7:03 -- Bassist Chris Squire was Yes' secondary singer and he had a beautiful, distinctive voice. In fact, sometimes I prefer it to Jon's. You should check out Chris' classic solo album "Fish Out Of Water."
I love the FISH OUT OF WATER album. In many ways. Chris was in full flow mode creatively. I absolutely love his voice and compositional reach during this period.
Almost close enough to HOLD OUT YOUR HAND! Fish out of water is a brilliant disc, Bill Brufords drumming and Patrick Moraz's keyboards are stellar. A sad loss to the music world with Squire's passing.
To me, YES was the band *Chris Squire* put together to showcase his musical inspirations. What made it all work was he found some highly talented musicians who were able to recognize the wisdom of building their overall sound around his dominating bass sound + his harmonizing vocals with Jon Anderson. It worked brilliantly, enabling the composition of true musical masterpieces over time. Yes, the other musicians were hugely impressive in their own right, but Chris was the guy who had to drive the whole thing _and they knew it._ YES was my favorite band for a good 2 decades. Had to see them when I could, which ended up being 7X over the years. I enjoy watching your full enjoyment of some truly amazing music. It reminds me of how 'mind blown' I was back in the early 1970's when I was looking forward to each new YES album that came out... Recs: You're doing a good job reviewing most of their absolute masterpieces. I'll recommend two more from this particular YES Era: 1) their cover of Paul Simon's *"America"* which was not included on the studio albums that were recorded at this time, but was released as a single. You'll absolutely love what Chris Squire does to this song :) ruclips.net/video/Q0JkTIKm2iY/видео.html&ab_channel=mcouzijn The other one is 2) *"South Side of The Sky"* on the Fragile album, which is think is right up there with Roundabout as the best songs on that album. It's one of my all-time YES favorites. Enjoy, enjoy... :)
So glad you did the song facts, saved me some typing, lol. Any song you hear from the 70s, you have to realise we were all part of the overwhelming anti-war movement. It was never against the soldiers who were drafted and had no choice- it was about the government that cared more about their own power than our lives. We don't talk about all the wars we're in now, at all. Yes were not only incredible musicians, but also good people. I like that I can always listen to them and trust that.
Oh, Daniel, this makes me so happy! I was only 2 years older than you are when a beautiful friend played this album for me for the first time. From the opening guitar chords, I knew "this is something SPECIAL like I have never heard before"! What an absolutely stunning opening song for a mind-blowingly great album! YES, Yes absolutely makes one so happy!!!! I actually really loved the added dimension you gave to the interpretation of the lyrics! Goodness, Daniel, I love your intelligence and sensitivity! Thank you so much!
This is Grade 11 all over again. The year was 1980 and the year yes played the hallowed Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto in the Round (at centre ice) in front of 18,000.
The entire "Yes Album" is fantastic. It is extremely cool that you like Yes so much. It shows your impeccable taste. :-) "Perpetual Change" is my favorite number from The Yes Album, btw.
Bass guitar: Chris Squire. Guitars Steve Howe! Chris and Steve sing harmony. This record is from before Rick Wakeman. Wakeman plays this material on Yessongs. Keyboards here played by Tony Kaye, who rejoined them for "Owner of a Lonely Heart."
This is their 3rd studio album. This is the first with Steve Howe. Bill Bruford is one of the all time great drummers. His drum solo live at the ABWH concert tour "An Evening of Yes Music", is one of the greats. That's Chris Squire harmonizing. Great voice. Very complimentary to Anderson's. If you plan on doing Christmas themed music, I recommend reacting to Squire's solo "Run With the Fox". Vietnam protest song. May as well finish the album. "Clap", "Venture", "Perpetual Change". When you do live, I recommend the Keys to Ascension, Symphonic Yes (They are backed by a full orchestra), The Tsongas concert (35th anniversary show), Yes House of Blues (House of Yes), Montreux 2003, ABWH An Evening of Yes Music and the Anderson/Rabin/Wakeman tour. My mom became a Yes fan late in life. She especially enjoyed their live acoustic versions of Roundabout, Owner of a Lonely Heart, Show Me and South Side of the Sky. Today would have been her 80th birthday. RIP, Mom.
Love watching your reactions to the divine force of nature that is YES. Their music has been with me every step of the way for the last 45 years. Watching your reaction to each new track reminds me so much of the musical adventure I was on at your age. It never fades. Just don’t over think YES just let it happen. Love, light and Peace to you Daniel
I was introduced to the Yes Album in the early 70s by a girl I was working with in London . I was in my early 20s then and I lived it immediately then and it has remained one of my favourite albums of all time . I am so pleased to see a young man 50 years later as in love with this music as I was. Their music was the ‘Classical Music of Rock and will last forever .
I know there are a ton of good bassists our there, but for me Chris Squire is one of the top, right up there with Geddy Lee in my book. Compositionally, he really shows you what a bass part can be in a rock song. He also gets one of the best tones on this album as well. If you get into recording with your guitar at all you will probably start playing with compression. It’s not as vital for guitar, but for a bass it makes all the difference in the world. It compresses the dynamic range, so basically louder parts are made softer and quiet parts are made louder. This allows Squire to have some positive boost his low and mid EQ to get that nice warm tone, just slightly overdriven. Then, the compressor keeps him from going full distortion when he’s playing hard, and it helps keep the long, sustained notes at a fairly steady volume as the signal from the pickup decays, but without sacrificing that full rich tone. I believe Squire also ran his bridge and neck pickups into different amps, allowing the lower tones (neck signal) to go through clean, while the overdrive and aggressiveness came from the higher tones (bridge). There’s your gear lesson for the day, lol. I love this album, and this song is one of top favs from them. Also can’t wait for you to get to Fragile. I really want you to hear the song South Side of the Sky. It’s a personal favorite.
The first song on the third Yes album, and the world meets their new guitarist, Steve Howe. "Okay, heads up, people, there's a new force to be reckoned with". That this song is such a showpiece for Howe is a testimony that they they knew exactly what he was bringing to the table, and that they were about to take off in a way they hadn't managed up to then. One of my friends uses the stereo ping-pong that opens the guitar solo as a test for the stereo separation any time he upgrades his car stereo (he also uses "The Bomber" by James Gang and the live version of "Anthem" from Rush's album All The World's A Stage). While I'm thinking of it, "The Bomber" would be a great reaction to do. It's Joe Walsh's coolest guitar solo, years before his Eagles days. Prepare to alternate between floating and headbanging. Once again, it's a delight to watch you discover the same music I was discovering nearly 50 years ago, with the same eager appreciation and enthusiasm I'd almost forgotten. (still waiting on the live version of "Tarkus" - friendly reminder you may feel free to ignore)
Tremendous song! Yes is my favorite group and don't let anyone tell you their lyrics are nonsense. They are very metaphorical but not nonsense. There Is always meaning behind the lyrics; such as, this song is about the folly of war. I love that you love Yes so much. Keep reacting. Your dry humor is refreshing. By the way, The Yes Album is not their first album, but it is their first to highlight their fully developed style.
