Yes- Behind The Ladder

[@peteallennh]

I love The Ladder. One of my favorite Yes albums. I don't know why it doesn't get more respect.

[@danabullerwell8164]

that and Magnification..

[@hubbsllc]

Me too! "Homeworld" is among my favorite Yes songs of all time.

[@nickavenoso7851]

The Ladder and Magnification have recently become two of my favorite Yes albums. Just love them now. My favorite part of both albums is Chris Squire’s presence. You can clearly hear his vocals and bass.

[@KazBodnar]

I see where people are coming from as it's very cheesy. But I like that cheese

[@tieukhavu8832]

@@KazBodnar Cheddar Ladder is amazing

[@genesis0932]

Yes is the real deal. They are masters. Have been since 1968. Mr. Squire will be forever missed.

[@Magnetron33]

Homeworld is a song in the finest YES tradition. Absolutely excellent!

[@hubbsllc]

Completely agree! It sounds like it was such a blast to record it!

[@gdkopinionator4356]

"The Ladder" and "Magnification" were legitimate, and superlative creative works. It wasn't until Anderson had to step aside for health reasons, that Yes really fell. These were pieces of work en-par with the name "Yes."

[@starwarsunfiltered7848]

@@Massachamp08 Respiratory illness. He was fully recovered within a few months. There was a tour already booked (with Jon), and this was after 4 years of no touring, which was a very long time for Yes...the longest hiatus they ever had. The band was itching to get on the road and keep working, and so once the tour was booked, they just decided to honor that commitment to the promoters and fans and head out with a replacement singer. Could it have been handled better? For sure. But the advantage of having Squire or Howe call the shots is that they were able to open up the setlists to rare material from Drama for the first time in 28 years, which is something always vetoed by Jon. It's give and take. I was thankful for the breath of fresh air. The 2004 tour couldn't really be topped anyway. They went out with a great last album with Jon, as well.

[@Magnetron33]

Those are both excellent albums with the real YES feel to them

[@gregdietz5183]

There are entire record companies today that could not assemble this much musical talent in one room.

[@robinwatson4282]

I think The Ladder, while not necessarily a classic in the sense of the usual suspects, actually showcases their most concise/focused songwriting of their entire catalog. Most of the songs have strong melodies and really clear arrangements, a lot of which likely has to do with Igor's input - his parts really sit well in the mix.

[@luvfashion100]

I found this video just by surfing and I just wanted to say I met and knew Bruce and he was a great man in music as well as a great family man. Thanks Bruce for all the help you gave me

[@pryt86]

The ladder is such a great album

[@thekannenball]

pryt86 no it’s not. Listen to rap

[@tieukhavu8832]

"If only you knew" is one my alltime favorite song.

[@erotomaniac51]

K. Neil Sharma you don’t even know yes why are you commenting 😂

[@Magnetron33]

It is a very good album!

[@flowerpower2067]

the game homeworld was how i got into yes in the first place so i have much to thank this album for

[@thekannenball]

Flower Power Homeworld is cancer. Homeworld is Corona. NLE Choppa and Polo G r gods

[@heelstevenmaggle5615]

@@thekannenball How did you even get here? lol

[@thekannenball]

@@heelstevenmaggle5615 IKR

[@erotomaniac51]

K. Neil Sharma imagine being a kid though.

[@thekannenball]

@@erotomaniac51 what?

[@dasdrums]

Love this album. Miss Chris

[@facesonmars]

A really great CD. I wish they kept this line up for a few more albums...

[@cwade3198]

I was fortunate to meet Jon just after the album came out at Bruce Fairbairn's Celebration of Life. Bruce was such a driving force in much of rock music. This album is a great album, but up against the Yes catalogue, well that's a tough competition. I miss you Chris.

[@marcinbaj3000]

I wasnt expecting that Yes will be able to create such a good album in the late 90s. Great piece of work.

[@OVTraveller]

Individually, each of these exemplar musicians have creates a memorable record, with songs which will continue to resonate well into the future only to be rediscovered as classics. In the mean time....loving it in 2022.

[@merlinjones6485]

YES music and Roger Dean artistry. What a magical combination.

