Themes

The song "Themes" by Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe (ABWH), featured on their live album An Evening of Yes Music Plus, is a dynamic three-part suite comprising "Sound," "Second Attention," and "Soul Warrior." This track, originally from their 1989 self-titled studio album, showcases the progressive rock virtuosity of Jon Anderson, Bill Bruford, Rick Wakeman, and Steve Howe, all former members of Yes. In a 2021 review on Loudersound, the live rendition of "Themes" was praised for benefiting from the organic energy of the 1989 Shoreline Amphitheatre performance, shedding the dated late-80s production of the studio version. The suite’s intricate structure, blending atmospheric keyboards, intricate guitar work, and pulsing rhythms, reflects ABWH’s intent to reconnect with the classic Yes sound of the 1970s. Interestingly, Steve Howe later clarified in a 2021 interview that despite being credited as a co-writer, he had no direct involvement in composing "Themes," revealing the complexities of the album’s production process where mixing decisions sometimes muddled creative contributions.

Another layer of trivia comes from the song’s context within ABWH’s tumultuous history. The band faced legal battles with the Chris Squire-led Yes, who owned the rights to the Yes name. As noted in a Wikipedia entry, ABWH cleverly marketed their 1989–90 tour as "An Evening of Yes Music, Plus" to nod to their Yes heritage while sidestepping legal restrictions. This tour, which birthed the live album, was a pay-per-view event, a rarity for 1989, making "Themes" part of a groundbreaking broadcast. Fans on Progarchives have noted the track’s live version for its spirited delivery, with Bill Bruford’s electronic drums adding a futuristic edge, though some criticized their dated sound. The song’s lyrical and musical complexity, as discussed in a Prog Magazine post from 2023, underscores ABWH’s ambition to merge their progressive roots with contemporary influences.

Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe formed in 1988 when Jon Anderson, feeling constrained by Yes’s pop-oriented direction in the 1980s, sought to reunite with bandmates from Yes’s classic 1971–72 lineup. Anderson, after leaving Yes in 1988, spent time on the Greek island of Hydra writing with Vangelis, sparking the idea to collaborate with Steve Howe, Rick Wakeman, and Bill Bruford. As detailed in a Yesworld biography, the quartet, unable to use the Yes name due to legal issues, recruited King Crimson bassist Tony Levin and began recording in Paris. Their self-titled album, released in 1989 on Arista Records, was a nod to Yes’s progressive roots, with Roger Dean’s iconic artwork reinforcing the connection. The project was short-lived, dissolving by 1991 when ABWH merged back into Yes for the Union album, but their brief run left a lasting impact on progressive rock.

Jon Anderson, the band’s lead vocalist, began his career in the 1960s with various bands before joining Yes in 1968, shaping their ethereal sound with his distinctive voice. Steve Howe, a self-taught guitarist, honed his craft in London’s music scene, playing with bands like Tomorrow before joining Yes in 1970. Rick Wakeman, a classically trained keyboardist, rose to prominence with The Strawbs before becoming Yes’s keyboard maestro in 1971. Bill Bruford, a jazz-influenced drummer, co-founded Yes in 1968 and later explored diverse projects like King Crimson. Their collective history with Yes, as chronicled on Cherry Red Records, laid the foundation for ABWH’s intricate sound. The band’s official website is Yesworld, which covers ABWH’s history. Social media presence includes Jon Anderson’s Facebook and Instagram, Bill Bruford’s Facebook, Rick Wakeman’s Facebook, and Steve Howe’s Facebook. No official X accounts are active for ABWH, but fan communities thrive on Facebook’s Yes Fans group and Progarchives, where enthusiasts discuss ABWH’s legacy.