OMG, I love Buck Dharma and Santana the most for influencing my guitar style but I tip my hat off to Steve Howe. He's the best overall rock guitar player, serious. Technically, melodically, masterful, fast, ripping up the fretboard type of playing! And yes I had "Fragile," "The Yes Album," "Yessongs," on album around 1975, 76.
Great choice, especially her beautiful haunting song Who knows where the time goes.This was written when she was only 19 years old.Loved her especially during her Fairport Convention association.
@@ninthgate100 Sandy has a great body of work with Fairport Convention, Fotheringay and Solo. "Leige and Leif" one of my Top 5 albums of all time. "Who Knows Where the Time Goes?" is one of my funeral songs. "The Banks of the Nile" is (to me) a very moving song and highlights her heavenly voice perfectly.
Lost illusion circumstance, that’s just where you are. I love Jon’s lyrics. Maybe try doing “And You And I” a beautiful song with beautiful lyrics. Great reaction. Yes was an amazing and very special band. Thanks Daniel.
In one of their songs (I won't tell you which. You'll eventually get to it) YES perfectly summarizes their music in just 4 words. 'Disjointed, but with purpose'. This is why they're my favorite band. Their music is complex, with many moving parts, that sometimes seems to be all over the place, but there's a definite clear structure to all of it, and each song stands alone as its own unique piece of art. They have written some of the most wild, some of the most crazy, some of the most beautiful, some of the most angelic music you'll ever hear. Some of their live performances, in addition to YesSongs, is YesShows, Yes Symphonic with an Orchestra, and Yes Union that features all 8 of them uniting to play together. 2 keyboards, 2 guitars, 2 drums, bass and vocals. ALL of these different live performances make them one of the most unique Rock groups ever.
This song is actually a subtle anti-war song. The Vietnam war, to be exact. Jon Anderson said that he wrote it for the soldiers that didn’t have any choice but to go to a war that wasn’t their fault, and the lack of any fanfare when they returned home. There is also a comparison of the soldiers “crawling out of dirty holes “ to the partying going on in Vegas. “Caesars palace morning glory, silly human race “ This is one brilliant song of Yes’ that does have a true meaning.
And I wrote this right before you read that part at the end...Your next one should be “Starship Trooper” off this album. In that you’ll hear a slightly audible background vocal from John Lennon and Yoko Ono - “All we are saying is give peace a chance”, which continues the anti-war sentiment.
Dicon Dissectional Reactions - I just saw that! Anyway, I was actually talking about “I’ve Seen All Good People” from the same album (which you also already did! Did you get the Lennon reference in it?) Boy I’m all screwed up today!
Jon Anderson does give meaning to all his lyrics. Don't listen to those who say not. It's just not always as easily deciphered. He speaks in poetics. It's not necessarily going to give itself away freely. You have to try a bit harder. Or you can just feel it.
True, true, true. This amazing song gives pass to the soldiers of war. Jon is telling them that it is NOT their fault when their country makes them fight in war...
Jon also says in various interviews that he uses words to make sounds that fit the music, so the meaning can be a bit hard to read. Usually at least a couple of lines in a row make sense within themselves. This song is less abstruse than many other Yes songs.
If I were stranded on a desert island with music from only one band, it would be Yes. If I could only listen to one band (😬) for the rest of my life, it would be Yes. And I caught you conducting. Bravo!
I agree with your observation that Squire’s bass drives the song. On your prog familiarization tour, you MUST listen to his solo album, “Fish Out Of Water.” It’s one of the best prog albums ever, I think. As I have recommended many times, try the Yes song “On The Silent Wings Of Freedom.” It is a perfect example of Squire leading the way again. Top tier song.
The faces you make, your smiling and your amazement... I was probably looking just like that when first discovered Yes. in the early nineties. I was about your age at that time. It's so nice to see that this music can still amaze young persons even today.
This was my "go to" song in the 70s and still today. Happy, bouncy, dark. Has it all. I remember first hearing the guitar bounce between my headphones too. Yes is the best.
YOU : If it is Yes, turn it all the way up from the beginning. ME : same It's 1979, Denver, great seats, YES in the Round ! Right up there in my top 10 concert list ! ✌❤🌻😷🎶
Hollywood Sportatorium, 15th row. We called the place "the Barn" for its lousy acoustics, but the concert was great! Not Hollywood California, but just outside Fort Lauderdale Florida, next to the Everglades. Took forever to get out of the parking lot. Here is a great article that sums the place up. www-sun--sentinel-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.sun-sentinel.com/entertainment/music/sf-hollywood-sportatorium-25-years-102013-20131011-story.html?amp_js_v=a6&_gsa=1&outputType=amp&usqp=mq331AQHKAFQArABIA%3D%3D#aoh=16025961920927&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&_tf=From%20%251%24s&share=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sun-sentinel.com%2Fentertainment%2Fmusic%2Fsf-hollywood-sportatorium-25-years-102013-20131011-story.html
Me: Madison Square Garden, NYC, insert all years from early to later, from nosebleeds to lower sections (although back then, any seat at a YES concert was heaven. But that concert in the round was especially memorable and incredible. 🎼🥁🎸🎹🎶
@@lindazee I totally agree that having ANY seat at a Yes concert was a guaranteed peak experience, including festival seating on a cold concrete floor in Abilene, TX, of all places!!!! The acoustics at "The Drum" in Austin were so good, even up in the nosebleeds. And being up there when they went into their "Roundabout" encore, and seeing all the people from the higher seats come POURING down to crush together in front of the revolving stage, was an image that is burned in my brain!
@@MissAstorDancerwow, we were so lucky to have been around for those amazing shows. Great memories! Back then, even though YES was hugely popular and successful, they weren't exactly a household name. I always felt like we YES fans were part of a secret club, where only we actually "got them" in all their intricate beauty. They were an experience, not just a band that plays good music. They transcended us into another realm of understanding and being. If I'm not mistaken, YES broke concert records at Madison Square Garden.
