Yes - The Yes Album
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Free Music Notes for The Yes Album
Free Music Review: Why!?
Hit: 4 Stars
There is very little to complain about on Rhino's reissue of The Yes Album; the remastering is done well, and is nice and clear. However, I do have to fault Yes and Eddie Offord for fading out nearly every track on the album. Nothing sounds complete, and the epic nature of the songs demands resolution. A good buy, but get Keys To Ascension as well if you want to hear Starship Trooper as it was meant to be.Free Music Review: No disgrace indeed
Hit: 5 Stars
I had originally written this review on my old site. I updated it and got rid of the errors. I hope you like the review, but more importantly, I hope you enjoy the album as much as I have for many years.
With the advent of Steve Howe on guitar, Yes would begin the tranisition of a semi-psychedellic semi-folk band to a progressive rock band. To be fair to original guitarist Peter Banks, he was a competent rhythm guitarist (his best moment is perhaps "Astral Traveller") but Howe's more versatile playing would force rings around Banks'. This would also be keyboardist Tony Kaye's last album until 90125 (he was a great organist but lacked the technological knowhow that future keyboardists like Rick Wakeman, Patrick Moraz, Geoff Downes and Igor Khoroshev would possess). The opener "Yours Is No Disgrace" opens with a bold introduction, the 1st verse does not appear until nearly 2 minutes into the song. Howe plays different parts on different guitars and bassist Chris Squire plays bass almost like a 6-string guitar (his early influnences of Paul McCartney and John Entwistle would show up here). Also, Jon Anderson would show more growth as a singer. Tony Kaye's contributions on organ also fit in well (he uses a moog synthesizer at the end of the song). Following is Steve Howe's acoustic guitar piece called "Clap." For many years, this song was pressed onto LP and CD as "The Clap," much to the chagrin and resentment of Howe (I can just picture reviews "Get The Clap and many others on The Yes Album!"). Folk and blues are blended quite well here (there also exists a studio version of this song on this CD). On this release, there is also a studio version of "Clap" not on the original LP. Following that is Yes' masterpiece "Starship Trooper," which would feature Yes' signature key and tempo changes and Jon Anderson's semi-vague, sci-fi lyrics featured in the "Life Seeker" segment ("Speak to me of summer, long winters longer than time can remember," "starship trooper, go sailing on by," and "what I don't know, I have never heard" are examples). Chris Squire also proved to be a great harmonist, you can hear him singing along with Anderson on the "Disillusion" segment. Finally, Howe ends with a catchy riff played over and over again on the "Wurm" segment (I don't know if this influenced Lynyrd Skynyrd but their closing jam on "Free Bird" is reminiscent of this). "I've Seen All Good People" became one of Yes' 1st "hits." The opening segment "Your Move" talks about a chess game "Move me onto any black square... don't surround yourself with yourself." There is also mention of several John Lennon/Beatles references "All we are saying is give peace a chance" and "send an instant kharma to me." The 2nd part features a catchy bass line by Squire and the line "I've seen all good people turn their heads each day so satisfied I'm on my way." The song closes with the chorus sung 2 keys lower each time (One disk jockey confessed that once while playing "I've Seen All Good People" on the radio, he turned off the phonograph at the fadeout of that song and the station manager reprimanded him!). "A Venture" sounds like an outtake from earlier albums, it was the only song not featured in live performances. "Perpetual Change" is the last song on the original album. The live version would give Bill Bruford an outlet for a drum solo. Also included on this release are single versions of "Starship Trooper (Life Seeker)" and "Your Move." This album would point the direction where Yes was heading on future albums.
Free Music Review: Awesome album, and don't forget about Tony Kaye....
Hit: 5 Stars
This is the album when "Yes became Yes". I usually don't like those comparisons, but this is one of Yes's best albums, and it was a real commercial breakthrough. It only has 6 tracks (at least on the original version), but they are 6 great tracks. It also has 4 of Yes's signature songs, Yours is No Disgrace, Starship Trooper, Your Move/All Good People, and Perpetual Change. The songwriting is top notch, and the interplay between the musicians (and the beautiful vocals) is really awesome. Many have said this is the quinessential Yes album (no pun intended), but many forget that Rick Wakeman wasn't on this album. Tony Kaye, the original keyboardist, was here and his keyboards blend in perfectly with the band. He isn't as techinically accomplished as Wakeman is/was, but his playing fit the group quite well. Sometimes I think Rick Wakeman, awesome keyboardist he is, didn't like being in a band situation. Keith Emerson, Wakeman's only real rival in the prog rock movement, was able to show off his chops a lot more in ELP than Wakeman ever did in Yes. But then Emerson, Lake, and Palmer was a power trio with Emerson the main focus, not a 5 piece band where the musical "burden" was shared more. I think Kaye doesn't get credit for shaping Yes's music more.
This is one of favorite Yes albums, incredibly complex, tuneful, and wonderful. It's extremely memorable, and the remastering job here is exemplary.
Free Music Review: One of Yes' finest efforts
Hit: 5 Stars
Although my favorite Yes record will always be 'Close to the Edge,' 'The Yes Album' is definitely a close favorite. This record demonstrates the group at their finest. Released in 1971, this is the last record keyboardist Tony Kaye would make with the group until 1983. It was also guitarist Steve Howe's first record with the group.
Kaye would be replaced by former Strawbs keyboardist Rick Wakeman. Wakeman would be featured on the reworking of Simon & Garfunkel's 'America,' which would be recorded for a special record called 'The Golden Age Of Atlantic.'
This record, though, does feature some amazing keyboards by Kaye. 'Yours Is No Disgrace' is one of my all-time favorite Yes songs. This is an enjoyable track featuring heavy organ by Kaye.
'The Clap' features great guitar work from Howe. This was recorded live at the Lyceum Theatre in London in 1970. This would become a concert favorite for years to come.
After 'The Clap,' the record rolls right into 'Starship Trooper,' which would become yet another concert classic. Chris Squire's bass is great, Jon Anderson's vocals are amazing, and this is, in my opinion, drummer Bill Bruford's best song behind the kit with the group.
'I've Seen All Good People' is played on classic rock radio stations all the time. And it's easy to see why. This song features great vocals from Anderson, and Kaye plays some mighty fine keyboards on this one.
'A Venture' is a nice deep cut that you never hear on the radio. In fact, you never hear it anywhere. It's a shorty, clocking in at 3:21, but it's an amazing song. It fits perfectly on this record.
'Perpetual Change' closes out the record. This song is 9 minutes of excellent music. The saying 'We saved the best for last' really goes in this case. What a way to close a Yes record!
The bonus tracks are great. You get single versions of 'Your Move' and 'Life Seeker' and the studio version of 'The Clap,' which features a part of 'Mood For A Day.' This is highly recommended for any progressive rock, classic rock or Yes fan. ENJOY!!!
Free Music Review: It has always been "You're Move" hasn't it?
Hit: 5 Stars
Another classic progressive rock album long lost in the attic and basement to boxes, moves and life in general that deserves to be re-visited. "You're Move" was a leap in the late 60's and ealry 70's after the acidity of woodstock. Yes one of the curators of such style formulated their expanding sound with others like "Heart of the Sunrise" and the "Siberian Kahtru" Certainly memories from the Cornell Fieldhouse! Worth another listen after all these years!