Bass Teacher REACTS | YES "Roundabout" - Chris Squire PIONEERED Modern Electric Bass Playing!

[@WilDBeestMF]

I don't understand how people don't like this tone. It's incredible..

[@FuzzWoof]

People say Squire's tone didn't fit Yes? I can't imagine Yes without that tone. It's perfect for the band, it's part of their whole signature sound, and when it's not there, it's not the same.

[@twtwtw1]

some people are stupid just remember that

[@fredericmondor8683]

For me ,Squire he's the cornerstone of this band .

[@billjones8503]

Chris' veritable lead guitar/bass is what largely drew me to the band!

[@ThatsMrPencilneck2U]

Chris Squire was everybody's nightmare of a session bassist. He was so flamboyant that only the very best musicians could get a note in edgewise through his performance. In "Yours' Is No Disgrace," Steve Howe channeled Chet Atkins, but the Country artist never had the pleasure of playing over such a colorful bass line. I think Squire and Bruford were trying to outdo each other on those first 5 albums.

[@bobsbigboy_]

SQUIRE IS YES

[@markdeckman4110]

2 things: Anyone that trashes his tone needs to say goodbye to Geddy Lee and Les Claypool, because both were directly influenced by it in a big way. Also, when Les Claypool was looking for a new bass as a teenager, this was his ‘go-to’ song to play. When he found his famous (now retired) Carl Thompson, he played this song and got the exact tone and feel he was looking for, went and got a loan from his dad to buy it, and the rest as they say is history.

[@kevinbassvocals]

KingsX, Tool, etc.

[@1956tojo]

And you can thank "THUNDERFINGERS" for Cris Squire!!! Let me add to your comment of knowledge... ANYone that trashes his tone or ANY aspect of his styles, methods etc... has no idea of what they are squawking about... Cris Squire and John Entwhistle are BOTH irrefutable top 10 bassists on the planet's history so far.... If those people would study the matter, they would realize and know the facts....

[@markdeckman4110]

@@1956tojo Completely agree. Entwistle was a monster. The technique Ryan Martinie uses when slaps the fretboard with his fingers (Mark went over this is another video) can be drawn directly back to John.

[@mattleppard1970]

Has anyone trashed his tone?

[@shawnmcvey7789]

The only truly bad bass tone is the one I make after eating ice cream.

[@playlistmaker90125]

That’s fuckin awesome you got to meet Chris Squire. A drummer, I had the opportunity of a lifetime to meet Alan White at a masterclass a few years ago. He was the friendliest person ever. Maybe meeting your heroes isn’t a bad thing after all! May they both rest in peace…

[@LowEndUniversity]

Agreed! It was very brief, and super surreal. Most of my heroes I've met were absolute class acts - no regrets!

[@OG_Wakanobi]

This is the greatest bass line in all of rock and roll. I've said it for years, and I stand by it.

[@tolstoy21]

Except for 'Close to the Edge'. Whoever wrote that bass line could teach Chris Squire a thing or two. :P

[@Brog1976]

Chris Squire's bass tone and his playing, in my opinion, is the Yes sound and the Yes vibe. I love hearing how his lines weave around the rest of the music. And his tone is perfect for what he does.

[@Brog1976]

Also his vocal harmonies along with Jon, are awesome!

[@LowEndUniversity]

Yep! Back in those days, everyone sang, and they were all GREAT singers too! It happens still today, but I feel like it was understood that everyone has to participate, ha!

[@MrAKbass]

@@LowEndUniversity Chris Squire sang in a choir in his younger years, I've read it in an interview he did for Bassplayer magazine.

[@1956tojo]

@@LowEndUniversity I understand what you're saying, but as with anything, there are always exceptions...... Take John Entwhistle for example (mainly because HE was Cris Squire's mentor and bass God), who 95% of the time never had a mic on his end of the stage... If he had something to say, Roger would come over with the mic...... other wise he stayed over there and did what he did in his very BIG way..... THUNDERFINGERS!!!

[@garyjones7044]

​​@@1956tojothe ox was a backup singer as well as singing lead on a few of his own songs, kinda hard to do with no mic.

[@nyobunknown6983]

Way back then Squire taught me the importance of syncopation in my Bass playing. Squire and Entwistle came up with a similar tone independently of each other.

[@nyobunknown6983]

Actually, Squire said he was influenced by Entwistle's tone, so I suspect you are incorrect about that.

[@Gurt_Bearded_Hobo]

RIP Chris Squire. YES is my favorite band and is what got me to play bass in the first place.

[@carolwolf9614]

Chris Squire was also an incredible vocalist/harmonies guy. And a beautiful human being

[@darrell9546]

Chris Squire did an excellent solo album in the '70s while Yes was on hiatus. It's called Fish Out of Water. It absolutely rocks.