[@mikemustang3791]

Waiting for the Trevor reunion, no pun intended. Talk is one of my favorites, completely underrated.

[@genericusername1365]

Although I prefer Yes with Howe, Talk was indeed a really good album. Trevor Rabin did a great job with it.

[@marklechman2225]

Talk is not nearly as bad as everyone claims. I saw them on that tour and Endless Dream done live was mind-blowing. The show was very sparsely attended, though. I recall them literally giving away front-section seats once the show had started.

[@richrogers2944]

If only you knew was our first dance song at our wedding. Great song, great album.

[@AdamLB]

@@thekannenball proof?

[@tieukhavu8832]

@Rich Rogers Thats incredible

[@roccotool]

The Ladder is one sweet song. Rest in peace, Bruce. Your record was the last good one by this band. This is a nice behind the scenes clip, thanks.

[@eennymo]

This was a good album! Remembering that I haven't listened in a while, going to dig it out again!

[@tima557]

Wow, all the bad reviews. I find that amazing. I agree upon first listening "The Ladder" was a surprise...a lot of songs, and very pop like. If I needed or wanted YES to make another extended play rock masterpiece, this wasn't it. But I have listened to YES since the beginning of their presence in the U.S. and I expect them to constantly grow and reach out to the boundaries of music. I believe the first mistake most people make is not to read the lyrics with the songs. For YES, it's an essential step to understand the story that's been written. This one step will connect you to the music in a way that makes you part of album, not just some listening fan. We all have our opinion of what we expect from YES. I say "The Ladder" is an excellent example of Prog Rock at it's finest...ever growing, ever changing: Eleven tunes of pure YES nirvana.

[@marmas58ink]

16 years later... I'm finally seeing the promo-video for TL. Interviews didn't have to be edited down quite so much... guess it'll be a long wait for the extended or unedited version.

[@remisramosc]

I remember bits of this video being on the HOMEWORLD videogame promo. I still cry a little remembering the transformative experience that game and its song was back in 1999 for me.

[@saubervonHerzen]

I remember hearing Homeworld for the first time sitting in traffic a few days before NYE 1999 on the way into Big Cypress for the Phish festival.

[@amour4all]

Wow! Cool to see this from this Fantastic Album!

[@cydog510]

miss you bruce. HUGE influence on my life. cyrus.

[@heliodecastro9926]

I saw in Brasil Rock in Rio , Always in my mind ,THANKS a lot

[@ricardopaiva9731]

O melhor show de TODOS os Rock in Rio...

[@roboneil408]

There is some great YES music on this "album".

[@philmansfield8825]

Just recorded in this studio last week...this was Bruce Fairbairn's last project. He passed while this album was being recorded

[@steeltag]

very cool to watch this!!! thanks so much for posting it!

[@Randomfishystuff1]

Music is all we have sometimes in life to reflect on life and lift us,yes does that on many levels,love,life,loss,many years followed this band and always something new and different to make us think, whatever the band's set up and configuration the spirit is still there,two different yes band's at the moment both have new sounds and messages to listen to but equally satisfying on different levels,best of both worlds,, seperat ways for all band members but we hope one day for unity for that magic again.

[@Iriscal]

Homeworld 3 I WANT TO BELIEVE

[@olivierrodriguesneto5995]

well, seems like your desire came true...

[@Some_Cat_]

To find out Homeworld is based on a game when, a couple of days ago I'd been playing Air Buster while listening to the song, blows my mind! 🤯. Exactly the right vibe.

[@cricketkosko9541]

Such exceptions to the exception♥️🙏

[@HiltonWhoretels]

Where's Alan White when all this going on? He's very deliberately left out of all this footage... was he drunk in a corner somewhere being kept out of shot?

[@GES8215]

Nice to see you Chris.. 😢

[@pjones9088]

Fantastic album.

[@kennatiousc]

jon admits he can't create yes music without chris squire;and steve howe;so why do they think they can without him?

[@kennatiousc]

and they broke up afterwards until 4 years later with the return of jon anderson; but without steve howe.

