Show #103: Yes’s The Yes Album

Posted on in The 59 Sound

Yes are the definitive British progressive rock band, painting vast musical tapestries filled with gorgeous melodies and virtuosic playing. The Yes Album is just one example; an essential musical touchstone for those curious about the genre’s origins and rock and roll in the 1970s.

Setlist (“Song Name” – Artist – Album)

“The ’59 Sound” – The Gaslight Anthem – The Gaslight Anthem

“Yours Is No Disgrace” – Yes – The Yes Album

“The Clap” – Yes – The Yes Album

“Starship Trooper” – Yes – The Yes Album

“I’ve Seen All Good People” – Yes – The Yes Album

“A Venture” – Yes – The Yes Album

“Perpetual Change” – Yes – The Yes Album

“Fly By Night” – Rush – Fly By Night [by Request]

Rush were influenced by the progressive rock pioneering of Yes.

“Nether Street” – Bodast – Nether Street [by Request]

For the Counselor! Bodast was Steve Howe’s band prior to joining Yes. The ending riff from this song reappears in “Starship Trooper.”

“A Trick Of The Tail” – Genesis – A Trick Of The Tail [by Request]

Genesis were also influenced by the progressive rock pioneering of Yes.

“Toxic Shadow” – Lucifer’s Hand – Lucifer’s Hand [by Request]

The complex organ and guitar interplay on this Lucifer’s Hand track recalls work on The Yes Album.

“One Of These Days” – Pink Floyd – Meddle

Pink Floyd released Meddle in 1971, making it a a contemporary work of progressive rock.

“Jerusalem” – Emerson, Lake & Palmer – Brain Salad Surgery [by Request]

For Haans! Emerson, Lake & Palmer were also influenced by Yes.

“Rat Bat Blue” – Deep Purple – Who Do We Think We Are [by Request]

The sound of John Lord’s organ in Deep Purple recalls sounds heard on The Yes Album.

Bourée” – Jethro Tull – Stand Up [by Request]

Jethro Tull also were progressive rock musical contemporaries of Yes.

“America” – Simon & Garfunkel – Bookends [by Request]

Jon Anderson credits Paul Simon as an influence in forming Yes.

“Here Comes The Feeling” – Asia – Asia

Steve Howe formed the rock supergroup Asia after leaving Yes.

“Pennants” – Steve Howe – Anthology

Solo work from Yes’s guitar player.

“So Long Ago, So Clear” – Jon Anderson & Vangelis – The Best Of…

Jon Anderson worked with electronic group Vangelis throughout his later career.

“Brother Of Mine” – Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, Howe – Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, Howe

Due to a strange happenstance of ownership in which bassist Chris Squire owned the rights to the name Yes, the remaining four members toured under their last names during a period of the 80s.

This week’s show will be archived here until 8am on April 9th: http://wruw-stream.wruw.org/archives/128/the-59-sound.mp3