Why Were Yes Great?
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Topic: Why Were Yes Great?
Posted By: AfanSpur
Subject: Why Were Yes Great?
Date Posted: June 24 2005 at 04:15
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So Asia it seems were rubbish (see other thread) but lets be positive. Why were Yes great? In concert they still are too. Was it the songs , the singer, the sound, the energy, the musicianship, the creativity? Was it none of these and they were also rubbish. Go on reveal all you know you want to ------------- There stands Olias to outward to build a ship Holding within all we hope to retain The frame will be so built to challenge the universe Clasped with the skins of the fish of the plain |
Replies:
Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: June 24 2005 at 04:38
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Between 1971 and 1974 they were a highly creative band that kept a stream of top notch prog epics constantly on the flow.Wakeman and Howe gave them an edge that was needed when bands needed to be 'heavy' in the rock sense as well as clever (Gentle Giant had the latter but not the former).And they backed it up with fantastic live shows.Close To The Edge could almost be a progressive rock blueprint. |
Posted By: JesusBetancourt
Date Posted: June 24 2005 at 04:43
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Well....ive never seen them play live. I have to admit that the first time I heard Yes I thought I would not like them (There sound was a little to "light" or "happy" for my taste at the time). However after two years since that day( which was my first intro to prog) I have listened to many great prog bands and I finally understood what prog was all about. After finding the Yes disk again I gave it a spin, I was utterly amazed by the creativity and musicianship that was before me, how could I have not noticed it before? teh disk I had contained (in the following order) Close to The Edge, The Reavealing Science of God, The Gates of Delerium, and Giants under thhe Sun. I have learned in my time as a lover of prog that one should aprouch all works of prog with an open mind and not judge them by the first and second listen. This holds true for all works of prog. What sounded bad and weird to me once now takes my breath away. So what do I like about Yes? There creativity, Genius, Virtuasity, Musicianship, there use of aesthetics, Origianality, Inovations......... ------------- "He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water" John 7:38 |
Posted By: JesusBetancourt
Date Posted: June 24 2005 at 04:48
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These are also the reasons why I love Gentle Giant, Genesis, King Crimson, Emerson, Lake, & Palmer, Pink Floyd, Anglaguard, Happy Family, Pink Floyd, Vander Graff Generater, White Willow, Rennisance, Hostyed, Opeth, Gong, Tangerene Dream, etc, etc, etc........... ------------- "He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water" John 7:38 |
Posted By: JesusBetancourt
Date Posted: June 24 2005 at 04:49
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To ask why I like Yes is like asking me why I love Prog ------------- "He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water" John 7:38 |
Posted By: JesusBetancourt
Date Posted: June 24 2005 at 04:54
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If Yes is great to me now( A 22 year old sourounded by so called Neo "prog" and "Prog" metal that bring true prog a bad name imo) then it must have been great then.... ------------- "He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water" John 7:38 |
Posted By: goose
Date Posted: June 24 2005 at 05:38
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I'm constantly surprised by people I know who like Yes who I totally wouldn't expect to... metalheads, stoners, even this guy who's into hip-hop and stuff. Yes would be the last band I'd suggest to metalheads to get them into prog, but there must be something special in their music I guess. |
Posted By: AfanSpur
Date Posted: June 24 2005 at 05:48
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The first time i heard yes my brother brought three albums home from a friend. 1st was kiss alive my head never turned and frankly i wished that he'd take it off. Next came fee waybill and the Tubes. I remember white punks on dope which awed me along with the huge platform shoes and alfoil jockstrap! This was interesting. At the time i liked Queen (1976) then the third record was put on the turn table....The Yes Album....all at once the room chnged colour and there was a velvety softness that wrapped me in a blanket. I will never forget the opening bars of steve which gave way to that wonderful smooth sound of Tony Kaye the next thing i remember was the bell cymbal half way through. The feeling was wonderful, it was the feeling that got me in. a year later when i heard awaken i thought i had gone to heave without the fear and pain of dying. Punk Rock came and went and did nothing for me at the time as i was gone solid gone in love with a sound that can still move me to tears all these years later. ------------- There stands Olias to outward to build a ship Holding within all we hope to retain The frame will be so built to challenge the universe Clasped with the skins of the fish of the plain |
