Tuesday, October 02, 2007

Now That's A Pretty Song

"Be A Good Day" by Yes from the 1999 album The Ladder.

This five-minute opus is an example of Classic Yes1 at their best. Superb production, amazing arrangement, stunning harmonies and incomprehensible lyrics.

Yes have suffered over the years from a malady that strikes all too many bands: Their best and most creative personnel cannot stand the sight of each other. I've lost count of the number of times Rick Wakeman has joined and left the band citing musical differences, but the fact remains that he is an indespensible component of the classic Yes sound.

Or was.

The Ladder was recorded with a Wakeman-free line-up with Keyboards being played by Igor Khoroshev, and the sound is pure Classic Yes at their best.Howe's exuberant guitar work soars over vocal harmonies that can make the sun come out, while the keyboards, bass and drums pin everything nice and tight.

An "And You And I" for the new millenium.

Who cares if you can't understand a word?

  1. The sound-style made justly famous on Close to the Edge

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