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Review Summary: This is an excellent album, one of the best prog live releases in the 80’s. We can see it as a kind of a Yes' lost live album. “An Evening Of Yes Music Plus” is the debut live album of the musical project of Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman and Howe and was released in 1993. The line up on the album is Jon Anderson, Steve Howe, Rick Wakeman and Bill Bruford.
“An Evening Of Yes Music Plus” was recorded at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, in California USA, in 1989, when they toured their eponymous debut and only studio album “Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman And Howe”. Still, it was only released in 1993. Like as happened with almost all Yes’ albums and with their self-titled studio album, the art cover for the album was also created by Roger Dean. It features a painting from him which was titled “Floating Islands”.
Besides Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman and Howe, the album has also the participation of three other musicians, Tony Levin, who performed bass on their eponymous studio album as well as on the most of the live tour. Still, he fell sick during this tour and was replaced by Jeff Berlin, a bassist very well known by them because he had already worked with some of band’s members. Julian Colbeck, a well known former professional keyboard player that usually collaborates with several bands and musicians such as with Yes and Steve Hackett, the ex-guitarist of Genesis. He participates on this album with some additional keyboards. Milton McDonald, a very well known session guitarist who plays with many artists and which participates on this album with some additional vocals and extra guitar work, too.
“An Evening Of Yes Music Plus” contains material from their self-titled studio album, songs from past Yes’ albums and excerpts from Rick Wakeman’s solo albums. The album opens with “Benjamin Britten’s Young Person’s Guide To The Orchestra” which is based on a classical oeuvre of Benjamin Britten, and represents the introduction of the live show that substitutes the popular Igor Stravinsky’s “Firebird Suite” usually used by Yes to open their live shows. From their self-titled studio album we have “Birthright”, “Themes”, “Brother Of Mine”, “Order Of The Universe” and extracts of “Teakbois”. From “Time And A Word” we have extracts of the title track. From “The Yes Album” we have “The Clap”, “I’ve Seen All Good People” and “Starship Trooper”. From “Fragile” we have “Mood For A Day”, “Long Distance Runaround”, “Heart Of The Sunrise” and “Roudabout”. From “Close To The Edge” we have “And You And I” and “Close To The Edge”. From “90125” we have extracts of “Owner Of A Lonely Heart”. From Wakeman’s albums we have extracts of the albums, “Gone But Not Forgotten” of “Coast Of Living”, “Catherine Parr” of “The Six Wives Of Henry VIII” and “Merlin The Magician” of “The Myths And Legends Of King Arthur And The Knights Of The Round Table”.
If you’ve seen Yes all over the years, most of these songs will be, no doubt, be very familiar to you. The performance of the entire band is spot on, Anderson especially in fine form and Howe as always giving a virtuoso performance. Although, Wakeman’s choice of modern keyboard tones at times borders on cheesey, the guy still blazes through these new and classic tracks. In addition, the set opens up with some great solos spots which are always fun to hear.
This album certainly has that Yes’ sound mostly due to the fantastic vocals of Anderson. He sounds great all over these CD’s. Wakeman is also a dominant force here. Still, his keyboards and synthesizers have a more 80’s sound which stands to reason as the album was originally released in 1989. Of course, I can’t forget about Howe. Still, his playing is quite restrained, there are many beautiful acoustic moments to be found and he does let loose occasionally like on the rocking “Order Of The Universe”, a feel good, up tempo tune with a heavier section featuring fiery work from Howe and Bruford. Other highlights include the poignant “Brother Of Mine” featuring Anderson’s patented soaring timbre and the some super and catchy tracks where Howe’s acoustic guitar is quite sublime. Remember, the album as a whole is a relaxing listen. Still, you will find no “Gates Of Delirium” here which is understandable given was Wakeman who was on board here. The bottom line is the band sounds tight and progressive and made many Yes’ fans happy with this album.
Conclusion: We can consider “An Evening Of Yes Music Plus” divided into three parts, the solo tracks, the ABWH’s tracks and the Yes’ tracks. The solo tracks are, in my humble opinion, very good and much better than the solo tracks on “Fragile”. The ABWH’s tracks represents some of the best musical moments of that album and are for me much better performed live than performed on studio. The Yes’ tracks include some of Yes’ best works, and the live version of “Close To The Edge” is absolutely great and surprising and is probably, in my humble opinion, the best live version released by them. This is one of the best live albums of Yes and is also one the best live albums I’ve heard in the 80’s. The individual performance of all artists is irreproachable and unforgettable. The album has also a great sound quality.