[@christopherwelsh7008]

Lucky 7 is truly sublime

[@Steve-rm7xj]

Yep! I have it and I listen to it all the time. Bill Bruford was the drummer for this album. I play drums. Squire and Bruford ……. pure delight!

[@JamieBarnes11]

Yeah, incredible album. Up there with my favourite Yes albums.

[@markdaniels7174]

I love Fish Out of Water, and every few years I even become *obsessed* by Fish Out of Water! It’s fantastic.

[@sammybeck7794]

In various tunes Chris Squire was able to play in one key while at the same time singing in another key...amazing!

[@GES8215]

Vocal and music keys are the same or relative but never different. You might mean notes…

[@agentorange26]

One of my favorite bass players of all time. My favorite bassline from him is Siberian Khatru’s.

[@yeshayahuhomberger2079]

Yes and Chris Squire, a match made in heaven. Thx 👍💪

[@LowEndUniversity]

He's the absolute glue that keeps their compositions together, with Rick Wakeman sprinkling excellence over the top! Not to dismiss what Howe, Anderson, and Bruford add, but those two always stood out to me and gave YES their edge.

[@charliesimar7541]

I have listened to this song since it came out way back whenever. The bass part is so well written that the bold tone is essential to bringing it out to fit with the rest of the instruments. It shows their classical background.

[@Zundfolge]

Ok, this notion that people complain about Chris Squire's tone is alien to me ... for the last several decades Chris Squire's tone has only been praised and as far as I can tell its only recent obnoxious internet trolls complaining. I guess I'm glad I'm old enough to remember the world before the interwebs ruined everything.

[@markdaniels7174]

Exactly. I’ve really never heard a complaint about his tone. In fact his tone (and Geddy’s) is the reason people continue to buy and revere Rickenbacker basses - we’re all chasing that tone.

[@zwastiunburzy3688]

Chris Squire (RIP) and Geddy Lee were the reasons I started playing bass. As soon as I could afford one I bought a Ricky 4003 as well, you can't beat that tone.

[@LowEndUniversity]

Essentially, same here. I’m just missing a Rick now….on my bucket list to buy one day! 😅😬

[@zwastiunburzy3688]

@@LowEndUniversity I'm so pissed at myself for letting mine go all those years ago. Talk about young and stupid, so yeah, another one's on my bucket list too! She was black and beautiful, with the white pickguard and the dual outputs, one stereo and the other one mono. Man I miss the shit outta that thing!

[@DAMON409]

4001

[@zwastiunburzy3688]

@DAMON409 Yes, it was a 4001, but he rewired it with the dual stereo outputs, so it might as well have been a 4003 with the "Ric-O-Sound" setup.

[@DAMON409]

@zwastiunburzy3688 no. The 4001 has dual inputs

[@wtcornet]

Chris Squire made me want play bass. In the early 70's Chris' bass tone was one of the few bass tones that cut through on a little monophonic AM radio.

[@brianschoner3350]

Chris Squire one was one of my favorite bassists ever. One tune that I think never gets enough bass love is "Does it Really Happen?" from Drama. It's not a complicated line (at least by Squire standards), but the rhythmic changes in it are extremely cool, and he does a very groovy solo at the end.

[@dolfinpt]

In the Round! I was upset cuz I couldn’t get floor seats…turns out the way the stage was a raised round revolving stage.. my first floor balcony put the band at my body level! It was incredible seeing All these guys play together!!!❤ And who ever said Chris’s tone doesn’t fit the Band..well it’s a pretty dumb statement cuz Jon & Chris formed the band and whatever the Hell sound Chris put out(tone) Was the Way He Wanted It! Who are you to tell him the sound doesn’t fit? Chris Squire has been voted # 1 Bassist Numerous times…and Yes’ Library of music is Truly Legendary and Chris’s Bass is unforgettable!❤ Hence your Analyzing him!😊

[@crystal-ice555]

Chris's performance on The Gates of Delirium on Yes Live Symphonic 2001 or on Ritual (with bass solo) from the same. Unbelievable!

