Steve Howe was voted best "rock" guitarist 5 years straight in the '70's, by a jury of his peers - I would agree that Chris's bass is the bedrock, but most of their material was written by Jon and Steve and gave each member of the band a chance to shine. A lifetime of listening and it never gets old..
Jon and Chris co-founded Yes. Chris never said anything along the lines of "let's make this about me." All the members were on an equal footing; there was no leader although Jon was like the musical director. Jon liked the title of Robert Heinlein's novel but the song itself has nothing to do with it. Jon: "We are the caretakers of the Earth. And the idea of the lyric just coming out in a clear definition was basically what I was doing with “Starship Trooper go sailing on by.” For me, “Starship Trooper” was my higher self talking to me. “Sister Bluebird” - my higher self. It was my higher self saying “I know where you are, I’ve seen who you are, but I’m not going to tell you because you’ve got to discover it yourself”: “Though you see me, please don’t tell a soul.” What I haven’t seen, I can’t tell. It’s not very whole until I’ve seen it. So it’s all metaphors ... sketching and writing whatever I sang as being a state of consciousness."
Chris Squire might not have been the best bassist that ever lived, but he was certainly the most flamboyant. The man was definitely not cut out for a studio musician. The bold rifts he made up were beyond anything I've heard anywhere else. "Your's Is No Disgrace," would have just been a Steve Howe picking a pleasant by forgettable Country/Western tune, without him. As Howe was say about his compilation with Jon Anderson, the piece is more than the sum of the parts.
Yes has always been top tier. Some changes in the lineup over the years but the music stands the test of time and still kicks ass. Heart of the Sunrise.
I see there’s a fourth video which is currently listed as “unavailable.” I’ve seen this for the selections from the newest album, Mirror To The Sky, but so far that’s the only Yes album I’ve seen be blocked. Of the three Yes videos by you I’ve seen, you’ve experienced three different line ups. Starship Trooper is the oldest of the line ups you’ve heard so far. Prior to this album, The Yes Album, Yes released two albums with their original line up: Jon Anderson - lead vocals Chris Squire - bass and backing vocals Peter Banks - lead guitar and backing vocals Tony Kaye - mostly organ and a few other keyboards Bill Bruford - drums On The Yes Album Peter Banks had left the band and was replaced by Steve Howe. So on this track the line up is: Anderson Squire Howe Kaye Bruford The next song you heard in chronological order was Roundabout. That came from the album immediately after The Yes Album, called Fragile. At this point Tony Kaye had left the band and Rick Wakeman replaced him. So the lineup for Roundabout was: Anderson Squire Howe Wakeman Bruford Awaken, the most recent Yes track you have heard that I know of, came off of the Going For The One album, which is six years and four albums later. In the meantime Bill Bruford left the band and was replaced by Alan White. Then Rick Wakeman left the band for one album and was replaced by Patrick Moraz, who later joined the Moody Blues. But Rick Wakeman returned for Going For The One and the next album, Tormato. Then all hell breaks loose in subsequent Yes albums. However, the lineup for Awaken is mostly the same as Roundabout, except Alan White has replaced Bill Bruford. So the line up for Awaken is: Anderson Squire Howe Wakeman White Three different Yes songs. Three different line ups. Although the line ups for both Roundabout and Awaken are considered the classic line ups for the band.
My first Yes Album, back then in 1971, when it was released. Awesome track. I’ve already commented about this Album, on your I’ve Seen All Good People video. Glad you’re loving Yes. 🎶❤️🎶
Yeah. This and And You And I. But so many! So many great songs. The future will be amazed that these guys did both The Gates Of Delirium and Close To The Edge! Awaken!
This and Roundabout were the final songs on a lot of their tours, you have listen to both and Awaken. They used to start their concerts with a recording of Firebird Suite and then into start the concert, Siberian Khatru. Maybe a good next YES tune to do. You still have the 2 epics, Close to the Edge and Gates of Delirium, along with so many other incredible songs by YES. Peace.
