America - Yes

Yes plays America live

[@KarlMart62]

The best America cover ever! Simon & Garfunkel should be eternally grateful and humbled by this “new” masterpiece based on their own work. Yes is, simply, the greatest band in prog rock history.

[@stewartwilson7273]

2024 still listening to them,amazing band

[@halgraves4800]

Chris Squire, R.I.P. You and your companion musicians inspired our generation. Thanks for your everlasting legacy in beautiful music.

[@JNPhere]

Absolutely fantastic version. That's how to do a cover - make it your own. The musicality of this version is spectacularly good. RIP the great, great rhythm section.

[@andrewpatuasic9738]

In the same thought, me and my band are yes fans and we also tried to cover one of the prog rock legends in the world King Crimson and made it our own. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qWLMkGx_mNCkZqs

[@louiseducator]

Possibly one of the best reinterpretations of a song ever created?

[@johnf5921]

I'd agree with that.

[@wolfliou3678]

I completly agréé with that too .freshness and creativity.

[@anthonybanovic3658]

the sweet's " action " rates a mention.

[@saleconomos473]

Could not agree more. Perfect in every way. That brief jam at 8:41 still takes my breath away.

[@raulortiz8904]

Lo máximo en la música rock del mundo, los requintos del maestro Sthib Hous hace vibrar,

[@martinmxxi]

Despues de oir tanta musica durante tantos años , YES no deja de Sorprenderme. Definitivamente son los MEJORES. Forever YES.

[@barleym]

Wonderful performance, absolutely wonderful. Thank you, both to those remaining and to those who have sadly left us, for enriching our lives...

[@burgesmate]

As covers go this is right up there. Completely transformed the song without taking away the spirit behind it. Never saw this live so delighted its been posted. Thanks.

[@christopauls]

When Yes made their best albums, Bil was always behind the drum kit. He was a bigger influence than most of us realise.

[@alanstarkie2001]

This is the ultimate cover version! This totally kicks ass and has always done so.

[@henrymondragon6092]

Sencillamente majestuoso, que grandes músicos, para destacar el solo de guitarra de Steve Howe.

[@visual33]

Steve Howe - brilliant!! Must be one of the best LIVE guitarists, his playing is so accurate .

[@tacomadc]

I always loved their version of this song! I had no idea they ever did it live recently! Steve's strings are just HUGE! That's how he gets that big sound. An that Alan White, the kid's doing pretty good so I think they'll keep him. HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALAN!!!!

[@yeyin777]

The best reproduction live of Yes. Sound of a second half of video is brilliant. A Yes fan of Cordoba, Argentina. Congratulations.

[@francisk7305]

du grand art, fantastique !! quel talent ont ces musiciens !!

[@Relayer6a]

Reporter to Steve Howe: So Steve, how many licks do you know? Steve: All of them.

[@joan2cat]

This is the end of the mythic concert of S&G at Central Park. This the greatest band ever. I'm proud to love this band

[@Silver2Ruby]

YES is the BEST! They play as well here as they did the first time I saw them in concert in 1972! Thanks, Dickeyboyz!

[@MaxVonStark]

Saw Yes in Atlanta in 76 and then in the early 80s. Amazing these guy's sound is still so tight as a band. I remember seeing Yes Songs when it came out in the theater in the early 70's. Listening to Yes is like being close to heaven!

[@xxxchrist1]

This lot never cease to amaze me, I've loved YES for 40 years.

[@DerekLightfoot69]

Still stunning nearly 50 years on from when I first adored Yes as a virtually unknown band at Manchester Uni. What did the camera guy have against Rick Wakeman in this video, though? - we hardly see him...

[@pudburton]

Possibly the best live yes song and maybe better than the original? Steve Howe is simply brilliant-a masterclass in playing the electric guitar..

[@pondus5002]

Yes Orion, you are right there !!!

[@dwf56]

Excellent performance & outstanding video of Yes interpreting Paul Simon's great song ~ as only Yes can. Thanks!

[@chshutter]

Howe dont´t plays the guitar: he loves it. Look his expression, his fingers caressing the strings. INCOMPARABLE.

