The Official Yes Thread

[emtee]

Rabin era is very enjoyable to me...still. And BG is worth checking out. Some great songs on it.

[Stadler]

I forgot about those outtakes on the box set.  So I guess it would be

Dear Father (which I'd have sworn was an album track, but no)
America
Vevey (Parts 1 and 2)
Montreux's Theme
Money
Abilene
Run with the Fox
Make It Easy
Love Conquers All

I included America, despite being a cover, since it sounds almost nothing like a cover (if I did a Judas Priest countdown, I'd include Diamonds and Rust and The Green Manalishi for the same reasons).  However, I didn't include I'm Down since it's basically the same as the original.

Dear Father was on Yesterdays; that may be where you thought it was on an album.

[Kwyjibo]

If you are including ABWH, there‘s a B-side called Vultures In The City. But it‘s probably not going to end up in anyones top 50.

[DTA]

I’d definitely be interested in a Yes countdown. Also the epic rankings are interesting - lyrics aside, I find That, That Is (what a dumb title though) to be really solid musically with a lot of cool ideas but it’s ranked close to or last on every list. They really should’ve done more in that era as TTI and Mind Drive are both great modern epics like something Neal Morse or Roine Stolt would’ve written.

[Orbert]

I like both "That, That Is" and "Mind Drive" from the Keys sessions.  To me, they're both modern epics worthy of inclusion on lists along with the classics from the 70's.  No, they're not going to beat out "Close to the Edge" but I do put the Keys tunes on sometimes.

That said, I agree with you that the lyrics to "That, That Is" are pretty weak (as opposed to "Mind Drive" which are just incomprehensible).  I think the problem is that Jon was trying to actually convey a message, but his literal lyrics aren't nearly as good as the nonsensical stuff, which at least provides some neat verbal imagery.  And yeah, the title is kinda dumb, too.  I think it would be greatly improved by simply removing the comma.  "That That Is" actually makes more sense.  The song is about things that are.  Simple as that.  The comma makes it all awkward and is grammatically incorrect in the first place.  Between that and the "crack time" lyrics, I can see why people don't love it.

[pg1067]

I compiled a list yesterday:  193 songs (including the ABWH album and including Vultures (which is what it was called on the cassette single of Brother of Mine that I bought)).

Seems like top 50 is the number.  That's enough that some more recent material might sneak in, but it won't be too intimidating for folks that only know the catalog through Union.  I'll probably start the thread sometime this weekend.

[Stadler]

I’d definitely be interested in a Yes countdown. Also the epic rankings are interesting - lyrics aside, I find That, That Is (what a dumb title though) to be really solid musically with a lot of cool ideas but it’s ranked close to or last on every list. They really should’ve done more in that era as TTI and Mind Drive are both great modern epics like something Neal Morse or Roine Stolt would’ve written.

I don't think it was Shirley and Julie on crack time, I think it was JON on crack time. 

Paul, got to tell you, really excited for this.  I'm pumped up for some Yes reminiscing!!!

[Architeuthis]

Hearts, but other than that...

Good call! That's certainly right up there with Changes, but more epic. It Can Happen is also a stellar track..

[ytserush]

So who agrees that Endless Dream is a top tier Yes epic?? 

Absolutely!

[ytserush]

I wouldn't count And You And I as an epic. That one is just one of the most beautiful love songs ever

I'd count it.

[ytserush]

Did we ever do a Yes song countdown?

EDIT:  Just checked, and it looks like the answer is no.  Who'd be interested?

Not qualified. Not a fan of Awaken, Close to The Edge (the song) Tormato and Open Your Eyes. Fell of the wagon after 2003 (before Jon Anderson left)

[ytserush]

Dear Father was on Yesterdays; that may be where you thought it was on an album.

Also a bonus track on the Time And A Word remasters after Yesterdays.

[James Mypetgiress]

Just got a ticket to their warm-up show for the UK/Euro tour - next week in a small town in Cornwall, a couple of hours drive from where I live. I expect it shall be a somewhat ropey affair. But I couldn't pass up the chance to see Yes in a 250 capacity venue. Hopefully it'll still be an enjoyable night!

[pg1067]

Just dropping this link here in case anyone hasn't see the countdown thread.

https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=58938.0

[SoundscapeMN]

Jon Anderson and the Band Geeks - True coming August 23rd.

