Dave - since you are doing lists. And your opinion is appreciated. Would you please consider doing either a top 5 or so list of the best atlantic 75 releases you’ve gotten to date? Thank you
Not a bad idea: I'm only just dipping my toe in the water with these sort of lists. If people like them I can certainly do more... Thanks for the suggestion.
Another excellent video from you. My first YES album was "Going for the One" as well and I still love it. I couldn't stop listening to Awaken, it's a fantastic piece of music. Agree with your top 10 thoughts although I may shunt "Relayer" up a little, for me all the top 10 should be 1st=. Can't wait for Genesis review. I have the Analogue 75th "The YES Album" is phenomenal. Thanks for your videos, they are so informative.
Thanks Dave. Great video. Growing up as a huge Yes fan in the late 70s, we all listened to Yessongs more than any other album because it is live and has all the great material from Close to the Edge, Fragile and the Yes Album. Surprised to see it's not in your top 10.
Thanks for the feedback. Glad you like the video. From the song-count alone Yessongs should be my number one, but I definitely prefer the studio creations over the live versions, hence it not making the top ten.
@@DaveDenyer it's hard to argue with the sound quality and the listening experience of the studio creations, especially now hearing SQ of the A75 series of The Yes Album with the sound of Howe's guitar swirling bach and forth in the right to left channels. You won't get that with the live recording. But there's just something special about hearing the band live in its prime opening a concert with the Firebird Suite into Siberian Khatru. You don't get that same experience when you cue up Siberian Khatru on side two of Close to the Edge.
Now that was a most pleasant way to spend 57 minutes of my Sunday morning. I tend to warm towards people not so much by the bands we have in common but more how they perceive them when I see the same emotions eminating from them that mirror my own. When your favourite Yes album is Topographic oceans and your favourite Zeppelin album is Presence there follows some weird sort of telepathic exchange reflected in a subtle knowing nod. If we were talking motoring in France then I’m the guy who beeps at you because you’ve got UK plates (something I’d never do actually). So many Yes fans rave about their long scale pieces but when given a quartet to feast upon in one sitting then their attention span suddenly seems to fail them. As for Olias I often think that it’s more Yes than Yes. As for the early albums I get the impression that many don’t know what they’re missing on those first two (particularly the debut). So thanks for a great video, the only flaw for me was not pointing out just what a stunning guitar player Peter Banks was. A jazz styled player with all the fluidity that goes with that territory. Few guitarists can match Steve Howes encyclopedic talents but there is a certain pleasure when listening to a player like Mr Banks whose eggs are firmly in one basket, a basket he wields with such aplomb. Terrific stuff Dave, thanks.
Hi Paul, so pleased that you enjoyed my video. I know I didn’t mention Peter Banks, a bit of an oversight, but Anderson and Squire, and in a way Bruford (even though his time with the band was brief), are the key elements. Funnily enough, having made this video, the first ‘Yes’ album I played was Olias of Sunhillow. Thanks for beautiful feedback. Made my day! 😃
I'm also a big fan of TO and play it often but my favorite is The Yes Album and the title says it all. The Atlantic 75 sounds great as does my US OG. Perfect album for the 45 treatment. Close To the Edge while probably going to sound great is not an album which should have it's sides split. You know I'll get it anyway but probably will only play the first side on my 33 records after a first listen.
“Horrify” some people hahaha I love that you had Tales as number one. For me(line up and musicianship aside); it is about the imagination and the journey to the past and “the source” ALL JON and Steve....
@@John-rb3yv What I particularly love about “Oceans” is that the first thing it does is to set out its stall. It leaves the listener in no doubt regarding the journey that she or he is about to embark on. I can’t believe that back in the day most listeners weren’t sold on the spirituality that it immediately offered and indeed the anthemic crash of that these 5 extraordinary musicians which followed its dreamy opening chants. As opening moments go this one grabbed me and commanded my attention with an urgency even more gripping than “Close To The Edge”.
Thanks for the huge effort in producing this video. I have a small confession to make in that I don't own any Yes albums at all. I think perhaps I ought to go and stream some presently and you have given me a nice pathway of where to start.
@@DaveDenyer I had to watch it in 2 parts to be honest but it was worth it. Realised now I did used to have some Yes tracks on a 2 LP comp called "By Invitation Only" on Atlantic.
