So, we're agreed. If we're GOING FOR THE ONE greatest Yes album, 'Close To The Edge' is it. It's truly a BIG GENERATOR when it comes to fans' responses among ALL GOOD PEOPLE. But, if YOUR MOVE was to select 'The Yes Album' as your favorite then YOURS IS NO DISGRACE for it too is awesome. So, in a ROUNDABOUT way, I guess we can LEAVE IT at that unless someone can AWAKEN us to something better because Yes fans can tell some WONDROUS STORIES about why their favorite Yes album is so chosen and I'm sure their reasons won't be FRAGILE. Sorry for this LONG DISTANCE RUNAROUND of a comment but I had TIME AND A WORD to say in reply.
ajvasta , I dont know that it is underrated! It was very popular when first out in 1980, and always seems to be regarded as a good yes album! sttgaegoaktd
"The Yes Album" is my favorite and always has been. "Starship Trooper" is my favorite Yes song and probably in my top-20 overall. "Drama" is underrated and too often overlooked. Thanks, Pete.
Yeah, hard to pick between those two. I lean towards Relayer most of the time, but once you start listening to Close to the Edge you have to finish it! Nice for him to mention Perpetual Change, one of my favorites.
@@chrisbonamici3861 Different flavors of classic YES. Relayer is more driving harsher, based on War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy. Edge is more metaphysical. Love both to the max.
Relayer sounds flat in comparison .. a change of instruments or something . Fragile is popular for good reasons ...Sharp distance and classic base on Sunrise !
About 1973 I heard Close to the edge for the first time with big head phones. I was 14 yeas old. I came from a lot of years listening to County music and pop. But that album changed everything to me from that point on. Best yes LP hands down. I can only listen to it ever other year or so because if I hear it every track gets stuck in my head for days. Not a bad thing but a major part of what captured me at a young age. And what stuck with at nearly 63 years old today.
Steven, same as me - 14 years old when I bought this in '73. It was my first prog rock record. I don't know why I chose it; in those days you thumbed through the record covers in the record shop and I think that I just liked the look of the cover. Call it instinct. I loved it. I just play Yes albums once a year, to keep them fresh - it is music that will last us for the rest of our lives.
actually only 2 are longer than 21 minutes - Ritual and Gates of Delirium and , if you count all the parts of Fly From Here together that is just over the 21 minute mark and if were being pedantic of those only Gates of Delirium is longer than this video.
Ελπίζω να μην σας προσβάλω, αλλά πέθανα γελώντας όταν διάβασα το όνομά σας. Είναι αυτό το πραγματικό σας όνομα, ή μόνο ένα που έχετε κάνει για την απόσπαση;
@@emiliosgregoriou8943 Μεγάλη αλήθεια!! Το κοίταξα και δεν μπορούσα να σταματήσω να γελάω. Σκέφτηκα στον εαυτό μου, αυτό δεν μπορεί να είναι το πραγματικό του όνομα !! Εύθυμος!! Καλή δουλειά!! Εξαιρετικά αστείο. Είναι πιθανόν προφανές ότι χρησιμοποιώ το Google Translate, επειδή δεν μπορώ να γράψω στα ελληνικά. Μπορώ να διαβάσω λίγο, και η ομιλία μου είναι περίπου 80%. Η σύζυγός μου δεν είναι ελληνίδα, αλλά έχω διδάξει λίγα πράγματα εδώ και εκεί. Το αγαπημένο της είναι (και έχω να γράψω αυτό όπως λέγεται) "Mi Mou Zalizis Ta Paparia!" Έχετε ένα υπέροχο Σαββατοκύριακο και ελπίζω ότι εσείς και οι φίλοι και η οικογένειά σας είστε υγιείς και χαρούμενοι !!
@@GorgonTheHybrid I consider it the worst of there classic albums (1969-1977) But because of that doesn't make it bad. The album is really good in my opinion.
1) The Yes Album. I saw them live during this tour 2) Close To The Edge. Perfect. 3) Relayer. I absolutely love "The Gates of Delirium". 4) Tales from Topographic Oceans. I still keep finding new details nearly 50 years later. 5) Fragile. PS: I remember seeing Yes the first time they ever appeared on UK TV. It was on a kid's programme on ITV called "Magpie".
1) Relayer 2) Yes Album 3) Fragile 4) Close to the Edge 5) Tales From Tropagraphic Oceans All 5 are perfect albums from start to finish. Life changing music.. seriously
I am 64 years old. I've been listening to Yes since 1975. And it is your understanding of the best and worst albums that is very close to me. Respect! Greetings from Russia.
I got tears in my eyes, hearing how you comment these fabulous LPs and tracks. For personal reasons, Tales and Going are above ... all ! But I love your ranking.
Before even watching the video, I'm predicting Pete's Top Three as follows: 1) The Yes Album 2) Closer To The Edge 3) Fragile Now lemme see if I'm right...
Bob Schneider I would have thought those three in any order. But hearing that Relayer is in the top three makes me want to give that album a another listen, as it’s been 30 years.
Now I really want to give some of these albums - especially *Drama* - a listen. By the way: I've just recently played "Machine Messiah" and "Tempus Fugit" and they are AMAZING!!
Thanks for posting this! Every album is great, but you can't deny that Close to the Edge is a Yes masterpiece and probably one of the greatest Prog albums of all time.
After leaving Yes, Patrick Moraz moved to Rio de Janeiro/Brazil and joined a local prog band called Vimana. The band dissolved soon after and three former members of the band, Lulu Santos, Lobão and Ritchie, obtained huge success as solo artists on our rock scene from the early 80's. Just a curiosity almost nobody knows...
Pete, another great ranking, similar top 5. I have always liked their first album a lot. 1. Close to the Edge 2. Relayer 3. The Yes Album 4. Going for the One 5. Fragile 6. Yes 7. Tales from Topographic Oceans
My list: 1- Going For The One 2 - Tales From Topographic Oceans 3 - Close To The Edge 4 - Relayer 5 - Fragile 6 - The Yes Album 7 - Drama 8- AWBH 9 - 90125 10 - Talk 11 - Keystudio 12 - Fly From Here 13 - Tormato 14 - Magnification 15 - Yes 16 - Ladder 17- Big Generator 18 - Heaven And Earth 19 - Time and World 20 - Open Your Eyes 21 - Union
I have said that after 49 years of following progressive rock, that YES' Fragile became the template, the music barometer by which I conciously or unconsciously measured other Progressive rock records. If I felt - CLOSE TO THE...EDGE of Delerium ( LOL!) with a new proggy release, that repeat of the " Fragile Factor" was truly attained! Next year March, 1971, will make 50 years of listening to YES. I was 15 when I started the proggy musical journey. When I was 18, 19, these 1970's YES albums ( and many other Prog lps ) partly defined who I was- huge impact. My friends and I were basically typical pot smokers and record hounds! So when that higher sonic awareness , that musical threshold crossing was met , I knew I was born at just the right moment in the rock and roll time line! I have broken down the YES sonic stuff into 3 main bunches: ________________ Relayer CTTE Time & A Word Drama TALES YES ALBUM Fragile GTFO TOMATO YES _________________ 2nd Attention : -------------------------- Union Keys One and two Fly From here Fly From here return T. ABWH Magnification Ladder Turn the page TALK 90125 _________________ Final Eyes: -------------------------- OYE H&E Big Gen When I started listening to what we now refer to as Progressive or PROG in 1971, I was moving forward from a solid decade of AM TOP 40. All of the vocal harmonies of the Beach Boys, 4 Seasons, 5th Dimension, Moma's and Poppa's, Spanky and our Gang, along with the arrangements of the Beatles, British invasion, motown, etc., were the "music stew," the impression and early formulation that set the table to be open for YES. I wasn't smoking anything when I first listened to YES. That was 1973, and I include that accelerated, deeper mental listening experience / condition because the impact set the Prog rock in...STONED! HA-HA! That list above fluctuates! Although the pot has been finished for over 13 years now, the enthusiasm for Prog and YES remain to this day! 500 Prog bands later!! Onward!
