All of the songs on 1999’s The Ladder are credited to Yes as a whole. It was an attempt, I imagine, to emphasize the feeling of togetherness which the recording process created but I think Steve Howe and Jon Anderson are mainly responsible for this one.
For me, Jon Anderson’s propensity for infusing his songs with mysticism occasionally misses the mark but not so in the final song on The Ladder, “Nine Voices.” Perhaps this is because the subject of the song is based on a real event. This is a kind of modern folk tale told by Anderson and supported by great acoustic Steve Howe work, played on the Portuguese guitar he used on “I’ve Seen All Good People” and “Wonderous Stories.”
There are also keyboards, what sounds like Indian tabla and a beautifully-arranged Yes choir. Part of the naturalistic feeling of the song is provided by the multi-instrumentalist Anderson collaborator Randy Raine-Reusch, who adds a tamboura – one of a family of long-necked stringed instruments used widely across Asia, Africa and parts of Europe.
The lyrics recall the Longest Walk, a spiritual-led event which traveled across America organized by the Indigenous Council, a group of leaders from various backgrounds and locations who have arguably been dispossessed of their lands. Anderson previously used this kind of theme in songs such as “Birthright” on 1989’s Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe album. The Indigenous Council were joined at the event by a Native American medicine man who Anderson knew called Longwalker – hence the parenthetical element of the title. There are nine tribe members and the song they sing to “bring forgiveness into the world” is explained by Anderson.
The music grows from a quiet start, adding parts as it goes. “Nine Voices (Longwalker)” initially presents a lovely air of peace which develops a little like “Holy Lamb” from 1987’s Big Generator into a memorable and substantial piece with a very strong melody. Sitar guitar sounds and Indian tabla are thrown in, as well as a Mellotron-sounding part and the tamboura adds some fast and exciting acoustic runs.
The backing harmony vocals are wonderful and the whole effect of the song is as life-affirming as any Anderson composition across the years, but it also sounds fresh and new because of the production and treatment. “Nine Voices” is also effective in its aim to encourage the listener to think about the plight of indigenous groups through its engaging and carefully-constructed lyrical exhortations.
“Nine Voices (Longwalker)” likewise has an extra sense of poignancy for Yes, because Steve Howe and Jon Anderson performed it at the memorial service for Bruce Fairbairn, the album’s producer who sadly died part-way through the mixing process. So, the song ends up being both a loving tribute to the man who created the conditions required for Yes to produce their best work for many years, and a great end to a great album.
- Yes, “Mystery Tour” from ‘The Quest’ (2021): YESterdays - November 23, 2021
- Yes, “Minus the Man” from ‘The Quest’ (2021): YESterdays - October 5, 2021
- Yes, “Subway Walls” from ‘Heaven and Earth’ (2014): YESterdays - December 8, 2020
