Keys to Ascension V.1 [Import]

keys to ascension v.1 [import]

Track Listings

1. Siberian Khatru

2. Revealing Science Of God

3. America

4. Onward

5. Awaken

6. Roundabout

7. Starship Trooper

8. Be The One (Studio Track)

9. That, That Is (Studio Track)

Keys to Ascension V.1,Yes,Sanctuary,Rock

Keys to Ascension V.1 [Import]

Average customer rating:

That That Is
Amazing live album and great new tracks
You had to be there...
Yes - 'Keys To Ascension' (CMC International)
Unbelievable!! !!! Amazing !!! !! After 30 years!! !! !

Keys to Ascension
Yes
Manufacturer: Cmc International
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Keys to Ascension, Vol. 2
Keys to Ascension, Vol. 2
Magnification
Going for the One
The Ladder

ASIN: B000001Y9T
Release Date: 1996-10-29

Tracks:

ROUNDABOUT
STARSHIP TROOPER
BE THE ONE
THAT, THAT IS
AWAKEN

Tracks:

Roundabout
Starship Trooper
Be The One
That, That Is

Customer Reviews:

That That Is.......2007-06-22

A fantastic Cd for a Yes fan. The 5 stars are mainly for That That Is though. I don't get some of the reviews for this song. Classic Yes has always been about long form songs. I played this song for a few musician friends of mine a few years ago and they were plainly blowed away by the Steve Howe extended jam near the end. These guys are in a new Metal band and never really listened to Yes. After I played this for them they wanted to hear some other stuff by Yes so I played Tormato for them. I think I ruined a perfectly good metal band that day? Oh well

Amazing live album and great new tracks.......2007-03-11

I think that both Keys (Vol 1 & 2) have the best live sound that I ever heard. Great classic in Vol. one like "Siberian Kathru", "Revealing science of God", "Awaken", "Roundabout" and "Starship Trooper"
Powerful version of "America" with a top performance of Steve Howe on guitar. "Onward" is beautiful and a lot better that the original.
The two new track (thirty minutes of new music) is also very well done.
A jewel in my cd collection.

You had to be there..........2005-04-02

No- I wasn't at the show. But I will NEVER forget the moment I walked into my music store in late 1996 and found this masterpiece. This was, and is- the YES Grand Finale'. The first CD arguably may be the most dynamic CD side of Prog ever on one CD. The versions of the songs are precise, and yet in true YES fashion, they completely roam freely, especially Squire and Wakeman. This improvisation is especially evident on CD Two, when YES roars through Roundabout and then devours "Starship Trooper." The closing solo set between Wakeman and Howe is far and beyond the 1973 Yessongs release as both trade solos and then the band shifts into a higher speed near the end.
Sadly, all good things must end, and in the case of Steve Howe- this, other than his classical work, is the zenith of his career, he has lost his speed, tone and virtuosity.
The two studio tracks were a delight. "Be the One" reminds one of what YES had missed all the years the band wasn't intact. "That, That Is" is SEVERELY underappreciated as a real YES classic, sprawling 19 minutes and with some words of true depth- I consider it a true blue YES concept piece, and would love to include it on a music DVD with all other Yes music of great length. The song is befitting to end the greatest YES album in 19 years. I was so happy with the artwork and sound, it will always be dear to my heart (along with Keys 2) as the Swansong of YES.

Yes - 'Keys To Ascension' (CMC International).......2004-07-17

This beautifully-packaged 2-CD release was recorded live over the course of a three night stand performance in San Luis Obispo,California in March,1996.It boasts of a gem of a line-up of:Anderson,Squire,Howe,Wakeman and White.I wasn't even aware that Howe or Wakeman had anything to do with Yes anymore.Newly recorded tracks include "Onward","Be The One" and the twenty-minute epic "That,That Is".I sort of dug the Paul Simon tune they play,"America".Anderson's vocals certainly give the classic a nice touch.The only two tracks here that I recognized were "Roundabout" and "Starship Trooper".'Keys To...' is pretty much aimed toward BIG-time Yes fans.Perhaps a little to artsy-fartsy for some.Great sound mix and production.

