TOP 5 Yes Album Covers?

[1yesfan]

Ok on this poll you can only pick on TOP COVER, system will not aloow to vote more then one, or vote multi times for a given poll. SORRY!

[1yesfan]

I'm surprised the KEYS albums are getting votes.

[gathernear]

Hey, where's Yesterdays?. That's probably my favorite. It's hard to pick one. I have about four favorites.

Larry

[luckyseven]

I voted for one of the Keys albums, I forget which one. I think the Topographic and CTTE covers are brilliant, but if you could see the Keys covers on an album cover it would be easier to see how cool they are. Cd's are hard to get any detail out of unfortunately. I used one of the Keys covers as a backdrop on my desktop and it looked amazing. :gok:

[Trooper]

Had to pick Yessongs...with Tales a VERY close second!

Hey, what about ABWH....great cover!!! (one of the last "LP's" that I bought before CD's took over!)

[Robert Shupe]

I picked the Yessongs cover. A good selection of paintings best enjoyed on the vinyl size. Robert Shupe

[Trooper]

Agreed. The 'ole triple album fold-out cover was the best!!

[Ed1909]

Voted for Relayer, but if ABWH had been there.....

[1yesfan]

Who the hell voted for Big Gen cover. I am a WEST fan, but not of the covers! ;)

[Devotee]

eeeeeeeeeeeeekkkk! I totally goofed on this, so I'll put in my real vote here. The best cover art was the INSIDE of CTTE. Next was Yessongs, Tales, Fragile, and the Ladder. Yes, the Ladder.

"That's just my opinion, I could be wrong" - Dennis Miller

[fragilesi]

I always go for Close to the Edge, Tales and Relayer come close but CTTE, that opening gatefold always sets my imagination runing amok!

Simon.

[Earl Grey]

I love the inside gate-fold for CTTE, but you have to get it open first! For me, RELAYER is the best: The Ivory-like fluted rock formations, the warriors on horseback. Staring red-eyed for hours at the thing, when it came out....Well, I think I remember that! It was a good year, a great album, and the cover held all the promise that the goods inside finally delivered.
I think DEAN should do all the covers (I liked the KTA covers, and the poster was nice).
Has anyone seen the cover for the new album?

[Starship Trooper]

Since we can't actually choose 5 covers for some reason and some related to Yes history are missing, I'll just put mine here in no particular order:

1) ABWH

2) Relayer

3) Tales From Topographic Oceans

4) Drama

5) The Yes Album - call me crazy, but I think the band looks cool

This is too tough! I like a lot more than just these 5! The Keys covers are good, Union is good, Fragile, CTTE. I even like the Talk cover that wasn't done by Roger Dean; it's colorful and to me brings back good memories of the best Trevor Rabin-Yes album they made.

Actually, check out Roger Dean's website to see some paintings that never became album covers. There is some really intense stuff in there that blows some of the Yes album covers away!

[Earl Grey]

You know, if Rene Magritte were still around, he could've done a great YESCOVER>>>

[OzTales]

G'day troopers
I ve just joined and this looked as good as any a place to start a post.
I have to say I just love the site. Discoverering another Yes utopia helps, in a small way, make up for never having seen them live. - its a long way to Oz.
I voted with Early Grey for basically the same reasons. I also bought Relayer when it came out and still have the LP. It just leaps at you trying to make a point and is a great reflection of its contents.
Similarly TFTO, CTTE, Fragile, Ladder ...

[ycantibu]

I like the cover. It reminds me of Kraftwerk, in a strange way. I think a Kraftwerk sounding Yes would have been coolness. I'm just strange that way.



Originally posted by 1yesfan
Who the hell voted for Big Gen cover. I am a WEST fan, but not of the covers! ;)

[yesskater]

I'll admit it's not their best MUSICAL album, but I still find Dean's cover for Drama to be contemporary and striking in its own dark and minimalist way.
However, the picture of the band on the inside was less than flattering, in my opinion!

[OzTales]

Yesskater,
You will like the Magnification cover. Have you seen the preview in YESSWORLD? Personally I would have had another Roger Dean with light comlex color scheme but then I haven't heard the music on it yet (anticipating). It does have complexity. I see Jon's name is in the Art Credits!

[Dragonfly]

1st, I was unable to vote. I wonder if this has to do with the site crash. Oh, well.

My favorite album cover (also) is not on here: AB(L)WH.

For other fans of this fine artwork, you may want to revisit the "In The Big Dream" video. On one of the songs (I'm guessing "Brother of Mine" but I could be wrong) both the front and back covers to this album are briefly animated. If memory serves, for the front cover, the eagle flies and lands and, for the back cover, the partial snake rotates and has some of its scales appear and disappear. Don't take my word for it, though. It's been ages since I've seen it. I do know that in both cases the animation is very short. (Confirmation, verification anyone?:confused: )

Let me just VENT here that it infuriates me that this album - one of Yes's best - is consistently left out as not being a Yes album. If Anderson, Bruford, Levin, Wakeman and Howe on 10 out of 14 UNION songs is "Yes", then how is their first album not? :fmad: Thanks for listening.

Of the "official" Yes albums I must agree, YESTERDAYS (again, not in the poll) is probably my favorite with KEYS TO ASCENSION (1) running a close second.

