Customer Reviews

Yesstory

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Just to "re-clear" up anything that's been posted before Oct. 2004. This CD IS in fact REMASTERED. Is says "Digitally Remastered from the original master tapes" on the sleeve. 1992. It does sound awesome. Yes did re-remastered everything in their catalog in 2003 but this CD sounds great. It has everything a first time buyer of YES would need to get started. Perfect for the beginner. All the hits and more. Excellent mastering and nice booklet. Even though this was released as a "baby" of a boxed set, I feel it is much better. Not much 80's stuff here. It has a well rounded classics best of that will satisfy the hungry Yes fan.

Just to clear up what others have missed. This compilation is simply a "highlights" collection from the YesYears Box set, released in 1991. And it is NOT REMASTERED.

While it does provide a nice retrospective of the band, it fails to pull any of the unreleased tracks from the box set, which is now out of print.

The Rhino re-issues (with bonus tracks) put this disc and the YesYears box set on the "obsolete" list, as most of the unreleased tracks are now on the re-issues. I say most.

If you have the YesYears box set, there is no reason to own this.

This 2 CD set has a little bit of everything from the long and diverse career of the progressive rock group YES. Granted, Jon Anderson, is vocalist on the tracks, but other than that it is often hard to tell that your are listening to the same group from song to song. It's an interesting listen, and given that most songs are presented in chronological order, that alone will this collection to make more sense. Sadly (or happily depending on your point of view) only 2 songs from the groups popular 1980's output is included and those were likely best left off because they sound sorely out of place. This is a great starting point, but buy the individual albums instead. In most cases, you won't regret it.

Yes' two-CD set 'Yesyears' was the first of it's kind. It was a retrospective that focused on their years on the Atlantic label, 1969-1987. The record, for a brief stretch, was the only place you could find the then-highly collectable 'Something's Coming.' It now appears on the standard CD version of their debut.

However, this set is becoming a lot less popular now with the 'The Ultimate Yes' set out on the market. Released in 2004, it is the only place you can find their newest recordings.

But, I do enjoy this set. Mostly every single song on here is either a hit or a fan favorite. 'Long Distance Runaround,' 'Starship Trooper,' 'Owner Of A Lonely Heart,' 'Roundabout,' 'I've Seen All Good People' and 'Wonderous Stories' all appear on this set for your listening pleasure. And the sound quality is excellent!

But, as good as the songs are (This is the only compilation I've seen that offers 'Close To The Edge' and 'Ritual' in their full-length album versions), there is plenty missing. Where are songs like 'Future Times/Rejoice,' 'Siberian Khatru,' 'Leave It,' 'It Can Happen,' 'Sweetness,' and 'Sweet Dreams'?

And, why is the underrated 1980 record 'Drama' COMPLETELY SKIPPED OVER? I know Jon Anderson doesn't sing lead (Buggles star Trevor Horn does) and Rick Wakeman doesn't play keyboards (Geoff Downes does, also of Buggles fame), but 'Tempus Fugit' was a minor hit, and yet, IT'S NOWHERE TO BE FOUND!

Overall, if you want a solid sampler of Yes and a decent entry place into their legendary music, than this is a great set to own. Despite all of my complaints, this still remains one of my favorite Yes compilations. I think it's still worthy of five stars.

Highly recommended for any Yes fan. A very entertaining set. ENJOY!!!

This was my first real introduction to the diversity of Yes. If you start here you can basically pick which era you prefer and go from there. Something's Coming is a great song and is a great extra track. The die-hards go with Fragile, The Yes Album, and Close to the Edge. Those are by far the best. This is a good buy for a casual Yes fan.

This is an amazing display of the work of Yes. Each song here is a work of art. The only thing it could use is And You and I, but other than that, a masterpiece

How can this band do ANYTHING wrong??

(( Read review title above! Should explain everything. ))

It would be better to buy the single CD Classic Yes or to buy Fragile, Close To The Edge, and Yessongs. The songs are more enjoyable in their original context.

No Siberian Khatru, And You and I, but has Ritual from Topographic Oceans? Sound is well done but the song selection is sure weird.