Yes’ “Fortune Seller” does a better job at melding AOR and progressive elements than either “No Way We Can Lose,” the proceeding song, or the track that follows on 1997’s Open Your Eyes.
This mid-tempo number has lyrics which hint at the optimism and mysticism expected from Yes and the song has a musical heft we come to expect from the world’s greatest progressive rock band. Billy Sherwood’s mix features the Yes choir front and center in the open verse, along with a heady Alan White/Chris Squire backbeat.
“Fortune Seller” also presents one of the best guitarist pairings of Billy Sherwood and Steve Howe in the Yes canon. Sherwood’s angular rhythmic approach contrasts well with Howe’s precise lead lines and steel-guitar phrases.
The multiple keyboard parts and tricky time-signature changes keep the listener’s ears perked up. Additionally, the inclusion of the additional keyboards by Igor Khoroshev provide a texture which hints at some of the touches from a prior caped Yes keyboardist. Indeed, Khoroshev’s Hammond organ solo pushes the instrumental passage to a higher level.
At just five minutes, “Fortune Seller” packs quite a wallop and leads me to think this album would have benefitted from editing some of the weaker material. Next time, we’ll get to one such song. In fact, not including “Man in the Moon” may have made Open Your Eyes just that much better.
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