1st single/video in Mid June.

https://www.facebook.com/TheJonAnderson/posts/pfbid032wWYA7GQfetFcCYNvYxVTrPnVp2NzN2hDqYP6Ud5T8Gtah3v5tC1kLWDLvDX9iivl

Album Announcement Press Release! May 8th 2024:
YES LEGEND JON ANDERSON AND THE BAND GEEKS RELEASE NEW ALBUM "TRUE" ON AUGUST 23RD, DEBUT SINGLE AND VIDEO PREMIERE MID-JUNE!
After a highly successful 2023 tour with The Band Geeks, Jon Anderson decided to expand the creative partnership with the band to create new material for a potential new studio album. The result of this effort is "TRUE" which will be released on August 23 by Jon’s new label, Frontiers Music. The 9-song album will be a welcome gift to all fans of Jon’s 40 years as lead vocalist of the multi-platinum Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee YES. The album’s collection of songs harkens back to YES’s classic 70’s sounds as well as to their latter-day success with the album "90125". The album’s release will be preceded by 2 singles and videos, the first arriving mid-June for the song "Shine On". The album was co-produced, engineered, and mixed by Band Geek bassist and musical director Richie Castellano.
Jon and The Band Geeks embark on their Summer 2024 tour starting May 30th in New Brunswick, NJ.  The tour will encompass three legs and will run through September. Additional September dates will be announced in the upcoming weeks.
Current tour dates:
5/30/2024 - Thursday - New Brunswick, NJ - State Theatre
6/1/2024 - Saturday - Englewood, NJ - Bergen PAC
6/3/2024 - Monday - Rochester, NY - Kodak Center Theatre
6/6/2024 - Thursday - Albany, NY - Hart Theatre
6/8/2024 - Saturday - Hammondsport, NY - Point of The Bluff Concert Pavilion
6/13/2024 - Thursday - Chicago, IL - Copernicus
6/15/2024 - Saturday - St. Louis, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheater
6/18/2024 - Tuesday - Greensburg, PA - Palace Theater
6/20/2024 - Thursday - Hershey, PA - Hershey Theatre
6/22/2024 - Saturday - Concord, NH - Capitol Center for the Arts
6/25/2024 - Tuesday - Boston, MA - Shubert Theatre
6/27/2024 - Thursday - Ridgefield, CT - Ridgefield Playhouse
7/21/2024 - Sunday - Patchogue, NY - Great South Bay Music Festival
7/24/2024 - Wednesday - Nashville, TN - Ryman Auditorium*
7/27/2024 - Saturday - Peachtree City, GA - Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheatre
7/30/2024 - Tuesday - Camdenton, MO - Ozarks Amphitheater*
8/2/2024 - Friday - Bonner Springs, KS - Azura Amphitheater*
8/4/2024 - Sunday - La Vista, NE - The Astro Outdoors*
8/7/2024 - Wednesday - Waite Park, MN - The Ledge Amphitheater*
8/10/2024 - Saturday - Denver, CO - Paramount
8/14/2024 - Wednesday - Phoenix, AZ - Celebrity Theatre
8/16/2024 - Friday - Thousand Oaks, CA - Thousand Oaks Performing Arts Center
*w/Special Guests The Return of Emerson, Lake & Palmer
9/13/2024 Friday Glenside PA Keswick Theatre
9/15/2024 Sunday Glenside PA Keswick Theatre
For more information:
Jon Anderson’s official website: www.JonAnderson.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheJonAnderson/
Band Geek official website: https://richiecastellano.com/bandgeek/
Jon Anderson YES Epics and Classics:
Website: http://jonandersonyesepicsandclassics.com/
Facebook: Jon Anderson YES Epics & Classics - https://www.facebook.com/jonandersonyesepicsandclassics/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonandersonyesepicsandclassics
Twitter: @JonYesEpic
TikTok: @JonAndersonYESEpic

[ProfessorPeart]

Jon Anderson and the Band Geeks - True coming August 23rd.

1st single/video in Mid June.

https://www.facebook.com/TheJonAnderson/posts/pfbid032wWYA7GQfetFcCYNvYxVTrPnVp2NzN2hDqYP6Ud5T8Gtah3v5tC1kLWDLvDX9iivl

Saw that today. Very much looking forward to this.

[pg1067]

I just checked the setlist from the show this past Thursday.  Let's just say that the top 10 from the recently completed countdown was well-represented.  I'm hoping I can work it out to seen Jon and the Geeks when they come to southern California!

[emtee]

Jon Anderson and The Band Geeks - Awaken. Stunning!

https://youtu.be/yw1HyYjBsJ4?si=_GI67p4hyswwWD_S

[romdrums]

Jon Anderson and The Band Geeks - Awaken. Stunning!

https://youtu.be/yw1HyYjBsJ4?si=_GI67p4hyswwWD_S

They play it with more precision and emotion than Steve Howe's Yes, that's for sure!

[pg1067]

What that man is capable of at the age of 79 1/2 is otherworldly.

Also, Richie's bass is missing a couple of necks.

[Stadler]

By the way, finally dug into the Progeny set; really good stuff.   The band is pretty much on fire.  The set list is hot and it's amazing to hear Alan White sort of working his way through the set, learning the material on the fly.  The jams on "Yours Is No Disgrace" are fascinating and illuminating.   Yes is a far better jam band than you'd think from the structure of most of their music.



