Build Your Own Best Of - Yes

I guess I have to start this episode of BYOBO with an apology to my wonderful wife Gina who doesn't particularly care for this week's chosen artist - Yes. Let me clarify further, she doesn't like Jon Anderson's voice. We'll be in the car and I'll see her enjoying the music but then he starts singing, and she cringes, and then I have to decide if I should change the station or not.

Lest Jon be reading this, it's not just you - it's any voice that can get high pitched like Geddy Lee and Robert Plant. But I will not be dissuaded from discussing one of my favorites and the amazing group of musicians that have been a part of this band.

I guess I should also apologize to my downstairs neighbors. Chris Squire's thundering bass is highly featured in this mix and my run-through of the songs today might have shaken things up a bit.

So once again inspired by Nat at Mini-Obs, the idea is the same as always:

Pick one of your favorite bands / artists and list 10-15 songs by that band / artist to compile your own best of compilation.

So here goes - The Best of Yes as compiled by me:

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Hey, Sweetie,

No apologies necessary. I am well aware of our differences where Yes is concerned, and I love you despite them...

And for the record, (ha, that was an unintended pun!) you never have to change the station because I don't like a song. The 20+ years as a daycare provider have afforded me the ability to tolerate (if not enjoy) high-pitched screeching! I'm really quite adept at cringing, then ignoring!

#1 gina (Homepage) on 2008-03-19 16:48 (Reply)

Heh - I'm sure Jon and co will appreciate being compared to a room of screeching toddlers.

I am glad that you are able to look past my musical weaknesses.

SB

#1.1 Scott (Homepage) on 2008-03-20 06:56 (Reply)

Yes has always been one of my favs and I think that Jons voice is what adds to their greatness. There was a period where they were just cranking out music without what I believe was quality - just quantity. Their album covers were some of the best art in R & R. I remember hearing an interview with them saying that when they first got together it was to ride the wave of the English Invasion but history has proved that they have lasted over these many years. I have been fortunate to see them numerous times and will do so again and again. Even tho the "Anderson,Buford,Wakeman and Howe" album is not technically Yes, some of the music on that album should have definitely been included .

#2 Bob on 2008-03-19 21:37 (Reply)

I knew you would jump in here.

I've had the pleasure of seeing them a couple of times as well - always an enjoyable show.

I love the ABW&H album but while it is close, it isn't Yes so it really didn't fit. If Chris Squire had been on it, I might have felt differently but he has been the only constant on all the Yes albums.

SB

#2.1 Scott (Homepage) on 2008-03-20 07:00 (Reply)

Hi, Scott,

Long time since I've picked up on your pages, always enjoy the BYOBO.

A good selection, though being a firm believer in the art of concept albums, it seems a shame to see some songs taken out of context.

I'd like to add:

Lift Me Up - Union - Man! that song's loud but it really turns up the gas.

And:

Homeworld - The Ladder. A later incarnation with all the hallmarks of early Yes, still sounds fresh though.

#3 naryaxword on 2008-03-20 03:05 (Reply)

Heya - thanks for dropping by.

You know I have Union but haven't listened in ages - I'll have to give it another go.

I don't have The Ladder but have heard good things about it - wasn't it used in the Homeworld video game?

SB

#3.1 Scott (Homepage) on 2008-03-20 10:00 (Reply)

Union was a bit of a mixture. Chris Squire's Yes + ABHW with a little bit of overlap here and there. Most of the time the guys seem to be trying to out-do each other's virtuosity, but there's enough meat in it to suit some fans.

You're quite right - Homeworld was used for the video game of the same name. Story bore some resemblence to Battlestar Gallactica but with effects more related to Space Above and Beyond (whatever happened to that series? - inspiration for Halo??). The Ladder was a much better effort from the core members, Anderson, Squire, Howe with Alan White on drums and some russian on keyboards whose name I can never remember (or pronounce). He'd obviously studied Rick Wakeman's technique though, some lovely twiddly bits on the moog.

Cheers

#3.1.1 Naryaxword on 2008-03-20 18:23 (Reply)

Thanks - I'll give it a go. I have lost touch with them recently but I guess they have earned at least a listen from me at this point.

SB

#3.1.1.1 Scott (Homepage) on 2008-03-21 12:30 (Reply)

Yay - I love Yes! I had actually never heard of Yes before I started blogging about the seventies. Now I'm a huge fan.

I'll have to try out your virtual mix tape

#4 rollerkaty (Homepage) on 2008-03-20 08:32 (Reply)

Cool - I actually have quite a few 70's era artists in queue for this series so be sure to check back for them. I think Steely Dan might be next.

Thanks for the comment and the visit

SB

#4.1 Scott (Homepage) on 2008-03-20 10:03 (Reply)

great list scott. you definitely hit the highlights. I'm a bit partial to the trevor rabin era since that's how I got introduced to Yes but I also love the classic era Yes as well.

I'm in the same boat as you in terms of the wife not into some of my music. heh. I totally understand.

#5 retroDan (Homepage) on 2008-03-21 09:19 (Reply)

Dan,

I'm a big Trevor Rabin fan and included a couple there. Some of it hasn't aged as well as I would like but I still enjoy listening to both 90125 and Big Generator occasionally.

So much great music, hard to pull out the best of the best.

Thanks
SB

#5.1 Scott (Homepage) on 2008-03-21 12:47 (Reply)

Yessssss! I haven't indulged in Fragile or Close To The Edge in so long... must find and crank for the long weekend! I look forward also to your take on Steely Dan.

#6 Elle (Homepage) on 2008-03-21 09:21 (Reply)

Elle - Shame on You!! Those should definitely be in your regular rotation.

I've got some cool stuff planned for the Steely Dan - it should be posted mid next week.

Thanks
SB

#6.1 Scott (Homepage) on 2008-03-21 12:51 (Reply)

I really, really got sick of Yes when my high school boyfriend listened to NOTHING BUT Yes, ELP, and Maynard Ferguson records. So sick that I gave up on them.

It took years for me to feel the love again. EACH and every one of your picks is brilliant, and both "Fragile" and "Close to the Edge" remain in my favorite albums.

Bravo to your best of!

#7 nat (Homepage) on 2008-03-25 08:00 (Reply)

Why thank you - that's quite possibly one of the nicest comments I've received.

Close To The Edge is probably tops for me followed by Drama I would think. It gets no love but is really a great collection.

Awaken is probably the definitive Yes song for me while Revealing Science could be the quintessential pretentious prog song - but I love every note

These best of lists are great fun for me. I get the chance to revisit artists that I sometimes take for granted and really try to distill out my favorite work. 15 songs sounds like a lot until I really start putting them down and then each addition means one that won't make the list.

SB

#7.1 Scott (Homepage) on 2008-03-25 14:15 (Reply)

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