The Yes Album [Original recording reissued] [Original recording remastered]

The songs on this album are much more like the sort of stuff that you would come to expect from the band in later years. Jon Anderson had already started to fly off on major lyrical tangents by this stage, and his unique brand of quasi-sci-fi ramblings is quite evident, especially on 'Yours In No Disgrace' and 'Starship Trooper'. Not to be confused with the dodgy disco title of the same name, 'Starship Trooper' is a classic, and introduced the 'three-stage' song concept into their music. Starting with a fairly standard section, it proceeds into an impressive acoustic section that would not have been possible if not for the amazing guitar skills of Steve Howe. As the song reaches it's climax, the 'space-rock' concept takes over, and Howe comes into his own with a tour-de-force performance.

'The Clap' is a live solo piece by Howe which is truly stunning. On first listen, it sounds like atleast two guitarists are playing simultaneously, but having seen Howe perform this self-same track in the flesh, I can assure you it is not. This track above any other demonstrated that Yes had acquired a truly formidable talent. Amusingly, Howe originally titled the song simply 'Clap', but when released on vinyl it was accidentally renamed 'The Clap', and to this day it remains the only progressive rock song perceived to be about venereal disease. Luckily, it is an instrumental piece!

'I've Seen All Good People/Your Move' is probably the best known track on the album, and is a showcase for Jon Anderson's vocal ability. Starting off pretty ordinarily, the song transforms into a lively 'jam' that would be a crowdpleaser for years to come.
'A Venture' is a distinct (but welcome) oddity within the Yes back-catalogue, and is one of Jon Anderson's least perplexing lyrics. Centred around a plodding rhythm and Tony Kaye's piano, it is certainly unlike anything Yes did ever again, but is an enjoyable track nonetheless. Finally, 'Perpetual Change' is another favourite of the Yes live set (a live version appears on 'Yessongs') and is a curious mish-mash of styles, but sees each musician (especially Bill Bruford on drums) excel themselves to produce a genuine Yes classic.

The additional tracks are recent additions that you can live without, and I haven't been tempted to replace my original copy of the CD yet, but they certainly don't detract from the album in any way. A must-have for any prog rock collection.

"All Good People" was also the group's second American single to crack the Top 40 and really became the song that introduced them to a larger listening audience. However, the best is yet to come, with the additional of Rick Wakeman as the keyboard player and Anderson's continued exploration of oblique lyrics. This is the second remastered CD version of the album and offers annotations by Yes scholar Bill Martin and a trio of bonus tracks: single edits of both "Your Move" and the "Life Seeker" segment of "Starship Trooper," and the studio version of the Steve Howe acoustic guitar solo "Clap." These are minor but welcome additions to what was already a five star album.

As an example of the best of seventies prog/art rock the tracks STARSHIP TROOPER and PERPETUAL CHANGE stand out and to my mind would be in a top ten of that genre. Steve Howe's guitar playing is outstanding and Brufords Jazz rock drumming inventive . Every time I listen to this album it always seems fresh and it puts me in a good mood. If you buy only one YES album then it must be this one. Go on!