Great video. Yes was our church music back in the day. Tales was *special* and reserved for certain times. Side three, The Ancient is unique in the world as almost its own genre. The last minute of Ritual is the pinnacle of Yes magic. I recently received the MoFi One Step Fragile. All I can say is Wow. It's a whole different experience. Utterly mind blowing. I hope they someday release a few more Yes titles using this technique. I was 18 and in London when Going For The One was released. What a great time we grew up in.
Church music - my mom heard me playing "And You and I" on the stereo and asked if it was one of the tunes from "Godspell", the musical I was playing bass in at our local church.
Thank you very much for another enjoyable video. It is your positive, sincere and respectful attitude that makes them fun to watch. I must also thank you for the videos you made in memory of Neil Peart. We were all shocked that day and your videos helped me a lot.
Love where you put 90125. It is so very dumped upon by the fans of the 70s version of Yes. Chris Squire is indeed all over that album, and Rabin's guitar on that album is sublime. Great position for "Drama" as well. Tempus Fugit is phenomenal.
I got into Yes mostly because of The Ladder and Magnification, the production of both albums is excellent and I really enjoyed the way they made use of the symphony on Mag, I think Edge is one of the best albums from their more progressive era in the 70s
Close to the edge. One of those albums on which a band seem to be channeling something from above ....as a gift to humanity 😀⚡️😀. It’s that good. Mozart comes to mind. I hated it when I first heard it but I persevered. It suddenly became one of my top 10 albums. How they mixed it I’ll never know. There is so much going on. I actually feel sad when I hear that people have heard it and hate it and wouldn’t listen to it twice. It’s definitely a grower.
I agree, for the most part...heheh. The band that took me from a metal musician to a prog-rock band here in NS. Serious 80's metal guitarist/singer, then...acid while riding in a kayak at night on a lake when someone put on Yessongs on loud speakers.
I have to admit a nostalgic fondness for Close to the Edge because it was one of the very first modern albums I ever listened to. My brother had borrowed a really nice stereo system from one of his high school buddies and told me to lie down with one of the enormous speakers close to each side of my head. And what was playing? Close to the Edge! Unbelievable. I have an even somewhat more wild story about Yes. Place yourself in the home of a former Secretary of Defense with like four of your high school buddies who are taking a chemical trip that is spelled with three letters and are enjoying the run of the enormous house my friend's father was on vacation, and as the sun is coming up, Heart of the Sunrise is playing and we are all staring out of the huge plate-glass windows overlooking the golf course in the back yard and one of your friends says "Jon Andersson has a Pretty voice", accent on Pretty. It seemed so profound at the time, but at least it is true, he does have a pretty voice.
@@userjeffe I don't want to give out personal names, but let just say I was a little inaccurate as he was actually an Assistant Secretary of Defense who had resigned because the President was not making enough decisions. Anyhow, he was a high school buddy's father who I carpooled with sometimes and we both liked to party and listen to music.
I would rank The Yes Album as no.1 simply because it still feels fresh and was unique at the time, a real breakthrough album, then Relayer, Topographic and then Going For the One. I was 10 years old at my fist Yes Concert in March 1970 at the Pop Proms at the Festival Hall in London, where Jon Anderson wore a weird silver one piece kind of wet suit! . As far as live appearances one of my favourites was the Tormato Tour in 1978, when they used the opening music from Close Encounters of the Third Kind...just mind blowing! Thank for the list Pete.
Just wanted to add…about Tales…it’s one of these underrated, misunderstood Albums…Jon explained it in the YesYears Video ! Absolutely beautiful truly well constructed! Nothing on this album is wasted time! IMO!! It’s a pleasure to come back to it!!❤️🙏
Drama is my favorite by Yes. Reminds me a lot of Animals by Pink Floyd. It has some great easy listening long mellow songs to lay back and chill to. Haven’t heard all of Yes’s albums but that’s the one that works for me.
Yes...12 years old. My neighbor's brother comes back from Vietnam. Lots of vinyl. YES-FRAGILE was one of them. I went from Partridge Family to Tull-Floyd-Heep and Yes in 10 seconds flat. So I checked out their previous stuff. "Time & A Word" and "Yes" I got on 8-track tape from Columbia Record Club. After a lifetime growing up with this band and their family tree of success. Just this ..."Release Release' is a helluva rock & roll song. "Harold Land" is a gem that is worth digging for. "Friends of Mr. Cairo" is a brilliant solo surprise. Thanks Pete. The rest of the library is a history of required listening. And I have'nt even watched your video yet. Great stuff !
Excellent video! Good that you are obviously a fan. There are a few videos out there where some bloke with zero qualifications (like being a fan) is ranking stuff. For me 90125. I think I’ve played that album more than ANY other album in my collection, across all the artists I’m a fan of. Just perfection.
I really love the “Fly From Here Suite!” I especially enjoy the version with Trevor Horn. I got into Yes sometime in early 1970 while exploring a record store! I found the very first Yes album. I noticed they covered one of my favorite Beatles tune “Every Little Thing.” I bought the album just for that song and got hooked. I ended up getting every early Yes album. Jon Anderson’s vocals touched my soul. He’s got a heavenly, soaring voice. If Yes had hung onto Moraz, Moraz would never have joined the Moody Blues!
If I had three favorite albums from Yes it would be their 80's-early 90's troika of 90125, Big Generator and Union; those three albums got me hooked on the band (especially 90125). Of the three, 90125 is and was my favorite of them because it was the bridge album that convinced me to listen to the rest of their music.
My all time favorite concert was the Close to the Edge tour in 1972. They did the whole album plus majority of Yes album and Fragile. I was blown away by the sheer majesty of the music. Only other show that could come close(no pun intended) was Bruce’s Born to Run tour. Obviously I agree wholeheartedly in your choice for best Yes album. We also share favorite song-Siberian K____.
I went and saw this tour. I was 17 & a senior in high school. I thought this was how my version of living in another dimension would be like. I will never forget that concert! I saw them again a year later just as amazing! I want there music playing Close to the Edge as my ashes are dispersed into the ocean or lake.
Been a Yes fan since 1982, i met Jon Anderson and Rick Wakeman in 2010 after a concert in Perth, Scotland. I was like a nervous schoolboy although i was 43. Love your album ranking, pretty similar to what i would have chosen, well done.
