YESTERDAYS

"Yesterdays" is a compilation album by UK progressive rock act Yes. The album was released through Atlantic Records in February 1975. The album consists of a selection of songs from their first two full-length studio albums "Yes" (1969) and "Time and a Word" (1970), the B-side track from the June 1970 single "Sweet Dreams"/"Dear Father", and Yes cover of "America" by Simon & Garfunkel. The cover of "America" was recorded in 1971 and had already appeared on the Atlantic Records sampler album "The New Age of Atlantic" (1972), but for most Yes fans this was their first oppertunity to hear the song.

While both "Yes" (1969) and "Time and a Word" (1970) are arguably good quality progressive rock releases, they are usually not counted among the best material released by Yes, and it wasn´t until their third album "The Yes Album" (1971), that they had their breakthrough. While being good quality releases both the debut and the sophomore full-length studio albums do feature material which aren´t as great/memorble as the best material on those albums, but "Yesterdays" collects six of the highlights from the two albums and combined with "Dear Father" and especially "America", this ends up a really strong collection of songs.

"America" is definitely a highlight, but tracks like "Then", "Astral Traveller" and "Survival" are also standout compositions and all of them early examples of the greatness and innovative nature of Yes. I´m trying not to degrade the "Yes" (1969) and "Time and a Word" (1970) albums, because as I mentioned above I do consider both good quality progressive rock releases, but on the other hand "Yesterdays" might be enough for some listeners in terms of listening to the early beginnings of Yes, as much of the strongest material from the two releases are present here plus a few extras. A 3.5 - 4 star (75%) rating is deserved.