There are no mistakes on Yessongs. The tempos are faster because of live performance and adrenaline. Also, Steve and Rick play around in spots with different variations of what they are playing for fun and this was intentional. No band is perfect, but I don't believe the band or the label would release an album with "mistakes" on it. The beautiful thing about Yessongs is that you get a much more raw and organic sound than you do with modern live recordings. Hearing all the little details like feedback or amp hum makes it authentic and gives it energy and life. Definitely one of the greatest live albums of all time and it truly captures the essence of the band live and at the top of their game.
Totally agree, they would not have released an album with evident errors. Live albums are always selected with the best recordings they made from different gigs. This performance was from the Fragile Tour with Bill Bruford.
I agree there are no mistakes. Genius songwriters and performers like Yes are allowed artistic license to play any version of a song that they wish. I have been lucky enough to see Pat Metheny many times in concert and have learned to have zero expectations as to how various familiar tunes sound in concert, in fact that is half the thrill . . . hearing a totally unique version of a song performed just once for the people present.
Totally agree. There are no mistakes - it's pure adrenaline. I wouldn't want a live album to sound like the studio version anyway. This is, for me, one of the best live albums I've ever heard. I remember buying it with my first pay cheque back in 1975 😂. I played it to death.
I loved seeing your reactions to these two pieces. This is an album that I played over and over again - really wore it out; these two were a couple of my favorites in addition to Heart of the Sunrise, Yours is No Disgrace, and Starship Trooper. I did listen to the studio albums Fragile and Close to the Edge first and love them as well but I played this one much more. At the time I didn’t feel like there were any mistakes - they did tend to play differently in concert than in the studio; it’s not beyond possibility - one would have to compare other live recordings to this one to determine that, perhaps. Yes was one of the first bands I ever saw in concert (mid-70s) and both shows I attended were fantastic. Thanks for taking me back.
When your in the presence of the guys and Chris does his stuff, the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. We will never hear his like again. There is only one YES. Great stuff guys.
Thank thank thank you both😎❤ The first time I saw YES, 1972, Chris blew me away and I immediately started savings for a bass. Never regretted it. I read an interview with Chris where he stated " I guess you could say that I play on an epic scale" I agree
Chris Squire (RIP) was inimitable. This arrangement wasn't totally improvisational, in fact, it's quite arranged. However, it's a landmark bass solo in the history of the instrument. And there are other amazing bassists out there today. Check out "The Way She Walks" by Dirty Loops. The bassist is Henrik Linder. The band is from Sweden. Welcome to a new rabbit hole.
I love the contrast between the studio version and this. It´s almost like getting out of hand a little bit. Like taming a wild animal. It´s on the edge. It´s a lot faster and heavier than the studio version. It´s wild but still precise. The piano stabs and the snare drum hits in the verse of Long Distance...were supposed to go in unison like on the studio version, but Bruford almost never plays the same thing twice LOL. The Fish is totally expanded here, Chris is on fire, he has unleashed a storm at some points. I think it´s just brilliant. I love it. I rarely listen to the studio version, this is so much more fun.
Yes, me too. YesSongs has so many great versions of already stunning songs. Yours is no Disgrace and Starship Trooper on side 6 are fantastic. So good I always play those to multiple times.
It was _sped up_ a bit in concert, probably because Wakeman set the tempo early on & Wakeman _always_ liked to show off his speed. I've noticed that they'd speed up on a number of other YES live recordings...
The intro ‘jam’ on the live version of ‘Yous is No Disgrace’ that is not on the studio version is by itself worth the entire price of the 3 vinyl album original release. I remember first playing it in my teens wondering how in the world could this be‘Yours is no Disgrace’
For me the highlight of this album is the 14-minute version of Perpetual Change, at the end of the song they cut loose and you don't want them to stop. If you ever feel like investigating what some of the band members got up to before they joined Yes, Rick Wakeman does an excellent solo spot on the Strawbs' live album 'A Collection Of Antiques And Curios'. Steve Howe was in a proto-prog outfit called Tomorrow with Keith West (of Teenage Opera fame) on vocals, My White Bicycle is their most well-known tune.
Actually no bad song on it, I even listened to Mood for a day and Rick Wakeman solo, since I had recorded the whole album on my tape machine .. so no turning of LPs or later changing of CDs. Just start and listen to the end 🤘
The Fish live is one of the few bass solo’s which never gets boring. Btw the studio version of the song was a series of overdubs of different playing techniques, which of course couldn’t be done in the same way live at the time. But Chris managed to use most of them in an epic solo.
Simply the greatest version of Long Distance and The Fish period. My brother and I purchased Yessongs on vinyl when it was first released back in 1973. What a classic album. Recommend checking out Perpetual Change on Yessongs as well with Bill Burford on drums. Another classic track. You will not be disappointed.
It must be over 40 years since I last played this album, thanks for reminding how good it is, I`m going to have to dig it out and start my own Yes marathon!
This was the first Yes concert I ever saw and I was an entranced fan ever since. This show combined 3 albums into one show and was phenomenal. Hit after incredible hit. Yes has been my favorite group ever since and this still ranks as perhaps the best concert I ever saw. Their music takes you on an incredible journey with amazing musicianship and mind blowing transitions.
With regards to the album YesSongs, I recommend that when you listen to "Excerpts from 'The Six Wives of Henry VIII" that you watch the live performance from 1972. You'll see. Also, YES opened all their concerts with the last few minutes of 'The Firebird Suite' by Stravinsky, as they'd come out on stage to the cheers from the audience, and then start their opening number the moment the Firebird Suite ended. It's quite a cool thing to watch.
I was turned on to YES with YESSONGS. In high school my buddy had this on 8-track and we played it constantly. I love the energy of it which I believe is intentional and, as Lexi points out, is FUN ! I’ve now since grown to appreciate the studio version immensely… but to be honest when I first heard it, in spite of the amazing recording quality… I thought it dragged, and I had much the same reaction to the studio version that Nick had to this live cut. Either way, I’m always happy to hear Yes live from any of the shows out there. You two are my favorite reactors and I thank you for all you do for us. 🙏❤️🎉
This solo blew a lot of people’s minds because remember, back then people were used to Johnny Root Not on bass just supporting the song on the low end in the background.
Did I promise to much ? I guess not. There are not that many bass solos, that I remember, but this is my personal favourite. Can you imagine how much fun it is, to start watching, knowing that I'm gonna love that you love the music ?😆 I absolutely understand, when you say, you want the studio version first, "unfortunately" I started with Yessongs, which made it a bit hard, to like the studio songs. It's just because you know the songs being played with so much energy, fun and small changes compared to the studio song. And I'm absolutely with you Nick, it wasn't perfect, but that's THE reason for me to listen to live recordings, simply because they are real, no chance to correct mistakes. I cannot imagine anything more boring than a live recording, which sounds exactly the same than the studio version. I once read this about a Dire Straits concert of the 80s. That held me back for a long time to buy their live album. I can recall a concert video of Neal Morse Band, when Neal realized in the middle of a sentence, that he sang the wrong words and everybody noticed and he simply continued with a smile. Alexia made me roll over my couch laughing twice, just because of the faces she made, once when all of a sudden the bass became so loud and then also when the "orchestra" towards the end came out of nothing. I have a fun story about this spot, where the bass turns from "matisse" (or how you spell it) to extra loud unexpectedly : I was sitting in our basement party room listening to The Fish with pretty much volume. My mother entered the room in the moment, where the bass was so low and then Chris almost "blew" her out of the door. Memories I'll never forget 🤣🤣🤣
The Englishman explorer and his native guide were deep in the African jungle when, all of a sudden, they both hear the aggressive sound of drumming nearby. The guide freaks out and urgently tells the Englishman "Bwana, we must leave this place, right now, as fast as we can, before the drums go silent. Bwana looks puzzled and asks "Why must we leave here with such alacrity? The guide replies "We must leave and get far away, where we cannot hear the drums anymore". Bwana then asks "What in the world happens when the drumming stops?" The native proclaims "The bass solo begins!!"
