The bassline on "No Opportunity" is soo amazing. The first two Yes albums that preceded "The Yes Album" and "Fragile" are not to be overlooked! Thanks for the reaction!

Lex, when you get to “Then” you will be blown away by Jon’s vocals.

Peter Banks an amazing guitarist on his own right. R.I.P.

Chris Squire and the Rickenbacker 4001 Bass...A match made in a Nitroglycerin factory...

Lex, I will never get tired of hearing you say you’re ‘a huge Yes fan’. Makes me smile, makes me happy. Nick, I know you’re a big fan too and this channel is where I most enjoy watching Yes reactions! All of it! What a treat it was to rediscover Everydays with you guys. And just a note while you’re diving into the early version of Yes; they were like so many other bands, influenced by the Beatles and others and did some really nice covers. Check out Every Little Thing (Beatles) and of course America (Simon and Garfunkel)

The theatrical theme music in No op. None Necessary is their arr. of the theme music from the film “The Big Country”, a western from that time period. Thanks for reacting to it you two.

This was me, on a waterbed, with headphones in 1981 discovering this LP, and having my brain melt. Love you two. ❤

Ever since I've been watching reactors I've been anxious to see someone react to Everydays! Thanks!

I was lucky enough to see and hear them as a support act for The Nice playing this set at the Royal Festival Hall in 1970. A lifetime ago.

Great selections Greybeard hadn’t heard that first one. That interlude in the first song was lifted from the main title of a classic western film from the 60s. The film is called The Big Country. Starring Gregory Peck and Charlton Heston it’s a classic you should watch it. Fun to see it incorporated into the song. Great to see both of you back again smiling and reacting together. Made my week. ❤️👍😎😄

I could talk for hours about yes. I saw them many times in the 70s and 80s. Thank you guys for all you do. Especially YES. It's awesome to see both of your reactions to YES music. YES I'm a fanitic😍

There's a time and the time is now and it's right for me it's right for me and the time is now There's a word and the word is love and it's right for me it's right for me and the word is love High School days, discovering Yes and prog rock was just so enlightening, waiting for the next album....the flood of memories that come with those songs......

Another great reaction guys! I always love when you all react to Yes!

music of my young youth and teenage years back in the 70's...keep em comin my rocky mtn friends..much love,kent.

I'm glad you guys are doing a little research. I know it will help with your enjoyment of the tracks. When you guys listened to turn-of-the-century I so wanted you to know before that the song was about a Sculptor who sculpted his wife and before he finished she died. Knowing that beforehand could have deepen your understanding of the poignancy and emotion of the song. Love you guys💞

You should listen to the rest of this album. The title track, "Time and a Word", is a beautiful song. "Sweet Dreams" and "Then" are killer too!

For early Yes you must check out their version of America, it is astounding. I'm also quite surprised no one has mentioned Yessongs. You have not heard Yes until you've heard it live! Every thing on that double album is fantastic but I recommend starting with Your's is no Disgrace. You will not be disappointed!

This is their 2nd album. Original members here! Tony Kaye comes back throughout the years. Bruford leaves shortly and so does Peter Banks. The Yes album(3rd) album has more popular songs on it!❤️ They remind me of Beatniks here!💕

The first two songs were *covers* of other artists: Richie Havens & *Stephen Stills* when he was with the Buffalo Springfield. Their first two albums had at least two covers on them each, which one presumes was because they had not yet put together enough original material to fill an album. By the way, I'll mention again that the _last_ cover they did 1) did not appear on any of their studio albums, and 2) was their greatest cover of all: *America,* a Paul Simon specialty. In their early years, YES would do covers in concerts that they would turn into _jams._ YES' version of America was almost unrecognizable compared to the original, but it was so fantastic, I include it in my favorite Top Six YES songs of all time. It is filled with Squire/Bruford ear candy. I guarantee you will be as infatuated with it as I have always been...😉

Loved this Nicknlex ❤So Many great tracks on the Time & a word album it still has the late 60’s sound thanks Greybeard 👍

Extremely under rated album at the time and now. I still give it a play now and again. Marvellous.

