2 Sides Of Yes - Rick Wakeman

Advantages: the beautiful voice of Bonnie Tyler
Disadvantages: nothing

...I would like to speak to you about Rick Wakeman, the famous keyboard player of your country (i'm french !) Little story of RW The little Rick learns the piano in five years because his father is one very big soloist ! Years pass and the young man plays in the english group "YES" with the very good singer Jon Anderson ! Wakeman amazes everybody and all the criticisms. He decides to steal his own wings and composes for him. In 1971, RW takes out his first album, alone in piano ! Three years after "Journey to the center of the earth" from Jules Verne. It's a world success ! Now, nobody can't stop him ! He composes more 50 albums in 20 years (studio, live and best of !) But, EMI, the famous english société ask to Rick to compose a suite (25 years after !) and gives him all the means necessaire for there ! Return to the Center... Read review

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Advantages: classic band line-up on top form
Disadvantages: very long, multi-part tracks-impenetrable lyrics

...This epic is Yes' fifth album and the second featuring the dream-team line-up of Jon Anderson (vocals), Steve Howe (guitar), Chris Squire (bass), Bill Bruford (percussion) and Rick Wakeman (keyboards). Originally released in late '72 it climaxed a year in which Yes had become a top draw on both sides of the Atlantic but despite the frenetic pace they managed to put together an album that rates as not merely one of their best, but one of the best in the entire Prog rock genre. Their previous album had been recorded straight after Wakeman's recruitment from The Strawbs, and consequently he had not felt too happy with his contribution to that record ("Fragile"). No such problems with CTTE however. The band's gruelling tour schedule had seen Wakeman fully assimilated into the Yes scheme of things and his flamboyant playing pushed Howe... Read review

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Advantages: beautiful music
Disadvantages: none

...Yes Fragile recorded in September 1971 Let me give you a few details first. Then I will give you the way the music feels to me as I listen. Yes, Jon Anderson vocals, Bill Bruford Drums, percussion. Steve Howe Electric and acoustic guitars. Chriss Squire Bass guitar, Vocals, Rick Wakeman organ, grand piano (electric piano and harpsichord, Mellatron and synthesizer) Tracks 1) roundabout, 2) Cans and Brahms, 3) We have heaven ,4) south side of the sky, SIDE 2 Track 1) 5 percent for nothing, 2) Long distant run around, 3) the fish, 4 ) Mood for a day, 5) heart of the sunrise. 5 of these tracks are arranged and performed by the whole group and 5 are ideas personally arranged and organised by each member of the band as an individual these are: Canns and Bhrams by Rick Wakeman. We have heaven by Jon Anderson Five percent... Read review

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