Bill Bruford is so underrated, but probably understandable when you have Steve Howe and Chris Squire in the band as well. His snare work is always impeccable, and he always has that jazzy swing style that's so interesting and unusual for rock. I also really like his work with King Crimson in the 80's (and his solo albums with Allan Holdsworth at that time).
Now that you've done Roundabout, Starship Trooper and one other, I think it's time you tackled Close To The Edge, Siberian Khatru and And You And I. The entire album is sublime and is only 3 songs. I can't wait to listen along! 😎
Next to Tull, and Pink Floyd, my favorite progrock group is yes. I have at least 5 or so favorite guitar soloists, which includes Steve Howe, I could never pick just one, but of all the music I have listened to, my favorite all time bass player has been Chris Squire. I saw them back in the 70's, just before the legal issues between Chris and Jon, but the one word I have always used to describe Chris's bass is PHAT. He always lets you know he's there, and not just a beat counter. I was so sad when I read he had passed back in 2015, but his greatness will always live on.
To the inattentive listener, this song may seem pretty but simple. Nothing more wrong, this song is a wonderful display of musical mastery in composition and execution and it does so without falling into unnecessary excesses (such as endless intricate solos for personal show off), because everything is subordinated to the beauty of the song. It is art at its finest.
There is a movie called Starship Troopers, which is loosely based on a novel by Robert A. Heinlein. This song has nothing to do with the movie. Though the novel was written in the late 50s/early 60s, it's unlikely anyone from Yes was familiar with it, and the movie wasn't made until the late 90s, after this song was recorded. The core of Yes is the three you mentioned, Jon, Chris, and Steve. In my favorite version of the band the drummer was Bill Bruford and the keyboardist was Rick Wakeman, but there have been other drummers and keyboardists that did fantastic music with Yes, as well. When you get to Close to the Edge, that's the version of the band I mention as my favorite, and when you think you're ready for a rich and sublime musical experience that will take you somewhere far away and bring you back again to home, with memories that you can't quite wrap your head around...until the next time you listen to it. 🙃 Sorry, poet here, so sometimes I can't help myself...just listen to it when you have full attention for it, and I guarantee that you will be struggling like me, someday, to find the right words to tell someone else to do so. 😂
I absolutely love seeing people discover this band. That they co.posed all these songs in their twenties is crazy to me. Truly original and still unique over 50 years later. Heart of the Sunrise is amazing and Gates of Delirium will blow your f'ing mind. Edit: maybe do Close to the Edge befoe Gates, tho...
Great reaction Critical! I've been enjoying your The Warning reactions, but YES is my all-time favorite band. TW is my favorite band over the last 5 years. 🤘🤓👍
This song and Yours Is No Disgrace are at its best live, like from Yessongs (not the video from that concert though, it's out of sync) and other recordings, they really jam out and take it up a few more notches. The other must listen on this album is I've Seen All Good People.
One must acknowledge the immense contribution of their astounding drummer, Bill Bruford. He was the right drummer for this music. He understood all the pauses and pushes. His syncopations are intricate. His touch is delicate. How he makes his drumkit move this bizarre, new (at that time) music forward is an astonishing achievement. Yes would not be Yes, at least on these first albums, without Bill Bruford.
Actually Jon Anderson and Chris Squire formed the band Yes" Jon Anderson is the band's main Songwriter!!! Steve Howe the guitar player is the band's Producer!!! Also Steve masters 19 string instruments including Layed -down Slide guitar and Mandolin.
In my humble but honest opinion, this song is one of their absolute best. Check out any of the four tracks from Tales from Topographic Oceans. For my money, that album is the band's crowning achievement, but be warned. It's so far "out there" that it left even most Yes fans scratching their heads. Even Rick Wakeman didn't really understand it. ;-)
the singer Jon and the bass player Chris began the band, but when guitarist Steve joined this gem was the album that took them to another level in 1971. Drummer Bruford is a genius, and on Keys Tony Kaye is his last album until the great Rick Wakeman joined next.