When you get wrapped up in this bass solo it’s easy to forget it’s a Rickenbacker 4001 by the way Chris plays with a pick and a wah. You start thinking it’s a guitar. In fact many casual Yes fans and uninitiated listeners usually do jump to that conclusion.
Another bass solo, where I'm not sure up to today is Ten Years After's I can't keep from crying of the Recorded Live LP ... do you have any informations about it ? I think it's a bass solo.
Chris Squire had so much showmanship 🙏 his Life within Yes will never be Surpassed Miss You so Much🐟Live Lugano 2004 Long Distance Run around / Fish is a wonderful Visual performance 😃
And Bill is a hundred times better than Alan anyway. Also, even Alan was pretty down on this album because he felt he wasn't with the band long enough to do a good job on the tunes. All his drum tracks on this album just sound like swishy white noise with his ride sound.
Yes, I can always tell immediately when it's Bill Bruford or Alan White playing; their styles are that different. But I love them both, equally. Sadly, Mr. White and Mr. Squire are no longer with us. One of the best rhythm sections there ever was.
Finally Live Yessongs !!!! 😃👍🎵🎶 Having see Yes many times since 1972' their Live Tempo is often different than the records, it's how Yes does it Live ! 🎼 One of Classic Progs Top Live albums with ..... King Crimson - USA expanded edition Gentle Giant - Playing The Fool Jethro Tull - Bursting Out Genesis - Live Hawkwind - Space Ritual ✌
There no mistakes on Yessongs. The tempo is designed that way for live playing. I have seen Yes tons of times and they used to play it that way. As a drummer for 60+ years now, I admire Yessongs even more today than the day it came out. Also, Alan White only had 3 days to learn all Yes's material for world wide tour. He had never listened to Yes before he joined the band and nailed everything spot on. Amazing musicians. Not many people understand that these tempo changes were intentional.
As a musician and studio musician of over 20 years I understand the 3 day learning curve. But the tempo is on the sheet music. He changed tempo like 3 times. I have played live thousand of times and I know drummers are always speeding up at live gigs. I just don't hear that on recordings such as Dream Theater live. It was still a flawless gig.
I know the tempo on the sheet music is different from the live versions. It was done like that on purpose according to Alan White for performance reasons. He didn't elaborate.
"If you're listening to this song. You may think the chords are going wrong. But they're not I just wrote it like that" The song speeds up and slows down. It is on purpose 😁 hard to fathom they would do that on purpose... so fun
As great as they were in the studio, they always amazed us live as well. The talent level of this band was off the charts! I saw them many times, and I'm so glad I did. Yessongs is one of those albums you just have to sit back, put on the headphones, and just enjoy the journey that this band takes you on.
Guys, you’re not done with Yessongs. There’s one more track, Starship Trooper which is played during the closing credits. Although it’s only the Wurm section, it features one of Rick’s best solos with Yes. It’s only about 3 minutes but highly worth it.
One the best versions of Starship Trooper I've ever heard. Wakeman's Moog solo and Howe's guitar solo are beaitiful! Yessongs is one the best albums ever! And the artwork of the 3 records album, amazing!
@@thomassanchez8956 Guys ... may I repeat my sermon : there is no best in music. It's all a question of personal taste... so there are many greatest bands 😄🤘
YES!!! I'm one of your fans who ALWAYS encourages you to listen to the studio versions of YES' masterpieces _during the Bruford era_ before listening to the Yessongs versions, but *_this one_* is the major exception (mostly because it is one of the few live Yessongs selections that features Bruford on the drums). I gotta say that this live version of The Fish is _THE_ selection from the Yessongs album that I've listened to the most, far more than any of the others. I consider this live recording of The Fish as one of the best live recorded bass solos I've ever heard. I'm still glad you listened to the studio version first, but now you've heard Chris Squire at his best!
Epic Chris Squire 😱 wow there is nobody like him what a sound and pioneer of the bass. Thanks for showing the genius of this great band. What a performance. Love the smiles.
Yessongs is hands down, my favorite live recording of any band. Great pick for your first listen, as Squire playing The Fish, live back in the day, was so exciting to watch. Probably my favorite Yes member. So glad to see you both enjoying this album!
that's a real nice description - I love the adventures of listening to new music .... but also re - discovering old music or old bands of which you didn't know that much. As it happened lately with REO Speedwagon, Billy Joel, Procol Harum
I love 'The Fish' from Yessongs. The power and the attack is so exciting. Yes were an exciting band to see in the first half of the 70's. I was fortunate enough to see them in Birmingham in 1971 and 1973, and at the Loftus Road Football Stadium in London in 1975. The '73 gig was amazing as they played Topographic Oceans in full, a few days before the album was released. None of us in the audience had heard it before so it was really exciting, and challenging to play live. I vividly remember watching in awe as the whole band played drums during the 4th.song on the album. Such an amazing band who played music that was just unique.Thanks Nick, Alexia and Rudi for playing this for us xx
Yes always played Long Distance at a faster tempo live in 70s and 80s. They used to do that with Roundabout- but fans don’t care while watching them play it. You need to watch Chris do this live and see his grace, beautiful talent, and how much he loved playing.
This song The Fish really introduced me to the possibility of a bass guitar as a solo instrument. Great sounds. Never heard anything highlighting the bass guitar like that before.
there are not so many bass solos back in the 70s, maybe you've heard Ten Years After's I can't keep from crying, or Renaissance' Ashes are burning and as your name sounds "european" (Belgium, Netherlands) you might have heard of the german band Kraan and their bass player Helmut Hattler ... Nam Nam is an excellent track of Kraan live and if you like it, please listen to Holiday am Matterhorn or Sarahs Ritt durch den Schwarzwald of the same album
A bit of trivia - although the Yessongs album was the first to feature Alan White on drums and percussion, there were still a few songs that featured Bill Bruford just before he left the band. As it happens, Bill Bruford played drums on Long Distance Runaround and The Fish and Perpetual Change. Alan White played drums on everything else.
Bill Bruford, Classic Prog's Greatest Drummer with Yes, King Crimson & UK !!! 👍 The King of odd Time Signatures and the "Rimshot" Snare !! 🎼🥁 Modern drummer "Hall of Fame" !! 🏆🎶
I'm so bonded with this live version that I don't notice any imperfections. I just love it, full stop. I also love the studio version. Imperfections? Nah, it's just live. No bigs. :)
Oh man (and woman), you’re in for a real treat! The bass solo by Chris is epic! From Yessongs is the best! Plus it’s Bill Bruford on this not Alan. Bill is on this and Perpetual Change. You can tell by the snare drum besides the notes on the original album cover. Alan plays on the rest of the songs from the 3 vinyl albums. (Just in case Spotify gets that wrong)
Have you guys reviewed the yes song, “heart of the sunrise”?, If not it’s one up there with the best of their songs, everything is top-notch especially Bruford drumming and of course Squires base
Long Distance Runaround and The Fish should always be listened to together, similar to Led Zeppelin's Heartbreaker and Living Loving Maid. They just naturally go together.