Posted By: The Hemulen
Date Posted: June 24 2005 at 05:51
| When Yes were good they were basically untouchable. Alas, there are also many times when they were bad... really very bad... |
Posted By: AfanSpur
Date Posted: June 24 2005 at 05:53
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Keep it positive trouserpress! Start a new thread on why yes were bad and we can discuss it there but for now lets glory in the magical moments ------------- There stands Olias to outward to build a ship Holding within all we hope to retain The frame will be so built to challenge the universe Clasped with the skins of the fish of the plain |
Posted By: The Hemulen
Date Posted: June 24 2005 at 05:57
Sure! Just adding a little perspective.  I own the majority of their albums on CD and LP and two DVDs so I must like them a fair amount. Really, if you want to know why Yes were great then just listen to Close to the Edge. Simple answer, but it works: "Why were Yes great?" "Close to the Edge" "Oh yes... How right you are!" |
Posted By: barbs
Date Posted: June 24 2005 at 06:05
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IMO Yes were part of the template for what prog would come to represent. Lighter than KC, who have obviously influenced the heavier side, they offered both an alternative to people looking for 'challenging' music, and a gateway into prog by producing a few 'radio friendly' type songs, not to heavy but invested with musicological variety rarely if ever heard up to that point in time. All the musicians I believe, apart from Jon A were extremely accomplished musicians which was also extremely rare for a band. Jon A in fact is probably the most accomplished at producing the 'radio friendly' composition for the very reason that he is accomplished but not at the level of the other members (so they can probably thank him the most for their bankability) They weren't pandering to anyone. They made you work alot harder to understand their music and they didn't short change you once you made the effort. I also think they were truly inspired and also inspiring. They had that intangiable ability to pick a melody and take it to places we had never heard before so therefore opened up the frontiers of this genre of music. They weren't concerned obviously with constructing music for a market. My first thoughts about Yes were that they were able to take the symphonic elements of music which was originally assumed to be the forte of the musical elite and build it into a 'rock' type base and include some jazz influences and make it accessible to both lovers of classical and rock music who were up to the challenge. ------------- Eternity |
Posted By: Yurkspb
Date Posted: June 24 2005 at 06:32
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"Why were Yes great?" And Yes are great because they have created a huge amount of unique top-class prog albums. And it seems to me they are the first band to have so many epics. |
Posted By: PROGMAN
Date Posted: June 24 2005 at 06:39
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always a great listen YES.
------------- CYMRU AM BYTH 
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Posted By: NetsNJFan
Date Posted: June 24 2005 at 10:16
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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) ------------- 
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Posted By: beterdedthnred4
Date Posted: June 24 2005 at 10:24
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I agree with NetsNJFan wholeheartedly. Where ELP almost "tricked"
people to buy their albums with Still You Turn Me On, et al, Yes showed
exactly what they were with tracks like Your Move/All Good People and
Roundabout, and the people reacted. Also, they are an anomoly in the history of art: An artist that represented for their genre its artistic and commercial zenith. |
Posted By: beterdedthnred4
Date Posted: June 24 2005 at 10:25
| oh, and their music's phenomonal too |
Posted By: Big Ears
Date Posted: June 24 2005 at 11:23
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Yes are great because they have: 1. An exceptonal bass player, who's fast too - up there with John Entwistle. 2. An outstanding keyboard player in Rick Wakeman. 3. A distinctive lead singer with complex multi-part harmonies. 4. Surreal lyrics. 5. Engineering and production by Eddie Offord (Where is he now?). 6. Roger Dean album covers which fit the music/image. 7. I've just realised I've described the seventies Yes, and I liked all of the other versions of the band, so the ability to adapt and change too. However, I just wish Rick Wakeman would stay long enough to make another good album with the group.
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Posted By: Cygnus_LDS
Date Posted: June 24 2005 at 11:31
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Yes was the first real prog band i heard after hearing
Mike Portnoy (DT) was a big Yes fan and how Yes was a great band. Actually, in the "Once in a Livetime" video Steve Howe is playing the ending of "Starship Trooper" with DT. That little bit of music was great. Then I bought "Close to the Edge" and, as they say, the rest is history. By the way, I have the Symphic Yes DVD (magnification tour) and those old guys can still jam big time!!! 
