Happy Music Monday! It's Scott here in the italics today! It's been about two weeks since Chris Squire passed away, but from my point of view, it just happened. You're only seeing this post now, two weeks after I'm writing it, because I have two date-specific posts that can't really move. Sorry, Chris Squire! Please don't haunt me! Although... can you imagine how many prog-heads would pay money to see Chris Squire's ghost appear live?
It's no surprise that someone out there went to the trouble of isolating the bass line to Roundabout. But if we're being honest here, do we even need that? Chris Squire's playing wasn't in the way, but it wasn't hidden back in the back either. As complex as a Yes song could get, we always had faith that Chris Squire would keep us from getting lost in the woods. He was that path that always lead us home.
I've got four more Yes songs to come after the jump.
Just for context, here's the original song. See what I mean? It's just not the same song without that sweet-ass bass.
I'm not ashamed to admit that this was my first introduction to Yes, and that I was "boom bum boom, boom boom"ing along to the bass on this even before I knew the names of anyone in the band. Even though some Yes purists get grumpy about this phase of the band, nobody can complain about Squire holdin' it down.
Chris Squire - Safe (Canon Song)
A lot of people joke about the various band members (like the bass player) who just show up and get checks. Maybe that's why bass players tend to make their own solo albums, just to prove to the world they know what they're doing. This song certainly is the equal of any Yes b-side, and it's better than a great many things Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman and Howe came up with. (If you don't understand that sentence don't worry. You're better for not knowing.)
Yes - The Remembering (High the Memory)
I've read Chris Squire called this the prettiest thing he'd ever played. So let's leave it on that note, shall we?
Let us just remind you: some images come from the corresponding Wikipedia page and are here under fair use. See you next week. RIP, Chris Squire. You did good.