All YES Appreciation Thread

I recommend getting both Ascensions as well, the studio tracks are pretty fine (still not even close to the quality of Magnification in my opinion) but the live section is my favourite Yes live album of them all. If you're an Ipod (or some other portable mp3 player) user, you can rearrange the tracks to form a complete gig and Keystudio.

So, what about Fragile... well, I guess that's already been discussed a bit, but, anything else to add? Once again, a member was kicked out of the band (Tony Kaye this time) so they could get in a better keyboard player. Still a little bit of a nasty attitude, but I'm not sure I really disaprove... for this way they created one of the very best rock and prog lineups ever to create music. So, what do you think about it?
By the way, Fragile is one of my favourite albums, all the Group tracks are really incredible, and even some of the solo tracks are really good, or at least rather short so that they don't really demerit the album (at least that's my point of view).

American Khatru wrote: I think The Yes Album through Relayer are some of the best prog ever made by humankind.  Analyzing that statement, it's as if I'm saying, from a certain point of view, I needed Howe to be there in place of Banks, but didn't necessarily need Wakeman at all times.  And I really love Wakeman's playing, so don't get me wrong there.  I'm just saying I was never of the opinion that Relayer is lacking because of Moraz, or even that The Yes Album could have been better with Wakeman (though that is of course possible).  I love both these albums as they are.  And let me add that I like Peter Banks' playing an awful lot (you may have seen my review of his "Two Sides").  His chops cannot be questioned.

I broadly agree with what you are putting across but the thing is Moraz is a very proficient player anyway and, I think, much more suitable for their style on Relayer than Wakeman or Kaye. No wonder he didn't 'pull down' Relayer! GFTO on the other hand definitely needed Wakeman.

rogerthat wrote: American Khatru wrote: I think The Yes Album through Relayer are some of the best prog ever made by humankind.  Analyzing that statement, it's as if I'm saying, from a certain point of view, I needed Howe to be there in place of Banks, but didn't necessarily need Wakeman at all times.  And I really love Wakeman's playing, so don't get me wrong there.  I'm just saying I was never of the opinion that Relayer is lacking because of Moraz, or even that The Yes Album could have been better with Wakeman (though that is of course possible).  I love both these albums as they are.  And let me add that I like Peter Banks' playing an awful lot (you may have seen my review of his "Two Sides").  His chops cannot be questioned. I broadly agree with what you are putting across but the thing is Moraz is a very proficient player anyway and, I think, much more suitable for their style on Relayer than Wakeman or Kaye. No wonder he didn't 'pull down' Relayer! GFTO on the other hand definitely needed Wakeman.

Yes totally rocks, okay? My fav album has to be Tales or Relayer, but they are all good.

Dellinger wrote: rogerthat wrote: ghost_of_morphy wrote: rogerthat wrote: I haven't gone beyond 90125...from these, I dislike Tormato, actually the only one I flat out dislike by Yes.  Drama is great, maybe more flash than substance but it's always fun to listen to.   Do yourself a favor and pick up either Keystudio or Keys to Ascension II (whichever one appeals to you more will do.) Thanks for the recommendation, will do. . The only plus on Keystudio, as far as I know, is that one or two of the songs have gotten some extended intros which I've not heard and don't know how interesting they are, yet I have no intention of buying it.

Rick's intro to Children of Light is not worth the purchase price.  I made my recommendation based upon whether the purchaser would be interested in the live tracks and upon the fact that I find the KTA II studio stuff clearly superior to the two studio songs from KTA I.

rogerthat wrote: American Khatru wrote: I think The Yes Album through Relayer are some of the best prog ever made by humankind.  Analyzing that statement, it's as if I'm saying, from a certain point of view, I needed Howe to be there in place of Banks, but didn't necessarily need Wakeman at all times.  And I really love Wakeman's playing, so don't get me wrong there.  I'm just saying I was never of the opinion that Relayer is lacking because of Moraz, or even that The Yes Album could have been better with Wakeman (though that is of course possible).  I love both these albums as they are.  And let me add that I like Peter Banks' playing an awful lot (you may have seen my review of his "Two Sides").  His chops cannot be questioned. I broadly agree with what you are putting across but the thing is Moraz is a very proficient player anyway and, I think, much more suitable for their style on Relayer than Wakeman or Kaye. No wonder he didn't 'pull down' Relayer! GFTO on the other hand definitely needed Wakeman.

