My favorite cover rendition by anybody--- Yes takes this song and completely OWNS it in their reimagining !!! 5 musicians at the top of their game and recorded early on after adding Rick Wakeman. Chris Squire's quoting of "America" from 'West Side Story' near the end of the instrumental intro is the stuff of legend. Wakeman's keyboard comping on Hammond, Mellotron and MiniMoog---with no solo (!?!?!?!) fits so well; Bruford's frenetic drumming over the song's original 6/8 time signature is brilliant, and Jon Anderson's vocals are perfect. And then there is Steve Howe with an absolutely amazing performance, showing off his incredible skills. Enjoy, my young friends !!!
This version blew me away when I purchased their Yesterdays album and heard this for the very first time!Steve and Chris went off with Bill’s backing drums and finally Jon holding together!
I can't believe it took this long to get to this. You have around 170 Yes songs you haven't heard yet. That long version of America was a video only release. Not on any Yes album. It was released on a record company compilation titled Age Of Atlantic. This later appears on the Yes album Yesterdays in 1976, and in the box set Yesyears in 1991 and the CD single for Saving My Heart also 1991.
Steve Howe shows his americana influence of Chet Atkins on this song, and I am not sure if you noticed Squire playes I like to live in america from West Side Story in the intro.
Yep ... "I like to be in America! Ok by me in America! Everything free in America!" ... "Skyscrapers bloom in America! Cadillacs zoom in America!" Yes also recorded a complete song from "West Side Story" ... "Something's Coming."
The Live version of America is on the Keys to ascension shows it is so good to see it performed live !! you are in for a real treat seeing Jon & the band geeks 🙏
This was originally on "Yesterdays", a 1975 compilation album compiled by Jon Anderson during the bands break after "Relayer". Recorded during the sessions for "Fragile" and without Rick Wakeman on keyboards. Bill Bruford provided the keyboards and wah-wah congas at the end. That's conga's played through a wah-wah guitar pedal. Howe is definitely showcased in this with lots of heavy guitar and a little pedal steel guitar. It was performed a lot on tours I believe before Wakeman joined the group. Burford's snare was a definite hook for me as a young teen drummer, a Ludwig Super-sentive metal snare, with the baffle turned almost off to give it the "pong" from a rimshot which became his signature sound. The band is definitely burning hot on that cover version. Incidentally, "Yesterdays" was a compilation of the first and second Yes albums, "Yes" and "Time and a Word", with a little reverb eq'd into the mix just on that compilation. "Yesterdays" was issued on vinyl only once and CD twice. It's original 1989 release and the Joe Gastwirtz remaster in 1994. The compilation was never reissued again. Lastly it was also on the "Age of Atlantic" sampler and as a 4min single.
I actually remember some 50 years ago listening to this song in my room for the first time. My mind exploded and maybe never came completely back together lol
"America" was not actually on Fragile. You have a later date remaster that has some bonus tracks. It was originally on "Yesterdays", a compilation album..
WoW! ThX guys. I never heard this before, missed it for sure. I saw Yes once (@ 14yrs) in 1975 and I was down front, in front of the bass cabinet. I remember that sound so well. Cheers 😎👍🍁
This was originally recorded during the “Fragile” era, but wasn’t released on the original vinyl. It came out on a compilation of previously recorded material released as “Yesterdays”. It’s a classic example of what Bill Bruford called the Yes treatment, which they did with covers on the early records. Jon and Chris were Simon and Garfunkel fans. They saw themselves as folk influenced. Steve Howe took advantage of the America theme to string together solos that pay homage to some of his favorite American guitarists, especially Chet Atkins.
This is how Yes cut their teeth on their first three albums and live in concert. The group inserts familiar themes within their original tunes or Yesercise their own original song. Love this version! Thanks you two!
It was an outake from the Fragile sessions, but it was not on the album. It was released on a record company promotional compilation album and was a "rare track" until Yes released it on an album called "Yesterdays". "Yesterdays" compiled the best tracks from the first 2 Yes albums (that didn't sell well back in the day), a 'B' side called "Dear Father" and America which was the newest track on that album. America features the classic Yes line up of Anderson, Squire, Howe, Bruford and Wakeman.
When I first heard this back in the early seventies, I was blown away by the sheer musicianship. There was nothing like it back then...its a testimony to how good these 5 guys are.....and boy oh boy does it still sound good today. What a band!
America was released on a compilation of early songs called Yesterdays, which I think was released around '78 or so. At least that's when I picked it up, and was the first time I heard the song.
Steve Howe said he met Paul Simon at an awards program. Asked him if he liked their version. Paul said Yes. Bruford on drums. Left the band three days later (sigh).
Bruford has been amazing everywhere he's been. He always pushed himself and was amazing with King Crimson next where was pushed to do more and be different. His solo and UK stuff is so good too.
I kind of doesn't sound like Paul was gushing praise on it. I would expect a more detailed quote of what Paul said about it if he had raved about it. Paul is a pretty reserved guy, though. I really hope he liked this a lot!
Because this wasn't on an actual original Yes album, I didn't hear it until it was played on a radio station I was listening to YEARS after I had been a huge Yes aficionado...It was so obviously Yes but I had no idea it existed...One of the best covers ever...And did you catch their brief incorporation of Leonard Bernstein's "America" from "West Side Story" towards the end of the exceptional intro?
This was recorded for the album The Age Of Atlantic, which was a promotional album for the Atlantic label. It then appear on the album Yesterdays, which was kind of a greatest hits or outtakes from their first two albums. When the Rhino remasters came out, they decided to include America on Fragile as a bonus track since the was the timeframe during which it was recorded.
I had the Age Of Atlantic album too, that was the first time I'd heard Yes. Made me backtrack and eventually buy all their output up to that point, some of the most accomplished musicians I'd ever heard. never looked back.
The long version (there were a couple long versions mix-wise) was released on the Yesterdays compilation album in February 1975. You are reacting to a bonus track on one of the extended versions of the Fragile album. They played the song live as early as the summer of 1970 and by the time they did shows in 1971 it had grown to an 18 minute epic. Here is a vid of them playing the song with Bill on drums (quality is so so): ua-cam.com/video/Q0JkTIKm2iY/v-deo.html
I was just about to go to bed (I am in the UK), but just saw this. A great reminder that there are loads more great Yes songs for you to discover ❤ It’s almost ridiculous that one band could put out such consistently amazing music through so many also-amazing iterations. ❤❤
I am in the UK too. I just love watching people react to Yes records for the time. I first got into Yes in the early 1970's and they still amaze me even now. There was something very special going on back then. It's great that their music is being appreciated by so many new and young listeners from so many countries and backgrounds.