Dragonfly:yesbird:

"See the flower of youth disappear on high as you gather your true wings about to fly"

[Earl Grey]

Well, as everyone probably knows at this point, I have a strong Roger Dean Bias. I've always enjoyed the visual rendering of the music that Dean always seems to grasp. I don't really GROK the significance of 'Space bubbles' and the new music, but one of my 'bud's' disagrees......
In 'real life' I take care of a guy with Muscular Dystrophy, in the capacity of a home-nurse.
My 'charge' usually HATES YES, with a capitol 'H'. He detests the DEAN "Hippy dippy art", and claims to prefer being set on fire, and having the flames put out with a tack-hammer, than being subjected to either YES, or DEAN.
For what reason, I don't know, but he actually listened to MAGNIFICATION, appeared to 'enjoy' the experience, and mentioned that the artwork was "Kinda' cool. Sorta' futuristic!"
So, who knows. The guys may have been firing on all cylinders here, and will reach a whole new audience that has previously been untapped.
You never know. :yesbird: Earl.

[Blokeski]

I voted for Drama - although I think the INSIDE cover of Close to the Edge is the best (but that wasn't on the list) - some critics have described this as being very indicative of Yes's career - they reached a plateau that meant the only way was down... thoughts?

[OzTales]

"although I think the INSIDE cover of Close to the Edge is the best (but that wasn't on the list) - some critics have described this as being very indicative of Yes's career - they reached a plateau"

Hi Blokeski, Welcome on board,
I will lead the charge of (the allways contructive) replys to this one if thats OK?
I tend to agree that they reached a plateau at CTTE but think they haven't come down yet (and may never will). They are still up there, purposefully exploring the Dean landscape (using same metaphore). They have along the way fallen foul of some nasty ravines but survived much the wiser. They are currently exploring brave new territory (yessymphony) and still desirving of the H of F recognition.

[Roman]

I voted for Keys 1. The very close second would be Relayer. If there were a question, which of the covers is worst, I would vote for The Ladder.

[Dragonfly]

Roman's hit the nail on the head. I love most Roger Dean works but the Ladder leaves me flat. The part that bugs me the most is the color pallet. It's reminescent of all of that d_amned Thomas Kincade garbage. I guess the graphics themselves are all right, I just can't get past that particular grouping of blue, green and pink. Yech!:thumbdown

Roger actually did one album cover for Gentle Giant (OCTOPUS) which most American Gentle Giant fans have never seen as it was not used on the American release. Instead, we got the deep-sea diver and giant octopus in the glass jar. The octopus Roger did is much more interesting (and a bit on the sinister side) - beautifully done.

Dragonfly:yesbird:

[Macman]

It had to be Going for the One......Hold it! I know it wasn't done by Mr Dean, but I remember the day I bought the album. 17 Years old and full of high ideals, seeing a single album put into a triple sleeve how impressed was I? Simply stunning!

[Earl Grey]

....RELAYER for me!

I wish that DEAN had done a gazillion paintings in that particular universe: Where are those horsemen going?

[chrisloeb]

YesYears, not for the yellow (one colour I don't like), but for the Tsunami painting, one of Roger Dean's best works (in my 'umble opinion)
- oh no -
- confusion -
the Tsunami painting was on the back cover of Union, wasn't it??!! wrong vote then!
- more confusion -
Off I go!

[Dragonfly]

I just realized that another of my favorites is missing, HOUSE OF BLUES. The entire album cover is negotiable, but the dragonfly itself is gorgeous! I had always hoped Mr. Dean would do one someday. Now he finally has - and I got the concert shirt with the same creature. Beautiful!

Dragonfly:yesbird:

[Earl Grey]

...and it's beginning to 'wear out'! Oh well.
What a great time that shirt reminds me of!
I wear it if I'm exceptionally happy, or especially blue, as it's the quintessential YES image for me: simple and full of magic.
A mood alterer, and just a silly shirt, mind you...

A GREAT Roger Dean image!

...reminds me of YES in an un-Yessified world. A good thing.

:yesbird:

[Rogo]

I voted for Tormato, just for the heck of it! :bash: I know nobody else will. I was 14 when it came out, and I thought that cover was REALLY deep and surreal. I realize now that most fans just find it silly (I don't agree). I like the Relayer cover, especially mine (LP) now that it's got Jon's, Alan's, Steve's and Chris's squiggles in thick black marker pen all over the front! Got them in Oslo after the concert. Maybe I should stop bragging about this now. OK. I love that bash smiley.

[hypatiamarshall]

At least it is not as grotesque as Itchy and Scratchy. I wonder about Groening sometimes.
hahahaha

I have come to the conclusion that I will never find Close to the Edge or Tales t-shirt. You don't know how much I wish I had purchased one. I would look like a dinosaur, but at least I would be a respected dinosaur. hahahahahah

janindenver/snowycity

[gathernear]

Roger Dean's website is selling Tales t-shirts. Check www.rogerdean.com. I would prefer Close To The Edge myself.

Larry

Well Rogo, I think even I would vote for your Relayer cover!

The Tormato thing, I don't know... It seems like too much of a slap in the face to me. I read somewhere that the designer did not like Yes.

[Yes Oz]

Thanks for the info on Roger Deans site, will check out.

