Fish Out of Water by Chris Squire

Fish Out of Water, the first solo album by Yes bassist  Chris Squire,, was released in 1975. Squire also released a Christmas album outside of Yes, as well as a beautiful album, A Life Within a Day, with the  SQUACKETT project, featuring the great  Steve Hackett.

The album was born from Yes's decision to release a solo album each after the release of Relayer to promote the group's subsequent tour. This included  Beginnings by Steve Howe, Olias of Sunhillow by Jon Anderson, Ramshackled by  Alan White and The Story of I by  Patrick Moraz

The album contains five beautiful progressive pieces with complex melodic structures and rhythmic solutions, on which Squire also sings lead vocals—a truly beautiful voice, I must say. Bill Bruford and Patrick Moraz play on all the tracks (and you can hear them), and the great Jimmy Hastings also appears on the flute, as well as a symphony orchestra.

The title is a combination of Squire's nickname (Fish) and the fact that this is his first work without YES (out of water), which perfectly represents this great bassist's attachment to the band.

Some notes on the tracks

- "Silently Falling" is the album's masterpiece and a great piece of '70s progressive rock. It's 11 minutes of melancholy atmosphere, with a powerful interplay between Squire and Bruford, a complex piece and, in my opinion, the album's top track.
- "Hold Out Your Hand" is a more melodic song with a classic rock radio vibe, featuring a splendid organ part and a great bass solo by Squire.
- "You By My Side" is a great symphonic piece with melodies that lean toward pop.
- "Lucky Seven" has jazz accents with a beautiful saxophone part.
- "Safe (Canon Song)" is the long final track, with grand orchestral arrangements, one of Squire's best bass works, which also delights us with a great solo.

For bass enthusiasts, these are the basses Chris Squire uses on the album:

• Rickenbacker 4001 bass
• Rickenbacker 8-string bass
• Fender Jazz bass
• Fender Telecaster bass
• Gibson Thunderbird bass
• Gibson SG double-neck bass (4 and 6 strings)

Not bad, I'd say, as "tools of the trade."

This isn't an album that emphasizes the bass work alone; it's full of excellent music and is my favorite of all YES's solo releases for its pure progressive atmosphere that spans many moods. I listen to "Silently Falling" at least three times every time I put the record on.

This album is a must-have for all YES fans. Highly recommended!!!

Tracklist

1. Hold Out Your Hand (4:13)
2. You By My Side (4:59)
3. Silently Falling (11:26)
4. Lucky Seven (6:54)
5. Safe (Canon Song) (14:56)

Duration 42:34

LineUp

- Chris Squire - lead vocals and backing vocals, bass guitar*, Rickenbacker 12-string electric guitar (3, 5), producer

Featuring:
- Andrew Pryce Jackman - acoustic pianos and Fender Rhodes, orchestration, conductor
- Patrick Moraz - Hammond organ (3), Moog bass synthesizer
- Barry Rose - St. Paul's Cathedral pipe organ (1)
- Jimmy Hastings - flute (2)
- Mel Collins - tenor saxophones (3) and alto saxophones (4)
- Bill Bruford - drums, percussion (tubular bells, gongs)
- Nikki Squire - backing vocals (1)

- John Wilbraham - brass section director
- Jim Buck - wind section director
- Adrian Brett - wind section director
- Julian Gaillard - string section director

This album is a true Progressive Rock METEOR. Visit the PROG METEOR section for more information.

Note: All links to the musicians' works are in the TAGS under the article title or on the "Artists" page.