Excellent video. Very informative. I support your best 10 selection. The first two albums and Going for the One are often no very appreciated but they really deserve a place in the top ten. Can't wait for the Genesis's ranking.
I’m glad to hear someone echo my thoughts on Fragile, that it doesn’t flow in the same way that others do. I don’t dislike it of course but it’s not my favourite, for that reason. Much as I love Close To The Edge, Relayer, Going For The One etc I find myself going back to those first three more frequently. One track in particular that has had a LOT of plays with me is their version of Everydays from Time And A Word….i just love that track.
I am in agreement with you about Fragile, and those others you mention: Close to the Edge, Relayer, Going For The One etc. To me they are more consistent from start to finish. Fragile has some of the all-time best Yes tracks on it, and I do appreciate the way the solo efforts break up the perhaps otherwise relentless barrage of awesome rocking Yes. But everything is subjective, and to me Fragile falls down, just a little, for this one simple reason.
This is why I'm hyped for the Atlantic 75 version of Fragile which in addition to probably sounding the best of all versions will be easier to pick out favorite tracks.
Interesting selection and some well reasoned logic behind your selection. I am old enough to have hated Topo upon its release (and I bought it on that first day but rarely played it). The passage of time has enabled me to have a much warmer feeling towards the album now. For what it is worth my 1,2,3 would be Fragile, Close TTE, Yes Album.
Somewhat bizarrely I played the first six Yes albums this afternoon prior to seeing your review. I hadn't played the first two; Yes and Time and a Word for sometime and I wondered what had happened to their version of America. After watching your review I realised it was only on the compilation Yesterdays, which I have a copy of so currently playing on my turntable. You are right the first two albums still stack up, with the promise of greater things. The Yes Album still tops everything for me as it was the first one I bought followed by Close to the Edge. As regards Tales I saw Yes at the old Rainbow Theatre when they toured the album. That was definitely a harder listen then than listening to it now. It was the drums on Ritual that stirred me from my slumbers, although it may have been the beers beforehand that contributed more.
I totally agree. If side 4 wasn't so great I'd maybe only play the first LP, but because it is, it does make me play the whole thing every time. It's very unusual actually; to have an album, especially a double, that I always play the whole album. Thanks for the feedback!
Great video. Saw Yes many times including New Jon and ARW loved ARW new Jon Band Nahhhh. My top 5 Tales,Yes Album,Close To Edge,Relayer,Going for one..Fragile would be 6 My Live Would have to be Keys to ascension Oilas Of Sunhillow… solo
Thanks for the feedback. Funnily enough I had a friend over last night and introduced him to Olias of Sunhillow. Like you, this would be my number one of the solo projects.
As regards America - you need to get the Atlantic Lp : The new age of Atlantic, which features the dry mix version of America , that may blow your socks off !
@@DaveDenyerI have both of these (“age of” and “new age of”), if they were to resurface on Atlantic at 75 I would not allow my surprise to delay my reaching for my credit card.
Is it really? OK, well I'll be opening that one soon... I will also include it in a 4-way test when the Atlantic 75 version comes out. Thanks for the feedback Harry!
Great video and I really like your top 10. My only frustration with Tales is that Bill was not still in the band. I think he would have added so much colour to it, though, of course, a lot of his percussive growth came out of King Crimson, so maybe I’m wrong on that. The Union album, whilst there are some great songs, is just awful. It was a record company idea to try and make more money at the expense of the music. The second ABWH album was underway, as was a new Yes album, and would have been fabulous, based on the tracks that made it on to the Union album. Instead, it became the death knell of a great project (ABWH).
Glad you liked my top ten. I agree about Bill, it's only in retrospect and with deeper listening that I really began to appreciate just how amazingly good Bill is. I too wish he'd stayed on and am sure Tales would have been even better (although if he hadn't already left, I'm sure he'd have joined Rick in leaving after Tales. I agree about Union: on paper it promised so much yet a found it a real awkward listen. I agree that ABWH were really promising, shame that Chris didn't join them and call themselves Yes... All would've been well in the World.