[@brianwaloweek6770]

Thank you, his bass is what I listen for and enjoy

[@bobespirit2112]

I saw Yes on this Union Tour!!! It was a magical and spellbinding experience!! Having all eight members allowed them play songs across their whole discography and they did. Squire is absolutely unique among rock players and so influential to everyone that followed. A giant in rock history among the first tier of rock bassists. A special player in a special band. 🎸🎼🥁🎤😎✌🏼

[@willmac4u]

I totally agree with you 100%, kudos to you man! These people that say Chris Squires tone is too heavy, a lot of buzzing, have to get their head together, no disrespect to nobody but if you really listen, just like my Low-End University man put it! It's an art because every loud note, buzz, ghost note Chris Squire plays he meant to have that sound it's not a mistake he made or what have you, every note is his intention to that sound as he plays it! That's the difference of saying Chris Squires tone just don't fit to acknowledging it's his every intention to get the sound that he gets, that is the definition of him being artistic. Squires' bass tone makes 50% of the band being Yes! I take that back, sorry, Jon Anderson's voice is a huge part of Yes, Rick Wakeman on the keys and synthesizers makes a huge part of Yes, then you have Steve Howe, a classical afficionado on the guitar, last but not least Bill Buford on drums. I can't stress enough of the band Yes's individual prodigy! If any one of the band members names that I mentioned were to step out of the group, they wouldn't be Yes anymore. Anyone of them were to quit the rest of the band will never be the same!

[@NorthenTasawwuf]

Great choice of song, so much music and technique to break down here :) they have a few fantastic live appearances in their senior senior age with these classics available on KZbin.

[@bassvapegeeza4431]

Full appreciation for this. Like many of Yes's songs, it's a long one, but the bass all through The Gates of Delirium from the Relayer album is pretty amazing.

[@AudioFileZ]

Chris had the most unique bass tone in rock. I think he took the best of John Entwhistle and pushed it. The fact he was a killer harmony vocalist put him in rare air. Too few bassists have this total package. I've always loved Yes and aside from Jon's other-worldly lead vocals I firmly believe the Yes sound rests on Chris' bass playing.

[@MargaretMartin-kg8dd]

They are the co-founders of the band so they were the heart and soul of Yes.

[@pokebass1]

I've never been around a Rickenbacker, as soon as you said that he split the signal on his pickups to go to two different amps I knew what he played. I've always thought that the split pickup signal they have was a cool option. I'd sure like to have a few hours to fiddle with one and see what they're all about.

[@leddygee1896]

I know the album I'm about to bring up is a point of contention among fans, But to me, the Yes album that sums it all up is "Drama". Machine Messiah kicks off that record, the heaviest song they've ever recorded, IMHO, to the final song Tempus Fugit, is a Tour De Force in composition and atmosphere. I am also an original fan of the earlier works, (I'm Old!) but for some reason, I've always come back to Drama. Chris's tone and attack on that album is undeniable...

[@rutabega2039]

Yes was my favorite band growing up, but I hated when Asia came out with their stuff and REALLY hated 90125 because I felt it was the guys selling out to make pop music instead of "art". But I always loved Drama - thought it was still completely in their prog rock wheelhouse even though they'd fused with The Buggles (of all bands to fuse with) to make it. It's a great album, lot of good music on it. Of course I even liked Tormato so maybe take what I'm saying with a grain of sand.

[@taasen58]

⁠@@rutabega2039some songs on “ Tormato” were a little bit of a reach for me although I thought “ Drama” was adventurous and groundbreaking for the remaining members.

[@paulsimmons5726]

When you say Chris Squire, you need say nothing else… I’ve played bass since high school in the 70’s and I’ve always thought Squire’s bass composition was the closest thing to the left hand of JS Bach. McCartney and Jamerson had the same ability to construct and weave together a response to the melodies that they were listening to but Squire’s tone allowed his playing to be more identifiable. Rotosounds and 12” speakers, gotta love’em! Great video, thanks for sharing!

[@sierrasix2003]

Jack Bruce, no bass slouch himself said that Bach was God's Bassist. Truth!

[@ZeroMod]

66 year old bassist here . Saw that tour! Great seats at a great show. I was inspired to switch from guitar to bass (had years of guitar lessons as a kid) by "Roundabout" hitting FM radio. Bought Fragile and played the piss out of it. Squire set the template for "that tone" and many followed. Along with Entwistle launched a generation of out front aggressive melodic bass playing.

[@shawnmcvey7789]

You're right on the money about tone. These guys are the reason we have so many options today. Almost all iconic music was made with limited gear, time, and money.

[@LowEndUniversity]

EXACTLY! I love the ease of access today for information as much as anyone else, but the idea of them just "finding" their tone innately with what they had, or purely based off of what they hear in their head, is extremely important here.

[@michaelyork4554]

I completely agree with You on Chris' Bass Tone, and stylistic approach. I was blessed in early '74 when I was 12, my older brother had just come back from college with a massive Yamaha Sound System, and some days later I was "home alone", so I went into his room to go through his crate full of over 100 albums. For some reason the cover art of Fragile grabbed me, and I pulled out that, The Yes Album, and CTTE. Dropping the needle on Roundabout, at 1000+ Watts, was a life changing experience for me, and to my delight, the next few hours were spent in awe, and wonder, marveling at the complexity, and musicianship, and creativity of this most unique band. I can still remember telling my brother months later, that I had gone into his room and listened to his albums, among which were Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, and Steely Dan, and saying to him with regards to Yes, "But they could never play any of this Live, right" He then reached into his albums and placed YESSONGS in my hands with a smile. OMG. So immensely pleased to see that these Grand Masters of Prog Rock are being revealed to such a wide audience via YT. I got to see YES in '77, and in '80 in the round. My #1 Band of all time.