No Opportunity composed by Richie Havens, Everydays composed by Stephen Stills.

Two other standout tracks on this album are "Time and a Word" and "Sweet Dreams" they sound more like the Yes you are more familiar with.

Their earlier stuff is very soft and makes you feel good imo. A great song is Sweetness idk if you guys have heard it before from their “Yes” album not to be mistaken with “the Yes album” and yes these are with bruford, he was an original member and lasted till Close to the Edge and came back in Union and left and then idk

Thanks Greybeard for requesting this marathon. I suppose it's just me, but I prefer to ration my listenings of the first album and Time and a Word. I enjoy them so much more when I haven’t heard them for a while. Maybe it's because I heard The Yes Album first and it made such an impression on me. I then rushed out and bought albums 1 and 2 and although I liked them, the development in their music between this album and The Yes Album was, to my ears, startling. Anyway enough of all that.. hearing these great tracks again after a few months off was great fun. Thanks Nick and uber-Yes fan Lex, wonderful stuff xx

Their first two albums are usually overlooked but I love em. There are videos for all three of these songs you guys should check out. Fun stuff. This is a great birthday surprise for me today! Thanks NicknLex😃

This was really great. Why have I not listened to this record! Fun reaction! Chris’s bass lines! 👍thanks greybeard for this. Much love!!

One thing to note, On Astral Travelers Jon Anderson's voice was routed through the organ's Leslie speaker to give it that wavey sound. Yes used that effect in a couple of songs.

Everydays written by Stephen Stills...

Nick if you are curious about Peter Banks that Flash album is really incredible beyond Small Beginnings and his solo album Two Sides Of Peter Banks. Wait till you see who he invited to play on that.

Next time your out on the open road, “Astral Traveler”, crank up the volume and let it blast, you have to do it, it’s required. Been doin it for over 50 years, like a lot of YES fans, some of us are getting old but not getting tired of listening to the BEST. Great stuff Guys. x

Classic old YES……so love this early YES. Love, Light and Peace to you both💛🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

I love the first 2 Yes albums and was alway psyched to hear songs or pieces of songs from them included in the live set lists at the Yes shows I got to attend. There are brilliant covers on these albums. I really don’t hear them as set apart from the rest of their latter albums. What an OUTSTANDING MARATHON Greybeard ! Thank you for putting it together. YES has always been a continuous work in progress throughout their career and you two have heard enough YES to appreciate the greatness of those early works. Thanks for another GREAT video you two… Cheers 🎉!

The 2nd side of Drama: Into the Lens, Run Through the Light, and Tempis Fugit are EPIC. Squire and How are en fuego! on Drama. Adding the writing production of Trevor Horn and Geoff Downes was genius.

"Everydays" is a cover of a Buffalo Springfield song (Stephen Stills and Neil Young were in Buffalo Springfield), who were folk rock rivals of the Byrds. Jon Anderson was very influenced by the folk rock of the Byrds and Buffalo Springfield. The Byrds are covered on the first Yes album. Yes basically began as a band doing 'heavy' covers of 60s pop fare, throwing in the jazz and classical elements. The heady days of the beginning of 'progressive rock'. Tony Kaye is a vastly underrated rock organist. His overdriven Hammond organ playing is essential on Yes, Time and a Word, The Yes Album. The band wanted Moogs and Mellotrons in addition to piano and organ. Tony Kaye wasn't keen on it, so they moved on (for the better. Rick Wakeman took them to a whole new level).

Yes is an ideal and any inception is amazing. Thx 👍💪🤙

I can't believe I've ignored the first 2 Yes albums all these years! I'm going to try to get my hands on them now (I prefer to have CDs.) Thank you Greybeard, Alexia and Nick for opening my eyes and ears!! Lex, the pipe organ on CTTE NEVER fails to bring me to tears! I love it so much! Great reaction and marathon! 🎵❤️🎵 Debbie

Hi Lex, made up you're a big Yes fan, welcome to the club. You have many hours of great music to listen to in the future, enjoy.

