THE YES STORY

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.

I picked this attractive jewellery box up at a good price in a bargain bin, the words Yes screamed out to me to buy it and so I did thinking I had a real treasure. Imagine my surprise when I got home and played this only to find it was actually a selection of solo performances by those involved in Yes, including their wives and siblings. Perhaps I should read back covers more thoroughly.

There are Yes songs but they can be counted on one hand; A 17 minute live version of 'Awaken' was a great way to kick things off. 'Open your eyes' was another version of the track from the same titled album that did not do too well when it was released. 'Yours is no disgrace', 'Roundabout' and 'I've Seen All Good People' are the other Yes tracks and they are satisfactory though I have heard them ad infinitum on other albums in different guises. These are all from "The House of Blues" which I never bothered with so it was the best thing about the compilation.

The rest of this collection is curiously low key and difficult to enjoy on repeated listens. This is really a 'Friends of Yes' compilation with solo stuff from various sources including the volume 2 of 'Friend of Yes' in particular.

The Rick Wakeman "Classic Tracks" album is represented by a poor man's version of his opus 'Journey to the Centre of the Earth'; a 32 minute version no less and I thought the original was enough, who wants to hear another version? Wakeman also features with a different version of 'Merlin the magician'.

Jon Anderson has a solo stint with 'Owner of a Lonely Heart', a curio without the others, and he also sings 'Dancing fool'.

Squire has some solo material joined by Billy Sherwood on 'Violent Purple Rose' and 'Lonesome Trail'. His wife is here too in the band Esquire singing the poppy 'Tron Thomi'.

Steve Howe is a showcase member as usual and features on a very different version of 'To be over' and an intriguing version of Bob Dylan's "Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands' where he is joined by Jon Anderson; bette than the original need I say. The best thing Howe does is 'It's All Over Now Baby Blue' with Annie Haslam. They sound terrific as a duet.

Other artists include a rare melancholy track from Jemma Wakeman. The booklet, by the way is abysmall, and might as well have not bee included as it offers nothing new inte wayu of pictures or information. Compare that with the stunning informative 98 page booklet with the 5 CD box set "In A Word: Yes"! Of course that collection is five times the price but its better to get that and not waste cash on these mediocre money grabbers. This is worse than "The Milenium Collection: Yes" and that's saying something.

So this is a case of false advertising. The title is 'The Story of Yes' when it really should have been 'The Solo Performances of Yes, family and Friends'. This is definitely for collectors only; none of these tracks measure up to the original tracks. So rather than play this, I settle with the original albums and this comp rarely troubles my CD player; some of these tracks I have played a grand total of one time. Newcomers to Yes need to look to the first 5 albums and steer well clear of this cash in.