Writer: Jon Anderson and Chris Squire
Producers: Yes and Eddie Offord
Recorded: October/November 1970, Advision Studios, London
Released: March 19, 1971
Players: | Jon Anderson – vocals Tony Kaye – keyboards Steve Howe – guitar, vocals Bill Bruford – drums Chris Squire – bass, vocals |
Album: | The Yes Album (1971)) |
Many listeners perceive the two songs “Your Move” and “I’ve Seen All Good People” as one song, but the composition is actually two pieces, written by singer Jon Anderson and bassist Chris Squire and stitched together by the band.
Generally hailed as the first single to indicate Yes might have commercial potential, “Your Move” reached the Top 40 of Billboard‘s Hot 100 singles chart, helping The Yes Album go gold.
The success of “Your Move” saved the band’s recording career. Record company executives had notified the band that if The Yes Album tanked, its recording contract with Atlantic would be next.
Though guitarist Steve Howe is featured on the cover of Time And A Word, he joined after it was recorded. The Yes Album is the first Yes album he plays on.
This album marked a turn to a denser, more expansive, classically-influenced sound, thanks to the influence of Howe — a superior session musician who was playing with four bands when tapped by Yes.
The Yes Album also featured such enduring (and lengthy) pieces as “Starship Trooper” and “Yours is No Disgrace.”