House of Yes: Live from House of Blues

Released as a companion CD soundtrack to a live DVD/VHS offering, this two-disc set captures the group's Las Vegas show at . Including a nearly complete set from tour seems to be a double-edged blade. This creates for a definite completeness as a concert recording. However, many of the tracks on this set have already shown up on other live sets. Followers of the band will find an appeal to this disc that goes beyond the music. The CD represents a live chronicle of / lineup of the band. By the time was released, had already become a "former member" and was to follow late in 2000, making this a bit of an end of a chapter. It includes many standout moments, and some that don't shine quite so brightly. Sitting among the great side are 's extended guitar solo in the opening track a rendition of 's epic and the inclusion of both and from that same album. Probably one of the more subtle but interesting things this disc offers is a short improvised bit whose chorus is " is in ." Among the down sides, in many ways it is unfortunate, but probably unavoidable, that the group felt compelled to include the overplayed That said, the particular rendition of is very inspired and includes a fine performance of the instrumental cut as its introduction. The other central complaint is that in many places the CD feels very over-produced, losing much of its live texture. ~ Gary Hill