BIG GENERATOR

One thing that is in error about this album is its current CD version, which has a reverse stereo version master used. Everything's flipped from the way it should be, easily told by the ''Movin' to the left' vocal section of the title track. It should move to the left as it did on the original vinyl version, but on the current European CD, it moves to the right. The second thing is this album seriously needs a re-release and remaster, and I would seriously suggest a SACD/DVD mix of it, because it takes 90125's production and ups it by about 10. This album was let down by cheaper Vinyl production in the late 80's, so it doesn't translate as well coming across home stereo systems, but with a truly decent pair of headphones (recommend Sennheiser, anything above HD-25SP's), you'd hear how incredible this album's mixing and engineering is. There's some truly beautiful production on this album, only to be bested by 1994's Talk, and its forays into the then new world of hard disk digital recording.

And I don't see how anyone can say Rabin lacks ''personality'' in his playing. I really can't. Especially on a song like ''I'm Running'', which opens up Latin, goes to Africa, comes back again, switches to Rock, then into Broadway Musical territory, THEN into Latin Opera, back to Heavy Metal, and all over again in its 7.34 minutes. It's one of the most challenging and progressive pieces Yes has recorded, and certainly more challenging than Teiko from ABWH that tried going into the same territories, and ''Lightning Strikes'' from The Ladder which dared not venture out of one particular groove. In fact, this band stopped 'progressing' as soon as Rabin left, because there is no justification for a song like That. That Is exceeding the 19 minute mark based around 4 ideas in non-relation to eachother. BIG GENERATOR is a great album, it's high benchmarks being 'Shoot High Aim Low'' and ''I'm Running'', its melding of 'classic' yes and 'new' Yes in Final Eyes, and Rabin's incredible knack for Pop in 'Love Will Find A Way' and 'Rhythm of Love'.

I think many should check out more about ''ART'' history, and see how many ARTISTS had to 'pimp' their work just to make a living, before anyone starts ascribing 20 minute pieces as more 'artistry' as it describes seasoned witches that rearrange livers.

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