As a teenager, in the seventies, Yes was my favorite band, they were the first big concert I ever seen, very disappointing, realized years later that it was that stupid revolving stage in the middle of the arena that did not project music properly, no back wall and projecting from the center had a similar effect of a square room. The 2 Yes albums that really hooked me were Relayer and Close to the edge. I have not listened to Relayer since a good 45 years and to this day Jon Anderson sometimes pops up in my head with his angelic Soooooon oh soon the light…
Hi Bob, I never saw Yes on the revolving stage but what you say about the sound makes perfect sense, I've not heard anyone comment on this before... I think the only revolving stage gig I've seen was Stevie Wonder back in the 80s. I don't remember the sound of that gig being particularly poor, but maybe they'd worked out the acoustics by then and had speakers placed around the arena. Both Relayer and Close To The Edge have been 'my favourite Yes album' at some point, and "soon, oh soon the light" still floats through my head too from time to time. It really is exquisite.
@@DaveDenyer Photo shopping Benoit David out of the picture, I find this so cruel. Benoit has developed a very nice persona here in Montreal, no big ego, maybe that was his downfall. Most likely did not have a good agent and ended up with a leaky contract that is permitting them to erase him.
I think those that hate Tales have very closed minds and still pine for the past and the someday reunion of....whatever.... which aint happening Kudos for your choice Great video thanks
Very nice review. Yes have always been my favourite band. Three comments : 1. Get rid of the post new Jon Anderson Yes albums and buy the Progeny 21lp set. 2. I would never change my love of an album due to a different pressing coming out - doesn’t compute with me, You either like the album of you don’t especially if you have been listening to it for decades. 3. Sorry but far to many adverts within the video - please change.
Thanks for your comment and sage advice. Selling on the 'nu Jon' albums would make sense, I'm sure I've bought them, played them once (twice at most) and then filled them away... They take up a lot of valuable record storage real estate. I do have the 21 LP Progeny on CD, but haven't even listened to it all yet. I still think that's a step too far for me. Regarding The Yes Album's recent reissue. Yes it sounds phenomenal. I don't see why sound quality can't have an effect on one's liking of a record. In fact it seems to me to be an obvious consideration. The new cut sounds far superior to the original issue. I still loved The Yes Album, but now I love it even more. I can hear deeper into the performances. Simple as that really. Sorry about the ads., TH-cam automatically adds those...
I became a Yes fan slightly earlier than you , ie just after CTTE came out, listening obsessively to my brother’s LP. We didn’t worry about different pressings in those days 😊. I would have the LPs in a slightly different order, but I like your choices and praise particularly of the the first two albums which our largely ignored. I would have Relayer higher and I would definitely have Tormato in my Top 10. I know that many people don’t like that album but I have always loved it. I played it to death when it came out and it coincided with going to see Yes for the first time at the matinee performance at Wembley. The Progeny LP set is pretty expensive but it is beautifully packaged and compared to the CD set sounds much better, so for a Yes completist like you, I think you wouldn’t ever regret buying it.
@@highfell1 I’ll keep an eye open for a copy of Progeny on vinyl. Tbh. I’m also slightly tempted by the Steven Wilson remixe vinyl box set. I have them on CD and am not impressed, but with an artist like Yes, I have to investigate everything…
Tales From Topographic Oceans is an unfortunate, bloated mess. Jon Anderson's lyrics are a non-sensical word salad, and Howe's guitar meandering is exhausting. Not that there isn't some beautiful music contained within, here and there, but a double album of four long, seemingly directionless single sided tracks which mostly adds up to ambient music with the singing of random word ravings is ultimately just too much to bear. After 50+ years I still have not been able to sit and listen to the entire album without buckling from anywhere between complete boredom or just laughing out loud from the absurdity of it all before eventually surrendering and switching it off. I don't necessarily blame the musicians for the self-indulgence; especially newbie Alan White who was probably willing to do whatever the rest of the band wanted to do in order to cement his new position in the group. The real culprit here is Eddie Offord who quite apparently completely lost his nerve to insist that the boys reign in the impenetrable psychedelic noodling and doodling after the band's meteoric rise on the heels of the trifecta of mind-blowing studio albums that preceded it. That's quite a condemnation of Offord on my part coming after Close to the Edge where the lyrical content on that album is far from crystal clear. The difference between Edge and Tales is that the music on Edge could more than carry Anderson's word salad tonnage where on Tales it could not.
Thanks for your input here Michael, to be honest I was expecting far more comments along the lines. I'm quite aware I've been in a minority all these years with my love of Tales... Most of my friends are in agreement with you. However, that's how I felt about it from day one: a kind of classical / symphonic composition / arrangement. I do understand why many hate it, but I love it.
