Favorite song

[andriessen]

What's your favorite song on Yessongs?

[bjm0rwo]

Perpetual Change.For reasons I have stated in other threads.(Howe's solo)

[WhiteKnight]

YIND. That's my fav from TYA, and the live version is so much better.

Should I be surprised that CttE or AYAI (which I think most people like better than YIND or PC in absolute terms) haven't scored one yet? Maybe that's because their live versions aren't as perfect as the studio ones, while the TYA songs on Yessongs have all improved with respect the original.

WK

[andriessen]

I agree WhiteKnight. What could be the reason the songs from TYA have so much improved in their live version on Yessongs? Is it Rick, is it the agression that has been added....?

[WhiteKnight]

Originally posted by andriessen
I agree WhiteKnight. What could be the reason the songs from TYA have so much improved in their live version on Yessongs? Is it Rick, is it the agression that has been added....?

I think Rick has a part in it (e.g., his solo in ST), but to tell the truth, I think the praise mainly goes to Steve - his guitar is incredibly energetic on YIND, ST, PC. With respect to the studio version: unleashed. On the other hand, CttE, AYAI are probably a bit too complex (sound-engineering-wise, too) for the band to play live at the same level as the studio version. Not to mention they (esp. CttE) include some of the most terrific Bruford signatures, and can't be converted to simpler sigs (as White had to) without losing part of their appeal.

WK

[andriessen]

Great analysis.

Indeed Steve is 'unleashed' on Yessongs. Wonder where all that agression came from...

[Alexander]

It's said everyone in that generation remembers where he or she was when President John Kennedy was assassinated. I'm sure the same could be said for everyone's first hearing of "The Six Wives of Henry VIII" which appears on 'Yessongs'.

I still remember details of the room in the house where I grew up listening to 'Yessongs'. And when Rick plays "The Six Wives" as only an Englishman can, it brings me back to my room.

Rick's inspired version seems to reveal the time of Henry VIII. I easily imagine Rick at a banquet at the right hand of Henry, resplendent in a long velvet robe and drinking from a golden chalice.

[Jackaranda]

Wow, Yessongs is my favorite album by anyone ever, with the possible exception of the Beatles Revolver. It brings so much new and exciting life to the songs as compared to their original recordings. That's why I never list Close to the Edge or Fragile among my favorite albums, even though I love them. In particular the Yes album. The versions on Yessongs just explode with energy.

I had to vote for Starship Trooper. Side 6 of the album was the most awsome side of music I'd ever heard. Still is. Starship Trooper is absolutely brilliant. Brilliantly conceived and performed with incredible precision and energy. But the whole album is just tremendous...Jack.

[RobAdams]

First time I heard YESSONGS I thought - "Oh my God! They can actually play this stuff live! " I figured almost anyone could edit together something complex in the studio.

[rhammill]

Well, I went with Yours is No Disgrace, but I haven't listened to Yessongs in a while, so I'm sure I'll change my mind later...

Compared to a lot of the boots, though, Yessongs is only part of the story... Steve really rocks on YIND throughout the first few years in particular.

But if you think he rocks on YIND - you should hear the one song that should have been on Yessongs - early (and longer) versions of 'America.'

Randy

[andriessen]

Originally posted by rhammill
Compared to a lot of the boots, though, Yessongs is only part of the story...
Randy

Randy, any boot in particular you can recommend? How do I get hold of it?

[illusion]

Originally posted by jack gowen
Wow, Yessongs is my favorite album by anyone ever.

That's why I never list Close to the Edge or Fragile among my favorite albums, even though I love them. In particular the Yes album.


Agree 100%, Jack. I can't stand the Yes Album - it sounds so weak. I never even bought Close To The Edge until a couple of weeks ago, and even then because it was on sale for £3.00.

All the songs are far better than their originals. Starship Trooper and Close To The Edge are my faves, along with Yours Is No Disgrace.

[yarstruly]

This is really a tough choice, but I will go with YIND...There is just such energy there....Believe it or not, I think White being there added a touch of energy to the mix...No disrespect to Bruford in any way, He is clearly the more technically proficient drummer...but wht Alan my lack in ability (which isn't much) he makes up for in energy and fire. Of course Wakeman's presence takes things to a new level as well!

