America-Yes

[geoped1]

when a group can be incredibly technical and utilize that to create a kick-ass rock'n drive... baby, that's genius. "Them" were the days.

[giangp]

Just awesome! Listen to the vocal lines. Brilliant! Howe was incredible too. Love that's guitar tones!

[fucheduck]

a pitch octive lower than usual. John sounds like a weather siren rather than a cop siren. the line up as at the best at this time, interesting Xperimental tune I'd not heard on any albumn. now you can get bow tie cammies and your teeth filled with 'em. what idea will Yes predict next..?

[fucheduck]

except I'd like bruford in there!

[FritterFrat]

I don't think this is live audio recording of this video footage.

[GBJPhotoWorks]

While I'll always think of it as Simon and Garfunkel's song, this is probably my favorite Yes recording of all time. Yes... raw and rocking! Hard! So creative, so innovative and actualy footage of the GREAT innovator, Eddie Offord, sitting at the sound board. "Hmmm... what happens if we crank the bass way up?" Thanks, Eddie. Howe at his frenetic best, and the cameraman's looking around the room! Final 60 seconds? Probably the very favorite rock and roll jam I've ever heard.

[joe10864336]

Lastima que estas grabaciones no se vean mejores por que estos eran increibles momentos para estos musicos!

[bergerdrum]

As a drummer/musician: I'm really weary of people who don't know what they're talking about slogging Alan White. I love BB's & AW's playing equally; they're different and ought not to be compared. Alan's skill cannot be called into question, and growing up listening to these guys I gravitated more to Alan's playing because it was simply ballsier. As a Yes fan: I love BB, but also love Alan's contributions to Yes, and they've had beautiful moments for which he alone is responsible.

[Superpig74]

Can someone that knows something explain what Progressive Rock is? I mean YES and Pink Floyd in the same style maybe, but some prog rock bands are completely different... (call me an idiot if you like)

[edstirling]

progressive rock is basically the opposite of punk. Rather than just rocking out simple songs in the same way elvis and buddy holly used to do, prog rock is deliberately sophisticated, intellectual and experimental. It combines ideas from other genres, like classical and jazz, into the rock idiom. The works tend to be much larger in scope as well, for example, Close to the Edge is 18 minutes long and consists of four movements. The Wall is a 2 hour opera.

[axzck]

HAHAHA

[thimoneus]

The key characteristic is its parallel to classical music. It has something to do with its major complexity and fluctuating synchronizations. Every musician is putting on his own unique show yet working tightly in rhythm with the others. I would say Iron Maiden is a heavy metal version of the same thing. Early Metallica probably is too. It takes really great musicians to play that style of music and is much more difficult to write and perform than four chord rock, though I love that too.

[020338]

Chris' bass is honkin' on this song! :)

[vjjunk]

Hear the clean, original sound. His bass (a RM1991 - model 4001) uses less compression effects than the usual in this song.

[Spyes23]

Yes... where would music be without them??

By far the greatest band ever!

[bluesyplatedude454]

It's Sad That john anderson (singer) had respritory failure The tour then ended for 2008! why WHY WHY WHY!

[sunshinegirl1967]

Is there any pitch distortion here, or is this the original key? This starts out in A flat which is the way I remember it on radio (the 3 minute radio-friendly version). Yet I've heard it since that time (on CD) and it's in A or almost A (A minus I think is what they call it.) Just wondering. Wow, this can't be 34 years ago!

[genyouwin]

Hello, Sunshinegirl,

I have no idea whether it starts out in A flat or A minus, or on the A1 Megabus from London to Edinburgh - but it starts out with five very talented young men playing about with a wonderful song, and having fun, and finishing with even more fun - 7:42 onwards (no pun intended).

