I remember when the original version of this came out wondering why a full live album wasn’t done. I mean, this was a new lineup of the band with a new level of success. It seemed a new live presence for home consumption would have made sense. Instead we got this truncated thing. I still wonder about that decision. That said, this is pretty good and I’m glad to have it.
This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2013 Volume 3 at lulu.com/strangesound.
Track by Track Review
Hold On
I’ve always liked this song quite a bit. It opens with a bit of drum playing from Alan White. Then they shift into the song proper. I like the sound of the instrumentation a lot here.
Si
Tony Kaye’s keyboard solo, this is more about atmosphere than a lot of flash. There are some intriguing sounds and musical concepts on display, though.It does have some particularly dramatic moments.
Solly's Beard
Here we get Trevor Rabin’s guitar solo. It’s fairly intricate and delicate and also shows a lot of technical prowess. There are some more energetic and rocking moments, but overall this stays clear of anything that would be considered real “rock” music.
Soon
Jon Anderson’s solo takes the form of this Yes section with some musical accompaniment.
Changes
Another cut from 90125 that I’ve always liked a lot, this live version is quite potent. The live tone is a little more “real” than the studio rendition had been.
Amazing Grace
This version of “Amazing Grace” is performed via bass chords from Chris Squire. I’ve never liked the song, but this version is OK.
Whitefish
Here we get a jam that’s built on Chris Squire’s “The Fish” from the Fragile album. There’s some “Tempus Fugit” from Drama in the mix, too. There are some other things here, too, which don’t seem connected to either of those things. There are bits of Relayer in this, too. And, Alan White gets some little sections of drum soloing.
City of Love
This metallic rocker from 90125 gets a smoking hot live rendition here. There is a cool extended instrumental segment later in the number, too. It’s the first of two bonus tracks in this expanded version.
It Can Happen
“It Can Happen” was always one of my favorites from the 90125 album. In some ways, it felt more like the 1970s version of the group to me. I like this live version quite a bit. There’s a great jam with multiple layers of vocals in the middle of this.
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