TALK

To the members, contributors, and readers of Prog Archives.com: Happy Mardi Gras from the Greater New Orleans Area! To quote one of our favorites, 'Today is a day to celebrate; the foe has met its fate.' Earlier today, over my morning coffee, I read stevoz' review of 90125. Because 'imitation is the sincerest form of flattery,' I take stevoz' lead and submit a few words about Yes' 1994 album, Talk. It will become clear who the 'foes' might just be.

Stevoz intimates that, 'the only thing that is permanent is change. 'As a freshman and sophomore in high school from 1973-74, I distinctly recall the acrimony engendered upon the release of Tales from Topographic Oceans. On one level, it was not really a non sequitur to move from Close to the Edge to Topographic Oceans Primarily Anderson and Howe, through their lyrics, tell this great tale from the 'mind's eye.' And following the lead of the Paramahansa Yogananda, it remains a formidable 'tale to tell.' Rick Wakeman was a participant on and frequent critic of this album- - Fair enough, from his perspective. However, what else is 'Awaken' but what Wakeman would have liked each of the four sides of Topographic Oceans to have been?

So, now, we ponder Talk. I ask your forgiveness if I leave no comments on the history of Yes from 1974-1994 (I did write 'a few words' above). In lyrics and execution, 'The Calling' certainly advances extra-musical, thematic elements, not just exemplified by 'Classic' Yes, but also displays a true 'tightness' and energy ,expected of Yes. Here and on 'Real Love' and on the 'Silent Spring' opening to 'Endless Dream,' Tony Kaye demonstrates why his name may be synonymous with the Hammond Organ. Throughout this album, Chris Squire and Alan White elucidate, yet again, why in the early eighties Trevor Rabin found them to be such a compelling rhythm section.

Of course, in collaboration, Rabin and Anderson are the architects of Talk. I have always appreciated their comment on the Human Condition in 'Real Love,' 'Far away in the depths of Hawking's mind to the animal, the primalistic grind . . . .' Yes, the Killer Angels. I'd also like to take this opportunity to correct a serious error of omission I committed in my August of 2019 review of Distance over Time: how could I have left Robert Fripp from my list of the 'masters?'

And, who is the 'foe?' The foe is not so much a person or entity, but a way of thinking. Why must we insist on 'all or nothing'''either/or?' Happy Mardi Gras again from the Crescent City where we demonstrate the 'both/ and' as we move through the profane of today to the sacred of Ash Wednesday, tomorrow.