9012live
9012Live: The Solos is the third live album by YES. Released as a mini LP in 1985, the album features solos from each of the five band members, plus live versions of two songs from their 1983 album 90125.

“In March of 1984 the long overdue show went on the road. Aside from seeing three continents, three tour managers, one small army of Argentinean security, encountering numerous threats, one ticket office bombing, some minor bickering and moaning, one squadron of flying saucers over Denver, lots of vodka and surviving two international escapes, the tour went smoothly and without incident. In spite of, or perhaps as a result of this, what ensued was a series of shows that delighted audiences everywhere.

Now for your listening pleasure, some of these magical music moments have been preserved on wax… Enjoy, and thank GOD for small miracles and hasty retreats.”

– From Seal Beach

Mickey Heyes, Assistant Tour Manager.

Personnel

Jon Anderson

Jon Anderson
Vocals
Tony Kaye

Tony Kaye
Keyboards

Trevor Rabin

Trevor Rabin
Guitars, Vocals
Chris Squire

Chris Squire
Bass, Vocals
Alan White

Alan White
Percussion

Recommended Versions

9012live
9012Live: The Solos is Available as:
DVD at Amazon
CD at Amazon
MP3 Downloads at iTunes, Google Play, 7 Digital, Microsoft Store
Streaming at Apple Music, Spotify, Rdio

Listen

Spotify



Cinematic Changes 1983-89 - From Perpetual Change by David Watkinson

9012Live leaflet
With 90125 achieving massive sales worldwide, it was time for the band to reinforce their success with a tour. Virtually the whole of the remaining year would be spent on tour, starting in America during February, crossing the Atlantic for European and UK dates, then a stint in Japan, ending back in the US in October. It seemed as if there were no limits to what they could achieve – YES were a global band again, and for the second time.

YES chose to redefine their image: dispensing, for the second time, with Roger Dean, and embracing a new design style based on computer graphics. The 1980s YES utilised a new updated YES logo and released only their second promotional video in sixteen years, a live recording of their tour. The young filmmaker Steve Gottenburg produced 9012Live for the Charlex Company, using state-of-the-art video technology – incorporating over 60 stunning visual effects. Nominated for various awards, 9012Live provides an accurate portrait of the reformed band.

With a massive hit album and a number one single, the finances were available to put on a big show. To complement their new sound, Roger Dean’s eerie landscapes were replaced by starker, but still spectacular lasers and computer graphics. Playing only in large arenas on this tour, the stage was multi­-levelled, and sparse, its high-tech design reflecting the new album cover. The front of the stage sloped down to the audience while the rear sloped upwards, all band members on the same level except for Alan, whose drum pedestal was raised above the rest.

YES

The new YES began the evening’s entertainment with a Bugs Bunny cartoon show, rather than their traditional orchestral overture. In the show proper, dry ice, lasers, strobe lights and spotlights were combined to stunning effect. During ‘Hearts‘, the laser images of two hearts were projected onto the arena walls, whilst in the solos by Trevor and Tony, the cone laser light was used to great effect. After the climax of ‘Starship Trooper‘, as the band went offstage, awaiting their call for an encore, lasers projected the word ‘YES‘ onto screens above the audience – encouraging the crowd to chant the band’s name until they returned.

The world tour concluded in February 1985, in South America, final performances included the massive Rock in Rio festival which drew a crowd of 250,000. That same month, YES won a Grammy award for best rock instrumental performance for the track ‘Cinema‘ from 90125.

Excerpted from David Watkinson’s ‘Perpetual Change‘.

Tracklisting

Disc 1

  1. Hold On
    Trevor Rabin/Chris Squire/Jon Anderson
  2. Si
    Tony Kaye
  3. Solly’s Beard
    Trevor Rabin
  4. Soon
    Jon Anderson
  5. Changes
    Trevor Rabin/Jon Anderson/Alan White
  6. Amazing Grace
    Trad. arr. Chris Squire
  7. Whitefish
    Chris Squire/Alan White