Todd Rundgren’s Utopia, Jon Anderson, Gary Husband and Markus Reuter are part of the latest edition of Five for the Road, an occasional look at music that’s been in my car lately.
Yes seemed to be marking the turning of a page – and, in a very real way, they were: “Time is Time” became a wonderful end for co-founder Jon Anderson.
Despite its lyrical and production faults, “Dreamtime” is the one of the boldest statements on Yes’ ‘Magnification.’
Songs on this album were credited to Yes as a band, but “Soft As a Dove” sounded like another classic joint effort from Jon Anderson and Steve Howe.
“Give Love Each Day,” with a stunning orchestral contribution from conductor Larry Groupe’, showed that Yes continued to improve.
Yes’ “Don’t Go” is an attempt at accessibility and radio play from a band that would never again have a chart hit.
It’s too bad Yes has never played this song in concert. “Spirit of Survival” works on every level.
If there’s a downside to “New Language,” it’s that Yes has not been as vital and potent on any studio recording since.
A tribute to Bob Marley by a venerable British prog band seems like an unusual flight of fancy, but Yes makes it work.
“Finally” may not rank as a Yes classic, but the song does represent the band’s continued progress forward.
