Various - Yesterday and Today: A Tribute to Yes

  by Lisa Torem

published: 22 / 2 / 2019

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Co-produced by Fernando Perdomo and Dave Kerzner, 'Yesterday,and Today' commences with a blistering, bottom-heavy assault and vigorous drumming. Soon, via a lighter decibel, high-pitched voices chime in. This first track is ‘Machine Messiah,’ featuring Nick Virgilio and former Yes member Geoff Downes. The fiery instrumental passages that follow the harmonies are extraordinary and very reflective of the signature Yes sound. Also true to form are the distinctive shifts in rhythm and the doubling of key passages. But goosebumps continue to form as stark vocals and more explosive energies ensue and sensitively fade. A most enchanting lyric, “take me into the fire” succinctly summarises this musical offering. ‘Yours is No Disgrace’, featuring Marisol Koss and former Yes keyboardist Tony Kaye, is underscored by exploratory synth, throbbing beats and tight harmonies. Kaye’s futuristic noodling couples with truculent riffs; Marisol Koss’s tender but forceful vocals pull it all together. ‘Turn of the Century’ finds Sally Minnear’s beautifully produced, dancing vocals upfront. Dave Bainbridge reveals a similar professionalism. ‘Sweetness’ is a delightfully balanced ballad, featuring Pat Sansone. Curved Air’s version of ‘Soon’ is sonically uplifting; affirmatively dream-like in texture. The album veers off dramatically in another direction when Steve Hackett plunges into ‘Cinema,’ an electrifying, ensemble tour-de-force. ‘Changes’ which includes dynamo bassist Billy Sherwood, roars and soars. Robert Berry and Tom Brislin combine forces as well. The resulting sound is raw and addictive, with the dynamics under check throughout. It’s a song about transitioning and the theme is well-conceptualised, tight and illuminating… ‘I’m Running’ also features Billy Sherwood, plus Marco Minnemann and Robin Schell. Whilst there are too many textures and shifts to commemorate here, the remarkable vocals are what gives the song the most convincing lift. The three-part ‘Acoustic Medley’ appears midway through the album, featuring long term Yes vocalist Jon Davison, whose crystal-clear, expressive voice cannot be beat. Positively epic. Title song, ‘Yesterday and Today’, featuring Dr. Danny, an,d in a class by itself, is cast in swooning R & B vintage style. ‘Long Distance Runaround,’ an unarguable Yes masterpiece, relies on Leslie Hunt’s sharp gifts. Thankfully the terrific lyrics are way upfront, but the tasteful instrumental touches that drove this track up the charts are also easy to distinguish. ‘The Fish’ hearkens back again to Billy Sherwood. His riveting bass will lead the most jaded listener into a state of breathlessness. In addition, and overall, the dynamic, rhythmic pulse pulls one along without mercy. The closer ‘Starship Trooper’ features multi-talented Francis Dunnery. Most exciting is how this finale flies through a series of seamless, uncluttered incarnations, including a skillful electric guitar solo, not intended for the tender-hearted. 'Yesterday,and Today' echoes Yes and its legacy in a unique and masterful way.

Track Listing:-

1 Machine Messiah
2 Yours Is No Disgrace
3 Turn Of The Century
4 Sweetness
5 Soon
6 Cinema
7 Changes
8 I'm Running
9 Acoustic Medley: i. Your Move ii. And You And I iii. Wonderous Stories
10 Yesterday And Today
11 Long Distance Runaround
12 The Fish
13 Starship Trooper

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