We all love Yes for different reasons. Your bottom 6 would be very high on my list (with the exception of Heaven and Earth - that is my bottom). Magnification is in the top 5 for me.
Topographic Oceans # 1 Fragile #2 ( We Have Heaven sends chills up my spine ) , later in life these are the two I still listen to. I bought Topographic when it came out and instantly fell in love with it.
@@nickavenoso7851 Fly From Here: Return Trip is the remake of 2011's Fly From Here with Benoit David's vocals replaced with Trevor Horn. There are also a few different changes to the music as well.
Thanks Pete! Whenever we do episodes of our own show I often come to your channel to get your insight for research, you are a wealth of knowledge and i always love pulling the pete pardo card on Martin when we have debates of our own!
I also lo e Drama. In 1984 it was the second lp I knew from yes and hearing Machine Messiah was incredible for me. Then i played this on a cassette to my school mates on and they didn’t liked. 🤣🤣. They were not ready for this great music.
Talk is my favorite album. I always go to that one. It just has some amazing tunes and the Endless Dream is such a classic. I grew up with 90125 and Big Generator. I like a lot of 70's Yes but I love the 80's and early 90's of Yes
Haven't listened to all of Yes' catalog, but my top two is yours but flip 1 and 2. Maybe in terms of a critical standpoint I think Close To The Edge is better (I consider it one of the best albums of the 70s, especially in the early 70s UK rock scene, I would put this release in the top 10 of that time period) but Relayer was the album that got me into Yes. I heard Roundabout a lot of times (and actually have grown to love it more since I got into the band, interestingly enough) and Owner of A Lonely Heart (which like yourself I don't need to hear again) but it was Gates of Delirium that got me into Yes. And even going back to the album to see if it holds up, yeah it holds up amazingly well and I wish that the band went into that direction more, or if not to be bloated, incorporated that style in a efficient manner, but oh well, you can't pine on just possibilities lol
tales is one of those prog albums that takes a while to get into. Which you probably know. But this album still grows on you after 20 years. I actually find it extremely listenable.
Saw them on the Relayer and Going for the One tours and both were amazing. I'm with you on Close to the Edge, one of my favorite albums of all time and their best IMO. Keep em coming, brother!
Need to give the Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe album a listen again. I saw them on that tour, had great seats. One of the best concerts I've seen. I saw Union in the round as well, which was great, but I don't think it quite topped the former. I also need to revisit Relayer too. I bought it on cassette and remember listening to it while I was at home from school sick. At the time, I found it dull and never put it on again. That was 30 years ago. Time for another try!
Billy: There is a video of Yes performing in Canada on the 'Relayer' tour. It is incredible. They play all three tracks from the album. Find that. It'll convince you that 'Relayer' features some of the most incredible music Yes ever made. 'Relayer' isn't among my Top 5 but it is awesome nonetheless.
@@lespauldisciple3349 Thanks! I will seek that out. Incidentally, I used to watch Yessongs on video all the time as a teenager. I took a peek at that recently and was shocked at the poor quality of film work in it! A good document, all the same (i.e., better than nothing), but even for its period, it's pretty bad.
Billy: I agree that 'Yessongs' has an awful video companion to what is a phenomenal album. The 'Relayer' tour video was recorded in Queens Park (possibly England, not Canada) so include those words in your search.
21. Big Generator 20. Open Your Eyes 19. Fly From Here 18. Heaven & Earth 17. The Ladder 16. Talk 15. Magnification 14. Yes 13. Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe 12. Time and a Word 11. Union 10. Tormato 09. 90125 08. Drama 07. Keystudio 06. Tales From Topographic Oceans 05. The Yes Album 04. Going for the One 03. Relayer 02. Close to the Edge 01. Fragile
My TOP 3: 1) Close to The Edge - three beautiful songs. 2) Fragile - I love the long songs, sometimes I used to dislike the short tracks but now I found them lovely and it is not usual to release these kinds of albums. 3) The Yes Album - Many amazing songs, I just don't understand "The Clap".
My Top 3: 1.) Fragile (Roundabout and Long Distance Runaround are classic solid Yes tunes and it had other cool songs like South Side of The Sky and Heart Of The Sunrise) 2.) The Yes Album (Starship trooper is a classic solid yes tune that I personally love and the album also featured some other good tunes like Yours Is No Disgrace and I’ve Seen All Good People) 3.) Close To The Edge (Close To The Edge and Siberian Khatru)
Great list. Here's my own top 10: 10. Time and a Word tie with Union 9. Tales from Topographic Oceans tie with Keystudios 8. Talk 7. Fragile 6. 90125 tie with ABWH 5. Relayer 4. Close to the Edge 3. Magnification 2. Drama 1. Going for the One
Gates of Delirium may be the best Yes tune. It's complex, amazing execution, the message of the song. You feel inside the battle and the final " Soon " is awesome. A masterpiece in all aspects
If it was just one album with "Ritual" and "The Revealing Science of God" It would be my #4 Album !! Those are Great Epic songs Live !!! : D 1, Close to the Edge 2, Fragile 3, The Yes Album 4, Relayer 5, Going For The One 6, Topographic Oceans For me the Best album is "Yessongs" .. Yeah, yeah I know It's Live but Yes is so much better Live and Prog Bands are Great Live !!! : )
Pete, you are a service to us Proggers, thank you, Your perspective 1st, comes from your age (so your choices arrive from what was popular when you were in your prime), not quite old enough to capture the entire Yes Catalog. You left out 2 of Yes's best works, by luck, you remembered leaving ABWH off your list. The other is called, Key Studio, which was an English release comprised of the studio cuts from the 2 live Ascension releases. Although I am a Yes lifer, I'm not sure why Big Generator gets slightly panned. Every Cut holds up!
So great to see the love for _Drama,_ which is just a stellar record. It has all the hallmarks of classic Yes, but sheds all the more indulgent tendencies they'd become known for. It brings grooves back into the mix, and the undeniable pop instincts of Trevor Horn shifts the focus to an often ignored element of Yes' music - for all the virtuoso playing and complex arrangements, Yes at their best have always had hooks for days. _Drama_ throws a spotlight on that, even in its more meditative moments. It's as concise and as vast as a Yes album can get. Even the artwork reflects that this is something familiar but still takes an inspired new approach. I saw them on this tour - Civic Arena in Pittsburgh, "in the round," my first real concert experience. I was so excited. My introduction to Yes was via _Yessongs_ about a year-an-a-half earlier (which thoroughly blew my pre-adolescent mind), so I knew that even with a new lineup they were going to be an incredible live experience. Couple that with my obsession with the new LP, and it all seemed like a perfect storm of AMAZING was heading my way. Alas. It was one of the dullest experiences of my life, to be honest. It was all mechanically "perfect" and completely flat and listless. Can't win 'em all, I guess. Ha!
Can't argue with any of your top 5. They're all amazing. Relayer may have some of their best work but there are moments I take issue with. The YES Album is special because it's what I consider their "break out" record. Though I'd rate Time and a Word higher than anything post Going for the One.
