Label: Warner Music (Japan), WPCR-13513
Style: Symphonic Rock
Country: London, England
Time: 60:09
Format: Flac Tracks 16/44,1 kHz
Size: 417 Mb
Released in 1970, Time and a Word was a product of the usual sturm und drang that seems to surround this band. Singer Jon Anderson wanted to go more orchestral; guitarist Peter Banks fought him (and the band) every step of the way.
I’m glad Anderson and company won out. I love the orchestral stuff on this album. Sure, some people thought it was pompous, overblown and all that. But you know what? It can’t all be Chuck Berry. I think that this album is actually kinda funky in its own way.
The song “No Opportunity Necessary, No Experience Needed,” kicks things off with a visceral bang. That orchestral score you hear is lifted straight from the soundtrack of the epic western movie, Big Country.
The song itself, believe it or not, is by folk singer Richie Havens, he of Woodstock fame. How the hell they got to this version I’ll never know.
In case you know what the late Peter Banks looked like and are wondering where he is on the album cover, wonder no more. The band fired him and replaced him with the incredibly awesome Steve Howe who played not one note on the album but is on the cover. Banks started a prog-rock band called Flash, and played with a lot of different people – most notably Blodwyn Pig – but never quite reached the heights.
Next up, the song “Everydays.” Another cover, this is actually a Stephen Stills tune from Buffalo Springfield Again, that band’s second album from 1967. I love Bill Bruford’s cymbal work on this – so cool. He again proves on this one that he’s the man. And for the record, even though Banks feared he’d be lost under tons of strings, he’s out here loud and clear and I like his work. Lest ye think the band incapable of writing their own songs, along comes Jon Anderson’s “Astral Traveller.”
Reviews were mixed for this album (although New Musical Express loved it). Critical curmudgeon Robert Christgau didn’t like it but then again, didn’t much like anything by Yes. Tough toenails oh, self-appointed “Dean of All Rock Critics.”
Another Anderson tune, “Time and a Word” - it’s anthemic, somewhat hippie-ish and positive. There’s a time – now – and there’s a word – love. Well, why the hell not.
The band was eligible for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in, I think, 1994. They got inducted this year, some twenty-three years later. You explain it, I can’t. I’ve already expressed my displeasure with this so I’ll leave it there. Guess I’ll just be glad they got in at all.
(musicenthusiast.net/2017/05/23/featured-album-time-and-a-word-yes/)
01. No Opportunity Necessary, No Experience Needed (04:53)
02. Then (05:49)
03. Everydays (06:12)
04. Sweet Dreams (03:51)
05. The Prophet (06:38)
06. Clear Days (02:09)
07. Astral Traveller (05:57)
08. Time And A Word (04:39)
09. Dear Father (04:15)
10. No Opportunity Necessary, No Experience Needed (Original Mix) (04:45)
11. Sweet Dreams (Original Mix) (04:20)
12. The Prophet (Single Version) (06:35)
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