[@kennatiousc]

ok, i stand corrected

[@starwarsunfiltered7848]

Because they can. They proved this in 1980.

[@KurtRichterCISSP]

@@starwarsunfiltered7848 yeah but they haven't proved it since then. Starting to look pretty darn anecdotal

[@starwarsunfiltered7848]

@@KurtRichterCISSP Fly From Here was the best Yes album since The Ladder, and love or hate it, but Heaven & Earth has a few good songs too. Which is tons more music than ARW put out.

[@tonyrome3119]

miss the Squire

[@Walt_the_brave]

The Ladder was a very good Album! - Homeworld is among the 5 best YES Tracks ever would say. That was the first Yes Album (may be since 90125?) that had a "strong character" in my opinion

[@CaseyVan]

This is the last really awesome album that Yes did. They did good albums after this, but this is the last really outstanding thing they did. It's so fresh, and still Yes. But what's up with Chris' hairdo and beads?

[@petemarr824]

+Casey Van Magnification was a better album.

[@CaseyVan]

I don't like the orchestrations on it. It is distracting. The Ladder rocks.

[@Kruegerisgod]

I love Yes

[@caifabe8050]

wow, this was a really divisive album among the fanbase, wasn't it? personally, The Ladder is my favourite Yes album, with Close to the Edge being a close second and Magnification rounding out my top 3

[@Massachamp08]

wow I got a very similar list in terms of top Yes albums, personally for me, Igor Khoroshev is the best keyboard player Yes have had since Rick Wakeman left the band, such a shame he couldn't keep his act together, The Ladder lineup from about 1997-2000 is Yes's best lineup post Union and I don't think it's very close

[@wardka]

I think it's a shame that the Big Generator and Union era may have turned a lot of core fans away, being a bit more commercial sounding, whether by accident or design. I think most of the albums from Talk onward are a return to form -- especially the longer form compositions on Keys to Ascension. There is always something of value on every album.

[@johnwitt583]

This is a great album

[@Retroscoop]

Oopsss... smile at each other and be friends... In a more recent interview, that become something very different... Having said that, a great album, that is surprisingly badly known throughout the KZbin community for one reason or another, as are the following albums.

[@Pieriv]

fine, never seen this before, thanks ! :))

[@sarcasticguy4311]

I'd pay real money to see studio shots of New Language being played.

[@coachpete5756]

not only was the ladder great... the ladder concert tour was my favorite

[@Olegzyan]

amazing fabulous album! I suppose it is their last best!

[@RickNBacker]

Not crazy about the album apart from Homeworld, which is great, but I do enjoy seeing the lads at work in the studio.

[@coolatheart]

Igor was A YES Music genius. He was as good as any keyboardist YES has had.

[@Retroscoop]

+coolatheart even if his fingers weren't only fiddling on keyboards.... Now that's what I call a bad career move. If you are in a superband, try to stay in it....

[@leosullivan9228]

whats so wrong about liking the ladies? Even all the ladies? All they need is LOVE...

[@Retroscoop]

Leo Sullivan "It takes two to tango", that was what was wrong with it. And in his case, the ladies didn't like it. Let alone LOVE it.

[@jesuschavira8189]

I loved Igor's playing! Very heartfelt at times.

[@pgsbox24]

The live album House of Yes, is my favorite

[@timin770]

"After completing recording sessions for a forthcoming release from Yes (The Ladder), on May 17, 1999 Bruce Fairbairn was found dead by Jon Anderson in his Vancouver home. He was survived by his wife Julie, with whom he had three sons: Scott, Kevin and Brent." wiki

[@rikuperhoniemi8639]

Where’s Alan?🥰 Was just away for the interviews?😅

[@scottarnold9373]

Yes ended in 2003....I understand there is a cover band with some folks from Asia.

[@PEARTIAN]

You're missing out -oh well

[@skeletontigers6960]

actually they are still touring, i know what you mean, its not the same without Anderson, but i got to see them and its pretty damn close. i mean these guys have been playing these songs for decades

[@thesummitbandkc7481]

Life is fluid and ever changing.

