Listening to YES: 90125, Side 1

[@6lillium]

I don't care what other Yes fans say..... I LOVE this album...and always will. As a stand alone album , this is an exceptional album. So many high points, ending with the emotion of Hearts

[@Tomversal]

This ones alright but Big Generator is a joke imo (except Love Will Find A Way)

[@6lillium]

@@Tomversal it's certainly different from previous work. Steve Howe impact is noticable in his absence. But , the band moved on , and were reinventing rather trying to keep repeating. I agree about Big Generator . It has a few moments ,like LWFAW , Swing High Aim Low ,and Final Eyes . I think there is stronger material coming on later albums....

[@jeffschielka7845]

@@6lillium Final eyes is excellent!😎

[@IllumeEltanin]

@@6lillium I'm looking forward to Jim moving on past Big Generator. I enjoy BG for what it is, and did see the tour, but while I saw a few tours after that before David joined the band, and tours with David and Davidson, Big Generator is the last Yes album I have listened to. I've heard the occasional tracks, but not full albums. So, I'll be doing first listens along with Jim.

[@JimNewstead]

Very different - I get what you're saying about it as a stand alone album, but it was released as a YES record so has a LOT to live up to. A very interesting listen.

[@dolfinpt]

This album literally saved my life. It’s energy and uplifting songs moved me at a time when difficult decisions had to be made! I will forever remember this album with Love and gratefulness! Yes my Fav band! I’m a big Yes memorabilia collector and have seen them live >50x(includes solo tours), and had the pleasure of meeting the guys many times!❤️ Glad your checking it out!😉

[@JimNewstead]

More than just checking then out, falling deeply in love with their music!

[@ForTheLoveOfYngwie]

It's a throw everything in and see what sticks album. But for me it all sticks and its brilliantly mad...but mainly just brilliant.

[@GeoffTrowbridge]

This is the album that introduced me to the band at the age of 13. Then I dove into the back catalogue, and needless to say I was completely enthralled, and my musical tastes were forever changed as a result. While, as you say, it is different from their prior material, I think the band did exactly what was necessary to reinvent their sound for the 1980s market while still remaining true to their progressive roots. And regardless of whether or not one believes it to be "authentic" Yes, it's still damn good music!

[@GeoffTrowbridge]

And yes, at this time Steve Howe had formed Asia with Geoff Downes (from the Drama album) and also did the GTR project with Steve Hackett. Howe would later appear in the "Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe" project, which then merged with the Rabin-era Yes for the "Union" album and tour. After that he did a couple of solo albums before permanently rejoining Yes on "Keys To Ascension".

[@manualboyca]

Like you, this introduced me to Yes when I was young (10 years old). The next cassette I got from Yes was a compilation called “Classic Yes.” The first song was Heart of the Sunrise, which blew me away!

[@cmichaelanthonyimages2197]

I like your Yes mug Jim. Your hooked...Nice!

[@romanjohnston]

This is when Yes became more spiritual to me. More touching my soul and less just plain wonderful music. It is elevated.

[@MissMX]

Jim - this was recorded as an album by the band Cinema (Squire, White, Rabin) with Horn producing. But in the last 3 weeks of recording Atlantic management cunningly thought that by getting Anderson to listen to the tapes and add some very last-minute vocals, and also getting ex-Yes keyboardist Tony Kaye involved (and so dumping Eddy Jobson formerly keyboardist of U.K.) they could then convincingly rebrand Cinema as Yes and sell far more records. It worked, and the rest is history.

[@martinreed5964]

inciteful comment , and so true

[@patrickmcevoy5080]

Though the studio did bring in Anderson and suggest the name change, Kaye was the original keyboardist. But he quit part-way through and Rabin recorded the rest, THEN they hired Jobson for touring.

[@matthewkester3677]

im moving thru some changes .............................................

[@JocaFus]

The highlight of these 80's Yes records are the vocal harmonies between Anderson, Squire and Rabin imo. Sooo well produced

[@jeffschielka7845]

I agree!🎤🎤🎤😎

[@IllumeEltanin]

Sooo much better than Anderson, Squire, and Howe, in my opinion. The classic Yes songs done on this and the Big Generator tour were amazing vocally.

[@jeffschielka7845]

@@IllumeEltanin Who ever told Steve he could sing? Lol!😎

[@mattleppard1970]

Ok. Giving this a go. Other than “the single,” I love this album ❤

[@kennyott3797]

Your comments exquisitely right on target with most Yes fans that started with them in the late 60s and early 70s. It's good for what it is, but completely below the royalty of music that's preceded it. If you continue on with your Yes journey, hang in there. The Keys to Ascension records are the final return to both the glory days and the classic line-up. Keep up the great work, it's been a joy to travel with you.