[Third]

Close To The Efge of course! This is my all time favorite Yes song!

[upbgirl]

Originally posted by Third
Close To The Efge of course! This is my all time favorite Yes song!
ctte is my fav all time, too. and it IS in my will to be played in it's entirely at my funeral..[the ONE time i will finally be able to MAKE everyone listen to one damn yessong ALL THE WAY THROUGH!!
[i can see my dad squirming already!! haha!]

i really really liked and you and i, too from yessongs. i cant really comment on the 'musical proficiency' of it, tho. that didnt come into play, but i love it because i had a very strange, scary moment listening to it in a very rough bar in downtown detroit with my best buddy, glenn! he MADE me listen to it, and the crowd at the bar was absolutely stunned!! [i posted this in 'strangest places you've heard Yes music' thread]

the females left right away-[yep-they SPLIT] but the menin the bar were really into the bass line once it kicked in.. three dudes saw me really getting into it [i had had a few beers, of course] and they asked me who it was and where have THEY been.. cool!

[but once it was over, they all went back to their 'c'rap music.. oh well.. I had fun!]

[BredYes]

Yours is no Disgrace, because Steve's solo is the best he ever did on a record.

[Sunnyhill]

The sounds CS gets out of the bass on The Fish are totally amazing! Like an electrical storm! That is my fave by far.

:)

[SonicDeath10]

yours is no disgrace. but then again it's one of my favorite.

[Bluetailfly]

I can't belive nobody voted for Roundabout. Its a really good version. Well i didn't vote for it either, because I think YIND takes the cake. I'm a guitar freak, and steve gets pretty freaky on this one. Way to go Steve :)

[gleeman]

I think the tracks with Bruford really stand out. The band is so much cleaner and crisper with him behind the kit. My fave is Perpetual Change. Too bad we couldn't get more of Bruford on this record! Perhaps the alleged live box set next year will have more stuff from when he is with the band.

And yeah, that version of America from June '71 Berlin has some GREAT Steve Howe work.

[Robert Shupe]

Man I just absolutely and totally dig Perpetual Change on this work. Your Is No Disgrace Is Certainly a close second. What a great album, I mean you got the whole Close To The Edge Album done live. So glad it was a triple album.

Anyway, Perpetual Change just leaps and smokes on this album. Steve rocks and the way Rick just layers his keys so beautifully behind Steve's picking is phenom. Also, what rhythm form Chris and Bill on this one. The studio version has merits but this version was turned up to Eleven.

YIND: Well, you got to love that little opening bit leading to the opening crunch.

Good Poll

Robert K. Shupe

[Gabriel]

Oddly enough, Roundabout is my favourite song from this live album. I would have voted more songs but I couldnt so I picked the song that really stuck out and this wzs it. I cant really describe why, but I felt it has so much energy and just really rocked!

Yours is no Disgrace and And you and I were also perfect; best versions I could ever hope for! Better than the stuidio IMO.

[BredYes]

Oddly enough, Roundabout is my favourite song from this live album.

Yeah, the organ solo is really funny on Yessongs

[mood for today]

after wearing this recording out i would finally have to agree with YIND they all have special moments during that tune.

but i have to say for years siberian khatru was it for me. i used to pretend to be steve with my air guitar (actually i used a tennis racket) and would play the whole firebird intro to get fired up to play before the imaginary crowd in my bedroom. and that was in high school before i discovered certain substances that made the fantasy even more real.

actually the whole first side of album 1 (remember vinyl?) was awesome. rick is a wild man on HOTS.

[mood for today]

best versions I could ever hope for! Better than the stuidio IMO.

gabriel, i hope you are seeing this tour when it comes your way.

[Gabriel]

I am indeed mate, my first Yes concert for me! I'll be seeing them at Wembley arean this June. By the sounds of things i'm in for a real treat!

[fs_tol]

My favorite is Close to the Edge, maybe it's not as perfect as the studio version, but this was the first time i ever listened to it, and thought that the keyboard solo was the best i had ever listened to, that one remains in my mind

[Mario1970]

"I've seen all good people" and "Long distance..." are my favourites on this album.

