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Re: Yes (the band) on vinyl (long)

Posted by 4yanx on January 16, 2004 at 09:20:53:
With respect to the Big Three YES albums Â¡V Â¡Â§Yes AlbumÂ¡Â¨, Â¡Â§FragileÂ¡Â¨, and Â¡Â§CTTEÂ¡Â¨ there is really no substitute for UK first-pressings (or any YES LP, for that matter). If youÂ¡Â¦ve the money and patience to wait for a really good quality copy, you will be rewarded, in spades. I have very strongly held opinions about these LPÂ¡Â¦s and make the disclaimer that is just that, MY OPINION. Others may have a different ear, but this is what I have found. I have equally strong opinions about other YES LPÂ¡Â¦s and anyone can e-mail me, if interested. I only speak to the Â¡Â§Big ThreeÂ¡Â¨ so as not to bore anymore than I already will!
For Â¡Â§AlbumÂ¡Â¨ hold out for the Atlantic red/plum label (Atlantic 2400-101), released Jan. 1971, if at all possible. While the Atlantic green/orange label (Atlantic; K40106) is also good, it is second-issue, released Aug. 1972 Â¡V but still better than any US pressing. My next favorite is a West German pressing (Atlantic/Metronome MLP15-403), released Jan. 1971. The first US pressing is (Atlantic SD8283), released Mar. 1971. I have heard many copies of this LP, and the first UK and German pressings are the best, by far. IMHO, the Japanese version bloats the bass on this one and pumps the higher frequencies. Almost brittle to my ear.
As for Â¡Â§FragileÂ¡Â¨, again, the original issue UK red/plum (Atlantic; 2401-019), released Nov. 1971 is killer. YouÂ¡Â¦ve not heard The Fish or Heart of the Sunrise unless youÂ¡Â¦ve heard this one. Contrary to popular belief, the red/green UK (Atlantic K50009) version was not released until Aug. 1972. The first US pressing is (Atlantic SD7211). Here is an oddity. I find that the UK first pressing is superior in every way to the first US pressing EXCEPT FOR South Side of the Sky which, for some unexplained reason, sounds much more dynamic on SD7211. Go figure. BTW, the second US pressing (Atlantic SD 19132) absolutely sucks. As for the Japanese version, all I can say is OY. They, IMHO, ruined this masterpiece by rolling of the bass (a sin given SquiresÂ¡Â¦ many phat and intricate chords on this LP). A real shame.
For Close to the Edge, it is easy. The search begins and ends with the original UK pressing (Atlantic K50012). No other pressing comes even close to this one, IMHO, and IÂ¡Â¦ve heard about 15. Here, the IS a Japanese issue (Atlantic P-8274), released Sept. 1972 which comes close to the edge of the UK pressing, but not quite over the edge. Æ’Âº The original US pressing is (Atlantic SD7244), released Sept. 1972, and is to be avoided unless it is all that is available.
FWIW, I found the Rhino re-masters to be an abomination. Maybe OK in comparison to other CD versions, but not even a third as good as the original vinyl.
I will close before launching in to Yessongs, Topographic, Relayer, etc., etc., except to say that most all Yessongs pressings put Bruford to far forward in the mix (if that is actually possible) because he is brilliant on this live LP.