YES - Fly From Here

I know it's far away from heavy metal, but there has to be some YES fans here. I've been a fan for decades.

Anyone pick up their latest album "Fly From Here"? I've only listened to it once, but so far it sounds great despite the absence of Jon Anderson.

Fly From Here was a very pleasant surprise. I was initially quite skeptical of another Yes album without Anderson, but this band has always been a class act so I shouldn't have been concerned.

Since Chris Squire is still on hand for backing vocals the basic Yes vocal style remains intact. Musically the album stays fairly close to the pop/rock sound of 80's era albums like Drama and Big Generator, with short progressive elements mixed in for flavoring.

There are some very nice tunes on here, especially the track "Hour Of Need" which would make a good single in an alternate universe where people actually appreciate music like this.

This album made my top 10 of 2011.

I'm liking it quite a bit. I was skeptical as well, but this is a very good album. I think the first half of the album is very progressive and I wouldn't call it pop. The second half of the album is more like Drama and such, which shouldn't be too surprising considering the line-up.

I was quite surprised at how much I like this album!!!! Considering that Fly From here is actually two Buggles songs, I believe written one before and one after the Drama album, Very Drama-ish!

I, being the Yes fanboy I am, was bound to love it anyway. Though I was pleasantly surprised with how good it was. Drama is my second favorite Yes album, and this is stylistically quite similar (and it makes sense why) to that album.

Haven't heard it but I'll look into it... I've been spinning Big Generator A LOT lately...

mr.electric39 wrote:

Haven't heard it but I'll look into it... I've been spinning Big Generator A LOT lately...

I think I have been listening to Big Generator for about a week straight. I am a big fan of 80's Prog/rock albums. Especially Rush and Yes.

sounds interesting

Looks like Benoit(respiratory failure) is out and some other guy is in......Jon Davison(from a Yes cover band and Glass Hammer)......... WTF!!!!!!


Edit:
Could be more interesting than I thought............

Well, that's kind of shame, I thought Benoit did a good job on this album.

You guys know there is a full-length version of "Hour Of Need" that's about 3 minutes longer? It also contains Steve Howe's longest solo on the album, but it was only released as a bonus track on the Japanese version.

ultmetal wrote:

I know it's far away from heavy metal, but there has to be some YES fans here. I've been a fan for decades.

Anyone pick up their latest album "Fly From Here"? I've only listened to it once, but so far it sounds great despite the absence of Jon Anderson.

Yes fan here,

but I'm more of a Trevor Rabin fan, I know it's not considered pure by some, so I might have offended someone the second day on the board.

Gotto check the cd out, thanks!!

Torb

S.D. wrote:

Well, that's kind of shame, I thought Benoit did a good job on this album.

You guys know there is a full-length version of "Hour Of Need" that's about 3 minutes longer? It also contains Steve Howe's longest solo on the album, but it was only released as a bonus track on the Japanese version.

Its suppose to be a temporary situation til Benoit recovers but then they said that about Jon Anderson and look what happened!!

manny wrote:

S.D. wrote:

Well, that's kind of shame, I thought Benoit did a good job on this album.

You guys know there is a full-length version of "Hour Of Need" that's about 3 minutes longer? It also contains Steve Howe's longest solo on the album, but it was only released as a bonus track on the Japanese version.

Its suppose to be a temporary situation til Benoit recovers but then they said that about Jon Anderson and look what happened!!

I read that Benoit was out for good. Yeah! I acquired that bonus track after I heard about it. It should have been a bonus 45 or something that came with the vinyl album.

Here is an open letter from now former YES man, Benoit:


Dear YES fans,

As you all know, the final three shows of last year's European tour were cancelled due to my ill health. On my return to Canada, I was advised to cease touring, for the foreseeable future, in order to avoid further damage to my voice. Following this extremely disappointing diagnosis, I had no alternative but to inform my fellow band members that I was unable to confirm my availability for, at least, the forthcoming concerts in New Zealand, Australia and Japan.

Although there was no alternative, I did so with a heavy heart as I felt that I was letting everyone down especially those who have supported me since I had the privilege of becoming the band's vocalist in 2008. The band members were all very understanding and asked if I would mind being replaced for the April shows - I immediately agreed that this would be the best way forward and gave them my blessing. I was then pleased to learn that Jon Davison would be my replacement as he is an accomplished musician with a fine voice.

I subsequently learnt, from a band member's interview, that I had officially left Yes and that my departure was permanent. As this is the situation, everyone should know that I will be eternally grateful for the opportunity I was given and very proud to have contributed to more than 200 concerts and to the 'Fly From Here' and 'In The Present Live From Lyon' albums. I would also like to express my appreciation for the support I was given by each member of the band, the fantastic crew, the management and everyone else involved during my time as vocalist in the band. Finally, to the fans who have applauded my efforts and to those I have had the pleasure of meeting - many thanks, my best wishes and please continue with your support of one of the world's greatest bands - YES.

Although I need to take it easy for a while, I fully intend to continue with my music career. In late summer of 2011, I added vocals to Mystery's forthcoming album 'The World Is A Game' - which is at the final stages of mixing and will be available in the near future. This is my third collaboration with Michel St-Pere, and Mystery, following 2007's 'Beneath the Veil of Winter's Face' and 2010's 'One Among The Living'. So I guess I will, hopefully, see you somewhere down the road…

Blessings,

Benoit David
17th February 2012

Sounds like a classy guy. I'd like to hear the live album he recorded with YES, I'll have to keep an eye open for it.

*edit* - the album is on Spotify, Benoit David actually sounds quite good and could possibly fool people not that familiar with the band into thinking Jon Anderson is on vocals. The problem however is the rather lackluster performance the band puts out, this lies solely at the feet of Alan White who slows down the tempo on everything (ruining Tempus Fugit) and puts in a truly lackluster performance...you can hear the rest of the band struggling to stay in sync with him at times.

I'll have to check this album out! Drama is one of my fav Yes albums!