“Yesterday and Today,” from Yes’ 1969 debut album, finds the world’s greatest progressive rock band sounding anything but progressive. The Jon Anderson composition, instead, reflects his deep folk influences — as does original guitarist Peter Banks’ strummed acoustic guitar theme.
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Quiet and contained, the song rewards close listening, however. Peter Banks later shifts to more elegant and jazzy electric guitar touches, even as Yes keyboardist Tony Kaye — perhaps best known in his Yes years as a stellar organ player — shows his emotional meddle with a tasteful, Rick Wright-esque piano interlude. There are also hints of percussion, and a subdued electric bass part supplied by Yes’ resident maestro, Chris Squire.
Still, while Yes’ “Yesterday and Today” contains many great touches, the track ends less than three minutes in — long before the musical juices get flowing. On to “Looking Around.”
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