Unbelievable!! !!! Amazing !!! !! After 30 years!! !! !.......2004-02-25

King Crimson? - no way! ELP? Where are they? Genesis? They did the world a favor and finally split up! And there some others but YES remains the ultimate band for this type of music! And I can say that after 30 years they actually sound better than they used to! I watched the DVD that goes with this CD and I must say I was amazed at how good they are- in a "live" setting they would always make small errors or missed or goofed notes. Not this time-they are perfect. And unlike most "Classic" rock bands that just slow stuff down and sing in lower keys and generally leave out the hard stuff that made it great in the first place.....................YES does it spot on! Better than ever! This album will make you like them all over again and spend all your money on RHINO reissues. If you get the chance to see them on the 2004 spring tour I recommend it!

Average customer rating:

Incredible !
mostly bland and inoffensive
YES reached for the keys and are unlocking Heaven's door!
Best of Yes - Classic and Contemporary
These Dinosaurs Rule

Keys to Ascension, Vol. 2
Yes
Manufacturer: Cleopatra
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Keys to Ascension
Yesshows
Going for the One
The Ladder
Open Your Eyes

ASIN: B000001JLV
Release Date: 1997-11-18

Tracks:

I've Seen All Good People/Your Move/All Good People
Going For The One
Time And A Word
Close To The Edge/The Solid Time Of Change/Total Mass Retain/I Get Up, I Get Down/Seasons Of A Man
Turn Of the Century
And You And I/Cord Of Life/Eclipse/The Preacher The Teacher/Apocalypse

Tracks:

Mind Drive
Foot Prints
Bring Me To The Power
Children Of Light/Lifeline
Sign Language

Album Details

Includes New Solo Material & Classic Live Hits. Features the Classic Yes Line-up of Rick Wakeman, Steve Howe, Chris Squire, Jon Anderson, & Alan White.

Customer Reviews:

Incredible !.......2007-03-11

The first disk contains the most amazing version of "Close to the edge" and "And you and I" that I ever heard. The sound is amazing with deep bass on my home theatre system. "Turn of the century" is a jewel. Cristal guitar sound from Steve Howe. "All good people" and "Going for the one" are beautiful also.
The cd 2 is a studio album containing one beautiful new epic "Mind Drive"
The other songs are good but no more than this.
Overall, just for the live cd, this is a must have.
Close to the Edge is the greatest creation of the band and this version is simply the best you can have.

mostly bland and inoffensive.......2007-02-12

I bought this to listen to the latter days Yes studio tracks. While I find them a step or two above Big Generator, they are not as good as the classic stuff, nor as good as the surprising Magnification album. The live tracks are well known classics, just better recorded and produced than past versions. If you're like me and don't mind buying used cds, you might find interesting the fact that it's cheaper to get the two "Keys to Ascenscion" double cds than the single "Keystudio". I've read that the mix is a little different, but honestly, does that matter to most of us?

YES reached for the keys and are unlocking Heaven's door!.......2005-06-02

Keys 2 (spec. ed. with the Roger Dean poster) is quite a package! I am a long-time YES fan but only recently got this...what a shame I waited! I find the whole first disk live show to be revelatory in the slowed down refined energy of the (over 50) band members. They are spot on in 95% of the CA show, despite an occasional harmony falter or whatever the boys are shining their brilliant light again to YES fans obvious pleasure (live audience sounds orgasmic). Instrumentally the show is in the sublime category with Squire leading the way with his incredible melodic bass playing and harmonic sensibility. Squire missing on the Evening of YES music made it clear that YES is incomplete and lacking w/o Squire's additions on many levels! Jon Anderson inspires with his very uplifting peaceful attitude and inspired delivery (of the classics w/o too much alteration). Howe's moments of enlightened fretting trip over eachother with pure musical energy (very creative approaches abound). Still going strong many years after this - check out Natural Timbre to see the continuing brilliance! Welcome back Rick Wakeman! The keyboards are really back on the mother ship and taking the songs higher again. I was concerned during the early nineties that the magic was never to be regained (ABWH was missing something more than just Squire). And, as always, Alan White has shown himself to be the YES drummer that goes where the bands spiritual energy takes him without resisting...Many bands haven't relaxed into their identity - YES has!

The slowed pace and extra attention to nuance is what these later concerts are all about. The versions of these songs are just gorgeous! Time and a word is the best I've heard! CTTE on here is powerful! And You And I is incredible with its mystical beauty as is Turn of the Century - melodic heaven has been reached! YES clearly believes in this long-time project called YES and cares deeply for its fans as is very evident on this fine live performance. I won't get into a lengthy discussion of each songs juicy details, but all of the songs are performed beautifully in my opinion.

