:: The Shattered Room ::

Other Stuff => Other Bands + Music => Topic started by: PH on Sat, 2008-04-12, 20:37:31

Title: Yes
Post by: PH on Sat, 2008-04-12, 20:37:31
As far as I know there's no Yes topic yet.
Since Yes is one of the great prog bands, I'd really like to know something about them.
It would be a shame to die and not having heard a Yes album. (Same goes for any of the prog dinos)

My questions to you:

1. Do you like Yes?
2. What's so good/bad about them?
3. What do they sound like? Give some info about them please.
4. Which studio albums are the best?
5. Which studio albums are the worst?

Just tell something about them. Anything you want.

-Paco
Title: Re: Yes
Post by: Deenfan on Sun, 2008-04-13, 13:41:38
1. Do you like Yes?

A bit

2. What's so good/bad about them?

Nothing is bad, really. But then again, nothing ever seemed to grab hold, either.

3. What do they sound like? Give some info about them please.

I believe that depends on the album. A fine high-pitched but gentle singer, some good melodies and lots of weird prog stuff of variable levels of entertainment value

4. Which studio albums are the best?

Almost all bands that existed in the 80's released their best (that is, most sensible and melodic) releases at that time. Look for albums from this decade for the most song-based material. Example: "90125"

5. Which studio albums are the worst?

I will stretch the term "worst" to encompass "least accessible". I don't know if they ever released a crap album, but I think you'll find the greatest examples of juvenile prog insanity (charming or not) on their releases from the 70's. What ever the release year, "Tales from Topographic Oceans" is full of idiocy or brilliance, based on what your preferences are.
Title: Re: Yes
Post by: Iggy on Sun, 2008-04-13, 14:43:52
Quote from: PH on Sat, 2008-04-12, 20:37:31
As far as I know there's no Yes topic yet.
Since Yes is one of the great prog bands, I'd really like to know something about them.
It would be a shame to die and not having heard a Yes album. (Same goes for any of the prog dinos)

My questions to you:

1. Do you like Yes?

Yes

2. What's so good/bad about them?

They are fantastic musicians in their own right.


3. What do they sound like? Give some info about them please.

Depending on the decade very diffferent.

seventies was my favorite

4. Which studio albums are the best?

Subjective but Close to the Edge is a fantastic album. Going for the One is also a fantastic album with Awaken being the highlight.

5. Which studio albums are the worst?

After seeing them live on numerous occasions over the last 30 years they are better live than in the studio. Best worst is very subjective the album I play the least is open your eyes.

Just tell something about them. Anything you want.

They don't seem to be great friends but seem bound together by the music. Rick Wakeman has joined and left 4 or 5 times.

-Paco
Title: Re: Yes
Post by: maddox on Sun, 2008-04-13, 16:18:25
1. Do you like Yes?

Yes and no. I kind of have a love/hate relationship with Yes.
I have to be in the 'mood' for them.  ;)

2. What's so good/bad about them?

Well for starters: Jon Anderson.  :-\
I really don't like the sound of his voice.  :-\
Music wise that is.  ;)
And i don't like the guitarsound of Steve Howe. Must say that how he plays is brilliant but i don't like his fushionistic approach.

3. What do they sound like? Give some info about them please.

I agree with Iggy, depends on what decade you choose.
Seventies was really old fashioned prog, eighties was a poppy kind of prog, the nineties gave us something in between and last years i haven't paid them much attention so i really can't tell.

4. Which studio albums are the best?

Close To The Edge is very good and i like the eighties-albums like 90125 and Big Generator and Talk. The latter was released in the nineties by the way.

5. Which studio albums are the worst?

Can't really tell since i don't have all their albums but i didn't like Re-union at all.

Title: Re: Yes
Post by: Nicky007 on Sun, 2008-04-13, 18:45:47
Paco, Yes were my fave group some four years ago, and one of my faves thirty years ago, so I've listened lots to them.


1. Do you like Yes?

You bet your a*  *horns*


2. What's so good/bad about them?

Great musicians. Particularly their leader Jon is Genius.

They are genuine musicians, living for their music. They rarely did anything for money, except somewhat 90125, as they were tired of being neglected and were in a crises, and very much Open Your Eyes, which seems uninspired to me.

They were always on the move, trying out all sorts of weird and arcane things. Therefore their music is very variable, some of it rocks like crazy, and some noodles you out'o your mind.

They were avid readers, particularly of religious literature. Jon was always trying out newly found ideas in the lyrics. Great stuff, try to follow his tracks.

On top of it, they were vegetarians - particularly Jon, of course - except for Rick, and that was one of the things they were constantly arguing about with him. Also Rick's solo career took off around Topographic, and he left Yes. Fortunately he returned for Going, cause he was the only true Yes keyboardist.


3. What do they sound like? Give some info about them please.

The question is more: What have Yes not tried out? I can barely think of any group that has sooo much variation in their music. Almost the only thing that made them recognisable was Jon's very special high-pitched spiritual voice.

But OK, let's try to characterise some Yes styles:  There's the very tender melodious style, usually Jon's contribution. There's the wild jazzy stuff, very much Steve's and Rick's ideas. Then there's the ethereal and ebullient mood carried by Rick. And then you have Chris going bananas with his bass now and then.


4. Which studio albums are the best?

In retrospect, my list would be:

1. Going For The One - musically, lyrically, and spiritually, one of their great masterpieces, and highly original at the time.
2. The Ladder - ditto, except not quite as original 22 years later.
3. Tormato - style like Going (recorded a year later).

If you ask me (and you did ask for it, Paco), the pre-Going albums are mainly of historical interest today. The best in them is Jon's wonderful songs. The extensive noodling has been surpassed by far by people like Masters JP and Steve Vai, who are more exciting and also don't go on forever.

All of the post-Going albums are great, except the aforementioned Open Your Eyes. Even the most troublesome Union has some moments of great melody, tenderness, and rhythm, also a true Yes-album.

It may sound surprising, but I'v never listened to Drama. Maybe I should some day, but for me, earlier, it simply couldnt be Yes without Jon. He's one of my great heros !

I havent either listened to their debut album Yes. It's from before Steve got into the mix, and nobody seems to like it.


5. Which studio albums are the worst?

Look above.

Nicky.
Title: Re: Yes
Post by: keyboardistmatt on Sun, 2008-04-13, 19:17:54
Yes sound like: Jon Anderson, Rick Wakeman, and Alan White meets Steve Howe and Chris Squire on a sunny afternoon. ;D
Title: Re: Yes
Post by: PH on Sun, 2008-04-13, 22:16:51
Thanks all of you! That was very helpful.
Except maybe KBM... ;)

Hey, keep 'em coming!

-Paco
Title: Re: Yes
Post by: Iggy on Sat, 2008-06-28, 17:49:06
Quote from: Nicky007 on Sun, 2008-04-13, 18:45:47

If you ask me (and you did ask for it, Paco), the pre-Going albums are mainly of historical interest today. The best in them is Jon's wonderful songs. The extensive noodling has been surpassed by far by people like Masters JP and Steve Vai, who are more exciting and also don't go on forever.

All of the post-Going albums are great, except the aforementioned Open Your Eyes. Even the most troublesome Union has some moments of great melody, tenderness, and rhythm, also a true Yes-album.


I missed this bit Nicky

I can't believe you have consigned Fragile, The Yes Album and Close to the edge into historical interest  >:(

Methinks you need to watch the Symphonic Yes DVD

atb
Iggy
Title: Re: Yes
Post by: Crazy Diamond on Mon, 2008-06-30, 23:37:20
Quote from: Nicky007 on Sun, 2008-04-13, 18:45:47

It may sound surprising, but I'v never listened to Drama. Maybe I should some day, but for me, earlier, it simply couldnt be Yes without Jon. He's one of my great heros !

Nicky.


Nicky,

you should really try to give Drama a chance. Agreed, Jon Anderson will always epitomise Yes but Drama is a good album in it's own right - I really think they could have gone on with this line-up and produced some excellent work but I guess it was never going to be easy for Trevor Horn to replace Jon.....

Title: Re: Yes
Post by: Nicky007 on Mon, 2008-06-30, 23:58:22
Quote from: Crazy Diamond on Mon, 2008-06-30, 23:37:20
... you should really try to give Drama a chance ...

OK, Andy, now I'm ready to hear Yes with another singer than Jon. I've actually wondered a lot about what Drama sounds like. So if you guys recommend it. I've added Drama to my SL now. Let's see when the god of prog kindly places a copy of it within my eyesight   :D

Btw, is your alias in the Room a tribute to Syd Barrett ?


Quote from: Iggy on Sat, 2008-06-28, 17:49:06
I can't believe you have consigned Fragile, The Yes Album and Close to the edge into historical interest  >:(

OK, Iggy, maybe you can forgive me if I give'm a proper listen the next coupl'o days.


Quote from: Iggy on Sat, 2008-06-28, 17:49:06
Methinks you need to watch the Symphonic Yes DVD

What's special about it, Iggy ?

I have the wonderful "House of Yes: Live from House of Blues" dvd, which I've watched many times.

Nicky.
Title: Re: Yes
Post by: Iggy on Fri, 2008-07-04, 11:47:19
Quote from: Nicky007 on Mon, 2008-06-30, 23:58:22
OK, Andy, now I'm ready to hear Yes with another singer than Jon. I've actually wondered a lot about what Drama sounds like. So if you guys recommend it. I've added Drama to my SL now. Let's see when the god of prog kindly places a copy of it within my eyesight   :D

Btw, is your alias in the Room a tribute to Syd Barrett ?


OK, Iggy, maybe you can forgive me if I give'm a proper listen the next coupl'o days.


What's special about it, Iggy ?

I have the wonderful "House of Yes: Live from House of Blues" dvd, which I've watched many times.

Nicky.

The orchestra supporting the band were having a fantastic time and they played the Gates of Delirium which I had never heard live before.

The house of Yes is also a great DVD better than Keys to ascension (which should have been awesome but missed the mark a bit).

Live in Montreux is also worth a listen.

I still believe that Yes live is better than Yes in the studio as the early 'classic' albums were recorded when the technology was still being developed and suffers accordingly. (Genesis with PG  had the same issues imo)

We had an interesting programme on the BBC where several bands remade Sgt Peppers using the original equipment and it was interesting to see how they struggled.
Title: Re: Yes
Post by: Steve Jones on Sat, 2008-07-05, 09:36:37
Quote from: Iggy on Fri, 2008-07-04, 11:47:19
better than Keys to ascension (which should have been awesome but missed the mark a bit).