[@TheProgCorner]

What a great pop album!!!

[@JimNewstead]

Pop, pop, pop, pop music!

[@serdar.ateser]

Great choice! I I found myself thinking, again, this must be one of 10 best albums of 80's...and maybe not only that! Thank you for your very sympathetic and music enjoying approach too:)

[@daveking9393]

ahh my highschool days... great live show. Trevor Horn produced it. It is a resurgence of YES, certainly with a new sound, but without departing from the signature components of YESs traditional sound. They were harnessing the energy of the day and a new pop sensibility while not abandoning what YES fans would expect. the remix in 2004 adds some sonic punch, not to take away from this 1983 original. Trevor Horn as you mentioned is phenomenal. I still prefer other early YES to this, mainly because I played this out as kid and in college... and thereafter, I really did play the whole LP a lot... Probably because I was able to catch 2 shows live this tour.. made an impression. cool laser light show. probably went through 3 CDs... I only took a deeper dive than the hits when I found KZbin reactions about 2 years ago... I have enjoyed the YES deeper journey... I enjoyed your reaction. thanks

[@relativetimeworx8459]

You should check out Trevor Rabin's solo album that came out a bit later in the 80s - Can't Look Away - produced by Bob Ezrin - some great stuff there too!

[@6lillium]

LOOOVE that album!

[@astrosurf68]

Agree! 💪🙏💜

[@astrosurf68]

And the live of that record isn't bad eitherkzbin.info/aero/OLAK5uy_kQWXAF82RIpw-MB44zNQDULFr761Te0Ko

[@astrosurf68]

Just find this! kzbin.info/www/bejne/pqPRYaGQYrOGbJI Trevor Rabin live in san diego -89 1 hour & 30 minutes!

[@jeffschielka7845]

Hey Jim! A very different YES album, but exactly what the band needed at the time. I like this album, know every word by heart. My favorite song is the last of the album named Hearts. Jon's voice is phenomenal! Well, love it or hate it 90125 gave YES their only number one song in the history of the band. By the way, this was a great tour that seemed to last FOREVER!!😎

[@6lillium]

Hearts!!!!!

[@jeffschielka7845]

@@6lillium It's a masterpiece. 😎

[@lesblatnyak5947]

214! I saw this tour twice. Could have been 3 but I had to attend a funeral in CHICAGO, lol.

[@jeffschielka7845]

@@lesblatnyak5947 Was trying to figure out how many shows I saw. Had to be around a dozen. Great tour! I think they toured for almost 2 years.😎

[@lesblatnyak5947]

@@jeffschielka7845 ya they ended up in or close to Toronto 3 times. My best bud of 55yrs loved this album. He played it none stop at his stag, now he's a grandfather of 2.

[@thetom73]

When I first heard Owner of a lonely heart I thought this was The Police. When a friend said "oh no this is Yes!", then a love story began ....Yes fan forever!

[@deanzaZZR]

Yeah, Steve was doing Asia. He also hooked up with former Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett to form GTR for a one album, one tour gig. This is certainly worth considering as well.

[@monkeymarc1]

I love this record - thanks as always for sharing your thoughts.

[@JimNewstead]

My pleasure!

[@stephendennis8739]

Love 90125

[@JimNewstead]

It’s a very different sounding Yes from the one I’m used to!

[@jeffschielka7845]

@@JimNewstead YES it is!😎

[@SebGeddy]

The change of time signatures in "Changes" is just genius

[@paulh.2294]

Jim, first I must say that for the last couple of years I have truly enjoyed being a guest at your KZbin channel. When you first found Yes I was hooked. Today I had my new audio system installed complete with turntable. I pulled out my vinyl records that have not seen the light of day for 20 years. I was amazed to find over 500 records. Now I have a new hobby. Thank you for so many hours of enjoyment. Paul from Arizona

[@JimNewstead]

Thank Paul, and thanks Paul ☕️👍🏼

[@vfrbore1728]

Interesting what you say about the emotional connection. I've always struggled to put my finger on why it isn't up there with the best and I think that's it. Sounds like it was written and produced to a formula to be as commercial as possible. I've always liked it and bought it the day it came out, went to see the shows etc etc, but, but, but........

[@lesblatnyak5947]

Excellent! I'll be right back after a 1.3km swim. I'm just a fish out of water.

