Surely one misses Yes bassist Chris Squire all the more listening to the dozen songs presented on A Life In Yes: The Chris Squire Tribute. Produced by current Yes bassist Billy Sherwood, these 12 are lovingly overseen and feature some world-class players making their way through some very impressive tracks. “On The Silent Wings Of Freedom” pretty much shows off Sherwood and features another current Yes vocalist Jon Davison. What makes this one even m ore special is the appearance of one-time Yes keyboardist Patrick Moraz playing airy synths. “Onward,” one of my all-time favorite Squire tunes, is featured here. It’s sweet and slower than the original that’s on Tormato, but with Renaissance’s Annie Haslam singing, the listener is pretty much brought to you to tears.
“South Side Of The Sky,” with Sherwood on all vocals and bass, David Sancious playing a startling solo piano interlude (pretty much worth the price of the whole CD), Steve Stevens on guitar and Yes backup drummer Jay Schellen, brings home one of the most rocking moments on this album. And Steve Hackett, who teamed with Squire on the sadly overlooked Squackett album Life Within A Day, provides high-flying soaring single notes over “The More We Live Let Go.”
Todd Rundgren makes “Roundabout” come alive, truly making the song his own with what might be one of the better vocal performances I have heard from the singer of late. In another warm and wonderful vocal performance, Candice Night steps away from husband Ritchie Blackmore to make “Don’t Kill The Whale” another highlight the collection. Brian Auger provides the keyboards.
Two bonus tracks feature the man himself. Squire rumbles around the Billy Sherwood-penned “The Technical Divide,” with Alan Parsons on the vocals. On a cover of Pink Floyd’s “Comfortably Numb,” Squire plays bass and duets with Sherwood. Yes drummer Alan White is also on the song. A Life In Yes: The Chris Squire Tribute honors one of rock’s most unique musicians. Billy Sherwood, Squire’s friend and protege, clearly went to extra lengths to make sure one of progressive rock’s most influential pioneers receives the recognition he so richly deserves.
~ Ralph Greco, Jr.
