I’m probably in the minority of Yes fans, but I didn’t think much about the Yes album “Talk” when it was released in March 1994. The album ranked towards the bottom of my favorite Yes albums. The Trevor Rabin years of Yes included significant progression for the band with 3 1/2 albums worth of material, most of it very good. My issues with “Talk” revolve mostly around Trevor Rabin’s production. Chris Squire’s writing input was minimal, and his bass playing was low in the mix. Tony Kaye was sidelined with just a few Hammond organ stabs. Alan White’s drum sound boarded on bombast. 

Does the expanded 30th Anniversary Deluxe Box Set Edition fix these issues? Not totally. However, the fourteenth studio album from the band demonstrates how the band was still progressive with its streamlined lyrics, direct production, and powerful playing. The expanded edition provides several tasty rarities for the hardcore 5% Yes fans. “The Calling (Special Edition)” seems to benefit from remixing with Tony Kaye’s input more prominent and the vocal mixed more subtle. Including “The Calling” radio and single edits are also welcome additions. Disc #2 also includes intriguing rarities such as the “Endless Dream (Demo) and instrumental versions of “Where Will You Be,” “Walls,”  and “Endless Dream (Excerpt).” All these extras are good; however, the live songs, pulled from the June 19, 1994 performance in Canandaigua, New York, are essential listening.

The band, augmented by Billy Sherwood on second guitar, second keyboard, vocals, and bass, is in excellent form. The rhythm section is mixed well, highlighting its power and agility. The album is a reminder of the majesty of the late Chris Squire and Alan White. The live versions of “I Am Waiting,” “The Calling,” and “Walls” shine in this setting. “Real Love,” co-written by Rabin, Squire, and Anderson, benefits from the additional keys, acoustic guitar, and synth programming. “The live version of “The Calling” shows Jon Anderson at the top of his game. 

The expected Rabin era deep cuts are well represented, too. “City Of Love,”  “Changes,”  and “Hearts” all translate well in the live setting. The Howe era ‘hits’ are here too, and all come across better than they did on the audience-enhanced ARW live album, which came out a few years back. 

Is “Talk” 30th Anniversary Deluxe Box Set essential listening? If you are a Yes fan, absolutely, as the box set fills in a significant hole in many fans’ collections. The “Talk” album has aged better than I expected, and the bonus studio tracks and demos, along with the stirring live tracks, make this one of my favorite Yes boxed sets.

The box set is out on May 24, 2024, and is available for preorder now at Cherry Red Records and Burning Shed.