[@jeffschielka7845]

🐟🐠🐡😎

[@paulkobler8049]

I saw them during this tour in Chicago. A very fine show.

[@paulvalletta]

Steve Howe was hitting the big time touring with the awesome Asia, as you said Jim. I love this album, it was a transitional album, a new beginning almost.

[@danielalangrock1980]

Yeah jamming right with you I got this record in the 80's, have to look for it in the big Stack....it is probably completely scratched up loved it...stll do.Fav.on this record is Leave it .. Changes reminds me a lot of the Survivor American heartbeat vibe...

[@dolfinpt]

I remember this tour-they used lasers high above the crowd in neon green-forming really cool shapes and integrating it throughout the concert. There was a woman dressed in a white flowing dance costume that danced throughout the concert among the crowd -with a spot light on her ! She was great, ethereal and a nice addition to the night!! This concert was the last time I seen Yes in a balcony! From here on…front rows!✌️❤

[@Liz-cmc313]

I still have this on vinyl. Probably my favorite YES album. Holds many wonderful memories for me. Thrilled you're playing this ❤️.... I don't mind the crackling. Changes is my favorite on this album.

[@richardm6985]

お疲れさまです! Haha your Monday thoughts are always so chipper... Love "owner of a lonely heart", didn't love the music video as much, from memory, the sound is kind of reminiscent of post-gabriel genesis... Wonder if that similarity will play out.

[@boatbound3300]

The many layers of music in Changes is amazing

[@teresakoslosky3053]

It’s all awesome in concert of course, I think that goes without saying!! By the way I love seeing your turn table and Vinal! Memories!!

[@stevesnailfish]

Y'bastard....listening to this hath forced me into digging the cd out and ready for the car....I have a weekend away and this is now on the playlist.....Nice Juan Jim....

[@JimNewstead]

Ah, all part of the service! lol 😂

[@jameswattles7341]

Noticed you had the proper coffee mug for the occasion. I've listen to YES from 1973 love classic YES, but I also love this era of YES also this whole album is just great.

[@JimNewstead]

Has to be done!

[@arthurmol6875]

Yes, I love this Album. CHANGES!!!

[@Prog_drummer35]

I’m excited for you to hear Hearts. By far the best song on the album 👍

[@jeffschielka7845]

Strongly agree!😎

[@6lillium]

Second that......it gets me with every listen

[@pdcrmr]

This came out my 1st yr. of Uni and was my intro to Yes. Very much of that time but served as a gateway to some of the most adventurous music of my lifetime.

[@Tomversal]

*YES* is back, and more different than ever :)

[@JimNewstead]

You’re not wrong!

[@Tomversal]

@@JimNewstead I think I completely agree with your thoughts at the end of this video, I think the albums good but not really my favourite, but not my least favourite Yes album either

[@benbell8573]

Its a must , hear the hole lp peace by peace ! 🌹🌹🌹😎

[@bdcosmo]

Do you have a copy of Talk? I imagine its all but impossible to find it on vinyl as the record company went under not long after its release. To my (total Yesfan) ears its the best of the Rabin era recordings. The songs are on KZbin.

[@JimNewstead]

I don't - I have found a CD though!

[@waynecox3958]

Probably not much vinyl because it was the first all digital recording. And that is that is.

[@bdcosmo]

It was the first album to be recorded on hard drive but it was released on vinyl as well. Re-released on 180g double in 2015, I believe. You can find it but $$$ holy shit... :D

[@sethrichardson9974]

This was one of Yes' tours I actually caught twice: coming in at the Forest Hills (the neighborhood I had previously grown up in) tennis stadium, then on their way back to England at Madison Square Garden. Both concerts were amazing.

[@al1665]

I remember watching the Owner Of A Lonely Heart video where they stop the song and Jon starts talking and the band converts into different animals. Mind blown. I love this album and Big Generator. I call it the California years Yes.

[@6lillium]

Trevor Horn production is front and center.... A glimpse of things to come

[@ryanr5319]

I chuckle a tad Jim as to your well-earned "don't ruin it" trepidation. Would like to assure does not. Different, so much and never an Awaken again. :-) or CTTE, but beautiful, complex, clean, well-placed with yet thick bass. All the better to pluck out the incredible musicians you knew where there anyway. AND, I believeJon's voice is never so perfect in the mix then from 90125 out. Just incredible vocal showcases.

[@MusicWithToddLedbetter]

Such a great album! I owned it when it came out. I think it dose stand up in it's own way. I love it.

[@BigMacIain]

After all this time, my first listen to this album is a listen-along-a-Jim.

