One of the joys of this series is discovering – or rediscovering – Yes gems. Tormato from 1978 has many treasures, albeit poorly mixed, and the bonus songs released on 2004’s expanded edition are worth a listen.
“Some Are Born” is a track worth seeking out. The song, composed by Jon Anderson, features a solid band arrangement, with each member propelling the music forward. Steve Howe’s opening electric guitar sounds restrained but fitting. Rick Wakeman’s keyboards provide an unintrusive layer of color, while Chris Squire adds distinctive bass lines.
Anderson’s vocals are a little rough, indicating this is a demo, and Alan White’s drum parts do not seem fully fleshed out. The mid-song breakdown points to the possibilities of a long solo section. Perhaps if “Some Are Born” was further fleshed out, it would have been one of the highlights of Tormato. As a demo, the song is still strong.
Lyrically, Jon Anderson seems to be taking a more direct approach than usual. However, the lyrics could be why Anderson decided to include the song on his 1980 release, Song of Seven.
In this context, the music is more MOR and less impactful. The mid-song saxophone solo further distracts from what was a solid effort. I guess, in the context of if time, it was what was in fashion.
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