This is not 70's YES, which I love, but a progression of the bands strengths taken to new but familiar places. Now, on to the studio disk...a bit harder to comment at this early stage since I have only listened to disk 2 a few times. I need to absorb new songs for a longer period but my initial impressions are very favorable. For now I will say that they are a very welcome addition to this great package, I'll update later.

One has to wonder why the Keys live shows from 1 & 2 weren't put together and had the studio tracks only on Keystudio? I guess the one comment was right that the record co. didn't feel confident in our old buddies to be able to sell new songs w/o adding nostalgia. I do kind of like this approach though since the package has more interest - getting some old and new (there seems to be a combined package that includes it all on 4 disks if you can find it). The gatefold case with the great Roger Dean artwork is some of the best album art in awhile. Highly recommended to YES fans who don't expect everything to be just like it was. Thank you YES for the great gift of your music!

Best of Yes - Classic and Contemporary.......2005-01-26

Of Disc #1 - The cool thing about Yes is that they are all business when playing live. Although these are live recordings, they might as well be studio cuts for their musicianship and precision in the details. The mix captures the punch in Alan White's rock drumming and showcases the elegance of Jon Anderson's still-strong voice. Classic Yes fans will appreciate these new recordings of the better songs from their 1970's period. The bridge between "Your Move" and "All Good People" just roars. "Close to the Edge" is just amazing and the recording admirably captures the power of its live performance. "Going for the One" can be a bit twangy on the original recording, but this performance fattens the rock edge. "Time and a Word," "Turn of the Century," & "And You and I" shine for all their beauty. I liked "Yessongs" as well as the previous reviewer, but the recording technology is so much better here that "Keys" eclipses that classic effort.

Of Disc #2 - Anything that Yes has put out since 90125 has always been a bit controversial for fans of the older stuff. Personally, I love the "West Coast" incarnation with Trevor Rabin as well as the ABWH et.al. crew. That said, however, even I will admit to the glaring inconsistencies when they have tried to duplicate their epics (15+ minute songs). Not so here. The "Mind Drive-Footprints-Bring Me the Power" epic falls slightly short of "Close to the Edge," "Starship Trooper," and the marathon "Tales from Topographic Oceans," but it still is worth the price of the recording all by itself. The rest is very good as well.

Highly Recommended for Fans and Neophytes Alike!

These Dinosaurs Rule.......2003-08-24

Keys 2 is one of the rare occasions when the classic lineup produces new music that both rocks and has the depth of nuance to be called art. Too often Yes songs of the past 20 years have veered too close to soft rock and modern jazz(aka muzak without the strings.) Perhaps these guys were just afraid of sounding like the band that was labeled as pretensious dinosaurs in the 70's. But dinosaurs aren't just old. Dinosaurs are also awesome.
For the most part, the live recordings of the old songs sound as good and often better than the original recordings. No doubt there was some serious dubbing in post production. But when you get through the 18 minutes of the new 'Mind Drive' you realize that these guys can still combine the spirituality and intensity that is inherent in the best of their work. Get it while you can.

Average customer rating:

These guys are the best -Still
State of the Art Sound
Good, but the best material went onto Volume 1

Keys to Ascension 2 (Spec) (Dig)
Yes
Manufacturer: Cleopatra
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Keys to Ascension
Union
Back in the U.S. Live 2002
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A Saucerful of Secrets

ASIN: B00006BXIK
Release Date: 2002-08-13

Tracks:

I've Seen All Good People: Your Move/All Good People
Going For The One
Time And A Word
Close To The Edge: The Solid Time Of Change/Total Mass Retain/I Get Up, I Get Down/Seasons Of Man
Turn Of The Century
And You And I: Cord Of Life/Eclipse/The Preacher The Teacher/Apocalypse

Tracks:

Mind Drive
Foot Prints
Bring Me To The Power
Children Of Light: Children Of Light/Lifeline
Sign Language

Customer Reviews:

These guys are the best -Still.......2004-03-23

This is the companion to "Keys" number 1 and you gotta have 'em both! If you plan on seeing YES during the upcoming 2004 spring tour, you better get this CD 'cause they are doing stuff from it! MIND DRIVE over to your CD store & pick this one up ASAP!

State of the Art Sound.......2004-02-18

What could be said about Keys to Ascension One could also be said about the second edition-state-of-the-art sound and excellent performances. I have to laugh at people who compare this performance with one which took place several years ago and with different technology. Why not go back and listen to Yessongs
on an 8-track car tape deck? Yes are masters of their trades and this is a masterpiece! I love the studio tracks and whatever politics went into making it I really do not care- I am happy to just have the music. Buy this today!

