by Geoff Bailie
When Jon Davison joined Yes in 2012, it was in the midst of a bit of a crisis. Benoit David had been well received by fans in concert, and the Fly From Here album got great reviews. Unfortunately, like Trevor Horn before him, touring and singing a lot of the back catalogue had taken its toll on Benoit’s voice, and he had to bow out. Davison took up the position initially for a tour, and 14 years later is still the band’s frontman. The first Davison era album, Heaven & Earth, came in 2014 to mixed reactions which, to be honest, have not improved with time. The band have since admitted, the album was rushed, plagued by, perhaps, a poor choice of producer, and so the material did not get fully developed. They took a step back from recording again until 2021’s The Quest, which arrived out of lockdown collaborations, following the sad passing of Chris Squire, and was the first of the (so far) trio of releases on Inside Out Music. 2023’s Mirror To The Sky came following the death of the other member of the rhythm section, Alan White, with long established touring drummer Jay Schellen filling that position, alongside Billy Sherwood on bass. Mirror… felt like a step forward, and the recently released Aurora continues that trajectory.
When we spoke to Jon recently (Interview with Jon Davison), he explained that while this line up had spent many years playing, largely, the Yes catalogue together, the process of working as a recording band creating new material has been evolving over those years.
As a fan of Yes-Whole, The Prog Report set me the challenge of creating a playlist of 10 tracks from the Davison era that really stood out to me. Structured to be a balanced listen in order rather than a top 10, here are my choices:
1. Aurora – from Aurora (2026)
With a piano opening that calls back Awaken, and the magnificent orchestrations of Paul K Joyce, which have featured on the last 3 albums, heralding the arrival of the band, Aurora is a strong opener. The chorus of the song is one that stays with you, and the second part of the song is instrumental with guitar and keyboard soloing, while interacting with the orchestra. It’s a great album opener, and therefore a great playlist opener showing all of the current band members in their best light.
2. To Ascend – from Heaven & Earth (2014)
A shift in tone with this Jon Davison/ Alan White song which starts as an acoustic, pastoral piece. Steve Howe’s Portuguese guitar is an instantly recognisable Yes-Sound, joined by Chris Squire’s bass and distinctive voice, and Geoff Downes’ piano. Alan White’s drumming is gentle, leaving the focus on the vocals and harmonies. There is a really nice acoustic take on this track on the Japanese edition of the album and it was one of the album tracks played live on subsequent tours. If you search on YouTube you can find a version that Jon Davison performed at the Alan White tribute concert in 2023 which segued into I’ve Seen All Good People.
3. The Western Edge – from The Quest (2021)
With a seven year gap and the passing of Squire, Billy Sherwood was established in the band, bringing his bass guitar style and, on this track, his own vocals and writing talents. The Davison/ Sherwood/ Howe vocals form the new Yes Choir, while Steve adds some soaring slide guitar in his distinctive style.
4. All Hands On Deck – from Aurora (2026)
One of the surprise tracks on Aurora, where a heavy Steve Howe riff combines with Sherwood / Schellen to produce this powerful rock tune. Davison sings in a lower register than usual, joined by Howe taking lines in the chorus. The Hammond / guitar combination brings to mind the early Yes albums, before a Moog riff from Downes lands. The song drops back to an acoustic guitar and some atmospheric keys – and 3 minutes and 5 seconds later, it’s gone! It’s one of those tracks that really isn’t anything Yes have done before, and it’s great to see the band unafraid of trying this sort of approach out.
5. Subway Walls – from Heaven & Earth (2014)
For many, this was the stand out track among the under-developed Heaven & Earth songs, and it’s perhaps the most proggy song on the album. Davison and Downes co-wrote it and the latter adds some great Hammond soloing to the middle section before Howe’s guitar joins. It all builds to a busy ending with Steve cutting loose on the guitar. One does wonder, with a bit more time and production consideration whether this could have been developed further – but I enjoy it for what it is.
6. Ariadne – from Aurora (2026)
I haven’t been deliberately avoiding Howe co-writes but this Davison/ Sherwood / Downes retelling of Greek mythology is a really strong collaboration which evolved from The Quest sessions. Schellen is a key player on this one and locks into a triplet shuffle. The various sections combine and reprise in the way that we like best in prog making this a true mini-epic.
7. Circles of Time – from Mirror to the Sky (2023)
After the energetic Ariadne, Jon Davison and Steve Howe’s acoustic duet on this simpler acoustic track is joined by some percussion, additional vocals and electric guitar embellishments. It’s that classic kind of Yes “complex simplicity” that has always been part of their arsenal, and was a great addition to their recent, and hopefully future, cycle of touring.
8. The Ice Bridge – from The Quest (2021)
The first new Yes track we heard in many years was the lead single from The Quest album, and showed the band stepping ahead from the less developed material of the previous album. Sherwood’s bass is strong and the Howe/ Downes guitar / keyboard interplay in the latter part of the track worked well on the subsequent tour as well as on record.
9. Mirror to the Sky – from Mirror to the Sky (2023)
By a few seconds (compared with Aurora’s Counterpoint) this is the longest Yes track of this era and, let’s face it, we love long songs! Beginning with an atypical guitar part from Howe, joined by Downes on piano, and then the full band join with a driving rhythm, again highlighting how strong the current rhythm section can be. Once again the guitars are to the fore, and the opening riff is reprised before a slower section, where the orchestra joins to add subtle colours to the bass and guitar duet. A closing orchestral interlude precedes the return of the band for a rising closing section, instrumentally reprising the chorus melody. It’s a triumphant combination of the strings and horns with the symphonic sounds of the band itself.
10. Watching The River Roll – from Aurora (2026)
Although classed as a bonus track (a phenomenon of the Inside Out albums), Billy Sherwood’s reflection on the passing of time and loved ones is a really fitting end to that album – and this playlist. The Portuguese guitar and then bass drum/ bass guitar thump bring a past Yes classic to mind! The lyrics about the constant state of change could well be about the band itself. Sherwood sings the verses, while Davison joins in the chorus, as Howe adds “watery” guitar tones, supported by Downes’ Moog melodies. The final 90 seconds of this song have, for me, all of what’s great about this current Yes line up: Schellen and Sherwood playing what’s right for the tune, with the right amount of complexity and adventure; Downes’ tasteful keys and soloing; Steve Howe adding multiple guitar colours, some new/ some familiar, and; Jon Davison at the fore with strong vocals, backed by harmonies from the rest of the group.
Have a listen and let me know what you think!
The post 10 Best Songs from Yes Studio Albums 2014 – 2026 appeared first on The Prog Report.
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