Listening to Yes: Relayer (vinyl) side 2 

I really love how he’s listening to the record as it was supposed to be listened to at the time it was released. No remasters here! Respect given to you sir. To me this album drips with 1975 all over it. Love it so much

Steve Howe’s guitar playing on this album is sensational. His biting tone is like no other.

I've loved "Sound Chaser" since first hearing it almost four decades ago. I finally fell in love with "To Be Over" ten years later. 'Relayer' is a five star album.

Yes is unique and precious: I cannot think of any band that is their equal.

I don't know... But every time I hear To Be Over ....I start filling up! Crazy but true. Reminds me so much of my mid '70s youth

And now for almost fifty years I have been chasing that sound, cha cha cha cha cha 🤪🤪😀

"Chaser", so unique, never made. And "To be over" shows a so beautiful side from Yes. My rêverie, floating, full of emotions

From an article about this song: "the single biggest force behind the change in sound and direction on Relayer is the musical contribution of keyboard player Patrick Moraz. Influenced by Jazz in equal measure to Rock, Moraz was still in the band Refugee with vocalist and bassist Lee Jackson and drummer Brian Davison, both ex-Nice, when he was invited to audition for the keyboard seat after Rick Wakeman’s departure. The band has been already trying different keyboard players, most recently Vangelis. The audition took place at a barn equipped as a studio in Chris Squire’s farm. Moraz on that first acquaintance with the band: “they played me just a part of the song, what they had of Sound Chaser, not the introduction, just a part of the song. They blew my mind. I was in the middle, and they started to do this riff, and Alan crashing with his drums and so on. They had just probably worked on this three-part harmony there - vocals. It was absolutely unbelievable. To experience that - I could say that was the truest surround experience I had ever encountered as an observer and listener. I was not in the middle of any keyboards at the time; I was just in the middle of the band. And they were playing for me, alone, the portion of Sound Chaser they had already come up with. And that was absolutely unbelievable. So Jon and Chris said, “We need an introduction to this. Can you come up with something?”" I think he came up with something 🙂😛😎😃🌌

Mr Alan White's drumming is amazing especially on sound chaser

The most "Yes" album side of Yes. Two "love songs", in many ways the most texturally opposing in their early catalogue. Sound Chaser is my ringtone- which went off yesterday while I was birding with a prog rock friend- who immediately recognized it and decided to tell me about his years-long friendship with Alan White... Meeting while sharing a golf cart!

Sound Chaser - possibly the most dynamic intro to a Yes song...ever? Awesome! Squire's bass and White's drumming really drive this along...Moraz is quite restrained and Steve Howe is brilliant! Jon...does what he always does - whatever he has to! To Be Over is another beautiful legendary Yes track!

I love Relayer so much!!!

Two very different songs on this side. Sound Chaser as so many styles including Jazz fusion. I am sure they let Patrick Moraz have a significant influence on this track. Steve Howe's guitar playing is exquisite. The sonic layers in this song are just so well done. These guys are beyond being masters of music. Now you will join the rest of us going; cha, cha, cha, charger! at random times. Then next; "to be over", one of my many Yes favorites. So beautiful and spiritual. I purchased Relayer when it was released in 74 and there was a big gap until Going for the One. So to me this song stands as a bookend to the wonderful classic Yes era. Going for the One, is a very good album but in a different style than the previous 4 or 5 albums. Then after that they changed direction completely. Oh, Yes do not forget about Yessongs! That set is one of the best live sets ever. Yes not only reproduced their studio songs but elevated and extended them to an in orbit level. You have hear it to understand how this band worked with the energy from audience to take amazing songs past the next level.

Don't doubt your part be ready to be loved YES

Jim, and you thought you were gonna just play some records and you end up at the alter of YES. Welcome to the congregation of the greatest show on earth.

I’ve always loved these two tracks, especially To Be Over.

"Sound Chaser" is just bonkers - and I love it.

I just get a kick out folks, especially musicians hearing the wonderous stories of YES for the first time! (Yes word play). It's a stunning journey of sound and words that will sometimes leave you breathless. Enjoy these works by one of the best bands that ever played a note. It WILL change you forever. I began at 15yrs old and still play them 50yrs later over and over.

