Uncle G’s FUN Music Reviews: Yes – Talk – 30TH Anniversary Deluxe Box Set (2024)

31 May 2024

Uncle G’s FUN Music Reviews
Spotlight: YES “TALK” 30th Anniversary Deluxe Box Set Edition (2024 Cherry Red Records)

By Gary “Uncle G” Brown
GaryBrown@garyunclegbrownarchives.com

It’s hard to believe that three decades have gone by since the rock band Yes put out their fourteenth studio album entitled; Yes – Talk. I was 33 years old in March of 1994 when the new Yes music was released. By this time in my life, I have been listening to Yes, for like 20 years. I first saw them in concert, promoting what is probably my favorite Yes album; Yes – Relayer (1974). Up to this point, being a fan, it’s been a roller-coaster ride, keeping up with this progressive rock band. Personal changes, galore. Musicians come, and musicians go. For example, up to the album Talk, the singer and mostly word-smith for the 5 man band was, Jon Anderson. Missed one album which was called, Yes – Drama (1980). Instead, he did some wonderful work with Vangelis, during that time. Participating or not, Jon was a founding member of Yes. And with him on Talk, Tony Kaye, who kicked ass when looking back on his triumphant return with the group. One more guy, very important, the late Chris Squire. It was he and Jon who planted the seed for which sprouted the progressive rock band, Yes. In concert, I loved feeling him play. If having a good seat up front somewhere, the bass was so strong, it rattled your bones.

Yes (the band) originated out of England, back in the late 1960s. The story goes that while tending bar, Jon met bass player, Chris Squire. They formed a group. The guitarist, Peter Banks, named the band, Yes. Included in the act were, what some might consider, unusual covers. Turn a 3-minute song by someone else, into a long-ass jam. Give credit where due, and then claim the song as their own. Their original music was good enough for folks to enjoy hearing and would get remarkably better as time went by. Over the years, as is the same with all professional musicians, either with the focus on themselves or solo and playing with others, the career(s) itself would contain many peaks and valleys.

“Uncle G” Discusses…Yes – Talk – 30th Anniversary Box Set Edition (2024)

Four CD Version

Disc One – Original Album

Almost 11 years ago, I did a write-up for a classic rock station that included my thoughts on this particular release. I nowadays would simply say that I love the album. One song, Walls, I’m not that particularly fond of, but the other 6 to me, are standouts in the Yes catalog of songs.

Quality

A fascinating fact now and ground-breaking at the time. “Talk” was one of the first albums to be recorded and edited entirely digitally, without using traditional audio tape. Produced by Trevor Rabin.

As it should, this 30th Anniversary version sounds terrific.

Artwork

A different perspective on the Yes logo, by legendary artist Peter Max.

Yes – Talk

Admittedly, it’s been a while since I played, Talk. Recently getting my reviewer’s copy of this 30th anniversary edition, I made up for lost time by playing it at the gym, several times. I go a few times a week. Being injured some, my workouts are on the lite-side. The music they play there sucks through a long paper straw. Drives me crazy! So it’s a Godsend when I have something new to check out. Here’s a cool archival project, with four discs of music. This one here centering around Yes’ forgotten masterpiece.

Sadly, Talk was Trevor Rabin’s and Tony Kaye’s swansong with the band. This would be their last time as members of Yes, creating/putting out new music with them. A shame that things didn’t go better, on this last project.

The music on Yes’ Talk, in my ears, measured up to some of the band’s best music.

Long story short, Yes’ Talk, simply wasn’t properly promoted at the time of its release and fell to the wayside. A shame! You can’t blame the musicians. The music and lyrics are top-notch. Those making the financial decisions messed up. That affected everything including how music listeners in general perceived the album itself. If told it was a failure regarding album sales and ticket sales on the tour promoting it, most people tend to go with that and move on. Nobody hears about the label that Talk was on, going tits up. Here’s an awesome opportunity to rediscover it. Comes with 3 more discs of rare and live music to accompany it.

