On Yes' root 2 albums, Yes (1969) in addition to Time in addition to a Word (1970), the quintet was generally searching for a audio on which they could build, losing ane of their master members -- guitarist Peter Banks -- inwards the process. Their 3rd fourth dimension out proved the charm -- The Yes Album constituted a de facto 2nd debut, introducing the audio that would deport them frontwards across the side past times side decade or more.
Gone are whatever covers of exterior material, the grouping at ane time working off of its ain music from the reason up. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 lot of the novel cloth was genuinely simpler -- inwards linear structure, at to the lowest degree -- than roughly of what had appeared on their previous albums, exactly the internal dynamics of their playing had besides altered radically, in addition to much of the empty infinite that had been acquaint inwards their before recordings was besides filled upwardly hither -- suddenly, betwixt novel fellow member Steve Howe's strange mix of country- in addition to folk-based progressive guitar in addition to the all of a abrupt liberated bass function in addition to drumming of Chris Squire in addition to Bill Bruford, respectively, the group's music became extremely busy. And atomic number 82 vocalist Jon Anderson, supported past times Squire in addition to Howe, filled whatever was left almost to overflowing.
Anderson's soaring falsetto in addition to the accompanying harmonies, attached to haunting melodies drawn from folk tunes equally oft equally rock, applied to words seemingly derived from scientific discipline fiction, in addition to all delivered with the bravura of an operatic surgery -- past times the band equally good equally the vocalist -- proved a compelling mix. What's more, despite the busy-ness of their novel sound, the grouping wasn't afraid to bear witness that less could sometimes hold upwardly more: 3 of the high points were the acoustic-driven "Your Move" in addition to "The Clap" (a superb showcase for Howe on solo acoustic guitar), in addition to the relatively low-key "A Venture" (oddly enough, the latter was the ane cutting hither that didn't terminal inwards the group's repertory; most of the rest, despite the contest from their subsequent work, remained inwards their concert prepare for years to come).
The Yes Album did what it had to do, outselling the group's root 2 long-players in addition to making the grouping an established presence inwards America where, for the root time, they began getting regular exposure on FM radio. Sad to say, the exclusively aspect of The Yes Album that didn't terminal much longer was Tony Kaye on keyboards: his Hammond organ holds its ain inwards the group's newly energized sound, in addition to is augmented past times pianoforte in addition to other instruments when needed, exactly he resisted the sentiment of adding the Moog synthesizer, that hot musical instrument of the moment, to his repertory. The band was looking for a bolder audio than the Hammond could generate, in addition to after roughly initial rehearsals of cloth that ended upwardly on their side past times side album, he was dropped from the lineup, to hold upwardly replaced past times Rick Wakeman.
Yes released 2 studio projects before The Yes Album came out inwards Feb 1971. But nobody exactly the band's most dedicated fans genuinely know nigh or always heed to those span of records. As far equally most stone 'n' curlicue fans are concerned, Yes started on The Yes Album.
It was the root grouping LP to include all master songs. More importantly, it was besides the band's root album with novel guitarist Steve Howe, who replaced Peter Banks the previous year. Both elements lifted the cloth in addition to the agency it was presented. The template for almost every cracking Yes song, in addition to nearly every album they made from hither on, begins on these vi tracks.
Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 cardinal constituent to this novel era found the band exploring to a greater extent than corners in addition to areas exterior of its commons boundaries. On their root 2 albums, no vocal runs longer than vi minutes; here, one-half of the LP's tracks accomplish the nine-minute mark. Keyboardist Tony Kaye, who joined the grouping non long after vocalist Jon Anderson in addition to bassist Chris Squire formed it inwards 1968, expanded his role, powering the album with his mighty organ, pianoforte in addition to synth fills. (He'd hold upwardly gone before Yes' side past times side album, Fragile, which was released nine months later, replaced past times Rick Wakeman.)
The most meaning musical advancement was the improver of Howe, whose classical- in addition to jazz-influenced playing gives The Yes Album a defining heft that was missing on the group's root 2 records. He's fifty-fifty given a solo acoustic showcase, "Clap," which is the album's shortest vocal in addition to the exclusively ane recorded exterior of the London studio where the residue of the LP was made. (It was recorded onstage at the Lyceum Theatre.)
Howe anchors the album's best songs -- opener "Yours Is No Disgrace," "Starship Trooper" in addition to "I've Seen All Good People," whose root part (titled "Your Move") became Yes' root Top xl unmarried inwards the the United States of America But, really, the whole grouping comes together hither for the root time. There's a tighter feel of camaraderie amid the musicians, equally instruments weave inwards in addition to out of each other, in addition to Anderson glides amongst it all with roughly of his most graceful performances.
In a way, it's Yes' most cohesive album equally a band. As the '70s dragged on, the records started to reverberate the private members', rather than the group's, aesthetics.The band besides started experimenting to a greater extent than with its songs, developing deeper layers of harmonies in addition to structures, and, notably at times, using the studio equally a type of playground, working with backing tracks in addition to tape loops at diverse points during the sessions.
It all paid off, equally The Yes Album climbed to No. four inwards Yes' native Britain in addition to reached No. xl inwards the the United States of America (The root 2 Yes projects had failed to chart.) The bigger breakthrough would larn inwards inside the side past times side year, when Fragile soared into the Top 5. But The Yes Album paved the way, chipping away at a proto-prog audio that would expand, before eventually caving inwards nether its ain weight, inwards the years to come. But hither the champaign is broad open.
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Track Listing:
1. Yours Is No Disgrace (9:36)
2. Clap (Live) (3:07) *
3. Starship Trooper: Life Seeker / Disillusion / Wurm (9:23)
4. I've Seen All Good People: Your Move / All Good People (6:47)
5. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 Venture (3:13)
6. Perpetual Change (8:50)
* Recorded Live at the Lyceum, London
Total Time: 41:56
Personnel:
- Jon Anderson / atomic number 82 vocals, percussion
- Steve Howe / acoustic & electrical guitars, Portuguese 12-string guitar (4), vocals
- Tony Kaye / Hammond organ, piano, Moog synthesizer
- Chris Squire / bass, vocals
- Bill Bruford / drums, percussion
With:
- Colin Goldring / recorders (4)
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