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

[Scott]

Thanks Niels...

 

I read that the band has hired the vocalist from Glass Hammer and that they are currently recording new material.  I think it was you who asked me some time ago if I ever heard Glass Hammer.  I still haven't, but have you yet?

[Niels (Mod)]

No, not really. But the little, that I have heard, sounds "YESish".

[Jon]

Raven? Cool! Well, as long as it was a good Raven album.

[Niels (Mod)]

Nah, not really, because it probably was "One For All", and I only really like their debut-album. Now THAT'S a NWOBHM-classic. Deja-Vue?!!

[RJhog (Admin)]

Haven't had a chance to listen yet, but wanted to send some thanks out Danno and Mike.  It's nice to get input from both of you guys.  We haven't heard from Danno in a while so it's great to see your much more frequent comments.  You too Mike.

[Mike Pell]

Ah, I'm always busy doing shows and gathering songs for them.

And I hate lists...I know and like too many songs...then I have to rate them somehow in my mind...gives me a damn headache, lol!

My mental playlist is infinite, so I usually skip them.

This time it was a simple question...YES, lol!

[Scott]

Note to self...  Keep it simple and Mike will join in ...

[Mike Pell]

That's why RJ likes KISS...Keep It Simple Stupid, LOL!

[RJhog (Admin)]

I'm not a Yes fan, so this was interesting.  I do own one Yes album (5150...I mean 90215).  But I've never listened to it.  First, my ranking of these 3 tracks:

1. Changes

2. Yours Is No Disgrace

3. Magnification

Yours Is No Disgrace, despite it's length, is a pretty cool track.  I just love the tone of the bass guitar and I love that little jazzy guitar solo.

Changes is an excellent song.  It has a very haunting sound and again has some nice guitar work.  My favorite of the three.

Magnification doesn't work for me.  Despite the guitar work, I don't really like it.

I would have agreed with Niels on Anderson's voice before I listened to this, but now I'd say it's not so bad.  I have seen several (and even picked up a couple) of Yes albums during my 1 dollar vinyl searches.   I know I've seen Relayer and may have even picked it up already, but not sure what else.  My eyes will now be open wider.  Nice post Scott.

[RJhog (Admin)]

Okay, I looked back and found that I have picked up vinyl for:

Relayer

Drama

Yesshows (Live)

I'll have to try to get them converted to mp3 either this weekend or next.

[Jon]

Drama. Greatest non-Anderson album ever!