Yes- South Side of the Sky (First Listen)

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Yes- South Side of the Sky: • South Side of the Sky ...

[@jpmp1201]

Don't forget to join me on my solo channel! Thanks guys! JustJP: kzbin.info/door/oCnigPHrb-Fpim48wbKxLg

[@porflepopnecker4376]

I love Chris Squire's voice. It really comes to the fore in the "la la la" part in the middle section.

[@jpmp1201]

Love that part! -JP

[@stevebinning977]

Steve Howes guitar on this is outstanding

[@AdamSternberg]

As is Rick Wakeman's piano in the middle. To me, that's what makes this song. It's basically a story within a story.

[@bartstarr100]

Mood for a day is a masterpiece

[@misate8993]

Heart Of The Sunrise next Yes song? Its maybe one of the best songs in there catalog, A masterpiece.

[@TheRamsay]

Best song on Fragile. They should do Close to The Edge too

[@barbarac9805]

It's clear these guys don't like progressive rock and aren't capable of understanding the depth and artistry of Yes.

[@howardblecher167]

Stefan Marstrander My thought on that, too. I still love Roundabout, as well, but HotS is def one of their best.

[@MissAstorDancer]

@@barbarac9805 Some people get Yes on first listen, even songs like "Close to The Edge". Some get it on second or third listens. Some never get it.

[@pinkraven4402]

He done it on solo channel :)

[@Nitrate900]

"Of all the genres I listen to, progressive rock is my least favourite". Dude, progressive rock requires your attention. It's not like today's top 40 stuff, it's more complex than that. Dig into it with more attention, and try to really understand what you are listening to, and to catch all the influences (jazz, classical music, folk, avant-garde, funk). You are really missing out, believe me. In fact, it really is the most complex genre ever appeared in popular music.

[@brismike56]

He won't get it . . Has not got the attention span required.

[@tomsuit124]

This song is about polar explorers who froze to death. It's a dark song.

[@kenmathis9380]

Like so many before me, i concur: Awaken is, for me , the high water mark for this band. The crescendo of that song brings me to tears, it is freaking GLORIOUS! GLORIOUS, I tell you. Keep up the great content!

[@floorticket]

"Roundabout" and "Long Distance Runaround" from this album. Yeah ... Yes can be an acquired taste.

[@anapurnah]

"Roundabout" for sure!

[@lindazee]

Not at all! First time I heard them back in 1972, I was a teenager and I was instantly hooked. Progressive rock is hard as a general rule, for those who didn't grow up around this type of concept music, to understand or embrace it. It's more akin to classical music than it is to regular pop or rock music, conceptually speaking...but there are many who do get it. Just perhaps not these guys.

[@MissAstorDancer]

@@lindazee I think Justin will eventually get Yes, if he continues to listen. Hopefully, he will listen to songs more than once.

[@franco5506]

That album is a gem! My fav of them. Fragile is formed of nine tracks; four are "group arranged and performed" with the remaining five being "the individual ideas, personally arranged and organised" by the five members

[@AyoubBelkhiri]

great reaction guys. i like how honest you are, unlike a lot of reaction channels that just pretend to like the music to satisfy the viewers. here are some progressive rock songs you might want to check out: king crimson - the night watch king crimson - starless yes - heart of the sunrise pink floyd - pigs (three different ones) pink floyd - brain damage/eclipse frank zappa - peaches en regalia supertramp - crime of the century genesis - watcher of the skies keep up the great work guys! much love from algeria

[@TheJthom9]

More of the King Crimson, less of the Supertramp

[@AyoubBelkhiri]

​@@TheJthom9 not a big supertramp fan either, it's just a decent intro the genre.

[@jpmp1201]

Appreciate it! We're just trying out new music that we're not familiar with; that doesn't mean we'll necessarily love everything we find. But we're happy to keep searching. -JP

[@topographic1973ify]

Awaken from the Going For The One Album. This is a group one either likes or doesn't. Be aware how long ago this album was made. Before their time. Personally I don't want to turn my brain off, I want to be engaged and think. One aspect you may not be hitting on is that a lot of Yes fans hit a place of spirituality with Yes music. That may seem odd, but it's true so they tend to not only listen to the music, but seek some sort of "cosmic mind" within the music.

[@ionakiya2448]

Please try listening to Awaken by YES......lyrically sublime and enjoy the journey to the higher source.

[@anapurnah]

I love Awaken now. But I remember not liking it so much the first few times I listened to it so I would be surprised if these guys like it on their first listen.

[@barbarac9805]

I don't think these guys really get Yes...are really capable of appreciating the talent and artistry of Yes, not everybody can.

[@neilpataja8005]

The stark and haunting piano passage, leading into and out of it, is one of my favorite musical passages ever. It stirs something visual for me. This is something only prog rock can do. But it is like a magic eye poster. If you see it, you will always see it. If you don't, we encourage you to keep trying (and stop whining that you don't). It will add to your life.

