Yes: The Band Behind The Songs | Full Music Documentary | Jon Anderson | Steve Howe

[@davidparker7920]

When I first hear 'Fragile' in 1971 I was 15 years old and to me it sounded like music from the future. Today it still sounds like music from the future.

[@gigi123ification]

same for me. Well said

[@seanarthurjoyce7366]

"Still sounds like music from the future." Exactly. The test of all great music.

[@davidparker7920]

@@seanarthurjoyce7366 Thank you, I have thought this for a while now and wondered if I were suffering the early signs of old age🤔. And yet I feel the same about some of the 'Fin de siecle' music of Debussy, Ravel, Faure, Satie, Poulenc...what a time to have been alive in Paris!.. Some of that music sounds other worldly to me. I think it's a similar sentiment to that of my love of Gene Rodenberry's vision of the future manifest in Star Trek...Yes' music and Star Trek, two pillars of my early 1970's teenage years and perhaps why I am an incurable optimist. 😊

[@humbledrummer777]

I was only 8 when Fragile came out and I had saved enough money and bought the album. Roundabout sucked me in at an early age. Shaped my musical taste for life.

[@southsidesky]

I have listened to Topographic at least a couple times every week for fifty years. It's brilliant................................................

[@scifiwriter98]

@southsidesky i love Revealing Science of God. It's the last great mellotron performance by Wakeman. I hate knowing he burnt his mellotron to ashes in his garden while drinking champagne.

[@seanarthurjoyce7366]

@@scifiwriter98 Really? I didn't know that. Well I guess like many musicians he'd had enough of frustration with the crankiness and unreliability of the Mellotron. Apparently the Moog synthesizer could be just as difficult on the road. I'm amazed Keith Emerson persisted with it, yet without it his signature sound would be gone.

[@scifiwriter98]

@seanarthurjoyce7366 Wakeman mentioned it in several interviews I've watched on KZbin. I was lucky that mellotron malfunction didn't occur when I saw King Crimson, Yes, and Genesis in concert. But I did get mad when the Strawbs couldn't use theirs due to RF interference. Hearing the mellotron was the main reason I went to see them, and the Hammond wasn't a satisfying substitute.

[@davidparker7920]

I saw Yes in Manchester UK on their Topographic tour in 1973. I was so enamoured with Close to the Edge which they also played that night and thought TFTO was either a step too far or a step back at that time. It has taken me some years to get to appreciate the latter, although I still find some of it a bit weak, it has brilliant moments. Close to the Edge though is IMO a true classic that will be analysed by serious musicians way into the future.

[@seanarthurjoyce7366]

@@scifiwriter98 So lucky-to have seen those bands in concert! I only got to see late-era Yes in Kelowna BC about 10 years ago, probably the last tour Chris Squire did before his death. But no Wakeman in that lineup, so that was disappointing. Still loved it though.

[@jimdukeproject]

Close to the Edge is epic

[@emiliojoseguimaraes6736]

“ Wonderous Stories “ is something out of this world! One of the most incredible song ever! ⭐️⭐️👏🏻

[@paulnewman129]

I've probably seen Yes 40 times since the late 70s, including a recent Jon Anderson concert with The Band Geeks and they were objectively one of the best and most influential bands of all time.

[@101xaplax101]

What you mean to say is that objectively with respect to you they were the most influential…….not necessarily to the rest of the world

[@scifiwriter98]

One of the greatest videos on KZbin is Jon Anderson performing Awaken with the Todmobile orchestra in Iceland. Even Jon says it's the best version of the song. Most comments for the video agree and confess to tearing up at the emotional final section. Please excuse my comment if you've seen it already.

[@scifiwriter98]

​@@101xaplax101Not as influential as Led Zeppelin, but I'd say they influenced musicians in all parts of the world who formed prog bands.

[@101xaplax101]

@@scifiwriter98 totally agree......they were revolutionary in their field.....amazing song writers, performers, etc..... and if you're as old as me you've seen them stand the test of time

[@scifiwriter98]

@101xaplax101 My first Yes concert was the 1972 Fragile tour. I wanted to see the Yes Album tour backed with some new band called ELP but didn't have the $4 for a ticket. LOL The last one I saw was 2015 when they played CTTE, Yes Album, and GFTO. It was Chris Squire's final US tour. There were many great memories of them over the years like seeing the reunited band for 90125. The '79 In the Round concert. Reunion in 1991. The Relayer tour with the hydra monster onstage that lit up and moved. (It was an outdoor festival concert with Peter Frampton and others, and burnt into my memory because I accidentally hit Steve Howe with a Frisbee during his solo acoustic set.) And always waiting in anticipation for Squire to do his leap while playing. I took some incredible 35mm pics from the 3rd row in 1973 that were sadly lost during one of my moves. My favorite was the classic Steve Howe "long hair flying in the face" pose that I've seen in so many other photos of him. Their stage effects included a bubble machine that spewed bubbles over the stage during CTTE, i believe. LOL And many more...