Disc Two – Talk – Bonus Tracks

Being a YesCollector (someone who collects Yes and Yes-related items), I have, of course, tried to obtain any rarities I could from the Trevor Rabin Yes era, including whatever I could find from the Talk project. Japan CD imports would have the version of The Calling, with the extra bit of music included. That usually requires a lot of yen to obtain. That ‘special version’ is found in this deluxe box set, on a disc with 7 other tracks that would certainly interest any person purchasing this must-have Yes item.

When it comes to collections that focus on one particular release, like this one, I care the most about the quality of the original music. Everything else is gravy, and I could get into it, or disregard whatever it is. Is totally up to me. I’m happy with the first disc, being the Talk album itself, from this box set. That I already touched on, here. As to my opinion on rarities, I’m less stringent. I expect less. Early versions of songs, or radio-friendly edits, are nice to have, and of course even listen to, from, time to time. More enjoyable if having an inquisitive nature, I would assume.

Disc Three and Four – Yes – LIVE Canandaigua, New York 19 June 1994

So says Trevor Rabin in a press release from Glass Onyon PR, regarding touring Yes-Talk and this particular show:

“I wish we recorded some shows properly, it’s just a board mix….but you can feel the energy from it.”

Damn right, Mr. Rabin! Turn the volume UP! The quality is fine. Yours, to me, would be the approval that would be most important. This is Yes doing what I love best, and that’s acting like a world-class rock band.

I saw two shows from the Talk Tour. Both in Texas, and both outdoor shows; July 31st (Sea World – San Antonio) and the next night, August 1st (The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion – The Woodlands). As with this one, both concerts were outstanding! Trevor Rabin’s performance did stand out, but all musicians involved shined throughout the two concerts that I witnessed. Billy Sherwood joined the band on stage to help recreate some of the studio tunes that were played throughout the show.

Yes–Talk – Personal Line-Up

Jon Anderson: Vocals (Lyrics)
Trevor Rabin: Guitars, Keyboards, Vocals, Programming.
Chris Squire: Bass Guitar – Vocals
Tony Kaye: Hammond Organ
Alan White: Drums

Recorded at the beginning of the tour. The songs included are not in the exact order as played, due to time restraints regarding the formats in which they are offered; compact discs or vinyl. The actual intro is missing, where all but Jon Anderson were on stage, rocking out, right out the gate, performing a classic from the 3rd Yes studio album, The Yes Album (1971) entitled; Perpetual Change. Nice way to start the show! Three of the five guys who made up the Yes-Talk line-up were on that original recording. Getting edited out was a small sacrifice that I assume was needed to market the rest of the show. The set list was a nice combination of classic Yes and 90125 member-era material. ‘Talk’ made for the 3rd and last studio album these gentlemen did together as a group. Last time touring, as well. One of my favorites when in the audience of the Talk Tour shows that I’ve seen in person, was the song Hearts from Yes’ hit album, Yes – 90125 (1983).

Regarding new material, the song, Real Love, rocks! That said, the real Magnus Opus, the three-part; Electric Dream. It was quite a sight to see, performed live.

I waited twenty years to finally have in my YesCollection, a properly released live show from the ‘Talk’ Tour. I’m not disappointed!

Please note, if you are familiar with this chapter in YesHistory, and looking…there is no Roundabout-Purple Haze here. Keep looking. It is cool that they were closing the show with that. Not here! Too early in the tour.

FYI: Also available – 2LP Limited Edition White Vinyl (see Cherry Red Records Website for additional information). A single CD of the studio album is there to purchase as well.

Helpful Weblinks

Spirit of Unicorn Music – Cherry Red Records: www.cherryred.co.uk/yes-talk-30th-anniversary-4cd-expanded-edition

Official Yes Website: www.yesworld.com

Promotion: Glass Onyon PR: www.glassonyonpr.com

Official Peter Max Website: www.petermax.com

Bonus – Yes at Sea World poster + Armband – Woodlands Ticket Stub (Gary Brown Yes/YesRelated Collection)

End of Article

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