Is that the one where the whole performance is ruined by sh*tty Top-of-the-Pops style special effects?  If so, that's the one I haven't played in a million years.  >:(
Title: Re: Yes
Post by: Iggy on Sat, 2008-07-05, 10:19:08
Quote from: Steve Jones on Sat, 2008-07-05, 09:36:37
Is that the one where the whole performance is ruined by sh*tty Top-of-the-Pops style special effects?  If so, that's the one I haven't played in a million years.  >:(


Probably I play the CD's but not the DVD

On the CD I think That, That is on the 1st volume is a very under rated/ overlooked track everyone seemed to prefer Mind drive.
Title: Re: Yes
Post by: Steve Jones on Sat, 2008-07-05, 12:38:09
Quote from: Iggy on Sat, 2008-07-05, 10:19:08
Probably I play the CD's but not the DVD
On the CD I think That, That is on the 1st volume is a very under rated/ overlooked track everyone seemed to prefer Mind drive.

I've just checked the DVD and it is indeed the one where the band are obscured by silly hippy effects for most of the gig.  Downer.  :(  On the plus side, it's in anamorphic 16:9 and upscales OK for HD tellys.  8)

Music wise, I love both 'Keys' volumes - live tracks and studio.  I even bought 'Keystudio' when it came out, so I could more easily listen to the new material.  Not something I'd probably bother doing now, in the age of the playlist.  :)
Title: Re: Yes
Post by: Iggy on Sat, 2008-07-05, 12:49:05
Quote from: Steve Jones on Sat, 2008-07-05, 12:38:09
I've just checked the DVD and it is indeed the one where the band are obscured by silly hippy effects for most of the gig.  Downer.  :(  On the plus side, it's in anamorphic 16:9 and upscales OK for HD tellys.  8)

Music wise, I love both 'Keys' volumes - live tracks and studio.  I even bought 'Keystudio' when it came out, so I could more easily listen to the new material.  Not something I'd probably bother doing now, in the age of the playlist.  :)


Indeed it is probably the only Yes CD I don't own.

Although when I built my Keys studio playlist I got them the wrong way round so it would probably sound strange.

I bought Abbey Road on tape when it first came out and when I purchased the CD the 1st songs on each side where swapped over it is amazing how different the album sounded.
Title: Re: Yes
Post by: erik on Thu, 2008-07-24, 12:49:17
Quote from: PH on Sat, 2008-04-12, 20:37:31
As far as I know there's no Yes topic yet.
Since Yes is one of the great prog bands, I'd really like to know something about them.
It would be a shame to die and not having heard a Yes album. (Same goes for any of the prog dinos)

My questions to you:

1. Do you like Yes?
2. What's so good/bad about them?
3. What do they sound like? Give some info about them please.
4. Which studio albums are the best?
5. Which studio albums are the worst?

Just tell something about them. Anything you want.

-Paco

Aaah yes, a topic about Yes!  :P

1. Do you like Yes?

Absolutely! Have all their studio albums, Keys To Ascension 1 + 2 and the Symphonic Live DVD. Saw them live 4 times, every time they have played in Holland since I really discovered them, which was with Keys 1. Before that, during high school I lent Talk (1994) from the library, taped it and really came to like that album – still do.

2. What's so good/bad about them? 3. What do they sound like? Give some info about them please.

Yes has a long and illustrious career, really an unsurpassed prog soap opera  :P  In short: amazing musicians, virtuoso playing by all band members, great lead vocals and harmony vocals, epic songs that combine complex structures with great melodies, great live band and special mention for the awesome bass of Squire, just put on Long Distance Runaround or Roundabout for instance and focus on the bass only – spectacular!

4. Which studio albums are the best?

Their 100% perfect album is Close To The Edge, 3 songs all 3 great and classic, but for me it comes second to my personal favourite: Going For The One. I don’t really like the song Parallels on that one, but the rest is great and it has Awaken and Turn Of The Century on it – for me Yes doesn’t get better than that! All albums from their classic period are great, besides the two already mentioned also The Yes Album, Fragile (albeit with some filler in the individual contributions), Tales From Topographic Oceans (albeit a love it/hate it album) and Relayer. The first two albums, Yes and Time And A Word aren’t essential but the latter is worthwhile and enjoyable.

Drama then is Yes meets The Buggles and is a very good effort, an album with one foot in 70s prog and the other in 80s music, a successful mixture. Machine Messiah and Tempus Fugit are great tracks.

90125 is considered the best of the Rabin albums and a pop rock classic, but I prefer Talk, a better mixture of Rabin and classic Yes.

Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe is pretty good, almost the classic line up but with a modern, quite catchy sound. Don’t really like Bruford’s electronic drum kit though and the track Teakbois really should have been left off. ABWH and Rabin Yes then merge on Union, or “Onion” as Wakeman calls it, not their best but I think it’s a very enjoyable pop rock album with very catchy songs.

From their more recent period the best albums are Magnification (with orchestra, In The Presence Of, Dreamtime and Spirit Of Survival are highlights) and the "lost album" Keystudio (Mind Drive!!). The Ladder is also pretty good although a bit of a mixed bag.

5. Which studio albums are the worst?

Open Your Eyes is their low point, uninspired and bland and basically a Squire/Sherwood album. Also Tormato (has its moments but fails to captivate me) and Big Generator (although a fun pop rock album in its own right) are not their best efforts.

Apologies for my absence in the Room by the way, have been occupied but also become rather computer screen wary lately, staring at it a lot at work and then also in my spare time made me want to cut down on it… To quote a great Marillion track (Interior Lulu): “We stare at our screens / All our lives / What a waste of eyes”). Which is not meant to imply that the Room is a waste of time/eyes, quite the contrary!
Title: Re: Yes
Post by: Proglady on Thu, 2008-07-24, 13:32:15
Quote from: Iggy on Sat, 2008-06-28, 17:49:06
I missed this bit Nicky

I can't believe you have consigned Fragile, The Yes Album and Close to the edge into historical interest  >:(

Methinks you need to watch the Symphonic Yes DVD

atb
Iggy

I think so too, a great DVD.  *horns*
Title: Re: Yes
Post by: erik on Thu, 2008-07-24, 17:29:47
The Yes story is still not ended by the way, this interesting news was overshadowed however by Jon Anderson's health problems and the subsequent cancellation of their American 40th anniversary tour. Let's hope he recovers well and Yes really gets kicking again.

QuoteEven as it prepares for its 40th anniversary tour this summer, Yes is working on new material, frontman Jon Anderson has revealed to Billboard.com.

Anderson says the progressive rock heroes are preparing four new songs of the "opus" variety -- lengthy, multi-movement compositions along the lines of "Close to the Edge" and "Tales From Topographic Oceans."

"They're very, very different," Anderson says. "It'll be interesting when we perform them, because we know that we want to try and perform them in a unique fashion."

But Anderson adds that he's not sure those songs will wind up comprising Yes' first set of new material since 2001's "Magnification."

"Putting together an album really isn't logical anymore," he notes. "Putting together a large piece of music or something that is really a jump in a musical direction takes a lot of commitment from everybody.... But maybe during the tour we will discuss making some new music."

Anderson says he'd also be amenable to some sort of reunion of the Yes lineup that made the group's triple-platinum 1983 smash "90125" as well as 1987's "Big Generator" and 1994's "Talk."

He and Trevor Rabin, the guitarist and co-producer in that incarnation of the band, have been in discussions about "maybe touring some of that '80s-period music, because it was very special."

But Anderson says he and Rabin aren't necessarily thinking about resurrecting that version of Yes as a recording entity.

"I wouldn't do it, like, Yes," Anderson explains. "I'd do it like me and Trevor aspiring to be the two of us making music and see what we come up with.

The Yes anniversary tour kicks off July 12 at the Festival d'ete de Quebec in Quebec City.
Title: Re: Yes
Post by: erik on Sat, 2008-07-26, 14:54:25
As an afterthought: they really got the segue of the tracks all wrong on Close To The Edge and Relayer. Both albums start with the epic, i.e. the climax of the album and end with the track that would have made a good opening track. I guess in the vinyl days you could remedy this by putting on Side B first (although that doesn't solve the opening track thing). Now we can program our cd player to make these albums flow better:

Close To The Edge
1. Siberian Kathru
2. And You And I
3. Close To The Edge

Relayer
1. Sound Chaser
2. To Be Over
3. The Gates Of Delirium

They did get it right on other albums, such as Going For The One, opening with the punchy title track and closing with Awaken.
Title: Re: Yes
Post by: Nicky007 on Mon, 2008-07-28, 15:53:21
Quote from: erik on Sat, 2008-07-26, 14:54:25
They did get it right on other albums, such as Going For The One, opening with the punchy title track and closing with Awaken.

That "punchy title track" (to say the least) simply floored me totally the first few times I heard it back in the late 70's. It was so overwhelming that I just couldnt come to grips with what I was hearing - like s* the first few times (apart from the hearing).

At that moment of creativity, Yes simply transcended all they had done before and after (which of course includes a lot of highs). There everything combined into one great rush.

When I hear or even think of that song, I'm reminded of the greatness of Yes  *horns* *horns* *horns*

You may think that I'm being a bit hyperbolic, but that's really the way I experienced it.

Nicky.
Title: Re: Yes
Post by: Nicky007 on Fri, 2009-10-30, 15:02:45
Inspired by Aswas' recent post, here's some info about Yes 2004-09 from Wikipedia (Yes (band)):


Since 2004, Yes has been on hiatus. In lieu of releasing new albums, they formed deals with Image Entertainment and other video firms to release past concert performances, music videos, and interviews on DVD. Howe, Squire, Wakeman and White had all expressed an interest in recording and touring, but Anderson had been firmly opposed because of personal health concerns. Thus, band members have pursued varied solo projects. White has formed a new group, White, featuring Downes. Their debut album, also called White, was released on April 18, 2006. In 2004, Squire joined a reformed version of The Syn, one of his pre-Yes groups from the 1960s.

