5 Stars
Audio CD (paid link)
Unequivocally the defining progressive rock album of 1971, The Yes Album was the collected batch of music that brought Yes from promising up comers to international superstars. Most of the songs here are still the mainstay of their live show 50 years later.
Yes were one of the bands who helped create the genre known as progressive/rock, where more emphasis was put on the musicianship and songwriting ability of the band members than whether they could leap about in pretty clothes on Top of the Pops. Yes and their fans took themselves very seriously, which had already led to dissension in the ranks, as original lead guitarist, Peter Banks, had been fired for the horrendous sin of drinking alcohol and enjoying himself both on and off the stage. This did, of course, not deter all future Yes guitarists from copying Bank’s style right up to the present day. Enjoying oneself was also the reason for the loss of drummer Bill Bruford the following year.
Despite this rather sterile work method, it would take a braver scribe than I to be anything other than full of praise for this great album. There is a crucial blend of musical styles, superb musicianship, adventurous songwriting, the desire to stretch their collective musical ability to the utmost limits, and plenty of chances taken with no fear of diversity shown by the first two tracks.
‘Yours Is No Disgrace,’ a fully-fledged rock workout clocking in at nine minutes forty-one seconds, with its extended solos, soaring harmony vocals, and a storming infectious main riff stolen from the Bonanza T.V. theme. This is immediately followed by ‘The Clap,’ a Steve Howe acoustic guitar workout recorded live that year at the Lyceum London.
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Yes were everything a progressive rock band should be. Soaring keyboards were provided by the rock-orientated Tony Kay (this was his last album with the band as he was soon to be supplanted by the ultimate progressive rock keyboard wizard Rick Wakeman. But then again, that’s a whole other story), Steve Howe providing concise, driving, intricate, and sometimes subtle guitar, and a solid bottom end rhythm section holding down all the songs. It has the majesty of “pomp and circumstance” next to the interwoven delicacies of acoustic piano and classical guitar. This album is an absolute must for those who like their music refined but with plenty of strength down the backbone.
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By the time the band reaches the closing song ‘Perpetual Change,’ the pedal has definitely been pushed to the metal and the song is built up to a magnificent rampaging conclusion, the perfect ending to a fine album. (Although Peter Banks probably surpassed them with his own version of ‘Perpetual Change,’ which he released on his own band Flash’s debut album, changing the song title to ‘Dreams of Heaven.’) Nevertheless, the Yes Album is a fine work.
Sadly, with the death of bassist Chris Squire, there are no original players left from the early days of Yes. Only Steve Howe remains from this lineup and he has left a couple of times and come back. But the Yes machine still rolls on.
Musicians
John Anderson – vocals, percussion
Chris Squire – bass guitar, vocals
Steve Howe – electric & acoustic guitars, vachalia, vocal
Tony Kaye – piano, organ, moog
Bill Bruford – drums, percussion
Tracks Listing
2. The Clap
3. Starship Trooper
5. A Venture
Written by Mott the Dog and Hells Bells.
Mott the Dog can still be found sitting at Fletcher’s Folly on the Dark Side. If anybody has any suggestions for other reviews, they would be favorably looked upon – send your suggestions to [email protected]
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