Music was my first love.
John Miles (Rebel)
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Album Rating: 4.0
To close my prog journey through the live albums of Yes, I chose what is in general considered a kind of a lost Yes' live album. It was recorded to support Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman and Howe live tour, of their eponymous studio album. Who read my review about that album knows I'm not the most enthusiastic person with that album. However, this live album is a very different thing. It's much better and contains some of the best tracks of that album and some of the best Yes' tracks, too. There are two releases of this live show, the CD and the DVD. I've both and I can assure you that the concert is really great. So, I strongly recommend the DVD version rather than the CD version. It shows seven great live performers, playing with great passion and professionalism. It's a bless to see them.
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Nice one e. As I think I've mentioned, I caught this tour live (and before Tony Levin got sick), and of the several times I saw Yes live over the years, this was the best "Yes" concert I ever attended.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
You're a very lucky guy. I never had the opportunity to see them live on a real live venue. Still, I agree with you. According to my DVD they real did great live shows. Despite we don't have Squire on board, Levin, and in this case Berlin, they're still two amazing bassists.
Thanks, pal. Let's continue with our prog journey of Yes, because I know you love them too, like me.
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Yes I do. I remember being particularly blown away by Bruford's drum kit on this one. I'm sure you can see it on the DVD.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
Yeah, I can. All band is amazing. Such great artists they are, really.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
''I remember being particularly blown away by Bruford's drum kit on this one''
Bruford utilized that kind of electronic drum kit for King Crimson since the early 80s, except that here, it's expanded in Bruford's back. The drum kit that impresses me the most is the one of Terry Bozzio.
Looking to the video, it only shows up Yes members, so we don't see Tony Levin nor Jeff Berlin. I know the latter as the virtuoso bassist of Bruford's solo material. Musicians are at the top of their game, and it's rather lenghty with more than 2 hours of live material. It's a pleasure to read about another e21's prog chapter. Keep up the good work, buddy.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
Another review about a live album. Nice. But I didn't expect one about this one. As you said there are many other great live albums of Yes. Honestly I never heard it before. I will check it soon and I will tell you something later.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
@ Jethro
Yeah, the drum kit is great on this album. Still I prefer the classic drumming, like you. I think I'm an old fashioned guy. Lol.
Yeah, you're right too. The video only shows Yes' members, indeed. But, anyway this is an album of them. The others are only guest members. However, I think it's a pity we don't have some attention to those artists. All are great in its own way.
Thanks, pal. I hope continue my prog path with many other interesting things. In this year I'm going to continue with some more stuff related with Yes, as I promised.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
@ Intruder
Yeah, I love good live albums as it seems you like too. And you're right. There are indeed many other great live albums of Yes, as I recommended. Besides those four recommendations, I can add "Symphonic Live" and some others too. But, as I explained, this is a kind of a lost Yes' album and almost an unknown album, here on Sputnik.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
No problem. I am sure all are great. Besides, this is a great opportunity to check this one.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
Be my guest. But if you didn't listen to the others before, you must do that soon as you can.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
I will do that. Anyway thanks.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
As I said before, be my guest. It's always a pleasure to talk with you.
Cheers.
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I hate the Snare sound Bruford has haha.
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Pos'd. Just listened to their eponymous album last week and this review has me intrigued. Haven't heard any of Wakeman's solo material, though
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
@bigguy; In King Crimson, Bruford had the best snare sound ever.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
@ bigguy
Jethro is right, man. Bruford had a great snare sound in King Crimson on their albums of the 80's. That is particularly evident on one of their best albums, "Discipline".
Thanks for your comment, pal.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
@ Veldin
If you liked their debut, you must check this one. But as I said, this is different and better. It has almost only Yes' classic material, very well performed by the band.
About Wakeman, you must should try his classic stuff, especially, "The Six Wives Of Henry VIII", "Journey To The Centre Of The Earth", "The Myths And Legends Of King Arthur And The Knights Of The Round Table", "No Earthly Connection" and "Criminal Record".
Anyway, through my prog journey trough Yes & Friends, I'm going to review three of this albums, besides "Journey To The Centre Of The Earth" already reviewd by me.
Thanks, pal.
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I was listening to this last night and it's great. I gave up on Yes after Big Generator, so I completely missed this one. Now I'm sorry I did. Thanks for shining a light on it and bringing it to my attention e21.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
Be my guest Twig. I'm very glad you like it. This is the main reason why I brought it to this site. I hope my small contribute can give it the recognize it deserves, as one of the best live albums related with Yes.
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