Wow!! You guys are going way back now! So glad you both really seem to like Yes, Its so nice to see!! I love everything from them!! Here's a little tidbit for you, back in the very early years of Yes Jon made a conscious effort to make his voice sound deeper. He thought it was too high. Of course we all know now there's was no need to do that Jon! Thanks for bringing back all these wonderful memories for me and enjoying this music again!! 🙂

Lex is a huge Yes fan! Data girl!

I saw Circa in NYC, which is a Yes offshoot. Tony Kaye did the intro to No Opp Nec as part of a Yes Medley. I never thought I'd get to see/hear that, and I'll never forget it.

I know it’s been said, but the first two albums are SO underrated. Would have preferred hearing originals rather than covers, but it’s all good stuff…

❤ Love!!! Love ❤!!!! This song 🎵 and every song on the album.

"Time And A Word" is Tony Kaye's master class on how to play the Hammond organ. Amazing work there. The best song on the album is 'The Prophet', so be sure to hit that one some time. Also, the German pressing had a song that didn't make the UK and N American pressings called 'Dear Father', which is another great track. You'll miss it if nobody points it out to you! You need to watch the 'Everydays' video! It's hilarious and a trip. Also, ALL of the videos the band did for this album had Steve Howe in them, because Peter Banks hated what the band were doing, and so he was fired right after it was released and they got Steve Howe to replace him. Nonetheless, the first two albums with Peter Banks on guitar are awesome albums. His playing was groundbreaking and he is often referred to as the Architect Of Progressing Rock Guitar.

lot of yes fans underlook this album its amazing

Yay!! ❤❤ John Anderson through a Leslie! 🤤😊

NONNEN is one of Chris alltime best bass lines and Bruford has said this is favorite album.I bought this when it came out and was absolutely floored. Love this album!

Jon Anderson was ambitious and had an orchestra playing on most of the album to embellish their sound. Chris Squire’s bass is overly high in the mix because the producer had faulty headphones that were lacking the lower tones so he kept upping the bass in the mix.

great FINALLY got to hear the roots of how YES became YES to better understand the basic elements and unique collaboration between the early members that produced such great intense music later. They decided to add an orchestra for this their 2nd album. The song NONNE is a reimagined cover by Richie Haven who was the first performer at Woodstock. They did hijack the theme from the TV show "The Big Country". EVERYDAYS is a revamp written by Stephen Stills of CSNY. ASTRAL is an original song which demonstrates all the trademark elements still to come. The rest of the album is wonderful too ! I also ask WHY it doesn't get as much attention but this was the early classic lineup before Steve. Bill playing is always a wonderfully distinct and prevalent. Most divide YES's career up into this era then the Steve era and the without Jon phase.

The first two albums are usually overlooked and underappreciated. The first two songs you played were covers; No Opportunity, No . . . (Richie Havens) and Everydays (Buffalo Springfield w/Stephen Stills and Neil Young). I think the best cover they did is; America (Simon & Garfunkel). The opening song of the first album, Beyond and Before is a must listen. What a great way to introduce the world to their music with that opening song. Looking Around, Survival and Sweetness are cool too. Now that you have cracked open Time and Word, don't skip Then and The Prophet. The album cover you showed was banned in the USA--too risque for Americans.

You should check out the music videos for these songs. They are pretty good. They were a part of a French TV showcase on the band that came out in 1970 to promote the Time and a Word album. The videos show Steve Howe instead of Peter Banks who played guitar originally on the album. Time and a Word is a very underrated album.

Its hard to understand how the band's sound changed so much during only a few years. From Time and a Word....The Yes Album.....Fragile.....Close to the Edge. All different. And in about a 3 year window! Amazing. How much they used orchestral arrangements in this album to completely dropping it for The Yes Album. From jazz and orchestra to anthematic and more creative/progressive rock.

Peter Banks has a darn good guitar solo in Astral Traveler.

It’s actually the opening music from the movie The Big Country. It’s a pretty good western starring Gregory Peck. I think the movie came out in 1958. Loved that Yes sampled this in their song.