[@pdcrmr]

Always loved Yes songs that feature Chris Squire and the amazing tone from his (I’m guessing his favoured Rickenbacker) bass.

[@BackLooking]

Please, do Awaken. I would love to see your reaction to it.

[@Raiderblack]

Love love love love love! Progressive takes more than one listen to resonate... always... where some songs click right away..tgey grow old .... these songs get stronger....

[@elpfan4202]

Exactly, Manny, try listening to it a couple three times. The complexity is there and takes some time to appreciate. There are so many transitions that catch you. Chris Squire's bass was just incredible.

[@goldenostrichman]

The whole song is amazing, but the lala lalalala part is out of this world amazing

[@TheRamsay]

Trust me when I say that prog rock has so much stuff you will appreciate. If you haven't listened to Close to the Edge or Awaken you may change your view on prog rock

[@jpmp1201]

Oh we're sure theres something more we'll enjoy (besides Genesis, lol). That's why we keep on trying! -JP

[@barbarac9805]

Nah, they won't get it.

[@jpmp1201]

@@barbarac9805 Lol

[@mikereiss4216]

@@barbarac9805 I would tend to agree. Prog rock isn't for everyone.

[@mikereiss4216]

Also, there's plenty of people who like Rush and Pink Floyd but hate Yes and other typical prog bands.

[@mericet39]

My suggestions: Yes - The Gates of Delirium - there's a long song which you'll either love or hate, and out of all Yes, I think it's probably the most 'acquired taste' song. Also: Van Der Graaf Generator - Man Erg.

[@leonardlekovitch9845]

One of my favorite Yes tunes. I think they wrote it about the Shackleton expedition.

[@JoeEmptySea]

as a longtime prog fan i really respect you guys for giving bands like Yes a chance even if it isn't your preferred genre. it's really interesting to hear the thoughts of someone who has never heard the song before.

[@jpmp1201]

Thanks for watching! We love searching for and discovering new music, whether we like it or not. -JP

[@anapurnah]

I would love to hear you guys react to Lazy by Deep Purple

[@jlhilbert1]

Anapurnah I’ve asked for that one too.

[@MissAstorDancer]

@@jlhilbert1 Excellent hard rock suggestion!!!

[@tonyt6481]

The bass and the guitar harmonizing was pretty cool I like the piano solo kind of sounds like a movie score i'll give it about a 3.8

[@colinjones5379]

Not all Yes lyrics mean something, but these do. This is a song about antarctic explorerers like the Amundsen expedition. The loss of focus in the middle, to me, represents the delirium of being pushed to the absolute bodily and mental limit in the most hostile environement on earth. It's a surprisingly cinematic and direct piece of music once you know what it's about.

[@rosenfield10]

You know how I feel about Genesis. Please react to "The Musical Box" (I'll explain the meaning before the reaction on Twitter. Let me know) or "In the Cage" (the live versions with added melodies of "The Cinema Show", "The Colony of Slippermen", and "Afterglow" is mind-blowing). Thanks!

[@anapurnah]

Yes! The live version of "In the Cage" from "Three Sides Live" is amazing! Would love to hear them react to that one.

[@Vince-lq3ve]

@Star Wars Tragedy Manny acknowledged listening to the entire album by himself already which probably negates a "first listen" of anything else off of Selling England by the Pound. Luckily, there is a ton of other excellent and different material in the Genesis catalog for them to try. tsk tsk Manny!

[@Ignats75]

@@anapurnah Since Genesis cut their teeth and won their stripes as it were as a live band, I wholehheartedly agree that the In The Cage medley from Three Sides Live is awesome. One of my personal favorite playlists that I have made is one I named "Signatures" and I included that as the Genesis representation on it. I cheated and also have Suppers Ready, but that's by Steve Hackett from Live at Hammersmith Odeon. Sue me. :D

[@ErickMcNerney]

I actually like the weird, tangent like stuff (not "straight forward") in Genesis' Selling England By The Pound. You could argue that "Cinema Show" does that at little but, and also "The Battle Of Epping Forest." Some weird stuff, but it grows on you.

[@ErickMcNerney]

I would really just like to see your reaction to "The Battle Of Epping Forest." I didn't like it much the first time I heard it. But much like classical music, Genesis' music requires more than one listen (yes, I know this video isn't about them).

[@chroniquephilousophique9983]

Love you guys! So fun watching you discovering some of my favorite song! Music is a bliss😃 on the same album hearth of the sunrise is marvelous!

[@jpmp1201]

Thank you so much!

[@philiposso8644]

Why has no one mentioned Gates of Delirium?

[@jpmp1201]

I think I've seen it mentioned every once in a while. -Jp

[@johndotter603]

You probably had to live during the time to really appreciate YES as a Progressive Rock Band in the 70's I know I did speaking from experience! Progressive Rock was never mainstream but it is very original with instrumentation and vocal harmony. You have to remember there is always a story within YESSONGS!

