe". It appears she has yet to decide whether to set out on a full career in music, but the brief evidence here suggests her voice is certainly a major asset to her. This pleasant pop song is well produced too.

This collection is not without its flaws. The accompanying booklet is pathetically inadequate, with no pertinent information at all. The two CDs come in the clunky, old style double CD box and the cover art is non-existent. The title is misleading, as this is not a Yes anthology, but a collection of tracks with the band in common (in some way or other). Given though that this is a budget label collection which sells at an impressively low price, this is a wonderful compilation, with a plethora of excellent music.

Easy Livin | 3/5 |

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