Chris Squire’s debut solo album Fish Out Of Water is enjoying an official limited edition deluxe boxed set re-release. The only original Yes member to appear on all the group’s albums and tours (up until his 2015 passing), songwriter, harmony vocalist, in-concert focal point, and most notably one of the giants (in actual height as well as playing) of progressive rock bass playing, Squire presents his tenor vocals and powerhouse Rickenbacker up front here. Mainly collaborating with his friend, keyboardist, arranger, composer and former band mate in the Syn (pre-Yes) Andrew Pryce Jackman, Squire also enlisted guests like former Yes drummer Bill Bruford, one-time Yes keyboardist Patrick Moraz, King Crimson saxophonist Mel Collins and flautist Jimmy Hastings, to help bring the record to fruition
Across the seven discs of this set, you get a new stereo mix, the original mix, a 5.1 surround mix, plus video, vinyl (an LP and two 45s) and a poster to round the package out. From the Beach Boys sounding “You By My Side,” the flute scurry beginning of “Silently Falling,” its rockin’ middle and ending keyboard solo, to the full-out progressive storm of “Safe (Canon Song)” with Squire’s popping high-toned bass and big dramatic horn interplay, this is Squire as songwriter, player, and singer at the top of his game.
Bonus tracks include the single versions of “Lucky Seven” and “Silently Falling,” plus both sides of Squire and Yes drummer Alan White’s Christmas single, “Run With The Fox” and “Return Of The Fox,” both on CD for the first time ever. One of the two DVDs in the set features a promotional film made for album, along with a 2006 interview with Squire. Released in 1975, Fish Out Of Water made a respectable dent in the UK and U.S. album charts, and remains a favorite among Yes aficionados. With this new collection, you pretty much get everything you’d ever want from this seminal release.
~ Ralph Greco, Jr.
