Collectors Music Reviews

Seventh Age Imagination (Highland HL229/230)

PNE Coliseum, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada – May 5th, 1979

Disc 1 (66:53):  Opening, Siberian Khatru, Heart Of The Sunrise, Future Times/Rejoice, Circus Of Heaven, Time And A Word, Long Distance Runaround, The Fish (Schindleria Praematurus), Perpetual Change, The Gates Of Delirium

Disc 2 (44:54):  Clap (incl. Beginnings), And You And I, Starship Trooper, Excerpts from The Six Wives Of Henry VII / The Forest, Awaken, Tour Song (Vancouver), I’ve Seen All Good People, Roundabout

Yes’ May 5th show in Vancouver was the ninth and final Canadian show on the Ten True Summers tour in 1979. The tape for this date is sometimes traded as a soundboard recording, but it is actually one of the best audience recordings ever produced for Yes. There is almost perfect balance between the music and audience (except for some slightly muffled conversations). It is very deep, rich, and at points very powerful in the lower frequencies.

There is a small cut thirty-two seconds in “The Fish” and a small one by the end of “Starship Trooper.” 

In the early nineties it was released on compact disc on Tourmato (Part 1 + 2) (Silver Rarities SIRA-CD 25/26) and several years later it surfaced on Seventh Age Imagination on Highland.  The sound is very clear and power and is one of the best titles released by the label.

The performance itself is extremely tight and professional, but also very safe and predictable.  Yes were still playing it safe at this point in the tour and were playing the same set as they had.  Ten True Summers was basically the Tormato set stripped of much of the Tormato material, so “Don’t Kill The Whale,” “Madrigal” and “On The Silent Wings Of Freedom” weren’t played.  Only the underrated Yes classic “Future Times / Rejoice” and “Circus Of Heaven” remain from the new album. 

The tape opens with the John Williams tape leading into “Siberian Khatru” and “Heart Of The Sunrise.”  Jon Anderson tells the audience that “it’s very good to be back here in Vancouver one more time” and praises the mountains and general shape of the place. 

Both of the new songs sound fresh and inventive.  Anderson’s son receives a huge ovation for his bit in “Circus Of Heaven.” 

The big medley is played with the usual numbers and surprises.  “Long Distance Runaround” and “The Fish” are outstanding on this recording, sounding very powerful.  The same is true for “Perpetual Change,” even though the musicians are a bit tentative. 

After “The Clap” (and people by the taper begging for “Mood For A Day” so much they hum it), Anderson tells Vancouver ”we’ll carry on with a dance routine. A dance routine. A dance routine. Here’s a song called ‘And You And I.’” 

And following is “Starship Trooper,” which is “pertaining to the incredible discussion you always have with yourself.  Between yourself and yourself…”  The Würm section sound as if it will reduce the stage into splinters.

Rick Wakeman has his solo section, playing parts of Six Wives Of Henry VIII and Journey To The Centre Of The Earth, his two biggest hits in the seventies, and segues into the piano introduction to “Awaken.”  The recording does an excellent job picking up the dynamics of the piece, from the firce heavy metal riffing to the harp interlude. 

Anderson leads the band on acoustic guitar for the “Tour Song,” which for Vancouver is:

I’d like to thank you everybody for coming along this evening.
I’d like to thank you one and all for coming along this evening.
Here we go.Vancouver, Canada.
Nous Sommes Du Soleil.
Vancouver, Canada. Nous Sommes Du Soleil.

I’d like to thank you everybody for making it out this Saturday evening.
Like to thank you so much so much so much for taking the time to come out this evening.We’ve gotta do it again.

Vancouver, Canada. Canada.
Vancouver, Canada, Nous Sommes Du Soleil.

Thank you so much.
Thank you so much.

Thank you so much so much.

“I’ve Seen All Good People” and “Roundabout” end the show.  

Seventh Age Imagination is packaged in a double slimline jewel case with thicker than usual (for Highland) inserts.  There is a catalogue listing on the inside and various band shots on the golden design.  There have been many different titles released from the ’78 and ’79 tours, but this remains one of the best ones to come out and is essential for the Yes collection. 

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