[@LowEndUniversity]

Michael, I could vividly SEE this story in your comment. Absolutely love reminiscing through comments like this - what a fun experience that must have been. I appreciate you sharing, and thanks for stopping by!

[@Yesquire0]

Tony Kaye was the Yes keyboardist during the Rabin era when Yes had its greatest popularity. This tour was part of the terms of a legal settlement. For several years you had two versions of Yes. One featured Chris Squire, Tony Kaye, Alan White, and Trevor Rabin. The other featured Jon Anderson, Bill Bruford, Rick Wakeman, and Steve Howe, with another famous prog musician, Tony Levin, doing most of the bass work, although he missed a lot of the ABWH tour and Jeff Berlin is who you hear on the "Evening of Yes Music Plus" live album. Anderson had sung on two of the Rabin era Yes albums, but became disgruntled over doing pop music, which meant his compositions were being rejected in favor of Rabin's, so he left the band in 1988 to pursue his own projects, and ended up as the driving force for the creation of ABWH. Squire eventually objected to ABWH marketing themselves as the players of Yes music, and he filed a lawsuit. I think record labels were involved, too. If ever there was a stupid lawsuit, this was it. The case was settled with an agreement that the two bands would unite and do one album together, then tour the new album, which is how you find so many Yes men on one stage playing Roundabout. The Union album is forgettable, but everyone who saw one of the tour live performances said it was great. I missed the Union tour due to being saddled with a young career and two toddlers, but have seen Yes many times in many forms over the decades. They seem to know that the songs from more recent times can't hold a candle to what they produced in the '70's, and their tours this century are filled with the great old songs and a little light on the less satisfying newer ones. On one occassion I got an invite to a concert after-party and got to briefly talk to Chris Squire. The hotel bar was closed and I was the only person who had brought a cooler full of chardnnay, so Chris was drawn to me like a moth to a flame.

[@BogeyCDogRosey]

I saw them on this tour. They sounded absolutely incredible.

[@sx64man]

The F in the key of E minor functions as a Neopolitan (as a major subdominant chord sharing two common tones with the minor iv). Pretty common (like final the Picardy third) in classical music especially minor keys.

[@LowEndUniversity]

Love that you commented this! I almost thought it was sort of a II chord, but only if the bass note was F. Because it’s a G in the bass, pivoting to that G7, I wasn’t really sure what to label it thinking on the fly. Felt more secondary dominant to me too since it really shifts to Cmaj.

[@davidzornes6863]

My #1 YES song is HEART of the SUNRISE" It' will wear your fingers OUT !

[@LowEndUniversity]

That one is on my list very soon! Stay tuned!

[@Metal_Auditor]

I love the extra bits of flair that Trevor Rabin throws in with the guitar here.

[@robertkroberjr.157]

This is the original line up with Steve Howe on guitar. 😎✌️

[@Metal_Auditor]

@@robertkroberjr.157 Steve Howe and Trevor Rabin are both here. Steve is playing his original part, and Trevor’s riffing over it and adding little fills here and there.

[@soundsandvisionsHQ]

@@robertkroberjr.157 Steve Howe was not in the original line-up. Yes first guitarist, who did their first two albums, was Peter Banks. This video has both Howe and Rabin in it.

[@geoffgoodall3839]

Speaking as a guitar player through the 60s it was always Entwistle and Bruce ,boom! Don't know if it was evolution or revolution with the event of Squire and Lee my 4 go to Bass players.

[@Fredzeppelin15]

I love how you can tell how big Chris Squire was by how small a Rick looks in his hands

[@LowEndUniversity]

I ALMOST mentioned this actually. Ricks seem like large basses, but look like toys in his hands. He was also a giant guy when I met him!

[@cliffgassett6291]

Chris was really great musician! Not only was he a phenomenal bassist, he sang harmony with the best. His tone was wonderful, and he got it mostly with the Rickenbacker 4001. I f you grew up listening to him, you would think, if I had a 4001, I could get that tone. Sadly, it is not that easy, I know because I played 4001’s primary for years. I don’t think I ever got close to that tone, but it was easier to get close with Fender basses . But, he was much more than a bass player.

