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Reviews

Yes — Going for the One
(Atlantic SD 19106, 1977, LP)

by Paul Hightower, Published 2003-12-01

Going for the One Cover art

[This review looks specifically at the 2003 Rhino reissue.]

It was no surprise when I learned that Going for the One would be generous with bonus tracks; the 1991 box set, YesYears, included several rarities from this period. In addition, bootleg audio and video of the Mountain Studios sessions has been floating around for some time. However, constrained to a single disc, this collection offers a mere sampling rather than a comprehensive offering. The inclusion of “Montreux’s Theme” and Chris Squire’s solo rendition of “Amazing Grace” offer nothing new to most hard-core fans. The other four bonus tracks are worth the price of admission alone, however. First is a cut titled “Vevey Revisited” that offers yet a different slant on the Jon Anderson / Rick Wakeman duet that appeared in two parts on YesYears, with Jon plinking away on a guitar rather than harp. Then we get early rehearsal-stage recordings of the title track, “Parallels,” “Turn of the Century,” and “Awaken” (under the working moniker “Eastern Numbers”). All are illuminating and some contain surprises that will no doubt intrigue serious fans. However, perhaps most revealing about these recordings is what is largely missing: Rick Wakeman’s keys, which arrived later in the rehearsal process. Consequently, these tracks capture the raw power and consummate skill of the Howe / Squire / White trio that would be reprised under similar circumstances for 1980’s Drama. Under Bill Inglot’s state-of-the-art remix the instrumental work throughout is even further enhanced and the result is another solid win for Yes and their fans. It’s just a shame they don’t rock like this anymore.

Filed under: New releases, Issue 28, 1977 releases

Related artist(s): Jon Anderson, Steve Howe, Chris Squire, Yes, Rick Wakeman, Alan White

 

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