'' is the third album by
British Progressive Rock band
Yes . The first release to feature longtime guitarist
Steve Howe , the album was released on
Atlantic Records in March
1971 . This was the album that finally set Yes's career alight, with the album reaching #7 in the UK and, eventually, #40 in the US, where it was a platinum seller. In addition to being the first album to feature
Steve Howe , this was also the last Yes album for over twelve years to feature
Tony Kaye until his return in
1983 .
''The Yes Album'' set the stage for the band's route to superstardom with ''
Fragile '' and their epic masterpiece ''
Close To The Edge ''. This was their first commercial success and, reportedly, it had to be or Atlantic was going to cut them loose.
Many features for which Yes became known are demonstrated for the first time on ''The Yes Album'':
- of the band -- with each virtuoso member making his own significant contribution -- is seen here for the first time. While other bands were hiring orchestras to provide their songs with a fuller sound, Yes had the talent and the musicianship to be their own orchestra.
- appeared with the band for the first time and played a very prominent role throughout. His solo acoustic song, ''Clap'' (forever renamed "The Clap" by Anderson's mis-introduction on the live track) has always been a concert favorite of the band and their fans. The title came about when Howe's young son Dylan clapped while Steve was playing the piece at home.
''The Yes Album'' is generally considered a classic 1970s rock album and a highlight of the band's long career. The songs "Starship Trooper" and "I've Seen All Good People" are still staples of classic rock radio.
#"Yours Is No Disgrace" (
Jon Anderson /
Chris Squire /
Steve Howe /
Tony Kaye /
Bill Bruford ) - 9:41
#"Clap" (Steve Howe) - 3:17
- ''Recorded live at The Lyceum, London, 17 July 1970''
#"Starship Trooper" - 9:28
##"Life Seeker" (Jon Anderson)
##"Disillusion" (Chris Squire)
##"Würm" (Steve Howe)
#"I've Seen All Good People" - 6:55
##"Your Move" (Jon Anderson)
##"All Good People" (Chris Squire)
#"A Venture" (Jon Anderson) - 3:18
#"Perpetual Change" (Jon Anderson/Chris Squire) - 8:52
''The Yes Album'' (Atlantic 2400 101) reached in the UK. It also reached '''#40''' in the US during a chart stay of 50 weeks.
''The Yes Album'' was remastered and reissued in
2003 with several bonus tracks.