[@paulmcdevitt2038]

I saw Yes during the tour that was eventually used to create Yessongs, one of the best live albums ever. Always a great live performance because they could really play.

[@hollylewis5302]

I saw Yes in the round in Tulsa, OK 9-29-1078 in the round. Wakeman was just on Beato and they discussed how Yes was kind of a "jam" band. They are all brilliant in my mind and heart. I grew up on their music and it is engrained into my soul. Anderson has one of the most ethereal, beautiful and soothing voices I have ever heard! Wakeman is the King of Keyboards! Bruford, Howe, Squire incredible musicians! There will be NO critique from me on any of their music! They are stunning! Thank you to all of the members of YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS! :)

[@markfey-head8208]

I saw Yes in the round too, and the first concert I ever experienced was Yes's from the "Going for the one" tour. Both concerts were magical!

[@ohdearism]

I'm turning this documentary up to 11.

[@johnk4437]

I am 67 and I saw Yes with the Rick Wakeman and all of them in the late 1970s at the Oakland coliseum. And I can still remember Close to the Edge, one of my favorite songs and albums.

[@PaulFormentos]

Steve Howe is the best ever......

[@JimWiggin]

I saw Yes live on the Close to the Edge tour--had not yet heard the album. The Stravinski built to a huge crescendo, all the lights went out for a few seconds and then the bright lights came on, with Yes launching into Siberian Khatru. I was in awe for the next hour as they played the rest of the album. But "And You and I" was the masterpiece of the album? No way, there had never been anything like "Close to the Edge." It was the masterpiece. Also, these guys have not spend enough time listening to and learning Tales from Topographic Oceans. I love Close to the Edge and Relayer, but Tales is the apex.

[@PaulFormentos]

Still can't listen to side three.....

[@johntinker3457]

Saw every tour since 1974 in San Francisco at Winterland, where they played 3 of the 4 sides from Tales in its entirety....at age 19, I was mesmerized...those were the days....finally got to do the 2004 first ever, meet/greet in Concord at the Pavilion. We were told not to attempt to shake hands with Steve Howe..this first time, they just came in the room after the show and just walked around and signed things and talked to us....no corporate crap like 2014, 2019 where they were at a table and people were ushering you to move on. Never forget 2004, about halfway through the meet/greet, Rick Wakeman stands on this chair, looks over at Jon Anderson and says 'Jon, this is great, no one has asked me yet why I did not like Tales"? All of the guys...even Steve Howe were very nice to all of us....that was the 2nd to last show that Jon Anderson, Steve Howe, Chris Squire, Rick Wakeman and Alan White ever played together.....seems like yesterday.

[@davidcox8945]

Very well done interesting doc….I especially liked the guitar riff demos….thx!

[@markflyer2236]

so sad this doc ended without talking about Rrlayer, one of my fav Yes albums, and vindicated the band from the disaster of Tales From Topographic Oceans

[@jimdukeproject]

Relayer was an epic album. Some like Tales. I never got it really. Although Patrick Moraz was a bit much maybe.

[@stevemartin4249]

Agreed (from Japan!). Relayer was the last GREAT Yes album, the other three being The Yes Album, Fragile, and Close to the Edge ... but that might just be a reflection of that time of my life. Now have moved on to jazz, fusion, and things Brazil ... but those 4 Yes albums still hold up well.

[@EstebanPosadaDuque-x4y]

Disaster ? Shame on You to Say so ... Go ahead and listen Rolling Stones : poorest band ever !

[@EstebanPosadaDuque-x4y]

Agree, Jon's voice was the most Unique, next to F. Mercury : " OLIAS " was a Very fine solo álbum : his collaboration with VANGELIS we're also one of the Best ever !

[@tylerthompson1842]

Greatest Prog rock band of all time.

[@John-pc3cx]

Tied with ELP for first.

[@johntinker3457]

@@John-pc3cx And Genesis?

[@John-pc3cx]

@ well they are my favorite, but Genesis and ELP on on Mt. Rushmore.