Think it is so great you both love Yes. What a great band from my youth. Chris was such a bassist. It was about this time my uncle tried to get me into completely Avant Garde music. He bought me an album that was just people making sounds on various surfaces. He said I listened to music with a constant beat and needed to expand my mind. Can't say I got into it, but it certainly opened my mind. Stuck to Prog for the most part. PS your voices were very quiet. Mind you, I am half deaf from going to Deep Purple and Black Sabbath gigs in the 70s!
Hello From California. You guys need to see Emerson Lake and Palmer Live!!!!! Montreux Jazz Festival 1997 Tarkus or Pictures at an Exhibition/ Medley Part2❤️✌🏼
Don't tell anybody, but I sent the CD for their 2021 birthdays and my sticker said : Listen to Long Distance Runaround/the Fish - best bass solo in rock history (of the ones I know) 😆🤘
By the way, while the Yessongs compilation album was published in 1973, The Fish was one of the songs on it that _must have been_ recorded in 1972, or even 1971, (like during the Fragile Tour) because Bill Bruford was no longer with the band when I saw YES in concert for the first time in the fall of 1972. (They had to hire Alan White before the CTTE Tour cuz Bill had quit just before it). So even though I've seen YES in concert 7 times, I never saw them when Bill Bruford was with them...
If you are a fan of Starship Trooper, you cannot lose the Synphonic version live video recorded in 2002, available on UA-cam. You will perceive a lot of energy (Jon, Chris, Steve, Alan on stage). Don't loose it!
RIP Chris Squire. Why more of you reactors don't cover the Yessongs versions of these songs is a mystery. Notably this is from early 72 when Bill was still in the band. These songs were dropped from the setlist for the following Close to the Edge tour with Alan. You can get a bit of an idea of what this must have looked like from the "Sounding Out" film that's made the rounds on UA-cam. It starts with this lineup playing "Long Distance Runaround." The tempo issues/roughness that Nick is identifying are just down to the live experience. Yes had been playing live for 4 years up to this point so it's not like they were amateurs up there! This also gives you an idea of how Chris' solo spots were often "composed", with backing from the other band members. The bit at 15:49 is always a gag for people to turn their stereo system way up and catch friends by surprise!
The tempo is definitely faster but its not a carbon copy of the studio version. There’s a new expensive ($400 +/-) vinyl box set that features 7 concerts from this time period (21 vinyl albums) that was previously released on CD that also features these two songs which are also performed faster than the studio version. Based on that I’d have to surmise that it is intentionally faster rather than a mistake.
For 30 years or more, i I believed that, when you go to a live gig, you expect to hear the exact same version as the studio album. It tiook a long time for me to realise that was stupid! If you want to hear the studio version - play the studio recording! If you want to experience what YES were like, live - play this album...as I did when I revisited this album aroun d 20 years ago. I now cherish all my live albums - they bring back memories of so many fantastic gigs, and I remember who I went to see a band with, and who was support...and whether we ate hotdogs after, or burgers! Great times...great live music...wonderful band...and my all-time favourite bassist!!!!!!!
Hi Tony, I like your memories, I also remember, where I went with whom, but don't remember the food 🤣 Other than you, I experienced already at my first festival, how exciting a changed or improvised song can be : I saw Ted Nugent in 1977 open air on the lovely Loreley Amphitheatre festival location - right away at the beginning of the first song, the 2nd guitarplayers guitar didn't work, so Ted jumped up on the podest of the drummer and they improvised some wild guitar-drum solo - awesome. The year after I saw Johnny Winter play his Highway 61 revisited , 5 minutes in studio, live maybe 10 or more. So from then on I always expected something special .. there are lots of bands, which don't do that, but also many who do. So I'd like to list my favourite extended/improvised songs for you and maybe you let me know, if you know them and what you think: 1. Deep Purple - Space truckin / Made in Japan 2. Mountain - Nantucket Sleighride / Twin Peaks 3. Outlaws - Green grass and high tides / Bring 'em back alive 4. Dream Theater - Beyond this life / Live at Budokan 5. RPWL - Cymbaline (Pink Floyd Cover) / Start the fire live I know that this is more than 1,5 hours of music, so if you want/have to listen to them all, take your time ... I'm looking forward to read your expert opinion 😆🤘
@@rudolfbecker4313 Hi Rudolf - thanks for getting in touch, proving that music is such a shared medium! I wish I had learned the value of live performances when I first started going to gigs - I would have gained so much more pleasure...as I found out later. I'm aware of 3 of the tracks you mentioned, I will try the other! My favourite live music experiences mostly have to be viewed as the whole set, not individual songs: David Bowie: Ziggy Stardust and Aladdin Sane tour / any Sensational Alex Harvey Band gig / any Mott the Hoople gig before the Hunter/Ronson thing that never really took off. YES around Yes Album / Fragile. Golden Earring touring the Moontan album was special - their drummer had a thing about jumpoing over his drum kit...unfortunately, the nightclub had a low ceiloing and he ended up wearing his kit! So, while the roadies patched his drums the bass player played a solo - played like a lead guitarist might, including getting all kinds of feedback from the speakers! 20 minutes he played for - that was worth the ticket money alone. Oh...and an incredible Ozzfest with Black Sabbath, which was my teenage(then!!) son's first taste of live music. That was awesome - felt like I d "passed the baton" to my son, who's now racked up hundreds of gigs, and took his 5 year old son to a Festival last year...bringing the family up right!! haha! I've enjoyed revisiting my memories - thanks, again for getting in toiuch. Peace be with you!
There is a quote from Miles Davis that I think describes what you were talking about, Nick- "It's not the note you play that's the wrong note- it's the note you play afterwards that makes it right or wrong." I usually prefer studio versions, though there are fantastic live recordings- (Steely Dan "Bodhisattva", the Who Live at Leeds album, Bob Seger "Get Out of Denver," and many, many more.) If it's live, I want to BE there hearing and seeing it! This was really interesting to hear, though! Chris was on fire, and I swear at around 18:18 to 18:38 there is a (somewhat paraphrased) quote by Chris of the song "Friends" from Led Zeppelin III, (the strings that come in later in the song!) See what you think! 🎵❤️🎵 Debbie
Yessongs is one of my favorite live albums! My brother's bass player, Ed Jaffe (great player, great guy), taped the whole album for me and gave it to me, when I was a kid (probably 12 or 13). I obsessed over it for days/months after and I still own that TDK tape! Great music!