The first track was written by Richie Havens and Jerome Moross. Everydays was surprisingly written by Stephen Stills and Jon Anderson wrote Astral Traveller, which definitely has a more of a Yes feel to it.

Hey Nick, here's one for you. Back in the early 90's, Peter Banks came to my apartment and I turned him on to Soft Machine's Bundles album. He kept asking me to back it up and relisten. He said Allan Holdsworth reminded him of John Coltrane.

Tony Kaye at the time was primarily an organ player and Rick came in because they wanted to expand the sound and choices with synths.

Hi NicknLex, glad you have got to listen to this early gem of a Yes album! Three of the four best tracks on it, as someone mentioned Then is a must listen, probably my favourite after Astral Traveler from this album.

Always loved this album.

Great selection. Good to see a reaction to early Yes. And to hear something of Peter Banks and Tony Kaye's contribution to the bands development. The album 'Time and a Word' was recorded with an orchestra. This led to Peter Banks leaving and to Steve Howe taking things in a different direction. Their first album is also worth a listen; particularly the song 'I See You'. There is a compilation album called Yesterdays that captures some of the best tracks from the first two albums. Really enjoyed this reaction.

YESYESYES! A great marathon! I always liked Time and a Word a lot and I'm sure you will to. The whole album is a rewarding listen. The title track is one of my faves and Jon Anderson played it acoustically on his solo tour a few years ago, sounding great. You can hear their growth from the psychedelic era approach melded with some high level folk and stirring in some orchestrations (now THAT is prog). Anderson has said that Simon and Garfunkle were a huge influence on their early work too (hear their version of America from the Fragile sessions). They were definitely going places, you can tell from their eclectic approach. Btw, I put in a request in that last batch (last year jajajaja) but I forgot to put in the song name. If/when you get to it, I would like a reaction to "Brazilia (wish you were here)" by Godley & Creme. 😉

You haven't heard this album before because there are so many great albums by them early on it got lost in the shuffle. It's almost weird that these brilliant young guys got together in one band. This lineup was as brilliant and creative as you will find. Bruford and Kaye would come back to tour and record with them at times throughout the years.

after these you can see the massive influence Steve Howe had in taking Yes up to another level

Themes from this album turn up virtually throughout the subsequent YES repertoire, maybe in minute moments, but they are there..particularly from Chris.

Every days was originally on the Buffalo Springfield album written by Stephen Stills. Great version!

Good job @greybeard !!!!👍🏻

Moving forward on your Yes Tour, may I recommend from 1978's Tormato album, the opening (Yea) track, "Future Times / Rejoice". It was a eye opener when first released. Thanks.

Chris Squire was 21-22 when recorded this tremendous bass lines.

Fixing to listen to Greybeard's excellent marathon, but wanted to mention that it is Tony Kaye, who's my fb chum, and would want you to get that right. The title cut from this album is basically an anthem for the age. Also...Close to the Edge always gives me horripilation or goosebumps, from that organ swell, to the final climax of climaxes. Best song of all. Gonna listen now...

Another thought... 'Everydays' as many people have commented, was written by Stephen Stills. Surely one of the most gifted yet underrated songwriter/musicians ever. I feel a marathon must be in the pipeline somewhere?

THX Greybeard, and of course NicknLex. What a blast. 😎👍 I haven't heard this in 40 years.🍁 omg

Astral traveler is out of this world! :)

No Opportunity ... not a Yes song. It was written by Richie Havens and Jerome Moross who composed for film and television, so your TV/film music idea was correct.

Yes played No Experience on their recent tour a homage to the original band members of which none were on stage.