On a bit of a tech standpoint, both Chris Squire of Yes and Geddy Lee of Rush play Rickenbacker basses. "The Ric Sound", with it's harder punchy treble/midrange and less bottom end applies particularly well in their genre but perhaps not so well in other genres.
@@michaelhogan6770 He actually played bot ways, but he uses the pick particularly to get a sharper attack and "invented" a technique for it. I wonder what @Davie504 thinks of Chris Squire - now that he has made pick use no-longer illegal for bass players.
Great reaction to probably my favorite Yes song. One thing I believe you are trying to say is their music is so Uplifting, positive and inspirational. I think that each musician complements each other.. which makes for great song composition. It feels like they play off of each other, and results in a continuation of excellence and perfection..
Your reactions remind me what it was like to be your age in the times there was so much great music, new and fresh at the time. And moreover, we could go and see it live!!!
Its great being old...we got to see all the best bands, and watching these guys perform for 2 and a half hours non stop, note perfect, was like an out of body experience......50 years old and still unequaled musicianship...good to see they are even more appreciated now than when I was a kid, to see so many different reaction videos by younger folks , to YES, LED ZEP etc, reaffirms my music of choice as a youth was not as weird as my contemporaries would try to have me believe...the stuff they listened to is long forgotten
Don’t miss this same song as performed on the double live album Yessongs. The ultimate Yes lineup in their prime. It makes me so happy to hear you say how much you love my favorite band!
With this song, the lyrics actually do have a lot of meaning to the band. This was in the vietnam era, and was an inspiration to soldiers morally conflicted by fighting. Jon Anderson has spoken about this many times over the years. Caesar's Palace is a Las Vegas casino, and how silly it is that people are carousing and gambling while soldiers and sailors and pilots are traveling the globe in fighting for their lives and ours.
"The Bass is driving teh song..." Two words: Chris Squire. "Yes is happy music...", gosh I've been a fan, Yes my favorite group for five decades and I would not have said that. It makes me happy, yeah. I never thought of the music itself as happy... "I Love Yes so much...." Well we agree on that!!
I have seen YES in 5 straight decades, once in the 70s and multiple times in the 80s 90s 00s and 10s. If they tour in the 2020s I will be there. No Chris is a bummer but Jon, Steve, Rick and Alan can pull it off.
IMO, this is the definitive version of they awesome Yes classic. It features the band's original keyboard player, Tony Kaye - his organ prominent in the left channel. Kaye was a very fine keyboard player in his own right, a bit Jazz influenced, more subtle and understated his later replacements. The adjective you're looking for to describe Yes' music: Exhilarating. On those verses, the Vocals are shared by lead singer Jon Anderson and bassist Chris Squire.
I am so grateful I found your site. You remind me of when I first found these guys. Not only that, but you remind me of my son, who is a Millenial that had an open mind and love my music. Not to mention, he has a great voice. It's so rewarding to turn on the later generations what (not to be degrading) what real music used to be like. We were so lucky to live in that generation that changed music. Thank you.
One of Yes's best pieces; an air-tight perfectly constructed composition with bass and guitar up front and just dominating everything. It also stands out in terms of the way the vocal melody develops into different variaitions of the same idea. Brilliant stuff
I watched several of your videos this evening and I'm happy to see you have been introduced to some of the music of my youth. I wonder if you ever thought you would be listening to so many older bands and their music? Now you know how lucky we feel having grown up when the canvas was blank and everything was new. It was much easier to craft an original and interesting song in an era where every chord progression hadn't been used, every lyric hadn't been sung... and when every hook and riff was new. You made a particularly animated expression when the music changed and you heard what is called a "walking" bass line... when Chris Squire was walking up and down the neck playing only quarter notes in that four measure progression. It is used in several styles of music but primarily jazz and old big band stuff. Squire and Howe together are just incredible to listen to. Along with King Crimson, Yes was one of the pioneers of what is now called Prog Rock. I'm glad you're learning about some of the older bands. If you had grown up my household you would have already been a fan of Steely Dan, Boston, Yes, Spirit and dozens of others as my own kids are.
As amazing as Yes always was in the studio, they are fantastic live. The version of this on Yessongs is amazingly good, along with Starship Trooper - and all the rest. Honestly, they were as precise, as perfect, as high energy live as they are in studio.
Tony Kaye on the keyboards. Imagine losing Tony Kaye to gain Rick Wakeman. Squire, Howe, Bruford, Anderson, Kaye or Wakeman, one of the strongest musical lineups ever.
Chris Squire was always the constant for Yes. Everyone else came and went, sometimes returned. Squire was also a huge influence on other bass players. Yes was always striving to have the best musicians in the band. This is from my favorite Yes album, mostly because of 'I've Seen All Good People'. While the meaning of Jon Anderson's lyrics isn't always clear they do convey a positive tone mostly. He just that kind of person.
Re the bass: when Yes was inducted into the RRHOF Geddy Lee played bass because Chris Squire had passed. Not many others had the chops and their styles are fairly similar.
That and Geddy loved YES and loved Chris Squire, so he was very happy to be able to play with them. I'd love to see him play with ARW, though their bass player is awesome, but a special appearance would be awesome. Alex Lifeson too. That would be so great.
have been to at least 20 yes shows,,,,my last show took my then 13 year old nephew and rick wakemans son was on keyboards was fanfreakintastic and steve howe was as good as ever
As someone mentioned, this is the third Yes album, and some regard it as their first proper prog album. HOWEVER, the first two albums rule and are super-hip. There's basically a music video for every track on Time and a Word, which is their second album. Don't sleep on those first two records!
Glad to see that you enjoy Yes as much as we do. This was actually their 3rd album and the first to pair Howe and Squire together. The first two albums featured a lot of covers of other songs and did not meet with the success that this album did. This album laid the groundwork for what was to come in Fragile, Close to the Edge and Tales From Topographic Oceans, a trifecta of greatness. 🎸🎸🎸
This was really the beginning of YES, Steve Howe just joined the band and this song showcases his unbelievable diversity and virtuosity. Jon Anderson's voice in this one is so soulful and dynamic. Some of his best singing I think. I think this track is by far the gem of the album.
Steve Howe's lilting and Jazz-influenced guitar is tremendous! Steve also introduces a slightly-distorted bluesy/psychedelic touch along with dash of Spanish influence. Chris Squire's PUNCHY basslines are simply dynamic. As with Steve's stellar guitar riffs, Chris is all over that bass! Jon Anderson's vocals render a unique touch! The keys and percussion are amazing, as well! Great choice! This is Prog Rock at its absolute best! Bravo!