The tempo/time signature going on in "Long Distance Runaround" is basically the band is playing in 4/4 with Bill Bruford drumming 5/4 to counter the beat during the verse section. He will even slip the beat he's playing counter to the band in 4/4, or even 7/4, countering them yet again but only to lead up to the next bar. You might even call it Bruford "metrically modulating" as he does on "B'Boom" on King Crimson's 1995 album "THRAK". Yes are always fast live. They will jump the tempo up and literally run over you like a freight train. When Yes would perform "Sound Chaser" live to open their '75/'76 tour they would be so fast that it would take afew songs for their frenetic tempo to slow down. The crazy part is that they could play those complicated fast phrases with ease live. The mid section of "The Gates of Delirium" from the 1980 release "Yesshows" is about 20 bpm faster then the original, and the mid 'battle' section is so fast you'd think the band would fall apart, but they don't. They hold it together. Yessongs is mostly Alan White on drums for their "Close To The Edge" tour, with "Perpetual Change" (Bruford does a rare solo), and "Long Distance Runaround/The Fish" with Bruford on their '72 Fragile tour.
The Fish on Yessongs is virtually a new song, as the original is only a few minutes long. Later live versions include excerpts from "On ThE Silent Wings of Freedom" from Tomato and "Tempus Fugit" from Drama but this was long before these albums were created so obviously there are no excerpts from these songs on the Yessongs version. Here's a version from 2003 live video ua-cam.com/video/FHFox6wyXfw/v-deo.html
Nick n Lex, I highly recommend you react to Toto "Stop Loving You" "Toto 35 Anniversary Tour Live In Poland". This concert was recorded in 2013-2014 and in spite of two Pocaro brothers (Jeff and Mike) tragically passing on, four original members appear in this concert, David Paich - Keys, Steve Lukather - guitars, Steve Porcaro - Keys, Joseph Williams - vocals. I know you mentioned not being able (ready?) to react to live performances but I think your guys are ready for this. Toto is an astonishing collection of players whose members were first call studio musicians playing on literally thousands of records. Jeff Porcaro played drums on the entire Steely Dan "Katy Lied" album and Donald Fagen's "The Nightfly" They are a legendary group of musicians and epic performers. P.S. Toto is quite friendly to reactors reacting to their music so you should not run into any issues. I would very much love to see you react to this song as I believe you will like it. Thank You for your work and All The Best to you and yours. Joe
Yessongs Ah YES Perpetual change on this album really captures the true magic of YES especially near the end of the song they go to that place that is Just that the magic of YES. Thank you for keeping the YES flame lit.
I think it depends on what you are used to. I started listening to Yessongs first, then I went to the studio versions. So to me, Yessongs is the standard and the studio versions sound different to me. I do love both versions
The one and only "Fish" in and out of water - "Schindleria Praematurus"; "Mr. Chris Squire on bass guitar, Chris Squire", as Jon likes to say. Yessongs (Live) brings back memories of concerts. They would open their shows (70s) with an excerpt from Stravinsky's Firebird Suite while taking the stage and then, boom!, off they went with songs like Siberian Khatru or Going for the One. The Tormato Tour (78-79) they played "in the round". It was a round stage that rotated during the concert. Check out some footage of them playing in the round. I think Yes was the first band to do it. Also, they would usually come out for at least two encores, sometimes 3 if the crowd was super loud cheering, flashing bic lighters, etc. You knew they were going to wow you for a 3+ hour show. Awesome reaction!
That is interesting - I have listened to it scores of time and realized that it was much faster, but hadn't heard any mistakes (other than tempo). Other than that, I really liked Steve Howe's transition between songs, and of course, Chris was great - crazy dynamics.
The really cool thing for me is tat Tait Towers for stage lighting and such as well as Clare Brothers for sound are both mentioned on the vinyl album release notes. Both of these places are in Lititz, PA which is a small Borough near me, where Yes would also rehearse (Clare Brothers) for the start of their USA tours.
They had such trouble with CTTE live that the final part on these early live recordings is in a different key to the original. There are flaws. That there are so few is what’s amazing ❤
Unfortunately the whole of Yessongs was very badly recorded due to the misuse of different Dolby settings and only recent remixes have improved the muddy sound a little. It has to be pointed out that Yes were still relatively young as a band and improved their live performances in later years, some of their best ones being at Montreux 2003 and others in 2004 before this lineup played for the last time together.
Completely disagree. There best live years were from 1972-75. They were pretty much untouchable during that span in what they were performing, stage presence, musical ability, energy, creativity, execution. They were at the top of their game on every level in those years.
Love this on YESSONGS and when it transitions into the the Fish you can really hear how Cris Squires amazing Bass Guartair playing as a lead!
I've never looked at the bass guitar the same since Chris Squire! So glad to have seen him several times!
There are no mistakes on Yessongs. The tempos are faster because of live performance and adrenaline. Also, Steve and Rick play around in spots with different variations of what they are playing for fun and this was intentional. No band is perfect, but I don't believe the band or the label would release an album with "mistakes" on it. The beautiful thing about Yessongs is that you get a much more raw and organic sound than you do with modern live recordings. Hearing all the little details like feedback or amp hum makes it authentic and gives it energy and life. Definitely one of the greatest live albums of all time and it truly captures the essence of the band live and at the top of their game.
Totally agree, they would not have released an album with evident errors. Live albums are always selected with the best recordings they made from different gigs. This performance was from the Fragile Tour with Bill Bruford.
I agree there are no mistakes. Genius songwriters and performers like Yes are allowed artistic license to play any version of a song that they wish. I have been lucky enough to see Pat Metheny many times in concert and have learned to have zero expectations as to how various familiar tunes sound in concert, in fact that is half the thrill . . . hearing a totally unique version of a song performed just once for the people present.
Totally agree. There are no mistakes - it's pure adrenaline. I wouldn't want a live album to sound like the studio version anyway. This is, for me, one of the best live albums I've ever heard. I remember buying it with my first pay cheque back in 1975 😂. I played it to death.
And is 1973 if I, M not wrong, the technology around was not good as now in the lives sessions.
I loved seeing your reactions to these two pieces. This is an album that I played over and over again - really wore it out; these two were a couple of my favorites in addition to Heart of the Sunrise, Yours is No Disgrace, and Starship Trooper. I did listen to the studio albums Fragile and Close to the Edge first and love them as well but I played this one much more. At the time I didn’t feel like there were any mistakes - they did tend to play differently in concert than in the studio; it’s not beyond possibility - one would have to compare other live recordings to this one to determine that, perhaps. Yes was one of the first bands I ever saw in concert (mid-70s) and both shows I attended were fantastic. Thanks for taking me back.
When your in the presence of the guys and Chris does his stuff, the hairs on the back of your neck stand up.
We will never hear his like again.
There is only one YES.
Great stuff guys.
Thank thank thank you both😎❤ The first time I saw YES, 1972, Chris blew me away and I immediately started savings for a bass. Never regretted it. I read an interview with Chris where he stated " I guess you could say that I play on an epic scale" I agree
Chris was the secret sauce that made Yes so special. Nobody ever played bass like Chris. A totally unique player.
Chris Squire (RIP) was inimitable. This arrangement wasn't totally improvisational, in fact, it's quite arranged. However, it's a landmark bass solo in the history of the instrument. And there are other amazing bassists out there today. Check out "The Way She Walks" by Dirty Loops. The bassist is Henrik Linder. The band is from Sweden. Welcome to a new rabbit hole.