[@scottarnold9373]

Yeah, but recreating the sound isn't enough. Anderson was the quirky, hippie who gave the band its soul

[@tieukhavu8832]

Classic Progrock Family

[@oicduc]

You dont let singers like that go free...

[@theDaoistBean]

To put an even finer point on what Jon says here, Yes music happens when Jon and Chris play together. They are the two essential ingredients. And now that Chris has passed from here and Jon is no longer singing with the band, I hope that Steve and Alan will see fit to retire the name once they have fulfilled their current tour commitments. I support them continuing to play, and even play the Yes catalog with whichever musicians they see fit, just don't call it Yes.

[@jonp4846]

John Morales Because that would somehow stain or otherwise alter what they've done previously? They do it first, and foremost, for themselves. What we think doesn't mean shit. Looking forward to Jon and Jean Luc Ponty stuff coming out soon ;)

[@ricky4001cs]

Your even finger belongs to you and you alone, don't put it on other people. If you don't want to stay with what Yes is doing then move on, just stop this BS of wanting to end what others are enjoying because you are not enjoying it. Your selfishness has no value to me.

[@theDaoistBean]

+ricky4001cs I would thank you to leave my fingers out of this. Please read carefully, I am not saying they should stop what they are doing or end anyone's enjoyment of it, rather I am making a point about the use of the name. I don't see how the music is lessened by calling it something besides Yes. On the other hand, Steve, Alan et al. will be free to make what music they want without the expectations that it be Yes music. And the listeners will know that this is going to be different than a band helmed by Chris and Jon. Seems like a win win to me.

[@jonp4846]

John Morales If it still resembles enough of the Yes sound, I don't care. Honestly, I don't actually care what they call it. It's all about the music for me. Chris' words when he was getting too ill to perform - to the effect of "the show should go, even if I can't be there" said it the best for me.

[@theDaoistBean]

+Jonp Point taken, this was not the time or place to begin a brand management discussion. If there are people that like what they are doing these days and like that it is called Yes, then so be it. Personally, Yes for me is in the great music that was done in the past. But for those who are still following what's left of the band, I say enjoy!

[@sentient02970]

Drink when Chris says "you know"

[@lordbach01]

"Jon's got more hair and I got less" :)

[@BillyHighlightPics]

yes is the best from the francis read days until now 2013 come back jon anderson he is a driving force behind or in the front man so please comeback.

[@davidbranin969]

Keep telling myself to get off my stodgy classic 70's Yes music only and give the later stuff an honest chance but I'm probably clicking on Wurm live for the 493th time.

[@BggProductions]

Agree 100%!!!

[@awaken77]

Igor Khoroshev plays on Hammond B3 3:40. So sad that he fas fired from the band

[@johncase2408]

Yeah, he is a creative force too. I wish they could have given him a spanking and keeping him. They were on a course to make some new good music.

[@monicadonnelly4991]

Aaah Steve looks so cute

[@buminbeer2]

Since Chris died, he was the only one, on every recording. He owned the Yes name. Sad, but guessing the brand is now gone...

[@jaquestraw1]

Don't turn your back Jon, your "friends" may stab you when you least expect it

[@Kruegerisgod]

what about Magnification?

[@KlausSgroi]

Does anyone have the faintest idea why Alan is not there?

[@Driver2616]

He lives in Seattle. His drum parts were recorded separately

[@dzre2087]

SKIP "THE LADDER". Mostly generic YES. "MAGNIFICATION" shocked me by having some SUPER-STRONG cuts. "In the presence of..." is up there as a YES Classic, no joke!

[@dzre2087]

THE LADDER is as inspired as it's 4th-rate Roger Dean artwork.

[@Hexmail787]

Empire Goodness "In the Presence of" is so powerful, I can't get enough of it

[@CaseyVan]

Chis speaks at 6:55

[@scotty]

Yes was at the top for me HOWEVER when wakeman returned after Relayer they seemed to be trying as this guy in the video says to REcreate what made them 'POPULAR' and all they wanted was another Roundabout not because it was great but because it was popular. THEY stopped experimenting taking chances no more Close To The Edges they struggled to be popular No more innovations no more unusual surprises they went pop as did Genesis on tour they simply kept playing the same stuff. Only Bruford kept exploring and taking chances

[@leonardonado9738]

Where is Alan ??

