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| Rick Wakeman - Two Sides Of Yes |
 Released: 2002 Label: Legends Records Cat. No.: Total Time: 51:52 | |
Reviewed by: Marcelo Silveyra, May 2002 It was not long ago that, upon reviewing Rick Wakeman's Classical Variations, I couldn't help but commend the incredibly talented musician for his humbleness when stating that his attempt to create a series of variations out of his favorite classical music pieces was an endeavor made possible only by the timeless quality of the originals. It was both a touching explanation and a clever strategic move when attempting to manipulate something that is considered practically sacrosanct by many. Now, with the release of Two Sides Of Yes, Wakeman is approaching the same kind of novelty, and although the music of Yes is certainly considered sacred by many, the man has all the right in the world to rearrange everything as he pleases this time around. And with that knowledge in mind, the prolific keyboardist has rearranged a series of Yes selections for the piano and additionally released a batch of instrumental takes on others that had been stored away in the vaults for the good of mankind ... but more on that later. For now, let it be said that Wakeman's graceful piano interpretations leave nothing at all to be desired, as they demonstrate how aptly songs like "Close To The Edge" adapt themselves to the new format and altered length, as well as how much Yes' sound was dependent on the wizardry of its virtuoso keyboardist at one point in time. The codependency is indeed so evident, and the new arrangements so well planned out, that it sometimes seems as if though the originals were initially meant solely for the piano. On the other hand, the instrumentals having come out of the vaults should have been left there, and, assuming that the medium on which they were recorded is everything but indestructible, pulverized. "Wondrous Stories" is embarrassing in its collection of cheap elevator new age synthesizer sounds, "Don't Kill The Whale" is only saved from utter doom by the fact that the harmonic patterns embedded in the original remain fortunately intact, and "Roundabout" barely manages to escape the insult of replacing the glorious beginning guitar harmonics for more awful cornball sounds by eventually returning to being a more familiar rendition than its companions. It's certainly interesting to listen to a collection of tracks such as the ones presented on Two Sides Of Yes, as the listener is constantly exposed to the weird sensation of enormous quality swings between tracks and the divergent feelings that such a situation conjures. At one point, one is irremediably charmed by the gentle piano musings of Wakeman and his dazzling capability of rendering Yes classics in a new and yet completely understandable and agreeable approach, only to be shocked by the way that others are mutilated in a kitschy quasi-new-age vision the next. Yet it is in fact the timeless quality of the originals that allows the album to come out on a relatively good note despite its inconsistencies, along with the fact that songs such as "The Meeting" fit the piano interpretation like a glove, thus helping Wakeman escape a volley of harsh criticisms for playing around with the ageless originals. Still, the bland moments are certainly less than befitting for such an important legacy, so that even though the Wakeman aficionado will surely have to get this for the beautiful piano-based pieces, everyone else will have to give the decision some very serious thought. Rating: 3.5/5 Similar artists: Yes, Starcastle [see also Keith's review of both Volume I & II -ed.] More about Two Sides Of Yes: Track Listing: Your Move (7:31) / Wondrous Stories (7:51) / Long Distance (7:14) / Don't Kill the Whale (4:08) / Close To The Edge (7:36) / Roundabout (13:19) / The Meeting (4:12) Musicians: Contact: Website: www.rwcc.com Discography
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