I’ve Seen All Good People – Take a straight and stronger course To the corner of your life #MusicisLife #TedTocksCovers #Yes #MatthewSweet #SusannaHoffs #AnnWilson

Today we go to church, so to speak. The power of ‘I’ve Seen All Good People’ is almost like a religious experience. It is definitely a spiritual song, in its lyrical message. The song goes to new heights in terms of its layers of musical talent. It exists as just one of many classic songs by Yes; a band that I have been remiss in not properly featuring in Ted Tocks Covers. We will remedy that oversight in this edition of Ted Tocks Covers.

This post goes out to my lifelong friend Rhys. It was his enthusiasm for Yes that turned me on to this phenomenal band. In the early days of music discovery, I was an open book and the fact that Rhys and I were big Rush fans made the step to these progressive rock giants a natural progression. I have known Rhys since before kindergarten. We lived on the same block, and we literally grew up together. He is likely the smartest guy I have ever known. Certainly, one of the most loyal friends I will ever have. Although distance separates us presently and has for quite some time, there are infinite connections through life experience. Walking hand in hand with these memories is the enjoyment of a ton of music which served as a rite of passage in our formative years. When Heather and I got married in 1991 Rhys was a natural choice to be my best man. Once again #MusicisLife because for me at least, it seems every personal reflection is accompanied by a quality soundtrack.

And, oh the stories we could tell…

‘Your Move/I’ve Seen All Good People’ was released on ‘The Yes Album’ in 1971. This brilliant recording is just one of countless releases from that year, that music fans look back on in awe. It was an endless stream of quality. For Yes, ‘The Yes Album’ was the beginning of a period of transition within the band. It represented the arrival of the infinitely talented Steve Howe, who replaced Peter Banks on guitar. It also marked the departure of Tony Kaye on keyboards who ironically left the band due to stylistic conflicts with Howe, as they were rehearsing for their follow up to ‘The Yes Album’; another classic we know now as ‘Fragile’. Kaye was replaced by the incredible Rick Wakeman.

As one sits and listens to ‘I’ve Seen All Good People’ they are treated to a depth within the composition that leaves them with a series of options in terms of focus. To begin, the lyrics that were written by vocalist Jon Anderson focused on the influence of John Lennon.  They evolved into Anderson’s spirituality, and he then used chess as a metaphor for human relationships. The chess connection is evident in the lines “move me on to any black square”, “make the white queen run so fast” and “the goal is for us all to capture only one”, meaning a life partner. You can then blend this with two obvious allusions to the recent work of John Lennon. The line “send an instant karma to me” is a clear nod to ‘Instant Karma’ and most obviously the chorus of ‘Give Peace a Chance’ is heard in the background, during the final part of the ‘Your Move’ movement within the pairing of songs. This song was initially presented as movements within the piece. In 1971, album-oriented rock radio stations played the seven minute track together, which served as a catalyst to ‘The Yes Album’ and its popularity at the time. ‘Your Move/I’ve Seen All Good People’ remains a classic rock staple to this day.

The spiritual association within ‘I’ve Seen All Good People’ was referenced by Jon Anderson in an interview published in ‘Yesstories: Yes In Their Own Words’ where he stated:

…cause it’s time, it’s time in time with your time” was an attempt to say that he would “do anything that is required of me to reach ‘God’ and that he wants the listener to feel “in tune and in time with God.”

Jon Anderson

If you listen to interviews with Jon Anderson, you will detect a very humble and honorable man, so this deference to a deity is not surprising. Above all, it is genuine, which only adds to the authenticity of this song and his delivery.

As we move on, it is essential to look at the structure of ‘Your Move/I’ve Seen All Good People’ because this is where the brilliance of Yes truly shines.

The song begins with an a cappella introduction by Jon Anderson, bass player Chris Squire, and Steve Howe singing in three-part harmony.

I’ve seen all good people turn their heads each day so satisfied I’m on my way.”

Jon Anderson

Steve Howe is introduced to Yes fans with his 12-string guitar work which is joined by Bill Bruford with a simple bass drum, and eventually Tony Kaye with his signature Hammond organ. Kaye’s sustained organ part signifies the end of the first movement which leads into the ‘All Good People’ portion which once again provides the listener with the combination of musical genius that exists within this band. When Jon Anderson wrote this song his vision was to create a piece that would begin quietly and then build to a crescendo. This vision was definitely served, as the song concludes with Tony Kaye’s organ and all of its grandiose splendor.

As I write this post, I am taking a tour of the Yes library and over and over again, I bear witness to the power of their combination of musical dexterity. Growing up, I remember sitting in the balcony of our church in the early ‘80s. I sat near the organ player and closed my eyes while they played thinking; man, that instrument is capable of so much more. Can you just go all out and play it like Tony Kaye or Rick Wakeman? Just one time! It’s true…The religious experience just didn’t cut it. It was all about the music for me. That is where my spirituality remains.

