I am turning to Preston Frazier of "SomethingElseReviews.com/"; to provide just a little bit of background into this Jam, as I really want to post this as a tribute to the late Chris Squire who, having been diagnosed with leukemia in May, sadly passed away on June 26th. More a fan of their work from "The Yes Album" onwards, I am rewinding to their debut album, "Yes", to provide the musical landscape to this memorial. Over to Preston:
"'Yes' reached back into its own members' back catalogue for the penultimate track on their self-titled 1969 debut. 'Sweetness' was originally composed for the first album by ['Yes' forerunners] 'Mabel Greer's Toyshop', by Jon Anderson, Chris Squire and 'Toyshop' founder Clive Bayley.
"Unfortunately - or, maybe, fortunately for fans of what would become the world's greatest progressive rock band - Squire and Anderson chose to move on to 'Yes', as 'Mabel Greer's Toyshop' imploded under its own weight. 'Sweetness' doesn’t hint much at what's to come for 'Yes', though, presenting as a fine pop song rather than a progressive one. The introductory harmonies provide a brief showcase for the 'Yes' choir.
"Jon Anderson faithfully sings a rather straightforward love song, effectively using his range, while Tony Kaye's organ provides the main instrumental spark. It's pleasant, well played, but not particularly memorable. That didn't stop 'Sweetness' from becoming the first single by 'Yes', released on September 29th 1969. It shows a fledgling band that hasn't quite become more than the sum of its parts."
Released as that single in the UK in 1969 and in the USA in 1970, it did absolutely nothing in either chart, but, to be honest, that matters not when we examine 'Yes' retrospectively. You can at least see the rapid development of all the aspects of the group personnel, and their writing/production. So, rest in peace Mr Christopher Russell Edward Squire, 1948 to 2015. You will be much missed. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Squire
12 Comments (since 29 Jun 2015)
leejohnson
I am turning to Preston Frazier of "SomethingElseReviews.com/"; to provide just a little bit of background into this Jam, as I really want to post this as a tribute to the late Chris Squire who, having been diagnosed with leukemia in May, sadly passed away on June 26th. More a fan of their work from "The Yes Album" onwards, I am rewinding to their debut album, "Yes", to provide the musical landscape to this memorial. Over to Preston:
leejohnson
"'Yes' reached back into its own members' back catalogue for the penultimate track on their self-titled 1969 debut. 'Sweetness' was originally composed for the first album by ['Yes' forerunners] 'Mabel Greer's Toyshop', by Jon Anderson, Chris Squire and 'Toyshop' founder Clive Bayley.
leejohnson
"Unfortunately - or, maybe, fortunately for fans of what would become the world's greatest progressive rock band - Squire and Anderson chose to move on to 'Yes', as 'Mabel Greer's Toyshop' imploded under its own weight. 'Sweetness' doesn’t hint much at what's to come for 'Yes', though, presenting as a fine pop song rather than a progressive one. The introductory harmonies provide a brief showcase for the 'Yes' choir.
leejohnson
"Jon Anderson faithfully sings a rather straightforward love song, effectively using his range, while Tony Kaye's organ provides the main instrumental spark. It's pleasant, well played, but not particularly memorable. That didn't stop 'Sweetness' from becoming the first single by 'Yes', released on September 29th 1969. It shows a fledgling band that hasn't quite become more than the sum of its parts."
leejohnson
Released as that single in the UK in 1969 and in the USA in 1970, it did absolutely nothing in either chart, but, to be honest, that matters not when we examine 'Yes' retrospectively. You can at least see the rapid development of all the aspects of the group personnel, and their writing/production. So, rest in peace Mr Christopher Russell Edward Squire, 1948 to 2015. You will be much missed. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Squire
lynn200
a big part of my youth...the life. RIP.
DavidAnderson
Totally echo your sentiments....another good one lost too soon.
HawklordElf
A sad sad day. RIP Chris and thanks for all the great music.
21schizoid
Off to prog pastures, new...safe journey, big fella...
TessParker
Very, very sad. RIP Chris.
Sid_Bonkers
RIP Chris, saw Yes many times but have never heard this before, thanks for the info Lee
florencevibert
Sad loss. R.I.P.