The Roots Of Yes 1964-68

A compilation of rare singles, demos, and stray tracks, The Roots of Yes 1964-68 offers clues about guitarist Peter Banks’ evolution from teen pop journeyman to prog-rock pioneer. The album (originally titled Can I Play You Something?) takes a mix-and-match approach rather than laying out the recordings in chronological order. As the anthology’s compiler, Banks digs deep into his archives and comes up with some unexpected gems. His sides with the Devil’s Disciples (“You Better Move On,” “For Your Love”) are the work of a young musician still seeking his own sound. Tracks by The Syn (a group that also included future Yes bassist Chris Squire) take him into psychedelic realms, with “14 Hour Technicolour Dream” and “Flowerman” standing out for their acid-etched quaintness. Banks’ work with Mabel Greer’s Toyshop gets weirder and heavier, evident in the lysergic throb of “Beyond and Before” and “Electric Funeral.” Assorted recordings from various eras—including a brawny 1980 live take of the “Peter Gunn” theme—round out this multifaceted portrait of Banks as a guitarist, songwriter, and bandleader.