Thank you for doing YES. Know what's good on Open Your Eyes? Love Shine. And you said there was nothing proggy on it? The last minute of The Solution is! lol. I was like,"Finally, There's a little trippy Howe noodling and Squire harmonics melding together a-la classic period."
I’ve been a huge Yes fan since 1977, when I first heard Going for the One. Sadly, I lost interest in the new material after Talk, but even became somewhat ambivalent to the Rabin era with the passage of time. I’d make an exception for the studio tracks on the Keys releases in the ‘90s, but even those aren’t top drawer Yes. My tops list is, with a “wanker’s compromise” in offering a joint second place, because I can’t separate those releases over 40+ years of listening... 1. Relayer 2. Close to the Edge | Going for the One 4. Fragile 5. The Yes Album 6. Tales from Topographic Oceans 7. Drama 8. Tormato At this point in my life, I don’t needs to listen to anything else from the Yes studio discography. I’d echo Pete’s comments regarding Tales - needed a more critical producer and musical “self editing” - and Relayer - the best in jazz fusion created by rock musicians; and I’d love to have heard more with Moraz. The ABWH album is the best re-envisioning of prog by Yes in the post-70s period. Live, that band was one of the very best representations of Yes music, Chris’ absence notwithstanding. A great band, at their best; naff, at their worst. By the way, the singer on the original “Fly From Here” release was Benoit David, not Davison. I think the version released in 2018, with Trevor Horn on vocals, was a notable improvement on the first release.
Thanks Pete, my top three are the same as yours in the same order, although the 80s albums had some songs that kicked ass. The intro riff (and the whole song actually) of Love Will Find a Way is awesome nd Hearts from 90215 is one of my all time Yes favorites.
In my experience, many Yes fans don''t love the first album. I admit that for decades, I didn't even search it out to listen to it, but when I finally did hear it, I was absolutely stunned! Now, it's one of my favorite debut albums from any band. I wish that it would get more recognition. It's a classic!
Had to stop reading the comments. I've been a YESHEAD for over 50 years. Everyone needs to go back and listen to the Going For The One album in its entirety. Jon will even tell you that the best piece of music they ever did was Awaken! A phenomenal masterpiece! End of story.
I completely agree regarding your comment on Moraz. He is one of the reasons that Relayer is my #1. What they were able to accomplish between 1971-1974 is almost incomprehensible, looking back nearly 50 years after the fact.
For me this is easy: 1. Close To The Edge 2. The Yes Album. 3. Going For The One 4. Relayer ... and for me everything else is ultimately nice to have or disposable - but not essential.
Pete your video’s are excellent a trip down memory lane music you’ve loved through the years and have forgotten how good they were. Every video has me putting together playlists songs I never appreciated now sound great. Your knowledge of bands and albums is unsurpassed. Keep it up amazing work. A+++++++++
Close To The Edge is an absolute masterpiece.
terrydrums Agreed
Terry: ABSOLUTELY. This album was the quintessential Yes album.
And Rudy Sarzo's favorite album according to an interview in 1984.
@terrydrums And you and I agree wholeheartedly!
So, we're agreed.
If we're GOING FOR THE ONE greatest Yes album, 'Close To The Edge' is it. It's truly a BIG GENERATOR when it comes to fans' responses among ALL GOOD PEOPLE.
But, if YOUR MOVE was to select 'The Yes Album' as your favorite then YOURS IS NO DISGRACE for it too is awesome. So, in a ROUNDABOUT way, I guess we can LEAVE IT at that unless someone can AWAKEN us to something better because Yes fans can tell some WONDROUS STORIES about why their favorite Yes album is so chosen and I'm sure their reasons won't be FRAGILE.
Sorry for this LONG DISTANCE RUNAROUND of a comment but I had TIME AND A WORD to say in reply.
Could be the greatest prog rock album ever recorded
The Relayer track 'Sound Chaser' is absolutely extraordinary. A kaleidoscope of shifting moods and tempi. It's my favourite piece by Yes.
That track is brilliant, the other three sides are mish mash
@@MarkWadsworthYPP three?
Agree
@@MarkWadsworthYPPrelayer has 2 sides and 3 songs, you are mistaking it by Tales from topographic oceans
To Be Over -- one of the most beautiful songs ever made. I always get the chills.
To Be Over is Yes top 2 for me... after Close to the Edge.
Oh yes!
Congrats for rating "Drama" higher than most would. It's a top 3 for me, and has been underrated since it's release.
Best yes album
Drama is insane
ajvasta , I dont know that it is underrated! It was very popular when first out in 1980, and always seems to be regarded as a good yes album!
sttgaegoaktd
I love this one
First album I bought from Yes. I got into the classic era later. It was rocking album.
Machine Messiah and Tempus Fugit from Drama are so underrated, potentially are both top 10 tracks
Tempus Fugit is my favorite Yes song
I always loved does it really happen from drama
"The Yes Album" is my favorite and always has been. "Starship Trooper" is my favorite Yes song and probably in my top-20 overall. "Drama" is underrated and too often overlooked. Thanks, Pete.
I'm with you on "The Yes Album", my favourite too, it's a fantastic album
Relayer and Close To The Edge are some of the finest prog ever recorded.😍 Jon Andersen's voice on "Soon" is as close to perfection as you could find.
Yeah, hard to pick between those two. I lean towards Relayer most of the time, but once you start listening to Close to the Edge you have to finish it! Nice for him to mention Perpetual Change, one of my favorites.
@@chrisbonamici3861 Different flavors of classic YES. Relayer is more driving harsher, based on War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy. Edge is more metaphysical. Love both to the max.
Yup,He sure is a great singer.
Relayer sounds flat in comparison .. a change of instruments or something .
Fragile is popular for good reasons ...Sharp distance and classic base on Sunrise !
Great album but not great production and audio.Eddy damaged the tapes and sellotape was used!! Not as good recording as previous Offord gems.
About 1973 I heard Close to the edge for the first time with big head phones. I was 14 yeas old. I came from a lot of years listening to County music and pop. But that album changed everything to me from that point on. Best yes LP hands down. I can only listen to it ever other year or so because if I hear it every track gets stuck in my head for days. Not a bad thing but a major part of what captured me at a young age. And what stuck with at nearly 63 years old today.
Steven, same as me - 14 years old when I bought this in '73. It was my first prog rock record. I don't know why I chose it; in those days you thumbed through the record covers in the record shop and I think that I just liked the look of the cover. Call it instinct. I loved it. I just play Yes albums once a year, to keep them fresh - it is music that will last us for the rest of our lives.
Great! My personal favorites are: Close To The Edge, The Yes Album and Fragile. Also the first album Yes is very good.
Very close to my opinion
I think the debut is underrated, in general. "Beyond and Before" and "Looking Around" are very cool songs.
You hit the top three oerfectly
The end of "Looking Around" so cool!
Absolutely my opinion too!
Funnily enough I've heard Yes songs longer than this 21 minute video.
Sheesh.
aren't they all?
actually only 2 are longer than 21 minutes - Ritual and Gates of Delirium and , if you count all the parts of Fly From Here together that is just over the 21 minute mark and if were being pedantic of those only Gates of Delirium is longer than this video.
