Time and a Word

Untitled

Time and a Word is the second album by progressive rock band Yes, released in mid-1970 in the UK and November 1970 in the US. This was the last Yes album to feature the group's original line-up, as Peter Banks was fired before the album's release.

Time and a Word (Atlantic 2400 006) reached #45 in the UK. It did not chart in the US.

The album

With the decision to use string arrangements on most of the album's songs, Peter's role as a guitarist was diminished. Tensions within the band increased, and just after the album's recording was completed in early 1970, Peter was asked to leave. Steve Howe would join the line-up that March, replacing Banks. The album also includes two songs Jon Anderson wrote with David Foster, a former band mate in The Warriors.

Time and a Word's use of heavy strings seemed intrusive to some critics, and the album was received in a lukewarm fashion upon its release (UK #45, Yes' first chart entry at home).

With the addition of Steve Howe, the band would start to compose, rehearse, and record the music for The Yes Album over the summer and autumn of 1970. The album, released the following spring, would finally earn the band their success.

Album cover

The US and UK releases had different album artwork; the UK version had black-and-white drawing of a nude woman, but this was deemed inappropriate in the US, so the cover there showed a picture of the band. Despite appearing on the US cover, Steve Howe does not play on the album. The back cover of both versions features photographs of the band members.

Track listing

Side one

1. "No Opportunity Necessary, No Experience Needed" (Richie Havens) – 4:48
2. "Then" (Anderson)* – 5:46
3. "Everydays" (Stephen Stills) – 6:08
4. "Sweet Dreams" (Anderson, David Foster) – 3:50

Side two

5. "The Prophet" (Anderson, Squire) – 6:34
6. "Clear Days" (Anderson) – 2:06
7. "Astral Traveller" (Anderson) – 5:53
8. "Time and a Word" (Anderson, David Foster) – 4:32

Remastered Tracks

Time and a Word was remastered and reissued in 2003 with several bonus tracks:

9. "Dear Father" (Anderson, Squire) – 4:14
10. "No Opportunity Necessary, No Experience Needed (Original Mix)" (Havens) – 4:46
11. "Sweet Dreams (Original Mix)" (Anderson, Foster) – 4:20
12. "The Prophet (Single Version)" (Anderson, Squire) – 6:33

Tracks 9–11 first appeared on early West German pressing of Time and a Word, Atlantic/Teldec (GE) (24/4/70).

Personnel

• Jon Anderson: (Written as "John Anderson" on the original LP): Vocals, percussion
• Peter Banks: Electric and acoustic guitars, vocals
• Chris Squire: Bass, vocals
• Tony Kaye: Piano, organ
• Bill Bruford: Drums, percussion

with

• David Foster: acoustic guitars "Time and a Word"

Reissues

1989 - Atlantic - CD
1994 - Atlantic - CD (Remastered )
2003 - Rhino - CD (Remastered with Bonus Tracks )

Sources

• Time and a Word CD booklet essay, Mike Tiano, c. 2003
• AllMusicGuide.com