Search - Yes :: 9012 Live: the Solos

A COZY AND ENJOYABLE BUT STRANGE RELEASE

Jason M. Carzon | bowie, maryland United States | 02/20/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This was probably the strangest release in the Yes catalog. I remember it coming out in late 1985, probably as a stop-gap release because the next album(1987's 'Big Generator') was taking them forever to make. It's too short to be an album but too long to be a single or EP. Basically what you get is a live document containing two songs from 90125 and the solo spots from each member. Why not a regular live album featuring hits like 'Roundabout' and 'Owner Of A Lonely Heart'? Whose idea was this? It is however a very enjoyable and cozy release, one that I listen to every now & then. The trax:



HOLD ON - this live version is superior to the studio version from 90125. More big, more anthemic. One note: the live version on that tour featured a drum solo intro from Alan White. Seeing how this is '9012Live: THE SOLOS', I wonder why it was omited. Maybe because they thought it wouldn't be right to open the album with a drum solo.



SI - Tony Kaye's solo. I believe his solo was longer too, but we get this edited version. Too bad. This spacey synthesizer solo I find is more interesting than Rick Wakeman's solos. Too bad it's short.



SOLLY'S BEARD - Trevor Rabin's solo is acompanied by Kaye's soft atmosphere keyboard backing and is a highlight of this disc. A display of fancy fretwork on an Alverez(sp?) acoustic guitar, his solo compares nicely to any of Steve Howe's acoustic ditties. Very tastefully done.



SOON - Jon Anderson with some keyboard backing singing a unmercifully short version of the 'Soon' section of 'Gates Of Delirium'. His voice is crisp and clear. Like 'Hold On' and 'Si', his track kinda fades in too.



CHANGES - a solid version of the 90125 song, no more or less.



AMAZING GRACE - Chris Squire gets two solos here, which is good because his clean, upfront bass guitar sound is a YES trademark that can't be ignored. Listen to the long sustain here towards the end of this track.



WHITEFISH - Chris' signiture solo from 1971's 'Fragile' album gets a reworking here to include snippets of older Yes tunes like 'Tempus Fugit' and 'Sound Chaser'. Aided by Alan White on drums, this track jams and kicks. A real great live cut. The track(and disc) ends with long audience aplause, then a guitar comes in as the track is fading as if they were about to break into 'City Of Love', leaving the listener wanting more.



Seeing that this sadly is the only live release from the 90125/Trevor Rabin era of Yes, it does leave you wanting more. But despite the odd edits and it being a weird release featuring two songs and a few atmospheric solos rather than a regular live album, I still find it one of the most enjoyable live Yes albums. I listen to this more than Keys To Ascension. Its a solid release."

A great EP

Todd Risk | tallahassee, fl United States | 05/13/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"It's not meant to be a full length live album. It's meant to be a fun EP of some great live stuff. And it works. It's my favorite Yes cd. You heard it correctly....my favorite."

It's back!

J. C Duval | cumberland, rhode island United States | 10/11/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I miss this EP! This was the first Yes album I ever owned. I bought it when it was originally released on cassette, lost it a few months later, and had never seen it since, until a minute before I began writing this! It wasn't even listed on Amazon at all! Anyway, this was my introduction to the piece, "Soon". It blew me away at the time. Little did I know that it was an excerpt from a much longer song, "The Gates Of Delirium", all of which, or even the original "Soon" part were far better on the original album, "Relayer". Get this, even if it's only a Japanese release right now!"