My top 5 album covers would be any by Roger Dean. Its hard to believe that he dosen't listen to the music before he designs the cover as it really suites the music. Still for what its worth Tales would be my No 1.

[Rogo]

Re: Tormato cover. The cover was made by Hipgnosis, a group of three guys who also did the covers for things like Dark side of the Moon, Wish you were here, Animals, Houses of the Holy, Presence, How dare you, Deceptive Bends, Bloody Tourists, and let's not forget Going for the One!! Plus lots of other 70's clever stuff...

[Earl Grey]

......the guy sitting next to me, at the Magnification show, had a 'Tales' shirt. Oh my Gawd.

He bought a 'few' of them, back when....

*sigh* Smart. Very smart.

My 'Dragonfly' shirt is wearing out.

I'm a prig. I won't be a 'walking advert' for anyone, but YES, Jeagermeister (I got a cool T-shirt, with the 'Jeager' logo, and a guitar in black. I wear that. TeeHee!), and tinee-tiny struggling people that have happened to try the T-Shirt mode for a vehicle of expression.

...Wish I'd spent that extra $7.00 back then.... "TALES" *sigh*
...but then, I'd probably have lost it in the 'infamous' fire, and I'd have one more possession to grieve over.
Better left as is.

Yet, I wish I had that shirt! Oh well.

:ele:

[hypatiamarshall]

At least I have the memories of experiencing the actual "Tales" concert. I remember Alan just pounding the hell out of those drums! smile.

Actually, If I wanted, I could draw the designs on a t-shirt - next closest thing.

janindenver

[raz]

I'd also like to see ABWH on the list....
I love most of the Dean covers....
Especially the one's with Rocks in them, but that's the Geologist in me coming out....

ABWH, CTTE, Relayer, Tales, Yessongs/shows/years/terdays, Fragile, The Ladder (i've got this on LP!), Drama, Union in that order for me....

Raz

Ps the Magnification cover is interesting, but the album will blow your socks off... it's a corker...

[Earl Grey]

The best YES since the ABWH album.

Our reason to be here.

[Trooper1129]

Definitely a tough choice. If this were limited to the outside cover, it would be a tie between Relayer and Tales. If we are counting inside art as being cover art, then it's no contest....Yessongs....Arrival and Pathways are absolute superb Dean pieces.

Trooper


p.s. To Earl Grey.....anyone who can work the word grok into a post, is alright by me....I wonder everyone groked what you were trying to say?

[raz]

I deifinatly Grokked.....
Drink deep, water brother...

Raz

[hypatiamarshall]

I haven't check this site for almost 2 months. I laughed myself silly when I saw the BigGen vote again. My daughter, Aurora, actually thought Tormato was cool. Of course, I have seen Magnification. I had a copy from England in October, I am proud to say. I thought it was very futuristic: I love it; but, I will have to say in all fairness, that I wish they would utilize Roger Dean because I believe his art helped, and I use the word loosely, them ascend to stardom. Now, I, as do many I am sure, equate Yes with Roger Dean. I think it was one of the coolest moves they ever made. I heard Steve was intstrumental (no pun intended) in this endeavor. Back to Magnification: it reminds me of technical scientific drawings by Leonardo Da Vinci. And, I always thought the cover of the Yes Album was cool, too. I think Jon looks like an angel. Get a load of that hair on Bruford. hahahaha And he cut it off, the dummy. I feel like I am rambling.

janinerieCO

[Earl Grey]

Oops! Wrong band!

I'll brag, as I have elsewhere, that a good bud of mine gave me a numbered litho of Relayer, signed by Jon (I thought it was signed by Dean as well: sure appeared that way, but alas: his was a part of the litho: oh well. The Jon bit is the rare one to me).

Relayer: still my all time favorite! Now it shall hang on my wall!

The ele's keep on dancing! :ele: :ele: :ele: :ele: :ele: :ele:
Hey, got a little chorus-line going here: dancing to Sound Chaser!
:ele: :ele: :ele: :ele: OK. Enough!

[hypatiamarshall]

What does it matter who signed or didn't sign it?

The point is this: we are assisting Roger to do what he does best. Hopefully, he will design another cover. I surely hope so.

Do those elephants come in flavors? hahahahahah


janinerieCO

Well Jan, it certainly would matter to me if Mr Jon Main Man signed something of mine! Lucky Earl. I'm so jealous!

[hypatiamarshall]

Hi, Pat!

I have had several things signed by Jon and Roger Dean. I have a card from the 70's from Jon when Damion was little. I sent a poem to Jon entitled: Nazca. (Get it?) I don't mean to sound jaded. The card is in a floating frame on my dresser where I can see it every morning. I am certain that the members of Yes know we adore them, don't you????

I have shaken Jon's hand and talked to him, and I value that time more than I can verbalize. We have to remember that they are human just like us, with all the frailties and peccadilloes that go along with being human.

janinerieCO

[Earl Grey]

Strawberry ele's and minty-fresh!

I'd love to get a litho with all the members autographs, but be content Earl! Haha! Always something 'more' out there....

:ele:

[hypatiamarshall]

I just assumed that since they were pink, they were peppermint or watermelon. hahahahah

I prefer the cherry flavor myself, etc. etc.

I know Jon paints. I wonder if he ever paints fruit????

janinerieCO

Originally posted by hypatiamarshall
Hi, Pat!