[@cliverich]

It was first included on a sampler for Atlantic records around 1972 and then on a compliation album called Yesterdays in 1974. Always loved the guitar solo.

[@gaelcornuau1668]

Very good bass line. I love it. And I love the complicity between Chris and Alan. Amazing. Very good track.

[@mcouzijn]

Just look at the fragment between 5:23 en 5:46 and realize that we're never going to watch & feel the Heart of YES beat like this ever again... LOVE to Chris, LOVE to Jon, LOVE to whatever joy, beauty, excitement they ever gave us.

[@brookt3497]

and that section from 6:39 where he is just so in the pocket...

[@giacomogiorgiogiacalone7003]

The quintessence of progressive/rock. This track is like a long fantastic story never finishing, or like looking a painting with so much details than you cannot stop looking. One of the best band

[@213.marcionunes]

Uma banda que tenho muita admiração. Yes🎸

[@stephanedominicus6521]

Excellent, YES restera le meilleur groupe de rock progressif pendant très longtemps.....

[@blitzballerjg]

How are there so many Yes appreciators on KZbin, but they don't exist in reality!? Yes covers turn great songs into godly masterpieces

[@Yesshows01]

Fantastic guitar solo. Steve´s technique is very clean. He didn´t abuse of distortion or fuzz, but he rocked, while others needed them to rock. Long live YES.

[@barrysmith4588]

so sad to lose alan and chris my childhood heroes. RIP

[@DaughterofKyuss]

What a voice! Simply sublime

[@AudioCDSound]

Michigan seems like a dream to me now! It is my home and I miss it every day! One day I hope to be back!

[@Proosdagel]

Yes was so talented they took covers and made them better than the originals lol. Yes is very highly respected as one of the key bands in the progressive rock movement. They will never be forgotten. Great upload

[@fabrikk60]

One day I was playing this song at home and halfway through my wife, who's from Georgia, said "Hey I didn't know you liked Southern Rock!" Based on his performance here, I always thought Steve Howe could've sat in with the Allmans or the Dregs if he'd wanted to and made fine Dixie-fried music.

[@cpguitars1]

You are correct. This is from the DVD Keys to Ascension which was filmed at SLO. Not sure what night, but I will get back to you.

[@Yngland]

I LOVE IT STILL AFTER ALL THOSE YEARS

[@kennywowie]

one of the best, if not the best, live recording of them I've ever heard. Wow. Good job recordist, whomever you are.

[@mickb55]

This is totally amazing and what music should be -thank you!!

[@joaofernandes6942]

Incrivel performence. Steve Howe super fantástico.😃

[@moggpiano8043]

Steve Howe is one of the greatest rock guitarists. But let's not forget that here... he is playing the notes of Tony Banks, Yes' original guitar player.

[@alanstarkie2001]

Simon and Garfunkel may have written this: Yes performs it the way it should always be - perfection!

[@lindsaydouglas381]

Stunning....Yes is a group of exceptional talent. America is arguably the best cover ever. And what about Steve Howe's guitar playing... the guy is simply brilliant.

[@bergerdrum]

"Keys to Ascension" was the double-cd set that came out of these concerts, released in '96, if you haven't got them. They're worth it.

[@fabrikk60]

Bruford played on the original studio recording and single. The most interesting performance though is a 1971 recording from the set "The Word is Live" - 18 minutes long and has Tony Kaye playing Hammond. You can hear that Wakeman later took a lot of Kaye's parts and didn't change them much.

[@Ronaldologia]

America, I am sorry to say but British musician rules when it comes to Progressive music... Good old British school...The BEST!

[@artois54]

Very good, very beautiful, very attractiv. This was the first song I ever heard of YES.

[@mesri3]

This is proof there is God. What an absolutely amazing interpretation of an absolutely amazing song.

[@andycordy5190]

I had this as a single in about 1973, I must look it out! Wonderful performance. So perfect.

[@luisarraiz659]

Thanks for everything YES , God bless you ! Amen !

[@75peter]

Wow. Just confirms what I have always thought. The best rock musicians ever......