[@JimNewstead]

Well.... how was it for you?

[@BigMacIain]

@@JimNewstead. see my following post.

[@jeffcappelletti1986]

3 members of the production team on this album worked on the Frankie Goes To Hollywood album Welcome To The Pleasure Dome. The three members are Trevor Horn, Gary Lanigan, and Jonathan Jeczalik. All three did form a band called The Art Of Noise. Jonathan Jeczalik Programed and played the Fairlight C.M.I. IIx on the 90123 album

[@rockdusted]

I worshiped this album when it came out, and I was already a fan. Fragile, etc., were of course already battery by then, but I also came up with Tormato and Drama, and consider them great work too. Especially Drama. Machine Messiah, the opening epic, is one of my favorite Yes songs, even though that was maybe the only album on which Jon Anderson didn’t sing (Trevor Horn did). And, I saw the Union tour with the mix of the original Yes and this version playing together. Phenomenal. Anyway, I kinda grew up thinking of Yes as a fluid project with Chris Squire being the anchor. I like the changes in personality of their music with the addition and subtraction of players. Btw, love the vinyl approach.

[@pablocruise9514]

One of my favorite albums of all time

[@relayer27]

Hey Jim, always good to see you getting back to Yes. While this version of Yes was fine at the time it hasn't dated at all well. Their earlier albums are timeless but the 80's albums, like a lot of stuff from that era are very much of their time. If you're wondering what Steve Howe was upto around then , you're right he was doing a few albums with Asia and also at about 1985 he did an album with Steve Hackett as GTR before reuniting with Jon, Rick and Bill Bruford for ABWH

[@JimNewstead]

You are spot on Graham - their older records seem timeless. This one is completely rooted in 1983!

[@BruceColon-BSides]

Have always loved this album. Both key eras of Yes were powerful in their own ways. Rabin was a major acquisition. He brought so much to the band at this point. This album is one of my top examples of tasteful 80s production (along with Peter Gabriel’s So).

[@gavinferguson]

So loved it when it came out I think there was a interview video with the band hearing the final edit for the first time and they were stunned by the sound

[@relativetimeworx8459]

YesWest... a different band for sure, but for my money, a much stronger attempt at progPop than Asia ever accomplished. The high points are very powerful. "our song" stands out for me.

[@Lightmane]

Better than Asia. I agree : )

[@JimNewstead]

I've yet to listen to Asia. They are on my hit list!

[@6lillium]

I agree. Asia was definitely more "pop". GTR was better. Yes still had more sofisticated song development. ,

[@jeffschielka7845]

@@JimNewstead They had the best album of 1983 in the U.S.😎

[@pablocruise9514]

That one is great. I also love "Changes"

[@Meowmeow0506]

Ooo cant wait for this one. I absolutely love love LOVED your Mastodon Hushed and Grim full album listen. (I hope you do more Mastodon in the future!) I am a fan of Yes' more mainstream hits, Roundabout, Owner of a Lonely Heart etc. When my Dad and I were driving down to go see Volbeat and Ghost a few months ago he put on Leave It and that song stuck with me. I've been meaning to look more into them but I've been transfixed by Ghost's new album for a bit. This may just be the push that I need!

[@AdamConus]

I remember Jon Anderson saying he liked singing for the two versions of the band, the Chris Squire band and the Bruford, Wakeman, Howe band. He sang for both during my teen years in the 80's so I tend to look back on that era fondly.

[@kevinjekyll1521]

As I grew up with Yes and other bands, I just grew with them, as you say if they hadn't changed... but they pushed forward with the record companies encouragement, and this album was hugely successful. Where the previous stuff needed a few listens, this was; direct, accessable, catchy, if not as complex, but hey it sounded great and it was the eighties... gone is the church organ and sweeping orchestration that it often had. I have been following along with you as we travel with Yes and other bands through the years, I think from now on we are are going to hear more commercially acceptable material. The previous Yes stuff did not particually lend itself to be listened in the car, 90125 works well there. As always Jim a great assessment, there's more good stuff to come, it is Yes, but flavoured to the time period it was released in.

[@stephendennis8739]

Changes and city of love are my favourite tracks but like all the songs and after 90125 came big generator

[@robinzuiderveld]

Dare I say it? Hell yeah. This might very well be my favourite album of all time... And I'm not even that much of a hardcore Yes fan, go figure.

[@ryancraig2795]

Well I remember all those songs like they were yesterday. I know I bought the album when it came out. Can't remember the last time I actually heard some of these songs.

