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

Yes

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 (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #100,815 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Includes New Solo Material & Classic Live Hits. Features the Classic Yes Line-up of Rick Wakeman, Steve Howe, Chris Squire, Jon Anderson, & Alan White.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 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

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.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Pleasantly Surprised (2-and-a-half stars), November 8, 2001

By	Sazahak (Canberra, ACT Australia) - See all my reviews

The song writing and the overall quality of the studio tracks on this recording were a pleasant surprise. This is the best example of the attempt of 90s Yes to combine their progressive rock legacy with contemporary sounds. 'Mind Drive' could possibly be the best extended piece the band has written since 'Awaken' on 'Going for the One'. Although 'Mind Drive' in some places exhibits weaker moments compositionally; overall it is a strong piece; in places it is awesome. The other shorter pieces on the album mostly hold their own quite well.

The album is supplemented by live versions of some of the best of there 70s material. Since the release of this album, a compilation of the Key I & II studio tracks has been released.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A gift to their fans, April 10, 2000

By	Kevin P. Dolan (Buffalo) - See all my reviews

I really like this album, but I can see why it didn't scream up the charts. The live stuff on here is better than on KTA I-- "Turn of the Century" and "Going for the One" are worth the price themselves, and this is the best version of "Time and a Word" ever, I think.

The studio tracks are a hodgepodge. "Mind Drive" is astonishing. It's up there with "Awaken" and "Close to the Edge" inasmuch as (1) it takes 18 minutes for Yes to get their whole point across, and (2) that 18 minutes flies by. Unlike some other long Yes songs, there is very little filler here-- it all goes together. "Footprints" is sung well, but not terribly inspiring musically. "Power" is an intriguing song, but it sounds like Yes never really figured out what they wanted it to be. "Children of Light" was better when they did it live. "Sign Language" is dross, but it's pretty, I guess.

Overall, a really cool album, but it is kind of fans-only.