Yes – The Yes Album (Steven Wilson remix) (Rhino)

First time this remix is available on vinyl

Rhino Records is ushering in the Sounds of the Summer, 24 classic titles back on vinyl in limited edition sea-blue color.  They’re also continuing the Now Playing series, mining the vast Warner Music catalog for new compilations.  These titles are available exclusively at brick and mortar stores, in limited quantities.  We’re spotlighting a different LP every day.

Steven Wilson is the master of prog rock reissues.  He’s tackled entire catalogs from the likes of Jethro Tull, Gentle Giant, Chicago, and Yes, upgrading their sound, while retaining the overall feel and vibe of the original recordings, something that is extremely difficult to do.  Rhino has reissued The Yes Album in this remix edition as part of their Sounds of the Summer series.

The Yes Album, the band’s third LP,  is arguably the first truly-realized album of Yes’ career.  A fantastic listen from start to finish, I would say it’s their finest moment – even besting Fragile, which came after, and featured keyboardist Rick Wakeman.  

What sets this record apart not only in Yes’ catalog, but really in the entire pantheon known as progressive rock, is that, although many of the songs here are very long (two clock in at over nine minutes, and one just under nine), they are all fully-realized pieces of music that never drag, or lose sight of the melody – something almost unheard of in this genre.

The album leads with “Yours Is No Disgrace,” which sets the stage with an interplay between Tony Kaye’s keyboards and Steve Howe’s guitar.  It takes a full 1:30 before the singing even starts.  Howe’s fretwork soars, again and again, like a bird flying back and forth.  There are two quiet parts – one led by bassist Chris Squire, and the other, with Howe’s acoustic.  It is a thrilling piece of music, from start to finish.  Speaking of acoustic, “The Clap” is a solo piece for Howe to show off his chops in a countrified way, but it’s thankfully brief and good fun.  

Jon Anderson’s voice sounds fabulous in this new remix, especially noticeable on “Starship Trooper”; there’s a clarity that’s absent from the original.   You also really appreciate the “lead bass” playing of Squire here.  Yes has probably never been given credit for their stellar harmonies, in full display on “I’ve Seen All Good People.”  “A Venture” is The Yes Album’s most under-appreciated track – Anderson is absolutely stunning in his delivery here – there weren’t many vocalists that could’ve handled the virtuosity needed here.  The album closes with “Perpetual Change” – this Wilson remix gives more bite to Howe’s guitar, and more meat to Squire’s bass.  

The band’s next album, Fragile, would garner more attention, especially for the inclusion of their signature song, “Roundabout,” but also the uber-talented Wakeman would replace Kaye, upping the ante at the keyboard position.  Still, listening back to The Yes Album, Kaye is a fantastic musician as well (he was apparently sacked from the band after this album, in part, because he wouldn’t embrace the new synthesizer technology).  But here, he’s a perfect foil for Howe to play off of.  Better songs, and more attention to melody make the Yes Album, Yes’ finest moment, and highly recommended in this vinyl remix version.  —Tony Peters