I once remember reading that the version of the song was performed as a celebration of their newly found success in America. The focal point being Steve's playing, which explores various American approaches to guitar. You nailed it Lexi, having recognized some bluesy elements in the guitar work.
Hey guys, long time listener and lover of prog, specifically RUSH, YES and GENESIS. Very SURPRISED you have not covered GENESIS opener from SELLING ENGLAND..... called DANCING WITH THE MOONLIT KNIGHT, as that is such a fan fave. Could I request a prog marathon of that song, plus YES tunes opener and closer from TORMATO called FUTURE TIMES/REJOICE and SILENT WINGS OF FREEDOM? YOU WILL LOVE THEM! Also to add any songs from RUSH HOLD YOUR FIRE and or POWER WINDOWS, a great 80's sound by the fab trio. Those entire albums are awesome! Thanks for all your awesome reactions!!! The Love fam
Steve's solo was a showcase of different american Guitar music vibes from most parts of the USA at the time... specially made for the 'age of atlantic' album (1972)
Steve's playing on this song is very American inspired. There was blues, rock and roll, rockabilly, and a lot of country. And of course they had to get that early 70's wacka-wacka-wacka there towards the end, because why not?
The 1st thing people need to understand about this "cover" is that *_it was a jam tune for YES._* The band started playing it as an encore song to jam to during their 1970 The Yes Album Tour. There's a recording on UA-cam of a live performance of this song with Tony Kaye playing the Hammond organ. That's how far back it goes. Steve had just joined the band The more they played it, the more they filled it out with all the different sections. When it finally developed to where they really liked it, they recorded it & instead of putting it on the Fragile Album (which would have been great) Atlantic Records put it on a compilation album of their bands at that time It first appeared on a YES album a couple of years later, showing up on YES' first compilation album *Yesterdays.*
@JJ8KK It actually first appeared in its full 10 minutes version on the 1972 Atlantic compilation called "The New Age Of Atlantic". One of the Tony Kaye performances you alluded to is on "The Word Is Live" box set.
In my opinion, that is the pinnacle combination of Yes personnel. Honorable mention (and special thanks) goes to Alan White, Tony Kaye, Peter Banks, Trevor Rabin, Patrick Moraz, Geoff Downes, and Trevor Horn.
Back in the day, I first heard it off a compilation album of previous YES songs called YESTERDAYS in 1975 after RELAYER 74 it was a B-side of a single with YOUR MOVE from 1972 prior to CLOSE TO THE EDGE.
I actually heard this cover of America before ever hearing the original Simon and Garfunkel version. Chris Squire's bass really takes the lead in this cover. Outstanding as usual for Yes, cover or not! Great display of Yes just jamming on and on!
Hey Lexi and Nick! Woot great to see your react to a Yes tune again!! Lexi I Love that you Love Yes!! I rarely do this but if you have a chance you really should check out the Live version of America! This remake is not one of my Favs from Yes-but the Live version is awesome!❤ Would be really great at some point yous guys reacted to that!
Hi Nick and Lex, I’m sure someone has told you by now America was released on Yesterday’s. An album of songs from first two albums and America. I happened to be just packing the box I gathered for my favorite Yes fan. I was able to throw that LP in. Your box is ready to go and will ship this week. I have a super video to watch. 1975 Yes QPR. Ritual. It must have been remastered with AI. I had bought the import dvd years ago. It was unwatchable. This show has the first of the 3 Roger Dean stages. Blew me away being my first time seeing them. I suggest watching all 3 live versions of Ritual available. Symphonic, 35th anniversary and this one. Jon doesn’t miss a note !
YES! 😊 This is a fantastic cover of a great song. YES and Steve Howe really put their own twist on this song and made it very special. Steve really let his talents show on this version. One of my favorite YES songs, actually. Thanks for reviewing this!
They couldn’t have Yesified this any more than they did! Always loved this version. But as someone who also appreciates lyrics and story telling, the original so beautifully describes their young love, their journey, their fears and doubts, which is so simply and beautifully portrayed by Simon and Garfunkel
Another gem this one. Flashback to August 27th, 2004. PNC Arts Center, Holmdel, NJ. Yes played America at this show, and Jon had the biggest smile when he sang "Counting the cars on the New Jersey Turnpike". Of course the fans loved it. I Was actually hoping for Counting the cars on the Garden State Parkway, since the Arts Center is accessed by that road.
We saw that same tour at the Fox Theatre in Detroit. There, the crowd went crazy a bit earlier with “Michigan seems like a dream to me now,” and “It took me four days to hitchhike from Saginaw.” It was the show opener, IIRC.
Those early 2000’s tours with Rick Steve Chris Alan and Jon were so wonderful. The heroes of my youth coming through onstage like the champs they were. ❤
I absolutely adore this cover of a beautiful song. The Beatles, The Beach Boys and Simon & Garfunkel were huge influences on Jon and Chris in particular, and it always seems to me that they really felt they had to do justice to the song by giving it the full Yes treatment. I don't know what the record companies were doing in the States, but over here in the UK this song first appeared on the New Age Of Atlantic sampler LP. My best mate bought the album and we played it to death. Finally, in 1974 Atlantic UK released Yesterdays which featured 'America' plus selected tracks from their first two albums. Despite already owning the first two records this was a must-buy as it was the only way I could get 'America' into my collection. Some comments below mention a single version; I think that was a US release only as I have never heard that one. Another Yes classic for you to listen to Alexia. So many more still to hear. I really do think you should try to get in touch with Jon, an interview with the legend would be well worth it!
So happy you guys spin Yes tunes. Saw them 4 times, twice in the round, once as Anderson, Bruford, Wake, and Howe, and at an outdoor theatre with their Masterpieces tour (6 songs...all their old long tunes). I maintain they have the most creative singing than any group I know of. And that includes Queen. It really reveals itself on the Close to the Edge album. Look forward to the next Yes review.
