Yes

Prog Rock Kings YES Released Their Album ‘FRAGILE’ 50 Years Ago Today

Posted on by JL

26 November 2021

Band: YES

Who: Legendary British prog-rockers who started in 1968 with
nightingale voice Jon Anderson, and masterly musicians Chris
Squire (bass), Peter Banks (guitarist), Tony Kaye (keyboardist)
and Bill Bruford (drummer).

Active: 1968–1981, 1983–2004, 2008–present / 22 studio albums
so far, with this year’s The Quest as the most recent one.

Anniversary album: FRAGILE
Released: 26 November 1971 – 50 years ago today

Pitchfork said: “‘Fragile’ introduced Yes’ highest-powered line-up, as
the silver-cape wearing, 12-keyboard-hauling Rick Wakeman replaced
Tony Kaye. But the question is, what was “fragile?” Their egos? The battle
between the perfectly balanced arrangements– as on classic rock radio
staples “Roundabout” and “Long Distance Runaround”, and each virtuoso’s
need to grandstand, vented through five solo interludes (most memorably
Steve Howe’s “Mood for a Day”)? All that firepower could have ruined the
band, yet on Fragile, they put songcraft firmly over indulgence.” Score: 8/10.

Turn Up The Volume: The Kings of prog-rock symphonies 6th LP.
1974’s Relayer still is my Yes favorite, but Fragile comes in second.

Key single: Roundabout…

Stream full LP here…

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YES: All Albums – History – Facebook

Prog Rock Masterpiece ‘THE YES ALBUM’ Released 50 Years Ago

Posted on by JL

20 February 2021

Band: YES
Who: British prog rock icons
Active: 1968–1981, 1983–2004, 2008–present

Album: THE YES ALBUM – third LP
Released: 19 February 1971 – 50 years ago

AllMusic/Bruce Eder: “On Yes’ first two albums, Yes (1969) and Time and a Word (1970),
the quintet was mostly searching for a sound on which they could build… Their third time out proved the charm, The Yes Album constituted a de facto second debut, introducing the sound that would carry them forward across the next decade or more. Gone are any covers of outside material, the group now working off of its own music from the ground up The Yes Album did what it had to do, outselling the group’s first two long-players and making the group an established presence in America where, for the first time, they began getting regular exposure on FM radio.” Score: 4/5.

Turn Up The Volume: Best prog-rock band ever to my ears. Why?
Brilliant musicians, sound-exploring albums and Jon Anderson‘s
heavenly voice.

Key tracks: Yours Is No Disgrace / I’ve Seen All Good People

– YOURS IS NO DISGRACE –

– I’VE SEEN ALL GOOD PEOPLE –

Full album…

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YES: Facebook

DAVID GILMOUR Shares New Single ‘YES, I HAVE GHOSTS’ With Vocals By Daughter ROMANY

Posted on by JL

Reveries for the laziest day of the week…

After five years of silence, since his 2015 album Rattle That Rock,
DAVID GILMOUR shared a new track called YES, I HAVE GHOSTS.

The song is inspired by the audiobook version of his wife and author
Polly Samson’s A Theatre Of Dreams.

Gilmour said in a press statement: “Polly’s vivid and poetic writing, coupled with her very natural narration voice, made joining forces to produce the audio version of ‘A Theatre for Dreamers’ a fantastic and fulfilling experience. The audiobook format has so much untapped potential, and I am surprised more musicians have not creatively collaborated with authors, narrators and audiobook producers in this way before. The two worlds seem to seamlessly
link, and music can really help to bring audiobooks to life in unexpected new ways.”

Yes, I Have Ghosts also features vocals and harp by their daughter Romany.

Enjoy the graceful ballad here…

DAVID GILMOUR: Facebook