Jim, To Be Over is the most underrated Yes song about dying and entering the afterlife one of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard. Going for the One !! Next

"Sound Chaser" is a classic Yes "Franken-song". The main instrumental riff is Squire's, Howe provides the crazy Spanish solo played on a Telecaster with the treble pushed to 11, Anderson throws in his plaintive little folk ditty, and they finish off with Brazilian chanting. Sure, why not. It's sort of a "clear out the cupboards" track compared to "To Be Over", which feels much more like a traditional Yes song (it's mostly Howe's), even though it also has a multi-thematic arrangement. Thanks for covering this phenomenal album, Jim.

Jim I've listened to the Gates of delirium album hundreds of time since it's release and it still gives me goosebumps so pleased you enjoyed it. Will send you a link to a live show they did that was only done as a boot leg, it as the ending part of delirium "soon" on there, that is absolutely amazing, thanks for playing and enjoying all of there amazing material.

Brilliant album by a brilliant band was lucky to see them play all the album at Newcastle City Hall in 75. The setlist that night was: The Firebird Suite (intro music); Sound Chaser; Close to the Edge; To Be Over; The Gates of Delirium; I’ve Seen All Good People; Mood for a Day; Long Distance Runaround; Clap; And You and I; Ritual (Nous Sommes du Soleil) Encore: Roundabout; Sweet Dreams. Great memories.

Pretty good huh Jim? Best band on the planet!

Remember this album is 47 years old!!!! All these sounds are not computerized.......all sounds are made from their instruments!!!!

I love this record so much and it has only grown on me more as the decades have passed. Tales From Topographic Oceans is a beast, but again, just grows more and more brilliant with each listen. With all that said, though, I am waiting with baited breath for you to get to my favorite piece of music of any era, any genre, any style, ever. According to Jon Anderson, the pinnacle and absolute epitome of Yes. I expect you'll know it when you hear it. I wish I could hear all these for the first time again, but sharing them with you is close enough.

The reflections from the surface of the album give a clue about what the music will be like. You can see where the quiet sections are.

Sound chaser played in front of 130,000 people at JFK stadium in Philadelphia was phenomenal 😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄

Quite busy? Understatement of the century!

Relayer is NOT for rookies. But give it another listen or five, and it will sit. I know it did for me. On some days it's my favorite Yes album.

Alan White's tom fills on the Sound Chaser intro are my favourite thing he did with the band. I use that bit to audition headphones and decide whether I like them or not. If it doesn't sound like I'm standing right next to Alan's drum kit they fail.

"Soundchaser" isn't for everyone. Clearly. But it's positively brilliant. Yes proves, had they wanted to, that they could have been a stunning fusion outfit. And then there's Patrick Moraz's scorching synth solo. One of my favorite Yes tracks because it's risky and outside the box.

Can't wait till You do Yesshows' 'Gates of Delirium.' It's an absolute epic soaring performance.

Look at all that awesome space behind you to ….maybe display your fav albums, band logos, pics whatever! I love your reaction to this Album! It IS Wow! 😊

That 1953 Telecaster sounds so good and so dif than the Gibsons SH usually uses..

Finally settling in to give a listen after a Joyous New Year celebration. A lovely way to end the day. I hope to see you enjoy side 2 as much as side 1, Jim. לְשָׁנָה טוֹבָה!

Favoloso! Qui c'è tanta,tanta roba e il suono è magico

Thank you for reacting to Yes all the words you used and more. I was lucky enough to be introduced to YES in 1973 been my favorite since. Rick Wakeman inspired me to play the keyboards. The more you listen the more you'll be blown away. I can't wait to share you're next listens(Journeys) to YES albums you have yet to hear(experience). See you soon.

As he was previously mentioned when you did the video of ELP's Tarkus, Eddie Offord recorded and produced this album with Yes.

As a Drummer, you would love Billy Cobham's "Total Eclipse Album. (Or any of his albums) Every song starts with a drum-intro in different and unique ways. "The man beats those drums like they owe him Money", and "the Man was born with Sticks in his hands" are two comments often associated with Cobham. The entire LP mentioned is really a great listen, if you pick any song, it is a win, my Favorite is "Sea of Tranquility"

Just watch YES Awaken Todmobile Live Song. That is all I need to say. You know and have experienced the rest.