I certainly couldn't live without any of their albums up to and including Going For The One... And YES, Yes are clearly the best band in history. Of course they are! 🙂
I am a monstrous YES fan, but anything after TALK just doesn't do it for me-they get far to etherial/elevator later on. And anything with John Davidson is yukk.. Horn and Benoit are far better stand ins for Jon. Jon IS Yes. We all know that deep down.
Sadly, I completely agree with you regarding Trevor Horn & Benoit David vs Jon Davidson. Drama and Fly From Here / Return Trip are the ONLY Yes albums not to include Jon Anderson that I ever listen to...
Dave - since you are doing lists. And your opinion is appreciated. Would you please consider doing either a top 5 or so list of the best atlantic 75 releases you’ve gotten to date? Thank you
Not a bad idea: I'm only just dipping my toe in the water with these sort of lists. If people like them I can certainly do more... Thanks for the suggestion.
Another excellent video from you. My first YES album was "Going for the One" as well and I still love it. I couldn't stop listening to Awaken, it's a fantastic piece of music. Agree with your top 10 thoughts although I may shunt "Relayer" up a little, for me all the top 10 should be 1st=. Can't wait for Genesis review. I have the Analogue 75th "The YES Album" is phenomenal. Thanks for your videos, they are so informative.
Glad you enjoyed the video Ken. Thanks for the feedback.
Thanks Dave. Great video. Growing up as a huge Yes fan in the late 70s, we all listened to Yessongs more than any other album because it is live and has all the great material from Close to the Edge, Fragile and the Yes Album. Surprised to see it's not in your top 10.
Thanks for the feedback. Glad you like the video.
From the song-count alone Yessongs should be my number one, but I definitely prefer the studio creations over the live versions, hence it not making the top ten.
@@DaveDenyer it's hard to argue with the sound quality and the listening experience of the studio creations, especially now hearing SQ of the A75 series of The Yes Album with the sound of Howe's guitar swirling bach and forth in the right to left channels. You won't get that with the live recording. But there's just something special about hearing the band live in its prime opening a concert with the Firebird Suite into Siberian Khatru. You don't get that same experience when you cue up Siberian Khatru on side two of Close to the Edge.
Glad to see Going For the One getting such love
Turn of the Century and Awaken are just epic. Would love to see an audiophile release
Hi Audiotomb, me too. Of all the Yes albums I think Going For The One would benefit from audiophile treatment most.
Now that was a most pleasant way to spend 57 minutes of my Sunday morning. I tend to warm towards people not so much by the bands we have in common but more how they perceive them when I see the same emotions eminating from them that mirror my own. When your favourite Yes album is Topographic oceans and your favourite Zeppelin album is Presence there follows some weird sort of telepathic exchange reflected in a subtle knowing nod. If we were talking motoring in France then I’m the guy who beeps at you because you’ve got UK plates (something I’d never do actually). So many Yes fans rave about their long scale pieces but when given a quartet to feast upon in one sitting then their attention span suddenly seems to fail them. As for Olias I often think that it’s more Yes than Yes.
As for the early albums I get the impression that many don’t know what they’re missing on those first two (particularly the debut). So thanks for a great video, the only flaw for me was not pointing out just what a stunning guitar player Peter Banks was. A jazz styled player with all the fluidity that goes with that territory. Few guitarists can match Steve Howes encyclopedic talents but there is a certain pleasure when listening to a player like Mr Banks whose eggs are firmly in one basket, a basket he wields with such aplomb.
Terrific stuff Dave, thanks.
Hi Paul, so pleased that you enjoyed my video. I know I didn’t mention Peter Banks, a bit of an oversight, but Anderson and Squire, and in a way Bruford (even though his time with the band was brief), are the key elements.
Funnily enough, having made this video, the first ‘Yes’ album I played was Olias of Sunhillow.
Thanks for beautiful feedback. Made my day! 😃
I'm also a big fan of TO and play it often but my favorite is The Yes Album and the title says it all. The Atlantic 75 sounds great as does my US OG. Perfect album for the 45 treatment.
Close To the Edge while probably going to sound great is not an album which should have it's sides split. You know I'll get it anyway but probably will only play the first side on my 33 records after a first listen.