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Posted By: Cygnus_LDS
Date Posted: June 24 2005 at 11:35
I think i didn't answer the question  . But the
reason i love Yes is that everytime i hear a song (Gates of Delirium, Ritual, etc.) i get transported to those places. It's the feeling. Of course, their great musicians. |
Posted By: bumheed7
Date Posted: June 24 2005 at 11:35
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 ------------- Good Morning Carpark Fans 
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Big Ears wrote:Posted By: bumheed7
Date Posted: June 24 2005 at 11:38
yeah but that was in the 80's when most people were bad. well not bad, just experimentin with the new technology and sounds that were just awful. also the union album seemed just for the novelty. no way could an album with that many artists on it, and the way that they made it, be a commercial success or a success among the fans. they got back on track with the ladder i feel and keystudio and magnification and hopefully anothere album soon to come ------------- Good Morning Carpark Fans
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Posted By: The Hemulen
Date Posted: June 24 2005 at 11:41
Not just the 80's, actually. The first couple of albums, half of Going For The One and Tormato and Tales From Topographic Oceans I all find pretty dire for various reasons. To say their entire 70's output was top notch is just plain misguided, in my opinion. |
Posted By: Wormboy
Date Posted: June 24 2005 at 11:42
You forgot "one of the most innovative guitarists ever." I
don't like where Anderson and Howe eventually took the band, but at
their peak (Fragile and CTTE, and to a lesser extent TYA) Yes made the
best progressive rock ever. Listen to Howe's guitar work on these
albums. Frankly, nobody's ever come close before or since.
It's not only virtuoso, it's completely unique. |
Posted By: Swinton MCR
Date Posted: June 24 2005 at 11:53
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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..... ------------- Play me my song, here it comes again |
Posted By: Fragile
Date Posted: June 24 2005 at 12:38
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Very well put Swinton Yes at the height of their musical peak between 1970 - 75 were men driven by their God given abilities to play,write and inspire generations of all ages.If only they could somehow write a definitive prog album for this decade.In CTTE they gave the music world perfection.And Bigears I haven't seen it confirmed that Wakeman is leaving. Has there been any confirmation?
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Posted By: NetsNJFan
Date Posted: June 24 2005 at 12:58
hey hey this was a peaceful thread extolling the numerous virtues of Yes, no need to bash another quality band, ELP. -------------
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Posted By: Snow Dog
Date Posted: June 24 2005 at 13:16
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Tricked into buying thier albums! ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/Snow_Dog" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: Syntharachnid
Date Posted: June 24 2005 at 14:48
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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. 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! ------------- 
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Posted By: NetsNJFan
Date Posted: June 24 2005 at 14:51
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alan white was no slouch tho. his contributions on TFTO were quite good, and helped keep that album above water IMHO. -------------
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Posted By: The Hemulen
Date Posted: June 24 2005 at 14:59
Just a quick point - I'm guessing you've never heard Gentle Giant. |
Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: June 24 2005 at 16:07
As much as I like Yes ,there are 3 bands that I like better (ELP,Rush and IQ).I was extolling the virtues of a great band as the spirit of the thread was intended ,but then some people just have to turn it into yet another (unfounded) excuse for ELP bashing.
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Posted By: Gentle Ronnie
Date Posted: June 24 2005 at 16:10
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Why do so many people type like they are in the chatroom? Just post whatever is on your mind in ONE single message. ------------- 
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Posted By: Syntharachnid
Date Posted: June 24 2005 at 16:58
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Very true. Alan can make most of Bill's stuff sound pretty good, but can you imagine Bill playing "Gates of Delerium", for example? -------------
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Posted By: Syntharachnid
Date Posted: June 24 2005 at 17:01
...sigh... Actually, you're right, I haven't. -------------
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Posted By: Winterfamily
Date Posted: June 24 2005 at 17:05
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Ok, that's all true and great, but.... What about the tunes? I mean, i'm more into krautrock, Eno and weird noisy stuff, but i love CTTE, Fragile and TYA because their music is like an aural banquet if you're looking for catchy melodies, vocal and instrumental . Examples? A whole lot of them: "Heart of the Sunrise", the "I get up i get down" segment of CTTE (lots of Beach Boys- like harmonies there), "Starship Trooper"... So i rest my case: what makes Yes great for me is that i can sing their songs along with the record while 'm washing up  |
