Review Summary: Close second to Yessongs
"Yes-shows" or "Yes-songs"?
"Yessongs" succeeds musically. Never again they sound so energetic, organic. Never again somebody hears Steve Howe with a more distinctive sound. The whole band sounds warm and lyrically, soundwise far away from the cold perfectionism, which they preferred on their studio-albums. On the other hand the production lacks clarity. Not every detail is shining through here. The band is showing off their rocking side.
"Yes-shows" wins soundwise. While there is still enough live atmosphere and an energetic joy in the performance the sound is less Rock and more Prog letting every detail in the lush arrangements shining through. Compared to "Yes-songs" I miss the musical surprises. The songs are presented very close to the album-versions. Here you have a professional act at its peak. The songs are performed second to none, but without daring anything. While you can easily recognize Squire with his very own personal tone, Howe and Wakeman (and Moraz on some songs) unpack many different sounds, but they are both less recognizable than on "Yes-songs".
On both albums Anderson delivers breathtaking moments. The ethereal Anderson/Squire/Howe-choir intonated perfectly.
While the studio-albums of Yes tend to sound sterile and like played with a tightened handbrake, they totally convince with their Live-albums.
Both albums together might be the ultimate Yes-package.
