I did some Yes songs not too long ago when they were last in town, so start the geek journey here:
BYT Fav Song of the Day: Yes
BYT Fav Song of the Day: Yes Again
Yet Another BYT Favo Yes Song of the Day
well they're back, playing Wolf Trap this time (details here), and once again they are without frontman Jon Anderson. Blasphemy you say! Well I say too, but this isn't the first time, in fact in 1980 they released the only Andersonless album to date, aptly titled Drama, with Trevor Horn of Buggles fame doing his best to imitate Anderson. The album was ironically a "gettin back to our prog roots" affair with its 10+ min opener and first Roger Dean cover in five years. Drama was a mild success in the UK, but didn't fare well in the US and was their poorest selling album to date overall. A shaky tour followed and the band disbanded shortly after, only to return in 1983 with Anderson back in tow for a radio friendly pop album, defying all logic when it actually turned out good. Better than good, with the breakout radio staple Owner of A Lonely Heart.
So anyway, I sort of disparaged Drama in an earlier post and someone told me I should give it another try. And I did. And, well, it's ok. A little heavier and darker than typical Yes which was cool. So in honor of the Yes show tonight, which once again (mysteriously?) finds the band without vocalist Jon Anderson, I'll post that 10+ minute opener Machine Messiah. Anderson refused to sing it in subsequent tours after returning to the fold in the early 80s, so there is a good chance you'll hear it tonight. Whether you'll actually want to hear Benoit David, formerly in a Yes cover band, doing an imitation of Trevor Horn doing an imitation of Jon Anderson is up to you.
Previously in BYT Fav Song of the Day:
- 5/18: BYT Favorite Song of the Day: Donna Summer
- 4/24: BYT Fav Bingo Song of the Day: Basement Jaxx
- 3/30: Song Of The Day: The Funk Ark
- 3/19: BYT Fav Song of the Day: Doldrums
- 3/12: BYT Fav Song of the Day: The Byrds
- 3/6: BYT Fav Song of the Day: John Zorn
- 3/5: BYT Fav Song of the Day: Quincy Jones
- 3/1: BYT Fav Song of the Day: They Might Be Giants
- 2/27: BYT Fav Song of the Day: Trey Anastasio
- 2/13: BYT Fav Song of the Day: The Hood Internet
God loves a cheerful giver.
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