Yes - Time And A Word

Year of Release: 2003
Label: Rhino
Catalog Number: 73787
Format: CD
Total Time: 58:09:00

I have to say that the first thing that caught my eye was the surprisingly provocative cover of the Yes album Time And A Word. It was 1970 and this definitely was not a normal album cover for that time. It was a far cry from the science fiction covers that Roger Dean would create. In 2003, a cover like this would not make 10-year-old bat an eyelash, sad but true.

What I also find amazing about this album is that it was only the band?s second effort. Rather than stay with the same successful formula (musically, not related to actual album sales) of the first release they dipped their toes into unknown waters by adding an orchestra to their compositions. This album is daring to say the least for a band that was trying to become established. This kind of courage would mark the beginning of many transitions for a band unafraid to step out and try something new. In the future change would become their ally. The next time they would record and tour in this design would be on Magnification (which is an excellent album), released thirty-one years later in 2001. To say that this particular album is a landmark, is putting it mildly. In retrospect, how many bands have done the same thing in progressive rock since? It really does boggle the mind the sheer importance of Yes and their recorded history.

Once again, the bonus tracks are generous (four) and interesting liner notes make your overall experience more enriching. The always-terrific sound gives the original recording a new lease on life. I have found listening to all of these remasters a fascinating trip, particularly this one because it was so different. Listening to a band's profuse expansion and change in their musical range, sometimes dramatically, is a rewarding experience indeed.

It's funny; I was looking at the black and white photo of the band in the CD tray and noticed how Peter Banks looked a lot like Joe Perry of Aerosmith. That has nothing to do with the music but it struck me that there can be so much commonality found in music yet so many differences, but then, by the same token, people can look so much alike. I guess it is just another paradox of life, another page out of the novel written by the group Yes.

[The cover included above and on the remastered version is from the European release of this album back in 1970; most people are probably familiar with the cover included at left, which is the US version of the same year. It is notable because the photo includes Steve Howe, who joined the band after the album's recording, and thus doesn't actually appear on the album. -ed.]

First released 1970 by Atlantic (SD-8273)

Tracklisting:
No Opportunity Necessary, No Experience Necessary (4:52) / Then (5:49) / Everydays (6:12) / Sweet Dreams (3:51) / The Prophet (6:38) / Clear Days (2:09) / Astral Traveller (5:56) / Time And A Word (4:39) / Bonus Tracks: Dear Father (4:14) / No Opportunity Necessary, No Experience Necessary (Original Mix) (4:46) / Sweet Dreams (Original Mix) (4:20) / The Prophet (Single Version) (6:33)

Musicians:
Jon Anderson - percussion, vocals
Peter Banks - guitar, vocals
Bill Bruford - drums, vibraphone
Chris Squire - bass, vocals
Tony Kaye - organ, piano
Tony Cox - orchestral arrangements

Discography:
Yes (1969)
Time And A Word (1970)
The Yes Album (1971)
Fragile (1972)
Close To The Edge (1972)
Yessongs (1973)
Tales From Topographic Oceans (1974)
Relayer (1975)
Going For The One (1977)
Tormato (1978)
Yesshows (1980)
Drama (1980)
Classic Yes (1982)
90125 (1983/2004)
90125 Live - The Solos (1985)
Big Generator (1987)
Union (1989)
Yesyears (1991)
Yesstory (1991)
Highlights: The Very Best Of Yes (1993)
Talk (1994)
Keys To Ascension I (1996)
Keys To Ascension II (1997)
Open Your Eyes (1997)
Yes, Friends And Relatives (1998)
Beyond And Before: BBC Recordings 1969-1970 (1998)
Something's Coming (1998)
Friends & Relatives (1998)
The Ladder (1999)
Millennium Collection (1999)
House Of Yes: Live From The House Of Blues (2000)
Yes, Friends and Relatives - Volume Two (2001)
YesSymphonic (ep) (2001)
Magnification (2001)
Keystudio (ep) (2001)
3 For 1 Box Set (2001)
Original Members Of Yes (2001)
Extended Versions (2002)
Friends And Relatives: Ultimate Collection, Vol. 1 (2002)
Yestoday (2002)
In A Word (2002)
Yes Remixes (2003)
Friends And Relatives: Ultimate Collection, Vol. 2 (2003)
Roundabout: Best Of Yes Live (2003)
The Yes Story Gold (2003)
The Ultimate Yes - 35th Anniverary Collection (2004)
(Re)Union (2004)
Topography: The Yes Anthology (2004)
Inside Yes 1968-1973: A Critical Review (2004)
The Word Is Live (2005)
Live And Solo: The Collection (2006)
Greatest Hits Live (2006)
An Evening Of Yes (2006)
Yesstories: Group & Solo Tales (2006)
Essentially Yes (2006)
The Definitive Rock Collection (2007)
Roundabout & Other Hits (2006)
Live At Montreux 2003 (2007)
Works (2007)
The Best Of Yes: 1970-1987 (2007)
Symphonic Live (2009)
The BBC Recordings 1969-1970 (2009)
Introducing Yes (2009)
Wonderous Stories: The Best Of Yes (2009)
Union Live (2011)
Fly From Here (2011)
In The Present - Live From Lyon (2011)
Heaven & Earth (2014)
Songs From Tsongas (2014)
Like It Is: Yes At The Bristol Hippodrome (2014)
Progeny: Seven Shows From Seventy-Two (boxset) (2015)
Like It Is: Yes At The Mesa Arts Center (2015)
Topographic Drama - Live Across America (2017)
Fly From Here - Return Trip (2018)
From A Page - Studio Tracks Plus In The Present Live From Lyon (2019) Yes50 Live (2019)

9012LIve (VHS/DVD) (1985/2005)
Greatest Hits Video (VHS/DVD) (1991/2001)
Yesyears: A Retrospective (VHS/DVD) (1991/2003)
Yes: Live - 1975 At Q.P.R. (VHS) (1993)
Live In Philadelphia 1979 (VHS/DVD) (1996/2003)
Keys To Ascension (VHS/DVD) (1997/2001/2009)
The Union Tour Live (DVD) (1999)
House Of Yes: Live From The House Of Blues (VHS/DVD) (2000)
The Best Of MusikLaden Live (VHS/DVD) (2000/2003)
Live In Amsterdam (VHS/DVD) (2002)
Symphonic Live (DVD+CD) (2003)
Yes: Special Edition EP (DVD) (2003)
YesSpeak (DVD) (2003)
YesAcoustic (DVD) (2004/2006)
35th Anniversary Concert: Songs From Tsongas (DVD) (2004)
YesSpeak - YesAcoustic - 35th Anniversary Edition (DVD) (2005)
Critical Review 1968-1973 (DVD) (2005)
Greatest Video Hits (DVD) (2005)
Inside Yes Plus Friends And Family (DVD) (2006)
Acoustic Live (DVD) (2006)
Total Rock Review (DVD) (2006)
Close To The Edge: Rock Milestones (DVD) (2007)
Live At Montreux (DVD/BR) (2007)
The Lost Broadcasts (DVD) (2009)
Rock Of The 70s (DVD) (2009)
Union Live (2011)
Live Hemel Hempstead Pavilion October 3rd 1971 (2014)

Genre: Symphonic Prog

Origin UK

Added: September 28th 2003
Reviewer: Keith "Muzikman" Hannaleck
Score:
Artist website: yesworld.com
Hits: 2447
Language: english