Music is fun, forget the mathematics. :o))))

[bergerdrum]

sunshinegirl: Old analog recording & playback gear could do funny thing with pitches. The tune is actually in D major (it comes in on the 5th, A), but if you notice this is also at a slower tempo than normal. My guess is that the gear used to edit this wasn't calibrated properly and it resulted in slightly slower speed, thus the lower pitch & speed.

[KUTVgroucho]

. I took this version and compared it to the album mix. It's exactly a semitone lower at the beginning then it wavers a bit due to the inconsistent tape playback speed minutes later. Your theory is certainly plausible. Some bands then did raise and lower pitches once they figured out how to rig tape machines accordingly, certainly the Beatles did around '66/'67

[610210jc1]

It's easy to forget now, but these were very young musicians in their early twenties. The level of playing is brilliant. As usual, Steve Howe steals the show, whch is some achievement with Chris Squire and Bill Bruford in the same band at the same time!! He LOOKS just like any wannabe guitar hero of the same era, but just spills out ideas all the time. Rick is fantastic, but I always thought he was periphoral - never not the session man, so maybe Tony Kaye is more central to the real Yes.

[mickyb8419]

@610210jc1 .... I like your views on the early Yes.......... Rick was more a star in his own right, but I do like his contributions to the band.... he certainly took it seriously............

[majorphoto]

incredible musicianship and a fun, fun song!

[seljuk1969]

Amazing clip, seeing Yes at the height of it's power in '72. Just to think that this song came out of the same studio sessions that gave us 'CTTE'

Right after this, Bruford left and the band was never the same. Commercially, they became huge, but artistically they lost that creative spark.

Btw, Squire looks really stoned in the control room at the end!

[zenking08]

Nope, Buford was around for a litle ditty called CLOSE TO THE EDGE!!!!!!!

He did not leave right after this. Know your YES before you post.

[seljuk1969]

Apparently you have mis-read my post dude.

I said that after the CTTE sessions, which included 'America' in early '72, Bruford left.

If you want to be a real dork and dispute me on what day, hour or minute 'America' was recorded during that time period, fine go ahead!

In the meantime, switch to Decaf and mellow out!

[vjjunk]

To be more precisely, Bruford left the band in the rehearsals of "Siberian Kathru", played then by White. Note that the style is completely different from Bruford, great drummer, my idol.

[seljuk1969]

Yep, those late evening rehearsals/recordings that drove Bruford crazy! I remember seeing a video interview where Alan White mentioned he had to sit in on 'Khatru' because Bill had bailed out of the studio early.

Indeed a great drummer, he was always trying to do something different.

[maynard427]

I've heard versions of this tune with Alan White on drums. I have to say Bruford blows him away. The yes was never the same after bruford left the band. They lost the "spaceyness" that only Bruford could offer. To see what I mean compare a recording of the song Perpetual Change. With each of the two drummers playing it. again in my opinion Bruford blows White away.

[breakfastisready]

couldn't agree more....

[blighty63]

Great musicians!

[ePhilosopher]

my point was WAREHOUSE NEW ORLEANS. how trippy . lovely

[ePhilosopher]

The Drama of Ruddles, be careful, his bowtie is really a chimera

[budelke]

I've got this onces on an strange Atlantic, various artists album. It hid me!! There's no time and a word for this "America" thanks.

[rickyon]

I believe that your talking about "The Guitars That Destroyed The World" because it's on that Atlantic album of various artists including the best version of Blue Oyster Cult's "Buck's Boogie" ever recorded! I've tried to find a copy since I lost mine but have had no luck!

[blighty63]

Brilliant!! Not your typical Yes song, but this Simon & Garfunkel song gets a truly masterful reworking by the guys. Apart from the lyrics you wouldn't recognise it! Found the single version of this still in a duke box about 13/14 years ago in a pub. Put it on and it blew everybody away. That was well over 20 years after they recorded it! OK, the video quality is poor but just listen to these great musicians at works. They are still going strong & still have that magic touch.

[610920]

Not too many fellow artist got the honor to be "covered" by YES. Such a distinction, don't you think so ?