Good, but the best material went onto Volume 1.......2003-01-15

In late 1995-early 1996, the classic lineup of Yes -- Anderson, Howe, Squire, Wakeman, White -- recorded an album's worth of material at the Yesworld Studio in San Luis Obispo, California. In March 1996, they recorded three straight nights of concerts played in that city. Each of the two 2-CD volumes of "Keys of Ascension" has included some of the live performances of Yes classics and some of the new studio tracks. This version of Volume 2 is billed as a "Special Edition", apparently because it contains a poster.

I suspect that a Volume 2 wasn't originally planned, because all the best live material went onto Volume 1. The tracks here have some clunker notes, and the performances aren't the sheer revelations that Volume 1 was. "Close to the Edge" and "And You and I" are two of Yes' best songs ever, and if you don't have a recording of them yet your life is sadly incomplete, but the versions here sound a little sluggish compared to those on "Yessongs". On the other hand, "Going for the One" and "Time and a Word" sound better here than on "Yesshows". I'm not a "Time and a Word" fan, but if I was, this version, with a nice Wakeman piano intro, is the one I'd want to listen to. The high point of Volume 2 is "Turn of the Century", a ballad from the "Going for the One" album that tells a "Pygmalion" tale, with fine acoustic work by Howe. The recording quality is much better than was possible on Yes' earlier live albums.

The studio tracks aren't of the same high standard. They're pleasant, but none will ever appear on any Yes best-of collection. "Mind Games" is not as good as some of the reviews here would lead you to believe. It might be great at half its 18-minute length, but is too padded to maintain interest for that long. "Foot Prints" and "Bring to the Power" are good but not great tracks. The closer "Sign Language" and the second half of "Children of the Light" are Howe-Wakeman duets -- they're okay, but anyone who's honestly a Yes fan knows that the two could walk into a studio on any day of their lives and record something at least this good.

(1=poor 2=mediocre 3=pretty good 4=very good 5=phenomenal)

Ascension
Average customer rating:
Ascension
Howard Riley & Terrence Richburg
Manufacturer: Richescape Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music
General | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B0002IF0DC
Release Date: 2004-04-23

Tracks:

4--Sure
Ascension
Blessed Assurance
Stretch
Always Love
Wonderful Jesus
I Got a Mind to Serve the Lord
Lift Every Voice & Sing
He Looked Beyond My Fault
T-Bop
For the First Time
Arrival Fanfare/Heartbreaker
When I'm With You
Amazing Grace
Always Love (Instrumental)
Runnin' 4 Jesus
R&R (Bonus Track)

Album Description

This project was born out of the depths of inspiration and made possible through a special blend of creativity and talent to produce a virtual marriage of the essence of jazz and the eternal soul of gospel. It was a long, two-and-a-half year process, but well worth the wait and effort. The uphill climb— "Ascension" if you will has taken Riley and Richburg into heavenly places dwelling with God—the Creator of their inner song. Terrence took his own advice, stepped out on faith and following the Lord's leading produced "Ascension," seeing it unfold as a flower into an incredible revelation. The response from listeners of the project has ranged from sheer enjoyment and excitement to "this is an incredible album," to "I just couldn't stop listening to it—I played it all night long!" Don't underestimate the potential of this engaging sea of opportunity. Don't overlook this sincere offering of spirit-filled innovation—and certainly don't forfeit this, your appointed moment in destiny, to hear the amazing music by R&R on their debut CD, "Ascension"—A RICHESCAPE MUSIC Productions Experience.

Average customer rating:

Keys to Ascension V.2
Yes
Manufacturer: Sanctuary
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Keys to Ascension

ASIN: B00024I0NS
Release Date: 2004-07-06

Tracks:

All Good People
Going For The One
Time & A Word
Close To The Edge
Turn Of The Century
And You & I
Mind Drive
Foot Prints
Bring To The Power
Lightning
Children Of The Light
Lifeline
Sign Language

Average customer rating:

magnificent studio tracks
Another angry Wakeman!
Mislead To Ascension, Too.
Good, but the best material went onto Volume 1

Keys to Ascension, Vol. 2
Yes
Manufacturer: Sbme Castle Us
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Keys to Ascension
Tormato
Going for the One
The Ladder
Magnification

ASIN: B00006JYBJ
Release Date: 2002-10-08

Tracks:

I'VE SEEN ALL GOOD PEOPLE: A. YOUR MOVE/B. ALL GOOD PEOPLE
GOING FOR THE ONE
America
Time And A Word
Close To The Edge
Turn Of The Century
And You And I

Tracks:

MIND DRIVE
FOOT PRINTS
BRING ME TO THE POWER
Lightning
Children Of Light
Lifeline
Sign Language

Customer Reviews:

magnificent studio tracks.......2006-08-16

the studio tracks are very good, specially mind drive, are 5 stars
The live ones are 3 stars.