Plans for a joint tour by White, The Syn, and Steve Howe, which would have included the Yes members (with singer Kevin Currie from White) performing songs from Drama, were canceled. White joined the band for a tour in 2006. On May 16, 2006, Squire announced that he had left The Syn. On the same day, the original members of Asia, including Howe and Downes, announced that they would be reuniting for a 25th anniversary tour, which commenced in September. Anderson and Wakeman toured together in October 2006, and the set list for most shows featured Yes material along with songs from both their solo careers, and at least one ABWH song. In 2006, Sherwood, Kaye and White — along with guitarist Jimmy Haun — formed Circa, a supergroup formally announced in March 2007. On July 30, 2007, the band self-released on Internet their debut album, Circa 2007. Their debut live performance was held on August 23, 2007, at The Coach House in San Juan Capistrano, at which time the band performed its entire debut album followed by an hour-long medley of Yes songs.

Anderson has also composed some new music with Trevor Rabin. How this music will reach the public has yet to be seen.

In the first half of 2008, Anderson toured North America, Howe toured with Asia, and White toured with Circa.

In honour of the band's 40th Anniversary, Yes had announced a 2008 world tour, entitled Close to the Edge and Back. However, the tour was cancelled on June 4 due to Anderson's health problems. Per the press release, "Yes frontman and founding member Jon Anderson was admitted to the hospital last month after suffering a severe asthma attack. He has now been diagnosed with acute respiratory failure and was told by doctors this weekend that he needs to rest and not work for a period of at least six months or suffer further health complications. Upon receiving this news the band has determined that their tour plans need to be put on hold." The tour had been planned to feature Anderson, Squire, Howe, and White, and to also include Oliver Wakeman sitting in on keyboards, in lieu of his father, Rick (who bowed out on the advice of his doctors).

Anderson said the band was preparing four new "lengthy, multi-movement compositions" for the tour which are "very, very different," however, after the weak sales of 2001's Magnification, Anderson has said that "putting together an album really isn't logical anymore" and no announcement has been made as to a release of recordings of this new material in any form.

A separate, North American tour entitled "In The Present" began on November 4, 2008 in Ontario, Canada, featuring Howe, Squire & White, along with Oliver Wakeman on keyboards, and Canadian Benoît David on vocals. David was singing in progressive rock band Mystery and in a Yes tribute band called Close to the Edge. The shows were billed as "Howe, Squire and White of Yes," although many reports and outlets simply referred to the band as "Yes". The tour saw the return of material from the Drama album (Tempus Fugit and Machine Messiah), Astral Traveler from the Time and a word album (not played live since 1971), as well as one new Chris Squire composition, Aliens (Are Only Us From the Future).

In the official press release, Squire stated, "This isn't an attempt to replace Jon Anderson, because as we all know, that would be impossible. With Benoît, we are bringing in a talented singer so that we can go out and honour the music of Yes for the fans who have waited for the past four years to see us perform." Squire also stated to the Associated Press that he is hopeful Anderson will be well enough to do shows in 2009. Initially, Anderson stated on his website that he was "disappointed" and "disrespected" by the move and lack of contact the other members have had with him since his illness. Later, this announcement was removed from his website, and Squire has since said that the tour has Anderson's "blessings".

On February 9, 2009, Squire was rushed to a hospital with an unspecified "medical emergency" that required a operation on his leg on February 11, 2009. He required at least a month to recuperate, which resulted in the postponement of the remainder of the scheduled "In the Present" shows, mostly in the Western USA. After this incident, Howe returned to work with Asia.

Squire, Rabin, and White re-united at a benefit reception on 18 April 2009 in Snoqualmie, Washington, playing the music of John Lennon.

The tour resumed in the summer of 2009, with the same "In the Present" band, now simply billed as "Yes". This tour featured Asia as an opening act, with Steve Howe playing with both bands. The 24-date schedule began in Indio, California on June 26, and ended in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania on August 2. Meanwhile, Jon Anderson is doing a European solo tour.

Yes announced a European tour scheduled in fall and winter 2009 (from Olomouc, Czech Republic on October 29 up to Gothenburg, Sweden on December 12).

Squire announced plans for a new album after their European tour wrapped up.


Nicky.
Title: Re: Yes
Post by: erik on Fri, 2009-10-30, 16:01:00
Thanks Nicky, I'm going to see them live within two weeks, am really looking forward to hearing the Drama stuff live. They're keeping the flame alive. But of course I really hope Anderson recovers and we will see Yes in the glory line up again, Anderson has stated earlier that they were writing again and that the new material might be heading in epic directions..
Title: Re: Yes
Post by: Iggy on Fri, 2009-10-30, 23:53:30
Quote from: erik on Fri, 2009-10-30, 16:01:00
Thanks Nicky, I'm going to see them live within two weeks, am really looking forward to hearing the Drama stuff live. They're keeping the flame alive. But of course I really hope Anderson recovers and we will see Yes in the glory line up again, Anderson has stated earlier that they were writing again and that the new material might be heading in epic directions..

I'm going as well but on the 17th. I've seen them as a tribute band before when Geoff Downes and trevor Horne were filling in for Anderson and Wakeman.  :P
Title: Re: Yes
Post by: Nicky007 on Sat, 2011-07-02, 16:47:30
Great news, guys:  New Yes studio album, Fly From Here, released July 4, 2011, with a beautiful cover painting by Roger Dean  *horns*

www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B004Y1USV2/ref=s9_newr_gw_ir03?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=center-3&pf_rd_r=1FJM33S5PGJARV1TPVNA&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=467128473&pf_rd_i=468294

Whatta long link address  :o

OK, we (oldies) are gonna miss Jon and Rick, but instead we get Benoît David on vocals, who's gotten some rave reviews, and Geoff Downes on keys, who I expect everyone here knows.


Here's what The Soft Machine Operator (COVENTRY, WARWICKSHIRE United Kingdom) writes about it in his Amazon.co.uk review (edited by me):

Yes reunited with Geoff Downes and Trevor Horn was an interesting prospect, especially as I like the Drama album. In fact, Drama is the last Yes album I really liked. What came in between is patchy, with stabs at AOR Rock and bizarre albums (Talk, Open Your Eyes) that don't sound much like Yes. Horn is producing and writing this time round, with new chap Benoit David assuming the vocals. (He's been Yes's singer since 2008.)

What would be "Side 1" consists of a single piece (We Can Fly From Here) split up into pieces. It's based on a couple of songs Horn and Downes wrote for the Drama album, but were never recorded. After the Overture, we're into We Can Fly From Here, which is a nice, catchy song with enough twists and turns to keep it interesting. From here, we go through Sad Night At The Airfield, a mellow piece, before the Madman At The Screen thunders in with some rumbling, typical Squire bass. Steve Howe contributes Bumpy Ride, which harks back the seventies, before there's a reprise of the title track.

As a suite the pieces work well together, with themes revisited and changes of rhythm along the way. It harks back to the early seventies, but the transitions between the songs are not as fluid as, say, Close To The Edge. However, it's enjoyable and the 23 minutes fly by.

The "second side" is a bit more patchy ....

Overall, I thought Fly From Here was a return to form. Benoit David has some very big shoes to fill, and he does well excellently, without resorting to copying Anderson. For me, this is the best Yes album since Drama and I look forward to hearing more from the lineup!


If I, Nicky, may add my opinion to this, I'd say that "bizarre" fits well to Open Your Eyes, and "not Yes" in the sense that I don't feel that it lives up to Yes' high standards in general, while I regard Talk as very much a Yes album, in fact as a wonderful one. True, Talk, and for that matter 90125, are very different from their precursors, but isnt that fully in the vein of Yes ? - experimental and collective, inviting in new people when the oldies go on hiatus ?

Iac I think that I can say that for several of us Roomies - Iggy, Erik and me, for sure - Yes has filled a great part of our lives with endless joy and awe. Thanx to all of you who have contributed, cuz whether we cherish your particular contribution or not, we know that everyone involved has given it his/her utmost - that lies in the nature of Yes, and of true prog for that matter  8)


More here:  en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fly_from_Here

Whoa, real stoked !

Nicky.
Title: Re: Yes
Post by: Nicky007 on Sat, 2011-07-02, 22:12:13
Quote from: Iggy on Sat, 2008-06-28, 17:49:06
Methinks you need to watch the Symphonic Yes DVD

Reckon you must mean Symphonic Live. Just added it to my SL. Thx Iggy  :)


Btw what do you think of Open Your Eyes ?  That's the only Yes album that I don't like. I'v given it several runs, but it simply doesnt click. I only like Man In The Moon, which is fun and catchy.

This Amazon review by Jason M. Carzon (Bowie, Maryland, USA) actually makes sense to me:

This 1997 effort by proggo-giants Yes has got to be the most despised album they have released. Could it be the lack of direction, the absence of keyboard virtuoso Rick Wakeman, the stripped-down simpler aproach, the addition of new members Billy Sherwood and Igor Khoroshev, the lack of some mega-epic 20 minute rock symphony ala Close To The Edge, Jon's new-age cosmic jive lyrics ? The above characteristics only partly define this album.

Here's what happened: Yes were to release Keys To Ascension 2 as the next official album back in 1997. Workoholic Wakeman was reluctant to tour due to prior commitments. Since the tour was up in the air, the label decided to postpone the release of Keys as well. Rick then left. Itching to tour, and with new management, Yes decided to wash their hands of the whole Keys debacle and whip out a new album quickly to take on the road with them. And what quicker way than to raid the backlog of solo material Chris Squire was working on with longtime Yes associate Billy Sherwood. So what you have here mimics what happened with the 90125 album, in that it was a Trevor Rabin solo album which morphed into a Yes album. Kudos must be given to Yes for making good of a bad situation, and as lazy and slapped-together easy way out albums go, this isn't as bad as has been made out to be. It was a Squire/Sherwood Conspiracy album and the other members had to wedge their bits in, and it often shows. Problem is, two weeks before OYE was released, the old record company opportunistically released the retro-prog rock Keys To Ascension 2 to capitalise on the 1997 tour. The two albums released just weeks apart were like night and day: Keys being a blatant return to epic material of old - a new Relayer - and OYE being something like the complete opposite. Fans were confused.

In total contrast to the 6 to 20 minute prog-rock of Keys, OYE is a stripped-down affair. The material is simpler, quirkier, and the production is more powerful. Some say this album is 'pop', but unlike albums like 1983's 90125, the songs here aren't really that terribly accesible either as some claim. Too weird, no stand-out 'single' as such. If Keys was using Relayer or Going For The One as a launching pad, OYE draws its plans from not 90125 or any Trevor Rabin era album, but more so like the first album Yes (1969) or Time And A Word (1970). There is a Beatles-ish vibe and quirkiness here, and the emphasis here seems to be more on vocal harmonies than instrumental overkill. The addition of Billy Sherwood (keyboards and 2nd guitar) brings an urgency to Yes and a more guitar presence, but still there is a feel of a band in transition, and the album appears to be partly going in a new direction and partly going through the motions.