Ελπίζω να μην σας προσβάλω, αλλά πέθανα γελώντας όταν διάβασα το όνομά σας. Είναι αυτό το πραγματικό σας όνομα, ή μόνο ένα που έχετε κάνει για την απόσπαση;
@@ayeatropoulos1 Χαχαχαχα, ψεύτικο είναι φίλε μου. Ευτυχώς που δεν είναι το αληθινό γιατί θα έτρωγα πολύ bullying στο σχολείο
@@emiliosgregoriou8943 Μεγάλη αλήθεια!! Το κοίταξα και δεν μπορούσα να σταματήσω να γελάω. Σκέφτηκα στον εαυτό μου, αυτό δεν μπορεί να είναι το πραγματικό του όνομα !! Εύθυμος!! Καλή δουλειά!! Εξαιρετικά αστείο. Είναι πιθανόν προφανές ότι χρησιμοποιώ το Google Translate, επειδή δεν μπορώ να γράψω στα ελληνικά. Μπορώ να διαβάσω λίγο, και η ομιλία μου είναι περίπου 80%. Η σύζυγός μου δεν είναι ελληνίδα, αλλά έχω διδάξει λίγα πράγματα εδώ και εκεί.
Το αγαπημένο της είναι (και έχω να γράψω αυτό όπως λέγεται) "Mi Mou Zalizis Ta Paparia!" Έχετε ένα υπέροχο Σαββατοκύριακο και ελπίζω ότι εσείς και οι φίλοι και η οικογένειά σας είστε υγιείς και χαρούμενοι !!
'Tales from Topographic Oceans' is my favorite Yes album.
Always gets trashed, but it's my favorite too by a significant margin, and a top 15-20 album of all time easily!
Mine as well
Here here!
@@GorgonTheHybrid I consider it the worst of there classic albums (1969-1977) But because of that doesn't make it bad. The album is really good in my opinion.
@@scooterthepog3763 Thanks for sharing. Everyone's entitled to their opinions... even when they're wrong!
1) The Yes Album. I saw them live during this tour
2) Close To The Edge. Perfect.
3) Relayer. I absolutely love "The Gates of Delirium".
4) Tales from Topographic Oceans. I still keep finding new details nearly 50 years later.
5) Fragile.
PS: I remember seeing Yes the first time they ever appeared on UK TV. It was on a kid's programme on ITV called "Magpie".
"The gates ...." is amazing. Agree with you
I remember them on Magpie.
"Close To The Edge" is without doubt one of the greatest prog-albums of all time!
My fave album & my fave song too. Love, love, love it.
1) Relayer
2) Yes Album
3) Fragile
4) Close to the Edge
5) Tales From Tropagraphic Oceans
All 5 are perfect albums from start to finish. Life changing music.. seriously
Relayer and Tales are my top 2 then Close To the Edge and the Yes album... I am a huge Yes fan!! You do a great job ranking the albums...
I am 64 years old. I've been listening to Yes since 1975. And it is your understanding of the best and worst albums that is very close to me. Respect! Greetings from Russia.
I got tears in my eyes, hearing how you comment these fabulous LPs and tracks.
For personal reasons, Tales and Going are above ... all ! But I love your ranking.
My top 3:
The Yes Album. Timeless
Going For The One. Great sound.
Drama. Perfect production. The bass playing is just the best.
From a purely regular-go-to-listening perspective…totally agree.
Before even watching the video, I'm predicting Pete's Top Three as follows:
1) The Yes Album
2) Closer To The Edge
3) Fragile
Now lemme see if I'm right...
Bob Schneider I would have thought those three in any order. But hearing that Relayer is in the top three makes me want to give that album a another listen, as it’s been 30 years.
Now I really want to give some of these albums - especially *Drama* - a listen.
By the way: I've just recently played "Machine Messiah" and "Tempus Fugit" and they are AMAZING!!
He was wearing a "Relayer" shirt fool.
Thanks for posting this! Every album is great, but you can't deny that Close to the Edge is a Yes masterpiece and probably one of the greatest Prog albums of all time.
After leaving Yes, Patrick Moraz moved to Rio de Janeiro/Brazil and joined a local prog band called Vimana. The band dissolved soon after and three former members of the band, Lulu Santos, Lobão and Ritchie, obtained huge success as solo artists on our rock scene from the early 80's. Just a curiosity almost nobody knows...
Close to the Edge, Relayer and The Yes Album, three absolute masterpieces, for sure.
Drama is a great lp,.I agree whole heartedly!
Drama is most definitely top 5 for me
Pete, another great ranking, similar top 5. I have always liked their first album a lot.
1. Close to the Edge
2. Relayer
3. The Yes Album
4. Going for the One
5. Fragile
6. Yes
7. Tales from Topographic Oceans
Very close to my opinion
My list:
1- Going For The One
2 - Tales From Topographic Oceans
3 - Close To The Edge
4 - Relayer
5 - Fragile
6 - The Yes Album
7 - Drama
8- AWBH
9 - 90125
10 - Talk
11 - Keystudio
12 - Fly From Here
13 - Tormato
14 - Magnification
15 - Yes
16 - Ladder
17- Big Generator
18 - Heaven And Earth
19 - Time and World
20 - Open Your Eyes
21 - Union
I have said that after 49 years of following progressive rock, that YES' Fragile became the template, the music barometer by which I conciously or unconsciously measured other Progressive rock records. If I felt - CLOSE TO THE...EDGE of Delerium ( LOL!) with a new proggy release, that repeat of the
" Fragile Factor" was truly attained!
Next year March, 1971, will make 50 years of listening to YES. I was 15 when I started the proggy musical journey. When I was 18, 19, these 1970's YES albums ( and many other Prog lps ) partly defined who I was- huge impact. My friends and I were basically typical pot smokers and record hounds! So when that higher sonic awareness , that musical threshold crossing was met , I knew I was born at just the right moment in the rock and roll time line!
I have broken down the YES sonic stuff into 3 main bunches:
________________
Relayer
CTTE
Time & A Word
Drama
TALES
YES ALBUM
Fragile
GTFO
TOMATO
YES
_________________
2nd Attention :
--------------------------
Union
Keys One and two
Fly From here
Fly From here return T.
ABWH
Magnification
Ladder
Turn the page
TALK
90125
_________________
Final Eyes:
--------------------------
OYE
H&E
Big Gen
When I started listening to what we now refer to as Progressive or PROG in 1971, I was moving forward from a solid decade of AM TOP 40. All of the vocal harmonies of the Beach Boys, 4 Seasons, 5th Dimension, Moma's and Poppa's, Spanky and our Gang, along with the arrangements of the Beatles, British invasion, motown, etc., were the "music stew," the impression and early formulation that set the table to be open for YES.
I wasn't smoking anything when I first listened to YES. That was 1973, and I include that accelerated, deeper mental listening experience / condition because the impact set the Prog rock in...STONED!
HA-HA!
That list above fluctuates!
Although the pot has been finished for over 13 years now, the enthusiasm for Prog and YES remain to this day!
500 Prog bands later!!
Onward!
