A few days ago, while in New York City, I happened upon a Borders and started browsing through the music section, as I normally do. I came to the 'Yes' section and recalled that I already had three of their CDs - "Fragile", "Yesterdays", and "Highlights" - and decided to purchase one at random.
I bought "Tormato" and started playing it once I got home, and instantly fell in love with it. 'Future Times', 'Don't Kill The Whale', 'Release, Release', 'Onward', and 'On The Silent Wings Of Freedom' are all really great songs; so enamoured with the album was I that I went to my local record shop and picked up "Going For The One" and the Jon Anderson-less "Drama", the latter of which I find to be an extremely good album ('Machine Messiah', 'Does It Really Happen', 'I Am A Camera', 'Running Into The Light', and 'Tempus Fugit' are all excellent rock songs).
So I was just wondering who here is a Yes fan and what you may think of them. Initially, I didn't like Jon Anderson's vocals or lyrics, but I started warming to them. Chris Squire, I feel, is one of the best bass guitarists out there, and Alan White (or Bill Bruford, depending on the era) is an exceptional drummer. Instrumentally, Yes' arrangements are great, and there's so much attention to detail that it's almost frightening.
Now it's your turn!
My boss is a big fan of Yes, and The Who.
I got him into Queen more lately. I told him to listen more of their material on MusicMatch, and he said it's much better than he expected.
I don't like 'Yes' that much, but I do appreciate Steve Howe putting his talent into the guitar part that he played on 'Innuendo'.
I was lucky enough to see Yes in 1987 (or so). They put on a great show. What a catalogue!! Definately an excellent band in there time. When I was a kid Anderson's vocals bothered me a bit too... but after I heard the song "Friends of Mr Cairo" (w/ Vangelis) I decided to check out the Yes stuff more seriously. I was glad I did. They are a good band with complicated arrangements. I definately recomend them for any music fan.
Yeah, I like Yes -- although I wouldn't put them in my top 10 favorite bands, I do think they're awesome musicians and wonder why the hell they're not in the R&R HOF yet. My friend's dad is a Yes fanatic and he's seen them over 30 times since the '70s. Yours Is No Disgrace and Going For The One are good Yes songs. Other ones I like are:
Roundabout
Close To The Edge
Every Little Thing
And You & I
I've Seen All Good People
Leave It
Saving My Heart
Owner Of A Lonely Heart
Leave It was a song I remember fondly from my youth. Fun to play loud, though impossible to sing along with in any intelligent manner.
I always heard from others, however, that Yes sounds horrible live because Anderson can't reproduce the vocals on stage like he does on the album. Never saw them live myself, but I can certainly understand this complaint.
I'm fan of Yes too. Last year I renewed my LP and CD 70's collection with Rhino remastered edition (with a lot of bonuses and great expanded booklets). It's worth of money, I should say.
I like probably Going For The One the most (especially Awaken is true gem), then, of course Close To The Edge. Tormato was the first LP I have back in 80’s. It's fine record, although it's a bit different from what Yes played before. They shortened songs length and made them easier in structure. But, after all, I like it. Don't Kill The Whale (with that fantastic Wakeman's birotron sound) or Future Times are great songs. BTW, I like Drama a lot too (it was very underrated LP from Yes).
I was at Yes concert in 1997 or so and I couldn't agree Anderson wasn't able to sing good live. To say truth - it was probably the best gig I saw - they were amazing.
Zeni the Wet Sprocket wrote:
I always heard from others, however, that Yes sounds horrible live because Anderson can't reproduce the vocals on stage like he does on the album. Never saw them live myself, but I can certainly understand this complaint.
Can't agree with the 'others'. Saw them on the 'Going for the One' tour and Andersons voice was imperious! the show from start to finish was superb-lots of the then new album with a good dose of the other stuff-Close to the edge, Roundabout etc Interestingly a chap called Donovon was support and he did his set electric and it was, good applause from crowd at end of his set. Donovon I hear you say-for those under 35 ask your parents..
I'm a HUGE Yes fanatic!
Like Queen, i seem to enjoy their earlier work best and most of the stuff from the 70's. Fave albums are Close to the Edge, The Yes Album, Fragile, Going for the One, Drama, and 90120.
I also really like the Tormado album, but not as a whole...mostly for side 1 (whoops, showing my age here...this was back when discs HAD sides!)which has some GREAT tunes like "Future Times", "Madrigal", "Release Release" and more.
Chris Squire is AWESOME...this guy knows how to rock. The best bassist ever i think...next to John Deacon of course! John was a HUGE fan of Chris' and i can see some influence there.
Steve Howe is one of the greatest guitarist ever. The man is AMAZING. He plays from his soul, not with his hands. His skill is not based on how fast and how loudly he can play, but based on what exceptional skill, craft, and understanding about his instrument as a whole. His solo work is well worth seeking out too....
Bill Bruford was incredible on drums...having a jazz background he used that well in the yes camp early on. I think part of the reason i so love early Yes is because of his melodic playing. They were all playing in a melodic way, with hints of melody in all of their playing back then. This is how they were able to construct these incredibly elaborate musical assalts. Brilliant stuff it all was.
Yes in the 80's seemed more into rythemic songs and arrangements, while 70's Yes seemed to be all about melody.
I've been to many live shows of theirs...the most recent being last years anniversary show. Wow, these guys are PHENOMINAL live!!!
If you want to go to a visually stunning and musically engulfing gig...go to the next Yes Show!!
Anyone interested in learning more about Yes can find plenty here: link
There are various links there that will lead you to many other links...have fun exploring!!
Part of the joy of Yes is discovering them in a way, so go see what you have been missing out on!