As you clearly enjoy progressive rock maybe check out some more recent incarnations such as Porcupine Tree (don’t let the strange name put you off). Take a listen to the studio version of ‘Trains’, or almost anything on YT live. Maybe ‘The start of something beautiful’ as I promise it will be. Also check out the lead singer, Steven Wilson’’s solo work maybe ‘Luminol’ live. The relevance to YES is that Steven was chosen by Yes to digitally remaster almost all of their catalogue and to produce 5.1 surround versions. Hence Porcupine tree not only has masterful musicianship but A1 production.
The movie starship troopers came out in 1997!! One crazy movie you should definitely check out about humans in the future fighting giant bugs!! Very real-looking bugs huge cast of actors!!!! The song your listening to came out in 1971!! However the movie that came out in 97 is based on a Robert A. Heinlein book that came out in 1959. So I'm not sure who influence who here and even if the song and the book are related????
I was searching Wikipedia for a personnel list for this album, but couldn't find one. But my recollection is that Tony Kaye played keyboards on this album and Rick Wakeman did not come on board until later 1971, and Fragile. Anyone know for sure?
This is my favorite Yes song. A great live version of this was done in 1984 with some different personnel, including Trevor Rabin on the guitar. Here is a link to this video: th-cam.com/video/zpDF2M7n3gM/w-d-xo.html
That’s one of the first times I heard this song and I still ❤❤❤ it and the whole 9012live movie. Thanks for the link but it doesn’t work for me. Sadly as it’s been YEARS since I saw it. ❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉 Shame the lineup gets slammed as it was stomping and pure crystal Yes 😊
Chris pulled the band togeather . His earlier band , the Syn , had some minor success . Jon also had his own band , and Steve Howe - not an original member of Yes - was part of the band Tomorrow . Their first album isnt perfect , but its good . This track cannot be praised enough .
The best on the album; the last one Tony Kaye played keyboards on until 1983 ❤❤ There was a movie, Starship Troopers; pretty bad. Oh, sorry: Perpetual Change is best on the album; but do dig back two albums to their first 2 without Steve Howe. Only then will you appreciate what an immense and lifelong journey through the soul this band is. Even their 80s pop is staggeringly good ❤❤❤ BTW, Chris Squire on bass was the only member to play on every band from the first until he died.
If you're really listening to a track for the first time and reacting to it, you really should consider playing the entire song and not stopping. That disruption kills the vibe and the flow of the song. Good video overall though man.
You are either REALLY enjoying this, or you are the best actor on the planet. LOL. BEST. BAND. EVER.
Steve Howe was voted best "rock" guitarist 5 years straight in the '70's, by a jury of his peers - I would agree that Chris's bass is the bedrock, but most of their material was written by Jon and Steve and gave each member of the band a chance to shine. A lifetime of listening and it never gets old..
And Rick Wakeman one of the best keyboard players.
Add Chris Squire won 7 straight best bassist. FYI Chris, Steve and Jon were self taught
No doubt in my mind that this is the best song that Yes ever recorded.
Jon and Chris co-founded Yes. Chris never said anything along the lines of "let's make this about me." All the members were on an equal footing; there was no leader although Jon was like the musical director.
Jon liked the title of Robert Heinlein's novel but the song itself has nothing to do with it. Jon: "We are the caretakers of the Earth. And the idea of the lyric just coming out in a clear definition was basically what I was doing with “Starship Trooper go sailing on by.” For me, “Starship Trooper” was my higher self talking to me. “Sister Bluebird” - my higher self. It was my higher self saying “I know where you are, I’ve seen who you are, but I’m not going to tell you because you’ve got to discover it yourself”: “Though you see me, please don’t tell a soul.” What I haven’t seen, I can’t tell. It’s not very whole until I’ve seen it. So it’s all metaphors ... sketching and writing whatever I sang as being a state of consciousness."
Huge Rush fan here...I know why Geddy Lee loved this band so much...Starship Trooper might be one of the greatest pieces of music ever composed!!!
