Yes – From a Page (Mercury)

 

From a Page is a long-lost Yes album documenting one of the band's most transitional periods, spanning roughly 2008 to 2011. While some of this material had previously surfaced and largely went unnoticed, this is the definitive release—expanded, thoughtfully remastered, and finally presented in a way that allows these recordings to be fully appreciated.

Keyboardist Oliver Wakeman oversaw the project and worked tirelessly to complete it, tying together every possible musical loose end. His struggles and the many challenges involved are extensively documented in the accompanying booklet, and in some cases, you have to read the story to believe it. Wakeman deserves enormous credit for bringing this project to life and allowing it to finally breathe.

From a Page features the lineup that—minus Wakeman—would later record Fly From Here with Trevor Horn producing. It offers a fascinating glimpse into where the band was heading musically and captures the creative spirit of Yes during that era. In fact, there's something about From a Page that feels more organic and cohesive than Fly From Here.

The most welcome addition is "Aliens," a song written by Chris Squire that eventually appeared on the Squackett album with Steve Hackett. It's a mysterious and ambitious composition that Squire often performed during his solo spot on the 2008 tour. Even then, it always sounded more like a Yes song than anything else.  And those Jules Verne inspired lyrics really dig deep too.

"Words on a Page" is an instant Yes classic, highlighted by an exceptional lead guitar performance from Steve Howe. "In the Moment" and "The Gift of Love" are equally strong, each possessing that unmistakable quality that has always defined the band's finest work. Benoît David delivers an excellent vocal performance throughout the album and deserves considerable credit for stepping into one of rock's most demanding roles while helping to keep the music of Yes alive during a challenging period.

The two CDs included in this set capture the essence of recording sessions that, until now, never fully came to fruition. Beautifully packaged in a box complete with a poster and a set of collectible cards, From a Page feels like much more than another archival release. It stands as a rewarding musical document and a genuine labor of love, giving these overlooked recordings the presentation they always deserved.

Mark Kadzielawa