When I started exploring the music of Yes, I was very fascinated with the sound of Chris Squire’s bass, which had a really huge sound like an electric guitar. He took the bass to new levels of expression at the time, including counterpoint melodies to complement the vocals, guitars, keyboards, etc. Like John Entwistle of The Who, Phil Lesh from The Grateful Dead, and Jaco Pastorius of Weather Report, Squire opened doors for future bass players to go beyond a normal rhythm section in the background.

One day, I was hearing some music coming from my mom’s computer. I thought, “It reminds me of the music of Yes.” When she told me who this was, I was very excited to check it out!

This album (along with the Mahavishnu Orchestra’s Apocalypse, and Snarky Puppy’s Sylva), is my favorite featuring a band and symphony orchestra. It starts out with the pipe organ driven “Hold Out Your Hand,” which leads to the ballad “You By My Side,” where the flute solo extends its sound throughout the first half. Probably circular breathing… Anyway, the big symphonic ending with the horns is always emotional.

Last year, at Cruise To The Edge, my mom and I performed these two songs together; it was a lot of fun! We love harmonizing “You By My Side” after the flute solo! (smile)

And then we get to my favorite song, “Silently Falling.” This features some really nice flute work in the beginning, mixed with the multi-layered non-vibrato vocals, and flanged piano in the transition! This song also has the coolest chords which I don’t really hear in other forms of music. The organ solo later on was the first thing I heard in the background that made me want to listen to this album! What’s cool about this solo is the multiple changes the sound goes through; the Leslie speaker on and off, a little drawbar flanging effects (or were those studio effects…) Whatever it is, it’s really neat!

I love when the piano and French horns play together, before the last piano – guitar driven section at the end of the song.

“Lucky Seven” is one of my favorite songs where the orchestra does some interplay with the saxophones.

Then we get to the last epic song “Safe (Canon Song).” This is my personal favorite mix of band and orchestra. What’s pretty wild are the French horns featuring a flanging effect to give it a huge sound! I also think of the song as a dream sequence. It goes to several places during the various chord sequences, mainly the one in 11/8. Not sure what the proper name for that time signature is supposed to be…

The very last section brings me lots of emotions, especially when the full group goes to its final destination. Then it ends with bass by itself, playing a dreamy melody.

Someday, I would like to create an album taking some cues from Fish Out Of Water, and give the vocals a female spin. There’s a song I started writing called “Dream Of The Ocean.” It came to me in a dream after listening to “Safe,” and I’d like to finish it.

When I think about the legacy of Squire, I think of his expressive playing, melodic interplay, and how he drew influences from everything classical, funky, rocking, etc., and I’m always going to listen to this album for new inspirations.

I hope you enjoy it!