- www.amazon.com/Open-Your-Eyes-Yes/dp/B000005CG0/ref=sr_1_47?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1309637829&sr=1-47

Nicky.
Title: Re: Yes
Post by: Iggy on Sat, 2011-07-02, 22:24:47
Quote from: Nicky007 on Sat, 2011-07-02, 22:12:13
Reckon you must mean Symphonic Live. Just added it to my SL. Thx Iggy  :)


Btw what do you think of Open Your Eyes ?  That's the only Yes album that I don't like. I'v given it several runs, but it simply doesnt click. I only like Man In The Moon, which is a classic fun Jon song.



Nicky.

Yes I did mean that DVD and Open your eyes is not a great favourite of mine either in fact it is my least favourite.

Title: Re: Yes
Post by: PH on Tue, 2013-05-14, 11:47:03
Warning: this topic has not been posted in for at least 120 days.
Unless you're sure you want to reply, please consider starting a new topic.

I'm sure I want to reply! :P

Since the start of this topic, I've really been doing my homework.
I'm now the proud owner of what many consider to be the classic albums of Yes:
- The Yes Album
- Fragile
- Close To The Edge
- Tales From Topographic Oceans
- Relayer

From that list, I know the first three albums really well and I like them very much! I think "Fragile" and (especially) "Close To The Edge" are two absolute masterpieces in Progressive Rock. I'm so glad I didn't set them aside.

"Tales..." doesn't grip me that much yet, but I'm working on it. Same goes for "Relayer" actually.

Now, I'm wondering where to go from here. I've read this topic again this morning and from what I've read (and heard myself) the first two studio albums are not that much of a priority.

"Going For The One" is most likely the next step. It's the one most reminiscent of the classic lineup (Squire, Anderson, Howe, Wakeman, minus Bruford) and features Awaken, an progressive rock epic and a favourite among many.

It seems that "Tormato" is the one I should skip for now. Most people (including some band members) don't like this one. It also doesn't really have a song that redeems the album.

I've been told that "Drama" is a masterpiece in its own right. Without Anderson and Wakeman it's a different kind of Yes. Machine Messiah and Tempus Fugit are mostly cited as the best of the album.

"90125" is a really nice 'modern' pop/rock version of Yes. I've listened to this album a few times on YouTube and while being a far cry from "Close To The Edge" or "Fragile", liked it a lot.

"Big Generator" I do not know, but seems to be a bit of a disappointment in the general prog community.


Now a question.
I can buy "Going For The One" remastered in 2003 with seven bonus tracks, for 8 euros.
I can buy "Drama" remastered in 2003 with ten bonus tracks, for only 7 euros.
I can buy "90125" also remastered in 2003 with six bonus tracks for 8 euros.

Or I can buy "Yes: Original Album Series" which includes aforementioned albums plus "Tormato" and "Big Generator", without bonus tracks and not remastered: 20 euros.
The packaging seems a bit cheap. Check this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbU-ijc4A4k

How essential are "Tormato" and "Big Generator"? Or any of these albums for that matter?
Title: Re: Yes
Post by: Peter on Tue, 2013-05-14, 22:01:42
90125, a real piece of rock history. Produced by Trevor Horn (which speaks for itself), excellent musicianship, crystal clear sound (not the crunched up compression mess of today's productions. They all do it now. All as in "all of them!" Who needs dnyamics when you can have cranked up the volume to 0dB!).
Title: Re: Yes
Post by: Nicky007 on Wed, 2013-05-15, 11:54:42
Paxi, my first-line Yes albums are: Going, Ladder, Fly, and Talk.

Thus Yes are probably even better than what you currently think they are  ;)

My second-line Yes albums are: Topographic, Tormato, Union, and Edge.

90125 is fun, but Talk is absolutely the Rabin-era album to get - far more serious and thoughtful.

Big Generator one can leave till last, "Yes" is a bit much raw, and Open Your Eyes I simply don't like.

All the other Yes studio albums are worthwhile, including Drama and ABWH, coming from one of the absolutely greatest rock groups eva  *horns* *horns* *horns*

- Nicky
Title: Re: Yes
Post by: Manatee on Sat, 2013-05-18, 12:35:28
Quote from: PH on Tue, 2013-05-14, 11:47:03
Warning: this topic has not been posted in for at least 120 days.
Unless you're sure you want to reply, please consider starting a new topic.

I'm sure I want to reply! :P

Since the start of this topic, I've really been doing my homework.
I'm now the proud owner of what many consider to be the classic albums of Yes:
- The Yes Album
- Fragile
- Close To The Edge
- Tales From Topographic Oceans
- Relayer

From that list, I know the first three albums really well and I like them very much! I think "Fragile" and (especially) "Close To The Edge" are two absolute masterpieces in Progressive Rock. I'm so glad I didn't set them aside.

"Tales..." doesn't grip me that much yet, but I'm working on it. Same goes for "Relayer" actually.

Now, I'm wondering where to go from here. I've read this topic again this morning and from what I've read (and heard myself) the first two studio albums are not that much of a priority.

"Going For The One" is most likely the next step. It's the one most reminiscent of the classic lineup (Squire, Anderson, Howe, Wakeman, minus Bruford) and features Awaken, an progressive rock epic and a favourite among many.

It seems that "Tormato" is the one I should skip for now. Most people (including some band members) don't like this one. It also doesn't really have a song that redeems the album.

I've been told that "Drama" is a masterpiece in its own right. Without Anderson and Wakeman it's a different kind of Yes. Machine Messiah and Tempus Fugit are mostly cited as the best of the album.

"90125" is a really nice 'modern' pop/rock version of Yes. I've listened to this album a few times on YouTube and while being a far cry from "Close To The Edge" or "Fragile", liked it a lot.

"Big Generator" I do not know, but seems to be a bit of a disappointment in the general prog community.


Now a question.
I can buy "Going For The One" remastered in 2003 with seven bonus tracks, for 8 euros.
I can buy "Drama" remastered in 2003 with ten bonus tracks, for only 7 euros.
I can buy "90125" also remastered in 2003 with six bonus tracks for 8 euros.

Or I can buy "Yes: Original Album Series" which includes aforementioned albums plus "Tormato" and "Big Generator", without bonus tracks and not remastered: 20 euros.
The packaging seems a bit cheap. Check this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbU-ijc4A4k

How essential are "Tormato" and "Big Generator"? Or any of these albums for that matter?

I'll admit I'm not a complete expert on Yes, but for what it's worth, Going for the One is my favorite of theirs, followed probably by Close to the Edge.  Fragile and The Yes Album are also excellent, but they got so much airplay back when I was a youth, that I got kind of worn out on them.  Drama is also a nice album, but it's rather different than what I'd consider classic Yes.  Somewhere I have Relayer and one or two others on vinyl, but I don't really know the remaining albums well enough to comment on them.
Title: Re: Yes
Post by: maddox on Sat, 2013-05-18, 23:00:13
Well, here's another Yes-nitwit.

History has brought us several lineups, and overall I must say that although albums like Close to the Edge and Fragile are classics, I prefer the Rabin-era the most, including albums like 90125, Big Generator and Talk.

Even though some of the other albums, or line-ups if you will, are classified as classic, the music isn't really my cup of tea.
Too vibrant, lots of twists which I would usually like, but somehow not in this case.
And then there's Jon, not the best singer in the world for as I'm concerned.

Like I said, I like Big Generator a lot.
Most part of the songs are easy listening, laid-back radio-friendly rock songs, like Rhythm of Love (yeah!  ;D), Big Generator and Almost like Love (almost like mushy!!  ;D ;D *horns*) and I have to say, I really like them! :)
Best songs on the album are Shoot High, Aim Low (marvelous song with a dito guitar solo!) and I'm Running.

When comparing this album with other bands, I'd say that Asia comes pretty close to this period in Yes-history.
Not too complicated, less vibrant but enjoyable.
Title: Re: Yes
Post by: Nicky007 on Sun, 2013-05-19, 09:05:32
Quote from: maddox on Sat, 2013-05-18, 23:00:13
Well, here's another Yes-nitwit.

Yeah, I can see that you havent understood what Yes is about, Mad  :P

- namely defining and redefining rock, probably as much as Dream Theater have done, just not as obviously - aint that so, Iggy  ;)

And you can't compare Yes - in any era - with Asia. Asia was the money machine whereby the guys could earn the means to do what their hearts demanded: Yes and other prog projects - similar to James Cameron earning (loads of) money on Titanic in order to do his cutting-edge "Expedition: Bismarck" and "Deepsea Challenger".

You can't even compare the more commercially intended 90125 with Asia: Once you get past the smash hit Owner, you get to true Yes songs like the playful It Can Happen, and the progressive Changes with Rabin's fantastic sense for creating mood  8)


And Greenie, I actually read Paxi's post earlier in the thread  ;)

- Nicky
Title: Re: Yes
Post by: maddox on Sun, 2013-05-19, 15:34:42
Quote from: Nicky007 on Sun, 2013-05-19, 09:05:32
Yeah, I can see that you havent understood what Yes is about, Mad  :P

Bands can't always be defined, Nicky. ;)
You of all people should know that.

And if you don't, than you don't know what lady GaGa is about either.  :P

Quote- namely defining and redefining rock, probably as much as Dream Theater have done, just not as obviously - aint that so, Iggy  ;)

Definitely!
Though I still don't like their music. ;)
Not very much at least.

Though I'm not really sure about the 'my-band-is-better-than-your-band' statement. ;)
That's a personal issue.
Dream Theater isn't only influenced by Rush, Genesis and Pink Floyd for instance but also by Yes.

QuoteAnd you can't compare Yes - in any era - with Asia. Asia was the money machine whereby the guys could earn the means to do what their hearts demanded:

Music-wise, Nicky.
My comparison was just music-wise.
I really don't care what their characters' like, I leave that to others to judge. ;)

QuoteYes and other prog projects - similar to James Cameron earning (loads of) money on Titanic in order to do his cutting-edge "Expedition: Bismarck" and "Deepsea Challenger".

Meaning it was passion instead of just making money?
Sure, I get that.
But overall I believe that passion is a high standard in progressive rock music in general, yet we all have to make a living.
Even in this case, money-making is essential for any artist.

