by Paul Collins
Legally released, but without the knowledge of the band, this two-CD compilation of early Yes appearances on British, French, and German radio shows is perhaps the best that fans can hope for; except for the title track of &Time and a Word,& Yes has never bothered to release live versions of songs off its first two albums. Most of these early songs turn up here, and there's even an prototype of &Starship Trooper& in the previously unreleased &For Everyone.& Stripped raw of their studio padding, the Time and a Word cuts attain a ragged beauty, especially in redlining versions of &Dear Father& and &No Opportunity Neccessary.& The liner notes were clearly a labor of love, with newspaper clippings, posters, recording notes, unpublished photos, and dishy notes by a thoroughly unrepentant Peter Banks. Despite variable sound quality, and an inevitable garage-band grittiness, it's a fine artifact. Released in the U.S. in 1998 as Beyond and Before.