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| Yessongs | |
|---|---|
| Name | Yessongs |
| Type | live |
| Released | 15 November 1973 |
| Recorded | 1972–1973 |
| Genre | Progressive rock |
| Length | 95:06 |
| Label | Atlantic Records |
| Producer | Yes, Eddie Offord |
Yessongs is a 1973 live album by the English progressive rock band Yes. The triple LP captured performances from the band's 1972–1973 tours and showcased extended compositions such as "Close to the Edge" and "The Gates of Delirium". The album's release coincided with personnel changes and solidified Yes's reputation alongside contemporaries in progressive rock.
Yes formed in London in 1968 and rose to prominence with studio albums like Fragile (Yes album), Close to the Edge (album), and The Yes Album. Members during Yessongs' recordings included Jon Anderson, Chris Squire, Steve Howe, Rick Wakeman, and Bill Bruford. The live material was sourced from concerts in New York City, Philadelphia, Montreal, and London during tours supporting Close to the Edge (album). Recording engineers associated with the project had worked with acts such as Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Pink Floyd, Genesis, Jethro Tull, and King Crimson. Producer Eddie Offord had a history producing studio albums for Yes and was instrumental in mixing live tracks. The era saw contemporaneous activity by artists like David Bowie, Elton John, The Rolling Stones, The Who, and Black Sabbath, situating Yes within a vibrant early-1970s rock milieu. The live arrangements drew comparisons to performances by Pink Floyd, Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Gentle Giant, and Rush on stagecraft and technical execution. European tours included appearances in Paris, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, and Rome, venues where bands such as Uriah Heep and T. Rex also performed.
Yessongs was released by Atlantic Records in November 1973 as a triple LP in gatefold packaging. Subsequent reissues appeared on SACD and compact disc through labels including Rhino Entertainment, Elektra Records, and Rhino Atlantic. A 1997 remaster coincided with catalog reissues by Elder-era remaster campaigns and later re-releases by Warner Music Group affiliates. Anniversary editions offered bonus tracks and expanded liner notes referencing tours with bands such as solo projects by Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe, Asia, King Crimson, and Asia. Collectors sought first pressings with original artwork by Roger Dean, known for work with Black Sabbath, Uriah Heep, and Asia. Box sets paralleled archival releases by The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, and Genesis.
Side one and two featured extended suites and solo spots recognizable from studio counterparts like Close to the Edge (song) and selections from Fragile (Yes album). The tracklist included performances of pieces associated with the catalogs of Yes albums The Yes Album, Fragile (Yes album), and Close to the Edge (album). Live renditions echoed arrangements heard on radio stations such as BBC Radio 1, WNEW-FM, and KLOS during the early 1970s. Setlists mirrored festival appearances alongside Isle of Wight Festival, Reading Festival, and tours with peers like Genesis and King Crimson.
The cover art was created by Roger Dean, whose visual style is also linked to album covers for Asia, Dragon, and Uriah Heep. Dean's landscapes became synonymous with progressive rock packaging alongside designers who worked with Peter Gabriel, Yes, and Emerson, Lake & Palmer. The original gatefold included photography of live performances similar to images used in promotional materials for tours in Madison Square Garden, Wembley Stadium, and Hammersmith Odeon. Special editions featured expanded booklets and liner notes referencing tour managers and road crews who worked with artists such as The Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, and Eric Clapton.
Contemporary reviews compared Yes's live virtuosity to Pink Floyd and Emerson, Lake & Palmer, with critics from publications like Rolling Stone, Melody Maker, NME, and Sounds offering praise and occasional critique. The album reinforced Yes's influence on later progressive and symphonic rock acts including Marillion, Porcupine Tree, Dream Theater, Rush, and King Crimson. Yessongs' live interpretations became reference points for live progressive performance studies alongside landmark live albums by Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, and The Who. Retrospective appraisals cited the album in lists by Q (magazine), Mojo (magazine), and Classic Rock (magazine), and it influenced touring practices for bands like Tool, Opeth, and The Mars Volta.
Yes members on the recordings included Jon Anderson (vocals), Chris Squire (bass), Steve Howe (guitar), Rick Wakeman (keyboards), and Bill Bruford (drums). Production credits list Eddie Offord as engineer and co-producer, with mastering and mixing engineers drawn from professionals who worked with Abbey Road Studios, Trident Studios, and mobile recording units used by The Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin. Management involved industry figures with links to Brian Epstein-era practices, concert promoters such as Bill Graham and Peter Rudge, and booking agents active with SFX-era agencies.
Yessongs charted in multiple territories, appearing on national charts including the UK Albums Chart, the Billboard 200, and charts in Canada, Australia, and Germany. The album achieved sales certifications from organizations such as the BPI and the RIAA, joining certified live releases by Elton John, The Rolling Stones, and Pink Floyd.
Category:1973 live albums Category:Yes (band) albums Category:Atlantic Records live albums