[slazman]

Hey I vote for the most popular again! As mentioned some time ago ... this album changed my life. The definative live collection for me

[Timmo]

Close to the Edge...but so much of it is good!

Funny to hear people talking about "side six" etc., haven't even SEEN my vinyl copy of this for years.

PC and YIND also stand out.

I remember getting Yessongs for christmas the year it came out, and immediately putting on Roundabout. I about 11 or 12, and hadn't been to a concert yet, hadn't even had much exposure to live music on disc. It was the first item on my christmas list.

I remember being so disappointed by how different it was from the studio version. I hadn't yet learned to appreciate power-guitar, and missed the intricacy of the studio version.

I decided to listen to the whole thing, and put on Side One. I remember the applause and crowd noise, and then Firebird started.

I was immediately entranced, and said aloud "oh my god, what is THIS??"

My mother said "where did you get this? It's Stravinsky. That's not on that new record of yours, is it?"

My mother HATED rock music, but played classical piano. She would never listen to "our" music, but she did have the sense to buy my brother "The Yes Album" for my brother's birthday the week it came out because she'd read a review in the New York Times and decided it would be "better than that other trash you listent to, like Mick Jagger" (she had a personal vandetta against Mick Jagger, and thought he was the AntiChrist.

Anyway, the whole family finished opening our presents and having our traditional mimosas to all six sides of Yessongs. And I decided that I even liked the live version of Roundabout after all.

TIM
Venice, CA

[ANTIOCH]

I had already been following YES for a few years when "Yessongs" was released, so I knew they could pull off the studio versions 'live'; but man o' man, the energy that you feel while listening to the whole package is unbelieveable !
I voted for 'Siberian Khatru' because, as an opener; it gives you all the YES elements - and then some.

[Vic W.]

Steve's guitar work on Perpetual Change on this album from about minute 3 right up until the (bad) Bruford drum solo just melts me. It's astonishing. So that song got my vote.

But I could just as easily have said Close to the Edge. Again, Howe's guitar on this one is magical. Haunting.

YIND and ST from this album round out the quadrumvirate of tracks that I listen to over and over more than anything else in this world, a practice I will probably continue for the rest of my life.

[Timmo]

after wearing this recording out i would finally have to agree with YIND they all have special moments during that tune.

but i have to say for years siberian khatru was it for me. i used to pretend to be steve with my air guitar (actually i used a tennis racket).

Mood, kudos for "props" for your air guitar!

[justyes]

That's a hard one. I think Wakemans performance on "Six Wives" was great but I always liked "Starship Trooper". What should I do.....? I've voted for "Starship". It's really great. Always.

[Rogo]

Wow, YIND is in the lead! I vote for it because of the great jammin' opening, and the ultimate self-indulgent prog-solo-fest in the middle!

Love it.

One of the few tracks that ACTUALLY has the ability to get me up when I'm down.

[bassist73]

Close to the Edge is my favorite song on the album CTTE. I think it is much better in the live version. YIND comes in second on my favorites list.

[Bluebird71]

Uh, can I make a post that won't make much sense to the vast majority of you out there?? *takes a long and deep breath* okay...

The thing is, I don't much care for the live versions of PC or CTTE on Yessongs. They are TOO rocking... PC is one of my absolute favourite pieces from Yes but I fell in love with the ethereal feel of the song found on TYA (the high chorus is nowhere to be found on Yessongs, which in itself grates at me badly), not the prolonged rock-mood on Yessongs, which makes the track sound very monotonous to these ears, with all the original dynamics gone from the composition.

CTTE, well, it was already stated here that the studio track has a unique soundscape all of its own that is hard to capture live, and I agree with that. Seasons Of Man, my favourite part on this epic, has lost nearly all of its grandeur live. It doesn't really sound like a rock-symphony anymore.

BUT there is one song here that I really prefer to its studio counterpart and that is Siberian Khatru. A magnificent rending that really made me pay attention to that otherwordly instrumental section in the middle of the song! SB is one of the songs on Yessongs that to me greatly benefits from a more rocking, upbeat performance, and it works brilliantly as an opener, as well.

*phew* There, I said it!

[1972]

roundabout. the bass.

[joecool]

Perpetual Change kicks arse. End of story.

