TORMATO

As the bass riff from "On the Silent Wings of Freedom" invaded my consciousness, even as the opening guitar part rocked my world, I was blissfully unaware of the fact that I was supposed to be taking Yes "oh so seriously really". Add an impatiently frenetic and bouncing tenor vocal line and I naturally thought 'what's not to like'? When Jon sang "dig it", I "dug it"! All of it. From the Arriving UFO's to the under-appreciated unicorns and the hunted whales, I totally "dug it".

For, as I'm sure you've surmised by now, Arriving UFO was my introduction to the arpeggios of the mighty Rick Wakeman. Future Times/Rejoice was my introduction to the curiously odd phrasings of Jon Anderson. Tormato was my first introduction to "Yes"!

Even the much maligned "Circus of Heaven" created an ambient tapestry of fantasy and wonder not entirely unlike "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds". Rather than deride it as inane, I still contend that the song makes a valid observation about how our own immaturity can result in us missing a bigger picture of wonder and amazement all around us.

OK. I'll readily admit that just as certainly as I benefitted from first hearing this album without carrying any burden of lofty expectations based upon past masterpieces, I now am somewhat handicapped by hearing it with a shortage of objectivity regarding its rightful place in the band's discography.

To me, Tormato is - and always will be - "Good to the last Splat". But someone tell me please! What is the name of the A&R Rep who approved that album cover?