QuoteYou can't even compare the more commercially intended 90125 with Asia: Once you get past the smash hit Owner, you get to true Yes songs like the playful It Can Happen, and the progressive Changes with Rabin's fantastic sense for creating mood  8)

- Nicky

That's your take on things. ;)
I believe that they do have some similarities.
Though John Wetton's voice is better than Jon Andersons.  8)
Title: Re: Yes
Post by: Nicky007 on Sun, 2013-05-19, 17:59:15
Quote from: maddox on Sun, 2013-05-19, 15:34:42
Bands can't always be defined, Nicky. ;)
You of all people should know that.

OK, I'l admit I was a bit harsh on you, Mad - but it evoked a reaction, which sadly is rather unusual in the Room these days; people don't even play each others' music links any longer  :'(

Yes, I mean No, but Yes are definitely one of the most important rock groups in history, whether one digs them or not  ;)

I certainly dig'm  *horns*


Quote
And if you don't, than you don't know what Lady GaGa is about either.  :P

Seriously, is there anything prog about her ?


Quote
Though I'm not really sure about the 'my-band-is-better-than-your-band' statement. ;)

Well, you never had a band, Mad, makes it easy, so my band was better than yours, even if we were lousy  ;D


Quote
Dream Theater isn't only influenced by Rush, Genesis and Pink Floyd for instance but also by Yes.

One of the reasons why DT are so great is that they integrated all sorts of esoteric stuff into their music and lyrics  *horns*


Quote
Music-wise, Nicky.

I'm also talking music-wise, Mad. Asia have always been an easy-listening rock band, from start they decided not to try to break new ground. Yes have always been at the opposite end of the prog scale - including the Rabin era; if one listens in, one hears clearly that he showed a deep respect for the hallowed traditions of Yes  ;)

If you want to compare Yes with another band, then Arena are a good choice. Both have always been on the move, and upheld high standards  *horns*


Quote
But overall I believe that passion is a high standard in progressive rock music in general, yet we all have to make a living.
Even in this case, money-making is essential for any artist.

It's interesting in this respect that one of the artists who never sold out is Jon Anderson. Yet he still managed always to have a house, and feed himself, several wives, and four kids  :)


Quote
Though John Wetton's voice is better than Jon Andersons.  8)

Talking about "mine is bigger than yours"  :P

I'll admit that John Wetton is a great musician and a fine singer. All the guys passing thru Asia are/were. Still it's a money machine - precisely because the musicians were worth(y of) much more  :-\

- Nicky
Title: Re: Yes
Post by: PH on Sun, 2013-05-19, 19:58:04
Quote from: Nicky007 on Sun, 2013-05-19, 17:59:15
I'm also talking music-wise, Mad. Asia have always been an easy-listening rock band, from start they decided not to try to break new ground. Yes have always been at the opposite end of the prog scale - including the Rabin era; if one listens in, one hears clearly that he showed a deep respect for the hallowed traditions of Yes  ;)

Rabin era Yes started out as Cinema. Rabin came up with most of the material for 90125 and he was briefly part of Asia before he joined Cinema. So the comparison is not far off...
Title: Re: Yes
Post by: Nicky007 on Mon, 2013-05-20, 07:49:07
Quote from: PH on Sun, 2013-05-19, 19:58:04
Rabin era Yes started out as Cinema. Rabin came up with most of the material for 90125 and he was briefly part of Asia before he joined Cinema. So the comparison is not far off...

Well, I can understand why he left Asia  ;)

Later on he decided to go into making music scores for B-films - idiotic stuff like Armageddon and National Treasure - simply in order to feed his family (just like NDV goin into Cirque Du Soleil (not comparing CDS with those movies here)). That doesnt make his music scores prog  ;)

- Nicky
Title: Re: Yes
Post by: PH on Wed, 2013-05-29, 14:11:08
Well people. I bought "Going For The One", "Drama" and "90125". All expanded and remastered.
I'll report back to you about my experiences. ;D
Title: Re: Yes
Post by: Nicky007 on Wed, 2013-05-29, 14:19:48
Quote from: PH on Wed, 2013-05-29, 14:11:08
Well people. I bought "Going For The One", "Drama" and "90125". All expanded and remastered.
I'll report back to you about my experiences. ;D

Sounds good, Paxi  8)

Going For The One is one of the ten most important albums in my life  *horns* *horns* *horns*

- Nicky
Title: Re: Yes
Post by: PH on Thu, 2013-05-30, 09:09:55
Quote from: Nicky007 on Wed, 2013-05-29, 14:19:48
Going For The One is one of the ten most important albums in my life  *horns* *horns* *horns*

I have yet to listen to that one! I'm still rocking out to "90125"! Love that album.

Hey, what to think of Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe?
Do you consider it a Yes album? Or is it totally different? Is it better/worse than what Yes (Yes-West?) put out at the time?
It's got the classic lineup, but without Squire. And I have to say, Squire is a fantastic bass-player.
Title: Re: Yes
Post by: Nicky007 on Thu, 2013-05-30, 12:11:08
When I heard the title song "Going for the One" the first time, I was simply blown over - totally !  In fact, I can't recall any other musical experience so powerful. So that piece has a special place in my heart  :-*

Crank up the volume - it deserves it  ;)


As to ABWH, I mean, with those four guys, how can it be anything else than a Yes-album ?

What is a Yes-album ? It's when some of the guys who at some point have played under the moniker of Yes get together and make music - and then we know it's gonna be a great experience  :)

- Nicky
Title: Re: Yes
Post by: PH on Sat, 2013-08-03, 22:39:02
Anyone else with an opinion about ABWH? (Not that I don't value yours, Nicky!)

I just discovered that the expanded and remastered records on the Rhino label are only limited to the first eleven albums (from "Yes" till "90125").
So no "Big Generator" or any album after that in the Rhino remaster series.
Which means I only miss the first two albums and "Tormato".
Since I can get them pretty cheap, I might buy them anyway. "Time And A Word" being not too bad actually. Listened to that one on YouTube a couple of days ago and liked it. Almost on the same level of "The Yes Album".

I guess I'd also put "Keys To Ascension" (in a five disc edition) on my wish list.

And at the moment I'm listening to "Talk". It's really good indeed Nicky! 8) I'm really in love with these Rabin guitars! He really adds something new to Yes. I'm not saying I prefer his playing to Howe's, but it's very special.

It seems I'm becoming a big Yes-head now. ;)
Title: Re: Yes
Post by: Nicky007 on Sun, 2013-08-04, 22:33:55
Super, Paxi, I really enjoy sharing Yes with you  *horns*

You'r right: It shouldnt come down to any choice between Howe and Rabin; both have contributed enormously to the magic of Yes  8)

- Nicky
Title: Re: Yes
Post by: PH on Sun, 2013-08-04, 23:12:38
Quote from: Nicky007 on Sun, 2013-08-04, 22:33:55
Super, Paxi, I really enjoy sharing Yes with you  *horns*

Likewise!

Quote from: Nicky007 on Sun, 2013-08-04, 22:33:55
You'r right: It shouldnt come down to any choice between Howe and Rabin; both have contributed enormously to the magic of Yes  8)

Howe had a jazzy fusion kind of guitar style, while Rabin's guitars rock! And there's something 'weird' in Rabin's playing. Perhaps it's because I know where he's coming from, but I'd swear there's an African touch in his playing! Whatever that's supposed to mean.
Title: Re: Yes
Post by: maddox on Tue, 2013-08-06, 16:15:46
When I bought the ABWH album I was really dissapointed.
I expected something in the vein of Big Generator and such but the music on this album was very different.
Later I discovered that the music on this album was the true Yes-sound.

I rarely listen to the album, but it's not bad at all, really.
Title: Re: Yes
Post by: PH on Fri, 2013-11-29, 12:18:29
Okay, a little update from me here.

Like I said a few months back, Yes is among my favourites now.

I have not listened that much to the very first album "Yes" yet. But it's not bad at all. Same goes for "Time And A Word". These two albums are before their prog days, but they're still very charming. I really like the "Time And A Word"'s title-song.
I can see why they called the next album "The Yes Album". It's obvious from the start that this is where Yes is really beginning to sound like Yes.

To me "Fragile" and "Close To The Edge" are still my favourite Yes albums. I really like everything on these.

Previously I said that "Tales From Topographic Oceans" didn't grip me that much. Well, this has changed. The first half of the album (and especially the first song) is really good! In fact, The Revealing Science Of God is perfect. But I still have major problems with The Ancients, which I try to listen to, but admittedly skip most of the time.

Then there's "Relayer", of which I also said that it didn't grip me much. Many have said this one to be their favourite Yes album, but not for me. It's alright, but simply doesn't get me in the same way as the other Yes albums do.

"Going For The One" is indeed a winner. I think it's better than "Relayer" and more accessible than "Tales...". So it's up there with "Fragile" and "Close To The Edge" for me. Nicky, you're right, the title song is bursting with energy. I like it. 8) I also like Wonderous Stories, and Awaken is indeed a worthy Yes epic.

I also have "Tormato", but due to mostly bad reviews this has no listening priority for me. I think I listened to it twice and found nothing really interesting. But I'll get back to this. Nicky, I saw you listing "Tormato" as number three on the best Yes albums list (on the first page of this topic). I was wondering what you like so much about this album.

"Drama" is really strange. I like it, but doesn't sound like a Yes album. I admit that I need to listen to it more.

I think "90125" is a very good album! I like everything on it. It's no classic Yes of course, but it's as catchy as an album can get.

"Fly From Here" is nice. But is not up there with the classics. But of course more listens could solve this.

So here's my homework:
I need to listen more to "Relayer", "Tormato", "Drama" and "Fly From Here". The next step is getting "Talk" and (I guess) "The Ladder". I also want a few Yes related albums. Where do I start?
I have:
Mystery - "The World Is A Game" (Benoît David)
Squackett - "A Life Within A Day" (Chris Squire)
Rick Wakeman - "Journey To The Centre Of The Earth" (2012 version)
Title: Re: Yes
Post by: Nicky007 on Fri, 2013-11-29, 12:33:27
Nice resumé, Paxi. You keep the Room alive  :)

Quote from: PH on Fri, 2013-11-29, 12:18:29
Yes is among my favourites now.

Quite a change compared to a few years ago, huh ? - "Man, Yes are nothin compared to Genesis"  ;D
I think the right wording is: Genesis created a World of music, Yes did too, period.

Quote
"Fly From Here" is nice. But is not up there with the classics. But of course more listens could solve this.