I do agree: doubt I’ll play sides 1&2 of the Atlantic 75 very often. But absolutely can’t resist the temptation to hear it.
Ten stars for your killer shirt Dave! Love it.
Thanks Michael!
“Horrify” some people hahaha
I love that you had Tales as number one.
For me(line up and musicianship aside); it is about the imagination and the journey to the past and “the source”
ALL JON and Steve....
Agreed. I do love Jon’s expression of spirituality…
@@John-rb3yv What I particularly love about “Oceans” is that the first thing it does is to set out its stall. It leaves the listener in no doubt regarding the journey that she or he is about to embark on. I can’t believe that back in the day most listeners weren’t sold on the spirituality that it immediately offered and indeed the anthemic crash of that these 5 extraordinary musicians which followed its dreamy opening chants. As opening moments go this one grabbed me and commanded my attention with an urgency even more gripping than “Close To The Edge”.
Thanks for the huge effort in producing this video. I have a small confession to make in that I don't own any Yes albums at all. I think perhaps I ought to go and stream some presently and you have given me a nice pathway of where to start.
Thanks for watching Ian. If you made it to the end and don't even have any yes albums you did very well! ;-)
@@DaveDenyer I had to watch it in 2 parts to be honest but it was worth it. Realised now I did used to have some Yes tracks on a 2 LP comp called "By Invitation Only" on Atlantic.
Yeah! I was there for the 2nd-ever live performance of the complete Topographic Oceans and it was magic! It still is!
Awesome, wish I’d been there!
Excellent video. Very informative. I support your best 10 selection. The first two albums and Going for the One are often no very appreciated but they really deserve a place in the top ten.
Can't wait for the Genesis's ranking.
Thanks Joao, good to hear I'm not the only one who really appreciates those first two, and of course Going For The One.
I’m glad to hear someone echo my thoughts on Fragile, that it doesn’t flow in the same way that others do. I don’t dislike it of course but it’s not my favourite, for that reason. Much as I love Close To The Edge, Relayer, Going For The One etc I find myself going back to those first three more frequently. One track in particular that has had a LOT of plays with me is their version of Everydays from Time And A Word….i just love that track.
I am in agreement with you about Fragile, and those others you mention: Close to the Edge, Relayer, Going For The One etc. To me they are more consistent from start to finish. Fragile has some of the all-time best Yes tracks on it, and I do appreciate the way the solo efforts break up the perhaps otherwise relentless barrage of awesome rocking Yes. But everything is subjective, and to me Fragile falls down, just a little, for this one simple reason.
This is why I'm hyped for the Atlantic 75 version of Fragile which in addition to probably sounding the best of all versions will be easier to pick out favorite tracks.
Interesting selection and some well reasoned logic behind your selection. I am old enough to have hated Topo upon its release (and I bought it on that first day but rarely played it). The passage of time has enabled me to have a much warmer feeling towards the album now. For what it is worth my 1,2,3 would be Fragile, Close TTE, Yes Album.
Glad to hear you've warmed to it over the years Ian. Thanks for the feedback!
Looking forward to seeing your favorite Genesis albums 🎉
It’ll come quite soon!
Close to the Edge is about a spiritual journey;
like you said....one everyone can embark on
✌🏼🙌🏼🌈
Absolutely. 🙏
Somewhat bizarrely I played the first six Yes albums this afternoon prior to seeing your review. I hadn't played the first two; Yes and Time and a Word for sometime and I wondered what had happened to their version of America. After watching your review I realised it was only on the compilation Yesterdays, which I have a copy of so currently playing on my turntable. You are right the first two albums still stack up, with the promise of greater things. The Yes Album still tops everything for me as it was the first one I bought followed by Close to the Edge. As regards Tales I saw Yes at the old Rainbow Theatre when they toured the album. That was definitely a harder listen then than listening to it now. It was the drums on Ritual that stirred me from my slumbers, although it may have been the beers beforehand that contributed more.
Oh wow, lucky you, getting to see them live on that tour. Thanks for the feedback Dave.
Topographic Oceans ❤I have not given a second thought yet.
Probably the most polarising Yes album…
@@DaveDenyer probably? ahahhaha
Tales From Topographic Oceans is no. 1. for me and always has been. Side one - two and four are so great.