This one of the greatest tracks by Yes. I bought the Atlantic Sampler Album when it first came out in 1972 - still have it in fact; other artists on the LP included Led Zeppelin, the J Geils Band, Louden Wainwright III, Buffalo Springfield and John Prine! Saw Yes do this version of America live at Crystal Palace Bowl in London in July 1971, I think the last gig played by Tone Kaye. Other artists on the bill that afternoon and evening included Fairport Convention, Rory Gallagher and Elton John!!! A great day. What is amazing about this track is not only the musicianship but the fantastic sound - hard to believe the recording is more than fifty years old.
I got this track on a compilation album 'The New Age of Atlantic', a sampler from Atlantic Records for just 0,99p.This album has some great music on it - Led Zeppelin (Hey Hey What can I do) - Cactus (Long Tall Sally) and many others. This cover absolutely blew me away. Where a band takes a track completely reinterpret it, and as much as I like the S&G version. YES own this now.
Yes! This is a GREAT song from the Yes catalog. Great cover and you should then listen to the Beatles ‘Every Little Thing’ followed by Yes’s cover of that! It rocks, I promise you! I think I heard this (America) first on the Yesterdays album.
This cover was recorded for the Atlantic compilation called "The New Age Of Atlantic", released in 1972, which also contained "Hey Hey What Can I Do" by Led Zeppelin. It was a highly collectible compilation as it was the only way to get those songs at the time. Incidentally, this was the closer for the compilation. 😊 As others have said it was later included in the 1975 Yes compilation called "Yesterdays". Steve Howe met Paul Simon in the 80s and he asked him if he had ever heard this Yes version. Not only did Paul like this version he told Steve Howe that he should have taken a writing credit for his amazing solo in the middle.
I've always preferred covers that do something different with the songs, rather than just play it like the original. Joe Cocker's covers, like this Yes cover, completely reimagined the songs he did. (EDIT: Also Vanilla Fudge did some great ones like "You Keep Me Hanging On"...and Deep Purple's take on "Kentucky Woman" by Neil Diamond.)
Alexia isn't crazy...Steve Howe definitely plays some straight ahead blues-based rock guitar in the opening portion of the midsection solo, unusual for him in the Yes setting, which I alwaya took to be meant to be a part of a tribute as an "American sound" in keeping with the theme...
The song was recorded for an Atlantic Records compilation named the Age of Atlantic and it was also included in yesterdays compalation album, featuring songs from the first two albums of Yes.
When Rick first joined, they'd play this live quite a bit, before Fragile even came out. There's a version of it live from that same time period somewhere on the net.
For me, the first time and several times thereafter that I heard this I had never heard the S & G version, so I loved it for what it is right from the very beginning.
It's a beautiful cover of an amazing song by Paul simon and Art Garfunkel, written by Paul Simon. Bowie does an amazing cover of this song as well. Yes, the Band: they are from the UK. I think they see America in different eyes than Americans do. I am an American and I'm still trying to find America. Even while driving on the New Jersey Turnpike. 😢 I hope my country can still survive ourselves. May God bless us all. ✌️❤️🇺🇸🇬🇧
My first album I got from the band Yes, was called Yeserday's. The album was a collage of songs from the first two Yes albums including the song America. I'm not sure when this album was released. I hope this information may help you. Ben G.
The LP also included the non-album track Dear Father. The album came with a 45 rpm single featuring live versions of Roundabout and a version of Your Move/I've Seen All Good People that includes band Introductions and mini solos.
Now you guys should hear their version of The Byrds' "I See You" from their debut album Yes. They used to do The Beatles "I'm Down" during their concerts in the 70s. Not that I was old enough to see them live then but I have heard recordings of it on YT. I'm sure Jon would love to meet you. That would be awesome!
OK, it's not from Fragile. It was a regular feature of their live shows in 1971 when the lineup still ihad Tony Kaye in the band. It was finally recorded in early 1972 after Rick Wakeman joined and issued on an Atlantic Records sampler album called The New Age of Atlantic. That album also contained an unreleased song by Led Zeppelin called Hey Hey What can I do. It appeared again in 1975 on the Yesterdays compilation album. It is a cover of the Simon and Garfunkel song of the same name.The version of Fragile you have is a re-release which had America added to it. Fragile never contained America originally. There is no version of it with Paul Simon. Or anyone else. It contains possibly Steve Howe's best ever solo.
There's a live version from the 'Keys to Ascension' album that is worth a listen. I saw them do this at the Allentown Fair for the 35th Anniversary tour in September 2004.
Originally appeared on 'The New Age of Atlantic' sampler album in '72. Not to be confused with the previous 'The Age of Atlantic' album, which came out a year previous, '71. Neither sampler album an easy album to find back then. 'Yesterdays' came out '75.
I had the song on an Atlantic Sampler album...that included a load of great tunes ... Led Zeppelin - Hey Hey What can I do...John Prine - Sam Stone and Loudon Wainwright - Motel Blues and others... I heard the Yes version before hearing the S&G original...Love both versions. Love your reactions...
Bowie does a solo cover of this song to open the Concert for 9/11. Fair warning, its a bit of a tearjerker, at least for me because I was living in NYC at the time.
I really like your reactions, as I have written elsewhere.... I've read interviews with Steve saying that in the mid to late 60s it was very fashionable for guitarists to play blues licks on just about everything and he consciously shied away from that style to a large degree. His playing is a fantastic combination of country, psychedelia, with maybe a sprinkling of the blues. I have heard this version of America countless times but just now for the first time I thought I heard a second guitar playing behind Steve. When I listened closely I realized it was Rick playing the Fender Rhodes thru a wah pedal. I used to jam on a Rhodes every week --- until Hurricane Sandy destroyed our rehearsal space. The Rhodes have guitar pickups in them so I tried all kinds of stompboxes, distortion, flanger, chorus, etc. I finally settled on a wah-wah, digital delay, and tremelo pedals.
Really hope you can get an interview or maybe just have a talk with Jon. He's just a very nice person. I've met him in person several years ago. Yes were playing at the Swedish rock festival and they stayed at the same hotel where our fan club "Swedish Yes" had a gathering. Yes where invited to this event and they all show up (except Chris who had a water leakage in his room next to us). Everyone at the fan club wanted to converse with the members but my friend and I were quite shy and stood aside watching. Then suddenly Jon looked at us, walked up to us and said "hello, where do you come from?" He's the kind of person who sees all the people in the room!!
