in 1973, Yes released their first live album, a 3-LP set that - despite its potentially intimidating size - became a significant success for the band
'Yessongs' was produced by the band with Eddie Offord and was made following Yes' tour of their 1972 album 'Close To The Edge'. The band went through all of their recordings from both that tour and 1971's 'Fragile' and selected the material they thought was the best. This was especially helpful since Offord had been on the road with the band on both tours and was therefore very familiar with the material.
It is worth noting that during the period covered on 'Yessongs', there was a minor change in the Yes lineup, as drummer Bill Bruford left the band in the wake of completing the 'Close To The Edge' album. As a result, most of 'Yessongs' features Bruford's replacement, Alan White, but you can still hear our man Bill behind the drums on "Perpetual Change" and "Long Distance Runaround" / "The Fish (Schindleria Praematurus)."
'Yessongs' contains songs ranging in length from just under three minutes ("Mood for a Day") to 18 minutes and 13 seconds ("Close to the Edge"), and with four additional tracks topping the 10-minute mark, it's no wonder the album was released as a 3-LP set. The size didn't deter Yes fans, however: the album reached #12 on the Billboard 200, climbed to #7 on the UK album chart, and in 1998 the Recording Industry Association of America announced that the album had gone platinum.
2CD version
Tracklisting
CD1:
1. Opening
2. Siberian Khatru
3. Heart Of The sunshine
4. Perpetual Change
5. And You And I (A. Cord Of Life; B. Eclipse; C. The Preacher The Teacher; D. The Apocalypse)
6. Mood For A Day
7. Excerpts From "the Six Wives Of Henry VIII"
8. Roundabout
CD2:
1. I've Seen All Good People (A. Your Move; B. All Good People)
2. Long Distance Runaround (Schindleria Praematurus)
3. Close To The Edge (A. The Solid Time Of Change; B. Total Mass Retain; C. I Get Up I Get Down; D. Seasons Of Man)
4. Yours Is No Disgrace
5. Starship Trooper (A. Life Seeker; B. Disillusion; C. Wurm)
