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November 2024

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Yes: Talk (Reissue)

Melodic Progressive Rock

4.0/5.0

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Cherry Red Records
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 21.05.2024 | Released: 24.05.2024

This year marks the 30th anniversary of Yes' fourteenth studio album, Talk. Vocalist Jon Anderson, at the time, called the album, "Glorious! It was like a renaissance of Yes to me." Some rock historians and fans describe it as the "lost" Yes album. The album arrived during a turbulent period spanning the late Seventies to early nineties with various personnel changes, musical shifts, and mixed commercial success. Though not a commercial and critical success, Talk is notable for being one of first albums of the era to be completely digitally produced (sans audio tape) and marked the end of Trevor Rabin era. Of his time with Yes, Rabin has remarked, "It was maybe the best I ever played with Yes."

Yes(1994)

Some personal reflection arrives at this turn. My experience and fondness for Yes begins with their early works: Yes (1969), Time And A Word (1970), and their breakthrough The Yes Album (1971), and then those that followed with Roger Dean artwork, to 1974's Relayer. I had just completed my freshman year of college when 1977's Going For The One. While a critical and commercial success (No.1 in the UK), I didn't appeal to me at the time, and so a steadily lost interest. Yet, I have also continued to follow the Yes adventure, now in its fiftieth decade.

What follows next is partly promotional info and personal observations. To the former, the reissue arrives in three forms: First, there's the simple CD, featuring only the original songs only. Second is a 4 CD Box Set with the original recordings but also demos, edits, and instrumentals and a live recording from the 1994 Talk tour in Canadaigua, New York. The 2-LP Limited Edition White Vinyl is essentially the original song with a special version of The Calling.

To the latter, some personal comments, I've had forty years to reflect upon both Yes' past and current career, including among many others, a review of 2021's The Quest. As for Talk, my initial reaction was it sounds like Yes, notably the interplay between guitar and keys but, of course, Jon Anderson's presence. Duh. Second, the recording displays the band's ongoing merger between prog creativity and commercial accessibility. The former is exceptional with The Calling and the closing three part opus, Endless Dream. The latter is notable with State Of Play and Walls, which was co-written by Rabin and Supertramp vocalist Roger Hodgson (who turned down the vocalist position). These two songs are also the heaviest on the album, perhaps with Real Love's conclusion. One final observation: while researching for this review, I founs it interesting that there is no mention of the reissue on Yes' official website. Odd.

All considered, the current reissue of Yes' 1994 Talk is visitation into the band's past that was marked by turbulence and change, but also determination, energy, and prog creativity. Maybe not the highlight of their career, but Talk retains the signature Yes progressive rock sound. Recommended, especially the 4-CD set.

Note: All Amazon advertising in this review first benefits the artist, then Craig Hartranft also receives a residual. Click, and thanks for your support.

The reissue of Yes' 1994 Talk is visitation into the band's past that was marked by turbulence and change, but also determination, energy, and prog creativity. Maybe not the highlight of their career, but Talk retains the signature Yes progressive rock sound. Recommended, especially the 4-CD set.

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eviewing my archives, I was pleased to find that I have had the privilege to review every Lionville since their self-titled debut in 2011. Formed by Stefano Lionetti, a songwriter, singer and guitarist based in ... [ Read More ]

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