Pink Floyd - Back Against the Wall CD

Back Against the Wall buy CD music It was widely assumed that when vocalist/songwriter Jon Anderson left Yes at the end of the '70s, the band was doomed. Most folks forgot that bassist/composer Chris Squire was the other founding member of the band, and he had as much to do with their sound as Anderson. It was surprising enough when the band decided to continue with a new vocalist and keyboardist. It was even more surprising when the new members turned out to be Trevor Horn (later a famed pop producer) and Geoff Downes (who would soon depart with Steve Howe for Asia). And it was downright shocking when the resultant album DRAMA turned out to be a great one. While Horn's voice is in the same general range as Anderson's, he tends to blend more with the vocals of Howe and Squire for a distinctive three-part harmony sound. Similarly, the individual instrumental statements of Howe and Downes avoid grandstanding in favor of the group dynamic. Consequently, DRAMA is one of Yes' most direct, concise offerings, full of relatively short songs that still maintain all the Yes hallmarks. Anderson diehards should leave their inhibitions at the door. No Wakeman or Anderson on this 1980 LP, which still hit #18! This hard-rocker featuring Tempus Fugit now has 10 bonus cuts including unissued single versions and tracking sessions. Includes ten bonus tracks. Recorded at the Town House, London, England. Originally released on Atlantic (16019). Yes: Trevor Horn (vocals, bass); Steve Howe (guitar, background vocals); Chris Squire (piano, bass, background vocals); Geoff Downes (keyboards, sound effects); Alan White (drums, background vocals). Personnel: Steve Howe (vocals, guitar); Chris Squire (vocals, piano); Trevor Horn (vocals); Geoffrey Downes (keyboards, vocoder). Audio Mixer: Brian Kehew. Audio Remasterer: Dan Hersch. Liner Note Author: Brian Ives. Recording information: Town House, London, England (04/15/1980-05/??/1980). Photographers: Michael N. Marks; David Clarke ; Michael Putlan. Arranger: Yes.

Back Against the Wall CD music Recorded in 1974. Originally released on Atlantic (18122). Includes liner notes by Doug Gottlieb, Glenn Gottlieb. Carnivorous, alcohol-loving Rick Wakeman was always at odds with the health-food mindset of the other Yes members, though his brash pomp was at the heart of their sound. When he was replaced by Patrick Moraz (late of '70s prog obscurites Refugee and Mainhorse), it freed the band up to dive headlong into the ethereal, spiritually oriented themes that had always been Jon Anderson's stock in trade. Thus, RELAYER consists of three extended cuts (the 22-minute "Gates of Delirium" was once jokingly assessed as the reason punk became necessary). Even on the inside cover's band photo, the Yes boys look like they're in the middle of a prayer meeting. The elaborately structured arrangements take the band's loftier side to previously unreachable heights (even compared to TALES FROM TOPOGRAPHIC OCEANS). However, it's all done so skillfully (with much credit going to Moraz) that RELAYER draws you in to its complex sonic web and fully captivates you. 2003 remastered, reissue of 1974 album with redesigned booklet (digipak/slipcase), restored LP art, archival photos and new liner notes. Includes 3 bonus tracks 'Soon' (single edit), 'Sound Chaser' (single edit) & 'The Gates Of Delirium' (studio run-through). Elektra. Recorded in Summer and Fall 1974. Originally released on Atlantic (19135). Digitally remastered by George Marino (Sterling Sound). Yes: Jon Anderson (vocals); Steve Howe (guitar); Patrick Moraz (keyboards); Chris Squire (bass); Alan White (drums). Personnel: Genaro Rippo (tapes). Audio Remasterers: Dan Hersch; Bill Inglot. Liner Note Authors: Glen Gottlieb; Doug Gottlieb. Recording information: England (1974). Author: Don Lehmkul. Photographers: Michael Putland; Paul Canty; Jean Ristori. Unknown Contributor Roles: Mike Allison; Mansell Litho. Arranger: Yes. Yes: Steve Howe (vocals, guitar); Chris Squire (vocals, bass); Jon Anderson (vocals); Patrick Moraz (keyboards); Alan White (drums).