I had the Yes Album, Fragile, Close to the Edge, Yessongs and Yesterdays. Think this song was first on Yesterdays which was unreleased stuff from this same period. Love the Cowboy Steve guitar on this!
Everything on Yesterdays was previously released either from the debut album, Time and A Word Album, a B side of a single and the New Age of Atlantic album.
As stated it came froma sampler album, it was a showcase for their musicianship and a tribute to S and G, once you heard this you just had to listen to Fragile....
This was not an album track originally. It was initially released as a 45 RPM single in the spring or summer of 1972 just a few months before the release of Close to the Edge. I had that single. It wasn't a big seller. The B side (Total Mass Retain) was an excerpt from Close to the Edge. The version on the single was considerably shorter (and less chaotic) than the one you're reacting to which appeared much later on special editions of Fragile as a bonus track. It was not on the original Fragile album although it may be been recorded around the same time. The single was released months after Fragile. Personally, while I'm a huge Yes fan, I very much prefer the original Simon and Garfunkel version.
Not exactly true. It was originally released in this full version on the Atlantic compilation called "The New Age Of Atlantic" in 1972, which also contained "Hey Hey What Can I Do" by Led Zeppelin. It was a highly collectible compilation as it was the only way to get those songs at the time.
I read an article/interview with Steve Howe, he was asked why he chose YES to join a band. Steve’s response was, “I didn’t want to be playing the same blues and rock licks everyone else is doing”. How Steve Howe isn’t in every top ten guitarist polls I’ll never understand. Give “Sound Chaser” off the Relayer album! Then tell me he’s not in your top ten?
I suspect Lex heard a pentatonic lick. It first heard this in high school art class around the Close To The Edge era. I only knew the Leonard Bernstein America (a motif which Chris slyly inserts in) because it was on network television, and only years later heard the S&G folky.
This song is actually not from Fragile, it was included on the expanded CD release but it was originally part of a compilation of songs on an album from 1975 called "Yesterdays" , which consisted of some songs from before Fragile with their original guitarist, and two formerly unreleased songs, one of which was their cover of America (with Steven Howe on Guitar) and the other was an original called 'Dear Father' with their original guitarist. Dear Father is actually a quite beautiful song and I always hoped they would redo it. (Opps forgot to mention this is the only song from Yesterdays with Rick Wakeman on keys. All the other tracks have Tony Kaye.)
En Argentina y es mi caso somos muy fan de Yes !! Fue la primera banda inglesa en venir después de la guerra de Malvinas !! En 1985 vinieron presentando 90125 el álbum con más éxito en el mundo de Yes !! Amo este álbum frágil !! Argentina es el país q más escucho el rock británico ! Mucho más q el de EEUU ! Yo en particular amo el rock inglés ! Y Yes es mi banda favorita por encima de Pink Floyd ! Aunque este último compuso en mi opinión el mejor álbum de rock de todos los tiempos ! El lado oscuro de la luna !!
Only difference on that live one is Alan White is drumming on KTA. He has been quoted as stating that he absolutely loved playing that tune during the 35th Anniversary Tour.
It reminds me of the Crosby Stills Nash and Young cover of Joni Mitchell's Woodstock. In both cases the cover takes the song far afield of writer's original vision and transforms it into something else.
My favorite cover rendition by anybody--- Yes takes this song and completely OWNS it in their reimagining !!! 5 musicians at the top of their game and recorded early on after adding Rick Wakeman. Chris Squire's quoting of "America" from 'West Side Story' near the end of the instrumental intro is the stuff of legend. Wakeman's keyboard comping on Hammond, Mellotron and MiniMoog---with no solo (!?!?!?!) fits so well; Bruford's frenetic drumming over the song's original 6/8 time signature is brilliant, and Jon Anderson's vocals are perfect. And then there is Steve Howe with an absolutely amazing performance, showing off his incredible skills. Enjoy, my young friends !!!
Thorough and great comment! You made me realize that this is my favorite cover too.
don’t forget. Chris. killing it as usual. it’s easy to take it for granted how good of a bass player he is because every song kicks ass.
@@johnladd8421 You're absolutely right, and thanks a lot.
When I was in high school I played this one endlessly. One of my favorites
When I was in high school I played this one endlessly. One of my favorites
Steve Howe said in an interview that Paul Simon ran into him and said "hey, great guitar solo on America!"
I had not heard that. That's cool. I hope Paul liked the whole thing, though. I'm sure he must have.
Steve Howe showing why he won Best Overall Guitarist five consecutive years in Guitar Player Magazine: 1977-1981.
Best band, ever. Period.
I have absolutely no doubt.
This version blew me away when I purchased their Yesterdays album and heard this for the very first time!Steve and Chris went off with Bill’s backing drums and finally Jon holding together!
I can't believe it took this long to get to this. You have around 170 Yes songs you haven't heard yet. That long version of America was a video only release. Not on any Yes album. It was released on a record company compilation titled Age Of Atlantic. This later appears on the Yes album Yesterdays in 1976, and in the box set Yesyears in 1991 and the CD single for Saving My Heart also 1991.
I absoolutely love this and also Saving My Heart. Two more facets to a perfect multicolored gem ❤
Steve Howe shows his americana influence of Chet Atkins on this song, and I am not sure if you noticed Squire playes I like to live in america from West Side Story in the intro.
Yep ... "I like to be in America! Ok by me in America! Everything free in America!" ... "Skyscrapers bloom in America! Cadillacs zoom in America!" Yes also recorded a complete song from "West Side Story" ... "Something's Coming."
@@christianmarler2253 yes opening song of first album
The Live version of America is on the Keys to ascension shows it is so good to see it performed live !! you are in for a real treat seeing Jon & the band geeks 🙏
This was originally on "Yesterdays", a 1975 compilation album compiled by Jon Anderson during the bands break after "Relayer". Recorded during the sessions for "Fragile" and without Rick Wakeman on keyboards. Bill Bruford provided the keyboards and wah-wah congas at the end. That's conga's played through a wah-wah guitar pedal. Howe is definitely showcased in this with lots of heavy guitar and a little pedal steel guitar. It was performed a lot on tours I believe before Wakeman joined the group. Burford's snare was a definite hook for me as a young teen drummer, a Ludwig Super-sentive metal snare, with the baffle turned almost off to give it the "pong" from a rimshot which became his signature sound. The band is definitely burning hot on that cover version. Incidentally, "Yesterdays" was a compilation of the first and second Yes albums, "Yes" and "Time and a Word", with a little reverb eq'd into the mix just on that compilation. "Yesterdays" was issued on vinyl only once and CD twice. It's original 1989 release and the Joe Gastwirtz remaster in 1994. The compilation was never reissued again. Lastly it was also on the "Age of Atlantic" sampler and as a 4min single.