In my opinion, "Heart of the Sunrise" is the best trip they've ever recorded!
Ανδρέας Καποδίστριας agreed! Which by itself would elevate fragile to number 2 (for me)
Yessong’s version is best
Also my favorite.
Sharp..........Distance.........
The California Guitar Trio with Tony Levin and Pat Mastelloto do a great instrumental version of HotS that you might enjoy
Great video. Yes was our church music back in the day. Tales was *special* and reserved for certain times. Side three, The Ancient is unique in the world as almost its own genre. The last minute of Ritual is the pinnacle of Yes magic. I recently received the MoFi One Step Fragile. All I can say is Wow. It's a whole different experience. Utterly mind blowing. I hope they someday release a few more Yes titles using this technique.
I was 18 and in London when Going For The One was released. What a great time we grew up in.
Church music - my mom heard me playing "And You and I" on the stereo and asked if it was one of the tunes from "Godspell", the musical I was playing bass in at our local church.
I don't know why DRAMA is so underrated by Yes fans. It's a great album and my favorite one two weeks ago. I love "Into the lens".
Thank you very much for another enjoyable video. It is your positive, sincere and respectful attitude that makes them fun to watch. I must also thank you for the videos you made in memory of Neil Peart. We were all shocked that day and your videos helped me a lot.
Love where you put 90125. It is so very dumped upon by the fans of the 70s version of Yes. Chris Squire is indeed all over that album, and Rabin's guitar on that album is sublime. Great position for "Drama" as well. Tempus Fugit is phenomenal.
As is Machine Messiah…arguably among their best songs.
Yes with Moraz sounded great. Live recordings from that lineup are amazing.
I've got the Steven Wilson remixes vinyl box set, those are my favorite Yes albums.
the title track to Close to the Edge can be tear jerking how beautiful it is. One of the most solid performances of all time.
I got into Yes mostly because of The Ladder and Magnification, the production of both albums is excellent and I really enjoyed the way they made use of the symphony on Mag, I think Edge is one of the best albums from their more progressive era in the 70s
Close to the edge. One of those albums on which a band seem to be channeling something from above ....as a gift to humanity 😀⚡️😀. It’s that good. Mozart comes to mind.
I hated it when I first heard it but I persevered. It suddenly became one of my top 10 albums. How they mixed it I’ll never know. There is so much going on.
I actually feel sad when I hear that people have heard it and hate it and wouldn’t listen to it twice. It’s definitely a grower.
Your top 3 are the same as mine. Good to see the Yes Album & Drama ranked so highly.
Another good one Pete. Definitely, "Close To The Edge" was Yes' pinnacle. Keep 'em coming!
Close To The Edge is one of those albums whose cover looks like it sounds.
@Jeremy Karnick I think "And You and I" sounds like the inside cover, but the harsh black fade to green fits the title track perfectly, I think.
The title is close to the edge of the cover :)
My favorite!
I agree, for the most part...heheh. The band that took me from a metal musician to a prog-rock band here in NS. Serious 80's metal guitarist/singer, then...acid while riding in a kayak at night on a lake when someone put on Yessongs on loud speakers.
I have to admit a nostalgic fondness for Close to the Edge because it was one of the very first modern albums I ever listened to. My brother had borrowed a really nice stereo system from one of his high school buddies and told me to lie down with one of the enormous speakers close to each side of my head. And what was playing? Close to the Edge! Unbelievable. I have an even somewhat more wild story about Yes. Place yourself in the home of a former Secretary of Defense with like four of your high school buddies who are taking a chemical trip that is spelled with three letters and are enjoying the run of the enormous house my friend's father was on vacation, and as the sun is coming up, Heart of the Sunrise is playing and we are all staring out of the huge plate-glass windows overlooking the golf course in the back yard and one of your friends says "Jon Andersson has a Pretty voice", accent on Pretty. It seemed so profound at the time, but at least it is true, he does have a pretty voice.
Peter M. Fitzpatrick which Sect of Def?
@@userjeffe I don't want to give out personal names, but let just say I was a little inaccurate as he was actually an Assistant Secretary of Defense who had resigned because the President was not making enough decisions. Anyhow, he was a high school buddy's father who I carpooled with sometimes and we both liked to party and listen to music.
I would rank The Yes Album as no.1 simply because it still feels fresh and was unique at the time, a real breakthrough album, then Relayer, Topographic and then Going For the One. I was 10 years old at my fist Yes Concert in March 1970 at the Pop Proms at the Festival Hall in London, where Jon Anderson wore a weird silver one piece kind of wet suit! . As far as live appearances one of my favourites was the Tormato Tour in 1978, when they used the opening music from Close Encounters of the Third Kind...just mind blowing! Thank for the list Pete.
Close To The Edge is my vavorite YES album too! It's one of the greatest prog rock albums in history of world rock music!!!
1- Relayer
2- Topographic
3- Close to the edge
4- Fragile
5- Going for the one
My Top 5 Yes Albums:
1) Drama
2) Going For the One
3) The Yes Album
4) 90125
5) Toss-up between Relayer and Yes
JazzzRockFuzion Wot, no Close to the Edge in there, mate?
Wow..your right on number five
Only Yes top 5 ever not to contain either Close to the Edge or Fragile. Your top 3 are great though.
Just wanted to add…about Tales…it’s one of these underrated, misunderstood Albums…Jon explained it in the YesYears Video ! Absolutely beautiful truly well constructed! Nothing on this album is wasted time! IMO!! It’s a pleasure to come back to it!!❤️🙏
Drama is my favorite by Yes. Reminds me a lot of Animals by Pink Floyd. It has some great easy listening long mellow songs to lay back and chill to. Haven’t heard all of Yes’s albums but that’s the one that works for me.
Yes...12 years old. My neighbor's brother comes back from Vietnam. Lots of vinyl. YES-FRAGILE was one of them. I went from Partridge Family to Tull-Floyd-Heep and Yes in 10 seconds flat. So I checked out their previous stuff. "Time & A Word" and "Yes" I got on 8-track tape from Columbia Record Club. After a lifetime growing up with this band and their family tree of success. Just this ..."Release Release' is a helluva rock & roll song. "Harold Land" is a gem that is worth digging for. "Friends of Mr. Cairo" is a brilliant solo surprise. Thanks Pete. The rest of the library is a history of required listening. And I have'nt even watched your video yet. Great stuff !
Tales From Topographic Oceans is my favorite album by Yes. I wish it could've been longer lol
Excellent video! Good that you are obviously a fan. There are a few videos out there where some bloke with zero qualifications (like being a fan) is ranking stuff. For me 90125. I think I’ve played that album more than ANY other album in my collection, across all the artists I’m a fan of. Just perfection.
"Close to the Edge" then "The Yes Album"...and I know this is contentious...."Drama"
I really love the “Fly From Here Suite!” I especially enjoy the version with Trevor Horn. I got into Yes sometime in early 1970 while exploring a record store! I found the very first Yes album. I noticed they covered one of my favorite Beatles tune “Every Little Thing.” I bought the album just for that song and got hooked. I ended up getting every early Yes album. Jon Anderson’s vocals touched my soul. He’s got a heavenly, soaring voice. If Yes had hung onto Moraz, Moraz would never have joined the Moody Blues!