[@gannon5409]

Yes these guy retired my brain. I was blessed to be introduced to them when I was 15

[@johndotter603]

SOUTHSIDE OF THE SKY A river a mountain to be crossed The sunshine in mountains sometimes lost Around the south side so cold that we cried Were we ever colder on that day A million miles away It seemed from all eternity Move forward was my friend's only cry In deeper to somewhere we could lie And rest for the the day with cold in the way Were we ever colder on that day A million miles away It seemed from all eternity The moments seemed lost in all the noise A snow storm a stimulating voice Of warmth of the sky of warmth when you die Were we ever warmer on that day A million Miles away We seemed from all eternity La la la la la la, la la la la la la la la The moments seemed lost in all the noise A snow storm a stimulating voice Of warmth of the sky of warmth when you die Were we ever warmer on that day A million Miles away We seemed from all eternity The sunshine in mountains sometimes lost The river can disregard the cost And melt in the sky warmth when you die Were we ever warmer on that day a million miles away We seemed from all of eternity

[@rayfitch7878]

Yes - Going for the one ... intense

[@Biofilmz]

I freaking love this song. Yet not the best Yes.

[@32anna2538]

Rick Wakeman once said you're not going to get the average punter on the street to show up for a Yes concert. You have to love them to come.

[@Brax1982]

In the meantime, I listened to all the Yes albums up to the 80's, the one with Owner of a Lonely Heart. Turned that off after the next song. This is the Yes that I was familiar with and that I still don't like. But the Yes before that, I see myself becoming a fan of. Especially this album, which starts with the awesome Roundabout, recently of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure's fame. And apparently Yes liked the motifs in that song so much, they keep bringing them back, not only in South Side of the Sky, but in most of the songs on the album. Still, I don't think this song holds up through the entire length. The - very repetitive - groovy parts clash too much against the somber, dissonant middle part. Which in itself is ok, but that middle part doesn't do all that much. Compared to Firth of Fifth, it's quite simplistic and indeed does not flow well. Update: Dat groove, tho! Couldn't get it out of my head, today. Update #2: Forget it. Scratch that nonsense I said. This is a song that has grown on me with repeated listen. I look forward to it every time I play the album, now. Not just the groovy parts. ALL of it. Nothing wrong with it. That's one of those that don't ignite on the first listen. Considering that this whole record was sort of a rush job, it's a very good one - probably the best, I know - all the way through.

[@markjacobsen8335]

Good comment. Most YES takes 3 or 4 listens to really click, and once it does it's an amazing thing. Been a huge fan for about four decades. Cheers.

[@auto2112]

Middle part is the best bit of rhe song!

[@greenbluemonkey]

Do the whole "Close to the Edge" song by Yes.

[@georgeditzel3504]

At the time these bands were 1st around " prog rock" and " classic rock " we're not a genre. 5 years before this album was recorded the most progressive music out there was Magical Mystery by the Beatles and a couple other similar experimental albums.

[@robertjankey5919]

You guys love this!!!!

[@JeromeDukes]

I love Yes, second only to my favorite band of all time Rush. This song is not one of my favorites of Yes, mostly because the melodies don't capture my attention. However, instrumentally I liked the bass and guitar. I give the song a 3.5. Please react to Rush's "Natural Science".

[@jimbricker4982]

Natural Science >>> +1

[@mikereiss4216]

Just the reverse for me. Rush is my number two and Yes my number one. Rush is maybe a better band over all but I feel Yes's music went a bit deeper imo.

[@guym1234]

Rush doesn't exist without YES.......fact.

[@manualboyca]

This is an obscure song to start off with Yes. Try “yours is no disgrace,” “starship trooper”, “roundabout”, or “heart of the sunrise.”

[@sseltrek1a2b]

you guys are quite humorous, and love that you're taking a chance on stuff you normally don't listen to...

[@jpmp1201]

Thanks Steve!

[@todvball]

Glad you reached to this song! It's been eons....! Fav part is how the bass lays heavy undertones to the high voice. Piano good...and mysterious! Thx again!

[@jpmp1201]

Thank YOU for watching!

[@kevinburke5463]

What you have to remember about progressive rock, is that it incorporates elements of rock, classical, jazz, blues, etc. It’s marked by its complex layering and time signature changes. It takes you over mountains and down into valleys of a musical journey. It’s hard for a lot of folks that are new to it, I think, because they’re not sure whether to simply listen to it or actually experience it. Admittedly, it’s not everyone’s cup of (insert beverage of your choice). And that’s perfectly fine as we all are unique individuals. Thank goodness for that! 😊

[@jacquesdemolay2699]

It is in the nature of Progressive Rock to have numerous movements in one same track. The movements may or may not flow 'logically' into one another and the surprise is also part of that genre. Flowness is by no means a criteria of quality of a song. This would remove surprise effects. Progressive Rock was meant to be unlike any other genres while borrowing from other genres (classical, Rock, Blues, etc.). Genesis' Firth of Fifth movements chain very smoothly but this is the exception rather than the rule.

