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Produced by Joseph Cottrell, Wayne Hall, Ken Fuller and Jeffrey Crecelius
This week, Mark and I enjoyed coming up with 6 reasons why the band’s third record, The Yes Album, is a great Yes album. As I’m sure you know, this was Steve Howe’s first album with Yes and also Tony Kaye’s last. It is correctly viewed by many fans, critics and Steve Howe himself as the first Yes masterpiece.
Clearly, we could have found dozens of reasons why this is a great Yes album but that would have left less room for you to be involved. So please do add your reasons in the comments below.
- What do you think we chose?
- Is this album the start of the progressive sound of Yes?
- Was the success of the album all down to the musicians?
Let us know if you agree with us!
Yes – The Tormato Story
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YMP Patrons:
Producers:
- Joseph Cottrell
- Wayne Hall
- Ken Fuller
- Jeffrey Crecelius
Patrons:
| Aaron Steelman | Lind |
| Al Dell’Angelo | Lobate Scarp |
| Barry Gorsky | Mark Baggs |
| Bill Whittaker | Mark James Lang |
| Bob Martilotta | Mark Slater |
| Brian Harris | Martin Kjellberg |
| Brian Sullivan | Michael Handerhan |
| Chris Bandini | Michael O’Connor |
| Craig Estenes | Miguel Falcão |
| Dave Owen | Paul Hailes |
| David | Paul Tomei |
| David Heyden | Rachel Hadaway |
| David Pannell | Robert Nasir |
| David Watkinson | Robert Vandiver |
| Declan Logue | Ronnie Neeley |
| Dem | Scott Colombo |
| Doug Curran | Simon Barrow |
| Fergus Cubbage | Stephen Lambe |
| Fred Barringer | Steve Dill |
| Gary Betts | Steve Luzietti |
| Geoff Bailie | Steve Perry |
| Geoffrey Mason | Steve Rode |
| Guy DeRome | Steve Scott |
| Henrik Antonsson | Steven Roehr |
| Hogne Bø Pettersen | Terence Sadler |
| Todd Dudley | |
| John Cowan | John Thomson |
| John Holden | John Viola |
| Jamie McQuinn | Tim Stannard |
5 replies on “6 reasons The Yes Album is a great Yes album – 679”
The Yes Album is the 1st Yes album I heard in its entirety, on the radio in March of ’71 (back when they played entire albums), and it made a huge impression. I had heard a few songs from the first 2 albums on the radio since ’70, but this was a new Yes sound of original songs. It’s still one of my top 6 Yes albums, with CTTE always at #1 for me. I agree with all of your 6 points as to why it’s a great Yes album. I’ll add that in addition to the new musical sounds that Steve brought to the band that were missing with Peter, Steve also had previous studio experience from his past with Bodast, Tomorrow The Syndicats, the In Crowd, Keith West, and many sessions, as well as writing or co-writing songs as far back as ’64 that were recorded, and some that charted in the UK. This studio and songwriting history was a definite plus for Yes.
I saw Jon A & the Geeks twice this week (Dallas & Austin, TX)—great shows, Jon was in fine voice & the band rocked, particularly Chris Clarke on keys. There were 3 songs from this album in the setlist: Perpetual Change, Your Move/All Good People & Starship Trooper! #1 reason that The Yes Album is a great record: the material is still dynamic, vital and relevant in 2025!
Wow I have to say that I couldn’t agree more with you both on this album.
I like I think many Yes fans this was for me the first Yes album I brought home from the record store back in the day. So I guess this was the beginning of my yes adventure and 54 years later I still totally enjoy this record. Perpetual Change is my go to song and I love Adventure, Starship Trooper and all good people play over in my mind these past fifty plus years on.
Great Show guys totally love going down memory lane…
Cheers
Excellent show lads. I can’t really add to what you said. My first thought was the long form songs but you covered that then the solid production and you covered that too.
I wonder if since this music was written, has there been any Yes concert where they didn’t play a single song from this album, apart from the complete album tours. It shows the strength of this material
It’s always a delight to have a name check from you Mark
G’Day Kevin and Mark.
Great show, but how couldn’t it be discussing the mighty Yes Album?
Is it a great album? Absolutely! I think I first heard it in about 1979, when I first switched on to the band and it made an incredible impression.
I can’t imagine what the impact would have been like for Doug and others who listened to it on release in 1971. The sound of YIND as the album launches is unlike anything in music at that time ( except possibly Tarkus).
Steve’s guitar flurries overlaying that synthesiser motif, Tony’s organ and the banging rythmn section was a glimpse into the musical future, at a time when flower power was still in the descendant.
My fave moments on the album remain that bombastic opening, the unreal shifting syncopation section on perpetual change ( surely nobody had ever recorded anything like that before?) and the otherworldly howling of Tony’s organ at the crescendo of Wurm. Who needs Synths? Chris Squire is all over this album in incredibly innovative ways, and Mr Brufford remains my person favourite Yes Drummer, if not their heaviest hitter.
I love the Yes album. To my ears it still sounds like music of the future in 2025!
Best wishes to all.