[@eduardoOlima]

They had sn incredible night that night, one of the best i've seen

[@steenengel2882]

Nice reaction and analysis! If you want check out another of Mr. Squire's iconic bass lines, take your time and do the title track from the "Close To The Edge" album - it's epic and dirty at the same time., and it's a part of why I've been a fan of Yes since 1985. Appreciations from an island guy in Scandinavia ...

[@nickentros]

Christ Squire WAS Yes. Every other member was in and out of the band but Squire was on every single yes album until his death

[@PedroPereira-bt7zo]

Jon anderson was YES. The mind!

[@choncho101]

Wooooooooow!!!! Trying to learn the bass line..and of course I was learning it way wrong!!

[@LowEndUniversity]

Awesome! Yeah, just really focus on that open A-string pickup before the 16th note tag run. Completely changes the way the line translates in context.

[@1956tojo]

YES is one of the few live bands that truly ALWAYS had their sound dialed in for the venue being played.... I only saw the a total of 5 times, but EVERY time was perfect for the application... and Cris Squire will ALWAYS be one of the irrefutable top 10 rock/fusion/jazz bassists to ever pick the instrument up... and you're amazed at how they're "keeping it all together"...... Really? These are old school masters applying their crafts as they do... Another fabulous example of this for me was back in the mid 70's at a 3 day BlueGrass Festival in the Blue Ridge foothills of North Carolina.... 4 small acoustic stages and a main stage at one end of a huge field about 150 yards wide and easily a 1/2 mile long.... several time I watched in utter amazement at jam sessions that would last 15 to 20 minutes easily... God what a gift to the ear and mind...

[@btlmania64]

Saw Yes in Toronto in the 70`s and it was absolutely astounding. Great band !

[@itchntohitch4143]

Sir! You have nailed this analysis of not only Chris Squire but the rest of the band as well. I graduated high school in 1970. YES, their first album, crossed my ears in 1969. It caught my attention in a way that no other band quite did. As each new album came out year after year, what blew me away at the progression of the band was the level of growth of the band members as a whole. Man was this cool to experience! It taught me how to listen to music in a way that a lot of my friends (not all) both then and now don't seem to grasp...... What a ride that was!

[@lesblatnyak5947]

Chris Squire and Yes the greatest show on earth. Enjoyed your vid muchly and it's true Chris and Steve were mad scientists, hook this to that then run it thru a Leslie, put this pedal thru that pedal. 🙏🍁

[@KenMH2024]

Great channel! Loved Yes, Chris was amazing, RIP Chris

[@CarolMarianaa]

I was a child when I listened to Yes the 1st time, around '87, '88... and I remember clearly how the bass sound got into my soul. And I fell in love for it since then. Chris was (and still is) one of my first influences to play bass.

[@LowEndUniversity]

Love it! There was no missing his bass parts, based on their presence and tone. The first song I ever heard was "Long Distance Runaround", and right off the bat, it's grooving along with a great melody.

[@CarolMarianaa]

@@LowEndUniversity Absolutely!! Another one that I love so much is It Can Happen... that intro with the slides and melody is undeniably catchy.

[@mattleppard1970]

One of the best performances from a lamented tour. Saw this in London when I was 19 ❤❤

[@brianhake5037]

I watched a rig rundown with Chris squire and Steve Howe and Chris was using Marshall bass amps from the 70s which I was surprised

[@timmerred5]

I remember reading that when Chris bought that Rick it was covered in flower wallpaper, or that he had covered it. Over time he shaved away the surface of the bass, maybe several times, resulting in a Rick that was actually smaller in size and less weight, which affected its tone. I was lucky enough to meet Yes during the Big Generator tour. My buddy worked at the venue and we got in there early. Some of the band arrived earlier than others due to a snowstorm and we essentially greeted them as the arrived. When Jon came in I just said “Hello” and we started chatting. I asked him if he’d like me to carry his travel bag for him and he thanked me. I brought him to their room and he gave me his autograph. I was able to find the other guys and got some more autographs. Sadly, Chris is the only one who didn’t give me one. I’m a bass player, so this bummed me out, but I think he was just in a bad mood from traveling through the bad weather. It was still great to meet all of them.

[@evil-um4yi]

The master! And basically singing a second lead over all of that bass shredding... incredible.

[@russthompson7994]

That sound is iconic. I find myself using a similar tone often. Think of Geddy Lee or Chris Squire sitting in with Tommy Tutone. Ha!

[@michaelbean2478]

I absolutely love the sound of Chris Squire's bass rig. It has that midrangey and trebley tone that he and others like Geddy Lee brought to the party. I've tried emulating his fret buzz sound, but I can't seem to get it dialed in quite right. Oh well, I'm just a hack messing around with a bass guitar.

[@andrelevesque2405]

Squire’s bass tone is as Yes as Bruford’s high-pitched ringing snare sound. Once I saw an interview where Squire said he played with a pick as well as the tip of his finger, giving off a specific bass sound.