[@mjc01]

IMO Heart of the Sunrise, from this album, is much better. The pinnacle for them was Close to the Edge (from Close to the Edge).

[@BrianR.]

Good one guys!

[@yesshows100]

After after you listen to YES - Starship Trooper - 6/19/79 Boston Garden you will realize that YES is the best band ever! No contest! Beyond mind - boggling!

[@yesshows100]

@Ren ok. Listen to the studio versions. But the YES live versions from the 1970's are way better than the studio versions. I've listened to the studio versions 1,000 times.

[@maraboo72]

@@yesshows100 I also prefer the Yessongs LP before the studio sessions. There is much more life in them. I remember that I heard the studio version of "Close to the Edge" after Yessongs and I felt a bit disappointed.

[@yesshows100]

@@maraboo72 Yup. All I used to listen to from Yessongs when I got the 3 lps in the 1970s was Yours is no Disgrace and Starship Trooper. 1,000 times. Then I listened to the Studio version of Close to the Edge. Beyond belief. Then I listened to the live version from Yessongs and the rest of the 3 albums. Case closed! That's why they are the greatest ever from 1970 -1979! Then Starship trooper and Roundabout from 10/28/78 Wembley happened and that was all she wrote. The studio version of Yours is no disgrace is the greatest ever, until you listen to a live versions from the 1970's. Sickest thing ever. Same thing goes for And You and I and everything! I saw the last real Yesshow 6/30/79 In the Round" last show of the Tormato Tour. Miami/Hollywood, Fl. End of an era!

[@skybluemarshall]

One of the great things about Prog Rock and Prog Metal are the literary and storytelling elements. Yes was mostly known for lyrics that were designed to paint soundscapes, rather than the words themselves having very much meaning. They often used abstract lyrics to evoke thoughts and emotions on the part of listeners. For example: "Hot color, melting the anger to stone" from Long Distance Runaround". It doesn't have to actually mean anything to evoke thoughts or emotions, because the poetry in the words can you make feel something and it sounds very interesting. This song is less abstract than most of the other Yessongs (album name drop). This song is about two things: It's about the beauty that can be found in death (according to some Eastern religions) and crossing over into a higher plane of consciousness. The metaphor for this concept is a failed Arctic expedition, like that of Robert Falcon "Scott of the Antarctic", who froze to death with his men, while attempting to reach the South Pole between 1910-1913. Yes never mentioned the Scott expedition directly, but the liner notes for the Fragile album remaster said, the song was about "A tragic polar expedition that ends in death". This would certainly describe Scott's final expedition. The beauty of death part, was inspired by an article that Jon Anderson read, which claimed, "sleep is death's little sister", meaning, death is not the end, it's merely a transition to another state of consciousness. The song lyrics look at the the idea that frozen landscapes like the Antarctic, are both beautiful and potentially deadly. Although, freezing to death is terribly painful, it's been said that the very end of life, can be very peaceful for some people. Once you become completely numb and can no longer feel the pain, there is sometimes a feeling of warmth that overcomes the body, as you accept death and slowly slip away into sleep and into the unknown. Anyway, that's the theory. This song is meant to be both a literal and figurative look at the acceptance of death. These are the types of big ideas and concepts that Prog provides on a regular basis and most other music avoids. That's why I love Prog.

[@jbx30001]

I've read that the song is about some dudes that scaled Mount Everest but didn't survive.

[@scottvail1437]

Unbelievable guitar track.......................... one of the best ever. Guitar.

[@TrevRockOne]

In my experience, Genesis is more accessible, but Yes is ultimately much more rewarding.

[@yes_head]

You'd put this on to chill? That's some of Steve Howe's most feeee-rocious guitar playing, and Jon Anderson has rarely ever rocked a vocal as hard as this. The central choral section is admittedly more chill, but the model there was Crosby Stills and Nash. Great singing married to great instrumental playing -- that was Yes' mantra and this track ticks both boxes! What's also interesting about this song is they never played it live back in the day. It wasn't until the early aughts tours that Yes dusted this off in concert (the advent of pitch correction technology definitely helped!)

[@davidpeters44]

May I suggest Starship Trooper or Yours is No Disgrace as a good introduction to classic Yes.

[@michaelyork4554]

This is about a Mountain climbing expedition as a Metaphor for life. When you are that exposed life and death hang in the balance. For instance a song like Yours Is No Disgrace, which I would suggest you listen to from YESSONGS, is about the Vietnam War, but brings in imagery that is metaphorical as well. When using metaphors and figures of speech it give the song writer greater liberties for using phrases that can be fit into the measures, especially when odd time signatures are used and changing back and forth. FREE YOUR MIND

[@jpmp1201]

Thanks Michael!

