Yes-- Yessongs (1973)

If you’re building that classic rock collection, then YESSONGS is a superb double disc live album that could easily be considered a ‘best of’ for Yes’ early works—to some their only relevant work. YESSONGS is also a definitive moment in prog-rock history, the songs structured to maximize the poly-rhythmic interchange between keyboard, bass, and drums- that musical hinterland where groove takes precedence over lyrical meaning and logic. The vocal work isn’t quite as sharp as their studio albums, but what they lack in perfect harmony, they more than make up for with pure musicianship. There are elements of jazz doodling along side classical guitar riffing and they tend to take off and make the feel somehow larger than the studio versions. Unlike most live albums, the audience is barely heard and they aren’t used to make the listener feel as if they’ve missed something big. It may suffer from time to time with the 60s flower power hangover, but don’t let that fool you. There is some true power here to soak up. No one else could pour on the keyboards and classical references with quite the same panache, with the exception of Emerson, Lake, and Palmer. Each track is a standout production and they truly rise when they meander to a conclusion.
This live set is a showcase for the exciting qualities that are missing in their later works, as they moved towards more radio-friendly musical encapsulations (90125 anyone?). This is a moment in time when they could not wished for a tighter sound and solidarity. Later the band went through several personnel changes and had much trouble with lawsuits amongst themselves about rights and money.
So taste the grand buffet of lavish pro-rock that was Yes and add this to the collection of essential albums.

Tracks:
Disc one
1."Opening (excerpt from 'Firebird Suite')" (Igor Stravinsky) – 3:47
2."Siberian Khatru" (Jon Anderson, Steve Howe, Rick Wakeman) – 9:03
3."Heart of the Sunrise" (Anderson, Bill Bruford, Chris Squire) – 11:33
4."Perpetual Change" (Anderson, Squire) – 14:11
5."And You and I" (Anderson, Bruford, Howe, Squire) – 9:33

1."Cord of Life"
2."Eclipse" (Anderson, Bruford, Squire)
3."The Preacher the Teacher"
4."Apocalypse"

6."Mood for a Day" (Howe) – 2:53
7."Excerpts from The Six Wives of Henry VIII" (Wakeman) – 6:37
8.”Roundabout" (Anderson, Howe) – 8:33

Disc two
1."I've Seen All Good People" (Anderson, Squire) – 7:09
1."Your Move" (Anderson)
2."All Good People" (Squire)

2."Long Distance Runaround/The Fish (Schindleria Praematurus)" (Anderson, Squire) – 13:37
3."Close to the Edge" (Anderson, Howe) – 18:13

1."The Solid Time of Change"
2."Total Mass Retain"
3."I Get Up I Get Down" (Anderson, Squire)
4."Seasons of Man"

4."Yours Is No Disgrace" (Anderson, Bruford, Howe, Tony Kaye, Squire) – 14:23
5."Starship Trooper" (Anderson, Squire, Howe) – 10:08
1."Life Seeker" (Anderson)
2."Disillusion" (Squire)
3."Würm" (Howe)



Yes' official web site

--Nickolas Cook