You are right!!! YES draws their inspiration from Classical.....Baroque.......and Elizabethan music and of course Jazz!!!!

I highly suggest doing some of their solo stuff mixed in with the Yes, so much amazing music, it's insane.

Pedal steel guitar, he is a master of that..

DON'T FORGET to listen to YES' cover of *America* which was not included on any of their regular studio albums (but you can find it on one of their compilation albums, *Yesterdays.)* I say you must listen to it because it is probably one of THE best presentation of Squire & Bruford doing what they did best. Just filled with ear candy that you will be ecstatic about... :)

We are definately enjoying it. Such a great band. Keep playing their albums. It's great to hear entire albums instead of the usual top hits.

The Most Ragged Edge Guitar You will ever hear is from Steve on the YESSONGS version of Yours Is No Disgrace, the next greatest solo is by Steve from Yessongs Starship Trooper Outro, and the third greatest solo by Steve from the same triple live album, must have, desert island album, Siberian Khatru ending solo all of which are ear candy to those who can get into the passion that Steve puts into his improv solo enhancements. Jagged, but Controlled.

My god the memories I have of Yes while watching the record spin...

Se te nota sorprendido en Sound Chaser....demasiada informacion musical al mismo tiempo..!

Hi Jim, me again, now you see why the gf unfriending me mattered not a jot. Love is fleeting and conditional, great music is eternal and always there for you no matter what. On a lighter note, the look on your face when Yes are Yessing is priceless, I smile, nod and go all agog in time with your time and I have been listening to Relayer for 47 years so I know it's coming, anyhoo, it makes me happy seeing you enjoy the music as much as I do. Bear in mind that in 1974 I had to take a train to enjoy Yes with another Yesser, that sound better in my head than it looks typed on a screen, another enjoyable reaction mate.🙂👍👍

Wow, I had no idea Yes could be so jazzy. Love that opening intro to side two. Thanks again for turning me onto this album.

Nice one. These songs only get better with multiple listens. Going For the One or Drama are also very good. it is Topo-Graphic oceans!

Patric Moraz had to be there to make this extraordinary album. Excellent as he is, I don't think this could have happened with Wakeman. The chaos of 'Sound Chaser' is balanced by the beautiful serenity of 'To Be Over.' I don't know of any other album like it. For me, this is Yes at their absolute peak.

When I saw them do this live Alan White was playing North drums which bell out almost like saxophones. Since it was a Roger Dean stage show I didn’t realize they weren’t a prop until Alan started playing them.

I always say, either you get Yes or you don't. You definitely do Jim. Can't wait to see your reaction to 'Tales'. Cheers!

Jim at the beginning of Sound Chacer: 'that's quite busy!' The band:, 'hold our beers' (and tea)

"To Be Over" is one of the few songs that ever actually made me cry. It was after I read an interpretation of the lyrics which explained that the song is about a person dying and then passing from this plane of existence to the next, which, rather than an ending, is only the beginning of a new and wonderful journey into the afterlife ("Go gently, holding doors will open every way...you wander true pathways away"). It's such an incredibly positive and optimistic message, and simply beautiful musically and vocally as well. Thanks for giving my favorite Yes album an appreciative reaction. P.S. Here's the chant at the end... New som du lay Sah du rah Sah du lay Tu sah rah Du sah dulay Sah du rah Tey tu santeh Unfortunately, for me anyway, this is the last worthwhile Yes album (with the exception of "Drama"). "Going For The One" is aptly named, since Yes was beginning to eye the pop charts by this time, and the return of stodgy Rick Wakeman, who hated "Tales From Topographic Oceans" and "Relayer" and still thought that playing cathedral organ on a rock album was a big deal, brought an end to the band's forward progress. "Tormato" is simply dire.

Interesting that you picked up Moraz's organ solo in To Be Over as old/medieval, as he did write that with the old organ fugues in mind

Steve's guitar break in Sound Chaser sounds to me like the music to some mad silent movie. "To Be Over" is almost as sublime as "Soon." The album ends on such a celebratory note. It also makes me blub. I became one with stuff many times after listening to this.

