Hidden Treasures - An Affirmative Playlist

[Scott]

Progressive rock has been the topic of some discussion on this site recently given the fact that RJ has finally come to his senses and is now enjoying the benefits of songs that are longer than 3 minutes and are not full of "Oh Yeah's!". Also the fact that Niels now only listens to Prog, and the newly discovered hidden treasure that is Eloy! I would say this all started because of Eloy, but then I think some on this site aren’t ready to admit that ... yet...

 

Anyway, given this newfound love for all things progressive Hidden Treasure is taking a looking at the band YES, I wanted to represent the band in three distinct eras, early 70's, height of their success (83), and into the 21st century.

 

So here’s 3 very cool tracks from prog pioneers, Yes...

 

PLAYLIST --> http://snack.to/ah3qrfij

	THE YES ALBUM 1971 1 - Yours is no Disgrace The Yes Album is the third studio album from the English progressive rock band Yes, released on Atlantic Records. It is the last record to feature keyboardist Tony Kaye until 1983, and the first to feature guitarist Steve Howe, who replaced Peter Banks in 1970. The album was written and rehearsed at a farmhouse in Devonshire, then home to Langley Studios, which was later bought by Howe who now lives there.   Upon its release in February 1971, The Yes Album peaked at number 4 on the UK Albums Chart and number 40 on the US Billboard 200, where it was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. The Yes Album is seen as the group's breakthrough release, setting the stage for their success with their following albums Fragile (1971) and Close to the Edge (1972).
	90215 1983 2 - Changes 90125 is the eleventh studio album from the English progressive rock band Yes, released in 1983 on Atco Records. It was the first studio album since their 1981 breakup and the first to feature Trevor Rabin, and also marked the return of vocalist Jon Anderson, who had quit the band prior to their tenth studio album of 1980. It also marked the first time in twelve years that original keyboardist Tony Kaye had appeared with the group. 90125 launched Yes into the MTV age and to a whole new breed of fans. The music was catchy, contemporary and well liked by reviewers and their new fans (many of whom had little clue of the band's previous incarnation). The lead single, "Owner of a Lonely Heart," became the band's first (and only) US #1 hit, driving 90125 to the Top 5 and helping it sell three million units in the US alone, by far Yes's most successful album. "It Can Happen", "Changes", and "Leave It" all reached top ten on Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks during 1984 and received heavy airplay.   The British sales were not as spectacular, but still solid, and successive hits, such as "Leave It" and "It Can Happen" ensured 90125 had a lengthy chart life. In addition, "Cinema" won the Grammy Award for Best Rock Instrumental Performance in 1985. Bonus content Alert!!  listen to the albums that preceded and eventually followed this one... Listen to "Drama", 1980, from Jon's Lost Album archive Listen to "Talk", 1994, also from Jon's Lost Album archive
	Magnification 2001 3 - Magnification In 2001, Yes released their nineteenth studio album Magnification. Recorded without a keyboardist, the album features a 60-piece orchestra conducted by Larry Groupé; the first time the band used an orchestra since Time and a Word in 1970. The record was not a chart success; it peaked at number 71 in the UK and number 186 in the US. Yes toured with a symphony orchestra in 2001 with keyboardist Tom Brislin as Wakeman was occupied with his solo tours. Their performance in Amsterdam was released on DVD in 2002 and CD in 2009 as Symphonic Live.   Released between the departure of Igor Khoroshev the previous year and Rick Wakeman's fourth return in 2002, it is the only album in the band's history to not feature any keyboardist, and the only involving only four Yes members.   Bonus Content Alert #2.  Hear some select tracks from Yes' latest release titled "Fly From Here" that Niel's posted in a New Music Corner some time ago New Music Corner #44

[Mike Pell]

YES...uh, what was the question again, lol?

No surprise I would like the Yours Is No Disgrace period, just a great time for music!
Mike

[Scott]

Agreed! The Yes Album, Fragile, and Closer To The Edge are a killer tri-fecta!!

[Mike Pell]

Hahahahahaha...hadn't thought about it in that way.

But I once hit a trifecta at the racetrack...knowing NOTHING about horses, lol!
YES!!!!

Mike

[Dannolonghair]

YES!!!!! I am a big fan, but really only ever got into the 70's early 80's stuff. I LOVE the Relayer album. Only 3 songs on the album. Can you imagine the fight they would have had convincing the record company to allow this.

I have always thought Yours Is No Disgrace could have almost been a Rush tune.

When 90125 came out I was getting into Maiden, Motley Crue and Motorhead but this album brought me back to my love for progressive stuff. Especially seeing as I was so heavily into Pink Floyd prior to the NWOBHM stuff.

Since then, bands like Atomic Rooster, Hawkwind and Marillion have always had a spot in my record collection and bands such as YES would obviously fit right in there too very easily. I would even put Moody Blues in with the lot.

There are a lot of European bands today that really seem to have that prog rock roots. Colour Haze come to mind I know there are more I just can't think of them right now. Also the american desert scene with bands like Kyuss and Brant Bjork and of course BigElf all owe a ton of gratitude to bands like YES.

[Scott]

I own Relayer and like it a lot as well, but think RJ wouldn't care too much for a 21+ minute track  (hahaha).  What's your thoughts on "Tales from Topographic Oceans"?  Seems that one is pretty split amongst fans...

[Mike Pell]

I don't have Tales from Topographic Oceans.

Hadn't thought of it in years, but my memory is that I liked it a lot.

[Scott]

Its been quite some time since I heard it too, but picked through it while putting this small playlist together, thought it sounded great!

[Dannolonghair]

I actually don't own that one. I will check it out though and get back to you. I am sure I will like it regardless.

I see the entire album is on YT, so will give a listen.

[Mike Pell]

Yeah Scott, you got our memory banks humming with that album.

It was a trip just SEEING the name of it, lol!

[Jon]

Speaking of European prog bands, one comes to mind. Don't know why, but it does:

Ocean

but wait, if you can't get enough, there's

Ocean 2: The Answer

for your listening pleasure as well.

[Scott]

YES! ... Uh wait a second, I meant. ELOY!

[Niels (Mod)]

The main reason, why I don't really listen to classic Yes-albums are Jon Anderson's voice. I bought the Yes-box-set a few years ago, but I've only listened to it once, and it wasn't pure pleassure. I really liked the newest Yes-album, but again the vovalist wasn't the best thing. I think he was from a Yes cover-band, and he's out of the band now. I saw them live, and he was terrible, so it wasn't a surprise when he was fired.

Maybe some day, I will listen to the classic Yes-albums, or at least my bow-set, because I can easily hear, that "Yours Is No Disgrace" has it's moments, and even though I might had heard it before, I can't remember it.

I nearly bought 90215 back in 1983, but it wasn't really the type of music, I was listening to at that time. But I thought the production was great, and the "Owner of a lonely heart" was a great number. I did hear the whole album at a friend's house, but I used my money on a Raven-album instead, I'm sure. "Changes" is a good track. Very nice indeed. I love the production by Trevor Rabin. Anderson's voice isn't that annoying on 90215. Why oh why didn't I buy that album then? One of the great mysteries.

On "Magnification" Anderson's voice annoys me a bit again. It's not bad, but it's the weakest track among these three. Maybe you'll have to listen to this track a few times, before you can appreciate it. I like the sound of the orchestra among guitars and drums.

Very nice playlist, Scott.

Prog rules!!