“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.
<<< BACKWARD (“I See You”) ||| ONWARD (“Looking Around”) >>>
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.”
- Walter Becker, “My Waterloo [Live at Slim’s]” (2026): One Track Mind - March 28, 2026
- Mark Wade Trio – ‘New Stages’ (2026) - March 21, 2026
- Fernando Perdomo – ‘Clouds 2’ (2026) - March 7, 2026