[rickyon]

I had this song on an album called "The Guitars That Destroyed The World" I was devastated when I couldn't find it anymore but now I'm ecstatic! Thanks for the post!Simon and Garfunkels version was OK (I know they wrote it) But this Blows that away!

[rhaibrazil]

Chris was so serious... Rick made the show!!! Great video!!!!!

[edburns00]

I love the laid back tempo they take during the jam! What a fat groove between Bruford and Squire.

[zappatx]

Anderson - the most underrated; Bruford the coolest; Kaye played the first take much better than Wakeman (Ok I'm in trouble now); and great clip except when Bruford and Wakeman dunk in to powder their noses towards the end. Come on now guys..

[fattyacidsbabeh]

so ancient and so beautiful with all their feminine hair and poor quality but again, it's yes. it's beautiful. thank you.

[ckshep59]

Thanks! That was awesome! I pulled out my recording of it on Yesterdays, 1974. My favorite Yes song by far.

[pgravelle]

Thanks for this. Long time YTes Fan and I've never missed a tour since Relayer. Seen the band 30+ times and met them twice. What's really great to see here is the funs these guys were having and it's great to see Bruford. I always felt Bruford was a better fit for Yes but I love Alan White also. Peace!

[budelke]

Til last week I never knew that Alan White played drums on George Harrison's My Sweet Lord. wayback 1971,

what a surprise.

[maynard427]

bruford blows white away. proabaly could ouy play white with one hand tied behind his back and also be blindfolded.

[racer500gp]

You're right, as much as I like White, Bruford's sense of syncopation is untouchable. Even when he's playing straight 4/4 he so out there yet right in the pocket.

[mooregl]

You can find this on their double live CD. OPnly the version there is much longer and intense. I have only seen Yes about 12 times. One show their encore was "I'm Down". Cover of the Beatles song. In Yes style!

[bbmusic1]

Wow this is so rare - thanks

[datsunvic]

Oh Thank You SO MUCH! I've looked for this complete version for SO LONG! I had this on import vinyl in the late 70's and lost it in the early 80's. Since then, Ive only heard the edited version (without Steve's Solo) Oh man, Even with the poor quality - I loved it!!

[davens99]

i miss the good ol' days of rock. Today it is "Genericana"

[rard13]

When it comes to Rock there was nothing like the 70s. And, I can't think of any band in the last 10 years that has the creativity & abilities of Yes. BTW - Rick pulled all his old equipment out of storage and has made an album, Retro. A follow-up is in progress.

[mark33033]

Definately Yes at it's finest moment

[suzmetal89]

gawd . the studio equiptment so sophisticated then. yet yes crated the most clean recordings then as well,especially compared to todays recording technology

[earthworksrocks]

Honestly this is the best song they've ever done. Rick looks like a girl in the video though. In my most personal opinion, with the exception of 90125 and some of the Jobson stuff, Yes started started to suck after Bruford left.

[SowhatNC]

You can't be serious? Tales From Topographic Oceans.

[Jazzman1985]

Definitely one of the greatest recordings by Yes.

[2thbush5190]

Great, I never knew this existed. America was recorded for an album called The Age Of Atlantic, which was a sampler of a handful of Atlantic Records artists. I still have that lp, I bought it for America right after Tales was released. Great, and thanks

[BassThrasher]

i love this tune.

those runs at 00:57 and at the end of the song are so addicting.

[ePhilosopher]

saints will not cowher

beautiful trip bussiness hoA

[simoncharlestomsett]

too many dropouts- and i don't mean the band.

Quality -Nil points.

[olivedrag]

beats simon and garfunkel

[ackerlaw2004]

blah blah blah blee blee blova

[ePhilosopher]

lol and he is sharapova

[ePhilosopher]

still warehouse nola,we dropped

[gestalt242]

What a fantastic guitar tone. Howe is incredible.  And Chris Squire, well it goes without saying...