Chris Squire might not have been the best bassist that ever lived, but he was certainly the most flamboyant. The man was definitely not cut out for a studio musician. The bold rifts he made up were beyond anything I've heard anywhere else. "Your's Is No Disgrace," would have just been a Steve Howe picking a pleasant by forgettable Country/Western tune, without him. As Howe was say about his compilation with Jon Anderson, the piece is more than the sum of the parts.
Yes has always been top tier. Some changes in the lineup over the years but the music stands the test of time and still kicks ass. Heart of the Sunrise.
I see there’s a fourth video which is currently listed as “unavailable.” I’ve seen this for the selections from the newest album, Mirror To The Sky, but so far that’s the only Yes album I’ve seen be blocked.
Of the three Yes videos by you I’ve seen, you’ve experienced three different line ups.
Starship Trooper is the oldest of the line ups you’ve heard so far. Prior to this album, The Yes Album, Yes released two albums with their original line up:
Jon Anderson - lead vocals
Chris Squire - bass and backing vocals
Peter Banks - lead guitar and backing vocals
Tony Kaye - mostly organ and a few other keyboards
Bill Bruford - drums
On The Yes Album Peter Banks had left the band and was replaced by Steve Howe. So on this track the line up is:
Anderson
Squire
Howe
Kaye
Bruford
The next song you heard in chronological order was Roundabout. That came from the album immediately after The Yes Album, called Fragile. At this point Tony Kaye had left the band and Rick Wakeman replaced him. So the lineup for Roundabout was:
Anderson
Squire
Howe
Wakeman
Bruford
Awaken, the most recent Yes track you have heard that I know of, came off of the Going For The One album, which is six years and four albums later. In the meantime Bill Bruford left the band and was replaced by Alan White. Then Rick Wakeman left the band for one album and was replaced by Patrick Moraz, who later joined the Moody Blues. But Rick Wakeman returned for Going For The One and the next album, Tormato. Then all hell breaks loose in subsequent Yes albums.
However, the lineup for Awaken is mostly the same as Roundabout, except Alan White has replaced Bill Bruford. So the line up for Awaken is:
Anderson
Squire
Howe
Wakeman
White
Three different Yes songs.
Three different line ups.
Although the line ups for both Roundabout and Awaken are considered the classic line ups for the band.
My first Yes Album, back then in 1971, when it was released.
Awesome track. I’ve already commented about this Album, on your I’ve Seen All Good People video.
Glad you’re loving Yes. 🎶❤️🎶
Maybe my favorite Yes song. Thanks for listening.
Yeah. This and And You And I.
But so many! So many great songs.
The future will be amazed that these guys did both The Gates Of Delirium and Close To The Edge!
Awaken!
Yes is / was the kind of band that each member is built i a laboratory and is the template of perfection. 4:31
That outro still gives me goosebumps after hundreds of times listening.
It’s brilliant, agreed ❤
To me, this is one of the best song in all rock.
This and Roundabout were the final songs on a lot of their tours, you have listen to both and Awaken. They used to start their concerts with a recording of Firebird Suite and then into start the concert, Siberian Khatru. Maybe a good next YES tune to do. You still have the 2 epics, Close to the Edge and Gates of Delirium, along with so many other incredible songs by YES. Peace.
Nice kid we're on the Yes train with ya!
The bass is great but to me the drumming in this song is exquisite. So crisp.
Bill Bruford is so underrated, but probably understandable when you have Steve Howe and Chris Squire in the band as well. His snare work is always impeccable, and he always has that jazzy swing style that's so interesting and unusual for rock. I also really like his work with King Crimson in the 80's (and his solo albums with Allan Holdsworth at that time).
@@DocSardoHis ‘One of a Kind’ album is still one of my top ten favorite cds.👍
Top ten favorite songs of mine.
Now that you've done Roundabout, Starship Trooper and one other, I think it's time you tackled Close To The Edge, Siberian Khatru and And You And I. The entire album is sublime and is only 3 songs. I can't wait to listen along! 😎
I First heard this aged 14 about 1972. The album changed my life so, welcome to my musical world....