My Favorite album by. My Fantastic Favorite Band🎉
I love the contrast between the studio version and this. It´s almost like getting out of hand a little bit. Like taming a wild animal. It´s on the edge. It´s a lot faster and heavier than the studio version. It´s wild but still precise. The piano stabs and the snare drum hits in the verse of Long Distance...were supposed to go in unison like on the studio version, but Bruford almost never plays the same thing twice LOL. The Fish is totally expanded here, Chris is on fire, he has unleashed a storm at some points. I think it´s just brilliant. I love it. I rarely listen to the studio version, this is so much more fun.
Yes, me too. YesSongs has so many great versions of already stunning songs. Yours is no Disgrace and Starship Trooper on side 6 are fantastic. So good I always play those to multiple times.
Since the original was overdubbed basses, he did the essential parts linearly, is sequence instead of anything else.
It was _sped up_ a bit in concert, probably because Wakeman set the tempo early on & Wakeman _always_ liked to show off his speed. I've noticed that they'd speed up on a number of other YES live recordings...
My two favorite tracks from Yessongs are "Yours Is No Disgrace" followed immediately by "Starship Trooper"... Perfection. :)
"Perpetual Change" is pretty awesome too
Cannot go wrong with side 6! Whenever I play it once is never enough I always replay it even after 50 years!
The intro ‘jam’ on the live version of ‘Yous is No Disgrace’ that is not on the studio version is by itself worth the entire price of the 3 vinyl album original release. I remember first playing it in my teens wondering how in the world could this be‘Yours is no Disgrace’
Steve Howe goes nuts with his solo on "YIND". VERY memorable.
YIND...IS a full on 5 man collaboration, Fabulous 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
Actually Bill Bruford is drumming here because it was taken from the Fragile Tour in 1972. Also Perpetual Change same line up.
Beat me to it! 👍🏻
For me the highlight of this album is the 14-minute version of Perpetual Change, at the end of the song they cut loose and you don't want them to stop. If you ever feel like investigating what some of the band members got up to before they joined Yes, Rick Wakeman does an excellent solo spot on the Strawbs' live album 'A Collection Of Antiques And Curios'. Steve Howe was in a proto-prog outfit called Tomorrow with Keith West (of Teenage Opera fame) on vocals, My White Bicycle is their most well-known tune.
I first heard Yes live in the Chicago Ampitheater. Squire made the walls shake when they played The Fish. RIP, Chris Squire, one of the greats,
Awesome. Now do the YesSongs version of "Perpetual Change". So awesome.
Actually no bad song on it, I even listened to Mood for a day and Rick Wakeman solo, since I had recorded the whole album on my tape machine .. so no turning of LPs or later changing of CDs. Just start and listen to the end 🤘
Absolutely!
@@rudolfbecker4313 Reel to reel?
The Fish live is one of the few bass solo’s which never gets boring.
Btw the studio version of the song was a series of overdubs of different playing techniques, which of course couldn’t be done in the same way live at the time. But Chris managed to use most of them in an epic solo.
The Yessongs version of Perpetual Change has to be heard, too. The extended outro is one of the sweetest things Steve ever did..
Truly excellent cut. Good call
Simply the greatest version of Long Distance and The Fish period. My brother and I purchased Yessongs on vinyl when it was first released back in 1973. What a classic album. Recommend checking out Perpetual Change on Yessongs as well with Bill Burford on drums. Another classic track. You will not be disappointed.
It must be over 40 years since I last played this album, thanks for reminding how good it is, I`m going to have to dig it out and start my own Yes marathon!
Yessongs is a stunning live album. Showcases 3 previous albums. Has more quality songs than most bands have in a lifetime.
This was the first Yes concert I ever saw and I was an entranced fan ever since. This show combined 3 albums into one show and was phenomenal. Hit after incredible hit. Yes has been my favorite group ever since and this still ranks as perhaps the best concert I ever saw. Their music takes you on an incredible journey with amazing musicianship and mind blowing transitions.
I loved watching you guys listen to the Fish (Fish was Chris' nickname). Reminds me of my youth. I saw them play this live. A heck of an experience.
Chris Squire is a one-of-a-kind bassist and IMO, the greatest rock bassist to ever live.
With regards to the album YesSongs, I recommend that when you listen to "Excerpts from 'The Six Wives of Henry VIII" that you watch the live performance from 1972. You'll see. Also, YES opened all their concerts with the last few minutes of 'The Firebird Suite' by Stravinsky, as they'd come out on stage to the cheers from the audience, and then start their opening number the moment the Firebird Suite ended. It's quite a cool thing to watch.
Bill Bruford quit during tour and Alan White had 3 days to learn songs. What followed is 50 years of great drumming! We miss you Alan and Chris!!
I had the chance to be in a yes concert in 1998, they played this song and it was unforgettable...
Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year! One of the greatest live albums!
I was turned on to YES with YESSONGS. In high school my buddy had this on 8-track and we played it constantly. I love the energy of it which I believe is intentional and, as Lexi points out, is FUN ! I’ve now since grown to appreciate the studio version immensely… but to be honest when I first heard it, in spite of the amazing recording quality… I thought it dragged, and I had much the same reaction to the studio version that Nick had to this live cut. Either way, I’m always happy to hear Yes live from any of the shows out there. You two are my favorite reactors and I thank you for all you do for us. 🙏❤️🎉
This solo blew a lot of people’s minds because remember, back then people were used to Johnny Root Not on bass just supporting the song on the low end in the background.
Did I promise to much ? I guess not. There are not that many bass solos, that I remember, but this is my personal favourite.
Can you imagine how much fun it is, to start watching, knowing that I'm gonna love that you love the music ?😆
I absolutely understand, when you say, you want the studio version first, "unfortunately" I started with Yessongs, which made it a bit hard, to like the studio songs. It's just because you know the songs being played with so much energy, fun and small changes compared to the studio song. And I'm absolutely with you Nick, it wasn't perfect, but that's THE reason for me to listen to live recordings, simply because they are real, no chance to correct mistakes. I cannot imagine anything more boring than a live recording, which sounds exactly the same than the studio version.
I once read this about a Dire Straits concert of the 80s. That held me back for a long time to buy their live album.
I can recall a concert video of Neal Morse Band, when Neal realized in the middle of a sentence, that he sang the wrong words and everybody noticed and he simply continued with a smile.
Alexia made me roll over my couch laughing twice, just because of the faces she made, once when all of a sudden the bass became so loud and then also when the "orchestra" towards the end came out of nothing.
I have a fun story about this spot, where the bass turns from "matisse" (or how you spell it) to extra loud unexpectedly : I was sitting in our basement party room listening to The Fish with pretty much volume. My mother entered the room in the moment, where the bass was so low and then Chris almost "blew" her out of the door. Memories I'll never forget 🤣🤣🤣
To say something else important and true: you are such a great couple!
The Englishman explorer and his native guide were deep in the African jungle when, all of a sudden, they both hear the aggressive sound of drumming nearby. The guide freaks out and urgently tells the Englishman "Bwana, we must leave this place, right now, as fast as we can, before the drums go silent. Bwana looks puzzled and asks "Why must we leave here with such alacrity? The guide replies "We must leave and get far away, where we cannot hear the drums anymore". Bwana then asks "What in the world happens when the drumming stops?" The native proclaims "The bass solo begins!!"
When you get wrapped up in this bass solo it’s easy to forget it’s a Rickenbacker 4001 by the way Chris plays with a pick and a wah. You start thinking it’s a guitar. In fact many casual Yes fans and uninitiated listeners usually do jump to that conclusion.