[@ArmedApe]

Nothing wrecks a perspective on a band that's relatively new to a listener than going with the wrong song. So far you guys are 2 for 2 on going with the wrong songs to review from Yes. For someone new to Yes, I'd recommend Roundabout, Starship Trooper, or Siberian Khatru. You don't jump into the deep end off the bat, you wade in slowly with this band. I know you guys dug Genesis, but bands like them and Rush were the poor man's version of Yes. You are starting to read a book by going to Chapter 10. Go to the first chapter with one of the songs I listed, and you'll start to get a better idea of what these guys were about.

[@jpmp1201]

Hahaha :D We'll revisit them again in the future; I just chose a song that I saw pop up a lot in the recs. -JP

[@ArmedApe]

Hope it didn't come off as a shot at you guys, wasn't meant to be, I do enjoy your videos, just hate to see the OG's of prog get the short shrift. I was alive when these songs came out, and back in the day, you weren't hearing the Yes songs you picked on the radio, it was the 3 I listed plus a few more. Same with Genesis, Lamb Lies Down was the big one on air. Think of these tunes as the gateway drugs into prog. Any of the 3 I mentioned will give you a better view into the band. And I will look forward to watching the next vid you do on them. If you're still meh on them at that point, at least they got a fair shot.

[@jpmp1201]

It's cool AA; totally understood. We're always up to try more music, so we'll come back to them at some point; absolutely. -JP

[@ArmedApe]

Ok, so please understand, when I say poor man's version, it's not a slight towards the band. It is just my way of saying they are not on the same level as Yes. Now you can argue this point, but realize that you are doing so from a subjective stand point, not an objective one, and that's fine. We all have our tastes, and I am a fan of Genesis, Yes, and Rush. I have seen all 3 in concert, back when they were all in their prime. But my statement was an objective statement, based on my own background as a musician. As a starting point, let's go to first albums. Who had the better debut? Next, who was more influential, not later, but in the moment? Which band had more greatness in it's individual members? You want to compare? Fine. From a technical standpoint, and this counts, Yes had the better Bassist, Guitarist, Drummer, and Keyboard player. I will give Peter Gabriel his due. Always loved him as a singer. So you got 1 out of 5. But to really answer this question, pick up an instrument, and tell me which band's songs are harder to master. In the end, there's your answer. A great band, but not even close to the same level as Yes.

[@ArmedApe]

In the end, I guess it comes down to personal opinion, and you know what opinions are like, so in order for us to stop being a couple of "opinions" and wrecking these poor guys comments with our prog rock pissing contest, let's just agree to disagree on this one. Like I said, original post was not meant as a slight against Genesis, or Rush, for that matter. so take it for what it's worth.

[@CrayCruz]

Guys, appreciate you're take on this "older" progressive rock, but please take a listen to Long Distance Runaround, or Heart of the Sunrise (my personal favorite) from the same album - Fragile. You will not be disappointed.

[@gnpahdc]

For YES you guys should also listen to Yours Is No Disgrace or the song they do called Long Distance Runaround. Peace.

[@tomgroover1839]

Hey Justin you should do future prog reviews solo. Having your friend review of the genre is like me doing a review of country, or zydeco

[@WarrenCromartie2]

Roundabout is a good Yes song from the same era. Give that a go :-)

[@1nelsondj]

This isn't music to turn your brain off with, it's intelligent music made by excellent musicians. It's made to be listened to, it's not ambient muzak.

[@Grithron2]

To clarify - the song is about a group of mountaineers freezing to death

[@MissAstorDancer]

It really helps to understand the context. However, so often, Jon's lyrics were just so obscure, that it takes a lot of thought, and the benefit of hindsight (and research) to understand his lyrics. "South Side of the Sky" is one of the more straightforward lyrically, of early Yes songs.

[@devwhit]

Great reaction guys. 👍 Yes was a huge influence on Rush, and I want to bring you back to them (meaning Rush) and request that you react to "The Camera Eye", off of their Moving Pictures album from 1981. Even though they are in the Progressive Rock genre (appropriately so), Rush always considered that they were progressing Rush, instead of progressing the genre itself. Actually, that's part of their charm. 🙂 Anyway, I believe "The Camera Eye" showcases a 'modernization' of the genre, if you will, while capturing a beat that a newer generation can tap their foot to. And of course, the musicianship is still in a class by itself. I very much look forward to your reaction to this song! 👍🎼🥁🎸🎧

[@jpmp1201]

Appreciate that Omar!

[@MissAstorDancer]

Omar Alvarado, excellent comments! I completely agree with everything you said, especially about "The Camera Eye"!!