Exactly, Paxi  ;)

Fly From Here is one of their best albums. It has everything Yes, in a mature cohesive way  *horns*

- except Jon, of course, but Benoit David (my inclination is the other way around  ;D ) does an excellent job  8)

Quote
Nicky, you're right, the title song is bursting with energy. I like it. I also like Wonderous Stories, and Awaken is indeed a worthy Yes epic.

If you look into my "Classic songs" list, you'l find exactly those three songs  ;)

But best of all is Going. It's not too much to say that that piece changed my music life  *horns*

Quote
Where do I start?

"Start" is maybe a bit understated, now that you are already familiar with your listed Yes-related albums, and if I remember correctly, you'r also into the Jon and Vangelis stuff.

But just to list all the great J&V albums: Page Of Life, Private Collection, and The Friends Of Mr. Cairo. Their debut, Short Stories can be skipped, unless one is a big J&V fan (like me)  8)

Jon's "solo" albums - actually Jon with friends (also the four-legged and winged ones, Jon has always been very veg, got Steve and some of the other guys into it too  8) ) - should also be delved into: A great musical experience  *horns*

Ms and I saw him live a few years ago, in Malmö. He performed alone - but with all sorts of paraphernalia - looked like a hurdy-gurdy man, but sounded like a whole rock(ing) group  :)

- Nicky
Title: Re: Yes
Post by: PH on Fri, 2013-11-29, 15:26:39
Quote from: Nicky007 on Fri, 2013-11-29, 12:33:27
Quite a change compared to a few years ago, huh ? - "Man, Yes are nothin compared to Genesis"  ;D
I think the right wording is: Genesis created a World of music, Yes did too, period.

Indeed. Yes and Genesis are nothing alike. I like both.
Unfortunately Genesis' albums are still being sold as if they are new albums. 17 euros for an album from 1970 is a bit too much.
Yes' albums can be bought for less than half that price.
So I hope Genesis' albums will be a bit cheaper in the future, so I can finish my collection. ;)

Quote from: Nicky007 on Fri, 2013-11-29, 12:33:27
Fly From Here is one of their best albums. It has everything Yes, in a mature cohesive way  *horns*

- except Jon, of course, but Benoit David (my inclination is the other way around  ;D ) does an excellent job  8)

Like I said, I need to listen to it more, but this album is sooo different from 70s Yes (which I prefer) or even 80s Yes (the catchiness).
I suspect it is more reminiscent of 90s Yes, which I do not really know. I only have the "Keys Of Ascension" box set and the studio songs on these discs are not really fantastic...

Benoît David (don't forget the caret on the i) is an excellent singer. Which is also evident on Mystery's albums. I guess he sounds a bit like Jon Anderson, but on the album "The World Is A Game" he reminds me more of Geddy Lee.

Quote from: Nicky007 on Fri, 2013-11-29, 12:33:27
"Start" is maybe a bit understated, now that you are already familiar with your listed Yes-related albums, and if I remember correctly, you'r also into the Jon and Vangelis stuff.

But just to list all the great J&V albums: Page Of Life, Private Collection, and The Friends Of Mr. Cairo. Their debut, Short Stories can be skipped, unless one is a big J&V fan (like me)  8)

Jon's "solo" albums - actually Jon with friends (also the four-legged and winged ones, Jon has always been very veg, got Steve and some of the other guys into it too  8) ) - should also be delved into: A great musical experience  *horns*

Ms and I saw him live a few years ago, in Malmö. He performed alone - but with all sorts of paraphernalia - looked like a hurdy-gurdy man, but sounded like a whole rock(ing) group  :)

Thanks for all that! I can see you are a Jon Anderson enthusiast. What about the other Yes bandmembers?
Title: Re: Yes
Post by: Nicky007 on Fri, 2013-11-29, 21:35:14
Quote from: PH on Fri, 2013-11-29, 15:26:39
Indeed. Yes and Genesis are nothing alike. I like both.

Well, they'r more alike than most bands. Yes are a bit faster and more jazzy, Genesis are more atmospheric, and the later albums more rhythmic.

Quote
so I can finish my collection. ;)

I have the Genesis albums that I need, i.e. I miss a few of the first and last, wouldn't listen much to'm.

Quote
I suspect it is more reminiscent of 90s Yes

Yeah, I guess one could say that.

Quote
I only have the "Keys Of Ascension" box set and the studio songs on these discs are not really fantastic...

Keys Of Ascension never gripped me much either. But I think I should return to it soon .....

Quote
don't forget the caret on the i

Don't get caret away by it  ;D

Quote
I guess he sounds a bit like Jon Anderson, but on the album "The World Is A Game" he reminds me more of Geddy Lee.

I think he had a lotta awe for his role as singer of Yes.

Quote
I can see you are a Jon Anderson enthusiast.

I have over 30 albums on which he sings, so I guess you'r right about that  ;)

Quote
What about the other Yes bandmembers?

Hm, my bro was a big Rick Wakeman fan in his twenties, so I got to hear The Six Wives and Journey a lot.

I have Trevor Rabin's Can't Look Away, which is a fine album, but nothing like Talk, which is one of my fave Yes albums.

Else no. I'v heard a bit of Steve Howe here and there, but nothing memorable, definitely not what he did in Asia.

- Nicky
Title: Re: Yes
Post by: Iggy on Tue, 2013-12-03, 22:11:53
Quote from: PH on Fri, 2013-11-29, 12:18:29
Okay, a little update from me here.

Like I said a few months back, Yes is among my favourites now.

I have not listened that much to the very first album "Yes" yet. But it's not bad at all. Same goes for "Time And A Word". These two albums are before their prog days, but they're still very charming. I really like the "Time And A Word"'s title-song.
I can see why they called the next album "The Yes Album". It's obvious from the start that this is where Yes is really beginning to sound like Yes.

To me "Fragile" and "Close To The Edge" are still my favourite Yes albums. I really like everything on these.

Previously I said that "Tales From Topographic Oceans" didn't grip me that much. Well, this has changed. The first half of the album (and especially the first song) is really good! In fact, The Revealing Science Of God is perfect. But I still have major problems with The Ancients, which I try to listen to, but admittedly skip most of the time.

Then there's "Relayer", of which I also said that it didn't grip me much. Many have said this one to be their favourite Yes album, but not for me. It's alright, but simply doesn't get me in the same way as the other Yes albums do.

"Going For The One" is indeed a winner. I think it's better than "Relayer" and more accessible than "Tales...". So it's up there with "Fragile" and "Close To The Edge" for me. Nicky, you're right, the title song is bursting with energy. I like it. 8) I also like Wonderous Stories, and Awaken is indeed a worthy Yes epic.

I also have "Tormato", but due to mostly bad reviews this has no listening priority for me. I think I listened to it twice and found nothing really interesting. But I'll get back to this. Nicky, I saw you listing "Tormato" as number three on the best Yes albums list (on the first page of this topic). I was wondering what you like so much about this album.

"Drama" is really strange. I like it, but doesn't sound like a Yes album. I admit that I need to listen to it more.

I think "90125" is a very good album! I like everything on it. It's no classic Yes of course, but it's as catchy as an album can get.

"Fly From Here" is nice. But is not up there with the classics. But of course more listens could solve this.

So here's my homework:
I need to listen more to "Relayer", "Tormato", "Drama" and "Fly From Here". The next step is getting "Talk" and (I guess) "The Ladder". I also want a few Yes related albums. Where do I start?
I have:
Mystery - "The World Is A Game" (Benoît David)
Squackett - "A Life Within A Day" (Chris Squire)
Rick Wakeman - "Journey To The Centre Of The Earth" (2012 version)

First and foremost Olias of Sunhillow by Jon Anderson is a great place to start. Fish out of water is enjoyable but not mindblowing.

Of the studio tracks on Keys That, That is has some lovely bits to it and Mind drive is also well worth a listen.

I'm sure that Gates will click sooner or later and they played Ritual on several of their recent tours.

The Ladder is very good imo I still prefer it to Fly From Here. I don't think you are keen on Live Albums but they are well worth it with Yes.

Steve Howes albums are mostly guitar work and quite similar to each other.

Trevor Rabin did 90124 which is how he wanted 90125 to sound. He also did Wolf which is pretty good too.

Off Tormato On the Silent Wings of Freedom, Onward, Future Times and  Release Release are my favourites along with DKTW.

Criminal Record, 1984, Six Wives and Myths and Legends are really good Rick Wakeman Albums
Title: Re: Yes
Post by: PH on Tue, 2013-12-03, 22:40:47
Thanks Iggy! 8)
I'll check them out and report back!
Title: Re: Yes
Post by: Nicky007 on Wed, 2013-12-04, 12:29:19
Yeah, it all looks exciting on a blue background  ;)

I like The Ladder a lot too, have listened loads to it  *horns*

- Nicky
Title: Re: Yes
Post by: Bupie on Mon, 2014-01-06, 18:38:31
Maybe that could speak to some of you  ;)

http://www.dprp.net/reviews/201379.php

http://www.dprp.net/reviews/201380.php

I find it really nice that they managed to get the point of view and analysis of some great prog musicians  *horns*
Title: Re: Yes
Post by: keyboardistmatt on Wed, 2014-02-05, 01:24:55
Quote from: Nicky007 on Wed, 2013-12-04, 12:29:19

I like The Ladder a lot too, have listened loads to it  *horns*

- Nicky

I don't hear people say that too often. I think The Ladder is a fantastic album.
Title: Re: Yes
Post by: Nicky007 on Wed, 2014-02-05, 13:57:38
Quote from: keyboardistmatt on Wed, 2014-02-05, 01:24:55
I think The Ladder is a fantastic album.

This time ya got it right, Matt  *horns*

Bit'o hit and miss with you ;D

- Nicky
Title: Re: Yes
Post by: keyboardistmatt on Wed, 2014-02-05, 23:26:05
Quote from: Nicky007 on Wed, 2014-02-05, 13:57:38
This time ya got it right, Matt  *horns*

Bit'o hit and miss with you ;D

- Nicky

I am frequently right.

Title: Re: Yes
Post by: Nicky007 on Thu, 2014-02-06, 15:40:42
Quote from: keyboardistmatt on Wed, 2014-02-05, 23:26:05
I am frequently right.

Lately it was 50/50 ;D

- Nicky
Title: Re: Yes
Post by: keyboardistmatt on Thu, 2014-02-06, 21:06:34
Quote from: Nicky007 on Thu, 2014-02-06, 15:40:42
Lately it was 50/50 ;D

- Nicky

I'd say more 99/1...
Title: Re: Yes
Post by: Nicky007 on Thu, 2014-02-06, 21:18:03
Quote from: keyboardistmatt on Thu, 2014-02-06, 21:06:34
I'd say more 99/1...