Another angry Wakeman!.......2005-04-02

With all honesty, the album is wonderful, and looks wonderful as it's predecessor from 1996. The live tracks here are beautifully performed, in fact the best version of "Time and a Word" in my opinion ever done. Somewhere along the line Rick again was outvoted as he wanted this record to stand on it's own. As a result, Rick left YES again, but this time it didn't matter- as I reviewed in Keys One- this was the Grand Finale' of Yes.
The Engineers toyed with the CD production at some point, and like the other reviewer I was fortunate to get the 1997 version, as I noticed one of the songs was given a hatchet job in the later release, and another a piece added. Nonetheless, the album is a full blown YES effort, despite "Mind Drive" from the studio being in it's 18 minutes somewhat dull- it has some amazing musical moments.
Keys to Ascension One and Two, aptly titled and packaged, are YES at the end of their career. Although I forced myself to buy "The Ladder..." it was like a replay of the 80's.
YES has given us masterworks of musical art. My story of YES ends here. But the collection of remasters and memories carry on. "High the memory."

Mislead To Ascension, Too........2004-09-15

I am writing this review to let others know of my shopping experience of this particular item. It advertises (extra tracks) which is why I bought it, being a long time and devoted fan. The track list has the opener listed as "Lightning"--which is a title I had never heard before. It also lists the songs "Lifeline" and "Children Of Light" seperate which leads you to believe they are seperate songs or perhaps alternate versions from the original 1997 release, not so!! Since I already own Keys To Ascension 2 , I know the song title "Lightning" does not appear on the original 1997 release--and having been a HUGE fan of the studio tracks from these sessions--I was counting on discovering another gem. I received my order by mail only to find the exact same tracklist on this 2002 release as my previous 1997 release. Please listen to the song samples here as proof, if hoping to find some thing new here. On the other hand, if you are a YES fan who has not heard the studio tracks from Keys 2 yet, I DO DEFINELY recommend buying it--however search for the 1997 US version to save some money.

Good, but the best material went onto Volume 1.......2003-01-15

Tracks:

Siberian Khatru [Live]
Revealing Science of God [Live]
America [Live]
Onward [Live]
Awaken [Live]

Tracks:

Roundabout [Live]
Starship Trooper [Live]
Be the One
That, That Is

Average customer rating:

Keys to Ascension
Yes
Manufacturer: Castle Music UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000024OEO
Release Date: 1996-10-21

Tracks:

Siberian Khatru [Live]
Revealing Science of God [Live]
America [Live]
Onward [Live]
Awaken [Live]

Tracks:

Roundabout [Live]
Starship Trooper [Live]
Be the One
That, That Is

Average customer rating:

Five-star 1996 live show, three-star studio tracks
The beginning of the resurrection

Vol. 1-2-Keys to Ascension

Manufacturer: Pidm
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000270VX
Release Date: 2000-08-01

Tracks:

Siberian Khartu
The Revealing Science Of God
America
Onward
Awaken
Roundabout
Starship Trooper
Be The One
That, That Is
I've Seen All Good People- A)Your Move B)All Good People
Going For The One
Time And A Word
Close To The Edge-A)The Solid Time Of Change, B)Total Mass R
Turn Of The Century
And You And I-A)Cord Of Life, B)Eclipse, C)The Preacher The
Mind Drive
Foot Prints
Bring To The Power
Children Of The Light-A) Lightning B) Children Of The Light
Sign Language

Album Description

Limited edition version of their 1997 release on four full color picture CDs & with four full color postcards. The album consists of seven recent studio recordings & an entirelive show in San Luis Obispo, CA. 20 tracks total, including'Roundabout', 'Siberian Khatru', 'Starhip Trooper', 'I've Seen All Good People', 'Close To The Edge', 'And You And I',plus seven new studio tracks and more!. The release comes packaged as a full color, thick cardboard slipcase with two double slimline jewel cases inside it. 1998 Castle release.

