“Yes” is the original debut album from Yes not to be confused with “The Yes Album,” which was their third album but the first one with which most people would be familiar. “Yes” is not as strong an album, but it is a lot better than you would expect given the level of performance excellent you expect from the group down the road, especially since at this point you have Peter Banks on guitar and Tony Kaye doing the assorted keyboard work. Most of the songs are written by vocalist Jon Anderson and bass player Chris Squire, along with covers of songs by Lennon & McCartney (“Every Little Thing”) and Crosby & McQuinn (“I See You”). It is rather strange to think of the Beatle and the Byrds being major influences on Yes, but there you go. This is an album for lifelong fans of the group to check out, now that it has been reissued. Knowing where the Yes sound ends up, you can hear it in embryonic form, most notably on “Harold Land,” which most anticipates the multi-part suites that would consume an entire record side on the group’s best albums. However, when you hear the driving sound of the opening cut, “Beyond and Before,” you will wonder who you are listening to. Banks does some interesting guitar work on both of the cover songs, especially the atypical version of the Beatles song.
This 2003 reissue is impressive because the bonus tracks add up to more playing time than the 8 original tracks on the album. The informative liner notes are from Mike Tiano. There early and finished versions of three songs, including “Something’s Coming” from “West Side Story,” which particularly fits Anderson’s distinctive vocal style (you will be reminded of Yes‘ later cover of Simon & Garfunkle’s “America”). The before and after approach with these bonus tracks is quite interesting. There are few opportunities this good to go back and look at what one of your favorite groups was doing when they were first starting out, which makes this expanded reissue of “Yes” a real treat.
The Brit art-rockers Yes covered The Beatles and The Byrds on their debut and this quiet-loud extemporisation on Stephen Stills’ jazzy Again offering is a highlight of their follow-up, Time And A Word.
Music performed by Yes
Jon Anderson – vocals, percussion
Peter Banks – electric and acoustic guitars, vocals
Tony Kaye – piano, organ
Chris Squire – bass, vocals
Bill Bruford – drums, percussion
Filmed for Belgian TV
Featuring Steve Howe on guitar & vocals
The Fat Angel Sings 