Music Monday: Yes/Keys to Ascension 2

Like the previous album, Keys to Ascension, this album is also a mix of concert recordings with additional studio songs.

Also like the previous album, the first 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 November 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 honored and by the time Keys to Ascension 2 was released, he was no longer in the band (shocker).

And hey, more Roger Dean.

********************************************************************************

1) Mind Drive - This song is fantastic. It has also been around for awhile. The song was originally a concept that the band XYZ, which featured Chris Squire, Alan White and Jimmy Page, wrote and demoed in 1981. It was later incorporated in a drum duet between Alan White and Bill Bruford on the 1991–1992 Union tour.

********************************************************************************

2) Footprints - Another great song. Everybody knows where we're going to, be sure to leave good footprints behind. Never let the grass grow over your soul...

********************************************************************************

3) Bring Me to the Power - References the original title of Talk, History of the Future.

********************************************************************************

4) Children of Light - This was originally written by Jon Anderson and Vangelis in 1986 as "Distant Thunder". It was then later demoed by Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe (ABWH!) during the recording of their self-titled album. It later appeared as a hidden track on the 2011 limited edition of the album. I wrote about that here.

The lyrics to "Distant Thunder" ended up in Yes' Union tourbook in April 1991. In 1994, Jon Anderson performed the song via radio on the Tommy Vance show. During a Mother's Day concert in 1996, he performed "Children of Light" and said he hoped it would appear on a Yes album, which it did.

Rick Wakeman's introduction called "Lightning"  was mixed out before the album's release. It 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.

********************************************************************************

5) Sign Language - Beautiful and mellow instrumental with Wakeman and Howe playing off each other. Great moody way to end the album.

********************************************************************************

This is the last release of the band with Rick Wakeman on keyboards. It is also the last album with the line-up consisting of Anderson, Squire, White, Howe and Wakeman. The album reached No. 62 in the UK.

The studio tracks from this album and Keys to Ascension would be re-released as Keystudio.