Site hosted by Angelfire.com: Build your free website today!
 

Big Generator

September 17, 1987

"The Yes lineup that recorded 90125 returned for a followup a few years later, Big Generator, making some minimal concessions to the band’s spiritual roots but otherwise picking up where their last album left off. The material is unerringly good, cowritten by most of the band, though Trevor Rabin again is largely responsible for these well-crafted love songs. The album produced a pair of hits in the tradition of Asia, “Love Will Find a Way” and “Rhythm of Love.” Equally impressive are the tracks that mix arena-scale hooks with flashes of brilliance from longstanding members Chris Squire and Jon Anderson, such as “I’m Running” and “Final Eyes.” Despite exceptional production, the sum effect is less stunning than 90125 - maybe the vocal choruses were too ‘80s or the guitar leads too few, but Big Generator sounded mechanical in spots. Jon Anderson takes more of the lead vocals, and at times the album transcends studio rock to create compelling moods (“Shoot High Aim Low,” “Holy Lamb”), which is true to the spirit of Yes if not the sound. Perhaps in trying to find a more suitable setting for Jon Anderson, the album reveals just how far from the original ideal Yes has travelled. If Big Generator is a slight disappointment following 90125, it still contains too much good music to be dismissed. In many ways Yes follows the same path as Rush: technically impressive and sonically deep, but still bearing traces of the studio’s impersonality." © Copywrite Connolly & Company Progrography

Yes are: Jon Anderson (Lead Vocals), Tony Kaye (Keyboards), Trevor Rabin (Gutiars, Keyboards, Backing Vocals), Chris Squire (Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals), Alan White (Drums & Percussion).

Horns on 'Almost Like Love' by Soul Lips: James Zavala, Lee R. Thornberg, Nick Lane, Greg Smith.  Harmonica on 'Love Will Find a Way': James Zavala.

Produced by Yes, Trevor Rabin, Paul De Villers, Trevor Horn

Mixed by Trevor Rabin.
Keyboard programming: Kim Bullard.
String Arrangements: Trevor Rabin.

Engineered by Paul de Villiers, Alan Goldberg (Courtesy Lark Recording Studios), Dave Meegan, Travor Rabin, John Jacobs, Paul Massey, David Glover.  Assistant engineers: Mike 'Spike' Drake, Stuart Breed, Brian Soucy, Lois Oki, Julie Last, Jimmy Preziosi, Mike Kloster.

Recording Studios: Lark Recording Studios, Caramati, Italy; Sarm East & West Recording Studios, London; Air Recording Studios, London; Southcombe Recording Studio, Los Angeles; Westlake Audio; Sunset Sound, Los Angeles.  Mastered by Stephen Marcussen at Precision Lacquer.

Thanks to: Lawrence 'NuNu' Whiting and Richard Davis.  Also Akai Systems, D'Addario Strings, Dynacord, Korg Keyboards, Ludwig Drums, Ovation Guitars, Pro Rock, Roto Sound, Tobias Guitars, Westone Guitars.

Special Thanks: Doug Morris, Sheldon Vogel, David Glew, Margon Knesz and everyone at Atlantic & ATCO Records.

Management: Tony Dimitriades/Elliot Roberts/Robert Richards for Lookout Management

Design: Mouat/Ai.

Track Listing

 
1. Rhythm of Love (Kaye/Rabin/Anderson/Squire - 4.49)
2. Big Generator (Rabin/Kaye/Anderson/Squire/White - 4.31)
3. Shoot High Aim Low (White/Kaye/Rabin/Anderson/Squire - 6.59)
4. Almost Like Love (Kaye/Rabin/Anderson/Squire - 4.58)
5. Love Will Find a Way (Rabin - 4.48)
6. Final Eyes (Rabin/Kay/Anderson/Squire - 6.20)
7. I'm Running (Rabin/Squire/Anderson/Kaye/White - 7.34)
8. Holy Lamb (Song for Harmonic Convergence) (Anderson - 3.15)

Additional Information

Release Date : September 17, 1987
Code : ATCO 7-90522-1
Highest Chart Position : #15
Weeks In Chart : Unavailable
Award Status : Platinum