[@devwhit]

@@MissAstorDancer thanks! Musically speaking, Rush is the love of my life. 🙂

[@jonathansmith3742]

If YES doesn't rewire you, you have no chance. They are the most musical band ever.

[@diegofantin6012]

you have to genesis do in the cage (to understand the song you have to listen the full album)

[@rosenfield10]

I actually think In the Cage is self-contained. Wild visuals, but I've never cared for The Lamb as an album. In the Cage and The Carpet Crawlers are brilliant. I know, I suck. Genesis is my fave, though.

[@cat-o-matic]

JP is spot on. (Manny doesn't count since he recused himself for being an enemy of the genre.) Everybody in the band had an opportunity to shine. The tune is extreme chill. Score 4.0 as is, or 4.8 with a good set of headphones and a bouquet of flowers.

[@jpmp1201]

Lol! -JP

[@MissAstorDancer]

Edward Ballew, great comments!!!

[@MattLathrum]

What are you checking when you take your headphones off during the song?

[@jpmp1201]

Thanks for watching! The music plays in the whole room, so sometimes we take the off to make sure audio is ok, or sometimes the song will sound better through our speakers.

[@johnnicholson8345]

Enjoy your takes on all the prog greats. One huge problem which this whole idea fails on is that complex music (classical, Progressive and Jazz) require repeated listenings to understand what's going on. If you 'get it' on first listening then the song won't have much depth and won't hold up to repeated listenings. Prog follows classical where themes are introduced, repeated in other forms or keys and motifs develop. In any case, it's enjoyable to see younger people exposed to the greats.

[@TheOverlordOfProcrastination]

Fuckin amazing track. Undying brilliance.

[@oliasofsunhillow7116]

More Yes! Progressive rock is a genre with a bunch of subgenres from psychedelic to space jazz and blues and classical, and jazz fusion! To me, lyrics and vocals matter as much as the music, except for instrumentals! But the lyrics and vocals are just as imaginative, and creative as the music! And some instrumentals are too good to put lyrics and vocals to! On Yes Fragile, all five members had solo tracks to showcase what they are about and what they bring into band! And the other four tracks showcase what they can do as a whole band! My first Yes album and probably still my favorite! This is also the first Yes album with Rick Wakeman on keys, replacing Tony Kaye! There are album side long epic masterpieces and concept albums that take you on a mystical musical journey! Check out my other Olias of Sunhillow channel (with the black cat) for some ideas if you want! Iron Butterfly, Vanilla Fudge, Traffic, Beggars Opera, O.W.L., Pink Floyd, Renaissance and Rush plus more! Keep on prog rocking!

[@jpmp1201]

Thank you for the comment; your passion for prog shows :)

[@rtwbikerider]

Thanks for checking out SSOTS. Justin, when you have the opportunity, look for the live version of this song off of the “Songs from Tsongas” DVD. Where the studio track fades, the live version continues with Howe (guitar) and Wakeman (Minimoog) “trading eights”. Actually, it’s probably fewer than eight bars each. But, it’s a rocking outro.

[@jpmp1201]

Of course; thank YOU for watching and commenting regularly. Appreciate the suggestion as well! -JP

[@Frankincensedjb123]

There's a lot of progressive rock that just rambles and wanders excessively. I'm not a fan of the genre, per se, but there are bands within the genre who stand out, and Yes is one of them. Their ability to write long songs that don't wander, have structure and keep your interest. Some of their longer pieces are like multi-movement classical pieces, such as Close to the Edges, which is 20 minutes long. South Side of the Sky is one of my favorite songs by the band.

[@LynneConnolly]

You won't like Close To The Edge. You have to listen to it more than once and give yourself to the vibe to get it properly. Listen to that, then listen to Bob Marley's Exodus album. They weirdly complement each other.

[@BigMacIain]

Did you guys handle the audio input differently? This sounds like you had miked your speakers whereas the And You And I review seemed like a direct input.

[@jpmp1201]

Thanks for watching! Nope we've always recorded sound the same way. It just a different studio setup nowadays. -JP

[@montag4516]

I don't think "Progressive Rock" was the original goal or core intent of YES, but to a certain degree it was part of the result.

[@bronzygaming192]

Hey could yall do billy currington walk a little straighter

[@bronzygaming192]

If y'all do it i bet y'all would love it

[@killedr6621]

I hated prog rock growing up, but for me at least, I found there were parts of it that still stuck in my ear. I found that the more I sat down and listened through, I would catch more and more things that I hadn't noticed my first few listens. Now the genre (and this album) has slowly grown to become one of my favorites.

[@jpmp1201]

Appreciate the sentiment killedr, thanks for watching.

[@TheAlibabatree]

Circa Survive is often considered prog rock, and you guys seem to love them. Also, just curious are either of you musicians?