Sort of sidebar, since it's not really relevant to the music: it's fascinating to hear the stage banter though; it's really illustrative of many of the assumptions by the band.   Chris weighs in once - commenting sort of spacily on some candles in Ottawa, and immediately compares it to LA, a city he later became pretty enamored of - and Jon and Steve do most of the talking.  Jon takes a couple of swipes at Rick for his keyboard setup troubles.  And Steve - annoyingly, to me - seemingly has to announce to the crowd each night that he's got to set up the sound of his "little" guitar; isn't that what soundcheck is for?  A couple of the comments can be construed as sort of back-hand, passive aggressive swipes at the crew, and it's hard not to listen and think "he's a dick; damn fine guitar player, though."

[pg1067]

What is "the progeny set"?

[Stadler]

What is "the progeny set"?

A box set of seven shows from the 1972 tour, from which some of the performances on Yessongs were taken (there were at least two other shows on Yessongs that are not in the Progeny box set).   

[pg1067]

A box set of seven shows from the 1972 tour, from which some of the performances on Yessongs were taken (there were at least two other shows on Yessongs that are not in the Progeny box set).

I just checked.  Looks like it's the identical set list at every show?  Is the recording quality good?

[Stadler]

I just checked.  Looks like it's the identical set list at every show?  Is the recording quality good?

It is an identical set list, but they don't play it note-for-note each night. Some songs are more similar than others - Siberian Khatru is more or less the same, as is Your Move/All Good People.  But Howe messes with his solo spot; sometimes it's Mood For A Day > Clap, other nights it's Noodling > MFAD > Clap, other nights it's Clap > MFAD and I think even once it's Clap > MFAD > Clap.   Rick's solo has the same high lights, but the connecting bits are different... 

Soundwise it's pretty damn good. Actually slightly less muddy than Yessongs.

[Orbert]

The jamming intro to "Yours is No Disgrace" is also different each time, sometimes very different.  And at the end of "Close to the Edge" they go into a cool, low-key jam that's different each time.  Those are just two examples I can think of.  There are other improv moments here and there.  Rick's solo in "Close to the Edge" has common elements but is always a little different.

Yes, it's the same set list each time, but as Stadler said, it's impressive how much improvisation there is.  I was really surprised, as I'd thought that with such complex music that they'd keep things really tight all the way around, but that's definitely not the case.  Each show has its own flavor.

[pg1067]

It is an identical set list, but they don't play it note-for-note each night. Some songs are more similar than others - Siberian Khatru is more or less the same, as is Your Move/All Good People.  But Howe messes with his solo spot; sometimes it's Mood For A Day > Clap, other nights it's Noodling > MFAD > Clap, other nights it's Clap > MFAD and I think even once it's Clap > MFAD > Clap.   Rick's solo has the same high lights, but the connecting bits are different... 

Soundwise it's pretty damn good. Actually slightly less muddy than Yessongs.

I was gonna say I'll check it out, but it's $450 on Amazon (or $52 for a 2-CD "highlights" package).  Never mind.   


On a different note:  I have been told that there is a version of Yesshows floating around that doesn't have Ritual split between two tracks.  The original vinyl album had it split between sides 3 and 4, while the CD I bought sometime in the '90s has it split between two different tracks.  This appears to be the split track version:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000002J24/?coliid=I2IGSAOMKZE47D&colid=2R6JEU27BWM8V&psc=1&ref_=list_c_wl_lv_ov_lig_dp_it

Anyone no where the non-split version can be acquired?

[Orbert]

I have no idea where you could get one today.  I have the original LP version with the split, and I know the original CD version just transferred that to disc, but my copy has Ritual edited back together (almost seamlessly) into one track.  But I got it like 30 years ago or whatever.

[pg1067]

I have no idea where you could get one today.  I have the original LP version with the split, and I know the original CD version just transferred that to disc, but my copy has Ritual edited back together (almost seamlessly) into one track.  But I got it like 30 years ago or whatever.

The Wikipedia article for the album identifies a 1989 Japanese CD, a 1994 "digital remaster with a 12-page booklet," and a 2009 Japanese "digital remaster."  Sounds like I probably want the 1994 version.

[The Curious Orange]

Yes, the CD did originally split them, but the standard 1994 remaster, which is the widely available one, now links them into one track

Ignore the Amazon track listing and look at the track listing on the rear cover photo. That is the one-track version.

[Kwyjibo]

I have a remastered CD, but don't know when it was remastered, the cover doesn't give any information other than it was "digitally remastered by Joe Gastwirt at Ocean View Digital"

The rear cover shows Ritual as one track with a runtime of 28:22. But on the actual CD the track is still split into two parts.

[The Curious Orange]

does it fade out and fade back in again or is it one piece of music?

[Kwyjibo]

No it doesn't fade out/fade in, but there's a small but noticeable gap between the two tracks.

[Orbert]

Yeah, originally they kept the fade out/fade in, because they literally just ported the LP master over to CD.  Someone with a little more brains figured out that they could (and should) put them back together, but it wasn't quite seamless.  I think I ended up fixing mine using software.

[King Postwhore]

Seeing John live next Saturday with the Band Geeks.  Looking forward to it.