Yes - Four early albums, incl Yessongs, Fragile, Relayer - LP - 1971

They are the godfathers of prog. No music more symphonic than that of Yes. On offer the crux of their work: the early stuff. Engraved in many a hippie-brain, and not seldom visualized by sweet smokes… This is when rockmusic started to become serious art.

On offer are the Yes Album, Close to the edge, the triple Yessongs and Relayer. All in fine condition and we are talking about fifty years of age! With these you also got Yes in their best line-ups. Botha Alan White and Bill Bruford on drums, and Tony Kaye as well as Rick Wakeman on keyboards. An added plus is a funny fanclub booklet with all lyrics

You probably know parts of the strange story of Yes. Uttermost serious in their music, their manning was somewhat hilarious. Six or seven key members that left and returned throughout the decades. Sometimes there were two Yes’ses. Rick Wakeman left a total of six times. Remember Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman and Howe, who named themselves thus because Chris Squire had some people called Yes…

On to the music.
1. The Yes album (1971) is their third, made with new guitar player Steve Howe. It is also the first with all original own material. Everybody contributed. Good choice, it was their big breakthrough and ended uncertainty about their future, as Atlantic was about to drop them. It features some of their signature greats: Your is no disgrace, Starship Trooper and I’ve seen all good people. It charted immediately, because their manager bought a load of albums in a new record-store that thus got a big push: Virgin…
The Yes Album, Atlantic, ATL 40106, 1971, Germany, Vinyl NM, gatefold sleeve EX (actually better, but the sleeve sticks to the pvc so do not remove!)
2. Close to the Edge (1972) took some time because at first the ideas coming up in the studio were so complex that the band could not remember them the next day. Coming fresh from a tour, producer Offord wanted to capture that sound and build an actual stage in the studio. It featured their first full-length 20 min. suite plus two other 10 min. compositions. They were not named on the sleeve, which premiered the bubble-logo. It was all too complicated for Bill, who left.
Close to the edge, Atlantic, ATL 50012, Netherlands, Vinyl M, gatefold sleeve M, incl original inner sleeve
3. Yessongs was a sensation when released. A triple album. And live at that! It consists of outtakes from two big tours: the Fragile tour, with Bill on drums and the Close to the Edge-tour with new drummer Alan White. It was released mainly to let the world know that they could actually play all the songs and were not an overdubbing studio-only band. Loads of impressive solo’s proved their point. In 2015 a box came out with all seven full concerts of which the tracks were taken. The artwork continued the story Roger Dean began on Fragile. He sued James Cameron who had plagiarized it on Avatar.
Yessongs, Atlantic, ATL 60045, 1973, Germany, vinyl mint, triple sleeve EX+ (wear on the edges, insides mint), includes original inner sleeves
4. Relayer is one without Rick Wakeman but with Patrick Moraz, who was chosen instead of Vangelis. The band wanted something completely different from the previous pretentious Tales of topographic oceans, but ended up with three suites again, like on Close to the edge. Moraz did add jazzy influences. It would be the last of what is considered their symphonic phase. After this hard(er) rock would step in.
Relayer, Atlantic, ATL 50096, 1974, Germany, Vinyl mint, gatefold sleeve NM, including original inner sleeve
5. Yessongs, all they ever wrote. A funny fanclub-made publication. A ‘real’ book containing info, history and variations of the band plus all lyrics. Small, obviously used (it was my bible in the early seventies) but not damaged, no tears, missing pagers, scribbelings or such. Content covers all from debut Yes (1969) to Relayer (1974). 32 pages, all black and white. Measures 17x21 cm.
6 As extra: a VIP free ticket to the 1991 tour, with the stub still on and a real color picture of that concert.

There you have it. The finest of prog music, symphonic groundwork. Fifty years old and as stated in prime condition. These albums were loved and cherished. Three sleeves are as new, two slightly worn, check the pictures. I add brand-new sturdy PVC outer protective sleeves plus plastic-lined inner ones. All will be preciously packed and swiftly send. Check my reviews, a splendid time is guaranteed for all.