[@ChromeDestiny]

I really like It Can Happen and Changes off side one, they along with the side two closer Hearts sound like a follow-up to Drama but with Jon singing to me.

[@mattleppard1970]

Given how I loved your BG reaction in which you sort of said you didn’t like 90125 you seem to be enjoying it. I’m relistening today. This from the archives would be good.

[@stephanevilleneuve9450]

Good catchy songs, beautiful harmonies, high quality musicianship. A good album. Only for the song Hearts, you have to hear the side 2. It’s THE song of this album. Love your honest reaction, Jim.

[@jeffschielka7845]

❤💙😎

[@gazza8127]

Nice reaction Jim, I think from memory someone in management recommended Trevor Rabin as a replacement for Steve Howe who had left to form Asia. Trevor was also a writer & penned "Owner", "Hold on" & "Changes" on side 1. Early on the plan was to play as a four piece with Trevor doing lead vocals. Jon who had been soloing & collaborating with Vangelis called Chris to see what they were up to, came down, liked the vibe, sang on a few songs in rehearsal & bingo re-joined the band. Add to the mix Trevor Horn, lead vocalist from "Drama" on production. I remember at the time being so glad they were still alive, Rabin re-charged the band, the music was nothing like the brilliance of the 70's but it was enjoyable & interesting & drove them forward, best wishes.

[@NewBritainStation]

You are experiencing the Yes divide. Although that has lessened over the years, initially this was a controversial shift. For me it was the introduction - the first Yes I heard, and a year later, the first concert I attended. By then I had already gotten Fragile, Yessongs, and Drama and loved the older Yes (and Howe) more. But that doesn’t mean I didn’t like this. Drama still sounded like the old Yes, even without Jon. Steve, Chris and Alan were still writing like they used to, and a decent amount of that music was from when Jon and Rick (and even Patrick Moraz) were still in the band. This started as a project from an outsider - Trevor Rabin. Chris and Alan wanted to continue working (and had tried a brief stint with Jimmy Page and, at least initially, Robert Plant - some of that music ended up in Yes, some with The Firm). They liked what they heard on Trevor Rabin’s tape and decided to call. The album was largely “complete” and ready to be recorded as Cinema when Chris played a tape for Jon who liked it and thought he would like to sing on it. There was some collaboration and re-writing to accommodate Jon, mostly in melodies and lyrics, but Hearts is the primary song where his influence is really felt. Although Jon’s solo efforts at this time were pretty pop-oriented too. But it sounds so different precisely because it was driven primarily by a non-Yes writer. Trevor Rabin was familiar with Yes and has said that if he knew they were going to be Yes, he would have written different, more symphonic songs. His other gig is writing movie soundtracks. While the album doesn’t connect in the same way as older Yes, it’s a near perfect album without any really weak tracks. The next album would suffer as Jon and Trevor struggled to determine which direction they should really be going. I think it was very hard for them to really look to incorporate the larger Yes approach when the label was fully behind trying to get 90125 II. Of the three albums with this lineup, Big Generator was the least focused and weakest. Talk was a good blend of the old Yes approach with a new Yes sound. Neither could have happened without this one, and without it being so successful. I’m also not sure the classic Yes would have happened either. Or at least not as soon as it did. I don’t put this on as often as some of the others, but I know every word and every note. For a more pop-oriented ‘80s direction it is still as vital today as it was then, and it’s hard to just listen to one song without listening to the whole album.

[@JJ8KK]

I gotta say, Jim, that I feel about this edition of YES pretty much as you related at the end of this side. I think my biggest disappointment was Chris stepping back & being more "polite" as you put it. I mean, as good as the other musicians in early YES were, I really think Chris Squire's *_dominating_* Industrial-melodic inspirations were what made YES special early on. Indeed, I think it would have been _very_ appropriate if they had started marketing themselves on the release of *The Yes Album* as YES: featuring Chris Squire on bass. Having said all that, I'll give you an early heads up on *I'm Running* (on the Big Generator album following this one) which I consider the one composition of YES in this Rabin-era edition that measures up to the high standard achieved by the Classic Yes line up. It's special. I even put it in the Top 10 of all YES creations overall. You'll see... :)

[@BigMacIain]

Roger Dean mug!