[@peternicholas2393]

Rob Corich says (5:48) that there's no Yes without Jon Anderson's voice. I would like to direct him to the album "Drama." The fact is that Chris Squire was the heart of Yes.

[@aschule5684]

I agree and for me Yes died when Chris passed, its very sad that Steve continues on now without Jon who was the reason Steve got his job in Yes, it's a tribute band now, the Steve Howe band

[@peternicholas2393]

@@aschule5684: 100% agree.

[@MuzixMaker]

Drama is a great album, but it’s not a Yes album.

[@OzziesRobots]

1978 at MSG with the revolving stage & Wakeman Still have my ticket stub

[@SpookyLuvCookie]

Yes! I've run out of time tonight to watch this ... but I look forward to it when I get time to view. I'll be back. #bookmarked

[@daniellacroix-t9h]

Tales deserves much more consideration because of their many highlights.

[@jamesfetherston1190]

It has highlights?

[@clambeandip]

I disagree with the critic who says "Close To The Edge" wasn't a masterpiece.

[@wm6848]

Saw them at the civic arena in Pittsburgh in '79 in the round,tied as my favorite show with acdc with bon Scott,same year,same arena

[@paulstephenson7503]

Love the contrasting attitudes to Topographic Oceans. From across the channel it is hailed as their finest hours while our Scottish friend bemoans having delivered all those copes of the Sunday Record to be sorely disappointed!

[@chrisdaykin3899]

I was hoping for coverage of a few more albums, going for the one, tormato , but a good overview of the classic early 70's Yes

[@Laura-i2r9r]

Loved “ Owner of A Lonely Heart” and still do to this day!! ❤❤😊😊

[@ohdearism]

Their later stuff had the influence of Trevor Horn.

[@volneijosemartins4283]

A banda da minha vida 🙌🏽✌🏼👊🏽🙏🏻

[@seanarthurjoyce7366]

After the classic trilogy of The Yes Album, Fragile and Close to the Edge-all of which work both as songs and as complete albums-you get some great individual songs or suites like Awaken and Wondrous Stories, but seldom an entire Yes album that reaches the consistency and brilliance of the classic period.

[@walt686868]

Relayer is an amazing record. 100 percent amazing imho.

[@seanarthurjoyce7366]

@theboofin Taste is always such a personal thing. I just found Relayer too chaotic sounding, even grating at times.

[@PaulFormentos]

@@seanarthurjoyce7366 Yeah but only YES could do those tunes, so....

[@julianbarber4708]

Never saw anyone on stage, that looked as good as Chris Squire.

[@robertmueller2023]

I could never figure out why old pal Peter never liked Tales of Topographic Ocean. He liked most of their other LPs. I thought it was their best work and constantly tried to turn him onto it. Four perfect and epic 20-minute long tunes.

[@goldenstreets29]

Saw Yes 3 times. Also I did Jon Anderson's astrology chart for him.

[@stephenzevetchin]

Satanic nonesense.

[@goldenstreets29]

@@stephenzevetchin He's into that stuff

[@lamontprospect9974]

What kind of goes on mentioned is that they were also absolutely brilliant musicians. They couldn't have failed if they tried. Way ahead of their time.

[@robertmueller2023]

90125 tour, April 4, 1984. Loudest concert I ever went. Sitting up in the bleaches with a giant monitor speaker next to us. Great laser show at intermission.

[@robertmueller2023]

We always liked and preferred the extended jams (self-indulgent? Epic) stuff. The golden age of Yes was '73-'77 to us. Tales, Close to the Edge, Gates of Delirium, Awaken.

[@chrisallgod1792]

Awesome

[@genestippell1833]