If I had three favorite albums from Yes it would be their 80's-early 90's troika of 90125, Big Generator and Union; those three albums got me hooked on the band (especially 90125). Of the three, 90125 is and was my favorite of them because it was the bridge album that convinced me to listen to the rest of their music.
My all time favorite concert was the Close to the Edge tour in 1972. They did the whole album plus majority of Yes album and Fragile. I was blown away by the sheer majesty of the music. Only other show that could come close(no pun intended) was Bruce’s Born to Run tour. Obviously I agree wholeheartedly in your choice for best Yes album. We also share favorite song-Siberian K____.
I went and saw this tour. I was 17 & a senior in high school. I thought this was how my version of living in another dimension would be like. I will never forget that concert! I saw them again a year later just as amazing! I want there music playing Close to the Edge as my ashes are dispersed into the ocean or lake.
I got to see the Relayer and GFTO tours, unforgettable!!
Drama was my first Yes, I found the cassette and it rest in my walkman for long time, beautiful !
Thank you for your ranking of Yes. 🎤🎸🎵🥁
Been a Yes fan since 1982, i met Jon Anderson and Rick Wakeman in 2010 after a concert in Perth, Scotland. I was like a nervous schoolboy although i was 43. Love your album ranking, pretty similar to what i would have chosen, well done.
Nice to see some love for Drama. Really like that album. Machine Messiah, Into The Lens, Tempus Fugit... great stuff.
Hi Pete. I'm really enjoying your rankings videos, thanks for putting so much thought and effort into them. All the best, James, UK
We all love Yes for different reasons. Your bottom 6 would be very high on my list (with the exception of Heaven and Earth - that is my bottom). Magnification is in the top 5 for me.
Yep. The excellent "Fly From Here" should be much higher.
Topographic Oceans # 1 Fragile #2 ( We Have Heaven sends chills up my spine ) , later in life these are the two I still listen to. I bought Topographic when it came out and instantly fell in love with it.
I love "We Have Heaven"
Everyone trashes it!
Jon Davison not on Fly From Here...that’s Benoit David. FFH really underrated latter day YES album.
I know that...I was talking about the current line-up in general, not the FFH band.
I like his vocals quite a bit. Best part of the album, IMO. Though I ranked it pretty low, I don't dislike it. And the artwork is stellar!
Great great album! Now is other edition with Horns vocal - great too
But I’m pretty sure Trevor Horn did the vocals on Fly From Here: Return Trip
@@nickavenoso7851 Fly From Here: Return Trip is the remake of 2011's Fly From Here with Benoit David's vocals replaced with Trevor Horn. There are also a few different changes to the music as well.
Thanks Pete! Whenever we do episodes of our own show I often come to your channel to get your insight for research, you are a wealth of knowledge and i always love pulling the pete pardo card on Martin when we have debates of our own!
I agree with you on Drama! It gets no love and I think it is one of their best records. Love that you ranked it high.
I also lo e Drama. In 1984 it was the second lp I knew from yes and hearing Machine Messiah was incredible for me. Then i played this on a cassette to my school mates on and they didn’t liked. 🤣🤣. They were not ready for this great music.
@@HectorRodriguez-uv1ti I am with you on Machine Messiah! Epic! Howe, Squire and White all kicking ass through the whole record. Tempus Fugit!!
Talk is my favorite album. I always go to that one. It just has some amazing tunes and the Endless Dream is such a classic. I grew up with 90125 and Big Generator. I like a lot of 70's Yes but I love the 80's and early 90's of Yes
Haven't listened to all of Yes' catalog, but my top two is yours but flip 1 and 2. Maybe in terms of a critical standpoint I think Close To The Edge is better (I consider it one of the best albums of the 70s, especially in the early 70s UK rock scene, I would put this release in the top 10 of that time period) but Relayer was the album that got me into Yes.
I heard Roundabout a lot of times (and actually have grown to love it more since I got into the band, interestingly enough) and Owner of A Lonely Heart (which like yourself I don't need to hear again) but it was Gates of Delirium that got me into Yes. And even going back to the album to see if it holds up, yeah it holds up amazingly well and I wish that the band went into that direction more, or if not to be bloated, incorporated that style in a efficient manner, but oh well, you can't pine on just possibilities lol
tales is one of those prog albums that takes a while to get into. Which you probably know. But this album still grows on you after 20 years. I actually find it extremely listenable.
#1 Close to the Edge, #2 Fragile, #3 The Yes Album, "Siberian Khatru" - all time Killer Yes Track !!! This Band was Raw Talent.
Very close to my opinion
Saw them on the Relayer and Going for the One tours and both were amazing. I'm with you on Close to the Edge, one of my favorite albums of all time and their best IMO. Keep em coming, brother!
Need to give the Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe album a listen again. I saw them on that tour, had great seats. One of the best concerts I've seen. I saw Union in the round as well, which was great, but I don't think it quite topped the former.
I also need to revisit Relayer too. I bought it on cassette and remember listening to it while I was at home from school sick. At the time, I found it dull and never put it on again. That was 30 years ago. Time for another try!
Billy: There is a video of Yes performing in Canada on the 'Relayer' tour. It is incredible. They play all three tracks from the album. Find that. It'll convince you that 'Relayer' features some of the most incredible music Yes ever made. 'Relayer' isn't among my Top 5 but it is awesome nonetheless.
@@lespauldisciple3349 Thanks! I will seek that out.
Incidentally, I used to watch Yessongs on video all the time as a teenager. I took a peek at that recently and was shocked at the poor quality of film work in it! A good document, all the same (i.e., better than nothing), but even for its period, it's pretty bad.
Billy: I agree that 'Yessongs' has an awful video companion to what is a phenomenal album.
The 'Relayer' tour video was recorded in Queens Park (possibly England, not Canada) so include those words in your search.
Gates of Delirium.
Dang you have had a killer run of rankings this past week or two of bands I like. Awesome! It is amazing how many outstanding albums Yes produced.
21. Big Generator
20. Open Your Eyes
19. Fly From Here
18. Heaven & Earth
17. The Ladder
16. Talk
15. Magnification
14. Yes
13. Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe
12. Time and a Word
11. Union
10. Tormato
09. 90125
08. Drama
07. Keystudio
06. Tales From Topographic Oceans
05. The Yes Album
04. Going for the One
03. Relayer
02. Close to the Edge
01. Fragile
Very close to my opinion about five top Yes albums. Agree
My TOP 3:
1) Close to The Edge - three beautiful songs.
2) Fragile - I love the long songs, sometimes I used to dislike the short tracks but now I found them lovely and it is not usual to release these kinds of albums.
3) The Yes Album - Many amazing songs, I just don't understand "The Clap".