[@Osi-ok8qs]

Truly a real Masterpiece. No Filler - all Killer. Not only one bad Song on this Record. And what a fantastic sounding Album this is! Progressive Rock and Metal at it's best. And I don't really care what all the other Band's saying. About their I'nfluences. Their just all influenced by this one Album. Everything after this came out. Not Rush! Not King Crimson! They're lying! In my opinion. Because I hear a lot of Yes in Dreamtheater for example Fates Warning and Queensryche as well! And in a lot of other Band's Music too! Not Rush or KC. That was always a Lie! I bought this one when it came out. Listened a thousand times to it. The Story about the Production of this is also amazing. Produced on this lonely beautyful lovely Island... Far away from everything... So a Dream can be come true... This is definitely one the greatest Album's ever made. One of the greatest Records of all time. Definitely Top-5. It has influenced so many other Band's. That's exactly is, why it so Important in the History of progressive Music. Melodies and Harmonies... So many... This is what I called Music. These incredible Drumming. So much better than everything Rush ever made. Or KC. And all the other Band's that just only playing this boring, uninspired, unmotivated Stuff! This is so much more! Next Stop? Mike Oldfield's Crises? With the incredible Simon Philipps on Drums! (Last 8 Minutes of the Title Song!) And also very well produced! An fantastic sounding Album. Something, a Band like Dreamtheater never ever has made in Sound. Just listen to the last Song on Dreamtheater's Album Scenes from a Memory. The Drumming by Mike Portnoy. And than listen again to the Song Crises. With the great Simon Philipps on Drums Can you hear it? Can you see it? I'nfluences... Real I'nfluences! And not this boring Neill Peart Jazz Standards no one need! Yes. A lot of people now would love to see me bunting in Hell for this... But I'm always listening very carefully. And try to figure out what I'm already listen to.

[@kelpkelp5252]

There's some interesting link ups here, as Trevor Horn was in Art of Noise but also in Yes. Seems like he was using some sounds in Yes that he'd later go on to use in Art of Noise.

[@thebestoffools]

I bought the newly released Acoustic Sounds reissue of this album part of the Atlantic 75th anniversary series in 45 RPM and man oh man! It just simply sound so much better than my 1983 copy. I highly recommend it.

[@tonygrinney7115]

Jim, in answer to your question regarding Jon Anderson. The band had made their album (no Jon Anderson), they presented the album to the record company, firstly they were a bit concerned about the lyrics and them being being "very left field", they also said it needed someone on vocals not just Trevor Rabin. So Chris Squire invited Jon Anderson to come and listen to the demo tapes and Jon liked it. So Jon rejoined the band and then of course the only name the band could be then was "Yes". Rabin had already written the words. So their were certain sections of the song that didn't fit Jon's vocal range so that's why the vocals are shared. I have to say this era was a very Trevor Rabin driven Yes and that is also partly the reason for the difference in sound. Jon was an add on to provide extra vocals. So Jon had little input on the creative side but he seemed happy to be part of it.

[@Lightmane]

One last comment for you Jim, but only because I know how much you enjoy my stellar commentary 😃😱lol When you get to their albums 'Keys to Ascension', I recommend that you listen to 'Keystudio' instead. The Keys to Ascension albums are half live, half studio. They then took both halves of the studio side and made a compilation album called Keystudio. Had they released that, instead of Keys to Ascension, I think it would've sold a ton.

[@JimNewstead]

I have got Keystudio!

[@Lightmane]

@@JimNewstead Whoo-Hoo! 😀

[@simonal1989]

So you've finally reached 90125 Jim! We've been waiting for this one... I think your opinion will be more positive after listening to side two, which is a stronger side melodically and emotionally than side one. Hold On and It Can Happen are a little overcooked, the rest is top notch.

[@JazzzRockFuzion]

Desert island disc, right here. And that's coming from a 'classic Yes' fan (I even adore their debut)! The pop-focused writing - with progressive elements! - , impeccable performances and stunning production make this a real world-beater. The positive influence of the two Trevors here can't be overstated. Hot take: 90125 > Tales From Topographic Oceans!

[@lightingcue1]

Trevor Rabin has a great solo record called "I Can't Look Away", released in 1989. I would highly recommend checking that out if you like his style! :)

[@tonygrinney7115]

I remember listening very briefly to the radio and the announcer said "This is the number 1 from Yes....." I thought, "What? Yes has a number 1?" It was duly shocked how different it sounded but there was the familiar voice of Jon Anderson. Strangely though I liked it. I got the album and really liked it, Yes a very different Yes sound but I liked the different sound that Trevor Rabin added and the harder rock guitar he added. I did like this album but overall didn't like the next album "Big Generator"

[@shawnlilly2]

I can never get over how awesome Chris squire sounds in It Can Happen. He’s practically screaming in that prechorus

[@67tomcat]

Only an opinion, but "Hold On" is my favorite form this wonderful album. Glad you enjoyed.

