Going for the One by Yes, released in 1977
I've spoken extensively about YES in reviews of some of their masterpieces and in the article dedicated to them, "The Sophisticated Symphonic Rock of YES." They're a stratospheric band, among the leading exponents of progressive rock in its symphonic rock incarnation, and have released some of the genre's finest albums, including one that contends for the top spot, the immense masterpiece, Close To The Edge.
Going for the One is the album that represents a pivotal moment in the history of Yes, the last great masterpiece of their classic lineup, marking a return to a more direct sound after the extreme experimentation of Tales from Topographic Oceans and Relayer, and seeing the return of keyboardist Rick Wakeman. Jon Anderson described the album as a "celebration" after years of extreme experimentation, seeking a more relaxed and direct approach.
After the Relayer tour in 1975, the band took an extended break, during which each member released a solo album to promote on the group's next tour: in addition to Chris Squire's Fish Out of Water, the albums Beginnings by Steve Howe, Olias of Sunhillow by Jon Anderson, Ramshackled by Alan White, and The Story of I by Patrick Moraz.
For fiscal reasons, Yes decided to record their eighth studio album in Switzerland, at Mountain Studios in Montreux, starting in October 1976.
During rehearsal sessions, creative differences arose with keyboardist Patrick Moraz, who left the band. Chris Squire and manager Brian Lane persuaded Rick Wakeman to return, reassuring him of a new musical approach less focused on extended suites and closer to the song format, which had previously prompted him to leave after Tales from Topographic Oceans. Rick Wakeman's style on this album shifts away from the heavy use of Moog and Mellotron in favor of piano and, above all, the pipe organ of the Church of St. Martin in Vevey, Switzerland. The overall sound is more direct and less baroque than his previous works, with a structure that returns to "song form" while maintaining a strong progressive feel.
For the first time, the album was produced entirely by Yes themselves, without longtime engineer Eddy Offord, who was replaced by John Timperley.
The album, released at the height of the punk movement, was an unexpected commercial success. It reached #1 on the UK album chart and #8 in the US, with the single "Wonderous Stories" being the band's biggest hit in the UK up to that point, peaking at #7.
This isn't a concept album, but the themes are recurring.
Visually, the album marks the end of the band's long collaboration with Roger Dean, with the band opting for the Hipgnosis studio. The design also reflects a radical change, with the gatefold cover depicting a naked man (symbolizing human essence and roots) gazing at the skyscrapers of Century City in Los Angeles, representing modern man seeking spiritual resonance in a technological world. Colored lines crisscross the man's body, added at the request of Jon Anderson and Steve Howe to represent the "anatomical points related to spiritual development," or chakras.
The cover generated much debate at the time, so much so that Rolling Stone magazine included it in its list of the "50 Worst Album Covers of All Time," and in some advertising campaigns (such as on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles), the man's butt was covered with an image of a pair of pants to avoid controversy.
Despite the change in artist for the main image, the band retained the classic "Yes" logo designed by Roger Dean, which appears in the upper right corner.
The original vinyl album was a triple-gatefold (like this old 1977 UK copy of mine), allowing the entire visual composition to be appreciated in a larger format.
The title, "Going for the One," metaphorically refers to the pursuit of excellence and achievement, drawing inspiration from various images: from horse racing (a "thoroughbred racing chaser") to an adventurous journey through the Grand Canyon.
Musically, the songs are shorter and more accessible, with the exception of the final suite, "Awaken" (over 15 minutes).
Wakeman largely abandoned Moog and Mellotron synthesizers in favor of piano and a pipe organ from the Church of St. Martin in Vevey, used on "Parallels" and "Awaken." Steve Howe also made significant use of pedal steel guitar on the title track.
- "Going for the One" opens the album with an unusual rock sound for the band, with Steve Howe's beautiful steel guitar lending a country sound.
- "Turn of the Century" is a gorgeous acoustic ballad, featuring great vocal harmonies from Jon Anderson over excellent guitar and piano work. The song is inspired by the Greek myth of Pygmalion and the opera La Bohème and tells the story of a sculptor who brings his deceased wife back to life through his art.
- "Parallels," composed by Chris Squire, features a majestic pipe organ part.
- "Wonderful Stories" is a melodic piece, one of the band's most commercially successful singles.
- "Awaken" is a suite lasting over 15 minutes, a new Yes masterpiece, which Jon Anderson has called their pinnacle, blending classical and progressive rock perfectly, thanks in part to the use of choir and church organ. Inspired by Calvin Miller's book The Singer (a metaphor for the story of Jesus), it deals with the interconnectedness of all life and spiritual awakening.
A fresh sound for a band capable of renewing itself in the face of the advancing punk and disco music of the time, it strikes a perfect balance between melodic accessibility and instrumental complexity. It's the last masterpiece of Yes's "classic era," a balance between progressive complexity and rock immediacy.
Going for the One closes a chapter in the history of the great Yes, but it remains an album of great quality, never banal or technically simple, even if it doesn't feature any major innovations. It's suitable for fans of '70s prog, lovers of the great Yes, and all lovers of quality music.
Note: All links to the musicians' works are in the TAGS under the article title or on the "Artists" page.
Tracklist
1. Going for the One (5:30)
2. Turn of the Century (7:58)
3. Parallels (5:52)
4. Wonderous Stories (3:45)
5. Awaken (15:38)
Duration 38:43
LineUp
- Jon Anderson - lead vocals, guitar, harp
- Steve Howe - acoustic, electric, and pedal steel guitars, 12-string Portuguese guitar, backing vocals
- Rick Wakeman - piano, Mellotron, Minimoog, Polymoog, St. Martin's Church pipe organ, choral arrangements
- Chris Squire - fretless, 4-, 6-, and 8-string basses, backing vocals
- Alan White - drums and percussion, tuned percussion
With:
- Richard Williams Singers - female choir
- Ars Laeta de Lausanne - choir recorded at the Église des Planches
