Starship Trooper Live: 9012Live or Keys To Ascension Version?

[Kevin W]

There are, of course, a zillion live versions of this classic Yes song available - and that’s just the officially released versions! But these two always struck me as the best two available because the final section of the song is just made for soloing (and this is prog after all, so extended solos are a given) and these two have got solos in spades. So, what’s your preference? One that includes a rare solo from a founding member plus Trev truly going off on one (which I love but I know will leave quite a number of you cold) and Chris working the crowd in the video? Or Rick and Steve trading solos on the Keys To Ascension version?

I find it almost impossible to choose as I love both versions. I suppose if you pushed me I would probably go for 9012live, if only for the fact that watching Trevor that first time when I caught a shortened version of the whole concert being shown on British TV was what convinced me that Yes were a band I definitely needed to get in to.

But then again, hearing Rick and Steve playing together in what at least sounded like musical harmony (whether they were actually getting on together at the time is highly debatable of course) is pretty awesome. So maybe…..see what I mean? You choose!

[soundchaser09]

Keys to Ascension version is my all time favourite, the musicality is wild at the end.

[Mr. Holland]

9012live version has been my favourite version of this song for many years now. I like the KTA version, but do wonder how much of it is actually live, since so many studio overdubs where done for KTA.

[True]

Good question

for me Wakeman was a magical part of the live ST experience
But the live Keys tracks are not their best “live” material.
so I might pick 9012Live for the energy

but the 78, 79 versions beat then both

[Davy]

Yep, I like the 9012Live Trooper a bit more. But, if your favorite part of the song is Life Seeker (like me,) the '78 and '79 performances are far and away the best, Jon never sounded as good again.

[Soundwaveseeker]

I'll go for the 9012Live version, despite the annoying overloud crowd noise. And I know many aren't too keen on Trevor Rabin's solo or the hammy orchestra hit keys at the end, but it's the first Yes live footage I ever saw, on MTV, so it has a special place. I love the live energy. There's this one spot where everything just locks in and the video shows a few seconds of Kaye just rockin' masterfully on that keyboard. And his solo is cool.

The Keys versions - some of them are not really the best representations of that material, and after years of heavier guitars, big drum and big production, some of that classic material even sounds a bit, I dare to say it,...kinda wimpy. But not terrible. Something about Rick back in there - magic. Good version, but I'll have to go with 9012Live version.

[Ash Armstrong]

Keys all day long, but the Wembley 78 performance was special, all the more so as I was there... I saw a version of the 90125 concert edited for TV when it was broadcast over here in 85. That was sufficient for me. Dunno now if Starship Trooper was included. I definitely remember I've Seen All Good People on it with the stupid film clips of people turning their heads... Never bought the VHS or DVD of it. Zero interest. Not seen it since. And I really enjoyed the ABWH performance of it at those concerts and on the live releases from that tour.
I remember screaming for them to play it on the 1975 Relayer tour after they'd done Roundabout/Sweet Dreams, but they didn't do it.... First time I heard them do it live was on the Going For The One Tour, when it was done as the encore preceding Roundabout: two shows at Wembley, two at Stafford. Got backstage at one of the Stafford shows, when Rick came out to his car and it was pouring with rain so he let us in to the backstage area. The band all came out into the foyer area and signed stuff and chatted for a few minutes. Kept my dad waiting who was providing travel for the three of us. He was not amused....

[Old Frothingslosh]

Of the 2 I'll take 9012live. The band there has punch and is on point. Keys version sounds like and old band going through the motions to me. But I agree with Ash, the Wembley shows were just on another level.

[Yesed]

Easily KTA version. No comparison when back to back, due to Steves guitar performance. Trevors guitar is a scaled down version of what it should be, Id say secondarily, due in part to Wakeman's performance. Great to see Tony play it as the original recording artist, but Wakeman outshines on the live setting.

[Ash Armstrong]

Of the 2 I'll take 9012live. The band there has punch and is on point. Keys version sounds like and old band going through the motions to me. But I agree with Ash, the Wembley shows were just on another level.

And not forgetting the Yessongs version. A shame they weren't including it on the 1972 Close to the Edge tour. We'd have had it on the Progeny shows then.

[JMKUSA]

A lot of the Keys live material is just okay. But wow, Wurm is off the charts! Steve and Rick are on fire and Alan and Chris are as powerful as ever.

[rabin105]

9012live version has been my favourite version of this song for many years now. I like the KTA version, but do wonder how much of it is actually live, since so many studio overdubs where done for KTA.

I thought I was the only one… yeah 9012live for me

[Enlighten]

Symphonic version. Not crazy about the live KTA tracks or Rabin doing a poor imitation of EVH. Brislin sends ST out of the park and he and Chris do their rock star thing. Finally someone Fishy can play off of because Steve can be such a stiff.

[luna65]

9012Live all day every day.

[Soundwaveseeker]

The 9012Live MTV video had:

Cinema
Leave It
Hold On
I've Seen All Good People
Changes
Make It Easy/Owner Of A Lonely Heart
It Can Happen
City Of Love
Starship Trooper

Naturally it leans on the 90125 material, though also with two 70's tracks. I thought it strange that the only other songs on there were 2 from the Yes Album, like they only had two albums. That Starship Trooper rocks though, surging with neon electricity.

For the classic lineup, I agree - those 1978 Wembly versions are a sublime slab of masterful late 70's Yes genius, with Steve & Rick laying it down like no other. That versus the 9012Live one, I would possibly have to give it a tie.