America by YES
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URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=25347
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Topic: America by YES
Posted By: jojim
Subject: America by YES
Date Posted: June 27 2006 at 06:39
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I like YES since their "Yes album". Afterwards came "Fragile" and "Close to the edge". I was stunned by that music. In any discussion about this group I never hear talking someone about a song that overwhelmed me in his artistic and musical power: "America". It was released on an Atlantic sampler (vinyl) "The new age of atlantic". This song was overwhelming. But nobody is talking about it now. Some people shrug their shoulders pointing out that it is "merely" an adaption of SIMON AND GARFUNKEL. And that is a little folk song. Nothing big. - For me "America" is a wonderful, powerful, excentric rock epic (about 10 min). Do you feel it is only a orchestrated folk tune? ------------- YES - Close to the edge / UK - UK / GENESIS - The lamb lies down / KING CRIMSON - Discipline / MIKE OLDFIELD - Tubular bells / JETHRO TULL - Aqualung / GENTLE GIANT - Three friends / TMO - IMF |
Replies:
Posted By: Cheesecakemouse
Date Posted: June 27 2006 at 07:16
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nope what Yes did to Simon and Garfunkel's America is what Hendrix did to Dylan's All Along the Watchtower. ------------- |
Posted By: chopper
Date Posted: June 27 2006 at 07:17
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No, it's a great cover version but they've taken the original song and made it completely different. The instrumental beginning, middle and end bear no relation to the S&G original. Yes did a lot of cover versions like this in their early days - Something's Coming and Every Little Thing for a start.
I've always loved their version of America and I was glad to see the full version finally on CD on the Fragile remaster.
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Posted By: Padraic
Date Posted: June 27 2006 at 07:32
| Great performance of it as well on Keys to Ascension. |
Posted By: Teaflax
Date Posted: June 27 2006 at 07:33
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It's a great cover - just like all their early cover versions. But Jon's pronunciation of Michigan as mitch-igan really bugs me. -------------  
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Posted By: Phil
Date Posted: June 27 2006 at 07:37
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As said above, totally different from the Simon & Garfunkel version, & now available again on Rhino's re-master of Fragile, I also agree about the great live version on KTA (1) |
Posted By: Blacksword
Date Posted: June 27 2006 at 07:48
I have a version of it on the 'Close to the Edge' re-master. Is that not a 'full' version... 
Anyway, to be honest I've never liked it... I'll give it another go. Everyone else seems to love it, perhaps I'm missing the point. ------------- Ultimately bored by endless ecstasy! |
Posted By: bhikkhu
Date Posted: June 27 2006 at 08:02
Being from Mitch-igan myself, that always grates on me a bit too.  I love the song. "Every Little Thing" is another great cover, and I am a harsh critic when it comes to Beatles' songs. Very few people have done adequate, let alone good, interpretations. I thought that an album of nothing but covers could be an interesting Yes project. I know, it's been done to death, but Yes puts in the effort to make the songs their own.
------------- a.k.a. H.T. http://riekels.wordpress.com" rel="nofollow - http://riekels.wordpress.com |
Teaflax wrote:Posted By: chopper
Date Posted: June 27 2006 at 08:04
| Andy, there is a short single version which is on Yesyears and is probably the one on your CTTE remaster. It cuts off the magnificent intro and has a really obvious edit later on. You'll know when you hear the full 10 minute version!!! |
Posted By: jojim
Date Posted: June 27 2006 at 08:13
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Yeah Blacksword, the 10 min version is pure energy. They even incorporate another musical pattern: America by Leonard Bernstein, West Side Story. It is player by Squire on the bass for a short riff. It's very amazing, this idea. And at the end: the bass riff climbing up and down and those crying guitars. And Bruford drumming hell out of it. It makes me nut. Wonderful adaptation and song. ------------- YES - Close to the edge / UK - UK / GENESIS - The lamb lies down / KING CRIMSON - Discipline / MIKE OLDFIELD - Tubular bells / JETHRO TULL - Aqualung / GENTLE GIANT - Three friends / TMO - IMF |
Posted By: Blacksword
Date Posted: June 27 2006 at 08:20
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This full version does sound more inpsiring than the version I've been used to. I shall check it out. ------------- Ultimately bored by endless ecstasy! |
Posted By: Chicapah
Date Posted: June 27 2006 at 08:40
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What gets me is the feeling of joy that exudes from the speakers during the extended "jam" session. Yes is usually so precision-oriented that it brings a smile to my face every time I hear Howe, Squire and Bruford basically doing an all-out power trio thing together during the guitar lead. The keyboards are so far down as to be non-existent during that segment but that's okay with me in this particular instance. The whole song just shows that deep down they were at heart a rock and roll band that loved to play. ------------- "Literature is well enough, as a time-passer, and for the improvement and general elevation and purification of mankind, but it has no practical value" - Mark Twain |
Posted By: RoyalJelly
Date Posted: June 27 2006 at 09:09
| I listen to it alot, and love the beauty and power of the arrangement. Especially Howe here shows a real mastery of various styles of American picking, and Anderson a brilliantly original sense of vocal arrangements, that not only capture the beauty of the original, but carry it to new realms. |
Posted By: Dragon Phoenix
Date Posted: June 27 2006 at 09:24
The Yes version is good, but to call the original "a little folk song. Nothing big." is blasphemy to my ears. This is still one of the most beauitful songs of the sixties and far superior to the cover. IMO of course. ------------- Blog this: http://artrock2006.blogspot.com |
Posted By: Raff
Date Posted: June 27 2006 at 09:25
| I know both the live version from KTA and the one released on the "Fragile" remaster. Both smoke, and have nothing whatsoever to do with the original - which, BTW, is quite a nice folk song by a great duo of musicians. |
Posted By: Peter
Date Posted: June 27 2006 at 09:29
I love it -- I was late in discovering it, so to suddenly happen upon this dynamic, terrific track by a classic Yes lineup at the height of their powers was a real revelation for me!
