TIME AND A WORD

Yes's second album features an orchestra to back their music and create an extra dimension for their arrangements. Though most people consider the Steve Howe era that followed after this release to be their best period it was this album and their debut album that made me like Yes music in the first place, and these albums will always have a prominent place in my record-collection.

1. No Opprtunity Neccessairy,No Experience Needed (4:47) Heavy classical opening, with distorted keys and a great bass, complex drums, great song. 2. Then (5:42) great energetic song, the orchestra gives this song an extra dimension, great bass and drums, with some very nice rhythmic keyboards by Tony Kaye, Peter Banks guitar gets a little to the background in the mix, but besides that it's a really great song. 3. Everydays (6:05) a Stephen Stills cover, Bruford plays brilliantly, the orchestra provides a nice counterpoint for Jon's distict vocals, halfway through the song get's more heavy and fast with a very good distorted guitar solo from Peter. Just fabulous.

4. Sweet Dreams (3:48) Deep low bass, with Jon's high pitched vocals and haunting keyboards and drums, really nice. 5. The Prophet (6:32) very distorted keyboards, with frantic rhytms, build up with ever changing melodies that accompagnie Jon's clear voice. A wonderous song, that get's better with each listening. 6. Clear Days (2:04) Good vocals from Jon, but the music is too much dominated by the orchestra, that doesn't play very well.

7. Astral Traveller (5:50) Probably the best track on the album, and a good indication of the good things to come from Yes in future years. Great drumming by Bill, nicely kept together by the prominent Bass and swirling rhythmic keyboards, and fabulous guitar and keyboard solo's throughout intermingling melodies, with a great final to the song. Just Awsome. 8. Time and a Word (4:31) The title track, with powerfull bass, delicate drumming and greatly sung, fabulous song.

A wonderfull second album by these masters of progressive music. The addition of the orchestra works very well on most songs (not on clear days btw), and though the guitar appears to be a bit back in the mix, and the production is not of today's standarts I sincerely love this Gem, mostly because of the powerfull songwriting with soulfull melodies and great singing. Highly Recommended