9012Live: The Solos (1985)Jon Anderson - Vocals
Tony Kaye - Keyboards
Trevor Rabin - Guitar, Vocals
Chris Squire - Bass, Vocals
Alan White - Drums, Percussion
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Following the huge success of
90125, Yes did the unexpected and took another one of their unexplained long breaks between albums. In the absence of new material, Atlantic was again forced to come up with something to keep them in the public eye and ear, and this was their solution.
Integral to any Yes concert are the solo segments granted to each of the members. When releasing a live album, capturing these segments can provide a more all-encompassing picture of a Yes concert. But here, we get a single 34-minute disc, originally a single LP, consisting mostly of these solo segments, without the rest of the concert. The tracks included here would be worthy additions to a full-length live release, but standing alone as they are, the result feels incomplete and is unsatisfying overall. It is particuarly disappointing because, with the dramatic change in the Yes sound, this would have been the perfect time for a full-length live album, showing off the "new" Yes takes on the classics as well as exciting versions of the newer material. Instead, we get two of the stronger songs from
90125 (but not their hit "Owner of a Lonely Heart") and little else.
"Hold On" We hear Jon introduce Alan on the drumkit, and we know that the song starts with a drum fill, so the assumption is that we'll be treated to an extended section or even a drum solo to serve as an intro, but we merely get a few extra bars and then a fairly pedestrian version of the song itself.
"Si" A short keyboard excursion from Tony. Some nice patches and textures, but it's a bit telling that the quotes from Bach's "Tocatta and Fugue in D minor" -- barely more than the three-note riff -- get the best response from the audience.
"Solly's Beard" Trevor's guitar solo is interesting but somewhat disjointed, though it does show off his versatility.
"Soon" Apparently extracted from a performance of "The Gates of Delerium", as it fades in and fades out. It's lovely, but at only two minutes, it almost seems like it was included just so that Jon would have a "solo" section.
"Changes" After a slightly extended intro, which could conceivably count as a keyboard solo, we get a rather standard live performance of the song itself.
"Amazing Grace" / "Whitefish" The classic hymn, performed by Chris on solo bass, segues into the final track, a bass-and-drums duet from Alan and Chris ("White" + "Fish"). It is the longest track on the album, and probably the most interesting musically. But when the most interesting thing on your live album is the track showcasing your rhythm section, there is probably something wrong with your track selection.
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I've tried to limit my editorial comments, but found that without them, I don't have much to say about this very short album. It baffled me when it came out, and it still baffles me. What was the point of this release? Why didn't they just make it a proper double or even triple live album and include these tracks? It could have been great. I like hearing what each of the guys can do without a net, but that alone isn't enough to make an album, and including two full-length songs literally just feels like they'd tossed us a bone. A very odd release.