Is "White Car" really YES?

[yarstruly]

I thought of this while driving in MY White Car & Listening to "White Car"...

Is this song really YES or just a Buggles song on a YES album? I dont think Steve or Chris appear at all and Alan only contributed a few snare rolls near the beginning...I think the rest is all Trevor H. & Geoff....

What do you think?

(BTW....I love the song, but is it really YES?)

[BlueEagle]

Quite agree

[Q]

It is true that "White Car" was done entirely on a Fairlight console. However, it is true that a number of Yes songs that we consider true Yes have similar limitations in terms of instrumentation and vocal participation.

I have always been a major fan of this track and have encouraged others on a number of occasions to give it a close listen. It is a masterpiece of economy that nonetheless puts forth an emotionally effective moment in stylish Yes terms.

I gratuitously quote from the book "YesTales," pg. 90:

"What really clinched it was 'White Car,' a track so tiny it is practically a punctuation mark. In less than 90 seconds, using only 29 words, this tone poem perfectly captures the loneliness and alienation of post-modern Western society, in the deeply emotional tones that were now a Yes hallmark."

I thank you.
Q

[TNyesfan]

I quite agree, Q and Yes Tales!
This is one of my favorites.

[yessongs72]

The real question ; is this just the buggles with the name Yes on the album?

[tardistraveler]

I always looked at it as more of a solo track - which had occurred on Yes albums prior to Drama. I like it though.

[ANTIOCH]

"White Car" is a YES tune off of a YES album.
'Drama' is as much a YES album as is any of their other releases.
Of course, this is only my opinion; but whoever is in YES when a 'new' release comes out, should be welcomed and supported.

[tardistraveler]

Originally posted by ANTIOCH
[B
Of course, this is only my opinion; but whoever is in YES when a 'new' release comes out, should be welcomed and supported. [/B]


Exactly! I couldn't agree more!

[R'tanys]

It's an interesting question. Would Horn and Downes have recorded this track without any association with Steve, Chris, or Alan? Was the presence of the "true" Yes men enough to inspire this composition? There are just too many factors in the equation to provide a definative answer. I tend to think that it is Yes since there is more that goes into a finished product than just composition and production.

[Q]

Compare "Into the Lens" to their re-make "I Am A Camera" for a clear picture of the difference in sound between Buggles Yes and straight Buggles ...

Q

[tardistraveler]

Good point - I've heard both and they are FAR different songs.

[yarstruly]

Originally posted by R'tanys
It's an interesting question. Would Horn and Downes have recorded this track without any association with Steve, Chris, or Alan? Was the presence of the "true" Yes men enough to inspire this composition? There are just too many factors in the equation to provide a definative answer. I tend to think that it is Yes since there is more that goes into a finished product than just composition and production.

Great point!

Look...I am not knocking the song "White Car" at all...I Love the song....I just thought this was a great topic for discussion....I certainly think of everything else on Drama as being Yes, in fact I consider this album among my favorite yes albums. I suppose it is as much as Yes song as "Clap" or "Evensong" etc...