Yes remasters/ HDCD

Jsugo:
I am right on board with what you say about Yessongs. Steve Howe was tremendous. I have always thought he was the greatest rock guitarist ever. I've always said that this groups's version of Yes is the only true Yes and they were all masters of their insturments. And, Jon Anderson was a master of rock vocals in his truly unique way. But your're right, Yours is No Digrace, the end ofStarship Trooper and Perpetual Change in my mind were the greatest rock guitar work of all time. What gets me is that I've never really heard that point of view expressed by anyone else. I have always been in awe of all the work on that album. I started out as a soul ryhthm and blues fan, then came rock and I am now a jazz fan. But I'm always loyal to Yes. I occasionally pull out my remastered Yessongs. Unfortunately, as great as they were, they were never again to record work that equaled what they did on Yessongs. Very good work was recorded, but greatness in my mind was only acheived by them on Yessongs. For me as a new audiophile still building a system, I want to get to the point where I can put on Yessongs and have the sound be so awesome that I am transported back to 1972 and the arenas where they performed the music. If there are better formats out there other than the remastered disc I have then I am going to get them. I've got a Simaudio Nova on the way too! Yessongs is not particularly strong in the low end and that's something I've always wanted to hear.

Foster,,I started with Rock, then classical and then Jazz guitar.

The first rock LP I ever owned was Relayer, which overall I think has the most innovative guitar work and sound. The solo in To Be Over is just tremendous,,and the contrapunctual work would male Bach proud.

I always shy'd away from Jazz because in the 70's the jazz axmen were pretty predictable and very scale oriented...For example, just now from the 90's on, I am enjoying tremendously Al Dimeola's and John Mclaughlin's work, as they are showing tremendous breadth of musical styles. I couldnt stand them in the 70/80's.

You might give Turbulence and Quantum Guitars (Steve Howe's solo CD's a listen).

Also, ABSOLUTELY no one overdubbs as well as Howe in the studio,,The guy is just amazing how he lets the music talk and not the chops.

Foster 9, I sense a bit of past tense in your post and I am hoping it relates only to the Yessongs LP! Ha! :-)

Anderson, Howe, Squires, Wakeman, and White have been touring together as YES for the last couple of years and I have been lucky enough to see five of these concerts. At four of the five, they were every bit as good, or better, than they were back in the day. At the fifth, Anderson was not in particularly good voice due to a cold. These guys are still tight, still expertly skilled, and still flat out awesome - if you liked them in the first place, that is. So, if one might hesitate to plunk down the dough for what might be perceived as yet another aging rock band unsuccessfully trying to hang on to old glory - think again! :-)

I have been seeing them live for ever, and although they are tight, its a different band...some songs are slowed down, Howe isnt as explosive (well, he is older), and the mix even isnt the same...Howe is not at the front of the mix anymore as he used to be...compare the live recordings.
I love how Anderson sounds nowadays.

But Howe is putting much more creative and playing energy on his solo work.

I saw them in 74 in Cleveland at Cleveland Municipal Stadium and then on a recent tour in Columbus Ohio. While the concert had some enjoyable moments that reminded me of the glory days of the 70's I was left disappointed. Jsugo you said it best; it is a different band. Wow, did Steve Howe look frail! But, his playing was masterful. The group lacked the magic of the past, but it was worth it. I would go to see them if they came to Columbus again.