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.
Includes ten bonus tracks.
Additional 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.
Their Best A Yes album thankfully devoid of the overblown excesses of Jon Anderson and Rick Wakeman. Easily the highlight of the Yes catalog. A shame it isn't widely regarded as the classic that it is. Submitted by Tuttle (Astoria, NY) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 2 of 2 found this helpful.
No! Just had to respond to these reviews. Interesting that none are from the UK. Sorry but this album has no Yes "feel" to it at all. When I used to listen to Yes back then the music seemed filled with colour and images and had a "British" feel to it - sorry can't put it any more precisely than that. From Tormato onwards this was shot (even Going for the One was a bit sketchy in places - Anderson had started to lose it by then - cf his current web site - oh dear!!!). I don't hold these guys in god like status as appears to be the case from some reviews they were just good musicians who hit a peak for about 4 - 5 years and have never recovered (and never will) - whatever was in the mix has been lost and no amount of American sounding "rock" albums will ever regain it. This and albums like 90125 were laughable - Yes trying to be commercial and "current" (to quote Chris Squire at that time) despite the fact that their commercial success had come through trying to be musos. I'm not against the old boys making a pile of cash - in fact good luck to them but in my opinion they should have moved on to something a bit more mature (and interesting - they've got the talent surely) about 25 years ago instead of trying to chase their old (decrepit??) rock audience in the US (or indeed rather sad new ones following in their parents footsteps - that has always baffled me) Submitted by Frazer (Manchester, England) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 1 of 2 found this helpful.
First I Hated It, Now I Love It Back in 1980 when Yes released this album I was horrified. No Jon Anderson? He's the voice of Yes! It can't be! No Rick Wakeman? Oh well, he'll be back.
But now in the 21st century I have a different outlook on this album. Trevor Horn sang well and Geoff Downes played keyboards nicely on this one. Chris Squire (bass), Steve Howe (guitars) and Alan White (drums) truly shine on "Drama". I love every song from the original album. And the Rhino remaster has ten bonus tracks! The single edit of "Into The Lens" is a waste. It was very badly edited. The single version of "Run Through The Light", however, is a nice alternative mix that focuses more on the keyboards. "Have We Really Got To Go Through This" was not completed with a Trevor Horn vocal, but the result is an instrumental track that highlights Steve Howe's guitar work. "Song No.4 (Satellite)" seems to be a workout between Squire, White & Howe that's interesting but doesn't really go anywhere. Then there are two "tracking session" recordings of "Tempus Fugit" (with Horn messing the words up) and "White Car". The last four bonus tracks are leftovers from the album before "Drama" that never was.Using producer Roy Thomas Baker, Yes (with Anderson & Wakeman still in the band) went to Paris to record the follow up to "Tormato". Presented here are "Dancing Through The Light", "Golden Age", "In The Tower" and "Friend Of A Friend" from the aborted sessions. Jon & Rick lost interest and quit the band. Submitted by Bender Rodriguez (New New York City, NY, USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Drama in sound and concept Well, I'm British and I don't agree with the last rap.
The fact that this album has three Yes members in the line up, joined by two good musical technicians in Horn and Rabin, should suggest an interesting work. It's actually a very distinct and unique sound and feel..it's not typical of Yes 'sound' but it is a recording that only Yes members could have made.
I really enjoy listening to this work..it's got a very 'live' feel to the recording and you really hear the instruments as they sound like they're being used hard!
If you want typical early 70's Yes work, then this is not what you should listen to first, however if you want to hear what happens when superlative Yes members step out a bit and record their talent in a harder sounding, up front, way then grab this really good album, you'll enjoy it too.
Actually, Roger Dean's artwork for the cover seems to perfectly reflect the work on this album. Submitted by f1gpx (Perth, Australia) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Excellent! Great CD, from a Super Band!!! Submitted by Randyc723 (New York) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Their Best
No!
Drama in sound and concept
Share this Product