[@ChollieD]

This was from the Union tour, circa 1991-92, when Yes was a much larger outfit than normal.

[@crow476]

I'm so glad to find your channel! when i picked up bass in 2004 i would have loved a channel like this! I'm a bit out of practice right now but you might just inspire me to pick it up again. I would like to suggest you listen to more Jinjer. There a video of their song Teacher Teacher with a cam on just Eugene with the tabs along with the song. I think you would eat that up like candy!!!

[@LowEndUniversity]

I'm so glad you found it too, and thanks for the nice words! Please pick up the bass, play when you can, and just enjoy the act itself while having fun. All you need! I have more Jinjer coming up soon, so stay tuned.

[@Cmart50]

I read that Chris used to play with a dime or quarter. I tried it and it definitely works to get close to that tone. I used the same concept jamming to Pantera, i use a quarter, gets a nice growl. The older and shittier the coin, the better.

[@MarcosRobertoDosSantosJF]

Interesting info! I didn’t know that. But, let me ask, using a coin will wear the strings faster? I think this could be a problem when using coated strings. Am I right?

[@davidvalderrama1816]

Thank you for making me know why.

[@pete7164]

I didn't see any of the shows, but I remember this tour very well. "Union" was a reference to the uniting of the Yes line-up of the time with the members of the Yes offshoot project Anderson Wakeman Bruford and Howe.

[@metalmedic7211]

This is one of thr best basslines in history..period

[@michaelhallinan-jm7du]

Great job with the breakdown. Bass on Close To The Edge would be awesome to see you breakdown.

[@RobertMichaelStewart]

I saw the Union tour at the Forum in LA.... I've seen over 300 concerts in my life and I still consider it my favorite concert ever. Including my 53 times seeing Rush.Got to hang out in the beer line at a Dream Theater show with Allen White and Tony Kaye.

[@LowEndUniversity]

Amazing! Sounds like some killer memories there.

[@bassimprovjams3772]

What’s real Treat for a lunch break! Thanks mark! Ya know Myung has been getting the same heat also, people saying his tone doesn’t match the band and I find that to be a lamé opinion, I think his tone is his own! If you love Chris squire, there is a song called “Fragile” by “Sun Kil Moon” and The artist “Mark” wrote a beautiful song about Chris it’s absolutely amazing and I highly recommend taking the few moments to hear it, I might even make ya a lil emotional but you should hear it! 💪😎

[@HappyMealBieber]

That Bass is absolutly Ground Breaking. I cant imagine music history w/o it. Its like Mozart level.

[@CFDFirepup]

Thanks, I enjoyed this perspective very much. I like the term Organically created. Chris wasn't a techno geek that studied every component of every piece of his rig. He just experimented with things until he got the sound he wanted. It was the art he was looking to create, not technical wizardry. One of my favorite stories he told was when he went to the Rickenbacher plant thinking he would get welcomed and thanked for bringing attention to their product, but instead they chewed his @$$ for using rotosound strings. Others were copying him and it was grinding down the fret boards. Their repair department was overwhelmed.

[@jamesscully529]

Heard the same story. His Rick was one of original to be brought into Britian in the mid-1960s, and he later had it shaved down and refinished to removed all the stickers he had pasted all over it. That might have affected its harmonics. That and the fact he had the thing rewired. It was a unique instrument and eventually Rickenbacher copied it in a CS edition. Probably after he went on about how a piece of crap their new instruments were, probably from overproduction.

[@profjohnfrinks]

I believe I read that John Entwistle developed the idea of splitting the output frequencies to different amps. Also, if you watch the isolated bass of Entwistle, you will also hear buzzing and some "slop". People will say its poor playing. In reality, he's adding to a wall of sound of one of the most raw and rockn bands in history. RIP to my tow fav bass players, John and Chris.

[@LowEndUniversity]

Absolutely. I kind of hate when people try to "clean up" bass playing too much, where it sounds sterile. People have to remember that, out of all instruments, bass guitar fights against physics the most. Those little irregularities really glue the sonic spectrum together, and give it character. Thanks for stopping by, man!

[@michaelj3959]

Are you playing a Jackson Spectra? I love the top on that. It's beautiful. How do you like it? Btw, I saw the Union tour at the L.A. Forum and they played in the round. It was one of the best shows I have seen. As a footnote, the next Yes song for you to review would be Long Distance Runaround IMO. As you know, it has a killer bass line.

[@LowEndUniversity]

I sure am! I LOVE these basses. I own nicer basses, but these basses have served as lightweight, stable, reliable workhorses. I did a full North American tour with 2 Spectras (and that's it) in early 2020 - taking it all the way up to Quebec City, all the way down to Juarez, Mexico, between January and March, with STARK weather differences. Not one time did I have any problems, other than expected tuning shifts. I played 40-50 shows and these things rocked every time. Thank you, and "Long Distance Runaround" will happen in the future soon!

