YES50 Live – first impressions – 392

Another great show, with great reviews of the album. I also enjoyed this album.
I did notice the rushed opening of Awaken. Also, in Close to Edge, the first big organ part is not big. I remember that from the concert as well. The organ is supposed to be powerful and knock you back on your heels at least a bit. It doesn’t. Still everything sounds really good. Billy did a great job with the sound. (But I will definitely turn up the bass for the next listen.) And the package is lovely, too.
It’s what was not there that bugs me a little. On the tour, the band also played Heart of the Sunrise, Does it Really Happen, and Perpetual Change. They played these three songs at both Philly concerts. And, if you look at the set lists, the songs on Yes50 are out of order. So, we don’t get a sense of what the celebration shows were like in terms of song choice or the order they were played. (And, again, if you saw one of the shows, this issue is apparent.) I get that they were trying to fit things on vinyl, but still.
My final grouch is that the Philly concerts were a big deal, with Moraz up there as well as Kaye. I would have liked to hear at least some of the things Steve or Jon said to introduce the songs and the guests. (Once more, if you were at the shows, you know that they talked to the crowd — I especially remember Jon mentioning Chris before Parallels.) And, at the Philly shows, were there any special things said at the end, when 9 or 10 people were on stage? Maybe the banter usually gets edited out, but these were not typical shows.
So, I like what I got. I wish they’d just gone for it and issued 3 CDs (and 4 full LPs?). We’d all purchase it either way. Maybe there will be a concert DVD …?