YESTERDAYS

A retrospective release of mostly previously recorded music from the band's first incarnation (the two studio albums before Steve Howe and Rick Wakeman filled in for original members Peter Banks [departed after Time and a Word] and Tony Kaye [departed after The Yes Album]) plus two previously unreleased songs, "Dear Father" a scrap from the old days) and the new lineup's cover of Simon and Garfunkle's classic "America." Yesterdays was released by Atlantic on February 28, 1975.

Line-up / Musicians: - Jon Anderson / vocals - Chris Squire / bass and vocals - Bill Bruford / drums With: - Tony Kaye / keyboards (2-8) - Peter Banks / guitars (2-8) - Steve Howe / guitars (1) - Rick Wakeman / keyboards (1)

1. "America" (10:31) a great version of a song that I'd never even noticed before among my Simon and Garfunkle album collection (one of the earliest bands I started collecting). It starts out full Yes rondo-classical with each instrument riffing in a circular turn-taking before switching motifs a couple of times. I love the third motif in which Bill Bruford shows his predilection for syncopation, Chris' bass gets real funky, and Rick bathes us with Mellotron--then, surprise, the weave in of some riffs from Leonard Bernstein's version from West Side Story! Awesome! By the time the vocals start up we're all chummed up like were about to experience a Broadway musical! I've never been a fan of Steve Howe's countrified guitar play--which dominates the sixth and seventh minutes--but I cannot deny his magnificent mastery of his instrument. (18.5/20)

2. "Looking Around" (3:59) as reviewed on Yes. (8.875/10)

3. "Time and a Word" (4:31) as reviewed on Time and a Word. (8.75/10)

4. "Sweet Dreams" (3:47) as reviewed on Time and a Word. (8.75/10)

5. "Then" (5:46) as reviewed on Time and a Word. (9.5/10)

6. "Survival" (6:20) as reviewed on Yes. (9.5/10)

7. "Astral Traveller" (5:53) as reviewed on Time and a Word. (9/10)

8. "Dear Father" (4:18) an outtake from Yes; not a great or very memorable song but definitely of the usual Yes high calibur. (8.75/10)

Total Time: 45:41

"Survival" and "Looking Around" are fine selections from the band's debut Yes album but I wish they would have chosen "Yesterday and Today" or "Beyond and Before" instead. Likewise, "Astral Travellor" and "Then" are great selections from Time and a Word though I would have loved to have seen "Everydays" and/or "Clear Days" as well.

A-/five stars; an album collection of songs that makes for a minor masterpiece of progressive rock music.