[kenrayboy]

wish I could've seen this when they did it...better late than never...yeah, lipsynch, but a fun video. Why didn't they play more fun music like this? More covers might have kept them on planet Earth, maybe. Strange times, the 70's. Encroaching corporate-mentalism really kicked in big time.

[c2ways]

This song really shows a great interplay between Chris Squire and Steve Howe. they really could bounce off one another. Squire's trademark Rickenbacher twang is really shown off here. If you like that, I would recommend gettign your hands on Ned's Atomic Dustbin's "Are You Normal". I love music where the bass guitar can step out of the shadows and play melody, not just rhythm.

[ePhilosopher]

gradually going bruford katrina

[zeuhlmate]

Its great music - but the video is playback (watch the guitarsolo closely).

[sanslatete]

Yes still rock.

[chromeoverbrass]

bill Bruford left the band in 1972, so I'd say this video was one of the last things he did with the band...I'd place the video in 1972.

[chromeoverbrass]

I think Yes' version of this song is incredible...I didn't know any video existed until now! I'm a drummer, and Bill Bruford's drumming on the song is my favorite of his. Cool vid!

[Canadarago]

Sorry Shadows - they still rock. Did you hear "Magnification" from 2001 or last year's tour? They got a 10 minute standing ovation at MSG.

Wakeman and Bruford are a hoot in this...

[shadowsfromthesun]

One my favorite Yes songs...from back in the good ol' days when Yes ROCKED, and Steve Howe played with a passion. Wow, how times have changed, wish they'd go back to that style of playing and hard-driving rock songs. IMHO they've gone WAY downhill ever since then....Big Generator was the start of the decline, and the ABWH album was really when they landed in the toilet.

[ackerlaw2004]

Dude - did you hear the solo on the version of this song on Keys to Ascension I? Pure passion but with the wisdom only age and decades dedicated to your craft can bring!

[whiterobin5151]

Keys to Ascension - the album with that proggy pile of horse manure called Mind Drive? Now THAT was a low point.

[whiterobin5151]

Amen to that. The band's too smooth-sounding these days, not enough fire in their pants. Howe's latter day playing sounds tired, less adventurous. He still pulls a rabbit out that musical hat from time to time, but not to the same consistent level he once achieved. The way he plays here is what defined him for me - full of a spirit that isn't there anymore.

[ackerlaw2004]

respectfully yet vehemently disagree. I would rather listen to Mind Drive than anything on the radio today. I have a copy of Mind Drive in a demo version being played by Squire, Howe and Jimmy Page in 1980 - I love Pagey but talk about dispassion. It really didn't work. Its all subjective anyway. The solo to America on K2A, doesn't suffer because of the studio song Mind Drive in any event.

[whiterobin5151]

I almost (but not quite - I'm a closet Yes fan, you know) wish they'd called it a day at Awaken - now that would have been legendary. Ah, sorry, I digress again...

Anyone into ABBA?

[sonic540]

AWESOME!!!!!thanx man

[richcapo]

To stop the jerking, hit play and then pause. Wait for the light gray bar to grow into medium gray. When the med gray hits the end of the bar, hit play once again. You'll see the video in its entirety -- without all that annoying start/stop action.

[jaywerba]

I'm new to youtube, and a lifetime Yes fanatic...Can anyone please suggest who I can download the entire piece before watching. When I play it, it is very herky jerky - starting, stopping, starting, stopping. There must be some way I can download and then, once it's completely downloaded, I can watch it. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks...

[hamwinkie]

Great Simon copy. Why not? It did not come out on the album though. Was released later on a greatest hits type thing.

[ePhilosopher]

Squier t the Warehouse T-Shirt 6:26 or so.

OMG.

Thank you post katrina

last time i saw YES was at HOB on Jon's birthday years ago on Decatur.

Nice Warehouse.!

lollong on the bus