What turned yes into "Yes" was the addition of Steve Howe. Period. End of story. He was versed in so many different styles of guitar playing, he could pull ideas from anywhere, and it seemed like he had an endless supply of them for a while. Unlike the other big guitar players of the time, he wasn't into being the star, turn up the amp and have all the girls tell them how great he is. Being he gets most of the writing credits on these yes compositions, he crafted in his guitar parts as you would for classical music. People talk about bruford and Chris squire as a great tandem, which they were, but the bigger tandem was Howe & squire. Because howe understood classical guitar and was a world class Chet Atkins picker, he knew how to develop bass lines. So much of his playing during these compositions, is howe just playing triads and rifts that he was pulling from all over. He left the bass line to squire, which freed squire up to use his creativity and become more of a lead instrument. It was a perfect match, squire was the perfect bass player for what howe wanted to do on the guitar. Listen to the guitar work in songs like heart of the sunrise, close to the edge. Sometimes the guitar isn't even noticeable, but is adding so much texture to the song. He didn't feel the need to be Jimmy Page or Eric Clapton. He was a true composer, artist, that only played what needed to be played without hogging the track and giving yes they're totally unique sound. He made squire better, once howe entered the band, to compliment howe , squier had to improve his sound and develop bass lines that were out front and grounded these compositions. The proof is the isolated tracks, take out squier and howes parts seem incomplete. The same is true the other way, on squires isolated track, without howes flourishes, it's incomplete. Take any other band, for example, take the bass player out of Jethro Tull, even led Zeppelin, The who, the songs are still recognizable with punch. And the top it all off, once wakeman entered the band, with all the keyboard sounds he had at his disposal, he knew exactly when and where and what to play. Throw in John Anderson's vocals, and you've got a totally unique sound , a sound that can't be duplicated.

[@miriamgreen3973]

Thank you for this documentary!! ❤ I LOVE YES They don't deride women (f@t bottom girls) The lyrics made me want to illustrate them. Each member had/have top drawer skills. ELO using strings also blew my mind. The cover art was fabulous!! Yes took chances and allowed themselves to make mistakes. That's good self esteem. ❤❤

[@miriamgreen3973]

As a woman, I can sing along with Jon, Bowie, CSN & Freddy. That was a big plus for me.

[@brigidsingleton1596]

I have always liked 'Fat Bottom Girls' and don't think of it as if I was ever being derided in the slightest!! I have listened to Yes on the radio but the only single - and no albums - I ever bought was 'Don't Kill The Whale's which remains a favourite of mine. Jon Anderson _is_ definitely the voice of Yes, but also great with the sadly late Vangelis.

[@F21012013R]

Nice documentary. I grew up with Yes and still play the old albums. It's a pity when they are talking about the drums you see and hear pieces from Yessongs where Alan White was the drummer.

[@albertvinyes4951]

Topographic oceans is, to my opinion, the most accomplished modern music composition ever recorded.

[@dannynewman2]

I clearly liked Tales more than these guys did. I was 14 and loved it ...

[@danfrank9797]

Yes has been my favorite band since The Yes Album. And they always will be imo the most talented band ever. They did, however lose me when they got rid of Jon Anderson when he got sick.

[@EstebanPosadaDuque-x4y]

By the way : extraordinary opinions 25:32 by extraordinary experts , and Jon Anderson 's style / outfits were so cool and original and distinguished him from all !

[@ozne4]

My first concert was Wild Turkey, Yes and Black Sabbath. 1970 I think

[@geddy0109]

“ it was simple but yet very very clever “-( Yours is no Disgrace)- Really These commentators who some of which only can play the radio with an ego of alleged superior musical knowledge infuriate me. Bassist of too many decades here, I can quite assure you that the musicianship on that song/album is quite far from “simple “. Every player on that album displays superior talent- I am of course biased to the late great Chris Squire whose bass on this album is astounding in its complexity, wonderful tone and dynamics sought after by millions of bassist to this day. Simple My ass

[@joeinterrante7873]

Close to the edge. The Fish.

[@pressureworks]

14:47 this guy is simply wrong, they pulled it off BRILLIANTLY !!!

[@alexhall6375]

.. all those talking heads most not born before the Yes Album .. get it? 😅

[@DidierAyel]

They were just so good !!! What else can we say ? Maybe too complex for everybody.

[@caramanico1]

Of my fave progressive classic bands they are 1a because they perfectly hit my personal criteria - excellent individual musicianship, great ensemble playing, and excellent (and varied) songwriting. ELP is 1b. I'll take White over Bruford any time. I absolutely love Drama. Can't stand Genesis. Fave modern prog band is Mostly Autumn.

[@LittleJohnaton]

jeeze a couple of flogs in here with pretty high ideas for whats a 'masterpiece' and what's not!!

[@EstebanPosadaDuque-x4y]

Yes , despite the name : is a respectful musical banda like : GÉNESIS, PINK FLOYD, EMERSON LAKE & PALMER , PROCOL HARUM, MOODY BLUES, SUPERTRAMP, URIAH HEEP... indelebly legacy from Great Britain , regards from Medellín, Colombia.

[@teamorozuk6819]

I’m put off by some of the pundits in this video who have the audacity to criticize Yes’ for not meeting the critics’ expectations - as though the expectations form a prioritized standard against which the music should be measured. That’s completely backwards.