I have to agree with you here.  Moraz covered Wakeman's stuff competently on tour, but on Relayer he played things that would never have occurred to Wakey.  Not that he's better than Wakey, by a long shot, but Relayer definitely shows Moraz's musical bent at the moment (and that musical focus would change soon afterwords.)

ghost_of_morphy wrote: OK, best album BEFORE they made it big with The Yes Album?   Simple enough.   Do you vote for Yes or Time and a Word?  In my opinion, Time and a Word is more progressive and original, but Yes is a better production over all.   Yes gets my vote....   And how dare you guys let this thread slip off the front page!  Yes is the best progressive band ever!  They deserve our support!

(There is no emoticon for shame and contrition.) 

I can only say that I think there is (or was) a general slump around the forums anyway, perhaps a summer lull (though that should be done, but things are still kind of slow).  For my part, I've been busy with life off the net, haven't been doing nearly as much surfing and posting and what not as I used to and like to.  But that's not much excuse when it comes to a thread I started myself.  Actually, I suppose my most legitimate excuse would be that I've been making music.  Yes, proggy music!

Back to your question.  I think I like Time and a Word just a little better, for the reason (which you point out) that it's just more progressive.  I love these middle-ground records, where a band is on their way to something.  If I had a wish it might be that somehow there were one more record, a third one, with the original lineup - then let Howe join and the great Yes Album come out.  (Fallacy of the predetermined outcome and all, but I can fantasize.)

But I don't want to slight their debut album in any way; Yes is a fantastic album with stellar production, powerhouse playing and excellent arrangements.  The opening track alone is worth the price of admission in every way.  That entrance of bass-then-drums is completely killer, the grooves and vocals are moving, and that ending, what can I say?  To be followed by I See You? - man, as I write this, now I don't know which record is my favorite!

I think the most special performance of any member on these two records would be Bruford (you can't understand him without knowing these discs), with Squire a close second.  Thoughts?

American Khatru wrote: ghost_of_morphy wrote: OK, best album BEFORE they made it big with The Yes Album?   Simple enough.   Do you vote for Yes or Time and a Word?  In my opinion, Time and a Word is more progressive and original, but Yes is a better production over all.   Yes gets my vote....   (There is no emoticon for shame and contrition.)  Really?  I can only say that I think there is (or was) a general slump around the forums anyway, perhaps a summer lull (though that should be done, but things are still kind of slow).  For my part, I've been busy with life off the net, haven't been doing nearly as much surfing and posting and what not as I used to and like to.  But that's not much excuse when it comes to a thread I started myself.  Actually, I suppose my most legitimate excuse would be that I've been making music.  Yes, proggy music! Back to your question.  I think I like Time and a Word just a little better, for the reason (which you point out) that it's just more progressive.  I love these middle-ground records, where a band is on their way to something.  If I had a wish it might be that somehow there were one more record, a third one, with the original lineup - then let Howe join and the great Yes Album come out.  (Fallacy of the predetermined outcome and all, but I can fantasize.) But I don't want to slight their debut album in any way; Yes is a fantastic album with stellar production, powerhouse playing and excellent arrangements.  The opening track alone is worth the price of admission in every way.  That entrance of bass-then-drums is completely killer, the grooves and vocals are moving, and that ending, what can I say?  To be followed by I See You? - man, as I write this, now I don't know which record is my favorite! I think the most special performance of any member on these two records would be Bruford (you can't understand him without knowing these discs), with Squire a close second.  Thoughts?

I've always been into a number of their albums, but for whatever reason, there are some that I've just never given a good listen to.