If you do not own The Yes Album, Time And A Word or Fragile, then stop reading this review and go purchase them. If, like me, you never purchased The Ladder, then House Of Yes Live From House Of Blues by Yes may interest you. This 1999/2000 live recording is a 2CD set that contains all the classic songs you would expect, interjected with 5 different songs from The Ladder.
Unlike most reviews, I don't have to waste time explaining the musical style here, so let's just hit all the facts. This version of Yes contained Jon Anderson (Lead Vocals) sounding very, very strong, Steve Howe (Guitars, Vocals) in classic Yes form, Chris Squire (Bass, Vocals), Alan White (Drums), and Igor Khoroshev (Keyboards). Khoroshev has some absolutely amazing changes through the CD and is the one surprise here.
"Yours Is No Disgrace", "And You And I", and "Your Move/I've Seen All Good People" stand out and are as good as you remember them. "Perpetual Change" is the only song that sounds a little thin and doesn't hold up to the original. "Ritual" and "Time And A Word" are short teasers that just introduce the themes but do not continue the entire song. "Cinema" is a real strong introduction to "Owner Of A Lonely Heart" and "Roundabout". The last two songs are mandatory, but are the two I could have done without the most.
The songs from The Ladder hold up next to these classics. The stongest point was "It Will Be A Good Day", which really has that classic Yes sound. "Lightning Stikes" and "The Messenger" are good, but not great Yes songs. "Homeworld" is very entertaining and "Face To Face" is very funky and not at all what I expected. Where it is placed, it breaks up the mood very well before "Awaken" gets us back to classic Yes.
This is recommended for anyone who doesn't already own The Ladder, anyone who doesn't own a live version of Yes, or anyone that can't get enough of this classic band. Otherwise there really isn't a whole lot of new ground that is sown. House Of Yes Live From House Of Blues is sure to entertain hardcore fans and new fans alike.
This is also available on DVD (Read Review)
Track Listing
*Disk 1*
1. Yours Is No Disgrace (13:03)
2. Time And A Word (0:58)
3. Homeworld (The Ladder) (9:44)
4. Perpetual Change (10:48)
5. Lighttning Strikes (5:07)
6. The Messenger (6:39)
7. Ritual – Nous Sommes Du Soleil (0:59)
8. And You And I (11:22)
*Disk 2*
1. It Will Be A Good Day (6:28)
2. Face To Face (5:32)
3. Awaken (17:34)
4. Your Move/I've Seen All Good People (7:27)
5. Cinema (1:57)
6. Owner Of A Lonely Heart (6:03)
7. Roundabout (7:40)
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