[@xeractus]

It's extremely weird to see Yes with two guitarists in.

[@Robert_St-Preux]

Apparently, Steve agreed.

[@tieukhavu8832]

I like it. It sounds more orchestrated with two keyboard players and two guitarists.

[@saarnoldbhm]

My instinct was to disagree, but the more I thought about it the more I tend to agree. They have had some good songs since then, particularly "Turn of the Century" and "Song to the Lamb" and "Nine Voices," but all of these are quiet almost solo pieces. Yeah, maybe you are right after all about them not outdoing themselves since RELAYER. Of course when you treat people in your own band like they do its not any wonder they can't live up to their fullest potential anymore.

[@julio_scissors]

Igor is a madman

[@o_guguito]

The last great Yes album.

[@dreadpirateroberts4052]

Was Igors dad Jaws from the James Bond films?

[@marklechman2225]

Damned shame Igor had to be a perv. He was the best thing since Wakeman.

[@jeffe4297]

Mark Lechman I agree. He was very talented and had the “Wakeman flair”. Saw him in Germany in 1998 for their Open Your Eyes tour and was blown away by his creativity.

[@Massachamp08]

I agree, he was extremely talented, he couldve been in the band for a very long time

[@jessf7910]

The vibe of this interview is "marriage/family counseling." There's a lot of great work going on, but the forced optimism here makes me profoundly sad. Jon seems like he could really use a hug.

[@saarnoldbhm]

I stand by what I said.

[@pleased9]

Where the hell are the Alan White interviews?

[@saarnoldbhm]

This was the last good Yes Album.

[@Magnetron33]

I think Magnification was excellent.

[@Robert_St-Preux]

I don't believe all that hair on Jon's head, and neither does Chris. 7:41 Watch the side-eye Steve gives Billy at 10:18 and the looks on his face while Billy goes on and on. It's as if he's thinking, "Why are you even talking???"

[@MarkAhrens-HeritageFilms]

I guess Alan couldn’t make the shoot?

[@220773]

What happened to the Russian guy?

[@220773]

@John Stephens uh, aye, now I remember. Is he all right now?

[@108vasudeva]

Steve Howe IS the Stephen Hawking of modern electric guitar..

[@13timmy30]

It's actually my favorite album

[@rodspacer]

No way they recorded like this?!

[@PutItAway101]

rodspacer Like what? In a recording studio? Playing instruments? I don't really see what's so puzzling here...

[@rodspacer]

All together I mean, with least separation through channels.

[@rodspacer]

Oh! Then ok :)

[@BillySherwoodHQ]

+TrippingOverGod Actually.... we did record it just like that, live at Fairbarne's studio. I always find it kind of funny when people "KNOW" exactly what happened, despite not being there lol :)

[@evankeal]

I was surprised to see Jon using an SM-57 mic. I can safely say that is definitely not the room Jon was in when recording vocals, and he wouldn't have been allowed to use an SM-57 on the voice as he is here.

[@wigginsdesign]

Actually I think MAG is better than The Ladder but truly besides the masterpiece song "Awaken" they never have outdone themselves since RELAYER....imho

[@ZendaKenn]

Such a waste Igor Koroshev, he was really good. Too bad, too bad.

[@hm_nn_5633]

Too "pop-pish" for me. Yes fan from Day 1.

[@curiousted]

The Ladder was not one of Yes' best albums. The tour to promote it was great, but the album-not so much.

[@jobstludwig6197]

Howe ist so unsympathisch 😢😢😢😢

[@TheMaurobala]

I do love Yes, but The ladder is far their worst album.

[@ejc8017]

One of the worst albums of yes along open your eyes.

[@Bosiota1]

The worst album. No ispiration

[@chrisfeltman1902]

Disagree... I'm torn between this and GFTO

[@pookie67]

unfortunately one of their weaker albums

[@dannybreidenbach6385]

With the magnificent discography they have, something has to be "weaker." Personally, I enjoy the hell out of The Ladder, but that's cool thing about taste --- we can all be right. (Pretty much.)