I totally agree. If side 4 wasn't so great I'd maybe only play the first LP, but because it is, it does make me play the whole thing every time. It's very unusual actually; to have an album, especially a double, that I always play the whole album. Thanks for the feedback!
Great video. Saw Yes many times including New Jon and ARW loved ARW new Jon Band Nahhhh. My top 5 Tales,Yes Album,Close To Edge,Relayer,Going for one..Fragile would be 6 My Live Would have to be Keys to ascension Oilas Of Sunhillow… solo
Thanks for the feedback. Funnily enough I had a friend over last night and introduced him to Olias of Sunhillow. Like you, this would be my number one of the solo projects.
As regards America - you need to get the Atlantic Lp : The new age of Atlantic, which features the dry mix version of America , that may blow your socks off !
Good call! The New Age Of Atlantic is now high up on my shopping list!
@@DaveDenyerI have both of these (“age of” and “new age of”), if they were to resurface on Atlantic at 75 I would not allow my surprise to delay my reaching for my credit card.
The Fragile that you haven’t opened might be worth a listen as it’s the Kevin Gray rhino remaster that sounds really good
Is it really? OK, well I'll be opening that one soon... I will also include it in a 4-way test when the Atlantic 75 version comes out. Thanks for the feedback Harry!
Great video and I really like your top 10.
My only frustration with Tales is that Bill was not still in the band. I think he would have added so much colour to it, though, of course, a lot of his percussive growth came out of King Crimson, so maybe I’m wrong on that.
The Union album, whilst there are some great songs, is just awful. It was a record company idea to try and make more money at the expense of the music. The second ABWH album was underway, as was a new Yes album, and would have been fabulous, based on the tracks that made it on to the Union album. Instead, it became the death knell of a great project (ABWH).
Glad you liked my top ten. I agree about Bill, it's only in retrospect and with deeper listening that I really began to appreciate just how amazingly good Bill is. I too wish he'd stayed on and am sure Tales would have been even better (although if he hadn't already left, I'm sure he'd have joined Rick in leaving after Tales.
I agree about Union: on paper it promised so much yet a found it a real awkward listen. I agree that ABWH were really promising, shame that Chris didn't join them and call themselves Yes... All would've been well in the World.
America on Yesterdays is amazing and an essential album
Agreed, although I fear we are in the minority Jon! ;-)
As a teenager, in the seventies, Yes was my favorite band, they were the first big concert I ever seen, very disappointing, realized years later that it was that stupid revolving stage in the middle of the arena that did not project music properly, no back wall and projecting from the center had a similar effect of a square room. The 2 Yes albums that really hooked me were Relayer and Close to the edge. I have not listened to Relayer since a good 45 years and to this day Jon Anderson sometimes pops up in my head with his angelic Soooooon oh soon the light…
Hi Bob, I never saw Yes on the revolving stage but what you say about the sound makes perfect sense, I've not heard anyone comment on this before... I think the only revolving stage gig I've seen was Stevie Wonder back in the 80s. I don't remember the sound of that gig being particularly poor, but maybe they'd worked out the acoustics by then and had speakers placed around the arena.
Both Relayer and Close To The Edge have been 'my favourite Yes album' at some point, and "soon, oh soon the light" still floats through my head too from time to time. It really is exquisite.
@@DaveDenyer Photo shopping Benoit David out of the picture, I find this so cruel. Benoit has developed a very nice persona here in Montreal, no big ego, maybe that was his downfall. Most likely did not have a good agent and ended up with a leaky contract that is permitting them to erase him.
Relayer is underrated!
I do agree.
I think those that hate Tales have very closed minds and still pine for the past and the someday reunion of....whatever.... which aint happening
Kudos for your choice
Great video thanks
Thanks John, glad you enjoyed the video.
funny, listened to fragile clear vinyl this morning and it sounds really goog.
Hi Philip, thanks for the feedback. I am clearly going to have to open that copy and give it a listen!
I got my Yes Album, it's superb. I think it's better than 90125 I think. As far as the two audiophiles go.
Hi Chris, I do too, in fact I think The Yes Album is probably my favourite Atlantic 75 so far...
So need later Yes but there so rare :(
I'm not sure how many they pressed of the later albums... I'd like Live in Lyon but I've never seen a copy for sale locally, or within my budget.