I have had several things signed by Jon and Roger Dean. I have a card from the 70's from Jon when Damion was little. I sent a poem to Jon entitled: Nazca. (Get it?) I don't mean to sound jaded. The card is in a floating frame on my dresser where I can see it every morning. I am certain that the members of Yes know we adore them, don't you????

I have shaken Jon's hand and talked to him, and I value that time more than I can verbalize. We have to remember that they are human just like us, with all the frailties and peccadilloes that go along with being human.

janinerieCO

What? Human? Anyone who can bring into creation Tales from Topographic Oceans must be more than mere mortal!

And you know I couldn't be more jealous of your Jon experiences/items! Lucky you too!

[hypatiamarshall]

Jon not a mere mortal? What ever gave you that idea? He told everyone at Red Rocks here in Denver (Talk tour) that he was once a native american. At least, that was what I understood him to say. Supposedly there are jokes running rampant about Jon and fairies. hahahahahah More power to him, whatever power he has I like it. hahahahah

janinerieCO

Originally posted by hypatiamarshall
whatever power he has I like it.

janinerieCO

Jan, you know I agree with that!!

[RobAdams]

TALES is my favorite cover, RELAYER a close second. Roger Dean's covers have been awesome for the most part. THE LADDER and YESYEARS seem to be Roger's least interesting Yes covers. The ones I like most are those landscapes that make you feel like it would be incredible to be in the picture. The artwork within the YESSONGS package has always been inspiring to me. I especially like the one with the moose. DRAMA is a great cover also. YESSHOWS is nice. I like the wintery feel, yet it seems we don't get to see enough of this wintery place elsewhere in the package.
The inside of CTTE is my favorite 'inside cover' art.
As for the covers NOT designed by Roger Dean, I'd say GFTO is great, although I'd rather see a lady on the cover ! Hipgnosis has done some great covers, GOING is one of them. Now when I see the cover I am reminded of the World Trade Center, since the buildings are simillar. The other non-Dean cover I like is the black and white TIME AND A WORD cover (not the US cover). 90125, 9012LIVE and BIG GENERATOR all had covers that were as exciting and inviting as a Nutrition Facts label, ort a UPC bar code.
God, I miss my vinyl....I miss my copy of Gentle Giant's OCTOPUS with Roger Dean's cover...

[hypatiamarshall]

i love the tormato bashing avatar hahahaha

jan in erie CO

[Flo]

I like all Dean's covers. My favourite ones are Tales from Topograhic Oceans, Relayer, Yesshows and both Keys to Ascension I and II.

[RobAdams]

I was reading THE BEATLES ANTHOLOGY book, and according to Ringo, one of the original HELP FROM MY FRIENDS lyrics was "What would you think if I sang out of tune, would you all throw tomatos at me". Ringo, thinking that if they were to perform it on stage, people just might throw tomatos, so he told John & Paul they had to change that part.

[crazedyesfan]

Top 5 Yes Album Covers

5. Drama
4. Yesterdays
3. Close to the Edge
2. Relayer
1. Yessongs

[Alysoun]

Originally posted by Earl Grey
You know, if Rene Magritte were still around, he could've done a great YESCOVER>>>

Hey Earl:

WOW!!! I never made that connection before.

Magritte is very much in this vein.

You made my day, Earl.

Allison

[Earl Grey]

That post was a while ago...

Still: I love the paperback copy of "The Castle" by F. Kafka that I peruse every now and now...

It has that great weightless painting of a 'Castle in the Sky' by Magritte on the cover.

I've often wondered if any spaceshuttle astronauts/astyronettes have 'experimented' in zero-gee "Oh Gee!" stuff out there... I betcha! HA! "Houston. A strange elevation in Sally Ride's and Robert Crippen's heart rate. They are logged-on as 'asleep': will report!..."

Magritte is very YES-like to me. Always has been ever. Floating CASTLES: how more perfectly to describe that which we love?

YES: ever the floating ediface. Transcends the nominal. That's why we love them. Their spirituality is their physicality is their spirituality and the ever present OM.

Om Om on the range. So it goes!

We are manifold creatures.

:ele: Earl

[mrgone3]

OKAY!I looked at all my YES albums.TALES is interesting.It captures the music so well.And WHY did you leave out ABWH? The best almost YES album cover?Remember a group called Starcastle in the '70's?The last post reminded me of that.They were trying to do a Weird Roundabout meets King Arthur.Anyway back to the madness. JOE

[bataisflow]

Yesterdays is my fovorite album cover

[mrgone3]

WELL! AT LEAST ROLLING STONE MAGAZINE PICKED A GREAT ALBUM COVER!There are some awesome choices.Beatles,Stones,Floyd and don't forget the mighty Zep. JOE

[Jackaranda]

It's Tales--maybe the best ever (except Revolver & Sgt. Pepper).
Yessongs a close second.

Originally posted by jack gowen
It's Tales--maybe the best ever.


Again!

[gt76yesman]

If Bill Gates was around we could probably vote on more than one cover!:poop:

How do I choose thee, let me count the covers;
TFTO
Relayer
Yesterdays
Union
Ladder
ABWH
Keys1

hmmm, I cannot choose....:valintine

[soulsearcher]

yessongs!
tales a close second!