[@jpmp1201]

Thanks for watching! We are actually: Manny (left) plays guitar, bass, and drums. I (left) play drums, some piano, and handpan. -JP

[@TheAlibabatree]

@@jpmp1201 Very cool! I like to hear different perspectives on things, and i know that musicians tend to listen to music differently than others, thats the only reason i asked.

[@billjones6188]

Drummer 's song ... please check into him.

[@ExcaliburPaladin]

If you are interested in modern prog i recommend you Riverside - Deprived It is pretty slow, very groovy and can hit you in spots you did not know you have Cheers guys!

[@jpmp1201]

Thanks! I like Riverside; I think I listened to Second Syndrome (I dont remember the name of the album; had "Conceiving You" on it). -JP

[@frankie.d1127]

I love how Yes has inspired bands like Porcupine Tree

[@davidzornes6863]

YES # 1

[@CrayCruz]

Prog Rock is an acquired taste. And Yes, most of all. You either get it or you don't. Think classical music...think jazz with rhythmic undertones and melodious beats, then violently stir with pure rock overtones. Strophic, Binary, Ternary, Rondo, Arch.....you get it all with Yes.

[@petewatson-wailes10]

It'd be interesting to see you guys react to ALW's Variations. Kinda prog meets jazz meets contemporary orchestral composition, based off a the theme from Paganini's 24th caprice. If I had to pick a four tracks to sum up the album, it'd be "Introduction + Theme & Variations 1-4", "Variations 11-15", Variation 18, and "Variations 19, 20 and 5 Varied", if you wanted to compare those. Total run time of all four is about 14 minutes, give or take. Whole album is only 34 minutes start to finish. Well worth checking out.

[@jpmp1201]

Sounds really interesting... -JP

[@barbarjinx3802]

This is widely considered the best prog rock album. Roundabout was the big hit and for good reason. South side is my personal favorite. I have limited yes exposure.

[@maga3733]

Genesis watcher of the skies from the Midnight Special TV show

[@anthonyreynoso7275]

It’s random but the Logical Song by Supertramp is a masterpiece and Paul McCartney called that his favorite song of 1979 for that reason.

[@jpmp1201]

It's a great song! I know it already though. -Jp

[@jeffwood32]

Somewhere along the way you ended up with a bass Heavy, low in soundtrack. It didn't come through clear on my end

[@mauriceforget7869]

Personnely i feel important to keep track of the chronology, music is not "séparable" of the contemporain context, thus you can't say a yes song sounds like a porcupine tree piece beacause their is 50 years apart, and yes came first guys, not the other way.

[@rosenfield10]

I can't tweet the description of "The Musical Box" by Genesis... too long. So here it goes. Little Cynthia was playing croquet with little Henry. Cynthia raised her mallet and - "whack"- removed Henry's head. She entered the family home and entered Henry's nursery. She saw his beloved musical box. She opened it, and it began to play "Old King Cole". As the song played, Henry returned as a specter. His ghostly form began to rapidly age from a child into an old man. Henry experienced a lifetime of sexual desire. He expressed his desire for Cynthia. The nurse, hearing the noises, entered the room. She saw the ghost, and threw the musical box at it, destroying both. The song "The Musical Box" is told from the perspective of Henry. Now that you have the story, you can react to it. :D

[@jpmp1201]

What a crazy story :D -JP

[@maraboo72]

@@jpmp1201 Peter Gabriel was a great weird story teller. It is one point that makes Genesis different from other groups. The lyrics were often little stories. On youtube, there is a series of interviews with the Genesis members about gthe making of their albums. In one of them he tells that he got an offer from Hollywood to be part of a team of screenplay writers because of the weird story that was printed on the back of "Genesis Live". His stories and his imagination were one reason that his different costumes fitted so well to the music during their shows and made the shows somewhat like multi media shows. If interested : kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y3i7god7qaaWZ9k But be careful. When other groups already have finished a song, Genesis begins to start. They take their time to develop their ideas instead of rushing through.

[@souldreamer9056]

It’s uncanny. While watching I though of some comments to write, but your ‘post-song chat’ beat me to it and already covered most of my points. But I can expand on them a bit. Yes, ‘South Side’ indeed has structural similarities to ‘Firth of Fifth’. A beautiful mid-section, sandwiched between two heavy-ish mid-tempo rock sections. Straightforward, accessible, not overly complicated. And yes, none of those 70s prog synth sounds. I expected this to appeal to you. Out of my many way-too-long, novel-length comments, you may recall my analysis on ‘Firth of Fifth’. There I explained why I thought you liked it. That analysis can also be applied to this song, almost word for word. Thus I won’t repeat it here. ‘South Side’ work better as a “gateway-drug-song” for early Yes than ‘And You and I’ does. Personally this was an early favorite when I was getting in to Yes. I was particularly impressed with Steve’s snappy lead guitar fills in the verses, Chris’ solid bass groove in the verses, and off course the angelic Mid Section. I don’t have many criticisms of South Side, but I have a one: I think the choruses (“Were we ever colder on that day...”) could have been developed a bit more, into something more interesting. I find them the weakest part of the song. The lyrics tell a story of some people that died crossing a frozen mountain. As I see it, the narrator is in some kind of heaven or afterlife, and he is telling the story of his death (as if responding to the question “So, how did you end up here?”). I think the mid section is meant to represent their soothing relief and warmth when death finally arrived, and when they ascended to their ‘heaven’. Some say “The mountain is a metaphor for the hardships of life”. Others say “No way, man, it is a real mountain and the story happened in real life”. Whatever. It works either way.