Another bass solo, where I'm not sure up to today is Ten Years After's I can't keep from crying of the Recorded Live LP ... do you have any informations about it ? I think it's a bass solo.
He also had one pickup go to the bass amp and one to a guitar amp.
Chris Squire had so much showmanship 🙏 his Life within Yes will never be Surpassed
Miss You so Much🐟Live Lugano 2004 Long Distance Run around / Fish is a wonderful Visual performance 😃
You can tell the difference between Bill and Alan very simply. Bill’s snare has a snappy pop! sound in everything he’s ever played.
I always thought Bill was a more elegant player.
And Bill is a hundred times better than Alan anyway. Also, even Alan was pretty down on this album because he felt he wasn't with the band long enough to do a good job on the tunes. All his drum tracks on this album just sound like swishy white noise with his ride sound.
@@Bawookles opinions
@@shyshift Bawookles opinions are always correct opinions.....
Yes, I can always tell immediately when it's Bill Bruford or Alan White playing; their styles are that different. But I love them both, equally. Sadly, Mr. White and Mr. Squire are no longer with us. One of the best rhythm sections there ever was.
Finally Live Yessongs !!!! 😃👍🎵🎶
Having see Yes many times since 1972' their Live Tempo is often
different than the records, it's how Yes does it Live ! 🎼
One of Classic Progs Top Live albums with .....
King Crimson - USA expanded edition
Gentle Giant - Playing The Fool
Jethro Tull - Bursting Out
Genesis - Live
Hawkwind - Space Ritual
✌
There no mistakes on Yessongs. The tempo is designed that way for live playing. I have seen Yes tons of times and they used to play it that way. As a drummer for 60+ years now, I admire Yessongs even more today than the day it came out. Also, Alan White only had 3 days to learn all Yes's material for world wide tour. He had never listened to Yes before he joined the band and nailed everything spot on. Amazing musicians. Not many people understand that these tempo changes were intentional.
As a musician and studio musician of over 20 years I understand the 3 day learning curve. But the tempo is on the sheet music. He changed tempo like 3 times. I have played live thousand of times and I know drummers are always speeding up at live gigs. I just don't hear that on recordings such as Dream Theater live. It was still a flawless gig.
Bill Bruford was the drummer on these two tracks.
@@NicknLex Valid point Nick. Starts off much faster tempo than studio version.
I know the tempo on the sheet music is different from the live versions. It was done like that on purpose according to Alan White for performance reasons. He didn't elaborate.
"If you're listening to this song. You may think the chords are going wrong. But they're not I just wrote it like that"
The song speeds up and slows down. It is on purpose 😁 hard to fathom they would do that on purpose... so fun
I was 18 when this came out. Such a great time and a wonderfully inventive band of virtuosos.
Now this is how you kick off a weekend! Nick, Lex and Yes. 🔥 Have a great weekend everyone. 💜
Raider !!!!!!!!!!!!!! 🤪 Good to see you here ! This was soooo good. Loved it ! Chris was on fire ! ..... Maybe Rick Wakemans 6 Wives solo next ? 😀
Even Bill gets out the brushes on his snare for some of this.
As great as they were in the studio, they always amazed us live as well. The talent level of this band was off the charts! I saw them many times, and I'm so glad I did. Yessongs is one of those albums you just have to sit back, put on the headphones, and just enjoy the journey that this band takes you on.
Guys, you’re not done with Yessongs. There’s one more track, Starship Trooper which is played during the closing credits. Although it’s only the Wurm section, it features one of Rick’s best solos with Yes. It’s only about 3 minutes but highly worth it.
Yessongs has the complete Starship Trooper.
@@akaFrits1 I’m talking about the film which they reviewed on Patreon, but left that part out.
@@MJ1 Ok, I didn’t know that.
One the best versions of Starship Trooper I've ever heard. Wakeman's Moog solo and Howe's guitar solo are beaitiful! Yessongs is one the best albums ever! And the artwork of the 3 records album, amazing!
The greatest band of them all. Thanks, guys!!!! ❤️
🤔 Emerson Lake and Palmer…….
@@thomassanchez8956 Guys ... may I repeat my sermon : there is no best in music. It's all a question of personal taste... so there are many greatest bands 😄🤘
Besides The Beatles 😁
This was so good live .. Go Big Chris !
YES!!! I'm one of your fans who ALWAYS encourages you to listen to the studio versions of YES' masterpieces _during the Bruford era_ before listening to the Yessongs versions, but *_this one_* is the major exception (mostly because it is one of the few live Yessongs selections that features Bruford on the drums). I gotta say that this live version of The Fish is _THE_ selection from the Yessongs album that I've listened to the most, far more than any of the others. I consider this live recording of The Fish as one of the best live recorded bass solos I've ever heard. I'm still glad you listened to the studio version first, but now you've heard Chris Squire at his best!
Epic Chris Squire 😱 wow there is nobody like him what a sound and pioneer of the bass. Thanks for showing the genius of this great band. What a performance. Love the smiles.
This all was so awesome live!!! Nothing like it!!❤❤
Yessongs is hands down, my favorite live recording of any band. Great pick for your first listen, as Squire playing The Fish, live back in the day, was so exciting to watch. Probably my favorite Yes member. So glad to see you both enjoying this album!
Wasn't that a lovely little adventure!!
that's a real nice description - I love the adventures of listening to new music .... but also re - discovering old music or old bands of which you didn't know that much. As it happened lately with REO Speedwagon, Billy Joel, Procol Harum
I love 'The Fish' from Yessongs. The power and the attack is so exciting. Yes were an exciting band to see in the first half of the 70's. I was fortunate enough to see them in Birmingham in 1971 and 1973, and at the Loftus Road Football Stadium in London in 1975. The '73 gig was amazing as they played Topographic Oceans in full, a few days before the album was released. None of us in the audience had heard it before so it was really exciting, and challenging to play live. I vividly remember watching in awe as the whole band played drums during the 4th.song on the album. Such an amazing band who played music that was just unique.Thanks Nick, Alexia and Rudi for playing this for us xx
Yes always played Long Distance at a faster tempo live in 70s and 80s. They used to do that with Roundabout- but fans don’t care while watching them play it. You need to watch Chris do this live and see his grace, beautiful talent, and how much he loved playing.
This song The Fish really introduced me to the possibility of a bass guitar as a solo instrument. Great sounds. Never heard anything highlighting the bass guitar like that before.
there are not so many bass solos back in the 70s, maybe you've heard Ten Years After's I can't keep from crying, or Renaissance' Ashes are burning and as your name sounds "european" (Belgium, Netherlands) you might have heard of the german band Kraan and their bass player Helmut Hattler ... Nam Nam is an excellent track of Kraan live and if you like it, please listen to Holiday am Matterhorn or Sarahs Ritt durch den Schwarzwald of the same album
Saw yes live awsome
A bit of trivia - although the Yessongs album was the first to feature Alan White on drums and percussion, there were still a few songs that featured Bill Bruford just before he left the band. As it happens, Bill Bruford played drums on Long Distance Runaround and The Fish and Perpetual Change. Alan White played drums on everything else.