I actually remember some 50 years ago listening to this song in my room for the first time. My mind exploded and maybe never came completely back together lol
"America" was not actually on Fragile. You have a later date remaster that has some bonus tracks. It was originally on "Yesterdays", a compilation album..
The live version from the Keys to Ascension collection is amazing!
Best live version by far
The many times I saw them play this live the audience cheered when Jon sang about the NJ Turnpike. Especially with the show in the NY/ NJ area.
WoW! ThX guys. I never heard this before, missed it for sure. I saw Yes once (@ 14yrs) in 1975 and I was down front, in front of the bass cabinet. I remember that sound so well. Cheers 😎👍🍁
This was originally recorded during the “Fragile” era, but wasn’t released on the original vinyl. It came out on a compilation of previously recorded material released as “Yesterdays”.
It’s a classic example of what Bill Bruford called the Yes treatment, which they did with covers on the early records. Jon and Chris were Simon and Garfunkel fans. They saw themselves as folk influenced. Steve Howe took advantage of the America theme to string together solos that pay homage to some of his favorite American guitarists, especially Chet Atkins.
This is how Yes cut their teeth on their first three albums and live in concert. The group inserts familiar themes within their original tunes or Yesercise their own original song. Love this version! Thanks you two!
Bruford really gives the bell on his ride cymbal a workout!
It was an outake from the Fragile sessions, but it was not on the album. It was released on a record company promotional compilation album and was a "rare track" until Yes released it on an album called "Yesterdays". "Yesterdays" compiled the best tracks from the first 2 Yes albums (that didn't sell well back in the day), a 'B' side called "Dear Father" and America which was the newest track on that album. America features the classic Yes line up of Anderson, Squire, Howe, Bruford and Wakeman.
When I first heard this back in the early seventies, I was blown away by the sheer musicianship. There was nothing like it back then...its a testimony to how good these 5 guys are.....and boy oh boy does it still sound good today. What a band!
And congratulations on that Silver Play Button!!! So jealous!!!
Did anyone noticed how Great this recording sounds like?? Thanks for the reaction!
Our pleasure!
America was released on a compilation of early songs called Yesterdays, which I think was released around '78 or so. At least that's when I picked it up, and was the first time I heard the song.
Steve Howe said he met Paul Simon at an awards program. Asked him if he liked their version. Paul said Yes. Bruford on drums. Left the band three days later (sigh).
Bruford has been amazing everywhere he's been. He always pushed himself and was amazing with King Crimson next where was pushed to do more and be different. His solo and UK stuff is so good too.
@@pegasus00 true!
@@pegasus00 Checkout the "Genius of Bill Bruford" Drumeo video that just went up a day or 2 ago. Also added it to my comment :).
I kind of doesn't sound like Paul was gushing praise on it. I would expect a more detailed quote of what Paul said about it if he had raved about it. Paul is a pretty reserved guy, though. I really hope he liked this a lot!
Because this wasn't on an actual original Yes album, I didn't hear it until it was played on a radio station I was listening to YEARS after I had been a huge Yes aficionado...It was so obviously Yes but I had no idea it existed...One of the best covers ever...And did you catch their brief incorporation of Leonard Bernstein's "America" from "West Side Story" towards the end of the exceptional intro?
This was recorded for the album The Age Of Atlantic, which was a promotional album for the Atlantic label. It then appear on the album Yesterdays, which was kind of a greatest hits or outtakes from their first two albums. When the Rhino remasters came out, they decided to include America on Fragile as a bonus track since the was the timeframe during which it was recorded.
I had the Age Of Atlantic album too, that was the first time I'd heard Yes. Made me backtrack and eventually buy all their output up to that point, some of the most accomplished musicians I'd ever heard. never looked back.
So glad you guys finally got to hear this most unique cover of this beautiful song. They YESified it, as only they can.
Yes, they YESified it, enYESsened it and YESsed it up.
@@christianmarler2253 And not in a good way. This is as sterile as a song as you can get.
@@greggibson33 Thanks for clearing that up. I wasn't sure what I thought about it until I found out what you thought.
The long version (there were a couple long versions mix-wise) was released on the Yesterdays compilation album in February 1975. You are reacting to a bonus track on one of the extended versions of the Fragile album. They played the song live as early as the summer of 1970 and by the time they did shows in 1971 it had grown to an 18 minute epic. Here is a vid of them playing the song with Bill on drums (quality is so so): ua-cam.com/video/Q0JkTIKm2iY/v-deo.html
I was just about to go to bed (I am in the UK), but just saw this. A great reminder that there are loads more great Yes songs for you to discover ❤
It’s almost ridiculous that one band could put out such consistently amazing music through so many also-amazing iterations. ❤❤
I am in the UK too. I just love watching people react to Yes records for the time. I first got into Yes in the early 1970's and they still amaze me even now. There was something very special going on back then. It's great that their music is being appreciated by so many new and young listeners from so many countries and backgrounds.
I once remember reading that the version of the song was performed as a celebration of their newly found success in America. The focal point being Steve's playing, which explores various American approaches to guitar. You nailed it Lexi, having recognized some bluesy elements in the guitar work.
Hey guys, long time listener and lover of prog, specifically RUSH, YES and GENESIS. Very SURPRISED you have not covered GENESIS opener from SELLING ENGLAND..... called DANCING WITH THE MOONLIT KNIGHT, as that is such a fan fave. Could I request a prog marathon of that song, plus YES tunes opener and closer from TORMATO called FUTURE TIMES/REJOICE and SILENT WINGS OF FREEDOM? YOU WILL LOVE THEM! Also to add any songs from RUSH HOLD YOUR FIRE and or POWER WINDOWS, a great 80's sound by the fab trio. Those entire albums are awesome! Thanks for all your awesome reactions!!!
The Love fam
Sponsor it. Nothing to be surprised. Step up to the plate and participate.