Next to Tull, and Pink Floyd, my favorite progrock group is yes. I have at least 5 or so favorite guitar soloists, which includes Steve Howe, I could never pick just one, but of all the music I have listened to, my favorite all time bass player has been Chris Squire. I saw them back in the 70's, just before the legal issues between Chris and Jon, but the one word I have always used to describe Chris's bass is PHAT. He always lets you know he's there, and not just a beat counter. I was so sad when I read he had passed back in 2015, but his greatness will always live on.
At the time of his death, Squire was the only member to have appeared on every Yes album.
To the inattentive listener, this song may seem pretty but simple. Nothing more wrong, this song is a wonderful display of musical mastery in composition and execution and it does so without falling into unnecessary excesses (such as endless intricate solos for personal show off), because everything is subordinated to the beauty of the song. It is art at its finest.
Yes. That’s right.
YES!!!🤩
The classic ending to this classic Yes song actually came from an unknown album from Steve Howes previous band Bodast.
One of rocks most epic songs! ❤
This song made me a life long fan!! I'm 68... ❤️🎶
There is a movie called Starship Troopers, which is loosely based on a novel by Robert A. Heinlein. This song has nothing to do with the movie. Though the novel was written in the late 50s/early 60s, it's unlikely anyone from Yes was familiar with it, and the movie wasn't made until the late 90s, after this song was recorded. The core of Yes is the three you mentioned, Jon, Chris, and Steve. In my favorite version of the band the drummer was Bill Bruford and the keyboardist was Rick Wakeman, but there have been other drummers and keyboardists that did fantastic music with Yes, as well. When you get to Close to the Edge, that's the version of the band I mention as my favorite, and when you think you're ready for a rich and sublime musical experience that will take you somewhere far away and bring you back again to home, with memories that you can't quite wrap your head around...until the next time you listen to it. 🙃 Sorry, poet here, so sometimes I can't help myself...just listen to it when you have full attention for it, and I guarantee that you will be struggling like me, someday, to find the right words to tell someone else to do so. 😂
I have his album hanging like a shrine on my wall.
They were pretty much a normal sounding band before this album. Then something happened and they became the best prog band ever.
Then something happened!!! YES!!!!!!!! Sure glad it did happen.
I disagree. Their first two albums were exceptional to me ❤❤
I absolutely love seeing people discover this band. That they co.posed all these songs in their twenties is crazy to me. Truly original and still unique over 50 years later. Heart of the Sunrise is amazing and Gates of Delirium will blow your f'ing mind. Edit: maybe do Close to the Edge befoe Gates, tho...
Great reaction Critical! I've been enjoying your The Warning reactions, but YES is my all-time favorite band. TW is my favorite band over the last 5 years.
🤘🤓👍
Steve Howe played the guitar. Jon just sang (that's all he needed to do.) Jon and Chris started the band.
This song and Yours Is No Disgrace are at its best live, like from Yessongs (not the video from that concert though, it's out of sync) and other recordings, they really jam out and take it up a few more notches. The other must listen on this album is I've Seen All Good People.
The YES rabbit hole. Listen to "Heart of the Sunrise". Their ultimately best song, I think. ✌ (Jodi/Child of the 60s)
One must acknowledge the immense contribution of their astounding drummer, Bill Bruford. He was the right drummer for this music. He understood all the pauses and pushes. His syncopations are intricate. His touch is delicate. How he makes his drumkit move this bizarre, new (at that time) music forward is an astonishing achievement. Yes would not be Yes, at least on these first albums, without Bill Bruford.
Actually Jon Anderson and Chris Squire formed the band Yes" Jon Anderson is the band's main Songwriter!!! Steve Howe the guitar player is the band's Producer!!! Also Steve masters 19 string instruments including Layed -down Slide guitar and Mandolin.
In my humble but honest opinion, this song is one of their absolute best.
Check out any of the four tracks from Tales from Topographic Oceans. For my money, that album is the band's crowning achievement, but be warned. It's so far "out there" that it left even most Yes fans scratching their heads. Even Rick Wakeman didn't really understand it. ;-)
the singer Jon and the bass player Chris began the band, but when guitarist Steve joined this gem was the album that took them to another level in 1971. Drummer Bruford is a genius, and on Keys Tony Kaye is his last album until the great Rick Wakeman joined next.