Great Latin/Spanish influences on Sound Chaser. To Be Over has everything - even features a waltz passage - it will be my funeral service song (people won’t sit still long enough for Awaken 😀).

That was a lovely listen. As I said on side 1, Relayer is basically Yes meets Jazz Fusion, thanks to the addition of Moraz to the line up. I look forward to you getting to the solo releases, eventually. I'm pretty sure you know which one in particular I'm looking forward to, but Fish Out of Water and The Story of I would be grand to listen to along with y'all as well.

Soundchaser is crazy with all those bonkers tempo changes in the middle of it...it always sounds like solo bits stuck together but it works and it's just Yes !!! The only album that Moraz was on (apart from bits of "Yesshows" released a few years later).....Brought his own sound for this one studio album...... 3 years later they released "Going For The One"......You've gotta get that one as "Awaken", in my opinion, is the best song they've ever done.....15 minutes of stellar stuff.....and Wakeman was back for that one and "Tormato" released in 1978.. Sorry to be a tad geeky but it's Yes innit ?? There is a live version of "To Be Over" on RU-vid somewhere....? If you're into tempo changes then try a bit of old Jethro Tull.....flipping heck !!!!

Loving the yes videos

As a long time Yes fan I am really enjoying listening to your takes on them, I hope you get to Big Generator, Talk, Union, The Ladder and Magnification. Keep up the good work Jim it is like listening to vinyl's with a friend like we did in the 70's.

Let’s not forget Keys Studio. If you find that one GRAB IT FAST.

You should watch this live and you will see they play every note the same every time. Not too many live versions of this but there is a dubbed live version. It was dubbed because the original recording had some tech difficulties.

Another belter Jim, it helps when you have material like this.

Near the end of Sound Chaser Jim looked around like he’s looking for the exit.

... at 04:50, Wizard Steve reminds us of Mood for a Day ! ... at 14:32, solo = Nous sommes du soleil

Ooh let’s see how you find Sound Chaser 🎉❤ One reason I love Pat Moraz

IMHO Tales 3 sides are great to good and GFTO both sides are great

Does anyone hear in the chanting of the 1st song's cha-cha-cha a counterpoint to Close to The Edge's Da. Da. Dah-dah-dah-dah ?

A fantastic album by a phenomenal band. The next album Going for the One is my favorite and is the apex of Yes albums imho.

Patrick Moraz came in and did a superb job on this album. I believed he came and used Vangellis’ keyboards, because Vangellis was going to join YES. He didn’t though, and Patrick came and did the keyboards.

I would be absolutely happy about the YESSONGS (if you can hear them here). That was my first album by Yes and to this day (despite the mediocre sound quality) it has remained my all-time favorite.

Very jazzy bass line from Squire on the first track. Moraz replaced Wakeman on this album. To be over is nice.

Soundchaser takes a lot of getting used to. I'm not doubting the music that is good but because it is disjointed and "bitty" it takes your ears a while to take in the whole thing. In my case 47 years! Don't get me wrong I didn't dislike it, it's just I wasn't sure what to make out of it as a whole piece although the individual bits within the song I liked. Finally, this year, I'm starting to feel I've got it! As a result I'm liking it more and more! Hope it takes you less than 47 years Jim ;-). Also noticing you are getting close to 17K. Do you have any special plans when you hit 17K?

Significant elements of Sound Chaser were borrowed to create Chris Squire's bass solo, "Whitefish," particularly during the 90125 Tour. There is audio available from an album they officially released called 9012Live The Solos. Here's a link to "Whitefish": ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-5pE45R8TfSQ.html #jimnewstead

Although I think Close to the Edge is their greatest composition and that album their most important achievement, Relayer has always stayed with me as the favorite. I don't agree that 'Gates' is more cohesive as an arrangement than 'Close to the Edge'.. If one carefully follows the thematic shape of each piece, 'Close to the Edge' treats the musical figures that appear throughout in many different ways, and often introduces each new idea just a bit at a time, tantalizing the listener ; the first time we hear the chorus phrase, it is only "close to the edge, just by the river...not right away.. not right away". When it reappears it moves through "Seasons will pass you by, I get up I get down " but then a new interrupting figure is introduced "Now that it's all over and done, now that you find, now that you're whole" which then bridges back into a recapitulated version of the first verse but with a sparse harder, offbeat feel. This is topnotch classical arrangement. I adore 'The Gates' even more for the overall vibe and the magic of it, but as a whole arrangement, it feels more like sections placed one after the other...but what sections!!! and my god, 'Soon' as the finale is devastating and beautiful.

