Keys to Ascension 2

Infobox Album
Name = Keys to Ascension 2
Type = Live
Longtype = (double, with studio tracks)
Artist = Yes


Released = November 3 1997
Recorded = March - November 1996
Genre = Progressive rock
Length = 101:51
Label = Essential Records
Producer = Yes and Billy Sherwood
Reviews =
*Allmusic Rating|3|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:fl5g8qxmbtx4 link]
Last album = "Keys to Ascension"
(1996)
This album = "Keys to Ascension 2"
(1997)
Next album = "Open Your Eyes"
(1997)
Misc = Extra album cover 2
Upper caption = Booklet
Type = Live


Lower caption =

"Keys to Ascension 2" is a double album by the British progressive rock group Yes and was released in 1997. It is the successor to the critically-acclaimed "Keys to Ascension" 2-CD set from 1996.

Like the first seven tracks on the previous album, the first six tracks on "Keys to Ascension 2" were recorded live in San Luis Obispo, California in March 1996. The second disc features studio recordings made in Autumn 1996. Rick Wakeman wanted these studio tracks to be released with Jon Anderson's working title "Know", with the disc of live tracks thrown in as a bonus. Wakeman's preference was not honoured and by the time "Keys to Ascension 2" was released, he was no longer in the band. [http://forgottenyesterdays.com/tour_listing.asp?s=5&tname=17&SortBy=tDate&so=asc&navb=4]

"Keys to Ascension 2" features cover art by Roger Dean on an outer sleeve that fits around the package. On the sleeve, the image's predominant colour is magenta, but the booklet features the painting in its original blue colouration.

Track listing

Disc one

#"I've Seen All Good People" – 7:15
##"Your Move" (Jon Anderson)
##"All Good People" (Chris Squire)
#"Going for the One" (Jon Anderson) – 4:59
#"Time and a Word" (Jon Anderson/David Foster) – 6:23
#"Close to the Edge" (Jon Anderson/Steve Howe) – 19:41
##"The Solid Time of Change"
##"Total Mass Retain"
##"I Get Up I Get Down"
## "Seasons of Man"
#"Turn of the Century" (Jon Anderson/Steve Howe/Alan White) – 7:55
#"And You And I" (Jon Anderson; Themes by Bill Bruford/Steve Howe/Chris Squire) – 10:50
##"Cord of Life"
##"Eclipse" (Jon Anderson/Bill Bruford/Steve Howe)
##"The Preacher the Teacher"
##"Apocalypse"

Disc two

#"Mind Drive" (Jon Anderson/Chris Squire/Alan White/Steve Howe/Rick Wakeman) – 18:37
#"Foot Prints" (Jon Anderson/Chris Squire/Alan White/Steve Howe) – 9:07
#"Bring Me to the Power" (Jon Anderson/Steve Howe) – 7:23
#"Children of Light" – 6:03
##"Children of Light" (Jon Anderson/Vangelis/Chris Squire)
##"Lifeline" (Rick Wakeman/Steve Howe)
#"Sign Language" (Steve Howe/Rick Wakeman) – 3:28

"Keys to Ascension 2" (Essential EDF CD 457) reached #62 in the UK.

Personnel

*Jon Anderson - lead vocals
*Chris Squire - bass, backing vocals
*Steve Howe - guitars, backing vocals
*Rick Wakeman - keyboards
*Alan White - drums

*Produced By Billy Sherwood & Yes
*Engineered By Tom Fletcher & Billy Sherwood
*Mixed By Billy Sherwood
*Mastered By Joe Gastwirt

Miscellanea

"Mind Drive" was originally a concept that the band XYZ, which featured Chris Squire, Alan White and Jimmy Page, wrote and demoed in 1981.

"Lightning", Rick Wakeman's introduction to "Children Of Light", was mixed out before the album's release. "Lightning" was restored to the track on the 2001 compilation "Keystudio". The "Distant as the distant thunder..." introduction, as heard on "Keys to Ascension 2", was mixed out on the "Keystudio" version.

ources

* AllMusicGuide.com
* "Top Pop Albums 1955-2001", Joel Whitburn, c. 2002