“Love Conquers All,” a Yes outtake from 1991’s Union, deserves a more prominent place in their canon. Instead, it’s little more than a footnote.
The last song on the Yesyears box set was written by Chris Squire and journeyman Billy Sherwood. While the song is firmly in the AOR camp, and not as strong as the sublime “The More We Live – Let Go,” any AOR band of the times would have been happy to have “Love Conquers All.”
Originally written for Conspiracy, the song is well represented on Yesyears with a strong Trevor Rabin lead vocal, powerful Alan White drumming and in-the-pocket bass playing from Squire. Rabin’s opening 12-string offers a contrast to his soaring electric leads, and Squire’s harmonies with sprinkling of electronic keys are totally appropriate.
That said, the keyboard solo by Billy Sherwood is a head scratcher. The solo seems to be in place of a Rabin guitar solo, and if a keyboard solo was needed it seems as if Tony Kaye could have provided something as appropriate, if not more so.
Perhaps “Love Conquers All” wasn’t progressive enough for inclusion on Yes’ Union, but I can think of at least five Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe tracks that it could have replaced, thereby improving the album.
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