Yes/UK 2004 2Days

While celebrating their 35th anniversary, YES in 2004 also served as the final moment for the “Golden Five” to come together. A superb original recording set of two different performances, acoustic and electric, is now available. This work was recorded at “Oxford performance (acoustic) on July 11, 2004” and “Braintree performance (electric) on July 12, 2004” the next day. This is a superb audience recording set with both of them set in the same recording artist’s collection. From this tour, both acoustic and electric versions remain as official works, but this work is of course a separate performance. In order to visualize that relationship, let’s check the show’s position from the schedule at that time. “YES ACOUSTIC”・January 26-28: North America #1 (3 performances) ← *Official “GUARANTEED NO HISS” “35TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR”・April 15-May 15: North America #2 (18 performances) ) ・June 2nd – July 12th: Europe (23 performances) ←★Here★ ・August 17th – September 22nd: North America #3 (23 performances) ← *Official “SONGS FROM TSONGAS”《John& Rick’s departure》This is YES in 2004. He is well known for his official works such as Unplugged’s “YES ACOUSTIC: GUARANTEED NO HISS” and the 35th anniversary tour’s “SONGS FROM TSONGAS”, both of which are North American records. On the other hand, the two performances of this work are the last two performances of the “European” leg. There was a show that could be called the British version of “GUARANTEED NO HISS” and “SONGS FROM TSONGAS,” and it was also the last two performances that the “Golden Five” performed in their home country of England. And, this work is recorded by one recorder for those two nights. This is a 3-disc set with the acoustic show (July 11th) on DISC 1 and the regular show (July 12th) on DISC 2-3. Now, let’s introduce each show individually [DISC 1: Acoustic Oxford Performance] First up is the “July 11th” acoustic live. What you hear when you play it is a fiercely beautiful sound. It must be an audience recording that realistically inhales the enthusiasm of the scene, and the acoustic sound that dances in that atmosphere shines brightly. Each note has a clear outline, and the way it reverberates through the crystal clear space is even majestic. In particular, the beginning is Rick Wakeman’s piano solo “Morning Has Broken,” and its delicacy melts your heart. The beauty that comes from the audience and the spatial recording. You can enjoy it to the fullest. The show drawn with such a sound consists of three major parts. Let’s organize the contents here.・Piano solo (1 opening song): Morning Has Broken (★) ・Guitar solo (3 songs): In The Course Of The Day (★) / Second Initial (★) / Clap (★) ・Whole band (10 Song): The Meeting (★) / Long Distance Runaround / Wonderous Stories (★) / Time Is Time / Nine Voices (★) / Show Me / Owner Of A Lonely Heart (★) / South Side Of The Sky / Roundabout / I ‘ve Seen All Good People *Note: Songs marked with “★” cannot be heard on the official “GUARANTEED NO HISS”. And it looks like this. Not only the piano solo mentioned above, but also the whole band after Steve Howe’s solo corner. In all of that, plenty of repertoire that can not be heard even in “GUARANTEED NO HISS” will be showcased. [DISC 2-3: Electric Braintree Performance] Instead, DISC 2-3 is a regular electric live performance. I’m surprised because it’s also excellent. Like the acoustic version, it is an audience recording with a clear and transparent space, but this one is even more on and powerful. In fact, although DISC 1 is delicate, there is some distance in terms of Jon Anderson’s vocals, but this one has a very thick core and no sense of distance. It’s a type of sound that doesn’t feel like a customer record. The part where you can especially feel its power is the acoustic guitar solo corner in the middle. This is a simple ensemble just like DISC 1, but the core is still strong! If I were to describe the difference in words, I would say that DISC 1 is a “beautiful sound that pours down” and DISC 2-3 is a “sound that penetrates like a laser beam.” Moreover, it is beautiful even though it is such a direct recording. Even when transitioning from acoustic guitar to high-volume electric, there is no stagnation, and it is glossy without any chatter. You can fully experience “just like a sound board” with the best sound on the ground. What is drawn with that sound is a rich full show that is unique to the 35th anniversary tour. The basics of the set are similar to “SONGS FROM TSONGAS”, so I will avoid listing them, but they are not exactly the same. Howe’s solos were “Gloriana” and “Clap”, and Chris Squire’s highlight “Whitefish/On The Silent Wings Of Freedom” was also performed. In “SONGS FROM TSONGAS” there was a large acoustic corner in the second half, but in this work it runs with electric. It is a vivid electric 35th anniversary show that contrasts with the DISC 1 acoustic show. “DISC 1” allows you to enjoy a more diverse repertoire than “GUARANTEED NO HISS” acoustically, and “DISC 2-3” runs through the rich 35th anniversary set with electric. Although the content, ensemble, and sound are polar opposites, both have the best sound and allow you to fully immerse yourself in YES music. This is a definitive edition that packs two such performances into a three-disc set. After these two performances, “those five” never repeated their music in their home country of England. A superb live set that allows you to witness such a historical scene. New Theatre, Oxford, UK 11th July 2004 TRULY PERFECT SOUND(from Original Masters) Towerlands Indoor Arena, Braintree, UK 12th July 2004 TRULY PERFECT SOUND(from Original Masters) Disc 1(73:53) Live at New Theatre, Oxford, UK 11th July 2004 1. Morning Has Broken 2. In The Course Of The Day 3. Second Initial 4. Clap 5. The Meeting 6. Long Distance Runaround 7. Wonderous Stories 8. Time Is Time 9. Nine Voices 10. Show Me 11 Owner Of A Lonely Heart 12. South Side Of The Sky 13. Roundabout 14. I’ve Seen All Good People Live at Towerlands Indoor Arena, Braintree, UK 12th July 2004 Disc 2(63:24) 1. Firebird Suite 2. Going For The One 3. Sweet Dreams 4. I’ve Seen All Good People 5. Mind Drive 6. South Side Of The Sky 7. Foot Prints 8. Mind Drive (Conclusion) 9. Yours Is No Disgrace Disc 3(69: 58) 1. Gloriana 2. Clap 3. Wakeman Solo 4. Long Distance Runaround 5. Whitefish/On The Silent Wings Of Freedom 6. Owner Of A Lonely Heart 7. Rhythm Of Love 8. And You And I 9. Starship Trooper 10 Roundabout Jon Anderson – Vocals Steve Howe – Guitars Chris Squire – Bass Rick Wakeman – Keyboards Alan White – Drums