Back Against the Wall songs There's no ignoring the fact that TORMATO was Yes' most roundly (and unjustly) ignored recording. For reasons unknown, the album languished in bargain bins for years, despite being substantially less pretentious than some earlier work and much more "progressive" than Yes' later pop crossovers. On many tracks, there seems to be a concerted effort to cut back on the bombast. "Onward" is a simple, piano-based ballad, effectively rendered. "Future Times," "Don't Kill the Whale" and others find Steve Howe delivering some of his most visceral, biting guitar work, interacting nicely with Chris Squire's upper register bass lines. There's lots of carnival-like keyboard work and fanciful imagery (see the striking, harpsichord-driven "Madrigal" and the poignant "Circus of Heaven"), but hell, this is a Yes album. And it all works. Includes nine bonus tracks. Additional Tracks Recorded at Advision Studios, London, England. Originally released on Atlantic (19202). Yes: Jon Anderson (vocals, 10-string guitar); Steve Howe (acoustic & electric guitars, background vocals); Rick Wakeman (Hammond B-3 organ, Polymoog synthesizer; keyboards); Chris Squire (bass, background vocals); Alan White (vibraphone, drums, crotales, percussion, background vocals). Personnel: Steve Howe (vocals, guitar, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, mandolin); Chris Squire (vocals, piano); Rick Wakeman (harpsichord). Audio Mixer: Brian Kehew. Audio Remasterers: Dan Hersch; Bill Inglot. Liner Note Author: Tim Jones. Recording information: Rak Studios, London, England. Photographers: Hipgnosis; Glenn A. Baker; Neil Zlozower. Arrangers: Andrew Pryce Jackman; Rick Wakeman; Yes.

Back Against the Wall album for sale Some of the best from their 1985 tour - "Introduction," "Cinema," "Leave It," "Hold On," "I've Seen All Good People," "Changes," "Owner of a Lonely Heart," "It Can Happen," "City of Love," and "Starship Trooper." The legendary YES line-up of Jon Anderson, Chris Squire, Trevor Rabin, Alan White and Tony Kaye performs in this landmark concert that's become a home video favorite, now on DVD for the first time! BONUS FEATURES: Interviews with the Band (written, produced and edited by John B. House); Steven Soderbergh's Rarely Seen Demo Film, the mockumentary Access All Areas!

Back Against the Wall CD music A three-disc collection of Yes concert performances dating from the early 1970s to the late '80s, THE WORD IS LIVE presents the pioneering British prog-rock group in its various incarnations. The first disc features live tracks from '70 and '71, when organist Tony Kaye's distinctive Hammond lines figured strongly into the band's performances, which here include a jam-heavy take on "America" that precedes its studio version. The second and third discs are filled with concert appearances that have Kaye's replacements, either keyboardist Rick Wakeman or Patrick Moraz, surging through classics such as "Sweet Dreams" and "Roundabout." The set goes on to include Kaye's return to the fold, most notably on the high-energy medley of "Make It Easy" and "Owner of a Lonely Heart." While hardcore, bootleg-seeking Yes fans have undoubtedly heard some of these recordings before, THE WORD IS LIVE performs a great service by compiling these era-spanning tracks, making the set essential for any enthusiast. This three-disc boxed set spotlights some of Yes' most memorable shows, capturing their stylistic evolutions and highlighting several of their legendary lineups. Spanning 1970-1988, the collection was co-produced by Yes and features many tracks from guitarist Steve Howe's personal archives. All but two tracks are previously unreleased. Packaging includes new artwork by Roger Dean, a massive 56-page book with scores of rare photos, commentary by prog-rock legend Greg Lake, essays by Yes experts Mike Tiano, Bill Martin, and Brian Ives, as well as fan reminiscences and testimonials by such fellow artists as John Frusciante, Geddy Lee, and others. Rhino. 2005. Includes previously unreleased tracks. Yes: Jon Anderson (vocals, guitar, acoustic guitar, percussion); Steve Howe, Trevor Rabin (vocals, guitar); Chris Squire (vocals, bass instrument); Trevor Horn (vocals); Peter Banks (guitar); Geoffrey Downes, Patrick Moraz, Rick Wakeman, Tony Kaye (keyboards); Alan White , Bill Bruford (drums).

Back Against the Wall buy CD music In 1967, Syn issued a couple of obscure British singles containing some quite good mod-psychedelic tracks. Almost 40 years later, they reunited to produce an entire album. Well, sort of reunited -- the only original members here are lead singer Steve Nardelli and bassist Chris Squire (the other future Yes man from Syn, guitarist Peter Banks, is not on board). Those expecting anything like those old Syn singles will be disappointed, though those who are interested because of Squire's Yes connection will find the sound has a familiar ring. Most of these are extended pieces -- all but a couple last seven minutes or more -- that sound rather like Yes in their more pop-oriented stages, though without Jon Anderson's vocals, of course. It's rather like hearing a slightly middle-of-the-road version of Yes, with plenty of multi-sectioned song structures and progressive rock interplay between the instruments. There's also a vague upbeat mystical tone, sounding especially like Yes in their more anthemic moods on the chorus to "The Promise." It's well executed and well recorded. But it should have been credited to Steve Nardelli and Chris Squire, or a different band name than Syn, as the links to the '60s Syn sound are virtually absent. ~ Richie Unterberger Audio Mixer: Paul Stacey. Photographer: Tony McGee. Syn: Steve Nardelli (vocals); Chris Squire (bass guitar); Gerard Johnson, Jeremy Stacey, Paul Stacey. Personnel: Paul Stacey (vocals, guitar); Gerard Johnson (vocals, keyboards); Chris Squire (vocals); Jeremy Stacey (drums). Blister Pack