[yarstruly]

1. Yessongs!
2. Yesterdays
3. Drama
4. Relayer
5. Yesshows


Non-Yes (But related) honorable mention:
Asia Self-titled

[Scooty]

Relayer
Tales
Yessongs
Drama
Yesshows ( I love the simplicity of this one and the forboding scene...the snow, cold, distance...the end for awhile...does that make sense??)

[About The Round]

Open Your Eyes (Less is more)
Talk (Yes at a contemporary style for once)
Big Generator ( Suits the music)
90125 The Solos Live ( Pars with the studio issue...)
90125 (The best cover ever)

[closetotheedge]

all the art work is terriffic

[yessongs72]

Top 5 Yes Covers
5. Classic Yes
4. Relayer
3. CTTE
2. Fragile
1. Tales

[yesmusic]

Tales
Ultimate
Relayer
Drama
A,B,W,H
and my all-time favorite
OYE - ClassicDeanYES - black/blue/white, w/red outline

[About The Round]

Open Your Eyes (Less is more)
Talk (Yes at a contemporary style for once)
Big Generator ( Suits the music)
90125 The Solos Live ( Pars with the studio issue...)
90125 (The best cover ever)

Actually I hoped to provoke someone with the writings above.

Yes Classics is the favoured one.

[stevepenn]

Yessongs
Relayer
TFTO
Fragile
Yesterdays

[SallyKhatru]

lol
About the covers- I really love the Keys and the Ladder, but I think tales was the best one

[Ryan]

Heres my top 5

1. Relayer
2. Tales from topographic oceans
3. Close to the edge
4. Fragile
5. Going for the one. (is it bad that I'm a guy and I like this cover?)

[Speedy]

Tales From Topographic Oceans

[ELLIS]

My top 5 are:
1. Blue Desert (ABWH)
2. Topographic Oceans
3. The Ladder
4. Keys to Ascension2
5. Drama

[Bo Locks]

1. FRAGILE (front cover)
2. FRAGILE (back cover)
3. FRAGILE (front of the LP booklet)
4. FRAGILE (back of the LP booklet)
5. Magnification is a truly awful cover; Open Your Eyes and Keystudio are equal next - pure pants!

[C0ops]

Relayer is my choice the art work is truly unique impacting....it really tells the story, or puts one into the "relayer" mood....thank you roger dean

[Sticks]

The front of CTTE for me based on the KISS principle. A wonderful series of shades of green.

[John Khatru]

Relayer by far and away is my favorite Yes album cover...

I got my vinyl copy (which is in a almost pristine condition in a picture frame just above my computer desk) and the shirt I got on the Union Tour was of the Relayer cover.

my top 5 Yes album covers...
Relayer
ABWH
CTTE (I really dig the simplicity and mystery of the green and black haze)
Drama
GFTO

:stick: is for the Tormato cover!!!

[Gabriel]

Definatly Tales from Topographic Oceans for me; simply stunning artwork.

Fragile and Union are also other favourites of mine.

[mattquarterstein]

I quite like the cover for the Ladder, though Tales and Keys to Ascension 1 come pretty close.

Dean's landscapes, I could get lost in them all day if I had the time.

[Ryan]

alright, who voted for big generater?

[slazman]

Tales for me ... makes a nice wallpaper on my new PC as well.

[brotherofmine]

I remember buying Yessongs when it first came out, I spent ages just looking at the artwork even before I played it absolutely beautiful magnificent, such a work of art, sadly you miss all that with CD or tape because it looks so small ...lose the effect. BUt The Yessongs vinyl was like buying an art book with three records attached.

[Andy56]

Tales for me ... makes a nice wallpaper on my new PC as well.

It's my favourite too and I had that for a while as my wallpaper, but I discovered the Keys to Ascension arches at :http://entertainment.msn.com/music/netcal/?netcal=1004

There is also the ABWH cover downloadable free as well.

[mattquarterstein]

Thanks for the link Andy

[paulovajao]

I remember buying Yessongs when it first came out, I spent ages just looking at the artwork even before I played it absolutely beautiful magnificent, such a work of art, sadly you miss all that with CD or tape because it looks so small ...lose the effect. BUt The Yessongs vinyl was like buying an art book with three records attached.Nuff said!the vinyl covers were exquisite artwork!!thanks BOM!!!Great help!

[joecool]

It's got to be "Relayer"

[Fito]

1-Yessongs
2-Yesshows
3-Tales from topographic oceans
4-Relayer
5-Union

[Timmo]

Well, as everyone probably knows at this point, I have a strong Roger Dean Bias. I've always enjoyed the visual rendering of the music that Dean always seems to grasp. I don't really GROK the significance of 'Space bubbles' and the new music, but one of my 'bud's' disagrees......
In 'real life' I take care of a guy with Muscular Dystrophy, in the capacity of a home-nurse.
My 'charge' usually HATES YES, with a capitol 'H'. He detests the DEAN "Hippy dippy art", and claims to prefer being set on fire, and having the flames put out with a tack-hammer, than being subjected to either YES, or DEAN.
For what reason, I don't know, but he actually listened to MAGNIFICATION, appeared to 'enjoy' the experience, and mentioned that the artwork was "Kinda' cool. Sorta' futuristic!"
So, who knows. The guys may have been firing on all cylinders here, and will reach a whole new audience that has previously been untapped.
You never know. :yesbird: Earl.Earlie, dug up this post from you back in '01.