And you were correct in thinking of Vegas...Jon was making a comparison from the “silly human race” partying in Vegas to our soldiers “Crawling out of dirty holes...”
When I first bought this album I hadn't heard "Yours Is no Disgrace" It blew so far, it was my favorite song showing me how such a complex arrangement can be put together by musical virtuosos and yet still flow beautifully on a singular coherent piece of art. And like you said the growling bass line of Chris Squire that drives the tune. This song showed me the genius of yes and it's 5 counterparts.
A little added fun you might enjoy. "Buried Alive" by Rick Wakeman with Ozzy singing, the song has a WEIRD 22 count beat ! . Bill Bruford's beautiful drumming dexterity in "South Side Of the Sky" by YES & "3 of a Perfect Pair" by King Crimson . For Chris Squire's incredible bass, try "Lucky Seven" from his 'Fish Out Of Water' solo album,
Wow! "SSotS" is such a fantastic song!!!! Bruford's artistry is on full display! And I have NEVER seen ANYBODY mention the stunning "Three of a Perfect Pair"! Just an absolutely mind-bending song!!!!! And I agree! "Lucky Seven" is also a completely mesmerizing song!!! I will have to pull up "Buried Alive". I don't think I have heard it!
Flashback: Driving down a long county road, playing this loud, a friend of mine asked, "who are these guys? This rocks". We're smoking a joint because... well of course we were. I said, if you like this, just wait until the next track Starship Trooper. The Yes Album wasn't their first album- it was their first BIG album released early in 71. I was 9 at the time and didn't really get turned on to Yes for a while so it was an oldie when I started listening. Yes released Fragile later in 71, Close to the Edge(72), Tales from Topographic Oceans(73) and Relayer(74). That's some amazing creativity for any band in a relatively short period of time. Their live album Yesshows in 73 is awesome and well worth having. Good luck with you lyrical analysis. In 70s psychedelia, if you seek meaning, listen to the music and not the song. Peace bro.
I like the way you sound like you're in pain whenever an especially tasty instrumental moment occurs, such as when the walking bass dipped way down to the low notes
The man was a poet. He CHOSE some words over others based on sound but he never came out with a line like : flower dresses burned and buttered the doughnut with caramel pickles... So yes, he had purpose behind all his lyrics and also might have tried to work pretty sounding words into parts of songs where he wanted them to do the most good. That's my take.
Can Jon Anderson write unambiguous songs, lyrics? YES ! Yes he can. "Turn Of The Century" from the Going for the One album "Birthright" from the ABWH album super serious song "Teakbois" also from the ABWH album, YES as a calypso band , lots of fun.
When ABWH toured, they started the concert with each member of the band doing a solo spot. Anderson started by walking through the crowd to the stage, singing an acoustic medley..."Time and a Word"/"Owner of a Lonely Heart/Teakbois (singing only one line from it) and back to "Time and a Word". They performed "Birthright" during that tour...about the nuclear test site in Woomera, Australia, and the impact it had on the Aborigines. The ABWH album is brilliant, but of all the songs on there, "Birthright" is my least favorite. "Teakbois" is one of my favorites and wish Anderson had done the opposite...put "Birthright" in the medley and "Teakbois" in its entirety as part of the set. It's one of those rare "Yes" songs that you can dance to. "Quartet" is beautiful from start to finish and "Order of the Universe" is one of my all time favorite songs...not just Yes-related but all time favorite songs by any band. IMO, it is right up there with "Heart of the Sunrise".
Even his ambiguous songs have internal parts that make sense. It's up to us to contemplate his lrics in the context of the music and arrive at a meaning. As Jon tells us in Starship Trooper, "Take what I say in a different way and it's easy to say that this is all confusion/As I see a new day in me, I can also show if you and you may follow."
Hard core Yes fan here. Thank You!
Yes! gotta do Heart of the Sunrise
He hasn’t done that yet???Oh YES please!!!
7:03 -- Bassist Chris Squire was Yes' secondary singer and he had a beautiful, distinctive voice. In fact, sometimes I prefer it to Jon's. You should check out Chris' classic solo album "Fish Out Of Water."
'Fish Out Of Water' is a really brilliant album.
I love the FISH OUT OF WATER album.
In many ways. Chris was in full flow mode creatively.
I absolutely love his voice and compositional reach during this period.
Almost close enough to HOLD OUT YOUR HAND! Fish out of water is a brilliant disc, Bill Brufords drumming and Patrick Moraz's keyboards are stellar. A sad loss to the music world with Squire's passing.
I was about to write the same thing.
To me, YES was the band *Chris Squire* put together to showcase his musical inspirations. What made it all work was he found some highly talented musicians who were able to recognize the wisdom of building their overall sound around his dominating bass sound + his harmonizing vocals with Jon Anderson. It worked brilliantly, enabling the composition of true musical masterpieces over time. Yes, the other musicians were hugely impressive in their own right, but Chris was the guy who had to drive the whole thing _and they knew it._
YES was my favorite band for a good 2 decades. Had to see them when I could, which ended up being 7X over the years. I enjoy watching your full enjoyment of some truly amazing music. It reminds me of how 'mind blown' I was back in the early 1970's when I was looking forward to each new YES album that came out...
Recs: You're doing a good job reviewing most of their absolute masterpieces. I'll recommend two more from this particular YES Era: 1) their cover of Paul Simon's *"America"* which was not included on the studio albums that were recorded at this time, but was released as a single. You'll absolutely love what Chris Squire does to this song :) ruclips.net/video/Q0JkTIKm2iY/видео.html&ab_channel=mcouzijn
The other one is 2) *"South Side of The Sky"* on the Fragile album, which is think is right up there with Roundabout as the best songs on that album. It's one of my all-time YES favorites.
Enjoy, enjoy... :)
Good choice. Not many ten minute songs pack so much sublime music in, great song end-to-end.
So glad you did the song facts, saved me some typing, lol. Any song you hear from the 70s, you have to realise we were all part of the overwhelming anti-war movement. It was never against the soldiers who were drafted and had no choice- it was about the government that cared more about their own power than our lives. We don't talk about all the wars we're in now, at all. Yes were not only incredible musicians, but also good people. I like that I can always listen to them and trust that.
goodness Yes was just one of a kind .didn't really sound like anybody..plus Chris Squire bass work is masterclass ! another great gone.xoxo
Can never have too much Yes. Second favorite band, right behind Steely Dan.
