Why Were Yes Great?

Yes are my UNDISPUTED favorite band EVER.  Here's my opinion.

From what my (middling) musical knowledge can tell, the musicians in the band are all grandmasters at thier instruments.  Let's compare: 

Steve Howe.  His technique is much stronger than most prog guitarists.  His only competition in this area would probably be Frank Zappa, John Pettrucci, and Steve Hackett (I wish that all of his solos were more like Dancing with the Moonlit Knight!).  As for feeling, just look at his face when he plays!  Alright, maybe you don't want to.   = Steve Howe. 

Rick Wakeman.  His only competition technically is Emerson, and he undoubtedly plays with more sensitivity.  Enough said. 

Chris Squire.  I used to think he was the member who actually had no competition, but since then I have bought Peter Gabriel's Growing Up DVD, and have payed close attention to Levin's stick (and bass guitar) work.  I have also heard a bit more Rush.  You don't have to like Geddy's singing, but he's an awesome bassist!  Still, I would still have to say that most of Chris's basslines are more impressive (to my ears), and he plays with such precision!  (As in clarity, not as in Fender Precision )  

Alan White.  The band's weak point.  A very decent drummer, but not when you compare him to Carl Palmer, Neil Peart, or (dare I say it) Mike Portnoy.  It is arguable, however, that Bill Bruford was the band's difinitive drummer.  This only gives the band more points.  Bruford is currently leading this site's best drummer poll by ten percent over Neil Peart.

Jon Anderson.  This is truly a matter of preference.  His main competition is Roger Hodgeson, I think, and I prefer Jon's vocal quality to Roger's.  Some people hate his vocals, so Jon is probably the most subjective band member.

Those are just the members that had the biggest contribution to the band.  If you include the cards that Tony Kaye, Patrick Moraz etc. brought to the table of thier respective Yes eras, the points just keep adding up.  (Possible exeptions of Igor and Billy, but they are virtually unknown anyhow.) 

Then there's the creative aspect.  I think Jon Anderson may be one of the most intelligent and deep people living today.  His lyrics portray all things majestic and beautiful, as well as some more urgent topics, like war.  The best thing, though is that his lyrics are written is "Andersonian".  You really need to dig deep through many layers of disguise to find the hidden meaning in his lyrics.  If you don't like his lyrics, fine.  Just listen to how good his voice sounds singing them, and how his voice is so much like another instrument that it is only as dominant as everything behind it.  

Then there's the music.  Steve and Jon were the key composers, with the band adding thier unique touches to it during recording.  To me, the music always reflects the theme of the song, rising and falling, and always expressing the emotion that the lyrics are.  Thier music has more of an effect on me even than Genesis's great moments (Supper's Ready, Musical Box, Firth of Fifth).  Also, consider the fact that Chris and Rick were both very capable composers (Rick especially), and yet they composed next to nothing for the band.  Yes literally had talent to spare!

That's my opinion.  If I've offended anybody, please feel free to let me know!         

Swinton MCR wrote: Yes are the finest exponents of Symphonic progressive Rock - They are No 1, Numero Uno, without question, Genesis pushed them all the way ! - But I still feel that Yes went just a little more Grandiose - The Monumental "Tales from Topographic Oceans" - is the MUST HAVE of MUST HAVES in the symphonic prog genre. I know a lot of people will probably disagree - But I still don't see how anybody can profess to like Symphonic prog rock and not like "TFTO" - Yes only equalled this work with "Awaken" and "Close to the Edge"..Marvellous stuff and basically "Close to The Edge", "TFTO", "Relayer" and then "Going for the One" are all top ten prog rock albums of all time - How many bands can match that ??? And if TF's and the rest of the ELP Harridans want to "bang on about ELP" then I would suggest that they should forget about their monomania and look at the progressive rock album list on this very site and see ELP's rightful contribution to the prog-rock spectrum.....

hey hey this was a peaceful thread extolling the numerous virtues of Yes, no need to bash another quality band, ELP.

Yes are the finest exponents of Symphonic progressive Rock - They are No 1, Numero Uno, without question, Genesis pushed them all the way ! - But I still feel that Yes went just a little more Grandiose - The Monumental "Tales from Topographic Oceans" - is the MUST HAVE of MUST HAVES in the symphonic prog genre.

I know a lot of people will probably disagree - But I still don't see how anybody can profess to like Symphonic prog rock and not like "TFTO" - Yes only equalled this work with "Awaken" and "Close to the Edge"..Marvellous stuff and basically

"Close to The Edge", "TFTO", "Relayer" and then "Going for the One" are all top ten prog rock albums of all time - How many bands can match that ???

And if TF's and the rest of the ELP Harridans want to "bang on about ELP" then I would suggest that they should forget about their monomania and look at the progressive rock album list on this very site and see ELP's rightful contribution to the prog-rock spectrum.....

Big Ears wrote: However, I just wish Rick Wakeman would stay long enough to make another good album with the group.

im pretty sure hell be there for the next album should there be one. he was on keystudios though wasnt he. and possibly magnification but i could be wrong

i dont think we should forget - Yes were the first real prog band to become Rock superstars, they were bigger than ELP, had more bona fide porg hits than ELP.  Yes is definately responsible for putting prog where it was in the 70s.  (IMO)