[@jpmp1201]

Thanks SD; definitely enjoyed it, probably because of the similar structure to FoF (as mentioned). Love the bass, mid-section and the chorus. I understand what you mean about the chorus; I personally like it as is. Either way, great song! -JP

[@blueoystercultscowbell969]

Gentlemen, Check out Awaken by YES of the Tormato album. Good Prog Rock.

[@topographicdream]

a 2 ????? please give me an example of a 4 or 5.....I'll sit back and wait.....ha!

[@jpmp1201]

Lol, Firth of Fifth was perfect for us. -JP

[@topographicdream]

@@jpmp1201 I suggest you listen to the tune 2 more times and re-assess. Most YES music takes a couple listens before you appreciate all that is going on and how it inter-plays. I love Firth of Fifth, great composition, but there isn't that kind of disparity between the quality of the 2 songs.

[@lindazee]

Guys, part of the problem as I see it, is that these are not "individual" songs, per se. They are meant to be heard in their album entirety, just like you would watch a movie from beginning to end. To play YES in this fashion, just like so many other album oriented progressive rock bands, doesn't do it justice. Also, you may be coming at this from a position of no context. When I first listened to YES many moons ago, there was a context to it...namely, the times, for one, and our relationship with the band as they traveled and performed for us at various venues over the years. You're missing this part of it. So, while you cannot be transported back to those times, and besides, good music transcends time...I would suggest you do a little research and or reading up or watching background videos and interviews. It might help, I don't know. Just think about it. Understanding the stories behind the albums as well as understanding why a group is so unique and masterful, might give you a deeper appreciation for what you are listening to. That said, I am so happy to see that you are attempting to tackle a genre that has been foreign to you all your lives. One day you you may just find yourself "hearing" it differently because your relationship to the music will have grown, and your understanding will have deepened.

[@mastrorj68]

Ah you guys did black bird. How about alter bridge - watch over you live from Amsterdam

[@blitztim6416]

What determines if you are wearing the headphones or not? You can listen to speakers or headphones?

[@jpmp1201]

We hear the music either way as we have speakers playing the music in the studio. -JP

[@MissAstorDancer]

@@jpmp1201 But I think he was asking why each of you choose one or the other? Can you both control the volume on your headphones separate from the main volume on the vid?

[@jpmp1201]

@@MissAstorDancer when we have our headphones on, we hear the sou d as you hear the sound. If we take them off, we hear it purely through the speakers in the room. Sometimes we can hear different things production-wise through each means, so we may choose to have our headphones on or off depending. -JP

[@MissAstorDancer]

@@jpmp1201 Well, you didn't actually answer my question about volume controls for your headphones. And what I hear when watching your vids, is the sound IN YOUR ROOM. Not what you hear from your headphones. What we listeners hear is the sound of your room speakers amplified by a microphone in the room. What you hear through your headphones is the ORIGINAL sound, direct from your sound card, straight to your headphones. There IS a way to make it so that what WE hear is the same as what you hear from your headphones. But what we hear now is just the ambient sound from the speakers in your room.

[@jpmp1201]

@@MissAstorDancer We have no volume controls on our headphones. When our headphones are on, we hear exactly what you hear in the videos. Our headphones are connected to an H5 Recorder, which records the sound in the room, picking up the music through our external speakers placed in the room. We are not plugged in directly to the laptop listening to the song. We hear what you hear. Hopefully that helps. -JP

[@terrybail4202]

Please do Gentle Giant - Peel The Paint!!!!

[@berniedenk3001]

Mister class and quality / three friends. Epic prog!

[@Claytone-Records]

Unusual selection but good to see/hear. Try to latch onto Starship Troopers, Mannie.

[@dannymeyers5240]

It's a bummer that you can't follow the progression of this beautiful piece. Maybe you should consider more of the mainstream/modern/commercial pieces that are easier to follow when you consider your next review. BTW Genesis is cool, but they don't hold a candle to Yes.

[@stevemartin4249]

Though a good try, this song has so much going on, and the meaning of 'Progressive Rock' in general, is contradictory to 'first listening' reactions. Might be more interesting in hearing what you say after about a dozen listens.

[@mastrorj68]

Alter Bridge - Black bird & This side of fate