Yes was brilliant. Mesmerizing to see in person.
def thanks for whoever requested, this made me smile
Oh, Daniel, this makes me so happy!
I was only 2 years older than you are when a beautiful friend played this album for me for the first time. From the opening guitar chords, I knew "this is something SPECIAL like I have never heard before"! What an absolutely stunning opening song for a mind-blowingly great album! YES, Yes absolutely makes one so happy!!!!
I actually really loved the added dimension you gave to the interpretation of the lyrics! Goodness, Daniel, I love your intelligence and sensitivity!
Thank you so much!
This is Grade 11 all over again. The year was 1980 and the year yes played the hallowed Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto in the Round (at centre ice) in front of 18,000.
For me Yes has always conveyed a hopeful vibe.
The entire "Yes Album" is fantastic. It is extremely cool that you like Yes so much. It shows your impeccable taste. :-) "Perpetual Change" is my favorite number from The Yes Album, btw.
My favourite also, Jammin'.
and the live version with Bruford's drum solo is so good
It reminds me of the opening theme for the evening news.
@@Lightmane which live version? I’d like to see it!
@@kookoothebirdgirl1 from their album YESSONGS. I've never seen a video of it. Just the music.
Whenever I saw 'Yes' live they always managed to produce the same sound and level of musicianship that they did on the albums - incredible group.
Bass guitar: Chris Squire. Guitars Steve Howe! Chris and Steve sing harmony. This record is from before Rick Wakeman. Wakeman plays this material on Yessongs. Keyboards here played by Tony Kaye, who rejoined them for "Owner of a Lonely Heart."
Tony Kaye is, in my opinion, wildly underrated.
@@jackiec859 Not by me. He was just overshadowed by the clear virtuosity of Rick Wakeman. Did not diminish Tony Kaye as a brilliant musician.
@@matthewrobinson7379 Agreed!
That Squire/Bruford rhythm section...
This is their 3rd studio album. This is the first with Steve Howe. Bill Bruford is one of the all time great drummers. His drum solo live at the ABWH concert tour "An Evening of Yes Music", is one of the greats. That's Chris Squire harmonizing. Great voice. Very complimentary to Anderson's. If you plan on doing Christmas themed music, I recommend reacting to Squire's solo "Run With the Fox".
Vietnam protest song. May as well finish the album. "Clap", "Venture", "Perpetual Change".
When you do live, I recommend the Keys to Ascension, Symphonic Yes (They are backed by a full orchestra), The Tsongas concert (35th anniversary show), Yes House of Blues (House of Yes), Montreux 2003, ABWH An Evening of Yes Music and the Anderson/Rabin/Wakeman tour. My mom became a Yes fan late in life. She especially enjoyed their live acoustic versions of Roundabout, Owner of a Lonely Heart, Show Me and South Side of the Sky. Today would have been her 80th birthday. RIP, Mom.
Love watching your reactions to the divine force of nature that is YES. Their music has been with me every step of the way for the last 45 years. Watching your reaction to each new track reminds me so much of the musical adventure I was on at your age. It never fades. Just don’t over think YES just let it happen. Love, light and Peace to you Daniel
I was introduced to the Yes Album in the early 70s by a girl I was working with in London .
I was in my early 20s then and I lived it immediately then and it has remained one of my favourite albums of all time . I am so pleased to see a young man 50 years later as in love with this music as I was. Their music was the ‘Classical Music of Rock and will last forever .
I know there are a ton of good bassists our there, but for me Chris Squire is one of the top, right up there with Geddy Lee in my book. Compositionally, he really shows you what a bass part can be in a rock song. He also gets one of the best tones on this album as well. If you get into recording with your guitar at all you will probably start playing with compression. It’s not as vital for guitar, but for a bass it makes all the difference in the world. It compresses the dynamic range, so basically louder parts are made softer and quiet parts are made louder. This allows Squire to have some positive boost his low and mid EQ to get that nice warm tone, just slightly overdriven. Then, the compressor keeps him from going full distortion when he’s playing hard, and it helps keep the long, sustained notes at a fairly steady volume as the signal from the pickup decays, but without sacrificing that full rich tone. I believe Squire also ran his bridge and neck pickups into different amps, allowing the lower tones (neck signal) to go through clean, while the overdrive and aggressiveness came from the higher tones (bridge). There’s your gear lesson for the day, lol.
I love this album, and this song is one of top favs from them. Also can’t wait for you to get to Fragile. I really want you to hear the song South Side of the Sky. It’s a personal favorite.
The first song on the third Yes album, and the world meets their new guitarist, Steve Howe. "Okay, heads up, people, there's a new force to be reckoned with". That this song is such a showpiece for Howe is a testimony that they they knew exactly what he was bringing to the table, and that they were about to take off in a way they hadn't managed up to then.
One of my friends uses the stereo ping-pong that opens the guitar solo as a test for the stereo separation any time he upgrades his car stereo (he also uses "The Bomber" by James Gang and the live version of "Anthem" from Rush's album All The World's A Stage). While I'm thinking of it, "The Bomber" would be a great reaction to do. It's Joe Walsh's coolest guitar solo, years before his Eagles days. Prepare to alternate between floating and headbanging.
Once again, it's a delight to watch you discover the same music I was discovering nearly 50 years ago, with the same eager appreciation and enthusiasm I'd almost forgotten.
(still waiting on the live version of "Tarkus" - friendly reminder you may feel free to ignore)
Yes, YES music = Highest volume! Great song, great reaction for the "silly human race".
Heart of the Sunrise is another banger... and then South Side of the Sky
Tremendous song! Yes is my favorite group and don't let anyone tell you their lyrics are nonsense. They are very metaphorical but not nonsense. There Is always meaning behind the lyrics; such as, this song is about the folly of war. I love that you love Yes so much. Keep reacting. Your dry humor is refreshing. By the way, The Yes Album is not their first album, but it is their first to highlight their fully developed style.
First listened to YES in 1971....now I'm 71....amazing music that still has the same effect on people today that I experienced so many years ago.
This is a musical masterpiece that absolutely envelops the entire being of the listener...
OMG, I love Buck Dharma and Santana the most for influencing my guitar style but I tip my hat off to Steve Howe. He's the best overall rock guitar player, serious. Technically, melodically, masterful, fast, ripping up the fretboard type of playing! And yes I had "Fragile," "The Yes Album," "Yessongs," on album around 1975, 76.
I had to smile when Steve Howe was doing those amazing guitar runs in the beginning and you said "the keyboard's awesome"
If you want to see the chaotic brilliance of Yes, might I suggest “Sound Chaser” from the 1974 album Relayer.