Well then you haven't posted the good 98, and the one was so bad that it counts for 50 ;D

- Nicky
Title: Re: Yes
Post by: keyboardistmatt on Thu, 2014-02-06, 21:24:36
Quote from: Nicky007 on Thu, 2014-02-06, 21:18:03
Well then you haven't posted the good 98, and the one was so bad that it counts for 50 ;D

- Nicky

Well... wait 'till you see my thoughts on Dylan...! ;D
Title: Re: Yes
Post by: PH on Tue, 2014-02-25, 16:40:34
Back to Yes then.

In search for "Talk" I stumbled across this:
(http://lossless-galaxy.ru/uploads/posts/2011-02/1297594471_yes-essentially-preview.jpg)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Essentially_Yes

Is this compilation box set a good idea?

It has:
- "Talk"
- "Open Your Eyes"
- "The Ladder"
- "Magnification"
- "Live At Montreux"


I can get it for a reasonable price. Or should I get the individual versions? (Which will be a bit more expensive)
Title: Re: Yes
Post by: Nicky007 on Wed, 2014-02-26, 11:27:51
Paxi, I like to get one album at a time, and then dwell on it for a while ....

I try to find the best one re where I am right now, taking tips, reading reviews etc.

If one gets too much at a time, then one mixes everything together.

In prog, it's good to maintain clear lines ;)

Get Talk first, then Ladder, then Live at Montreux *horns*

Magnification never really gripped me, Open Your Eyes not at all.

Yes are more a project than a group. A lot of talented people have contributed, sometimes there was genius and good chemistry, other times not so much.

- Nicky
Title: Re: Yes
Post by: PH on Thu, 2014-02-27, 10:11:44
Quote from: Nicky007 on Wed, 2014-02-26, 11:27:51
Paxi, I like to get one album at a time, and then dwell on it for a while ....

I try to find the best one re where I am right now, taking tips, reading reviews etc.

If one gets too much at a time, then one mixes everything together.

In prog, it's good to maintain clear lines ;)

Normally I would agree, but I've bought more albums together before and can still listen to one album at a time. I've never mixed things together before. But I do understand your comment.

The problem is, to me this is not really the essential Yes period (the name of the box set is very funny). I've listened to "Talk" a lot, thanks to YouTube and I like it a lot, but I wouldn't say it's essential Yes. The essence of Yes, for me, is in their classic era (1971-1977).

So this box set seems like a good deal to me. I get these four studio albums together for less money than I have to pay for one of them alone.
I really want "Talk" and "The Ladder", but when I buy these seperately, I pay almost thirty euros, while I can get this box for less than 15 euros and I get the other albums with it.
Title: Re: Yes
Post by: Nicky007 on Thu, 2014-02-27, 12:05:21
Paxi, as I said earlier, Yes is a project that progresses according to who is involved and how much is put into it. Yes 2014 is just as much Yes as Yes 1969.

So it's a question of getting the albums (first) that turn one on in some way or other.

To me, Talk, The Ladder, and Fly from Here are essential Yes albums.

I'v stopped being manic about getting the entire catalogs of my pantheon groups. Therefore I'v omitted Open Your Eyes, as I know that I would only play it rarely. Fortunately Ms 007 has it. So together we have the entire Yes studio catalog.

- Nicky
Title: Re: Yes
Post by: Iggy on Fri, 2014-02-28, 21:14:26
Quote from: PH on Thu, 2014-02-27, 10:11:44
Normally I would agree, but I've bought more albums together before and can still listen to one album at a time. I've never mixed things together before. But I do understand your comment.

The problem is, to me this is not really the essential Yes period (the name of the box set is very funny). I've listened to "Talk" a lot, thanks to YouTube and I like it a lot, but I wouldn't say it's essential Yes. The essence of Yes, for me, is in their classic era (1971-1977).

So this box set seems like a good deal to me. I get these four studio albums together for less money than I have to pay for one of them alone.
I really want "Talk" and "The Ladder", but when I buy these seperately, I pay almost thirty euros, while I can get this box for less than 15 euros and I get the other albums with it.

I would say it depends on how much money you have. You can always buy them separately later. The only dodgy CD is Open your eyes in that set. Magnification has its moments imo.
Title: Re: Yes
Post by: Nicky007 on Sat, 2014-03-01, 10:06:36
Quote from: Iggy on Fri, 2014-02-28, 21:14:26
Magnification has its moments imo.

Thanx for the tip, Iggy. I actually haven't heard it that much. I'll soon revisit .... :)

- Nicky
Title: Re: Yes
Post by: erik on Sat, 2014-03-01, 14:34:25
Yeah Nicky, you should try again with Magnification, it's better than The Ladder imho (Ladder is a bit hit and miss) and an album with orchestra that works really well. Especially Dreamtime, In The Presence Of and Spirit Of Survival stand out.

@Paco: you can't go wrong with buying that set, good value for money (debates about the title of the set aside). Open Your Eyes you won't play often (worst Yes album ever by far), but the rest you'll want. Talk was my first real encounter with Yes (got it from the local library), still love it. I have the Montreux dvd which is great, especially Awaken, my alltime Yes favourite. If the Keystudio album were included (Mind Drive!!) it would have been even better, but you can't have everything ::)
Title: Re: Yes
Post by: Nicky007 on Sat, 2014-03-01, 16:28:14
Quote from: erik on Sat, 2014-03-01, 14:34:25
Yeah Nicky, you should try again with Magnification

Yes, I will, Erik ... :)

Quote
it's better than The Ladder imho (Ladder is a bit hit and miss)

Now are you sure that you have listened properly to this one, Erik ? It's one of my fave Yes albums, I love every piece on it. There was a period some ten years ago when I was listening to it all day long *horns*

Quote
Open Your Eyes you won't play often (worst Yes album ever by far)

Yes, I couldn't believe my ears when I heard it first, that a band with such high standards could release something that bland :(


Quote from: PH on Thu, 2014-02-27, 10:11:44
The problem is, to me this is not really the essential Yes period (the name of the box set is very funny).

Ha, I hadn't even looked at the box title. You're gonna have yourself a nice little conflict there, Paxi ;D

Typical commercialism ::)

I mean, if you like a band, why not get the stuff that the band originally put out ?

- Nicky
Title: Re: Yes
Post by: erik on Sun, 2014-03-02, 11:50:40
Quote from: Nicky007 on Sat, 2014-03-01, 16:28:14
Now are you sure that you have listened properly to this one, Erik ? It's one of my fave Yes albums, I love every piece on it. [...]i

I've played it quite a lot and it's one of the better Yes albums of their later career, especially like the opening track Homeworld and Squire's bass on The Messenger. Lots to enjoy throughout, my gripe is Lightning Strikes (just like Teakbois on the AWBH album, Yes shouldn't go there imho), Can I? (superfluous/filler) and To Be Alive (Hep Yadda), that break the flow of the other very enjoyable tracks. The good outweighs the bad by far, but a bit uneven as a whole I think. Open Your Eyes is bland throughout, except perhaps the first track New State Of Mind that I do like.

Title: Re: Yes
Post by: PH on Wed, 2014-03-05, 11:09:44
Quote from: Iggy on Fri, 2014-02-28, 21:14:26
You can always buy them separately later.

This is of course true and made me order the box set. Thanks for your views Iggy, Nicky and Erik.
I got it yesterday.
At this very moment I am enjoying "The Ladder". What a refreshing album!
Title: Re: Yes
Post by: Nicky007 on Thu, 2014-03-06, 12:42:15
Man, am I pissed off: Yes are touring Europe this Summer, they'r playing in Århus and Oslo, but not in Cop or Malmö. How can they play in Århus and not in Cop ::)

I would very much like to hear them, even tho Jon (I), Rick, and Trevor aint along any longer.

I think I know someone who's gonna see'm in London, May 8 ;)

And maybe someone in Tilburg, May 22 ???

Remarkable that they have another Jon doing the vocals :)

I saw that Jon II sings in Glass Hammer.

- Nicky
Title: Re: Yes
Post by: PH on Thu, 2014-03-06, 13:29:38
Quote from: Nicky007 on Thu, 2014-03-06, 12:42:15
Man, am I pissed off: Yes are touring Europe this Summer, they'r playing in Århus and Oslo, but not in Cop or Malmö. How can they play in Århus and not in Cop ::)

I would very much like to hear them, even tho Jon (I), Rick, and Trevor aint along any longer.

I think I know someone who's gonna see'm in London, May 8 ;)

And maybe someone in Tilburg, May 22 ???

Remarkable that they have another Jon doing the vocals :)

I saw that Jon II sings in Glass Hammer.

- Nicky

I'm not going. It's too expensive, and I don't know how to get there (and get back here again).
For that amount of money I would also like to see Jon Anderson (and Rick Wakeman).
Nothing against Jon Davison, he does a fine job in Glass Hammer.
Title: Re: Yes
Post by: Nicky007 on Thu, 2014-03-06, 13:40:38
Quote from: PH on Thu, 2014-03-06, 13:29:38
I don't know how to get there (and get back here again).

Easy: Get a compass, head south after breakfast, and you'l get there for the concert. Afterwards, just backtrack, and you'll be back for your yogurt in the morning ;D

- Nicky
Title: Re: Yes
Post by: PH on Thu, 2014-03-06, 13:54:50
Quote from: Nicky007 on Thu, 2014-03-06, 13:40:38
Easy: Get a compass, head south after breakfast, and you'l get there for the concert. Afterwards, just backtrack, and you'll be back for your yogurt in the morning ;D

;D

Without stops it would be an eighteen hour walk, so I will have just missed it! Or I have to start walking at 3 AM.
Of course I could go by bike, that would take five hours.
Anyway, I would have to take two days off work instead of one evening.
It's too complicated. I might as well move over to Tilburg or Zoetermeer permanently, since that's the only places all these prog bands will ever tour.
It seems that Prog is only for the people in the South... ::)
Title: Re: Yes
Post by: Nicky007 on Thu, 2014-03-06, 14:53:02
There are some nice girls in Tilburg. Find one, and settle down there, before May 22 :-*

Alternatively I can teach you some Flying Yoga, then it's swoosh and you're there ;)

- Nicky
Title: Re: Yes
Post by: PH on Thu, 2014-03-06, 17:52:46
Quote from: Nicky007 on Thu, 2014-03-06, 14:53:02
There are some nice girls in Tilburg. Find one, and settle down there, before May 22 :-*

No thanks. Nothing against those southerners but if I have to, I'd rather go west, young man.