[@richrazz2653]

I seen this tour in Vegas at the Thomas and mack center in the 90's..excellent show that lasted over 2 hours!!🤘

[@t0mn8r35]

I really enjoyed this. I am a life long ardent Yes fan and I am lucky that I have a signed copy of Close to the Edge CD when Yes was here in Sydney in 2018.

[@markjacobsen8335]

I was at this show. May 9th, 1991, Denver, CO. It was so epic. So glad I got to see Chris Squire play about 18 times. This was not a post production mix. It was actually a live feed for a Red Cross benefit. What you hear there is the tone we heard in McNichols Arena that night. Nothing changed in post.

[@LowEndUniversity]

Wow! Incredible. There are so many bands I'd have killed to see in the earlier / younger eras, this and Rush being two top ones for me.

[@markjacobsen8335]

@LowEndUniversity My first Yes show was April 3, 1984, and my first Rush show was May 21, 1984. It was a great Spring that year! With that said, I pine for the chance to have seen both bands a decade earlier. Those 70s shows were so killer, but I was just a kid. My first concert was the BeeGees in 1979 when I was 11 years old. I missed all the great 70s rock tours.

[@Wolverines9999]

I saw YES in 1980 at the Hammersmith Odeon in London. They performed on a revolving stage. The Stage setup was very much like the one in this video.

[@bobthebomb1596]

Great breakdown, really enjoyed that.

[@LowEndUniversity]

Glad you enjoyed it! Means a lot to hear 🙏🏼

[@steveyoung2317]

That thing about Yes is every member plays a solo in one song. Blended together to form one song. Cannot be matched

[@ImYourOverlord]

The concert, played on a rotating stage, was truly magical 😁

[@ImYourOverlord]

What?! You weren't aware of Union? Dang, son! It's pure gold 😁 The tour was a special treat!

[@bradami1234]

Not much more to say about this.. ICONIC.. great video

[@LowEndUniversity]

Much appreciated!

[@TheRKae]

This concert had a brilliant bass feature where Squire played with Bruford and White backing him. Brilliant!

[@ZalMoxis]

Squire's tone is powerhouse...... YES were powerhouse....

[@pedroV2003]

Any fan of Squire would be well advised to look up the video of him discussing his meeting with Jimi Hendrix. Funny as hell. Rick Wakeman's speech at the RRHOF also hysterically funny.

[@MeatballCereal]

"Two drummers would be tough to pull off." "Hold my beer..." - King Crimson in their double trio Thrak era. "Hold my bong..." -King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard. "Ok fine. Hold everything..." - King Crimson with THREE drummers in their final lineup.

[@LowEndUniversity]

😂 - yep! They’re all incredible!

[@petermastronardi6641]

Saw this version of this song 8 times live

[@davep8221]

I saw an interview with Chris where he talked about his picking technique. He holds it with his thumb near the tip so that after the pick strikes the string the thumb can come after giving a slight harmonic tone. As an aside, he developed a lot of his style after taking so much acid that he couldn't go out, so he just stayed in his apartment and played, and played, ... He broke all the rules. People often focus on his speed and complexity which is amazing, but when the song calls for it, he'll play soft/slow/simple, sometimes almost in the background. For example, the bass part during the slow section of _Awaken,_ so simple even I could play it... (well almost), and on _Soon,_ where it just helps to peacefully resolve the violent nature of the preceding movement. Absolutely perfect.

[@jeffroach3722]

Great breakdown 🔥

[@LowEndUniversity]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@beornthebear.8220]

Cris Squire and Geddy Lee were the main players that influenced me to take up bass. No "thud, thud", but percussive, grinding, and easily heard.

[@stephenzevetchin]

Really great video about a great song, band, bass player and age...

[@mauriceholder1386]

Yes Songs, I had the double 8 tack tape set. I still love all the songs.

[@topographic1973ify]

Yes is my all time favorite band. I've only seen them 10 times but I live in Montana. I have a HUGE Yes and related collection which includes 360+ live concerts. I also have solo, guest appearances, books, etc. I have the 26 CD, 4 DVD set of just this tour also. The last time we saw Chris with Yes was in 2013 before he passed away. I wish I'd been able to see this tour. I love Bill Bruford too, I have 57 albums he plays on. I have Chris's own tutorial video. What a huge loss. R.I.P. Chris Squire, I actually cried when he died. My wife worked for our local paper and we were able to get a large AP article into the paper.

