Head to Head Tuesday 4/29/03...The Peter Banks Era

[yarstruly]

Which of these 2 Peter Banks Era songs do you like better...

Astral Traveller

or

Beyond & Before

[Dragonfly]

I’ve never been all that fond of “Beyond and Before”. It’s O.K. and all, but the opening bass line is really annoying. (It’s a big disappointment to this YesFan that those are the very first notes of “official” Yes music.)

“Astral Traveler”, on the other hand, is a really cool piece of music. It’s about as psychedelic as this band ever got. Jon’s voice is leaden with effects and I love Peter’s rhythm guitar line. (And, yes, there is a similarity to that guitar line in his song “Dominating Factor” from his INSTINCT solo album (which also appears on the YES FAMILY SOLO ALBUM collection.))

Too bad that the “Astral Traveler” video was done after Steve joined the band.

Dragonfly :fly:

P.S. I have boot version of “Beyond and Before” as performed by Mable Greer’s Toyshop. Jon’s not in the band, so it’s Chris on lead vocals. I think I like this version better than the Yes version.

[Silent_wings]

Astral Traveller
very spacey

[Gato]

Astral Traveller.
(This one has been easy too;) ).

[Robert Shupe]

I didn't struggle as much on this one with my decision..

Astral Traveller for me it is. It moves and builds to a great end. The band was operating on all thrusters with this one. Pacing changes, spacey lyrics, good pounding of the skins by Bill. I think this is one of Mr. Banks finer moments in the Yes canon. Stellar work. Up there with the other great space songs. Sadly, only us Yes fans know it.


Robert Shupe

[yarstruly]

I'd like to hear from whoever cast the lone dissenting vote thus far...I voted for Astral Travller as well, but B&B has always been a fave of mine as well from this era...I happen to LOVE that Bass intro, thank you very much :-D...I don't want to argue with the dissenter (sp?), but I am curious ....

[arrel]

I'm one of the dissenters, but I must admit I'm not a huge fan of B&B. It's just that I am even less a fan of AT.

Musically, AT is a more interesting piece of music than B&B to me, but I find the recording very muddy.

I'm also not at all in sync with Jon's philosophical viewpoints, especially when it comes to the "soul". In a lot of Yes' music I can just ignore the words when I want to, but AT is so direct about it that I can't get past the words.

I can certainly understand, though, why most fans would prefer AT.