[@thomasbcool]

This is a great video. You can thank Simon and Garfunkle for Yes. I know for a fact, Jon and Chris met in a pub and were brought together out of their mutual admiration of S&G. I may be wrong, but they only recorded songs written by 3 others, CrosbyStills&Nash,The Beatles and ...I'm too old old to remember the other band. They did do Something Coming from Westside Story too. That's a video I'd like to see.

[@kyokujirou2112]

Its' incredible performance! Awesome! I don't know they covered S&G's America until now.

[@neat8146]

Brilliant. Rock at it's best and shows the range of musical style of Yes. Try to drum to this one as it's the only Yes number I can get anywhere near right!

[@rickyman2307]

Brilliant Chris and Steve

[@lennartthilly8271]

thanks for sharing this impeccable performance, such a joy

[@PinkPrism008]

Memories are flooding back about their concerts. In the 70's they used a moving stage called "theater in the round" and toured up until the 90's. Only other band that had that kind of impact on me at concerts was Pink Floyd but being an American I only saw them once in the 70's and would have loved to see them after Marc Brickman because their Manager of lights/fx. Yes is a great concert band and this is a great song!!!

[@peterstewart4831]

Watching in remembrance of the musicianship of the late Chris Squire. MARVELLOUS.

[@djkingpi]

best cover of Simon & Garfunkel ever!!! in the universe ;)

[@TheMjbriggs]

Best cover .... end of xx

[@mattaki]

i wish these guys had a happier and more consistent history. regardless, what they have been able to do is genius.

[@kikinozka]

:D You know i dont mean it in a bad way, but after hearing the original version (by Simon & Garfunkel) this is quite shocking... Anyway I am still happy you posted it, everybody was speaking about this version, so its good to know... ;)

[@keithchiv8281]

one of my favourites, and i was glad that when i hadnt seen them for years they were still playing it in the 90s.i used to roadie vwith them in 1970,but they got so big,which they deserved.id seen them from 1968 onwards,and lets hope theyre still around in some form in the future.

[@francisk7305]

quels musiciens extraordinaires et quel chanteur !!!

[@joseenocalmendra4066]

Te amamos Chris , por todos los regalos q nos has hecho...

[@stormy5969]

Lets keep this to music... I dare any band, cover or not to come close to this... Brilliant

[@greatchuck1]

Love Yes playing America, just awesome!!!

[@cloudsmusic1]

The inspiration for this version of America came from the band 1-2-3 (later CLOUDS) as recently admitted publicly by JON ANDERSON. According to Jon, Clouds was his "favourite band" (Record Collector magazine 2015). Listen to the much earlier version by 1-2-3 live at the Marquee as on KZbin and you'll hear the clear influence. (you can also hear the influence on Bowie's performance of this song at the Concert for New York). But it's true to say that YES also were obviously fine musicians who also stretched the boundaries of late 60s Rock.

[@TonyPayneUK]

A few nights ago I was going through an old box of papers and came across the program from my first Yes concert - Stoke City Football Ground in England in 1975. Support was Ace, Sensational Alex Harvey Band (both crap iMHO), Gryphon (another of my favourite artists) and of course Yes. This was the Relayer tour with Patrick Moraz on keyboards. I even have the concert ticket - 2.50 pounds! Wonder what the program is worth if anything? It's in pristine condition.

[@eagle777ta]

Excelente performance.

[@drcatslapper5008]

Brilliant version of this song. Chris makes that Rickenbacker look tiny!!! He was a giant is so many ways.

[@tevevid]

Very impressing, so close to the original studio recording in this superb live version well over 20 years later !

[@AdrianSX1998]

Espectacular, STEVE HOWE, de los mejores solos de guitarra que he escuchado.

[@RadDudeski69]

That's Yes at their kick-ass best! Thanks for posting this so I can share it with all my friends!

[@Skraboing649]

Their original recording of this from 197? is AMAZING, and judging from this clip, the passage of time seems to have done little to damage that energy. Fantastic.

[@Kozmo260]

I checked his site and his my space. No new updates. I hope he is doing well. I saw them last tour at MSG and Jones beach - they did perform America : (I so dig this vid ) Had tickets for this tour as well. I hope things work out.

[@64214Jose]

My all time favourite band.