[@Cygnustheriver]

I saw this tour. The stage was a big circle that slowly rotated during the show. Fun fact: this song had two versions. The full version on the album and a much shorter radio edit.

[@LowEndUniversity]

Oh damn, it rotated?! Insanely cool! I'd DEFINITELY trip running around then 😅

[@jamieplatt333]

This song is what got me into Yes ♡♡♡

[@Zundfolge]

I'm trying to figure out who makes me want a Rick more. Chris Squire, Lemmy or Geddy.

[@kevinhunton-young4833]

Rick brought musical knowledge to band from his Royal college of music, including how to transition effectively. Pure genius !

[@TheRKae]

Dropping out of the Royal College of Music was the smartest thing he ever did. That's what kept his genius fresh. (Just for full disclosure, I HATE formal education.)

[@JJ8KK]

As a huge Chris Squire fan-since the 1st time I heard Starship Trooper on the radio-I loved hearing your comments re: the nuances of his style & tone. But that live vid was nearly worthless, IMO, in highlighting Chris' contributions. It's yet another example of why I always tell YES 'first listen' reactors to _always_ listen to the studio version for a 1st listen & then check out a live performance to satisfy your curiosity afterwards. The live recordings always diminish Chris' 2 major contributions to the band's fantastic Sound: his dominating industrial-melodic inspirations playing the bass & the beautiful stand-out vocal harmonies YES generated, primarily because of Chris' harmonizing talent with Jon Anderson. While YES created fantastic music with the contributions of a clutch of virtuoso musicians, it was the way Squire dominated their sound with his inspirations that I found exhilarating. His contributions received the emphasis in the studio mix that is usually given to the lead guitarist in most rock bands & I absolutely loved it. I was a hyper-YES fan for a couple or decades, but frankly my infatuation faded as Chris seemed more & more content to simply be "just the bass player" in a band of talented musicians. So my only "complaint" ('disappointment') about your vid is that you didn't present your analysis against that fantastic amazing studio version of Roundabout. I mean, if we're supposed to be appreciating what Chris did as a bass player, don't you kinda want to comment on recordings that best highlighted his special talents? Looking forward to more of your commentary on Chris Squire...

[@LowEndUniversity]

Hey there! I appreciate the feedback, and thank you so much for the detailed comment. All great points! I did a poll last week or so asking which format everyone prefers: studio or live, and studio won! I will focus more on those moving forward, unless it’s a pro-shot bass play-through, and still do live performances if they’re really mixed well. Always a tough pick since the bass can be hit or miss in some recordings. You also nailed everything I love about Chris. I’d love to know what song you’d recommend that I do next! Cheers, and I hope to see you around!

[@JJ8KK]

@@LowEndUniversity Next song? I wouldn't mind at all if you chose to do *Tempus Fugit.* You could even do the music video version they created for promotion which was the studio version sound track played over them performing it in the studio. It's really the only kind of YES performance video that I have absolutely no complaints about. It shows Chris at the absolute peak of his bass playing skills, dominating from start to finish, just like in the old Eddy Offord days...flying fingers... 🙂

[@LowEndUniversity]

Right on! I’ll take your word for it. On my list!!

[@JJ8KK]

@LowEndUniversity I have another suggestion...I would _really_ like to see/hear your reaction to Chris Squire's live performance of *The Fish* that's on the YESSONGS live album. Unfortunately, I've never come across a video of that performance, but the YESSONGS version is my all-time favorite live recorded bass solo *_ever._* Normally I always encourage first-time listeners of YES music during that early period to *always* listen to the studio versions as they best present Chris' contributions, but this live recording of The Fish is the Grand Exception to the rule. It takes what the studio version presented (also very pleasing) but turns it into a head-banging virtuoso performance. A very pleasing melodic element with Chris using the wah-wah pedal expertly while he's "flutter-picking" everything like crazy. It's here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eYGmaIF7jJJkeJo&ab_channel=nathanb.

[@SeniorCharry]

How can people say the bass sounds bad? The bass drives the song and sounds incredibly powerful.

[@genestippell1833]

The brilliance of yes is the way Howe and Squire complimented each other. Howe liked to play with little or no distortion so Squire created a sound that growled which gave the songs the needed punch. Going. Back to the yes album it was Squire using the effects pedals and switching pickups that added the grit. Think of what these songs would have sounded like if Squire used a fender jazz with no effects. With Brufords style and howes hollow body, you would have had a an amplified jazz band

[@patmancrowley8509]

One of my "All Time Favorites!"

[@donaldanderson6604]

😂This video is from the 1989? Union tour. I saw it in Birmingham UK. It had two drummers, two keyboard players, two guitarists and ONE bass player. Enough said.😂

[@xxloki713xx]

Can I just mention how iconic Rick Wakeman is at 5:42. What a boss.