I've heard the band has had a revolving door of members over many years, so in the future I don't think I can take a stab at who is who 😆
As you clearly enjoy progressive rock maybe check out some more recent incarnations such as Porcupine Tree (don’t let the strange name put you off). Take a listen to the studio version of ‘Trains’, or almost anything on YT live. Maybe ‘The start of something beautiful’ as I promise it will be. Also check out the lead singer, Steven Wilson’’s solo work maybe ‘Luminol’ live. The relevance to YES is that Steven was chosen by Yes to digitally remaster almost all of their catalogue and to produce 5.1 surround versions. Hence Porcupine tree not only has masterful musicianship but A1 production.
Just say Yes❤
Outstanding.
Whenever I see anyone enjoying Life Seeker and Disillusion so much, I find myself thinking you are in trouble, there is still Wurm!
And at 9:36 Howe makes you leave your seat and jump and shout YES !!!!!
Good man Enjoy the YES train.
I take it from your smile that you get it.
The movie starship troopers came out in 1997!! One crazy movie you should definitely check out about humans in the future fighting giant bugs!! Very real-looking bugs huge cast of actors!!!!
The song your listening to came out in 1971!! However the movie that came out in 97 is based on a Robert A. Heinlein book that came out in 1959. So I'm not sure who influence who here and even if the song and the book are related????
Both the movie and the song were influenced by the novel. Its fascinating how each took something different on the original.
Yes 👍💪👌
worth lstening to the 'Yessongs' triple lve album..its got Rick wakeman on keyboards which imo fleshes out these brilliant tracks even better
Beyond epic
😢😢great
❤️❤️❤️
Jon and Chris met in a bar and the rest is prog rock history.
Give CLOSE TO EDGE a go - probably the greatest piece of contemporary music from the great Prog Rock band of all time. 😎😎
I was searching Wikipedia for a personnel list for this album, but couldn't find one. But my recollection is that Tony Kaye played keyboards on this album and Rick Wakeman did not come on board until later 1971, and Fragile. Anyone know for sure?
Tony Kaye played the keyboards on this studio version. Rick Wakeman played keyboards on the Live Yessongs version from 1973.
When I heard Starship Tropper it always made me sad. They always ended the show with it. Been to 24 Yes concerts.
Steve Howe is why Guitar Player Magazine cut off guitar player of the year at 5 times in a row.
He was banned from entering contests and to be included in other topics of guitar playing.
This is my favorite Yes song. A great live version of this was done in 1984 with some different personnel, including Trevor Rabin on the guitar. Here is a link to this video:
th-cam.com/video/zpDF2M7n3gM/w-d-xo.html
That’s one of the first times I heard this song and I still ❤❤❤ it and the whole 9012live movie. Thanks for the link but it doesn’t work for me. Sadly as it’s been YEARS since I saw it. ❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉 Shame the lineup gets slammed as it was stomping and pure crystal Yes 😊
Yes there was movie by that name 26yrs after this song, no relation between the two.
Chris pulled the band togeather . His earlier band , the Syn , had some minor success . Jon also had his own band , and Steve Howe - not an original member of Yes - was part of the band Tomorrow . Their first album isnt perfect , but its good . This track cannot be praised enough .
The best on the album; the last one Tony Kaye played keyboards on until 1983 ❤❤ There was a movie, Starship Troopers; pretty bad.
Oh, sorry: Perpetual Change is best on the album; but do dig back two albums to their first 2 without Steve Howe. Only then will you appreciate what an immense and lifelong journey through the soul this band is. Even their 80s pop is staggeringly good ❤❤❤ BTW, Chris Squire on bass was the only member to play on every band from the first until he died.
If you're really listening to a track for the first time and reacting to it, you really should consider playing the entire song and not stopping. That disruption kills the vibe and the flow of the song. Good video overall though man.
Have you reacted to Long Distance Runaround/the fish(Schindleria Preamaturus)?
👍
Check keys to ascention version