One more personal story. This is a good one. At least I think so.

 As I have mentioned in past Ted Tocks Covers, my sons Sebastian and to a lesser degree Jeremy were both interested into drumming when they were growing up. Around 2007 or 2008 I learned that a local music store called Long and McQuade would be hosting a drum clinic in nearby Hamilton, Ontario. They would be featuring none other than the legendary Bill Bruford. It was sponsored by Tama drums. This was an opportunity that I could not pass up. Me and the boys along with family friend Brian and his sons Doug and Daniel headed across Hamilton Bay and up Hamilton Mountain to see the spectacle. We got there in good time and joined the lineup for general admission seating. Fortunately, we managed to get good seats close to the front. After all of the music fans filed in and ultimately filled the auditorium at Mohawk College, Bill Bruford walked out to the front of the stage and gave a brief introduction marked by his English wit. He then sat behind his drum kit and gave a dazzling performance that left each of us mesmerized. Bill Bruford is more than a drummer; he is a percussionist. Above all, he was part of the leading edge of a movement in this field that displayed his role in the band as much more than a timekeeper. The bands he has performed with and the albums he has played on serve as a direct line to an evolution of music and its infinite possibilities. Yes and King Crimson are primary examples, but that is only the beginning. At some point during this incredible seminar Bill Bruford or one of the hosts (I can’t remember for sure) brought a bunch of Tama t shirts to the front of the stage and threw them out into the audience and as fate would have it, I was fortunate enough to catch one. An awesome keepsake from a really cool event. It will forever exist as yet another chapter in my ongoing series of ‘School of Rock’ lessons for my sons. What an experience. The best part is, I was there, and I have the t shirt. As the years go by the story will become, Bill Bruford personally handed me the shirt as a thank you for sharing his musical journey with my sons. Just give it enough time. My ability to rewrite my personal history seems to improve daily, in direct inverse proportion to my fading memory.

In an effort to put the talent of Yes on full display here is Steve Howe and ‘The Clap’. It resides as the B side of ‘The Move/I’ve Seen All Good People’. This is a live recording from The Rainbow Theatre in London, England from 1972 during the ‘Fragile’ tour.

This quote offers Steve Howe’s reflection on the life altering experience that inspired him to write this dazzling instrumental that just makes you want to…clap.

It’s the first song I ever wrote, and I think it’s really a good piece. I wrote it on the 4th of August in 1969, when my oldest son, Dylan, was born. The very night that he was born, I finished the song. Originally, it was a dedication to Chet Atkins, but then it became a dedication to Dylan. It combined a lot of things I’d learned or imagined. I always wanted to write music, and when I decided to write solo guitar music, it was earth-shattering inside, because suddenly I was an independent person. I could stand up on stage and play Clap. That meant as much to me as it did to be in Yes.”

Steve Howe

Back in the summer of 1984 I had the privilege of seeing Yes live at the CNE grandstand as they toured their acclaimed ‘90125’ album. If I recall correctly, it was me, Rhys, Heather and another long-time friend, Nick. One of the highlights of the show was watching Chris Squire on bass. Among the finest ever. Sadly, he passed away in 2015 at the age of 67. Here is ‘The Fish’ from a 2003 live performance, where his bass guitar mastery takes on Hendrix like proportions.

Before the show we were lined up to get into the stadium and Heather looked over and saw her much older cousin, Mark. He leaned over to her and said “’90125’ isn’t their first album.”

Grrrr!

In 2017, Yes was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Here is their performance from Barclay Centre in New York City on that evening. Standing in for the great Chris Squire was another Rock and Roll Hall of Fame bass player. None other than Geddy Lee of Rush is seen loving every second, playing with a group that long existed as musical mentors. A great music moment.

For today’s covers here is a version by Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs from their album ‘Under the Covers, Vol. 2’ in 2009. This also features Steve Howe on guitar.

This is the second of three such cover albums by Sweet and Hoffs. For more on this duo and their interesting evolution see ‘Monday, Monday’. Their association with Mike Myers and the soundtrack to the Austin Powers movies is fascinating.

Finally, listen to Ann Wilson of Heart fame deliver the Jon Anderson vocal at an extraordinary level. This is really nice. Watch as she evolves from ‘Your Move’ into ‘She Talks to Angels’ by The Black Crowes. This is from a live performance in 2017. It continues to amaze me that so many of these sensational artists from the ‘70s era of music still perform at such a peak.

To close this post, it may be best to show Yes and their ability to translate the studio magic into a live experience. Here is a video that actually exists as a mash up of two live performances during their 1973 U.S. tour and the 1972 Rainbow Theatre I featured earlier in the post.

Like the song says, take a straight and stronger course to the corner of your life. From your vantage point take inventory of all the good people that exist and the qualities they bring to the table. These are the people that define you.

I’m satisfied, and for today at least, I am on my way.