Can I just say...Shining Flying Purple Wolfhound”? Ok I feel better.
You had to be there...
that's just where you are
his kennel is kept aboard a yellow submarine
Really pleased that Yes are being re-discovered! They were brilliant! Now we need some Sandy Denny!!!
Great choice, especially her beautiful haunting song Who knows where the time goes.This was written when she was only 19 years old.Loved her especially during her Fairport Convention association.
@@ninthgate100 Sandy has a great body of work with Fairport Convention, Fotheringay and Solo. "Leige and Leif" one of my Top 5 albums of all time. "Who Knows Where the Time Goes?" is one of my funeral songs. "The Banks of the Nile" is (to me) a very moving song and highlights her heavenly voice perfectly.
oui, oui. encore
Yes! The live version on Yessongs is amazing! I'm glad you will get to those too!
Lost illusion circumstance, that’s just where you are. I love Jon’s lyrics. Maybe try doing “And You And I” a beautiful song with beautiful lyrics. Great reaction. Yes was an amazing and very special band. Thanks Daniel.
My favorite song from my favorite Yes album. A yes win proposition.
Sir, your prog face is showing...it is an intelligent "stank face"
Oh, GREAT comment!
In one of their songs (I won't tell you which. You'll eventually get to it) YES perfectly summarizes their music in just 4 words. 'Disjointed, but with purpose'.
This is why they're my favorite band. Their music is complex, with many moving parts, that sometimes seems to be all over the place, but there's a definite clear structure to all of it, and each song stands alone as its own unique piece of art. They have written some of the most wild, some of the most crazy, some of the most beautiful, some of the most angelic music you'll ever hear. Some of their live performances, in addition to YesSongs, is YesShows, Yes Symphonic with an Orchestra, and Yes Union that features all 8 of them uniting to play together. 2 keyboards, 2 guitars, 2 drums, bass and vocals. ALL of these different live performances make them one of the most unique Rock groups ever.
This song is actually a subtle anti-war song. The Vietnam war, to be exact. Jon Anderson said that he wrote it for the soldiers that didn’t have any choice but to go to a war that wasn’t their fault, and the lack of any fanfare when they returned home. There is also a comparison of the soldiers “crawling out of dirty holes “ to the partying going on in Vegas. “Caesars palace morning glory, silly human race “ This is one brilliant song of Yes’ that does have a true meaning.
And I wrote this right before you read that part at the end...Your next one should be “Starship Trooper” off this album. In that you’ll hear a slightly audible background vocal from John Lennon and Yoko Ono - “All we are saying is give peace a chance”, which continues the anti-war sentiment.
I did Starship Trooper already:)
Dicon Dissectional Reactions - I just saw that! Anyway, I was actually talking about “I’ve Seen All Good People” from the same album (which you also already did! Did you get the Lennon reference in it?) Boy I’m all screwed up today!
KooKooTheBirdGirl lol 😊
@@kookoothebirdgirl1 Hah, but it makes for a fun read : )
Jon Anderson does give meaning to all his lyrics. Don't listen to those who say not. It's just not always as easily deciphered. He speaks in poetics. It's not necessarily going to give itself away freely. You have to try a bit harder. Or you can just feel it.
That’s what I was going to say.
@@Hartlor_Tayley Me too. He feels your interpretation is as valid as his own.
Glass 24 Very True👍🏻☮️
True, true, true. This amazing song gives pass to the soldiers of war. Jon is telling them that it is NOT their fault when their country makes them fight in war...
Jon also says in various interviews that he uses words to make sounds that fit the music, so the meaning can be a bit hard to read. Usually at least a couple of lines in a row make sense within themselves. This song is less abstruse than many other Yes songs.
When I see youngsters really getting into the music I grew up with makes me realize how good our generation had it!
One of many YES songs I listened to in college, alone in my bedroom, contemplating the future. And then I got distracted... and the Future is NOW.
The drummer here is the impeccable Bill Bruford also one of the top five in the world. All these players are virtuosos
Dat Bass.
This is me forty seven years ago when I was first turned on to YES.It was 1973.I was 16.Hooked from the start.
If I were stranded on a desert island with music from only one band, it would be Yes. If I could only listen to one band (😬) for the rest of my life, it would be Yes. And I caught you conducting. Bravo!
I agree with your observation that Squire’s bass drives the song. On your prog familiarization tour, you MUST listen to his solo album, “Fish Out Of Water.” It’s one of the best prog albums ever, I think.
As I have recommended many times, try the Yes song “On The Silent Wings Of Freedom.” It is a perfect example of Squire leading the way again. Top tier song.
Great review! Purple wolf hound refers to a world war 2 plane. The metaphors in Yes music are fun to study.
My Fav Band
Hi! Came here from Just JP after your convo! Had to see this one! Couldn't wait to see you get "taken up" at the end! 👏👏
ty
And it took until 2017 for these masters to be inducted into the RRHOF. Incredible.
The faces you make, your smiling and your amazement... I was probably looking just like that when first discovered Yes. in the early nineties. I was about your age at that time. It's so nice to see that this music can still amaze young persons even today.
This was my "go to" song in the 70s and still today. Happy, bouncy, dark. Has it all. I remember first hearing the guitar bounce between my headphones too. Yes is the best.
YOU : If it is Yes, turn it all the way up from the beginning.
ME : same
It's 1979, Denver, great seats, YES in the Round ! Right up there in my top 10 concert list ! ✌❤🌻😷🎶
1979, Austin, TX, nosebleed seats, Yes in the Round in a new venue (The Drum). Best concert I ever saw!
Hollywood Sportatorium, 15th row. We called the place "the Barn" for its lousy acoustics, but the concert was great! Not Hollywood California, but just outside Fort Lauderdale Florida, next to the Everglades. Took forever to get out of the parking lot. Here is a great article that sums the place up. www-sun--sentinel-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.sun-sentinel.com/entertainment/music/sf-hollywood-sportatorium-25-years-102013-20131011-story.html?amp_js_v=a6&_gsa=1&outputType=amp&usqp=mq331AQHKAFQArABIA%3D%3D#aoh=16025961920927&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&_tf=From%20%251%24s&share=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sun-sentinel.com%2Fentertainment%2Fmusic%2Fsf-hollywood-sportatorium-25-years-102013-20131011-story.html
Me: Madison Square Garden, NYC, insert all years from early to later, from nosebleeds to lower sections (although back then, any seat at a YES concert was heaven. But that concert in the round was especially memorable and incredible. 🎼🥁🎸🎹🎶
@@lindazee I totally agree that having ANY seat at a Yes concert was a guaranteed peak experience, including festival seating on a cold concrete floor in Abilene, TX, of all places!!!!