It has to be Going For The One next, if Relayer is climbing the peak then GFTO is when you reach the summit.

Great Yes-Related Music to check out: Lucky Seven - Chris Squire Children’s Concerto - Moraz & Bruford The 3 albums by the band Bruford.

Una verdadera obra maestra de la música contemporánea. Y uno de mis preferidos de YES, lo tiene absolutamente todo musicalmente hablando. Y se nota como los empujó a otros lugares la participación de Patrick Moraz y su impronta jazzistica. Exploraron otros ritmos y tendencias. Un gusto que reacciones a este album. Gracias por compartir. ABrazo desde Argentina

I might clash with fans when I say that the guitar solo on the first track was just to say: "Look what I can do!" The end of the second track I would have recommended as a soundtrack for Terry Pratchett's "Island" novel. Altogether, I still prefer side A, being 13 in 1973 and still going for it.

Been a fan since I was 15 in 1976,but hearing Sound Chaser again after a long period,I agree now with a lot of its detractors about its “coldness” . Love ‘Gates’ ,but probably won’t listen to SC again for a good while.

Jim. Do Jon and Vangelis. State of Independence and the title track, Friends of Mr. Cairo. 🗽🎼😎

Soundchaser strikes me as YES at both their best and worst. The musicianship is impeccable and the creativity is brilliant. It also is in serious need of editing. Sometimes it feels like they know they have some additional tape to record or that they have more studio time booked than they needed, so they'll fill it until kicked out of the room. I love this piece, even more than Gates of Delirium, but sometimes it does feel like they're just taking up the available oxygen. I would also recommend catching classical pianist Stephen Prutsman's cover of Soundchaser. I find his interpretation of it clarifying. Apparently he and Jon Anderson know each other and discussed the piece. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-aqR0AP7A_l4.html Tom Brislin, who played on a YES tour and is now with Kansas, also did a live version which is worth a listen.

A very jazz-rocky start of the first song. (I keep recommending Go live from Paris by Stomu Yamashta 😇) I like this a lot more than the A-side of this album; still have to listen to that side again. Great guitar playing by Steve Howe. I don’t like the tsja tsja tsja singing in the end. Second song has a sitar in it (I love Ravi Shankar) and is so relaxing compared to the other two songs.

Pedal Steel guitar Relayer is Yes's best work one a two-sided album, bar none.

Haven’t read all the comments, so somebody else may have mentioned this. The “Cha-cha” section sounds as if it might be influenced by Gamelan music, specifically by the “Monkey Chant”.

RIP Alan White.

Tell me more about this Topological Oceans album.

Can you believe you made it this far in life and just now hearing this incredible record by this amazing band?

Jim get on the new Leprous album

The only fault I find with this song is that it finally was over 😩😩😩

Love this album. The disjointed tempos, speed and Alan is crazy good on drums. Saw this live in Jersey city when they toured it. Moraz is a great keyboardest, but if you play the studio to live, he never plays to the studio version. He augments way too much, and did so on many of the Yes songs. I was a big Zep fan also, and they never played a live act the same way twice, in relation to the studio tracks. Thats how Moraz played. I think Wakeman could have made this as great if not better, as his technique, in my opinion is more precise to what yes wanted. Great album, and nothing matches this but Crimsons Starless and bible black.

We must remind ourselves, in general with our love for this stuff, we are not going to getting laid with our time on this ;)

"Its quite BUSY" LOL

its a steel pedal guitar

Is that a AT 440MLa on your Technics???

Pam where are you?

Going for the One would be the next "best" album with Awaken being one of my favs from YES. Topographic Oceans is not my cup of tea but maybe i have to give a second listen. The others have some good songs.