CRANK IT UP!  ------------- "And, has thou slain the Jabberwock? Come to my arms, my beamish boy! O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!' He chortled in his joy. |
Posted By: MuzikLuva
Date Posted: June 27 2006 at 11:15
| I've loved both the original version by S&G and the Yes version for decades now. I used to work with an avid Yes fan who never liked the Yes version. He changed his tune when I showed him an interview with Paul Simon where Simon mentioned how much he loved the Yes version with all of its energy. |
Posted By: Codis
Date Posted: June 27 2006 at 11:19
I love that little riff in the intro too! Chris does it in the intro of "Something's Coming" also. -------------  Grammy Award Winning Jethro Tull!
1989 Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance 
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Posted By: chopper
Date Posted: June 27 2006 at 11:52
| I think he also sneaked a bit of "Day Tripper" into "Every Little Thing". |
Posted By: fuxi
Date Posted: June 27 2006 at 12:21
You're definitely not alone in liking this piece! Although I couldn't care less about Simon and Garfunkel, I've always thought 'America' was one of the most inspired performances from Yes's golden age. I especially love its long instrumental workout! It's definitely up there with 'South Side of the Sky', 'Heart of the Sunrise' and 'Siberian Khatru', though perhaps not quite on the same level as 'Starship Trooper'! 
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Posted By: dralan
Date Posted: June 27 2006 at 12:44
| This song has always rated very high for me on favorite Yes tunes. I happen to like Simon and Garfunkel also, but Yes took this seemingly simple pop song and rewrote it to make it truly an original piece of Yes-music. And unlike some of their earlier cover songs this one still sounds fresh and not dated at all. And Howe especially really shines on here. |
Posted By: Equality 7-2521
Date Posted: June 27 2006 at 13:25
Always the cynic
 I've never really gotten the love of the song; personally, I liked the original better. I know progressive blasphemy, but I've never really been bit by the Yes bug. ------------- "One had to be a Newton to notice that the moon is falling, when everyone sees that it doesn't fall. " |
Posted By: el böthy
Date Posted: June 27 2006 at 13:31
And more!!! But yes...well said! ------------- "You want me to play what, Robert?" 
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Posted By: Eddy
Date Posted: June 27 2006 at 14:35
| i agree america by yes i think is a wonderfull song, i thought it should have got more regognition, because that song is just as good as the rest of ctte songs, but it was put on yet as a extra. |
Posted By: Blacksword
Date Posted: June 27 2006 at 15:03
Cheers Alan! ------------- Ultimately bored by endless ecstasy! |
Posted By: billbuckner
Date Posted: June 27 2006 at 15:21
| Sorry, but Simon And Garfunkel's version is, in my opinion, one of the songs of 60's folk rock. Interesting, but I'll always prefer the original. |
Posted By: Blacksword
Date Posted: June 27 2006 at 15:36
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^ I prefer the original to what I've heard. I may change my opinion when I hear the 'full' version. ------------- Ultimately bored by endless ecstasy! |
Posted By: darksideone2003
Date Posted: June 27 2006 at 16:57
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GREAT SONG BETTER THAT THE ORIGINAL NOT EVEN CLOSE. AWESOME SOLOS BY THE GREATS WAKEMAN,HOWE,SQUIRE,BRUFORD |
Posted By: micky
Date Posted: June 27 2006 at 17:20
no way... where in Michigan... I spent 4 years freezin my ass off in Marquette.. ------------- The Pedro and Micky Experience - When one no longer requires psychotropics to trip |
Posted By: micky
Date Posted: June 27 2006 at 17:23
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I thought the live version on 'The Word is Live' was pretty good as well. great cover.... as all of them were. Much like Joe Cocker... they take the original song and give it a life of their own. ------------- The Pedro and Micky Experience - When one no longer requires psychotropics to trip |
Posted By: Losendos
Date Posted: June 27 2006 at 18:18
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It is a great adaption but the original is so good it is hard to inmprove on. In my opinion it was Simon and Garfunkel's best moment and they had quite a few. ------------- How wonderful to be so profound |
Posted By: stewe
Date Posted: June 27 2006 at 18:48
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I think the best version by Yes is from live compilation The Word is Live, with Kaye behind his big, reedy hammond organ. And I also love originial by S&G |
Posted By: jojim
Date Posted: June 27 2006 at 19:59
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It was not my intention to downgrade the SIMON AND GARFUNKEL song. I like it very much. It's genious. But what YES did is not a better version, they made another song out of it, another world of music. That is amazing. It is great song of both. Everyone has it's magic. Just to say. There is no war between them. ------------- YES - Close to the edge / UK - UK / GENESIS - The lamb lies down / KING CRIMSON - Discipline / MIKE OLDFIELD - Tubular bells / JETHRO TULL - Aqualung / GENTLE GIANT - Three friends / TMO - IMF |