The acoustics at "The Drum" in Austin were so good, even up in the nosebleeds. And being up there when they went into their "Roundabout" encore, and seeing all the people from the higher seats come POURING down to crush together in front of the revolving stage, was an image that is burned in my brain!
@@MissAstorDancerwow, we were so lucky to have been around for those amazing shows. Great memories! Back then, even though YES was hugely popular and successful, they weren't exactly a household name. I always felt like we YES fans were part of a secret club, where only we actually "got them" in all their intricate beauty. They were an experience, not just a band that plays good music. They transcended us into another realm of understanding and being. If I'm not mistaken, YES broke concert records at Madison Square Garden.
Between Tony Kaye's Hammond organ and Chris Squires dirty bass lines this Yes lineup was the best.
On a bit of a tech standpoint, both Chris Squire of Yes and Geddy Lee of Rush play Rickenbacker basses. "The Ric Sound", with it's harder punchy treble/midrange and less bottom end applies particularly well in their genre but perhaps not so well in other genres.
Chris played with a pick
@@michaelhogan6770 He actually played bot ways, but he uses the pick particularly to get a sharper attack and "invented" a technique for it. I wonder what @Davie504 thinks of Chris Squire - now that he has made pick use no-longer illegal for bass players.
Great reaction to probably my favorite Yes song. One thing I believe you are trying to say is their music is so Uplifting, positive and inspirational. I think that each musician complements each other.. which makes for great song composition. It feels like they play off of each other, and results in a continuation of excellence and perfection..
Your reactions remind me what it was like to be your age in the times there was so much great music, new and fresh at the time. And moreover, we could go and see it live!!!
Its great being old...we got to see all the best bands, and watching these guys perform for 2 and a half hours non stop, note perfect, was like an out of body experience......50 years old and still unequaled musicianship...good to see they are even more appreciated now than when I was a kid, to see so many different reaction videos by younger folks , to YES, LED ZEP etc, reaffirms my music of choice as a youth was not as weird as my contemporaries would try to have me believe...the stuff they listened to is long forgotten
The Live Yessongs Version of this is Sublime, a must listen.
Don’t miss this same song as performed on the double live album Yessongs. The ultimate Yes lineup in their prime. It makes me so happy to hear you say how much you love my favorite band!
This is one of my all time favorite Yes tunes. 'The Yes Album' is a great record.
With this song, the lyrics actually do have a lot of meaning to the band. This was in the vietnam era, and was an inspiration to soldiers morally conflicted by fighting. Jon Anderson has spoken about this many times over the years. Caesar's Palace is a Las Vegas casino, and how silly it is that people are carousing and gambling while soldiers and sailors and pilots are traveling the globe in fighting for their lives and ours.
Great song!
"The Bass is driving teh song..."
Two words: Chris Squire.
"Yes is happy music...", gosh I've been a fan, Yes my favorite group for five decades and I would not have said that. It makes me happy, yeah. I never thought of the music itself as happy...
"I Love Yes so much...."
Well we agree on that!!
I have seen YES in 5 straight decades, once in the 70s and multiple times in the 80s 90s 00s and 10s. If they tour in the 2020s I will be there. No Chris is a bummer but Jon, Steve, Rick and Alan can pull it off.
IMO, this is the definitive version of they awesome Yes classic. It features the band's original keyboard player, Tony Kaye - his organ prominent in the left channel. Kaye was a very fine keyboard player in his own right, a bit Jazz influenced, more subtle and understated his later replacements. The adjective you're looking for to describe Yes' music: Exhilarating. On those verses, the Vocals are shared by lead singer Jon Anderson and bassist Chris Squire.
love ALL of Yes' stuff but my all-time favorite go to of theirs will always be Starship Trooper
I am so grateful I found your site. You remind me of when I first found these guys. Not only that, but you remind me of my son, who is a Millenial that had an open mind and love my music. Not to mention, he has a great voice. It's so rewarding to turn on the later generations what (not to be degrading) what real music used to be like. We were so lucky to live in that generation that changed music. Thank you.
One of Yes's best pieces; an air-tight perfectly constructed composition with bass and guitar up front and just dominating everything. It also stands out in terms of the way the vocal melody develops into different variaitions of the same idea. Brilliant stuff
12:08 Steve Howe strums behind the bridge on his Gibson ES-175.
Try ‘America’. It’s a cover of the Simon and Garfunkel’s song. Brilliant.
But make sure it's the long version of their cover of America, not the single version.
I saw Yes in the 90's.We had 10th row seats.The keyboards were vibrating in my chest. A awesome band.
I watched several of your videos this evening and I'm happy to see you have been introduced to some of the music of my youth. I wonder if you ever thought you would be listening to so many older bands and their music?
Now you know how lucky we feel having grown up when the canvas was blank and everything was new. It was much easier to craft an original and interesting song in an era where every chord progression hadn't been used, every lyric hadn't been sung... and when every hook and riff was new.
You made a particularly animated expression when the music changed and you heard what is called a "walking" bass line... when Chris Squire was walking up and down the neck playing only quarter notes in that four measure progression. It is used in several styles of music but primarily jazz and old big band stuff.
Squire and Howe together are just incredible to listen to. Along with King Crimson, Yes was one of the pioneers of what is now called Prog Rock.
I'm glad you're learning about some of the older bands. If you had grown up my household you would have already been a fan of Steely Dan, Boston, Yes, Spirit and dozens of others as my own kids are.
As amazing as Yes always was in the studio, they are fantastic live. The version of this on Yessongs is amazingly good, along with Starship Trooper - and all the rest. Honestly, they were as precise, as perfect, as high energy live as they are in studio.
Tony Kaye on the keyboards. Imagine losing Tony Kaye to gain Rick Wakeman. Squire, Howe, Bruford, Anderson, Kaye or Wakeman, one of the strongest musical lineups ever.
‘Yes’? Absolutely yes!
Chris Squire was always the constant for Yes. Everyone else came and went, sometimes returned. Squire was also a huge influence on other bass players. Yes was always striving to have the best musicians in the band.
This is from my favorite Yes album, mostly because of 'I've Seen All Good People'. While the meaning of Jon Anderson's lyrics isn't always clear they do convey a positive tone mostly. He just that kind of person.
