Relayer, 50 years old today.

[Petr Kropotkin]

I had just turned 15 when this came out on November 28, 1974. YES were one of the biggest bands in the world back then, but with Rick Wakeman leaving after Tales From Topographic Oceans, there was (to me) a lot of trepidation as to whether YES could find anyone capable to replace him. I needn’t have worried; Patrick Moraz gave Relayer a “jazzy” feel on “Sound Chaser”, and some beautiful melodic touches on “To Be Over”.

But it was the main track, The Gates Of Delirium that blew me away; how five musicians could construct a 22-minute composition that, through music, depicted a prelude to war, an extended instrumental battle, and yet could gently end on a prayer for peace (whose beauty can still move me to tears 50 years later). Although I can’t say Relayer is my favourite YES album, I can still say that The Gates Of Delirium is my favourite piece of music by anyone of any genre ever. And, of course, the album had another great Roger Dean cover (a lithograph of which hangs on my wall, signed by Jon Anderson).

So cheers and a happy birthday to a wonderful album that for me, 50 years later, is still as enjoyable for me as the day it was released (and thanks to Steven Wilson for his surround mix which uncovered some little gems that were rather buried in Eddy’s original mix).

 

[Thonolan]

I wasn't even close to being born when this was released, but Relayer is anyway among my 10-15 favourite albums of all time, and only second to TFTO in my personal Yes ranking (yes, I'm a Tales... fanboy and will always be).

I consider "To Be Over" to be the most beautiful prog rock song ever written. The section starting from 4:30 onwards melts me everytime.

 

[Thonolan]

I had to play it again...

Some other album highlights, for me:

- The keyboard solo around the 8 min mark on "Sound Chaser". Although I never truly warmed up to this song, I love that solo. Grooviest thing Yes ever did! Tasteful phrasing by Moraz, too.

- I adore every single aspect of the song from start to finish, but one of the things that has always fascinating me the most about "The Gates of Delirium" is the way they "announce" a new theme/section coming, like showing a small snippet of it a few bars in advance, then going back to what they were playing before, then fully going ahead with that new section. A wonderful composition approach in my view.

 

[5.1 4 Life]

Happy 50th to Relayer by Yes. I remember hearing the album for the first time at a friend's place and I was impressed! Relayer is part of a Great run of albums by the band during the '70s (and also the last time they would tackle something like 'The Gates of Delirum' since they would start 'simplifiying' thier music in the late '70s).

 

[Thonolan]

Relayer is part of a Great run of albums by the band during the '70s

From The Yes Album to Relayer, that's the best run of albums by any band/artist ever, in my book.

and also the last time they would tackle something like 'The Gates of Delirum' since they would start 'simplifiying' thier music in the late '70s).

I find "Awaken" just as good, and every bit as impressive as a prog epic. That was the last time, IMO.

 

[quicksrt]

I had the album the week it was released. Found it difficult to wrap my head around it at first.
I saw the Relater tour in the summer of '75. It was a lovely clear evening in a medium size (smallish) stadium.
Ace opened the show with their current big hit "How Long"

But my preferred version of The Gates of Delirium" is the live performance from the double live "Yesshows" album. That is a killer version.

 

[5.1 4 Life]

Here's a documentary on Yes' Relayer.

 

[5.1 4 Life]

From The Yes Album to Relayer, that's the best run of albums by any band/artist ever, in my book.




I find "Awaken" just as good, and every bit as impressive as a prog epic. That was the last time, IMO.

That's true, "Awaken" from Going For The One was the last of Yes' Progressive Rock Epics (until 1997's "Mind Drive" from Keys To Ascension 2).

 

[SHB]

I was 5 when relayer came out. I bought it in the summer of 1983 and was blown away by it. I just love Steve Howe's playing on that album. To me, that's Yes' high water mark in progginess