Very nice review. Yes have always been my favourite band. Three comments : 1. Get rid of the post new Jon Anderson Yes albums and buy the Progeny 21lp set. 2. I would never change my love of an album due to a different pressing coming out - doesn’t compute with me, You either like the album of you don’t especially if you have been listening to it for decades. 3. Sorry but far to many adverts within the video - please change.
Thanks for your comment and sage advice. Selling on the 'nu Jon' albums would make sense, I'm sure I've bought them, played them once (twice at most) and then filled them away... They take up a lot of valuable record storage real estate. I do have the 21 LP Progeny on CD, but haven't even listened to it all yet. I still think that's a step too far for me.
Regarding The Yes Album's recent reissue. Yes it sounds phenomenal. I don't see why sound quality can't have an effect on one's liking of a record. In fact it seems to me to be an obvious consideration. The new cut sounds far superior to the original issue. I still loved The Yes Album, but now I love it even more. I can hear deeper into the performances. Simple as that really. Sorry about the ads., TH-cam automatically adds those...
I became a Yes fan slightly earlier than you , ie just after CTTE came out, listening obsessively to my brother’s LP. We didn’t worry about different pressings in those days 😊. I would have the LPs in a slightly different order, but I like your choices and praise particularly of the the first two albums which our largely ignored. I would have Relayer higher and I would definitely have Tormato in my Top 10. I know that many people don’t like that album but I have always loved it. I played it to death when it came out and it coincided with going to see Yes for the first time at the matinee performance at Wembley. The Progeny LP set is pretty expensive but it is beautifully packaged and compared to the CD set sounds much better, so for a Yes completist like you, I think you wouldn’t ever regret buying it.
@@highfell1 I’ll keep an eye open for a copy of Progeny on vinyl. Tbh. I’m also slightly tempted by the Steven Wilson remixe vinyl box set. I have them on CD and am not impressed, but with an artist like Yes, I have to investigate everything…
Tales From Topographic Oceans is an unfortunate, bloated mess. Jon Anderson's lyrics are a non-sensical word salad, and Howe's guitar meandering is exhausting. Not that there isn't some beautiful music contained within, here and there, but a double album of four long, seemingly directionless single sided tracks which mostly adds up to ambient music with the singing of random word ravings is ultimately just too much to bear. After 50+ years I still have not been able to sit and listen to the entire album without buckling from anywhere between complete boredom or just laughing out loud from the absurdity of it all before eventually surrendering and switching it off. I don't necessarily blame the musicians for the self-indulgence; especially newbie Alan White who was probably willing to do whatever the rest of the band wanted to do in order to cement his new position in the group. The real culprit here is Eddie Offord who quite apparently completely lost his nerve to insist that the boys reign in the impenetrable psychedelic noodling and doodling after the band's meteoric rise on the heels of the trifecta of mind-blowing studio albums that preceded it. That's quite a condemnation of Offord on my part coming after Close to the Edge where the lyrical content on that album is far from crystal clear. The difference between Edge and Tales is that the music on Edge could more than carry Anderson's word salad tonnage where on Tales it could not.
Thanks for your input here Michael, to be honest I was expecting far more comments along the lines. I'm quite aware I've been in a minority all these years with my love of Tales... Most of my friends are in agreement with you. However, that's how I felt about it from day one: a kind of classical / symphonic composition / arrangement. I do understand why many hate it, but I love it.
Howe's guitar is fabulous throughout the album !
@@DaveDenyer I understand your sentiment and reasoning, but a Bruckner symphony this isn't.
Your opinion
NOTHING MORE
@@John-rb3yv Yeah, that's right. Don't fall apart now. It's gonna be o.k., buddy.
I have to put CTTE as # 1--but after that I would have 6 albums tied for #2 .- Yes is beyond the best band in history.
I certainly couldn't live without any of their albums up to and including Going For The One... And YES, Yes are clearly the best band in history. Of course they are! 🙂
I am a monstrous YES fan, but anything after TALK just doesn't do it for me-they get far to etherial/elevator later on. And anything with John Davidson is yukk.. Horn and Benoit are far better stand ins for Jon. Jon IS Yes. We all know that deep down.
Sadly, I completely agree with you regarding Trevor Horn & Benoit David vs Jon Davidson. Drama and Fly From Here / Return Trip are the ONLY Yes albums not to include Jon Anderson that I ever listen to...