So I'm sitting here listening to the Keystudio compilation of the band's 96/97 studio tracks previously released on Keys To Ascension (1 and 2), and oddly enough, I am reminded at how much I absolutely LOVE this material. I, along with likely thousands upon thousands of other Yesfans, wish that they had released the songs as a single 75 minute album by itself, and released the live show as a 2-CD show by itself.
With the recent re-release of the KTA material in a 5-disc box set, they really missed the opportunity to do that with the material. Unfortunately, it's just a repackaging of the two original KTA 2-CD sets plus the more recently released DVD. I would be more inclined to buy this box set had they re-ordered the live tracks into their proper live set list order, and put them on 2 CDs by themselves. Also, a re-release of the Keystudio album itself would've been fantastic for most fans who didn't grab it over 4 years ago because it nabs around $40-50 on secondary markets these days (I, for one, am VERY glad I bought it new on Amazon back on 06 for a scant $8 or so).
Also, any re-release of this album would be welcome. I don't collect vinyl, but it would definitely work well for a 2-LP set since two of the songs are already side-length. The track list would have to be re-worked though...
Side 1 - 18:38
"Mind Drive" (18:38)
Side 2 - 19:00
"Footprints" (9:09)
"Be The One" (9:51)
Side 3 - 19:15
"That, That Is" (19:15)
Side 4 - 17:24
"Bring Me To The Power" (7:25)
"Children Of Light" (6:34)
"Sign Language" (3:25)
Well... something like that. It opens with "Mind Drive", followed by "Foot Prints" just like the second disc of KTA2, but then as on Keystudio, "Be The One" follows "Foot Prints". After "Be The One" is "That, That Is", like they were at the end of KTA1's second disc. Then the final three tracks are as they were at the end of KTA2. I think "Sign Language" works well as a somber, soft ending to the "album".
I think this material might do better with a remaster/rerelease of some sort. It definitely deserves more attention than it got, especially with the short-produced compilation of the tracks with a rather...ahem... lackluster name.
Anyways, just wanted to post my praise for these tracks... amazing works!
-Marc.