Keys to Ascension, Vol. 2--- 2 cd set [Live]

Yes | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 18, 1997)
• Original Release Date: November 11, 1997
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Live
• Label: Cleopatra
• ASIN: B000001JLV
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #154,748 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. I've Seen All Good People: Your Move/All Good People [Live]

2. Going for the One [Live]

3. Time and a Word [Live]

4. Close to the Edge: The Solid Time of Change/Total Mass Retain/I Get Up,

5. Turn of the Century [Live]

6. And You and I: Cord of Life/Eclipse/The Preacher the Teacher/Apocalypse

Disc: 2

1. Mind Drive

2. Foot Prints

3. Bring Me the Power

4. Children of Light: Children of Light/Lifeline

5. Sign Language

Editorial Reviews

Keys to Ascension, Vol. 2. of 2 CD set. 1977

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars These Dinosaurs Rule, August 23, 2003

By 

bob turnley (birmingham,al,usa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Keys to Ascension, Vol. 2--- 2 cd set (Audio CD)

Keys 2 is one of the rare occasions when the classic lineup produces new music that both rocks and has the depth of nuance to be called art. Too often Yes songs of the past 20 years have veered too close to soft rock and modern jazz(aka muzak without the strings.) Perhaps these guys were just afraid of sounding like the band that was labeled as pretensious dinosaurs in the 70's. But dinosaurs aren't just old. Dinosaurs are also awesome.
For the most part, the live recordings of the old songs sound as good and often better than the original recordings. No doubt there was some serious dubbing in post production. But when you get through the 18 minutes of the new 'Mind Drive' you realize that these guys can still combine the spirituality and intensity that is inherent in the best of their work. Get it while you can.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Rick Wakeman Was Right, March 7, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Keys to Ascension, Vol. 2--- 2 cd set (Audio CD)

From reports I heard, Rick Wakeman fell out of the fold, to a large degree because of this album. It was his belief that the new material could stand alone and should not need the live material to prop up sales.

I tend to agree with him. I treat this disk as a new album and have played the live tracks only sparingly. Disk Two however gets played alot. Musically it is very strong, although not perfect. It does not rival their best work such as "Close to the Edge", "Going For the One" or "Relayer" but it still is quite good. "Mind Drive" has some very strong parts but is not as cohesive a piece as I think it could have been. "Footprints" and "Children of Light" are the strongest tracks.

I hate to complain, but I do not think Jon Anderson is up to his lyrical standards on this album. Some of the phrasing is awkward and there is much use of new age cliches and childlike rhyming patterns. These rhyming patterns are most annoying in the acoustic sections of "Mind Drive". My other complaint is that "Sign Language" to me, does not work. As an improvisational piece between two exceptional players, I was expecting something much more meaningful.

On a happier note, the rhythm section is immense and powerful. Alan White and Chris Squire are certainly the stars of this album. Rumour has it that parts of "Mind Drive" were written when White and Squire were in the XYZ project with Jimmy Page. If so, I am glad they brought these musical contributions forward.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars LIve stuff, great, NEW STUDIO TRACKS: YES BORN AGAIN!!, February 25, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Keys to Ascension, Vol. 2--- 2 cd set (Audio CD)

This 2nd release form the SLO live shows was put out after RICK WAKEMAN's departure, but thankfully left his recorded studio work intact. This album could have stood alone without the live tracks, and along with the studio tracks of KEYS 1, would have ushered a new era of YES classics. This album was virtually forgotten in a sense. In my area, the east coast, it was released 4 days prior to OPEN YOUR EYES, and hardly mentioned. The live songs are essentially what was ommited from the previous recording and are excellent, but it is in the new studio songs that the REBIRTH took place. Each song is wonderful, but "Mind Drive" is up there with, dare I say it, Close to the Edge or And You And I. Hopefully when Yes tours behind their next album, currently recording in Vancouver Canada, they will perform some of this live. THESE SONGS DESERVE TO BE HEARD!!!!!