Bill Bruford, Classic Prog's Greatest Drummer with Yes, King Crimson & UK !!! 👍
The King of odd Time Signatures and the "Rimshot" Snare !! 🎼🥁
Modern drummer "Hall of Fame" !! 🏆🎶
Fish (here) was killer! Lex _gone_ at several points. Wonderful !! :)
I'm so bonded with this live version that I don't notice any imperfections. I just love it, full stop. I also love the studio version. Imperfections? Nah, it's just live. No bigs. :)
Alexia is air bass jamming away!!!!! You Go Girl!!!! 👍🏻
Oh man (and woman), you’re in for a real treat! The bass solo by Chris is epic!
From Yessongs is the best! Plus it’s Bill Bruford on this not Alan. Bill is on this and Perpetual Change. You can tell by the snare drum besides the notes on the original album cover.
Alan plays on the rest of the songs from the 3 vinyl albums. (Just in case Spotify gets that wrong)
In fact, this may be the ONLY live recording of a Bill Bruford/Chris Squire drum/bass solo. Can anyone think of another??
This is how I learned Yes, in 1976 It seemed like this album was always playing somewhere!
Have you guys reviewed the yes song, “heart of the sunrise”?, If not it’s one up there with the best of their songs, everything is top-notch especially Bruford drumming and of course Squires base
Long Distance Runaround and The Fish should always be listened to together, similar to Led Zeppelin's Heartbreaker and Living Loving Maid. They just naturally go together.
but who wants to be married to a Fish 😆 I'd rather go for the maid 🤣🤣🤣
@@rudolfbecker4313 all day : )
I think I can hear the background melody of Led Zeppelin´s song Friends when Chris is strumming the bass at around 18:18
Yes! The strings that come in later on "Friends." I hadn't read your comment, but heard it too and wondered if anyone else did.
I only wish I'd been old enough to see them live during this period 😩
Think it is so great you both love Yes. What a great band from my youth. Chris was such a bassist.
It was about this time my uncle tried to get me into completely Avant Garde music. He bought me an album that was just people making sounds on various surfaces. He said I listened to music with a constant beat and needed to expand my mind. Can't say I got into it, but it certainly opened my mind. Stuck to Prog for the most part.
PS your voices were very quiet. Mind you, I am half deaf from going to Deep Purple and Black Sabbath gigs in the 70s!
Hello From California. You guys need to see Emerson Lake and Palmer Live!!!!! Montreux Jazz Festival 1997 Tarkus or Pictures at an Exhibition/ Medley Part2❤️✌🏼
Yes,songs is one of my favorite albums To me, it’s one of the best live rock albums PERIOD!
Absolutely agree with you, but the 70s is the era with most great live albums
Totally agree!
Thanks @Rudy for sponsoring this epic live Yes performance!
Don't tell anybody, but I sent the CD for their 2021 birthdays and my sticker said : Listen to Long Distance Runaround/the Fish - best bass solo in rock history (of the ones I know) 😆🤘
By the way, while the Yessongs compilation album was published in 1973, The Fish was one of the songs on it that _must have been_ recorded in 1972, or even 1971, (like during the Fragile Tour) because Bill Bruford was no longer with the band when I saw YES in concert for the first time in the fall of 1972. (They had to hire Alan White before the CTTE Tour cuz Bill had quit just before it). So even though I've seen YES in concert 7 times, I never saw them when Bill Bruford was with them...
Hey Nick n Lex… you have GOT TO listen to this whole live concert….it is EPIC!!
“YES symphonic live 2001 full concert”
If you are a fan of Starship Trooper, you cannot lose the Synphonic version live video recorded in 2002, available on UA-cam. You will perceive a lot of energy (Jon, Chris, Steve, Alan on stage). Don't loose it!
Bill Bruford once called Chris Squire "The Fish" due to his long showers.
Chris Squire what a bass player! Best ever!
RIP Chris Squire. Why more of you reactors don't cover the Yessongs versions of these songs is a mystery. Notably this is from early 72 when Bill was still in the band. These songs were dropped from the setlist for the following Close to the Edge tour with Alan. You can get a bit of an idea of what this must have looked like from the "Sounding Out" film that's made the rounds on UA-cam. It starts with this lineup playing "Long Distance Runaround." The tempo issues/roughness that Nick is identifying are just down to the live experience. Yes had been playing live for 4 years up to this point so it's not like they were amateurs up there! This also gives you an idea of how Chris' solo spots were often "composed", with backing from the other band members. The bit at 15:49 is always a gag for people to turn their stereo system way up and catch friends by surprise!
The tempo is definitely faster but its not a carbon copy of the studio version.
There’s a new expensive ($400 +/-) vinyl box set that features 7 concerts from this time period (21 vinyl albums) that was previously released on CD that also features these two songs which are also performed faster than the studio version. Based on that I’d have to surmise that it is intentionally faster rather than a mistake.
B Mac I have the cd box set but it’s so dry I don’t enjoy it as much as Yessongs. I should try again but it’s 14 discs and hard to find the time.
Guys, the live version of "And You and I". BEST song on the entire 3 album set! EPIC...
For 30 years or more, i I believed that, when you go to a live gig, you expect to hear the exact same version as the studio album. It tiook a long time for me to realise that was stupid! If you want to hear the studio version - play the studio recording! If you want to experience what YES were like, live - play this album...as I did when I revisited this album aroun d 20 years ago. I now cherish all my live albums - they bring back memories of so many fantastic gigs, and I remember who I went to see a band with, and who was support...and whether we ate hotdogs after, or burgers! Great times...great live music...wonderful band...and my all-time favourite bassist!!!!!!!
Hi Tony, I like your memories, I also remember, where I went with whom, but don't remember the food 🤣 Other than you, I experienced already at my first festival, how exciting a changed or improvised song can be : I saw Ted Nugent in 1977 open air on the lovely Loreley Amphitheatre festival location - right away at the beginning of the first song, the 2nd guitarplayers guitar didn't work, so Ted jumped up on the podest of the drummer and they improvised some wild guitar-drum solo - awesome. The year after I saw Johnny Winter play his Highway 61 revisited , 5 minutes in studio, live maybe 10 or more. So from then on I always expected something special .. there are lots of bands, which don't do that, but also many who do. So I'd like to list my favourite extended/improvised songs for you and maybe you let me know, if you know them and what you think:
1. Deep Purple - Space truckin / Made in Japan
2. Mountain - Nantucket Sleighride / Twin Peaks
3. Outlaws - Green grass and high tides / Bring 'em back alive
4. Dream Theater - Beyond this life / Live at Budokan
5. RPWL - Cymbaline (Pink Floyd Cover) / Start the fire live
I know that this is more than 1,5 hours of music, so if you want/have to listen to them all, take your time ... I'm looking forward to read your expert opinion 😆🤘
@@rudolfbecker4313 Hi Rudolf - thanks for getting in touch, proving that music is such a shared medium! I wish I had learned the value of live performances when I first started going to gigs - I would have gained so much more pleasure...as I found out later. I'm aware of 3 of the tracks you mentioned, I will try the other! My favourite live music experiences mostly have to be viewed as the whole set, not individual songs: David Bowie: Ziggy Stardust and Aladdin Sane tour / any Sensational Alex Harvey Band gig / any Mott the Hoople gig before the Hunter/Ronson thing that never really took off. YES around Yes Album / Fragile. Golden Earring touring the Moontan album was special - their drummer had a thing about jumpoing over his drum kit...unfortunately, the nightclub had a low ceiloing and he ended up wearing his kit! So, while the roadies patched his drums the bass player played a solo - played like a lead guitarist might, including getting all kinds of feedback from the speakers! 20 minutes he played for - that was worth the ticket money alone. Oh...and an incredible Ozzfest with Black Sabbath, which was my teenage(then!!) son's first taste of live music. That was awesome - felt like I
d "passed the baton" to my son, who's now racked up hundreds of gigs, and took his 5 year old son to a Festival last year...bringing the family up right!! haha! I've enjoyed revisiting my memories - thanks, again for getting in toiuch. Peace be with you!