The Yes Album is their 3rd album, but the first one with Steve Howe on guitar. And it blew everyone away, including me.
Re the bass: when Yes was inducted into the RRHOF Geddy Lee played bass because Chris Squire had passed. Not many others had the chops and their styles are fairly similar.
That and Geddy loved YES and loved Chris Squire, so he was very happy to be able to play with them. I'd love to see him play with ARW, though their bass player is awesome, but a special appearance would be awesome. Alex Lifeson too. That would be so great.
Daniel , I get such a kick outta seeing you being drawn into the Yes family and LOVING it.
Welcome to Yes Cosa Nostra .. our thing !! 👀
speaking fluent yes takes years dear ,,,,,,
have been to at least 20 yes shows,,,,my last show took my then 13 year old nephew and rick wakemans son was on keyboards was fanfreakintastic and steve howe was as good as ever
As someone mentioned, this is the third Yes album, and some regard it as their first proper prog album. HOWEVER, the first two albums rule and are super-hip. There's basically a music video for every track on Time and a Word, which is their second album. Don't sleep on those first two records!
And those are SOME crazy videos!My favorite is the one for “Everydays” when the nun chases the boys in a wild and wacky adventure!
Chris Squire's Bass playing could make a Brontosaur Gallop at full speed!!!! That is NOT a put-down, BTW, That's how Majestic his Bass playing is!
Glad to see that you enjoy Yes as much as we do. This was actually their 3rd album and the first to pair Howe and Squire together. The first two albums featured a lot of covers of other songs and did not meet with the success that this album did. This album laid the groundwork for what was to come in Fragile, Close to the Edge and Tales From Topographic Oceans, a trifecta of greatness. 🎸🎸🎸
This was really the beginning of YES, Steve Howe just joined the band and this song showcases his unbelievable diversity and virtuosity. Jon Anderson's voice in this one is so soulful and dynamic. Some of his best singing I think. I think this track is by far the gem of the album.
Steve Howe's lilting and Jazz-influenced guitar is tremendous! Steve also introduces a slightly-distorted bluesy/psychedelic touch along with dash of Spanish influence. Chris Squire's PUNCHY basslines are simply dynamic. As with Steve's stellar guitar riffs, Chris is all over that bass! Jon Anderson's vocals render a unique touch! The keys and percussion are amazing, as well! Great choice! This is Prog Rock at its absolute best! Bravo!
That was amazing, fabulous writing, musicianship and arrangement
Every Yes song from the original band is a Work of Art
It's so easy to hear Chris Squires influence on Geddy Lee on this tune.
Such a great song! I always thought of the Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas when listening to this song though.
And you were correct in thinking of Vegas...Jon was making a comparison from the “silly human race” partying in Vegas to our soldiers “Crawling out of dirty holes...”
Great band love your enthusiasm all the best from Belleville Ontario
When I first bought this album I hadn't heard "Yours Is no Disgrace" It blew so far, it was my favorite song showing me how such a complex arrangement can be put together by musical virtuosos and yet still flow beautifully on a singular coherent piece of art. And like you said the growling bass line of Chris Squire that drives the tune. This song showed me the genius of yes and it's 5 counterparts.
Third album. Purple wolfhound? I don't know. Drums, Bill Bruford.
A little added fun you might enjoy.
"Buried Alive" by Rick Wakeman with Ozzy singing, the song has a WEIRD 22 count beat !
.
Bill Bruford's beautiful drumming dexterity in "South Side Of the Sky" by YES & "3 of a Perfect Pair" by King Crimson
.
For Chris Squire's incredible bass, try "Lucky Seven" from his 'Fish Out Of Water' solo album,
Wow! "SSotS" is such a fantastic song!!!! Bruford's artistry is on full display! And I have NEVER seen ANYBODY mention the stunning "Three of a Perfect Pair"! Just an absolutely mind-bending song!!!!!
And I agree! "Lucky Seven" is also a completely mesmerizing song!!!
I will have to pull up "Buried Alive". I don't think I have heard it!
Flashback: Driving down a long county road, playing this loud, a friend of mine asked, "who are these guys? This rocks". We're smoking a joint because... well of course we were.
I said, if you like this, just wait until the next track Starship Trooper.
The Yes Album wasn't their first album- it was their first BIG album released early in 71. I was 9 at the time and didn't really get turned on to Yes for a while so it was an oldie when I started listening. Yes released Fragile later in 71, Close to the Edge(72), Tales from Topographic Oceans(73) and Relayer(74). That's some amazing creativity for any band in a relatively short period of time.
Their live album Yesshows in 73 is awesome and well worth having.
Good luck with you lyrical analysis. In 70s psychedelia, if you seek meaning, listen to the music and not the song.
Peace bro.
I like the way you sound like you're in pain whenever an especially tasty instrumental moment occurs, such as when the walking bass dipped way down to the low notes
The man was a poet. He CHOSE some words over others based on sound but he never came out with a line like : flower dresses burned and buttered the doughnut with caramel pickles... So yes, he had purpose behind all his lyrics and also might have tried to work pretty sounding words into parts of songs where he wanted them to do the most good. That's my take.
Hear, hear!!
I love this entire album. That is all.
Can Jon Anderson write unambiguous songs, lyrics? YES ! Yes he can.
"Turn Of The Century" from the Going for the One album
"Birthright" from the ABWH album super serious song
"Teakbois" also from the ABWH album, YES as a calypso band , lots of fun.
When ABWH toured, they started the concert with each member of the band doing a solo spot. Anderson started by walking through the crowd to the stage, singing an acoustic medley..."Time and a Word"/"Owner of a Lonely Heart/Teakbois (singing only one line from it) and back to "Time and a Word". They performed "Birthright" during that tour...about the nuclear test site in Woomera, Australia, and the impact it had on the Aborigines. The ABWH album is brilliant, but of all the songs on there, "Birthright" is my least favorite. "Teakbois" is one of my favorites and wish Anderson had done the opposite...put "Birthright" in the medley and "Teakbois" in its entirety as part of the set. It's one of those rare "Yes" songs that you can dance to.
"Quartet" is beautiful from start to finish and "Order of the Universe" is one of my all time favorite songs...not just Yes-related but all time favorite songs by any band. IMO, it is right up there with "Heart of the Sunrise".
Even his ambiguous songs have internal parts that make sense. It's up to us to contemplate his lrics in the context of the music and arrive at a meaning. As Jon tells us in Starship Trooper, "Take what I say in a different way and it's easy to say that this is all confusion/As I see a new day in me, I can also show if you and you may follow."