YES=Satisfacción garantizada!! Es un gran álbum!! El tema "Time And A Word" es una belleza!! Y ya que hicieron "Everyday", les recomiendo,si no lo escucharon, el tema homónimo de STEVE HACKETT!! Saludos 🇦🇷

"Tell Your Mama -- The Times They are a changin' !" Yes has two sides -- the prog side and the psychedelic hippy protest side. The early stuff is a picture of the late 60s and the hope and challenge of the young against the corruption and the stubborn dug-in older generation, especially the class system in England, that looked down on anything musical that was out of the classical or 1940s eras. Yes members came from the high traditions of "great music" and added their own ultra-current ideas in the rock format. They really didn't give up on the radical hippy stuff, even on the later "Tormato" album there are some great protest songs "Don't Kill The Whale", "On the Silent Wings of Freedom". Bill Bruford absolutely kills it on "Astral Traveler" -- he is a whole percussion section to himself.

This is the final album release from the original lineup (although the single "Dear Father" wasn't heard by most Americans until it appeared on the Yesterdays comp in '75.) Two of these songs are covers, actually the only two covers on the album. Although they do showcase what early Yes was known for -- supercharged covers. ""No Opportunity..." is from Richie Havens (an early lyrical influence on Jon). "Everydays" was a Buffalo Springfield song by Steven Stills, and Yes' earlier versions were closer to the source as compared to the orchestral treatment here (which I've seen described as "icy" 🙂.) Nick, if you want to hear some jazzier early Yes check out "I See You" from the debut. "Astral Traveller" is considered by many the best song on the album, and points the way to the future. Peter Banks is even foreshadowing Steve Howe's ability to mix jazz and rock guitar styles. But Peter disagreed with Jon on the direction of Time and a Word, complaining that the orchestra butted in on his turf. But you can already see the wheels turning and Jon's ambition to give Yes a much larger soundscape. And as far as he was concerned you were either on board with his (and Chris') vision or you were out. Poor Tony Kaye would suffer the same verdict an album later. You just have to remember that King Crimson's debut had come out a year earlier and everyone -- Yes included -- were realizing they had to up their game to compete.

Three great and very different songs. People may think early Yes was just more primitive versions of the Yes albums but they weren't, they had a different sound although you can see they were already using the transitions which became a key part of their sound. Thanks also for the great sound of the songs sometime some reaction channels for some technical reason the sound quality is reduced but not on your's you got this bandg on, maximising the enjoyment. There is one thing you can be sure with Yes there is never one style, they are always surprising us, not just album to album but even song to song from the same album! I felt the orchestra added an extra dimension to the album, however it was one reason why Pete Banks left the band amongst other musical differences, he was not keen on the orchestral addition.

You skipped 'Then', got to listen to 'Then'.🤩

Not Opportunity Necessary is a cover of Richie Heavens song with the same title., Everydays is a Cover from Stephen Stills and originally recorded by Buffalo Springfield, Astral Traveler is a masterpiece written by Jon Anderson. Like all covers by Yes they are just amazing. You guys should listen to the originals to appreciate the cover expansion. Also this album Yes hired an orchestra and Peter Bank was not happy because the orchestra was used where guitar solos would have been, and that prompted his unhappiness and eventually he was let go of the band.

I think you would like to discover their early work with Buford, Banks & Kaye. First few albums. The depth of Yes changes with Howe, Wakeman & White!❤️❤️❤️❤️ Love Astral Travler! The more times you hear it - you love it even more ❤

The first two are underrated. I think some people think Steve Howe and maybe even Rick Wakeman are original members. I think The Yes Album and was the first one with Howe and Wakeman came on with Fragile if I am not mistaken. My firs experience with early Yes was the compilation album called Yesterdays which I still have on vinyl and and had songs from the first two albums plus the full length cover of Simon and Garfunkel's America.

Thanks .saw them 10 times perhsps. Great performers

"No Opportunity..." was a song by Richie Havens, and the orchestral bits were a direct steal (they've admitted it!) from the "Big Country" (a Western movie). "Astral Traveler" is still one of my favourite Yes songs.