Quote from: Nicky007 on Thu, 2014-03-06, 14:53:02
Alternatively I can teach you some Flying Yoga, then it's swoosh and you're there ;)

That would be nice, yes. So that's how you'll go to Århus?
Title: Re: Yes
Post by: Iggy on Thu, 2014-03-06, 22:19:10
Quote from: PH on Thu, 2014-03-06, 13:54:50
;D

Without stops it would be an eighteen hour walk, so I will have just missed it! Or I have to start walking at 3 AM.
Of course I could go by bike, that would take five hours.
Anyway, I would have to take two days off work instead of one evening.
It's too complicated. I might as well move over to Tilburg or Zoetermeer permanently, since that's the only places all these prog bands will ever tour.
It seems that Prog is only for the people in the South... ::)

Ah yes the choices that need to be made.

I used to live very close to Funky and got stuck several times in London in the 80's. I can tell you Euston station was not the most comfortable place. We got kicked out at 0300 and had to wait till 0600 to get back in.

Going to concerts is why I ended up in London.

Off topic Transatlantic next week.  *horns*
Title: Re: Yes
Post by: PH on Thu, 2014-03-06, 22:36:42
Quote from: Iggy on Thu, 2014-03-06, 22:19:10
Ah yes the choices that need to be made.

I used to live very close to Funky and got stuck several times in London in the 80's. I can tell you Euston station was not the most comfortable place. We got kicked out at 0300 and had to wait till 0600 to get back in.

So what did you do between 0300 and 0600?

Quote from: Iggy on Thu, 2014-03-06, 22:19:10
Going to concerts is why I ended up in London.

;D

Quote from: Iggy on Thu, 2014-03-06, 22:19:10
Off topic Transatlantic next week.  *horns*

Lucky guy...
Title: Re: Yes
Post by: Iggy on Thu, 2014-03-06, 22:55:50
Quote from: PH on Thu, 2014-03-06, 22:36:42
So what did you do between 0300 and 0600?


We walked the streets trying to avoid getting into trouble.
Title: Re: Yes
Post by: Nicky007 on Fri, 2014-03-07, 11:48:40
Quote from: PH on Thu, 2014-03-06, 17:52:46
So that's how you'll go to Århus?

With Yes, I'd take Ms 007 along, as we have lotta sharing there. So then I'd have to use conventional transport ;)

Btw her fave Yes album is Talk. She likes Fly a lot too *horns*

Quote from: Iggy on Thu, 2014-03-06, 22:55:50
We walked the streets trying to avoid getting into trouble.

;D

- Nicky
Title: Re: Yes
Post by: Iggy on Sat, 2014-03-08, 14:59:38
Tormato
GFTO's little brother.

I always had the feeling that they ran out of steam and the tensions that were forming came to a head. Side 1 is very much Yes and Side 2 seems to be more of a solo side. Fragile had 9 tracks of which 5 were by individual memebers and this feels very similar. Unfortuately there isn't a Heart of the Sunrise or a South Side of the Sky on Tormato.

Side 1
Future Times/Rejoice - A nice opener upbeat and happy
Don't Kill the Whale - Hit single needs no explanation hopefiully
Madrigal - Mainly Rick and Jon very tuneful and vaguely acoustic
Release Release - Probably my favourite track very rocky love the crowd in the middle and the anti right, anti left, anti-cipate  ;D

Side 2
Arriving UFO - I like the song but not really the lyrics. Yes spent most of the previous 10 years stringing phrases together to add another sound or instrument but not here.
Circus of Heaven - A Jon Anderson song again ith understandable lyrics
Onward - A lovely  Chris Squire song
On the Silent Wings of Freedom - This wouldn't have been out of place on Drama
Title: Re: Yes
Post by: PH on Sun, 2014-03-09, 01:47:46
Quote from: Iggy on Sat, 2014-03-08, 14:59:38
Tormato
GFTO's little brother.

I always had the feeling that they ran out of steam and the tensions that were forming came to a head. Side 1 is very much Yes and Side 2 seems to be more of a solo side. Fragile had 9 tracks of which 5 were by individual memebers and this feels very similar. Unfortuately there isn't a Heart of the Sunrise or a South Side of the Sky on Tormato.

Side 1
Future Times/Rejoice - A nice opener upbeat and happy
Don't Kill the Whale - Hit single needs no explanation hopefiully
Madrigal - Mainly Rick and Jon very tuneful and vaguely acoustic
Release Release - Probably my favourite track very rocky love the crowd in the middle and the anti right, anti left, anti-cipate  ;D

Side 2
Arriving UFO - I like the song but not really the lyrics. Yes spent most of the previous 10 years stringing phrases together to add another sound or instrument but not here.
Circus of Heaven - A Jon Anderson song again ith understandable lyrics
Onward - A lovely  Chris Squire song
On the Silent Wings of Freedom - This wouldn't have been out of place on Drama

Thanks for this.
I will listen to Tormato.
Title: Re: Yes
Post by: Iggy on Sun, 2014-03-09, 10:50:54
Quote from: PH on Sun, 2014-03-09, 01:47:46
Thanks for this.
I will listen to Tormato.

You are welcome.

Title: Re: Yes
Post by: Iggy on Tue, 2014-05-13, 18:32:32
Quote from: Iggy on Tue, 2014-05-13, 18:30:55
Yep the nice thing about Yes is that the albums are very different although there are similarities in places. I will be interesting to see what they do with John Davidson.

I went to the Royl Albert HAll last week and had a very enjoyable evening not the best Yes Gig for performances. JD fitted in beautifully but Geoff seemed to struggle in places. Seeing Close to the Edge, Going for the One and The Yes Album in their entirety was brilliant.

JD's range is better than JA's range these days and he didn't struggle at all unlike Benoit, who did a great job but didn't quite have the high notes.

I listened to Tales recently and have decided that side 3 is enjoyable mostly as a counterpoint to the rest of the Album. Sides 1 and 2 are quite gentle but side 3 starts loud and is quite discordant but ends beautifully. Ritual is just a powerhouse of a finale.

Hopefully next tour Yes will play Tales in full but I am not holding my breath.

As an aside Trevor Rabin was a bit flat for me on the 90125 tour. I got the idea he didn't enjoy the rest of the music as much wheresas on the Drama tour Trevor Horn struggled like Benoit but seemed to be enjoying the music if not the experience.

Hope no one minds but I copied this in here in case I get the urge to ramble on more.
Title: Re: Yes
Post by: Nicky007 on Tue, 2014-05-13, 21:53:41
Quote from: Iggy on Tue, 2014-05-13, 18:32:32
Hope no one minds but I copied this in here in case I get the urge to ramble on more.

Not at all, Iggy, on the contrary ;)

Thanx for your comments on Tales and your other interesting notes.

Tales is a true tour de force. Thematically it offers a perspective over the entire human condition, and the music covers immense territory. Understandably it's an album that requires quite some effort on the part of the listener to appreciate fully.

I have a version with a relatively extensive booklet. I can recommend listeners who have this booklet to read it thoroughly. It is really very informative and offers important keys to understanding the album.

- Nicky
Title: Re: Yes
Post by: PH on Tue, 2014-08-12, 23:59:41
Anyone here who already listened to the new Yes album? I've read a lot of reviews and most of them are very negative. They say this is Yes' worst album ever. I have not bought the album yet, but I have listened to it. And I'm planning to buy it. I like it. It's by far not their best, and it's quite mellow (no rock here), but there are some melodies that get stuck in your head very easy very quickly. One song ("To Ascend") is very beautiful and I'm whistling the melody all day long. I'm looking forward to buying the album which I'll probably do next week.
Title: Re: Yes
Post by: PH on Sat, 2014-08-30, 10:23:47
Iggy, Nicky, have you heard their new album already?
I'm looking forward to your opinion on this controversial album. ;D
Title: Re: Yes
Post by: Nicky007 on Sat, 2014-08-30, 12:56:46
Paxi, I won't be listening to it for a while, cuz I want to spend more time checking up on the groups related to Sagoth (Morbid Angel, Mike Oldfield, Dagorlad, Stormlord, Summoning, Mantank and others), and you seem to be lukewarm about the new Yes album.

I too am interested in hearing what Iggy thinks of it ....

- Nicky
Title: Re: Yes
Post by: PH on Sun, 2015-06-28, 21:23:27
Guys... Chris Squire passed away today... :(
Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/yestheband/posts/1050133808331940)

Man, that happened fast... Still can't believe it.

Sad news...

R.I.P.
Title: Re: Yes
Post by: Nicky007 on Mon, 2015-06-29, 07:51:21
Sad indeed :(

Chris was the one who carried the Yes tag all thru the years, the only member who was involved in all Yes albums.

Just ordered Heaven and Earth ....

- Nicky
Title: Re: Yes
Post by: PH on Mon, 2016-01-25, 11:37:35
I read some interesting news today. At least, news to me. It seems that it's almost two weeks old, but haven't heard about it anywhere else yet.

Apparently Rick Wakeman, Jon Anderson and Trevor Rabin are teaming up together. They have decided to tour, but reading between the lines a bit, there might be a possibility for a new album.

If that's the case, I'm looking forward to it! Jon Anderson is my favourite Yes-vocalist, Rick is my favourite Yes-keyboardist and Trevor did some awesome things to the Yes brand in the 80's and early 90's. I really like his more rocky approach of guitar playing. This could be really good!

Source:
http://ultimateclassicrock.com/ex-yes-members-tour/
Title: Re: Yes
Post by: maddox on Wed, 2016-02-03, 12:39:25
Quote from: PH on Mon, 2016-01-25, 11:37:35
I read some interesting news today. At least, news to me. It seems that it's almost two weeks old, but haven't heard about it anywhere else yet.

Apparently Rick Wakeman, Jon Anderson and Trevor Rabin are teaming up together. They have decided to tour, but reading between the lines a bit, there might be a possibility for a new album.

If that's the case, I'm looking forward to it! Jon Anderson is my favourite Yes-vocalist, Rick is my favourite Yes-keyboardist and Trevor did some awesome things to the Yes brand in the 80's and early 90's. I really like his more rocky approach of guitar playing. This could be really good!

Source:
http://ultimateclassicrock.com/ex-yes-members-tour/

Agree.
Except for Jon's singing capabilities that is. ;)