Black Cat Bone

Oh dear.

"Mr. Gallo maintains the right to refuse sale of his sperm to those of extremely dark complexions."

Dear Father. Bit of an obscurity in the Yes canon, but one well worth shining a light on. I didn't discover this song until the Yesterdays compilation, which came out after Yes had hit the big time Originally a b-side to the Sweet Dreams single. Lovely harmonies on this one, but the highlight for me, is Tony Kaye's keyboard playing, which has a Wurlitzer like effect, giving a fairground feel to me: I can feel myself riding on the Merry-Go-'Round once again. Someone's made a nice video to this one as well. Special mention also to Peter Banks on what is really good song:

The rhythm section does a lot here to anchor the more fanciful elements up top.

Bent Fabric wrote:The rhythm section does a lot here to anchor the more fanciful elements up top.

YES: they were a formidable combination, right from the off.

Did you know Bill Bruford used to have trainers with, “Go Home Moon,” inscribed around this time?

I’m sure he came to see the error of his ways .

No Opportunity Necessary, No Experience Needed. So then, the first track on second album, Time And A Word, and here's some proper progressive rock. Marrying together the theme from one of my favourite Westerns, The Big Country, with a Richie Havens song, what we have here is a big ballsy opener to set the pulse racing. Employing an orchestra was quite the vogue back then, and I think it worked really well for Yes on this track. I saw Yes on the 2001 Symphonic tour, and was disappointed this song wasn't performed: a missed opportunity, indeed. Fantastic video to this song, even if it's Steve Howe featured, rather than Peter Banks:

Fabulous video, stinky hippy buggers.

I’m not too fussed about the song though, I could do without the Big Country quote-y bits. I think we’re still hearing a band that hasn’t quite nailed their sound down yet, that happens on the next record.

soundchaser wrote:Dear Father. Bit of an obscurity in the Yes canon, but one well worth shining a light on. I didn't discover this song until the Yesterdays compilation, which came out after Yes had hit the big time Originally a b-side to the Sweet Dreams single. Lovely harmonies on this one, but the highlight for me, is Tony Kaye's keyboard playing, which has a Wurlitzer like effect, giving a fairground feel to me: I can feel myself riding on the Merry-Go-'Round once again. Someone's made a nice video to this one as well. Special mention also to Peter Banks on what is really good song:

I love this track

Monster bass





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nev gash wrote:I could do without the Big Country quote-y bits.

I agree with that, but otherwise the song's a good fit for them - even if, on the whole, I'd rather listen to the Havens original.

soundchaser wrote:Bill Bruford used to have trainers with, “Go Home Moon,” inscribed around this time?

His children's book of the same name was not a bestseller.

Charlie O. wrote:

nev gash wrote:I could do without the Big Country quote-y bits.

I agree with that, but otherwise the song's a good fit for them - even if, on the whole, I'd rather listen to the Havens original.

Yes, The Big Country theme is a bit clumsy, but it’s still a lot of fun to me.

The important thing to bear in mind, is this was the learning curve: preparation for the big one.

Charlie O. wrote:

soundchaser wrote:Bill Bruford used to have trainers with, “Go Home Moon,” inscribed around this time?

His children's book of the same name was not a bestseller.

What, Mr. Grumpy? He was no David Williams, that’s for sure.

German Dave wrote:I much prefer Time and a Word to the first album. I know Carlsson disagrees with me on that!

I disagree too. In fact the first album is my 5th favourite Yes album

Side 1, track 2: Then. On the Time & A Word album, Jon Anderson began asserting himself, not only as lead songwriter, but also as band leader. For a peace loving hippie, he had quite a ruthless streak, as Peter Banks was soon to find out. And yet, the songs he delivered showed his class. The future direction of Yes, is all wrapped up in Then:

I love the song Sweetness. Spoon or no spoon.

Side 1, track 3: Everydays. Yes cover the Stephen Stills/Buffalo Springfield song.

I do like this, but still see it as a cutting their teeth exercise for greater things to come.

Apparently, guitarist Peter Banks wasn't happy at having to compete with the strings. Little did he know.

Side 1, track 4: Sweet Dreams. I really like this one and you can definitely hear the band finding their identity.

Co-written by Anderson and David Foster, the latter of whom was in Anderson's previous band, The Warriors.

Well I don't know about you but my dinner's going cold

Vic Snazell-Sprey wrote:


Kaye on bass and Squire on keyboard in that video, no?

...and Howe on guitar

frimley_greener wrote:Lucky enough to have seen this line up live at Parliament Hill Fields London just before this debut release.Although not a great Yes fan,they were faultless, and the album remains the only Yes material I deliberately expose myself to.

I’m sure the family are happy about that.