[@MrBruinman86]

I'm a devout Yes fan - I absolutely love Fragile, Close to the Edge and Going for the One, but 90125 is a different beast. I still love it. Great album with a genius mix.

[@welshhibby]

IT CAN HAPPEN !

[@andresskl1]

I have some mixed emotions with this LP from Yes. I like many songs, some others not. But after many years without listening to it, I kinda "rediscovered" it and, as you said, It's a great album in its entirety, according to its era when it was launched. Thank you, Jim!

[@pl5914]

First time I heard "Owner of a Lovely Heart" on the radio I thought it was by The Police. Took me ages to find out it wasn't from them :)

[@docsketchy]

Well, as you can imagine, for a 19-year-old college kid who had mainlined Yessongs from the age of 11 and worshipped at the feet of Topographic Oceans and Awaken, I was somewhat disappointed (to say the least) when I gave my vinyl copy of 90125 its first spin on the turntable in 1983. However, today, all I can say is that it is a masterpiece. (Yes, I was that weird kid whom Yes led to a life-long love of modern classical music -- Messiaen, Bartok, Webern, Boulez, Wuorinen, etc -- all because of those final moments of Stravinsky at the beginning of Yessongs.) But.... what I really wanted to talk about is your amazing coffee cup!!!! Where did you get that?!?!?!? I WANT ONE !!!!

[@JimNewstead]

It was an amazing gift from one of may subs Walter. He sent to me all the way from America!

[@robertheckman8013]

Saw Jon Anderson with the Paul Green Rock Academy (School of Rock) last night. Great covers of Led Zeppelin, Eminem, Lenny Kravitz plus awesome renditions of Close to the Edge, America, Heart of the Sunrise, Long Distance Runaround, And You and I, Owner of a Lonely Heart and a dozen other songs. Between 2 and 16 musicians/singers on stage depending on the song. The energy from the kids was through the roof. Highly recommend seeing this show if you get the chance!

[@jeffschielka7845]

Excellent Jon tour!😎

[@JimNewstead]

That sounds amazing!

[@al1665]

I saw them in Atlanta last week. Amazing, intimate show. The kids are excellent musicians and Jon was in top form. Highly recommend too!

[@daffyrwt]

This was the first Yes album I listened to, picking it up from my library, after being inspired by you with your Yes series. My first impression was that it was VERY 80s, which can be a bad thing if the album is just outright bad, but this isn't a bad album. Just different, as you put it. For me it wasn't until my second Yes album, which was your Drama videos, that I realized just how drastically different two albums can be. It does make me wonder just how influential this album was for the 80s sound cuz every track on this album I swear I could hear other songs from that era... or were they just trying to fit in with more mainstream sound of the time?

[@ronjm945]

Jim a little context, during this era both the record industry and music critics (Rolling Stone, Circus, Creem etc) had declared Progressive Rock music dead. Their fan base was mostly still with them with this record, as well as the new fans from Owner of a lonely heart. I took it in stride, glad that they were still mostly intact as a band and happy they didn’t go the route of Genesis after Steve Hackett left. What a long strange trip it’s been…

[@robertwells3867]

Anderson was presented fully formed demos for quite a few of the songs including owner by the trio at that moment going under the name ...cinema....it just had to be and anderson signed on....fun fact...Eddie jobs on briefly joined the band...he's in the video for owner of a lonely heart.

[@tommac215]

Trevor Rabin was the one man that turned yes around he could play keyboards, guitar and his vocals are also very good. The next album big generator came up with their 2 best songs( shoot high aim low) and (I'm running)

[@kld2493]

Saw Trevor Rabin when I was at college. His band was pretty heavy. Saw the new Yes on my birthday as present from my brother. They had had ridiculous makeovers and reminds me of Punky Whips by FZ. The 80s a decade when taste was abandoned. The music was good though.

[@mackeymintle66]

This was the summer, in high school, on a walkman, walking to the bus stop after a shift at McDonalds. 😬

[@realbser1956]

I’ve been listening to this album for years and at times I love it and at times I’m very ambivalent about it. I guess in the end I don’t like change in my musical idols? Looking forward to side 2.

[@richardsoos8902]

Yeah, it's not like you can say - this album is important in that it helped them get to the next phase.