Is this the guy you're taking Sunday?

[Faceintheplace]

Time and a Word UK cover
Yessongs
Relayer
Drama
Tales From Topographic Oceans

[cinderella]

ABWH
Relayer
Tales From Topographic Oceans
Fragile
Union

I'm a Yes West fan, but not of the album covers. Eeeew!

[pianozach]

I like the Drama cover. Bold. Colorful. Imagery. Panthers.

I am sorry that you did not include Yesterdays. Also a cool cover.

The whole package of Yessongs was cool, but the front was weak. Same with Close to the Edge. Great inside, dull outside. Union and ABWH were cool too. And, for some demented reason, I LIKE the cover to Talk: colorful, irreverent, fresh, unusual.

First three covers were plainly dull. Obviously the band had very little creative control. I find 90125, 9012Live and BG not very visually creatively. It probably sounded great at the meetings. And the OYE cover just perplexes me.

But that's just me . . . .

[amadan]

Relayer, and Yesterdays.

[Timmo]

ABWH
Relayer
Tales From Topographic Oceans
Fragile
Union

I'm a Yes West fan, but not of the album covers. Eeeew!Yeah, they pretty much blew.

Especially "Talk."

[mattquarterstein]

What's wrong with the cover of TALK??

I know, I know! There's no exclamation mark in that picture, right? ;)

[JJGeers]

Ok then,

It took me a while, but here's mine.

Among them there are some images you probably don't know or rarely have seen..

Love,

Jasper.

Take a look:

[yes_angel]

Tales for sure and we have Keys1,,,, Union,,,Relayer,,,and dont forget that Going for The One cover! lol

[Hill St.]

1) Tales..2)Relayer...3)Yessongs...4)Fragile...5)CTTE ...

[Yes2Yes]

I went with Yessongs. It's hard to pick just one, but the poll does make you think.

[flep]

I went with "Tales" The first album I bought. I read an old post by Earl where he stated he just stared at the "Relayer" cover for hours.

I was the same with this one. The cover reveals more intricacies every time you look at it. A magnificent work of art by Mr Dean.!!!

[marklovesyes]

I'm surprised YESShows is not getting more votes.

[neilius]

tales,yessongs,ctte,relayer,fragile.
Worst yes album sleeve IMO 90125, ironically.

[Steve St Thomas]

I voted for RELAYER. That was a tough vote! But i'm really glad to see its gotten so many. I wonder why that and Topographic are turning out to be so popular?

[rabinmovies]

My favourite album cover has got to be ABWH. It was very colourful and refreshing when released.

[Altres]

1. Yessongs - The original UK vinyl release is one of the most beautiful pieces of actual art ever to adorn any cover ever. It is stunning. And the booklet too. Amazing.

2. Close to the Edge

3. Relayer

4. Fragile (and that wee booklet inside is great too)

5. Yesterdays (why wasn't this even mentioned?)

I see Topographic is the favourite but I always found it a bit cobbled together. Too many cooks etc.


http://yesworld.com/gallery/images/albums/Yesterdays.jpg

[Steve St Thomas]

Yesterdays is really nice.

[earthskyduality]

No question about this:

1) Fragile - the story begins with the planet breaking up

2) Yessongs - Inspired and beautiful-a new beginning

3) Drama - I imagined that this was what the Martian polar caps would look like if terra formed by humans. The dunes are red and the brain coral plants are alien to Earth except under the sea. The hunting cats are indeed dramatic

4) Yesshows - I like the bird circling the mountain top. Peaceful and serene.

5) Relayer - Ominous and mysterious

[Whitefish]

It would not let me post more than one: I votes for Tales from Topographic Oceans.

Here are the other 4:

Fragile
Yessongs
Yesterdays
Drama

[Magnificate-YES]

It's hard to pic one from this list (not all albums are there), but i'll go for RELAYER.....great album and cover.
Tales, Fragile, ABWH and CTTE (my first album) are my favorites too.
not on the list:
the cover from "In a word"

[Earl Grey]

There are more elaborate settings...

I am always drawn to the gatefold of Close To The Edge.

...Something about that perpetual resevoir of pertinence.

You can never go wrong with that gatefold.

Perhaps the most outragious Dean of all, a perpetual waterfall that never runs-out.

I believe.

ErlGrai

[allpurechance]

I really should stop being continuously amazed at how often Earl and I agree.

(But,maybe Earl should be askeered!)

Frank

[KEN in NJ]

I allways like Roger Dean's work. So it's Drama

[DaveJB]

I took Tales in the poll. I always liked Relayer (2), Fragile (3), Yesshows (4, it's kind of elegant, in a wintery way), and Union (5, I always enjoy visits to the desert, both high up north or the southwest).

[Warhorse]

My favourite non-Yes Roger Dean cover is Asia's self-title debut

[breadboy526]

and i know just what we were doing with said album covers!!!

[StuartDMT]

I chose Relayer, but, strange as it may sound, my other favorites are Open Your Eyes and Time and a Word (original artwork) -- and I think Close to the Edge would have gotten my vote if I were sure that the INSIDE image was the one being voted on...technically NOT the cover.

so.....so.....many......choices!

