The Definitive Rock Collection

Performer: Yes
Producer: Tony Colton; Eddie Offord; Trevor Horn; Trevor Rabin; Jonathan Elias; Paul De Villiers; Tim Weidner; Bill Inglot; Bruce Fairbairn; Yes; Tony Colton; Eddie Offord; Trevor Horn; Trevor Rabin
Distributor: WEA (Distributor)

Notes: Yes: Chris Squire (bass guitar); Alan White , Bill Bruford (drum); Geoffrey Downes, Jon Anderson, Patrick Moraz, Peter Banks, Rick Wakeman, Steve Howe, Tony Kaye, Trevor Horn, Trevor Rabin, Billy Sherwood, Igor Khoroshev. Personnel: Billy Sherwood (vocals, guitar, keyboards); Steve Howe, Trevor Rabin (vocals, guitar); Chris Squire, Jon Anderson, Trevor Horn (vocals); Peter Banks (guitar); Geoffrey Downes, Patrick Moraz, Rick Wakeman, Tony Kaye, Igor Khoroshev (keyboards); Alan White , Bill Bruford (drums, percussion). Audio Remasterers: Dan Hersch; Bill Inglot. Liner Note Author: Chris Welch . Photographers: Fraser Gray; Michael Putland; Harry Goodwin. A solid two-disc compilation that covers nearly the full career of Yes from their early psych-folk tunes through their prog-rock epics and on to the slick pop hits of the 1980s, DEFINITIVE ROCK is the perfect summation of this long-running band. Aside from three radio hits from the band's late period, all tracks are presented in their original lengths, including the eight-and-a-half minute "Roundabout" and the full three-part "Starship Trooper." Unlike most Yes compilations, this one even includes a track from the short-lived 1980 lineup featuring the Buggles' Trevor Horn on vocals. Newcomers would do well to start here. This double disc by Rhino includes 26 tracks from virtually all versions of Yes. While it rightly focuses on the band's singles and well-known album tracks from 1968 to 2001, it leaves off Yes' celebrated -- and reviled -- excess from albums like Tales from Topographic Oceans (which needs to be experienced in full to either love it or hate it). Rhino cross-licensed much of the later material. While it's true that there are many compilations out there, none of them go as far as this one in offering such a complete portrait of a band that has undergone many reunions and personnel changes. All the hits are here: there's a complete "Starship Trooper" and "Yours Is No Disgrace," the "I've Seen All Good People" suite, "Roundabout," "Long Distance Runaround," the "And You and I" suite, and "Siberian Khatru." And more. That said, there is also "Going for the One," "Owner of a Lonely Heart," the single edits of "The Calling" and "Homeworld," and a new edit of "Soon" from Relayer. Put sound and content together and you have a truly definitive collection -- insofar as there can be one. Those who have been longtime fans may want this as a quick best-of. Newbies will dig this as a collection builder and a fantastic introduction to one of the bands that helped change the face of rock -- whether for better or worse will be your opinion. ~ Thom Jurek

The longest-running prog-rock group in the business, Yes flew on the strength of Jon Anderson's high, angelic voice and the group's instrumental virtuosity. The band began in England, rising from the ashes of pop-psych outfits like Tomorrow, Bodast, and Mabel Greer's Toyshop. Extending the technical facility of psychedelia and downplaying the trippiness, it helped forge the template for progressive rock and reigned as its most popular practitioners in the '70s. Over the years, Yes has weathered personnel changes, lawsuits, and changing public tastes while holding on to its original vision.

Click Here for Shipping Options and Policies

Shipping or Dimension weight in pounds: 0.25