- "No Opportunity Necessary..." and "Everydays" are covers of songs by Richie Havens and Buffalo Springfield, respectively - Tony Kaye would leave the band after _The Yes Album_ but then return to the band from '83-'95 - Peter Banks would form Flash after leaving the band after this album

Astral Traveler and Time and a Word are my favorites from this album. I do like the First album more though from this early time period of YES

Good to hear you listening to Time And A Word. The rest of the album is just as varied. Title track has been a feature in their live performances for quite a while. BUT - let’s talk about guitarist Peter Banks. Compared to the mastery of Steve Howe he may seem mid-grade, but the dexterity of style he brought is astounding. The jazz influence you talk about is punctuated by Banks’ cool jazz riffing and he’s about as percussive at times as Bruford. A few years ago I heard Howe pay tribute to him during a live YES performance. If Steve has admiration for him then he deserves a closer listen. I’ve heard him referred to as the “Grandfather of Prog Guitar” and that seems right. The breadth of playing styles alone is evidence enough. Some of the chordal swells attributed to Tony Kaye are actually Banks and a volume pedal. Hope you listen to their debut album soon. It’s a revelation!

Now you have to listen to their first album! Their first two albums are underrated. There are glimpses of the extended prog that will come with their later albums. It's what I call "Garage Prog" - garage rock with prog hints. Yes, Bill is much more the jazz drummer than Alan.

This is a fascinating transitional album for them, because you can hear their growing interest in complex “orchestral” arrangements that moved beyond what could be achieved by conventional rock instruments (hence the use of strings, for example). Peter Banks was an excellent guitarist, but not really capable of or inclined to play in the more classical style provided by Steve Howe. Same with Tony Kaye, although he lasted one more album; he was fixated on playing Hammond organ (and was excellent), but didn’t want to explore the more complex possibilities presented by synthesizers (hence Rick Wakeman’s arrival)

Just some tid bits. This is their 2nd album Two songs of this marathon are covers or more like interpretations of songs written by others No Opportunity… is written by Ritchie Havens Everydays is written by Steven Stills The Orchestration added caused some tensions with band members especially guitarist Peter Banks who was not a fan of the idea. The album cover photo of the group actually includes Steve Howe instead of Peter Banks even though Howe is not on the album. Back in the early 70’s pre-internet this was a bit of a head scratcher. Anderson Squire Bruford Kaye Banks

From this album I also really like the song called The Prophet, lyrics make sense lol

I like the "Beatnik" reference by dolfinpt.... Yeah, they do! A little side note: Geddy Lee pointed out "No Opportunity Necessary No Experience Needed" during his Yes - Rock n' Roll HOF introduction speech. He recalled the first time he heard it, and pointed to that song, and Chris' "incredible" bass playing, as the reason he plays a Rickenbacker bass. As an album, Time and a Word is often overlooked. The next album (The Yes Album), is often treated as if it were their first, as it was Steve Howe's first and includes songs that became setlist staples. I agree with those who say you should listen to the Yes recording of Simon and Garfunkel's "America". (with Bruford/Wakeman - 1971?) Also, I don't believe you've gotten to "Going for the One", the title track from the classic album released in 1977. (with White/Wakeman) Catchy and somewhat overlooked, the vocals/lyrics, and Steve Howe's pedal steel guitar, climatically spiral the listener to an ethereal world of joy, wonder and possibility. (I like that....) Oh, and "Parallels", don't believe you've gotten to that one. Written by Chris, a great song and reminder that the band could rock out with the best of em'.

I think that “TV Theme Song” you recognized in the first song is a snippet from The Wild Wild West (1965-1969).

Chris Squire so made his mark with his bass work on early Yes songs

Yes!

Thanks for that!

I've had this album for more than 4 decades and I've only listened to it a couple of times. I gave the album a re-listen and it's pretty solid. I think a lot of Peter Banks work is really buried in the mix. He's a fantastic guitarist.

He skipped my favorite two songs on that album, which are two of my favorite YES tracks, “Sweet Dreams”, and “Then”!! Please review them as well.

Early Yes. A bit more conventional with late 69 vibes. They were still cutting their teeth and finding the groove they would eventually land in. Jon sings standard lyrics versus the poetry salad in the later albums. Good album. Tony Kaye would return in the 80s.

52.2k !!!!!