[relayeire]

Yes, sorry, they’re all Dean covers… hono(u)rable mention goes to The Yes Album…

<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p> </o:p>

1) Relayer – never before has such an intriguing story been told without benefit of words (same for the band name and logo, of course)

<o:p> </o:p>

2) Yessongs – the cover is an enigmatic piece of art, framed by more art (the logo and vegetation forming a frame, which I don’t think he’s done on any other covers)

<o:p> </o:p>

3) TFTO – it’s a bit eclectic, but it works… are the fish the members of Yes? if so, which one was pregnant? one of those fish has an embryo in it…

<o:p> </o:p>

4) Drama – those cats give this more “movement” than most Yes covers… that dark sky is ominous, and those cacti(?) really catch your eye (no pun intended) with their contrast…

<o:p> </o:p>

5) Yesyears – it didn’t give us a lot of extra tracks, but did give us a great cover… it looks to be a deliberate echo of the floating islands seen on Fragile, Yessongs and Yesshows… I’m ok with that… I also like the lizard, which puts a “character” into the picture, rather than just a location… and that strange outgrowth at the top...

<o:p> </o:p>

those are my top five of the listed titles… In A Word, Yesterdays, ABWH and Magnification really should be listed to make this a fair and accurate poll… thanks for posting it!

<o:p> </o:p>

bbttww, the Word Is Live cover is a bit dull, but the White cover is some of the best stuff Dean’s done in a while!

PS - Dragonfly, yes, you remember correctly... I have the BoM video on DVD, laser and VHS... it does have the ABWH artwork in an all-too-brief animated segments... an eagle flies in during the opening notes, and the snake bit appears near the end...

[sherriff_johnbrown]

1. Relayer
2. Yessongs
3. Tales From Topographic Oceans
4. Drama
5. Close to the Edge:

I love the balance between the plain outer cover and the dynamic gatefold. Perfectly fits the album!

[pedro skychaser]

drama is a personal favourite-dark & moody-the birds represent the buggles,young & airy leading the cats/luring the cats(that represent hsw)-down to the sea-a sea that contains a shipwreck/of the classic band??the succulent succulents are outrageously vivid,the sand beautifully raked,the landforms worn and weathered by milleniums of seachanges-and in the curent climate there is even more drama!!-if it was bono with visa problems you'd have every us senator trying to help as well as kofi annan!!!!

[new_sum_do_solve_ay]

I'm surprised the KEYS albums are getting votes.

Actually the music has changed more than the art, but I have really enjoyed the new look since ABWH (which is #1 but of course there's no vote for it!) and you can see that in Keys, The Ladder, and Union. Kind of the same earthy themes, just more sharp (distant? no...) than the old Fragile/Tales/Relayer style. I voted for Union.

Top 5:
Union
Keys I/II
Relayer
Tales
The Ladder

[The Whale]

dark & moody-the birds represent the buggles,young & airy leading the cats/luring the cats(that represent hsw)-down to the sea-a sea that contains a shipwreck/of the classic band??!!!!

wow I really like this! nice interpitation, I think I will go with it.

[hailhail]

1 YESSONGS
2 TALES
3 RELAYER
4 YESSHOWS BACK COVER
5 A.E.O.Y.M.plus

[The Whale]

1 Relayer
2 yesshowes
3 tales
4 time and a word (with the woman and butterfly)
5 Magnification / Fragile

[Dema]

I voted the Ladder, but I also like very much Tales....

1 Ladder
2 Tales
3 Magnification
4 fragile
5 Union



Umberto

[JB86]

1. Relayer
2. Drama
3. Tales from Topographic Oceans
4. Union
5. Talk

[sparky]

In no particular order:

1. Yessongs
2. Time and a Word (uk sleeve)
3. The Yes Album
4. Going For The One
5. Close To The Edge

Yessongs because it´s Roger Dean in all his glory. Time and a Word (black and White Uk sleeve) The Yes Album and Going For the One, because of their pop art feel. Then I had a hard time chosing between Fragile and Close to the Edge, but I settled for CTTE as I like the simplicity of it; the front is a nice understatement - then you open the gatefold...
I never cared much for Relayer - don´t get me wrong I DO like it, but IMO it would look better without the riders. A bit too much Lord Of The Rings for me. In general, I think Dean´s art works better when there´s less fantasy figures in it. But the girl on the rock on Yessongs is the coolest thing ever. Maybe, because she´s "a real person" which adds more mystique to the art. Come to think of it - any prog rock album sleeve sporting elves, goblins and such actually puts me off from buying the record.

[Close to Loch Ness]

1.Relayer
2.Yessongs
3.Tales
4.Fragile
5.Yesshows

[SadPreacher]

1 - Yessongs
2 - CTTE
3 - Relayer
4 - TFTO
5 - Fragile

[ToBeOver]

Relayer
Tales
Drama
Yessongs
The Ladder

:keyboard:

[Scooty]

5. Talk


Really??

Interesting.
Even more interesting is knowing 3 people voted for this cover.

[Mc-Merc]

1. Yessongs (by about 35 country miles)
2. Yesshows
3. Relayer
4. Tales
5. ABWH

[plodder]

I was surprised that Fragile had so few votes. Before I checked the results I was convinced it would be way out in front.

