TORMATO

What a big regret I experienced the first time when this album was released. It was not like the kind of YES music like "Relayer" or "Close To The Edge" or even like the predecessor "Going For The One". The first time I heard "Future Times / Rejoice" I said to myself: "What? Is this Yes playing something like this?". So, it did not really hook me at all and I only played one song when I played this album and it was "Circus of Heaven". Why? I liked it very much with the fact that the music has a very strong melody, a bit upbeat tempo and most interestingly with the inclusion of child's voice (Jon Anderson's son) at the end of the track. Awesome. It became my all time favorite. As life got tougher and I could not afford to purchase another cassette of rock album no more, so I kept playing my old cassette collections. Whenever I got bored, I played Yes "Tormato". It took me roughly a year to reach the point when I could say: "Wow! It's an excellent album!". Indeed, it is.

"Don't Kill The Whale" is a song that has created great and positive impact to me especially the wonderful composition and encouraging lyrics. The composition is really unique with a great combination of keyboard and guitar works. The vocal harmony is also great. I also enjoy this song in "Yesshows" version. It's magnificent man! "Madrigal" is another great track with Rick Wakeman's rapid-fire keyboard work heavily influenced by classical music. "Release, Release" is a great rocking song the band has ever made. "Arriving UFO" is another song with a peaceful nuance. "Onward" is a great mellow track with continuous flow of keyboard sound - it's memorable. The concluding track "On The Silent Wings of Freedom" is another track with rich arrangements.

Overall, it's an excellent addition to any prog music collection. Keep on proggin' ..!

Progressively yours, GW