Posted By: NetsNJFan
Date Posted: June 27 2006 at 20:15
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Amazing cover, truly a reinterpretation of the song. While the Yes version stuns and dazzles with its innovative bridges and solos, the S&G version strikes an emotional chord that the Yes version doesn't. ------------- 
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Posted By: Australian
Date Posted: June 27 2006 at 20:15
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I have three different verions of America, Yes seem to slap it on at any oppertunity. ------------- 
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Posted By: Sacred 22
Date Posted: June 27 2006 at 22:11
| It's a great tune. I have always wondered what Paul Simon thought of the rendition. |
Posted By: Intruder
Date Posted: June 27 2006 at 22:57
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I loved every cover Yes did in their early years....from pop songs from S&G, Steven Stills and Richie Havens to show tunes! I find that the writing is weakest with contemporary Yes and the playing is usually enjoyable....wouldn't it be a gas if they regenerated that kind of energy the trio conjured on "America" in a new album of covers? ------------- I like to feel the suspense when you're certain you know I am there..... |
Posted By: Beatnik
Date Posted: June 27 2006 at 23:55
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when I came on here, I expected only younger members who considered "Progressive" as being music after the 1990s. Im glad to see a few people with in my own age limit. Some of you even have avatars that reflect one of the greatest orriginal 70s progressive bands "RUSH" nice. I think I'll stick around. and "YES" is one of the greatest orriginal and ground breaking bands of its time. Even though few younger people of today know who they were. You ask someone who AC/DC or Pink Floyd or RUSH was, and they would say "Of course". But you ask them about "Yes" and they're clueless. why is that? I think it's obvious. |
Posted By: Big Ears
Date Posted: June 28 2006 at 06:44
| America by Yes makes me wonder why they did not attempt more covers. I would rather hear America than most of the material on Yes Tormato, Open Your Eyes and The Ladder. |
Posted By: Sacred 22
Date Posted: June 28 2006 at 11:53
I don't know, Tormato is not such a bad album, the others you mention I agree.
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Posted By: Progger
Date Posted: June 28 2006 at 12:32
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There are not many artists/bands who could do a cover & make it completely their own. Pure brilliance by the ultimate prog band! |
Posted By: Tormato
Date Posted: June 28 2006 at 13:22
iT'S TRUE. TORMATO IS AN EXCELLENT ALBUM WITH one or two weaker songs that don't change that fact. But The ladder and open your eyes are dull and boring...
And "America" is my second favorite Yes track of all times. (Future Times/Rejoice is my "first"). ------------- I like Tormato, so shoot me! Every person in the world can't think the same. |
Posted By: Minkia
Date Posted: June 28 2006 at 14:02
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Yes's version of the Simon & Carbunkle's classic is a great example of progressive rock. I first heard it on a vinyl compilation called, if I'm not mistaken, 'Time And A Word' and was blown away by it. I cannot remember now, but I think that all the material on that particular album is made up of unreleased songs, extras, etc. If I recall correctly, Yes Mk II played on it, but I'm not certain.
Great version, though! ------------- RELIGION IS HATE, RELIGION IS FEAR, RELIGION IS WAR,RELIGION IS RAPE, RELIGION'S OBSCENE,RELIGION'S A WHORE |
Posted By: Fragile
Date Posted: June 28 2006 at 19:42
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When Yes covered this great song it was a very bold move.Simon and Garfunkel were riding on the crest of a wave at the time.In that they took a pop masterpiece and welded it, into a readily identifiable Yes classic tells it's own tale.Yes are the masters of the Universe.
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Posted By: chopper
Date Posted: June 29 2006 at 07:53
I think "America" was first released on an Atlantic sampler LP. It's certainly not on "Time and a Word" but it is on "Yesterdays", which was a compilation of tracks from their first 2 albums + America and Dear Father. This was a vinyl compilation and I've never seen it on a CD.
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Posted By: micky
Date Posted: June 29 2006 at 16:55
well many have tried.... two come to mind who did it excedingly well Yes... and the god-father of the original 'cover'... Joe Cocker. Sure there are others though.. ------------- The Pedro and Micky Experience - When one no longer requires psychotropics to trip |