Lots of GREAT request there! :D
Steve's solo was a showcase of different american Guitar music vibes from most parts of the USA at the time... specially made for the 'age of atlantic' album (1972)
Steve's playing on this song is very American inspired. There was blues, rock and roll, rockabilly, and a lot of country. And of course they had to get that early 70's wacka-wacka-wacka there towards the end, because why not?
Yes is my favorite band ever!!!
Such a great song. Love this album too!
Waited for this for years…😂
I know it’s gonna be good!
❤
One of my favorite covers of all time.
The 1st thing people need to understand about this "cover" is that *_it was a jam tune for YES._* The band started playing it as an encore song to jam to during their 1970 The Yes Album Tour. There's a recording on UA-cam of a live performance of this song with Tony Kaye playing the Hammond organ. That's how far back it goes. Steve had just joined the band
The more they played it, the more they filled it out with all the different sections. When it finally developed to where they really liked it, they recorded it & instead of putting it on the Fragile Album (which would have been great) Atlantic Records put it on a compilation album of their bands at that time
It first appeared on a YES album a couple of years later, showing up on YES' first compilation album *Yesterdays.*
Not really. Bruford was around for the entire recording process of Close to the Edge. Then left the band.
@@waynecox3958I think you replied to the wrong comment?
Yes filmed while they were playing this and is on UA-cam.
@JJ8KK It actually first appeared in its full 10 minutes version on the 1972 Atlantic compilation called "The New Age Of Atlantic".
One of the Tony Kaye performances you alluded to is on "The Word Is Live" box set.
Fragile Lineup Bruford, Howe, Squire, Wakeman, Anderson
In my opinion, that is the pinnacle combination of Yes personnel. Honorable mention (and special thanks) goes to Alan White, Tony Kaye, Peter Banks, Trevor Rabin, Patrick Moraz, Geoff Downes, and Trevor Horn.
@@christianmarler2253 this is, for me, the classic lineup but I don’t forget that Alan played and contributed on many great Yes albums also.👍
Back in the day, I first heard it off a compilation album of previous YES songs called YESTERDAYS in 1975 after RELAYER 74 it was a B-side of a single with YOUR MOVE from 1972 prior to CLOSE TO THE EDGE.
Beat me to it! :D
They turn this great song into an homage to American music styles. Genius!
I actually heard this cover of America before ever hearing the original Simon and Garfunkel version. Chris Squire's bass really takes the lead in this cover. Outstanding as usual for Yes, cover or not! Great display of Yes just jamming on and on!
Did you catch Chris’s bass line insert of America from West Side Story . Clever. R.I.P.
Hey Lexi and Nick! Woot great to see your react to a Yes tune again!! Lexi I Love that you Love Yes!!
I rarely do this but if you have a chance you really should check out the Live version of America! This remake is not one of my Favs from Yes-but the Live version is awesome!❤ Would be really great at some point yous guys reacted to that!
Bright, hopeful, happy and optimistic. Yes play with positive energy. A great listen.
Hi Nick and Lex, I’m sure someone has told you by now America was released on Yesterday’s. An album of songs from first two albums and America. I happened to be just packing the box I gathered for my favorite Yes fan. I was able to throw that LP in. Your box is ready to go and will ship this week.
I have a super video to watch. 1975 Yes QPR. Ritual. It must have been remastered with AI. I had bought the import dvd years ago. It was unwatchable.
This show has the first of the 3 Roger Dean stages. Blew me away being my first time seeing them. I suggest watching all 3 live versions of Ritual available. Symphonic, 35th anniversary and this one. Jon doesn’t miss a note !
YES! 😊 This is a fantastic cover of a great song. YES and Steve Howe really put their own twist on this song and made it very special. Steve really let his talents show on this version. One of my favorite YES songs, actually. Thanks for reviewing this!
They couldn’t have Yesified this any more than they did! Always loved this version. But as someone who also appreciates lyrics and story telling, the original so beautifully describes their young love, their journey, their fears and doubts, which is so simply and beautifully portrayed by Simon and Garfunkel
Jon Anderson is a beautiful person.
He is a very humble man.
Shyness is a virtue.
Another gem this one. Flashback to August 27th, 2004. PNC Arts Center, Holmdel, NJ. Yes played America at this show, and Jon had the biggest smile when he sang "Counting the cars on the New Jersey Turnpike". Of course the fans loved it. I Was actually hoping for Counting the cars on the Garden State Parkway, since the Arts Center is accessed by that road.
We saw that same tour at the Fox Theatre in Detroit. There, the crowd went crazy a bit earlier with “Michigan seems like a dream to me now,” and “It took me four days to hitchhike from Saginaw.” It was the show opener, IIRC.
Those early 2000’s tours with Rick Steve Chris Alan and Jon were so wonderful.
The heroes of my youth coming through onstage like the champs they were.
❤
I absolutely adore this cover of a beautiful song. The Beatles, The Beach Boys and Simon & Garfunkel were huge influences on Jon and Chris in particular, and it always seems to me that they really felt they had to do justice to the song by giving it the full Yes treatment.
I don't know what the record companies were doing in the States, but over here in the UK this song first appeared on the New Age Of Atlantic sampler LP. My best mate bought the album and we played it to death. Finally, in 1974 Atlantic UK released Yesterdays which featured 'America' plus selected tracks from their first two albums. Despite already owning the first two records this was a must-buy as it was the only way I could get 'America' into my collection. Some comments below mention a single version; I think that was a US release only as I have never heard that one.
Another Yes classic for you to listen to Alexia. So many more still to hear. I really do think you should try to get in touch with Jon, an interview with the legend would be well worth it!
I bought that YESTERDAYS album a few years later and it was well worth it!
So happy you guys spin Yes tunes. Saw them 4 times, twice in the round, once as Anderson, Bruford, Wake, and Howe, and at an outdoor theatre with their Masterpieces tour (6 songs...all their old long tunes). I maintain they have the most creative singing than any group I know of. And that includes Queen. It really reveals itself on the Close to the Edge album. Look forward to the next Yes review.
This one of the greatest tracks by Yes. I bought the Atlantic Sampler Album when it first came out in 1972 - still have it in fact; other artists on the LP included Led Zeppelin, the J Geils Band, Louden Wainwright III, Buffalo Springfield and John Prine!