There is a quote from Miles Davis that I think describes what you were talking about, Nick- "It's not the note you play that's the wrong note- it's the note you play afterwards that makes it right or wrong."
I usually prefer studio versions, though there are fantastic live recordings- (Steely Dan "Bodhisattva", the Who Live at Leeds album, Bob Seger "Get Out of Denver," and many, many more.) If it's live, I want to BE there hearing and seeing it! This was really interesting to hear, though! Chris was on fire, and I swear at around 18:18 to 18:38 there is a (somewhat paraphrased) quote by Chris of the song "Friends" from Led Zeppelin III, (the strings that come in later in the song!) See what you think!
🎵❤️🎵 Debbie
Impresionante !!! Magistral !!! Saludos desde Argentina, gracias chicos !!!
Chris!!!!!!!❤❤❤❤❤🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Yessongs is one of my favorite live albums! My brother's bass player, Ed Jaffe (great player, great guy), taped the whole album for me and gave it to me, when I was a kid (probably 12 or 13). I obsessed over it for days/months after and I still own that TDK tape! Great music!
The tempo/time signature going on in "Long Distance Runaround" is basically the band is playing in 4/4 with Bill Bruford drumming 5/4 to counter the beat during the verse section. He will even slip the beat he's playing counter to the band in 4/4, or even 7/4, countering them yet again but only to lead up to the next bar. You might even call it Bruford "metrically modulating" as he does on "B'Boom" on King Crimson's 1995 album "THRAK". Yes are always fast live. They will jump the tempo up and literally run over you like a freight train. When Yes would perform "Sound Chaser" live to open their '75/'76 tour they would be so fast that it would take afew songs for their frenetic tempo to slow down. The crazy part is that they could play those complicated fast phrases with ease live. The mid section of "The Gates of Delirium" from the 1980 release "Yesshows" is about 20 bpm faster then the original, and the mid 'battle' section is so fast you'd think the band would fall apart, but they don't. They hold it together. Yessongs is mostly Alan White on drums for their "Close To The Edge" tour, with "Perpetual Change" (Bruford does a rare solo), and "Long Distance Runaround/The Fish" with Bruford on their '72 Fragile tour.
Woot! Love when you react to YES!!!❤
Still waiting on Mind Drive! Do I have to donate/support monetarily to get you to do it?😉
Bill was on drums for these two tracks
You will appreciate LIVE music more as you get older. I love your channel, you listen to top tier music.
Funny comment to someone who's been standing on stages playing live music himself for years 😆
This is a great album!
I' wonder how many "Got" Squire's Led Zeppelin lick in his solo around 18:26 !! 😃🎶
Chris used Fuzz/Wah on this song 👍
You should seek out Chris Squire playing Amazing Grace live. Pretty cool.
Chris plays with a pick. Watch the vid YESSONGS sawthem in72 and 75.. Still great !
Isaw when I was 17 and 19.
The Fish on Yessongs is virtually a new song, as the original is only a few minutes long. Later live versions include excerpts from "On ThE Silent Wings of Freedom" from Tomato and "Tempus Fugit" from Drama but this was long before these albums were created so obviously there are no excerpts from these songs on the Yessongs version. Here's a version from 2003 live video ua-cam.com/video/FHFox6wyXfw/v-deo.html
Nick n Lex, I highly recommend you react to Toto "Stop Loving You" "Toto 35 Anniversary Tour Live In Poland". This concert was recorded in 2013-2014 and in spite of two Pocaro brothers (Jeff and Mike) tragically passing on, four original members appear in this concert, David Paich - Keys, Steve Lukather - guitars, Steve Porcaro - Keys, Joseph Williams - vocals. I know you mentioned not being able (ready?) to react to live performances but I think your guys are ready for this. Toto is an astonishing collection of players whose members were first call studio musicians playing on literally thousands of records. Jeff Porcaro played drums on the entire Steely Dan "Katy Lied" album and Donald Fagen's "The Nightfly" They are a legendary group of musicians and epic performers. P.S. Toto is quite friendly to reactors reacting to their music so you should not run into any issues. I would very much love to see you react to this song as I believe you will like it. Thank You for your work and All The Best to you and yours. Joe
Yessongs Ah YES Perpetual change on this album really captures the true magic of YES especially near the end of the song they go to that place that is Just that the magic of YES. Thank you for keeping the YES flame lit.
I think it depends on what you are used to. I started listening to Yessongs first, then I went to the studio versions. So to me, Yessongs is the standard and the studio versions sound different to me. I do love both versions
The one and only "Fish" in and out of water - "Schindleria Praematurus"; "Mr. Chris Squire on bass guitar, Chris Squire", as Jon likes to say. Yessongs (Live) brings back memories of concerts. They would open their shows (70s) with an excerpt from Stravinsky's Firebird Suite while taking the stage and then, boom!, off they went with songs like Siberian Khatru or Going for the One. The Tormato Tour (78-79) they played "in the round". It was a round stage that rotated during the concert. Check out some footage of them playing in the round. I think Yes was the first band to do it. Also, they would usually come out for at least two encores, sometimes 3 if the crowd was super loud cheering, flashing bic lighters, etc. You knew they were going to wow you for a 3+ hour show. Awesome reaction!
Bruford played on both these tunes- from the Fragile tour.
@@debrabrabenec Right-forgot that Bruford played on this one, Perpetual Change and The Fish.
That is interesting - I have listened to it scores of time and realized that it was much faster, but hadn't heard any mistakes (other than tempo). Other than that, I really liked Steve Howe's transition between songs, and of course, Chris was great - crazy dynamics.
The really cool thing for me is tat Tait Towers for stage lighting and such as well as Clare Brothers for sound are both mentioned on the vinyl album release notes. Both of these places are in Lititz, PA which is a small Borough near me, where Yes would also rehearse (Clare Brothers) for the start of their USA tours.
They had such trouble with CTTE live that the final part on these early live recordings is in a different key to the original. There are flaws. That there are so few is what’s amazing ❤
Unfortunately the whole of Yessongs was very badly recorded due to the misuse of different Dolby settings and only recent remixes have improved the muddy sound a little. It has to be pointed out that Yes were still relatively young as a band and improved their live performances in later years, some of their best ones being at Montreux 2003 and others in 2004 before this lineup played for the last time together.
Yessong is from 1973, 30 years before.
Completely disagree. There best live years were from 1972-75. They were pretty much untouchable during that span in what they were performing, stage presence, musical ability, energy, creativity, execution. They were at the top of their game on every level in those years.
Besides Diminuendo, there are other terms to play softly/softer but they’re more piano oriented
Yes is best served live in my humble opinion.