Posted By: The Hemulen
Date Posted: June 24 2005 at 17:37
If you're a keyboard fan (and a lot of proggers are) when you hear Kerry Minnear you'll be blown away. Not by his showy runs and big solos, but by his sheer precision and inventiveness. Oh, and the fact that his keys never, EVER sound dated. |
Posted By: Fragile
Date Posted: June 24 2005 at 18:20
Trouserpress I don't know how or why but I have heard very little of Gentle Giant can you recommend some albums to listen to? |
Posted By: Losendos
Date Posted: June 24 2005 at 18:22
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Very Good musicians technically. Very creative at times . Fantastic covers. Great live performances. They are certainly one of the pillars of the genre. I think they also connected commercially which gave more exposure to other prog bands . They created enormous i nterest in prog with tracks like Yours is No Disgrace , All Good People and Roundabout but with TFTO they also seriously harmed the cause. ------------- How wonderful to be so profound |
Posted By: Swinton MCR
Date Posted: June 24 2005 at 18:46
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I was just using "ELP" as a "control" parameter to justify my elevation of YES to the all time GRAND FROMAGES of symphonic prog rock - In my time of listening (circa 1977 - now) Genesis and Yes have always vied for pole position in my opinion - but as I have got older I began to appreciate TFTO more and more - Thus you young-uns are possibly on the cusp of realisation that just-maybe TFTO isn't a boring waste of eighty minutes...It'll grow on you - Honest ------------- Play me my song, here it comes again |
Posted By: The Hemulen
Date Posted: June 24 2005 at 18:50
Cor... well, there's really a different optimum starting point for various types of prog fan - it all depends on your musical background and current tastes. It's hard to go wrong with "In a Glass House" though. |
Posted By: Fragile
Date Posted: June 24 2005 at 19:00
| Trouserpress I'm 50 year old and have seen and listened to most things hence my dismay at not hearing this band if they are as good as you say.Yes will always be tops as they had the best musicians best songs and the best singer on the planet.Currently listening to Riverside and Porcupine Tree's Deadwing.But thanks for sharing. |
Posted By: Swinton MCR
Date Posted: June 24 2005 at 19:00
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I haven't heard GG yet - and I like keyboards - so I have something to look forward to ? ------------- Play me my song, here it comes again |
Posted By: The Hemulen
Date Posted: June 24 2005 at 19:01
| In that case it's high time you welcomed Gentle Giant into your life! |
Posted By: felona
Date Posted: June 24 2005 at 19:59
------------- I was never really sure what I was waiting for. When the moment came I was looking away ...... The Church "After Everything Now This" |
Posted By: Fragile
Date Posted: June 24 2005 at 20:06
for those glorious six incredible unmatched albums in those halcyon days.
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Posted By: Syntharachnid
Date Posted: June 24 2005 at 20:07
Darn, I was thinking about that same question. Isn't "In a Glass House" the album that didn't even make it to Canada? Too bad if it is. P.S. I am a huge keyboard enthusist. I take piano lessons, and dabble in synthesis, as well. If Kelly Minnear is as good as his reputation, I'll probably love GG! -------------
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Posted By: Anonymous2112
Date Posted: June 24 2005 at 22:08
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All of them are unbeliveabley talented. They may not be the best of the best (At least not all of them are) but they are all highly above your average musicians. And they are very good song wrighters. |
Posted By: Retrovertigo
Date Posted: June 24 2005 at 22:09
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[QUOTE=AfanSpur] Was it the songs , the singer, the sound, the energy, the musicianship, the creativity? QUOTE]All. |
Posted By: Retrovertigo
Date Posted: June 24 2005 at 22:09
Yeah, Kerry Minnear is phenomenal... |
Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: June 26 2005 at 00:25
Hey man, I'm thirteen! Growing up in the rap and pop world. I've escapede from bad music and I love Yes to. They were the 1st prog. band I got into . I love Ricks seriousness and excellent playing. What I don't like about Emerson is because he's a showy type of person. Rick does his job and he does it good. .. great(actually)! It takes some time to get used to Jon Anderson though. Once you get used to him you'll enjoy Yes a lot better! |
Posted By: The Hemulen
Date Posted: June 26 2005 at 06:09
It was recently remastered and should be readily available now. Some people have said they've even found it in Best Buy! If you can't get "In a Glass House" then find another - any album between "Three Friends" and "Free Hand" would be a superb starting place. |
Posted By: Snow Dog
Date Posted: June 26 2005 at 07:00
Rick Wakeman was never a showy type of person...
------------- http://www.last.fm/user/Snow_Dog" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: The Wizard
Date Posted: July 19 2005 at 17:25
| Yes were great because of there skill as musicians, there creativity, songwriting and unique sound. While they influenced all progressive bands afterwards, they still have a very unique sound. |