Top 3 Alan White Yes albums

[Mr. Holland]

So, what do you consider Alan's best three studio albums with Yes, which three albums carry his best drum performances in your view?

[soundchaser09]

hmm good question. I think purely from the perspective of his playing:

1. Relayer
2. Drama
3. Tormato/Talk

[madbear]

Relayer, Topographic Oceans, Drama.
(Going for the One would be fourth)

[Yesed]

TFTO, Relayer, Drama

Tormato would be my fourth, but Alan just fit in perfectly on TFTO, his debut. Monumental, on a monumental Yes album.

[Mr. Holland]

For me:

01) Relayer
02) Drama
03) Big Generator

I feel on Big Generator he had this combination of hitting big and hard, while also playing very intricate stuff. He is a real anchor on that album and to the music on it, moreso even than on some of the 70s albums.

[Homemade Parachute]

For me:

01) Relayer
02) Drama
03) Big Generator

I feel on Big Generator he had this combination of hitting big and hard, while also playing very intricate stuff. He is a real anchor on that album and to the music on it, moreso even than on some of the 70s albums.

Le bingo. I was thinking 90125 myself, but that might be more for the album itself, rather than focussing on Alan's playing/contributions (although I think I still like the songs Alan's contributed to writing on 90125 more). But an impeccably ordered list.

[Enlighten]

Nice thread to honor Alan on the day of his tribute concert, Arno.

I would say Drama, Relayer and GFTO.

[Mr. Holland]

Le bingo. I was thinking 90125 myself, but that might be more for the album itself, rather than focussing on Alan's playing/contributions (although I think I still like the songs Alan's contributed to writing on 90125 more). But an impeccably ordered list.

Yes, 90125 certainly crossed my mind and I agree about the songs on there Alan contributed to. But indeed I waa looking for an answer from a playing point of view and BG just edges 90125 out in that respect IMO.

[A Venture]

Relayer, Topographic Oceans, Drama.
(Going for the One would be fourth)

Exactly the same for me

[Soundwaveseeker]

I'll say:

1) Tales - good stuff to come into the Yes picture with. You don't really miss Bruford. Good rock/world drumming that feels right.
Check out: Ritual, The Ancient

2) Relayer - fusion chops, just great playing throughout. Love Relayer.
Check out: Sound Chaser

3) Drama, 90125 or Big Generator - pick one for me for my 3rd album, any one will do. Good rock drumming where he plays heavier in places like Neil Peart or Bonham but still has the nimble touch as well.
Check out: Big Generator, Does It Really Happen?, Changes, Shoot High Aim Low

Great Alan moments from all of these.

[Yesed]

For me:

01) Relayer
02) Drama
03) Big Generator

I feel on Big Generator he had this combination of hitting big and hard, while also playing very intricate stuff. He is a real anchor on that album and to the music on it, moreso even than on some of the 70s albums.

BG is my favorite Yes west album. The most underrated Yes album, Id say over the entire discography. Whether that's because of Alan, not sure. But maybe, it's such an innovative Yes album. I love the whole album, but Almost like Love is such fun Yes, you know they were in great form then.

[cjreyes]

After a little thought...I'm going with:

Relayer
Drama
Going For The One/Tormato

[downbyariver]

Drama, 90125, and Big Generator- any order.

[Ash Armstrong]

Tales, Relayer, Yessongs

[Mr. Holland]

Tales, Relayer, Yessongs

Ah, but I asked studio albums 😉