Customer Reviews:

Five-star 1996 live show, three-star studio tracks.......2003-01-15

In late 1995-early 1996, the classic Yes lineup -- Anderson, Howe, Squire, Wakeman, White -- got together to record an album in the Yesworld Studio in San Luis Obispo, California. In March 1996, they played three straight nights of shows in that city. The live performances and studio tracks were divvied up, with half of each appearing on each 2-CD volume of "Keys of Ascension". This package includes both of the albums.

The live cuts on the 1st album would be worth it just for the first live recordings of the epics "The Revealing Science of God" and "Awaken". Both are fantastic renditions. (Wakeman's pipe organ solo on "Awaken" is unfocused compared to the studio version; if you get bored, listen for Anderson plucking a harp in the background.) There is also a take on "Siberian Khatru" that rivals the "Yessongs" version. The Yes arrangement of Paul Simon's "America" has never been a favorite of mine; the unease of the lyrics conflicts with the brash instrumental passages between the verses. But the take here is almost enough to make a believer out of me. I can't picture the song being performed any better than this. One of the last songs I ever expected on a Yes live album was "Onward", a sweet-nothing love song by Squire from the "Tormato" album. It's about the most simple, straightforward song Yes has ever done, and it works here just BECAUSE of that. In between the long, convoluted songs, the simplicity of "Onward" allows the listeners to rest and cleanse their aural palates before diving into "Awaken". The second CD includes the encores: a solid reading of "Roundabout" and a version of "Starship Trooper" that may be better than the one on "Yessongs", with Howe and Wakeman swapping solos during an extended ending. The sound quality on the live tracks is great, much better than was possible on Yes' earlier live albums.

The "A" material went on Volume 1 of "Keys of Ascension". The cuts that were released on Volume 2 aren't as good, with a few clunker notes here, a sluggish performance of a song there. "Close to the Edge" and "And You and I" are two of Yes' best songs ever, and if you don't have a recording of them yet your life is sadly incomplete, but the versions here sound a bit logy compared to those on "Yessongs". On the other hand, "Going for the One" and "Time and a Word" sound better here than on "Yesshows". I'm not a "Time and a Word" fan, but if I was, this version, with a nice Wakeman piano intro, is the one I'd want to listen to. The high point of Volume 2 is "Turn of the Century", a ballad from the "Going for the One" album that tells a "Pygmalion" tale, with fine acoustic work by Howe.

The studio tracks aren't of the same high standard. They're pleasant, but none will ever appear on any Yes best-of collection. The best is the 10-minute "Be the One", with a soaring melody and Anderson's uplifting chorus "Be the one giving in to love/Never let the good in life desert you". "That, That Is" starts with a lovely Howe acoustic guitar theme, but is too uneven a song to sustain its 19-minute length. By the same token, "Mind Games" might be great at half its 18-minute length, but is too padded to maintain interest. "Foot Prints" and "Bring to the Power" are good but not great tracks. The closer "Sign Language" and the second half of "Children of the Light" are Howe-Wakeman duets -- they're okay, but anyone who's honestly a Yes fan knows that the two could walk into a studio on any day of their lives and record something at least this good.

(1=poor 2=mediocre 3=pretty good 4=very good 5=phenomenal)

The beginning of the resurrection.......2000-08-08

The two albums combined here were the logical successors to the "Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe" album. The ABWH lineup (with journeyman Tony Levin in the Chris Squire role) were a gift to those of us who felt the "90125/ Big Generator" Yes were more about being an '80s band than about being Yes, but it was clear from the ABWH effort that Wakeman and Howe had been away from the fold for long enough to lose the rapport. Plus, Anderson and Squire had gotten used to writing Reagan '80s pop. They still knew how to play the really big numbers--but only the oldies in live concerts. And not too many of those, mind you--audiences couldn't very well do the Stadium Wave to "Close To the Edge", could they? By the time these "Ascension" albums came along, though, the rust had been wirebrushed off. We see a Yes here that shows that they still have it. Not only do you get the old epics played in concert a la "Yessongs"--they've also recaptured the ability to come up with worthy successors to such material. And as we see by today's lineup with younger members Sherwood and Khoroshev, this wasn't the '80s anymore. With bands like Dream Theater and Spock's Beard around, the repudiation of progressive is over and done with.

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Keys to the Studio Ascension
Yes
Manufacturer: Msi Music Corp
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0000DEPJO
Release Date: 2002-09-11

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