[@johnmartin6050]

These "experts" are missing a few stars off each album reviewed.

[@johnschall7855]

saw them 1976 at the spectrum, in the round, 12th row.

[@InnerLightDimension]

I saw them in ‘76 also. It was in Houston and it was fantastic!

[@humbledrummer777]

We have "genres." Then we have Yes. They are their own genre.

[@solidgroundmusic]

the audio on the first 2 albums is just horrible compared to the YES album. it sounds like its recorded with cheap mics that have too much gain on them.

[@the4thway51]

A real Documentary, unlike all the A I written , stock footage , music corperate garbage here. Shame about the mushy live recordings as soundtrack ! This deserved the originals . I had to stop watching though, FAR too many Advertising breaks.

[@mcmotohistory8770]

KZbin premium 10 bucks a month no commercials worth every penny

[@Jay_Tee2023]

Why does this end after 1973??? LOL Yes is STILL a band!!!!! LMFAO

[@TheMick126]

Roundabout. Owner of a lonely heart

[@donnietobasco9791]

A little like classical music, some Yes songs very NEARLY break out into a rather pleasant tune on occasion. But that's the appeal of prog in many ways......it's a "buffet" of tricky to anticipate......sounds and tempos.

[@joeywisedrums]

Why is a documentary about Yes “the band behind the songs” ENTIRELY POPULATED BY OPINION PIECES

[@LittleJohnaton]

It's quite strange actually isn't it like a school review board going over tracks with occasional input by Steve..

[@joeywisedrums]

@ it’s stupid. Yes is constantly snubbed in every single way

[@pressureworks]

Those oiks are quite annoying, indeed.

[@RakelaK67]

any "music journalist" who didn't like Tales Of Topographic Oceans should never have been given employment reporting on music because it obviously goes over their pinheads.

[@PatrickSmolinski]

Trevor Rabin????

[@Twongo]

These guys have their heads up their asses. I don't know what they know about music, but Yes and prog aint it. They should stick to what they know.

[@peternicholas2393]

And what do *YOU* know about music? If "Yes and prog aint it," what is? Enlighten us. Reveal the depth of your knowledge!

[@johnnyteres]

"It didn't even sound like he was playing bass" - What? I mean, WTF??? If there's anyone who actually IS playing bass, it's the Chugmaster 5000 aka Chris Squire. One of the most ridiculous comments I've heard about his bass playing yet. Are you listening to Yes through a tin can? Holy hell. Get a good stereo or headphones that actually have BASS and Chris Squire will make your windows vibrate.

[@MrSatampra]

Could somebody tell these KZbin dips to stop running twenty-two minute ads?

[@gigi123ification]

I was a total and complete Yes fan, even before Fragile and Close came out. But frankly, I could never get to like/love Tales, it just didn't go anywhere good, some high quality music for elevators befor its time.

[@crosswalklarry]

"It's not a masterpiece." (Typical jealous musician)

[@robbaxter60]

Right I too thought that was a weird way of saying I can’t write anything like that but I know a lot about music theory

[@walt686868]

Yes. A stupid statement on his part.

[@LittleJohnaton]

I know right 😅 what a jaded loser!!

[@paulstephenson7503]

Thought for a moment they weren’t going to give Close to The Edge five stars! Considering it usually comes top in greatest prog polls would have been a little harsh.

[@P3rson.lInf0]

root and bass note are not synonymous guy at 24

[@aa_still2025]

These ‘music critics’ have crap music theory knowledge on the whole. Just saying jargon to sound intelligent!

[@juliodicarlo5313]

journalist: blah blah blah blah blah.

[@Karl-ErikRenhorn]

I really wonder about the way music critics view their place in the world...them trying to come up with after-the -fact explanations of why the music was the way it was etc is sometimes (most of the time) really laughable. Please realise that musicians/bands are in NO WAY obliged to make their music make sense to you! Just listen to it, for god´s sake, and realise how great it is - screw the production, screw the lyrics - the music is great, and it doesn´t have to repeat the most recent album!!

[@richiereverb]

Of course 'Close To The Edge ' is a masterpiece , what is that frenchman on ? A disappointing doco really.

[@doctordetroit4339]

Yes in the 70s was stoner music.....like Floyd and the Dead. You had to be stoned to like it. The 80s were much better.

[@PaulFormentos]

Ya don't gotta be stoned to enjoy ANY great music....the tunes are the drug