ABWH: An Evening of Yes Music Plus

[Joedude]

I've been reading the posts of the albums lately and noticed that no one has really commented on one I like: An Evening of Yes Music Plus. I rather enjoyed the entire CD, especially Birthright and the Rick Wakeman solo. What's your opinion?

[RobAdams]

I play this one a lot. I always miss Chris, but it's still a great show. It's interesting to hear how much Chris adds to Yes simply by hearing the old classics WITHOUT him.

Every moment of this double disc set is wonderful. I have the second version of this, which adds STARSHIP TROOPER. The ABWH material is vibrant and fresh. I'd love to see a song or two make it into a Yes set list. THEMES is very exciting here, as are BIRTHRIGHT and ORDER OF THE UNIVERSE. BROTHER OF MINE is awesome.

As for the oldies, LONG DISTANCE is the weakest track. CLOSE TO THE EDGE, AND YOU AND I, STARSHIP TROOPER, and HEART OF THE SUNRISE are top notch performances - diminished only by the absence of Mr.Squire.

One odd thing I noticed....The liner notes claim that Jon, Steve, Bill and Rick hadn't played together since TORMATO. Of course, this is wrong, as Bill wasn't on TORMATO. Someone didn't do their studying.

[BredYes]

I saw a concert during the ABWH tour (my first Yes related concert) and I liked it very much. When I listen to the album I was a bit disappointed. The reason was that Tony Levin wasnot playing on it because he was ill during the recorded show. I remember the playing between Bill and Tony was very good at the show, although I agree that you miss Chris on it (also his vocals). The bass playing on this CD is rather weak and that irritates me.
Birthright is a highlight on this album. Rick's solo is amazing.

[RobAdams]

Also sounds to me that Jeff Berlin's bass is mixed a bit quiet on this album. And speaking of Tony Levin, I was surprised to see he is listed as a bass player on PINK FLOYD's MOMENTARY LAPSE OF REASON. He also played bass on John Lennon's last albums, DOUBLE FANTASY and MILK AND HONEY, as well as outtakes on the Lennon ANTHOLOGY.

[BredYes]

Probably you know that Tony Levin also played at a number of Peter Gabriel albums. Recently I listen to Gabriel's Album So and his bass playing is really brilliant on this album.

[nightliner]

I highly recommend the dvd....if you can find it. The only downside is that Jeff Berlin does the bass.

[Yes Oz]

I only have the video. As far as I'm concerned it is another version of Yes and I love the video. I particularly like the opening to the concert with the solos leading into LDR. I had lost contact with Yes for the period leading to the ABWH period. A friend told me about them when I was holiday in the UK in 91 (i think that was the year). So for me this re-ignited my flame to keep Yes prominent again in my musical life. I love the CD they produced as much as a lot of Yes stuff. But for me it is the connection of Jon and Steve together that links them to another version of Yes. Maybe if one of these were not present in this group then I may feel differently.