[rabinmovies]

It's got to be and you and i form me. I do wish they do this version more often instead of the traditional acoustic opening that steve does mostly all of the time these days. Whatever happened to steve's white twin neck gibson that he used on this track back then? I also love the over powerful sounding steel slide guitar in the middle solo
Just brilliant

[CybrKhatru]

I absolutely love everything on Yessongs. Special mention goes to Khatru, Perp Change, LDR, and YIND.

But I HAD to vote for CTTE...this was the version of the song that knocked me on my a** and made me a fan for life.
Nowadays it's probably a 50/50 tie which version I'd rather hear: the studio version or the Yessongs version. They're both different and valid enough for me to have them tie at #1!

---Matt

[ACK!]

It's a cool album because although Alan White is the new drummer, Bill Bruford is represented on a few tracks - obviously recorded during the Fragile tour, no doubt.

There's a bootleg that's been circulating for years called Alternate Yessongs - I believe it's from the Fragile tour, but am not sure. Anyone here heard it??

[Joe]

What's your favorite song on Yessongs?
"And You And I"...........It never gets old!

[KPatrick]

"Close To The Edge." This whole album captures a band performing at the absolute height of its accessible powers. I miss the intensity of "CTTE" in this recording, and was not around for the days when they played it with such fire....

[Johntron]

What is wrong with "SIBERIAN kHATRU"...It blows the studio version away (although I think it is also fantastic!). That Mellotron intro...the power of the opening bars with Rick`s flaying, atonal mellotron brass and Steve Howe`s interweaving guitar.
Near the end after the "Moon gate-Climber, Turn round-Glider..." section the song roars off into the opening riff again with a rush of intensity and power that could break a hippo`s back!
Steve`s guitar solo here is one of his more subtle efforts, but still totally amazing!

Why is this song seen in such a dismissive manner....without doubt my favourite from YESSONGS, and up there as one of my all time favourite YES moments!!!

[Bluebird71]

Johntron, I totally agree with you! A great description. SK is my absolute fav on Yessongs, in fact, this was the version that made me fall in love with the song in the first place. (It made me listen to the studio version on CTTE more carefully.) I would go as far as to say that the instrumental section in this version of SK is pretty much my favourite instrumental part in any song, ever.

:headset: :headset: :headset:

[Mostly Harmless]

I love this performance of Perpetual Change (best ever, I think). A very close second is CTTE.

[Bugeyes]

Today, it's:

♪ Close to the Edge.

[Yes_Fan_4_Life26]

I'm loving Perp Change just because of the AMAZING drum solo in the end. If you listen very carefully to the whole song and that drum solo actually sounds like the actual song. Brilliant!!! They should have included SSOTS (extended piano solo that would be awsome). Heart Of The Sunrise (My All-Time Favourite song made by Yes and anybody else too) on this album is cool to but I would have liked an extended drum solo. I also like how Rick did the ascending-descending keyboard partshe totally switched it up very cool and also the wierd keyboards in the starting of the song. Close To The Edge is cool very rocking. Six Wives was cool too. LDR/TF was awsome too very exploding bass. this song goes into a Micheal Hedges type area in the bass solo.

Tchau

[SCHSYesfan]

Really I can't pick a favorite song on this album. I like the live versions of all these songs, but I'll pick Long Distance Runaround/The Fish.

[Hill St.]

YIND hands down!

[ChrisBoylan]

I think AYAI is getting a bum rap here due to the technology of the time. It wasn't possible to get an acustic guitar to come accross in a large venue, so they had to improvise (improvise - a YES Specialty!) - hence the ending theme opening instead of the acustic guitar harmonic intro. (in the key of D mind you, not E like the actual part in the song it's taken from) Now-a-days, it's very easy to get an acustic to sound as big as the rest of the band nomatter what venue, so I naturally welcome back the studio sound when they play AYAI - much, much closer now.

I'm so impressed with Chris and Allan's little games they play just to stir things up - like "steal a beat from this bar and put it back in this bar" and the 2 of them really kick it when they do it. Also, Chris shows off his adeptness at music theory with alot of note substitution. An example, after playing the root note through most of the chord progression during the return of vocals after the symphonic part, on Jon's lyric, "All complete in the sight of seeds of life with you", Chris just rocks back and forth from E to B giving the chords new and different dynamic apart from the rest of the progression - a true classical technique.

