Recorded in 1989 and originally released in 1993, the live double album Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe: An Evening of Yes Music Plus captures former members of Yes performing a rollicking set. Classic Yessongs are intertwined with music from the Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe album titled, to no one’s surprise, Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe.
Yesfans were intrigued by the project which brought together most of the 1971-1972 iteration of the band, which long-time listeners considered one of the best in Yes’s history. Vocalist Jon Anderson brought in drummer Bill Bruford, guitarist Steve Howe, and keyboardist Rick Wakeman to record new material. The album and the following tour, from which Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe: An Evening of Yes Music Plus was taken, elicited a lawsuit from Yes that attempted to bar Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe from referencing their time with the band in promotional materials. In June 1989, a US District Court judge allowed Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe to talk about Yes while advertising the tour, which is probably why the album isn’t called Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe: An Evening of Another Band’s Music and Some Other Stuff We Wrote.
Five of the nine tracks from the self-titled Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe studio album are included in the live set, including a gorgeous 11-minute-long version of “Brother of Mine” (called “Long Lost Brother of Mine” on this Cherry Red Records remaster). The rest of the set showcases beloved Yessongs and music from each of the four main musicians. Anderson starts the set with acoustic takes of “Time and a Word,” “Teakbois” and “Owner of a Lonely Heart.” Howe grooves through his instrumentals “The Clap” and “Mood for a Day,” while Wakeman presents some of his older material, including “Catherine Parr” and “Merlin the Magician.” Bruford delivers a punchy and mystical solo launched from the opening riff of “Heart of the Sunrise” which magically appears during the bridge of “Long Distance Runaround.” Bassist Jeff Berlin, keyboardist and backing vocalist Julian Colbeck, and Milton McDonald on rhythm guitar and backing vocals round out the touring band.
It’s a fantastic setlist, designed to appeal to both old and new fans without pandering. Think about it. If you go see those musicians together on the same stage, you expect to hear the songs you grew up with and love, the music that resonates in the blackest part of your soul. Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe: An Evening of Yes Music Plus doesn’t disappoint. Songs you’ve heard a bazillion times like “Roundabout” sound, if not new, rejuvenated.
Besides the immaculate musicianship, the thing that makes Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe: An Evening of Yes Music Plus a must-own is how much fun the guys seem to have onstage. It’s easy to overdo the “you are there” feeling of a live album (I’m looking at you, Duran Duran’s Arena) but Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe: An Evening of Yes Music Plus gets it right. Joy and exuberance flow from the speakers and it is hard not to smile.
Cherry Red Records’s remaster of Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe: An Evening of Yes Music Plus seems to expand the aural soundstage of the original release. Bruford’s drums figure more prominently in the mix while slightly lowering bassist Berlin’s volume for a more nuanced sound. There’s also a better sense of the venue size and audience interaction.
Yesfans on your holiday list will be pleased to add the Cherry Red Records version of Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe: An Evening of Yes Music Plus to their collection, but they can’t have it yet. Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe: An Evening of Yes Music Plus won’t be released by Cherry Red Records until January 31, 2025. However, you can pre-order the set, which includes two CDs and two DVDs, from Amazon or the UK-based Cherry Red Records. Tell them it will be worth the wait. Tease them about it. Work titles of Yessongs into conversations with them and smile knowingly. They’ll know what’s up.