[@thstdenis1963]

So Jim, I’ve been trying to find merchandise with that Roger Dean flying machine logo. Actually, I’m not positive it’s Dean or even a logo, but you have it on your coffee cup! I would love to know where you got it and if you have any other info on it. Btw, love your reactions. Been listening to you for a couple months now. Thank you Jim! 🙏

[@JimNewstead]

Thanks so much Thomas. It’s a lovely mug isn’t it? Unfortunately I can’t tell you where it is from or how to find it. It was a gift to me from one of the subs Walt who sent it to me last month. It’s from America but other than that I don’t know. It is a Roger Dean design.

[@IllumeEltanin]

I'm looking forward to Jim moving on past Big Generator. I enjoy BG for what it is, and did see the tour, but while I saw a few tours after that before David joined the band, and tours with David and Davidson, Big Generator is the last Yes album I have listened to. I've heard the occasional tracks, but not full albums. So, I'll be doing first listens along with Jim.

[@JimNewstead]

That will be fun Pam!

[@6lillium]

This album comes on every road trip. I was taken aback when this album came out. What happened to the old " sound"? ..... Lineup change brings different things to the table. And let's not forget that the band also listens to " other stuff" ,and is influenced by it( much what they said in interviews). They felt pigeon holed. It's not too dissimilar to the evolution of Marillion. Later Yes albums never really returned to that 70s yes sound. They'd said all they needed to in that way. So fo me, I just think of Yes in eras , much like Rush , Marillion , and so many other long tenured bands.... I think you'll find this album grows with repeated listening, especially the deep tracks.

[@JimNewstead]

Strangely enough, I think that is my final comment on side two - this needs more listening for it to sink in properly!

[@6lillium]

Can't wait to see side 2 , especially Hearts

[@jeffschielka7845]

@@JimNewstead Have you listened to any YES album more than once on the channel?😎

[@JimNewstead]

@@jeffschielka7845 not yet, actually not ANY album, not just YES. But I think I will at some point do a second listen after I have come to know the music. It might be quite fun!

[@jeffschielka7845]

@@JimNewstead Well with some YES albums as you know it could only be a few songs. I can see you just chillin one day to a bunch of YES albums. Time just flies by!😎

[@lesblatnyak5947]

Jimmy me boy, now that was an honest reaction.

[@jeffschielka7845]

😎

[@JimNewstead]

It was, I'm an honest kinda fella!

[@lesblatnyak5947]

@@JimNewstead especially when your asleep eh, lol.

[@BlindSniperz]

I remember A Bugs Bunny cartoon opened this release's tour shows.. (the one where Bugs was being chased in a slow motion Opera or something.. while on ether) 😎

[@leoscone4036]

Much less guitar driven without Howe. That was tough to get used to back when this came out. And we thought it kind of trite as prog at the time. But...it was the best of prog still anyway. Chris Squire was the longest member being in every variant of YES until his death. Put together Squire and White? Those guys were so familiar with each other. And then Jon. What a voice. But again, part of the vocal magic was that it was always Anderson AND Squire on vocals. Not only was Chris phenomenal as bassist/composer, he and Jon sang together soooo well. For decades. At the time it was kind of a hard sell to hard-core YES fans. But...change happens. You should check out "Magnification", YES's 2001 album. With full orchestra. Best of late era YES. This is a fabulous album.

[@WooBino.]

This version of Yes is missing Steve Howe who was Jon's main writing partner and his guitar. Asia has Howe's sound but also gets stuck in the 80's five minute prog songs and John Wetton is no Jon Anderson as a writer. Pre internet I was just glad to hear that these musicians were still able to put something out.

[@alanweissaltz1882]

The best part of Owner is the intro.

[@zepromz]

Chris Squire once said something along the lines of "Trevor Rabin writes Foreigner songs better than Foreigner". That pretty much sums up this album, a selection of Trevors tunes, filtered through Chris and Jon, and the squeaky clean Trevor Horn production. And yes, there is a massive Art Of Noise connection here, a lot of the samples were reused on the early Art Of Noise releases via Horn working with Fairlight sampler genius JJ Jeczalic at Sarm studio. Despite it being a little too airy (it could do with a little more bottom end in the production, it is absolutely made for radio) this is my favourite post-prog Yes album. PS, the confusing spoken word stuff at 6'00 on "It Can Happen" is taken from a radio dramatisation of "The Importance Of Being Earnest". Loving the channel as always, when are you going to review some Cardiacs? :)

[@JimNewstead]

Cardiacs….. great call. I don’t know, I’ve not scheduled any or have any of their records. I’ll look into it for the future.

[@Rowenband]

To complete this album you should listen to the acapella version of Leave It. It's just amazing…

[@lesimprosdulezardvert1342]

To have Jon Anderson back on the vocals is a wonder.