Saw Yes do this version of America live at Crystal Palace Bowl in London in July 1971, I think the last gig played by Tone Kaye. Other artists on the bill that afternoon and evening included Fairport Convention, Rory Gallagher and Elton John!!! A great day.
What is amazing about this track is not only the musicianship but the fantastic sound - hard to believe the recording is more than fifty years old.
I want to find that LP and buy it. I haven't looked for it yet, but I would imagine it is kind of rare now and fetches some cash when found.
West-side story flourishes and the typical cinematic and TV influences of the period. Early Steve Howe business.
I got this track on a compilation album 'The New Age of Atlantic', a sampler from Atlantic Records for just 0,99p.This album has some great music on it - Led Zeppelin (Hey Hey What can I do) - Cactus (Long Tall Sally) and many others. This cover absolutely blew me away. Where a band takes a track completely reinterpret it, and as much as I like the S&G version. YES own this now.
Beat me to it No. 2 :P
Yes! This is a GREAT song from the Yes catalog. Great cover and you should then listen to the Beatles ‘Every Little Thing’ followed by Yes’s cover of that! It rocks, I promise you!
I think I heard this (America) first on the Yesterdays album.
This cover was recorded for the Atlantic compilation called "The New Age Of Atlantic", released in 1972, which also contained "Hey Hey What Can I Do" by Led Zeppelin. It was a highly collectible compilation as it was the only way to get those songs at the time. Incidentally, this was the closer for the compilation. 😊
As others have said it was later included in the 1975 Yes compilation called "Yesterdays".
Steve Howe met Paul Simon in the 80s and he asked him if he had ever heard this Yes version. Not only did Paul like this version he told Steve Howe that he should have taken a writing credit for his amazing solo in the middle.
I need (want) "The New Age Of Atlantic" ‼‼
I've always preferred covers that do something different with the songs, rather than just play it like the original. Joe Cocker's covers, like this Yes cover, completely reimagined the songs he did. (EDIT: Also Vanilla Fudge did some great ones like "You Keep Me Hanging On"...and Deep Purple's take on "Kentucky Woman" by Neil Diamond.)
You can throw Chicago's version of "I'm A Man" in there as well. They made it their own.
@@donalddixoninlou Absolutely. That album is amazing and "I'm A Man" is just as epic as the rest of the songs on it.
Alexia isn't crazy...Steve Howe definitely plays some straight ahead blues-based rock guitar in the opening portion of the midsection solo, unusual for him in the Yes setting, which I alwaya took to be meant to be a part of a tribute as an "American sound" in keeping with the theme...
The song was recorded for an Atlantic Records compilation named the Age of Atlantic and it was also included in yesterdays compalation album, featuring songs from the first two albums of Yes.
When Rick first joined, they'd play this live quite a bit, before Fragile even came out. There's a version of it live from that same time period somewhere on the net.
For me, the first time and several times thereafter that I heard this I had never heard the S & G version, so I loved it for what it is right from the very beginning.
They played this on loud speakers at a 4th of July Fireworks display from Macy's. We saw it from the across the river.
It's a beautiful cover of an amazing song by Paul simon and Art Garfunkel, written by Paul Simon.
Bowie does an amazing cover of this song as well.
Yes, the Band: they are from the UK.
I think they see America in different eyes than Americans do.
I am an American and I'm still trying to find America.
Even while driving on the New Jersey Turnpike.
😢
I hope my country can still survive ourselves.
May God bless us all.
✌️❤️🇺🇸🇬🇧
As Ringo Starr says when asked, "And, how do you find America?"
--- "Turn left at Greenland."
My first album I got from the band Yes, was called Yeserday's. The album was a collage of songs from the first two Yes albums including the song America. I'm not sure when this album was released. I hope this information may help you. Ben G.
The LP also included the non-album track Dear Father. The album came with a 45 rpm single featuring live versions of Roundabout and a version of Your Move/I've Seen All Good People that includes band
Introductions and mini solos.
Yay!! I know you are going to see Jon Anderson. Enjoy!! I will be seeing him on Long Island on the 21st. 😊
I have yet to find anything I do not like by Yes. Steve Howe is such a virtuoso.
I’m just here for the instrumental part. I love this song when it really takes off.
There is a video on YT of this song played in the studio. Worth a watch. ☮❤🎶
Actually wasn’t on the original Fragile album. Was on a compilation called Yesterdays. Was recorded in the Fragile sessions
Now you guys should hear their version of The Byrds' "I See You" from their debut album Yes. They used to do The Beatles "I'm Down" during their concerts in the 70s. Not that I was old enough to see them live then but I have heard recordings of it on YT. I'm sure Jon would love to meet you. That would be awesome!
OK, it's not from Fragile. It was a regular feature of their live shows in 1971 when the lineup still ihad Tony Kaye in the band. It was finally recorded in early 1972 after Rick Wakeman joined and issued on an Atlantic Records sampler album called The New Age of Atlantic. That album also contained an unreleased song by Led Zeppelin called Hey Hey What can I do. It appeared again in 1975 on the Yesterdays compilation album. It is a cover of the Simon and Garfunkel song of the same name.The version of Fragile you have is a re-release which had America added to it. Fragile never contained America originally. There is no version of it with Paul Simon. Or anyone else. It contains possibly Steve Howe's best ever solo.
Yet again proving why Yes was one of the best bands on the planet. This song attacks your senses.
There's a live version from the 'Keys to Ascension' album that is worth a listen. I saw them do this at the Allentown Fair for the 35th Anniversary tour in September 2004.
Originally it appeared on the compilation album "Yesterdays" from 1975
Originally appeared on 'The New Age of Atlantic' sampler album in '72. Not to be confused with the previous 'The Age of Atlantic' album, which came out a year previous, '71.
Neither sampler album an easy album to find back then.
'Yesterdays' came out '75.
@@bmac1205 My bad. Never heard of those Atlantic albums. First heard it on "Yesterdays"
I had the song on an Atlantic Sampler album...that included a load of great tunes ... Led Zeppelin - Hey Hey What can I do...John Prine - Sam Stone and Loudon Wainwright - Motel Blues and others...
I heard the Yes version before hearing the S&G original...Love both versions. Love your reactions...
Same here with not hearing the S & G version first.
Bowie does a solo cover of this song to open the Concert for 9/11. Fair warning, its a bit of a tearjerker, at least for me because I was living in NYC at the time.