Ok, ok, I know I'm over analizing - but this kind of genious craftmanship in these works are what put YES sooooooo far ahead of other Prog Rockers. Actually, when you think about it, what's more incredible is for fans like us to pick up in these little neuances and talk about them in the first place!! My hat is off to all of you!!!

One small side comment here, and I tend to like EVERYTHING YES does, mind you. To this day YES still cops out on the ending of CTTE. Right before the lyric "On the hill we view the silence of the valley..." on the studio album, there are 4 "snaps" an octave higher each time on the chord F - and then swings into the last verse in B flat with a tremendous uplifting feel to it. When performed live, still, they lose the snap and strike 3 chords strictly designed to lead them into that last verse a full step LOWER - in A flat (probably to ease vocals). But itstead of this wonderful, uplifting, 'snap - snap - snap! - "Oh the hill we view....." we hear this anti-climactic "blop blop blop" - and the last verse comes in with FAR less energy. Sorry for the critique, but I just wish YES would restore the studio ending to CTTE. Come on guys, you can do it! You sung higher and more difficult things live!

Anyway, for the above reasons, I vote for AYAI.
Chris
[predicting a scirmish of people going to there copys of Yessongs to check this out...]

[PT Fan]

This is my all time favorite Yes album. It's impossible for me to pick a favorite song because I think they are all fantastic. Absolutely, one of the best live albums ever!

Kevin:headset:

[JL]

The Yessongs version of CTTE is one of the highlights of all of 1970s music. The versions of HOTS and Perpetual Change are among my all time favorite music as well. The version of Starship Trooper absolutely slays me each time I hear it to this very day, almost 30 years after I first heard it.

There is a lot great to choose from on Yessongs, and my vote has to go to CTTE.

[cinderella]

Close To The Edge followed by And You And I.

[Internaut]

A no brainer for me...

Excerpts From "The Six Wives Of Henry VIII"

[allen toth]

Yours is no Disgrace Kicks Complete Arse, and is my Favorite. Followed by, CTTE, And you and I. But it's All Great!!

[Purple Wolfhound]

Perpetual Change - what a great version of this song - and Yes, I love the drum solo, too! Yours Is No Disgrace would be next followed by LDR/The Fish.

[Joe]

And You And I .........Symphonic style!

This week

[PhillYes]

I think I have to go with "Disgrace" here. Steve's solo is just amazing. He seems to be making it up as he goes along--we know that he is not, but still. Another thing that I always listen for in this song is Alan White: throughout this album, he does just such an incredible job of fitting his style--which could NOT be more different that Bruford's--into the Yes music. THis is just one of the songs where his "swing" lends itself tremendously to the song. I especially like to listen to his "gunshot" snare work. Swing or no, his time is dead-on.

Phil

[SadPreacher]

I can't belive nobody voted for Roundabout. Its a really good version. Well i didn't vote for it either, because I think YIND takes the cake. I'm a guitar freak, and steve gets pretty freaky on this one. Way to go Steve :)

ditto...i just love that intro with Howe diddling around with Wakey...two minutes of orgasmic bliss...then the solo just shreds....gawd...YIND by far wins this contest

[allpurechance]

ditto...i just love that intro with Howe diddling around with Wakey...two minutes of orgasmic bliss...then the solo just shreds....gawd...YIND by far wins this contest

Agreed.

When the band kicks in, after this wonderful jam intro, when those opening chords finally come crashing down...

Adrenaline.Shivers up and down the spine...

There are a couple of other moments on the 6 sides that are great, but this does take the cake.

[Timmo]

I voted for CTTE (can you believe they ever played it that FAST?), but the Yessongs version of "The Fish" is also truly amazing.

[YesPen]

For those 31 years that Yessongs have been in my possesion my main motivation for playing it has been to listen to YIND. This live version is heads above the studio version and show all the great things for which I love Yes and their music. It is electrifying, soothing and rocking its way all through. The amazing changes between Steve's frantic solos, Jons angelic vocal parts, with Rick and Alan filling in with som impressive parts all founded on Chis' spledid bass work that is all over the place.

Fantastic!

(If people can't get into Yes music by this piece, there is no hope for them.)