WE CAN FLY

The exit of lead singer Jon Anderson and the return to the fold of keyboard player Geoff Downes created the perfect opportunity to revisit the sound of the 1980 album Drama - the only previous Yes album on which Anderson did not sing and also the only Yes album that had featured Downes. Even Trevor Horn, who sang lead on Drama, was again involved, but this time in the producer's chair, although he also provides backing vocals. Lead vocals are handed over to new recruit Benoit David who does an excellent job. This resulted in the album Fly From Here from which the song We Can Fly was released as this single.

The song started life a long time ago and it was one of the songs that Horn and Downes brought with them from The Buggles when they first joined Yes in the early 80's. A demo version of the song was recorded by The Buggles and has since been released as a bonus track on that group's Adventures In Modern Recording album (in two separate parts). The song was further developed during the Drama sessions but was never included on that album. It was however performed live by Yes and a live recording of the song from New York 1980 appears in the box set The Word Is Live.

It is hard to understand why such a strong tune was originally discarded by both The Buggles and then by Yes before it finally got the proper studio recording it deserved some thirty year later! On the 2011 album Fly From Here the song is developed into a six part suite of over 20 minutes in length. This single version is a different mix of the song clocking in at four minutes and 15 seconds.

Both the single and the subsequent album are very good additions to the Yes catalogue and worthy follow-ups to Drama. The shorter single version has its virtues for sure, but only fans will feel the need for the single in addition to the album especially as it does not feature a b-side.

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