[@martinmxxi]

Greatest ! Undoubtedly !!!

[@andyhbassman]

Magnificent!!!

[@manuelexposito3081]

Yes en estado puro. La mejor reinterpretación del tema América.

[@AllThatIKnowNow]

I've been a huge Yes fan since 1971 and lucky enough to celebrate Jon's 40th birthday with him and a few close friends (over 25 yrs ago). So happy he's well again and touring with 'Survival ....' If you like Yes, check out Unitopia ('The Garden' 'Artificial' etc) My mate, Mark sings lead and co-writes/produces. He just finished working on tracks with Jon, Billy and other prog greats - 'Hope ..', due next year. Unitopia's 'Covered Mirror' an amazing prog tribute album should be out April/May 2012

[@daniellacroix5086]

Love the original SG version but this one is really astonishing.

[@TonyPayneUK]

This version was actually on the album Yesterdays, a compilation of the first 2 Yes albums, so it's one of their earliest works. But not that many people know that. It pre-dates Fragile, Close To The Edge etc.

[@lazarstrimbei]

Great band! Great song! Thanx, Yes!

[@pasta2018]

Some of the songs recorded in early years are really good! This is one of them.

[@joefry22]

poddys - They actually recorded this during the Close to the Edge sessions, and it was included on Yesterdays as a sort of bonus track. I used to think it was pre-Fragile era too, but compared to the other tunes on Yesterdays the production sounds much newer. Not to be cynical, but I think the song may have been included to coincide with the upcoming U.S bicentennial. I also heard this version first before I learned that it was a Simon & Garfunkel tune (the original version is great too!)

[@paulmadryga]

I recall his quote in "Something's Coming", but it never occurred to me to listen for it here (duhhh...!). Great stuff indeed! Cheers; pm

[@Yesshows01]

Steve Howe is the most complete guitar player in rock scene. In addition, he never needed a dist to rock. He rocks.

[@chshutter]

Steve Howe on guitars: Top of the top´s. No discuttions.

[@HasinaiMan]

Yes, it sounds like this version is from the live "Keys To Ascension" shows in San Luis Obispo, California (If I remember correctly the shows were in early 1996). This song is one of my all time favs. Jon Anderson was living in SLO at the time. Steve Howe was awesome on this.

[@abctvmobi]

Steeve is like Messi on guitar, John is an angel singing and Chris is the devil with bass. Incredibles themes. I like it.

[@joaofernandes6942]

steve is more like ronaldo . the best

[@Rocknweb]

THIS SONG CONTAINS THE BEST GUITAR SOLO EVER ! When I was young I don't like Yes, in fact I didnt like Anderson voice. In 2003 when I bought the House of Blues Video, I decided to listen again the first albums like Fragile Remastered and Oh big surprise !!! This cover of America never heard before (by me) this is for my part, the best rock'n'roll solo I have heard. A real perfection, riff and transition, I am now a true addict of this song and of the style of Bill Bruford Bye

[@LikTyBlur]

"YES," to that! I saw these guys a ZILLION times in the seventies! Whenever I'm a bit down on the current state of affairs at home here, I listen to this version by YES of the fantastic Simon and Garfunkel song, America, and dream of what it "was-----" to be free, in this once great land!

[@knickola]

Recent quote from Jon Anderson - "Clouds were very important in those early years...I remember them performing 'Paul Simon's' America ...as you know Yes eventually performed the song, I still do today in my solo concert, those far off days were very open and exciting...."

[@ChiShack]

Удивительная группа. Лучший образчик of Art rock.

[@laurentdubois2268]

i quite agree

[@RicardoRMartinelli]

Only YES can make a PERFECT song and make it better!!!

[@Silvana570]

The best!!

[@paulmadryga]

Too slick! I'd never have caught it if you hadn't pointed it out!

[@Wazabooz]

Crowsfan-- no no, this was from their first or second LP, a cover of Simon & Garfinkle but with the unique "Yes treatment" Honestly is there any other band who can do something this old, this well, so many years later, and with with this much joy?

[@purpledynasty]

This version omits the few bars of "America" that Chris Squire performed in the studio version ("America" by Leonard Bernstein for West Side Story).