Somehow, I missed that when it happened and only discovered it a year or so ago. I was amazed that existed.
@christianmarler2253 Yeah, and if you remember those days, it makes his performance all the more outstanding.
I really like your reactions, as I have written elsewhere....
I've read interviews with Steve saying that in the mid to late 60s it was very fashionable for guitarists to play blues licks on just about everything and he consciously shied away from that style to a large degree. His playing is a fantastic combination of country, psychedelia, with maybe a sprinkling of the blues.
I have heard this version of America countless times but just now for the first time I thought I heard a second guitar playing behind Steve. When I listened closely I realized it was Rick playing the Fender Rhodes thru a wah pedal.
I used to jam on a Rhodes every week --- until Hurricane Sandy destroyed our rehearsal space. The Rhodes have guitar pickups in them so I tried all kinds of stompboxes, distortion, flanger, chorus, etc. I finally settled on a wah-wah, digital delay, and tremelo pedals.
Really hope you can get an interview or maybe just have a talk with Jon.
He's just a very nice person.
I've met him in person several years ago.
Yes were playing at the Swedish rock festival and they stayed at the same hotel where our fan club "Swedish Yes" had a gathering. Yes where invited to this event and they all show up (except Chris who had a water leakage in his room next to us).
Everyone at the fan club wanted to converse with the members but my friend and I were quite shy and stood aside watching. Then suddenly Jon looked at us, walked up to us and said "hello, where do you come from?"
He's the kind of person who sees all the people in the room!!
!
You should check out SOMETHING's COMING with the original lineup as well from West Side Story.
Actually, it's not from Fragile. It was added to the remaster many years later. It was originally on a compilation album.
I had the Yes Album, Fragile, Close to the Edge, Yessongs and Yesterdays. Think this song was first on Yesterdays which was unreleased stuff from this same period. Love the Cowboy Steve guitar on this!
Everything on Yesterdays was previously released either from the debut album, Time and A Word Album, a B side of a single and the New Age of Atlantic album.
As stated it came froma sampler album, it was a showcase for their musicianship and a tribute to S and G, once you heard this you just had to listen to Fragile....
Originally released as a single , then released on Yesterday's album. Was later added to Fragile
❤ Chris ❤
there is a promotional video for this as well from 1971 shot in studio
Has a good quality version of it shown up? The one I've seen is really poor quality, at least re: the visuals...
@@JJ8KKnot that I'm aware of, I've only seen the poor quality one
Steve Howe Goes COWBOY!!!! I have this on the original Album it was on...A Compilation from Atlantic Records 1971
Actually he goes Chet Atkins, whom he was greatly influenced by.
@@bmac1205wasn't Chet a country musician? Pretty cowboy to me.
This is an awesome version!
I believe the track originated on a compilation called the old age of Atlantic released in 1971
This was not an album track originally. It was initially released as a 45 RPM single in the spring or summer of 1972 just a few months before the release of Close to the Edge. I had that single. It wasn't a big seller. The B side (Total Mass Retain) was an excerpt from Close to the Edge. The version on the single was considerably shorter (and less chaotic) than the one you're reacting to which appeared much later on special editions of Fragile as a bonus track. It was not on the original Fragile album although it may be been recorded around the same time. The single was released months after Fragile. Personally, while I'm a huge Yes fan, I very much prefer the original Simon and Garfunkel version.
The full version was released on a compilation album in 1975 called Yesterdays
Not exactly true. It was originally released in this full version on the Atlantic compilation called "The New Age Of Atlantic" in 1972, which also contained "Hey Hey What Can I Do" by Led Zeppelin. It was a highly collectible compilation as it was the only way to get those songs at the time.
I read an article/interview with Steve Howe, he was asked why he chose YES to join a band.
Steve’s response was, “I didn’t want to be playing the same blues and rock licks everyone else is doing”.
How Steve Howe isn’t in every top ten guitarist polls I’ll never understand.
Give “Sound Chaser” off the Relayer album! Then tell me he’s not in your top ten?
Steve Howe had a chance to join Jethro Tull but didn't because he wasn't allowed to write songs. Ian Anderson wrote them all.
I suspect Lex heard a pentatonic lick.
It first heard this in high school art class around the Close To The Edge era. I only knew the Leonard Bernstein America (a motif which Chris slyly inserts in) because it was on network television, and only years later heard the S&G folky.
This song is actually not from Fragile, it was included on the expanded CD release but it was originally part of a compilation of songs on an album from 1975 called "Yesterdays" , which consisted of some songs from before Fragile with their original guitarist, and two formerly unreleased songs, one of which was their cover of America (with Steven Howe on Guitar) and the other was an original called 'Dear Father' with their original guitarist. Dear Father is actually a quite beautiful song and I always hoped they would redo it. (Opps forgot to mention this is the only song from Yesterdays with Rick Wakeman on keys. All the other tracks have Tony Kaye.)
En Argentina y es mi caso somos muy fan de Yes !! Fue la primera banda inglesa en venir después de la guerra de Malvinas !! En 1985 vinieron presentando 90125 el álbum con más éxito en el mundo de Yes !! Amo este álbum frágil !! Argentina es el país q más escucho el rock británico ! Mucho más q el de EEUU ! Yo en particular amo el rock inglés ! Y Yes es mi banda favorita por encima de Pink Floyd ! Aunque este último compuso en mi opinión el mejor álbum de rock de todos los tiempos ! El lado oscuro de la luna !!
Yes Nick America was written by Paul Simon. Art gets a writing credit because Paul was his good friend, and had that great tenor!!
Aguante Yes !
I think this is an awesome cover. My favorite version though, is from the live Keys to Ascension album from 1996.
Only difference on that live one is Alan White is drumming on KTA. He has been quoted as stating that he absolutely loved playing that tune during the 35th Anniversary Tour.
America was on a compilation album called the New Age of Atlantic.
The greatest guitar solo in history of rock?
If you're a Yes fanboy, then yes.... In reality, no.
This was on their first album . Peter banks was the guitarist, Tony Kaye was on keyboards. 1969 I think. They also do a Beatle cover on that album
It reminds me of the Crosby Stills Nash and Young cover of Joni Mitchell's Woodstock. In both cases the cover takes the song far afield of writer's original vision and transforms it into something else.