From a Page (2019)
1. To the Moment (Single Mix)
2. To the Moment
3. Words on a Page
4. From the Turn of the Card
5. The Gift of Love
If you're reading this review, a bit of background and explanation is necessary. For better or worse, many
"classic" rock bands have become the victim to over saturization in the latter years - probably by greedy record executives. Yes has become
one of those bands that has far too many live albums, greatest hits albums, and miscellaneous compilations. When I review artists, I try to
review everything by the artist, but the aformentioned strategies have made this impossible. I simply don't have the stamina to listen to
a brand new live Yes album every year.
Depending on what version of this release you come across, you just might look at this thing and roll your eyes at yet another
latter day Yes record. This 3 CD release includes 2 of its discs of a live recording called "In the Present - Live from Lyon". I'm not reviewing
those two discs, and I doubt if I'll ever have the time to listen to it. What this album does include, is a studio disc of about 30 minutes
of new music. This is what this review is geared towards.
The main "artist" behind this new work is their sixth keyboard member, Oliver Wakeman. Yes, he's Rick's son. Like his dad, he's actually
toured with Yes on more than one occasion, but to my knowledge this is the only studio album he's been a part. Not only that, but it seems
like he's the one responsible for the bulk of the material. And...well...it's actually very very good. This is why I decided to include
it here.
Benoit David is the lead singer from these sessions, which I believe actually happened while Chris Squire was still alive. So no Jon Anderson, but
everything else sounds pretty Yes-ish. The material here is rather keyboard heavy, as you would probably expect, but the elements of the band
that you know and love are here. I was pleasantly surprised. It's also nice that it's rather brief. By Yes standards that is. Definitely worth a
listen.
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