At Home in Hespeler

Yes has always been a bit of a favourite band of mine. Not a front line, must see, must have every record band like Led Zeppelin or The Who or the Stones. Oh sure, they changed the lineup too often to be one of the greats. New keyboard players and singers especially dotted the Yes-scape, although there was that abomination 80’s lineup that featured no Steve Howe.

I approached the new live Yes CD, Like It Is – YES At The Bristol Hippodrome, due out December 9th, with some trepidation. Seeing as it featured only three classic line up members, drummer Alan White, bassist Chris Squire and the aforementioned Steve Howe. The lineup is filled out with 80’s era keyboardist Geoff Downes and new singer Jon Davison who sounds scarily like original Yes singer Jon Anderson.

Working a setlist of classic Yes, Like It Is is a great collection of songs played to perfection. The energy is high, no 40-year band going through the motions here. Starting with a surprisingly rockin’ version of Going for the One, the set runs through such greats as Yours is no Disgrace, Steve Howe’s The Clap, Starship Trooper and I’ve Seen All Good People, before finishing up on Perpetual Change.

It’s not perfect, not by a long shot. Released in CD/DVD combo and digital formats, Yes at the Bristol Hippodrome is badly missing a vinyl release, an almost fatal flaw. If one can’t put the LP under the Christmas tree, then what’s the point of going to the trouble of cutting down a tree and propping it up in your living room? But besides format complaints, Like It Is – YES At The Bristol Hippodrome is one of the most enjoyable albums I’ve come across this Christmas release season.

Tracklist

1. Going for the One
2. Turn of the Century
3. Parallels
4. Wonderous Stories
5. Awaken
6. Yours is no Disgrace
7. Clap
8. Starship Trooper
9. I’ve Seen All Good People
10. A Venture
11. Perpetual Change

Brian Gardiner Album release, Record Release, Review Bristol, Live at the Bristol Hippodrome, Steve Howe, Yes