My Top 3:
1.) Fragile (Roundabout and Long Distance Runaround are classic solid Yes tunes and it had other cool songs like South Side of The Sky and Heart Of The Sunrise)
2.) The Yes Album (Starship trooper is a classic solid yes tune that I personally love and the album also featured some other good tunes like Yours Is No Disgrace and I’ve Seen All Good People)
3.) Close To The Edge (Close To The Edge and Siberian Khatru)
Great list. Here's my own top 10:
10. Time and a Word tie with Union
9. Tales from Topographic Oceans tie with Keystudios
8. Talk
7. Fragile
6. 90125 tie with ABWH
5. Relayer
4. Close to the Edge
3. Magnification
2. Drama
1. Going for the One
Starship Trooper-my favorite! Particularly Live on Yessongs
Bruce Metcalfe Agree, but my fav version is on Keys to Ascension
Gates of Delirium may be the best Yes tune. It's complex, amazing execution, the message of the song. You feel inside the battle and the final " Soon " is awesome. A masterpiece in all aspects
If it was just one album with "Ritual" and "The Revealing Science of God" It would be my #4 Album !!
Those are Great Epic songs Live !!! : D
1, Close to the Edge
2, Fragile
3, The Yes Album
4, Relayer
5, Going For The One
6, Topographic Oceans
For me the Best album is "Yessongs" .. Yeah, yeah I know It's Live but Yes is so much better Live and Prog Bands are Great Live !!! : )
Pete, you are a service to us Proggers, thank you,
Your perspective 1st, comes from your age (so your choices arrive from what was popular when you were in your prime), not quite old enough to capture the entire Yes Catalog.
You left out 2 of Yes's best works, by luck, you remembered leaving ABWH off your list. The other is called,
Key Studio, which was an English release comprised of the studio cuts from the 2 live Ascension releases.
Although I am a Yes lifer, I'm not sure why Big Generator gets slightly panned. Every Cut holds up!
close to the edge is amazing... As you know. I do love fragile too.
Magnification its a great album, maybe in a top 10 Yes
Pete.... I'm right there with you on DRAMA!!!!
God this is impossible, i’d have to say my favorites are Relayer and Fragile.
Fantastic review! Congrats! I agree with you comments about Howe! My favorite one because of the emotional impact it has on me was the Yes Album.
One of my favorite songs fro the Big Generator album is "Shoot High, Aim Low."
So great to see the love for _Drama,_ which is just a stellar record. It has all the hallmarks of classic Yes, but sheds all the more indulgent tendencies they'd become known for. It brings grooves back into the mix, and the undeniable pop instincts of Trevor Horn shifts the focus to an often ignored element of Yes' music - for all the virtuoso playing and complex arrangements, Yes at their best have always had hooks for days. _Drama_ throws a spotlight on that, even in its more meditative moments. It's as concise and as vast as a Yes album can get. Even the artwork reflects that this is something familiar but still takes an inspired new approach.
I saw them on this tour - Civic Arena in Pittsburgh, "in the round," my first real concert experience. I was so excited. My introduction to Yes was via _Yessongs_ about a year-an-a-half earlier (which thoroughly blew my pre-adolescent mind), so I knew that even with a new lineup they were going to be an incredible live experience. Couple that with my obsession with the new LP, and it all seemed like a perfect storm of AMAZING was heading my way.
Alas. It was one of the dullest experiences of my life, to be honest. It was all mechanically "perfect" and completely flat and listless. Can't win 'em all, I guess. Ha!
Can't argue with any of your top 5. They're all amazing. Relayer may have some of their best work but there are moments I take issue with. The YES Album is special because it's what I consider their "break out" record. Though I'd rate Time and a Word higher than anything post Going for the One.
My top 4 yes records.
1. Yes Album
2. Close to the edge.
3. Drama
4. Fragile
Would have loved a Yes with Anderson,Bruford,Howe,Moraz and Squire.
There is a Bruford-Moraz [Live In Tokyo]
@@stevenhanson1454 I had the pleasure of seeing them in 1984 in a small auditorium. I have the other albums, but have yet to pick up the Live in Tokyo
Thank you for doing YES. Know what's good on Open Your Eyes? Love Shine. And you said there was nothing proggy on it? The last minute of The Solution is! lol. I was like,"Finally, There's a little trippy Howe noodling and Squire harmonics melding together a-la classic period."
I’ve been a huge Yes fan since 1977, when I first heard Going for the One. Sadly, I lost interest in the new material after Talk, but even became somewhat ambivalent to the Rabin era with the passage of time. I’d make an exception for the studio tracks on the Keys releases in the ‘90s, but even those aren’t top drawer Yes.
My tops list is, with a “wanker’s compromise” in offering a joint second place, because I can’t separate those releases over 40+ years of listening...
1. Relayer
2. Close to the Edge | Going for the One
4. Fragile
5. The Yes Album
6. Tales from Topographic Oceans
7. Drama
8. Tormato
At this point in my life, I don’t needs to listen to anything else from the Yes studio discography.
I’d echo Pete’s comments regarding Tales - needed a more critical producer and musical “self editing” - and Relayer - the best in jazz fusion created by rock musicians; and I’d love to have heard more with Moraz.
The ABWH album is the best re-envisioning of prog by Yes in the post-70s period. Live, that band was one of the very best representations of Yes music, Chris’ absence notwithstanding.
A great band, at their best; naff, at their worst.
By the way, the singer on the original “Fly From Here” release was Benoit David, not Davison. I think the version released in 2018, with Trevor Horn on vocals, was a notable improvement on the first release.
Thanks Pete, my top three are the same as yours in the same order, although the 80s albums had some songs that kicked ass. The intro riff (and the whole song actually) of Love Will Find a Way is awesome nd Hearts from 90215 is one of my all time Yes favorites.
Though I agree with Pete that it wouldn’t be a tragedy if I didn’t hear Love Will Find a Way again…Hearts is an overlooked gem.
1. Yes
2. Close to the edge
3. Time and a word
4. The Yes album
In my experience, many Yes fans don''t love the first album. I admit that for decades, I didn't even search it out to listen to it, but when I finally did hear it, I was absolutely stunned! Now, it's one of my favorite debut albums from any band. I wish that it would get more recognition. It's a classic!
Had to stop reading the comments. I've been a YESHEAD for over 50 years. Everyone needs to go back and listen to the Going For The One album in its entirety. Jon will even tell you that the best piece of music they ever did was Awaken! A phenomenal masterpiece! End of story.
I was so jazzed when I heard "Homeworld". I thought, classic Yes is back! The rest of the album, pfftt....
Homeworld is an amazing track!
Agreed! Drama is a great Yes album. Always has been one of my favorites.
Open Your Eyes...Close Your Ears :D
it's got a couple of decent tracks (Universal Garden, the title track)
Can't disagree with the list at all.
I completely agree regarding your comment on Moraz. He is one of the reasons that Relayer is my #1. What they were able to accomplish between 1971-1974 is almost incomprehensible, looking back nearly 50 years after the fact.
For me this is easy: 1. Close To The Edge 2. The Yes Album. 3. Going For The One 4. Relayer ... and for me everything else is ultimately nice to have or disposable - but not essential.
Fragile=nice to have. Right on the borderline of essential.
Pete your video’s are excellent a trip down memory lane music you’ve loved through the years and have forgotten how good they were. Every video has me putting together playlists songs I never appreciated now sound great. Your knowledge of bands and albums is unsurpassed. Keep it up amazing work. A+++++++++