[crackedactor]

I went for Tales

[Bob Barker.]

you said 5. i could only vote for relayer.

tales
relayer
fragile
drama
yessongs

[Frosted Sun]

http://yesfans.com/images/icons/bike.gif
It is Yessongs for me with Fragile second and TFTO.

[Wakey's #1 Fan]

Tales is and will always be my favourite Roger Dean painting. It was also the first one that I've drawn...

[BillGuitar]

In no particular order:

1. Yessongs
2. Time and a Word (uk sleeve)
3. The Yes Album
4. Going For The One
5. Close To The Edge

Yessongs because it´s Roger Dean in all his glory. Time and a Word (black and White Uk sleeve) The Yes Album and Going For the One, because of their pop art feel. Then I had a hard time chosing between Fragile and Close to the Edge, but I settled for CTTE as I like the simplicity of it; the front is a nice understatement - then you open the gatefold...
I never cared much for Relayer - don´t get me wrong I DO like it, but IMO it would look better without the riders. A bit too much Lord Of The Rings for me. In general, I think Dean´s art works better when there´s less fantasy figures in it. But the girl on the rock on Yessongs is the coolest thing ever. Maybe, because she´s "a real person" which adds more mystique to the art. Come to think of it - any prog rock album sleeve sporting elves, goblins and such actually puts me off from buying the record.

Which, Dean in VIEWS points out, was demanded by the Atlanticoids...

Just like the "cone of air" that the fish swim in on Tales, the original vinyl...

I need a retreat pod!

For me:

1) Relayer - Near impossible to do that subtle detail with a limited color palette. Try it yourself.

2) Close To The Edge - Dean BRILLIANTLY describes the title cut's fade-in with the cover image. Very Zen.

3) Yessongs - I used to have all four posters in my bedroom. The beautiful simplicity of them caused me to find "faces" in their shapes, which I still see.
Less is more.

4) Tales From Topographic Oceans - Dean provides the "swimming through life" interplay throughout time and existence. Eternal.

5) The Yes Album. Because it's still an incredible image, made out of chance. Tony's cast, the white chair, the stryofoam mannequin head floating in space: You wanted to investigate further. Exactly what any good cover does: sells the band.

[Wakey's #1 Fan]

1) Relayer - Near impossible to do that subtle detail with a limited color palette. Try it yourself.

It is possible!!! It's my favourite painting of Yes covers...(I think I did this one better than Fragile...)
http://a411.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/21/l_4b8091c56238d5e0fcd6c943b794b202.jpg

[BillGuitar]

It is possible!!! It's my favourite painting of Yes covers...(I think I did this one better than Fragile...)
http://a411.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/21/l_4b8091c56238d5e0fcd6c943b794b202.jpg

Nina does the impossible! :hearts:

It really is a mystifying place.
A natural Gothic cathedral, complete with Chris and Jon's flying buttresses! :lmao:
Snake-On, Baby Snakes! :bncsmls:

[Wakey's #1 Fan]

Nina does the impossible! :hearts:

It really is a mystifying place.
A natural Gothic cathedral, complete with Chris and Jon's flying buttresses! :lmao:
Snake-On, Baby Snakes! :bncsmls:
maybe this thread is the right one to post all my intrepretations, isn't it?

[Bob Barker.]

wow!

[Andrea YouAndI]

Relayer

CTTE (inner gatefold)

Yessongs

ABWH

Drama

Honorable mention goes to Asia, even though it wasn't a Yes album it's actually my favorite Dean painting. Strangely enough, CTTE is my only favorite that doesn't have a creature involved. Apparently, dragons, snakes, moose, and cats all can rock!

[Enoch]

I'm surprised the KEYS albums are getting votes.

Actually if you could see a hi-rez wide version of this wonderful Roger Dean work, you might not be so surprised.:rightG:

[pianozach]

It is possible!!! It's my favourite painting of Yes covers...(I think I did this one better than Fragile...)
http://a411.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/21/l_4b8091c56238d5e0fcd6c943b794b202.jpg

I like your take on the Relayer art: It presents a friendlier, happier version of a cover that seems cold and barren.


Honorable mention goes to Asia, even though it wasn't a Yes album it's actually my favorite Dean painting. Strangely enough, CTTE is my only favorite that doesn't have a creature involved. Apparently, dragons, snakes, moose, and cats all can rock!

I agree. Dean created artwork for other bands that is superb.

Immediately springing to mind is Asia, Midnight Sun and Uriah Heep. And ABWH.

And Greenslade.

And Badger.

And the original cover of John Lodge's Natural Avenue.

[maninthemoon]

I love the cover of Tormato. You want to make something out of it?

[pianozach]

I love the cover of Tormato. You want to make something out of it?

I take it you like ketchup . . .

Well, you better ketchup with the rest of us and like the Roger Dean covers, OK?:drummer:

[maninthemoon]

I take it you like ketchup . . .

Well, you better ketchup with the rest of us and like the Roger Dean covers, OK?:drummer:

I do, I love the Dean covers. I used to have his posters all over my walls. I wish I still had them, I'd hang them in my office.

[TOBYSGRAPHICGOKART]

1 Relayer
2 TFTO
3 KTA
4 Yessongs
5 CTTE

[somissound]

Relayer
TFTO
Drama
ABWH
Yesshows (gotta love the Yesbird!):yesbird: