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'{{EngvarB|date=September 2013}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2013}} {{Infobox album | name = Union | type = Studio | artist = [[Yes (band)|Yes]] feat. [[Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe|ABWH]] | cover = Yes - Union.jpg | alt = | released = 30 April 1991 | recorded = 1989–1991 | venue = | studio = {{Collapsible list | title = Various locations | [[Studio Miraval]]<br><small>([[Correns]], [[France]])</small><br>Studio Guillaume Tell<br><small>([[Paris]], France)</small><br>[[SARM Studios|SARM West Studios]]<br><small>([[London]], England)</small><br>[[Record Plant|Record Plant Studios]]<br><small>([[Los Angeles]], California)</small><br>Vision Sound Studios<br><small>([[New York City]], New York)</small><br>Platinum Island Studios<br><small>New York City, New York)</small><br>Langley Studios<br><small>([[Devon]], England)</small><br>The Jacaranda Room<br><small>(Los Angeles, California)</small><br>[[Cherokee Studios]]<br><small>(Los Angeles, California)</small> }} | genre = | length = 59:50 (LP)<br>65:23 (International CD)<br>69:52 (European, Japanese CD) | label = [[Arista Records|Arista]] | producer = {{flatlist| *[[Jonathan Elias]] *[[Steve Howe (musician)|Steve Howe]] *[[Trevor Rabin]] *[[Mark Mancina]] *[[Eddie Offord]] }} | prev_title = [[Big Generator]] | prev_year = 1987 | next_title = [[Yesyears]] | next_year = 1991 | misc = {{Singles | name = Union | type = studio | single1 = [[Lift Me Up (Yes song)|Lift Me Up]] | single1date = April 1991 | single2 = [[Saving My Heart]] | single2date = July 1991 | single3 = I Would Have Waited Forever | single3date = 1991 }} }} '''''Union''''' is the thirteenth studio album by English [[progressive rock]] band [[Yes (band)|Yes]], released on 30 April 1991 by [[Arista Records]]. Production began following the amalgamation of two bands featuring current and previous members of Yes at the time: Yes, consisting of [[Chris Squire]], [[Trevor Rabin]], [[Tony Kaye (musician)|Tony Kaye]], and [[Alan White (Yes drummer)|Alan White]]; and [[Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe]] (ABWH), consisting of [[Jon Anderson]], [[Steve Howe (musician)|Steve Howe]], [[Rick Wakeman]], and [[Bill Bruford]]. The eight signed with Arista and a combination of tracks by both groups were selected for ''Union''. The album was problematic from the start, including the disagreement from some members about the merge, strained internal relations during recording, and the decision by the production team to have [[session musician]]s re-record parts that Wakeman and Howe had already put down. ''Union'' was released to a mixed critical reception and the majority of the band have openly stated their dislike of the album and its production. It reached No. 7 in the UK and No. 15 in the US. "[[Lift Me Up (Yes song)|Lift Me Up]]", "[[Saving My Heart]]", and "I Would Have Waited Forever" were put out as singles; the first of which topped the ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' [[Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks]] chart for six weeks. After two months, ''Union'' was certified [[RIAA certification|gold]] by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] (RIAA) for selling 500,000 copies. Howe's guitar solo, "Masquerade", received a [[Grammy Award]] nomination for [[Grammy Award for Best Rock Instrumental Performance|Best Rock Instrumental Performance]]. Yes supported ''Union'' with their 1991–1992 world tour that featured the eight members playing on stage; Bruford, Wakeman, and Howe left the band at its conclusion. == Background == In 1983, Yes reformed following the addition of returning singer [[Jon Anderson]], joining bassist [[Chris Squire]], drummer [[Alan White (Yes drummer)|Alan White]], guitarist [[Trevor Rabin]], and keyboardist [[Tony Kaye (musician)|Tony Kaye]]. The line-up went on to record the group's most commercially successful albums, ''[[90125]]'' (1983) and ''[[Big Generator]]'' (1987), for [[Atco Records]]. In 1988, Anderson left Yes and formed [[Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe]] (ABWH), a new group with past Yes members [[Steve Howe (musician)|Steve Howe]], [[Rick Wakeman]] and [[Bill Bruford]], who suggested they have bassist [[Tony Levin]] involved. ABWH released their [[Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe (album)|self-titled album]] for [[Arista Records]] in 1989 and supported it with a world tour. During this time, the four-member Yes began to write songs with former Yes producer [[Eddy Offord]]<ref name=CDsleeve/> and held sessions for potential new singers including [[Supertramp]] lead vocalist [[Roger Hodgson]] and American singer and bassist [[Billy Sherwood]] of [[World Trade (band)|World Trade]].{{sfn|Kirkman|2013|p=102}} In 1990, ABWH and Levin started work on a second album at [[Studio Miraval]] in [[Correns]], France with producer [[Jonathan Elias]],<ref name=CDsleeve/> with whom Anderson had contributed vocals and lyrics to Elias's album ''Requiem for the Americas'' (1990).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/requiem-for-the-americas-songs-from-the-lost-world-mw0000653017/credits|title=Jonathan Elias - Requiem for the Americas: Songs from the Lost World - Credits|accessdate=6 September 2016|website=AllMusic}}</ref> Bruford praised the material that Howe, Levin, and he were producing at this time, prior to Anderson's involvement, and had high hopes for the group's future.{{sfn|Welch|2008|p=226}}{{sfn|Chambers|2002|p=114}} Matters changed when Arista asserted none of their songs were suitable for radio airplay or release as a single.{{sfn|Chambers|2002|p=112}} After several tracks had been put down, Anderson stopped by in Los Angeles to record his vocals.<ref name=CDsleeve/> While there he reunited with Rabin and heard tracks that Yes were working on, and suggested to Rabin that he sing on them in addition to asking him for a song that ABWH could record.<ref name=CDsleeve/>{{sfn|Morse|1996|p=90}} "What I read into that was they needed a single", recalled Rabin, who was primarily responsible for Yes's hit singles throughout the 1980s. Rabin pitched demos to three of his songs, including "[[Lift Me Up (Yes song)|Lift Me Up]]",{{sfn|Kirkman|2013|p=102}} but requested that ABWH record only one.{{sfn|Morse|1996|p=90}} Anderson wished to use all three, however, which sparked discussions amongst management of Yes and ABWH to join forces and become an eight-member formation of Yes, and to make an album.{{sfn|Morse|1996|p=91}} The merge of the two groups received a mixed internal reaction. Rabin thought the idea was "useful and convenient to everyone, because we wanted to go on the road, and it was a quick way".{{sfn|Morse|1996|p=91}} Squire called Yes's involvement into the project as a "salvage job".{{sfn|Chambers|2002|p=113}} Howe and Bruford resisted, seeing no need to become Yes once again as they had reached substantial success with ABWH.{{sfn|Morse|1996|p=91}} Bruford added: "ABWH was a group in the making ... However, the politicians got involved and that idea was quickly crushed."{{sfn|Chambers|2002|p=113}}{{sfn|Chambers|2002|p=114}} Following a period of negotiations Atco agreed to release Yes from the label for an undisclosed sum from Arista, thus allowing them to sign a four-album deal with Arista which gave the green-light for an album that combined tracks recorded by both groups.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-7655166.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161008201900/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-7655166.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=8 October 2016|title=Yes puts it all back together again|first=Steve|last=Morse|work=The Boston Globe|date=11 April 1991|via=Highbeam Research|url-access=subscription|accessdate=6 September 2016}}</ref> As part of the deal, Atco retained the rights to the band's back catalogue.<ref name=therecord1991/> Squire remembered a "huge, 90-page contract" was produced to settle the various legal issues between the two bands, labels, and promoters.{{sfn|Chambers|2002|p=113}} The album's original title was ''Dialogue'', which was announced in the press as late as February 1991 during the mixing stage.<ref>{{cite newspaper|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/16195837/yes_union_1991/|title=The new Yes group: Virtually a Yes, Yes|first=Tom|last=Moon|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|page=40|date=18 February 1991|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|accessdate=10 April 2019}}</ref> == Recording and production == Four pages of the album's CD booklet are dedicated to the song credits.<ref>{{cite newspaper|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/30463832/|title=Yes isn't magic word on unfocused 'Union' disc|first=Jeff|last=Edwards|newspaper=Clarion-Ledger|page=5E|date=9 May 1991|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|accessdate=10 April 2019}}</ref> ''Union'' includes nine tracks recorded by ABWH, these being "I Would Have Waited Forever", "Shock to the System", "Without Hope You Cannot Start the Day", "Silent Talking", "Angkor Wat", "Dangerous (Look in the Light of What You're Searching For)", "Holding On", "Evensong", "Take the Water to the Mountain", and "Masquerade".<ref name=CDsleeve/> Collectively they were recorded in five different studios, including Studio Guillaume Tell in Paris, [[SARM Studios|SARM West Studios]] in London, [[Record Plant|Record Plant Studios]] in Los Angeles and Vision Sound Studios in New York City.<ref name=CDsleeve/> Howe recorded "Masquerade" at Langley Studios located at his home in [[Devon]], England.<ref name=CDsleeve/> The remaining four tracks were produced by the Yes group: "Lift Me Up", "Saving My Heart", "Miracle of Life", and "The More We Live – Let Go".<ref name=CDsleeve/> According to White, the Yes group had roughly three months to finish their tracks.<ref name=therecord1991>{{cite web|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-22582586.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161008195711/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-22582586.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=8 October 2016|title=Yes – They didn't take 'no' for an answer|first=Barbara|last=Jaeger|work=The Record|location=Bergen County, New Jersey|date=12 April 1991|via=Highbeam Research|url-access=subscription|accessdate=6 September 2016}}</ref> The majority of the bass parts are played by [[Tony Levin]], with Squire only playing on "Lift Me Up", "Saving My Heart", and "Miracle of Life". Similarly, Squire only sang backing vocals on certain tracks, including the three aforementioned tracks as well as the ABWH-produced tracks "I Would Have Waited Forever", "Without Hope (You Cannot Start the Day)", and "Dangerous (Look in the Light of What You're Searching For)".<ref name=CDsleeve/> ===Issues with ABWH tracks=== [[File:Jonathan Elias.jpg|thumb|upright|Producer [[Jonathan Elias]]'s decision, with Anderson, to have [[session musician]]s overdub Wakeman and Howe's parts proved to be controversial with fans and critics.]] When Elias accepted Anderson's invitation to produce the ABWH tracks, with Anderson credited as an associate, Elias felt uneasy about the task as a Yes album of "fresh" material was something he thought was too difficult to achieve, following the band's history of internal conflict. He aimed to present the "high technical edge" that Yes were known for within the structure of more concise and direct songs, similar to what Yes had done in the 1980s and not present technical prowess, or "how many notes could be played" in a given song section.{{sfn|Chambers|2002|p=117}} Anderson resisted such an approach as he wished to distance himself from the commercial and pop-oriented music that had been such a large influence on Yes across the decade.{{sfn|Chambers|2002|p=118}} Matters were complicated further in the studio. Elias recalled the lack of material and the tension between Anderson and Howe, including the refusal from both members to stay inside while the other was present.<ref name=elias2001>{{cite web|url=http://www.bondegezou.co.uk/iv/jeinterview.htm|title=Bondegezou Interviews – Jonathan Elias (Mar '01)|date=March 2001|first=Henry|last=Potts|accessdate=17 June 2017}}</ref> In addition, Wakeman and Howe had agreed to solo commitments prior to recording, so their respective keyboard and guitar tracks were stored onto a computer, but not finalised and mastered.{{sfn|Morse|1996|p=92}} In their absence, Elias and Anderson brought in session musicians to play new arrangements from the initial takes as Elias and Anderson were dissatisfied with what Wakeman and Howe had played. Elias said, "We weren't looking for only the early-'70s pyro technique. We wanted something more modern".<ref name=latimes1991>{{cite web|url=http://articles.latimes.com/1991-08-05/entertainment/ca-253_1_rock-band|title=Fine Howe-Do-You-Do for Band Yes|first=Mike|last=Boehm|date=5 August 1991|work=The Los Angeles Times|accessdate=6 September 2016}}</ref> Among the eleven additional keyboard and synthesiser players featured on ''Union'' is Jim Crichton of [[Saga (band)|Saga]], and his assistant, Brian Foraker.<ref name=CDsleeve/> They were given songs that needed work and in Crichton's own studio, "tried to fill in the gaps" by playing parts that he thought Wakeman might play.{{sfn|Chambers|2002|p=115}} Crichton thought "Dangerous (Look in the Light of What You're Searching For)" was a particularly strong track in its demo form, but its final version was substandard.{{sfn|Chambers|2002|p=116}} Howe's parts were played by [[Jimmy Haun]] who had worked on Squire's band, [[Conspiracy (band)|The Chris Squire Experiment]].{{sfn|Morse|1996|p=91}}<ref>[http://www.bondegezou.demon.co.uk/iv/jhinterview.htm Jimmy Haun Interview] at Bondegezou</ref> Elias tried to help and brought in a [[Hammond organ]] for Wakeman to play, but the keyboardist refused as he thought the instrument was outdated. Elias concluded that ABWH "didn't care about a note of music", and was relieved to have finished some of the material considering the difficulties and his dislike to some of the chords and melodies.<ref name=elias2001/> {{Quote box|width=28em|bgcolor=#c6dbf7|style=padding:10px;|align=left|"Elias would come in and tell me to make the tracks sound like ''[[90125]]'' ... Anderson would come in later and tell me to make them sound as far from ''90125'' as possible."| source =—Jim Crichton on producer Jonathan Elias and singer Jon Anderson.{{sfn|Welch|2008|pages=266–267}}}} Wakeman criticised Elias for allowing the edits,{{sfn|Morse|1996|p=92}} and the two addressed each other's issues in different publications of ''Keyboard'' magazine. Elias "never questioned Rick's technical ability" and stressed that ''Union'' was not an album of "major opuses" and felt Wakeman had "lost his edge".{{sfn|Chambers|2002|p=117}} Elias ranked his time with Haun as the best experience during the making of the album.<ref name=elias2001/> Howe called Haun an "average guitarist" and compared his changes to "having an abortion". Elias maintained the view that he and Anderson agreed that outside musicians were needed and described Howe's reaction as merely "bruised ego from someone who is a very good guitar player in his own right."<ref name=latimes1991/> == Cover == [[Roger Dean (artist)|Roger Dean]] was hired to design the art for the album. After the release of ''Big Generator'', Dean was asked by [[Phil Carson]] to design a new band logo, and came up with a square design, but it was not used due to Anderson forming ABWH. When it came to ''Union'', Dean decided to use the Yes logo he designed in 1972 and the square design.{{sfn|Welch|2008|p=228}} == Songs == Howe used his guitar riff for "I Would Have Waited Forever" on "Sensitive Chaos", a track on his future solo album ''[[Turbulence (Steve Howe album)|Turbulence]]'' (1991).{{sfn|Popoff|2016|p=121}} Elias thought the track best represented "both early and late Yes styles".{{sfn|Chambers|2002|p=119}} Many members of the band stated that "Shock To The System" was their favorite song on the album. It is one of two songs of the album performed throughout the entire tour with the other being "Lift Me Up" "Masquerade" is an acoustic guitar instrumental written and performed by Howe. He recorded the track in fifteen minutes at his home studio using a two-channel [[Revox]] deck, "away from all the arguments and politics" that came with making the album.{{sfn|Morse|1996|p=91}} He recorded other acoustic tracks on a [[Classical guitar|Spanish guitar]] for the album, including one titled "Baby Georgia", but Arista decided to use "Masquerade", a track Howe almost decided against sending because he thought it was not as strong as the others.{{sfn|Morse|1996|p=93}} The lyrics to "[[Lift Me Up (Yes song)|Lift Me Up]]" was written by Squire and Rabin. The two used a dictionary to look for suitable rhyming words for the song's lyrics, which is how they came up with the word "imperial" in its chorus. According to Rabin, the song concerns a homeless person who enters a restaurant to use the bathroom, only to have the people inside telling him to leave. "And he just looks up to the sky [and says] ... you know, help me out".{{sfn|Morse|1996|p=93}} Rabin completed two different mixes of the track but Arista founder [[Clive Davis]] disliked them. After Squire suggested to bring in someone else, [[Paul Fox (record producer)|Paul Fox]] was subsequently hired and finished a mix that was used on the album with assistance by Ed Thacker. Rabin, feeling the original mix was superior, thought Fox's work was "very good" but it suffered from not having a clear idea on what was wanted.{{sfn|Morse|1996|p=93}} "Without Hope (You Cannot Start the Day)" originated from Elias who recorded a basic outline of the track in an afternoon and sent the tape to Wakeman to add his keyboards. The song was originally a one and a half minute duet for Anderson and Wakeman until Bill Bruford suggested to extend it and add drums and guitar to it.{{sfn|Morse|1996|p=93}} Elias and Anderson felt dissatisfied with Wakeman's parts; Elias wished for something "simple and gentle" but instead got a piece that to Elias "sounded like a [[Sergei Rachmaninoff|Rachmaninoff]] piano concerto", and recorded new piano parts.{{sfn|Morse|1996|p=94}} "[[Saving My Heart]]" was entirely credited to Rabin, who felt felt the track was not suitable to include on a Yes album, a similar feeling he had for the band's most successful single, "[[Owner of a Lonely Heart]]". He originally planned to develop the track with Hodgson before Anderson heard it and wished to work on it for ''Union''. The song displays pop and [[reggae]] influences. The song also displays Blues in the intro after the record company requested a Blues solo for an intro. Rabin was unhappy with the song's final mix as it did not turn out the way he wished.{{sfn|Morse|1996|p=94}} "Miracle of Life" is a track Rabin described as a [[protest song]]; the inspiration for its lyrics came from watching a news report on the slaughtering of dolphins in [[Denmark]]. Howe thought the track was "very good".{{sfn|Morse|1996|p=94}} "Silent Talking" is a song that Howe originally connected with a track he wrote titled "Seven Castles". Howe thought it contained some of the better guitar work on the album, but felt Anderson put down his vocals during the second half in too soon after his solo began.{{sfn|Morse|1996|p=94}} The song features a guitar riff from Howe that is also included in his solo album ''Turbulence'' (1991). "The More We Live – Let Go" is the first song that Squire and Sherwood wrote together. Sherwood and producer [[Eddy Offord]] wanted Squire to re-record the bass parts that Sherwood had put down on the demo version, but Squire felt that Sherwood's playing suited the song and insisted it be kept. To Sherwood, the writing and recording process was so successful, he and Squire agreed to continue writing from then on.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://yesworld.com/2016/04/askyes-qa-with-billy-sherwood-6-april-2016/|title=#askYES – Q&A with Billy Sherwood – 6 April 2016|publisher=YesWorld|date=6 April 2016|accessdate=7 September 2016}}</ref> The pair also wrote "Love Conquers All", a track with Rabin on lead vocals and released on the Yes box set ''[[Yesyears]]'' (1991).{{sfn|Welch|2008|p=227}} "Angkor Wat", named after the [[Angkor Wat|Cambodian temple]] of the same name, was an Anderson, Wakeman duet which they wrote with Elias. During the final days of recording, Elias wanted Wakeman to record some atmospheric keyboard sounds that were then layered and formed as a track. Elias had Wakeman record each layer without hearing what he put down before.{{sfn|Morse|1996|p=95}} The song features a Cambodian poem at the end read by Pauline Cheng.<ref name=CDsleeve/> "Dangerous" was written by Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, and Elias. Jimmy Haun plays most of the guitar parts on the track including the opening riff he wrote himself. Chris Squire described the track as "a good dance song" Holding On is the only song on the album that Jon and Steve wrote together "Evensong" is taken from the middle section of a drum and bass duet performed by Bruford and Levin on the ABWH tour. The title comes from an [[Evening Prayer (Anglican)|evening prayer]] service held in English churches. This is one of two tracks that Jonathan Elias produced but didn't write.{{sfn|Morse|1996|p=95}} "Take The Water To The Mountain" is the closing track on the album. It originated when Jon Anderson wrote about his appreciation for nature. Bruford and Wakeman then wrote the music. This is the second out of the two songs Elias did not write. == Release == ''Union'' was released on 30 April 1991.<ref name=RIAA/> The album was a success on the charts, reaching its peak of number seven on the [[UK Albums Chart]] in May 1991 during a six-week stay.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/16452/yes/|title=Yes - Artists - Official Charts|publisher=Official Charts|accessdate=8 September 2016}}</ref> In the United States, it debuted on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] chart at number thirty-five, the week of 18 May 1991.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-200/1991-05-18|title=Billboard 200: The Week of May 18, 1991|work=Billboard|accessdate=8 September 2016}}</ref> The album climbed on the following week, reaching its peak at number fifteen on the week ending 25 May.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-200/1991-05-25|title=Billboard 200: The Week of May 25, 1991|work=Billboard|accessdate=8 September 2016}}</ref> It was present on the chart for a total of nineteen weeks.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/431615/yes/chart?f=305|title=Artists / Yes: Chart History: Billboard 200|work=Billboard|accessdate=8 September 2016}}</ref> On 2 July 1991, ''Union'' was certified [[RIAA certification|gold]] by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] (RIAA) for shipment of 500,000 copies.<ref name=RIAA>{{Cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Yes&ti=Union#search_section|title=American album certifications – Yes – Union|publisher=Recording Industry Association of America|accessdate=6 September 2016}}</ref> In 1992, "Masquerade" received a [[Grammy Award]] nomination for [[Grammy Award for Best Rock Instrumental Performance|Best Rock Instrumental Performance]]. Howe described the nomination for his track as "pure justice", following the difficulties in making the album.{{sfn|Morse|1996|p=91}} Yes released three singles from ''Union'' in 1991. "Lift Me Up" was the [[lead single]], released in April 1991. It became one of the band's most successful singles, spending six weeks at number one from its third week on the ''Billboard'' [[Mainstream Rock (chart)|Album Rock Tracks]] chart, later known as the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. It was number one from the week of 4 May to 8 June 1991.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-mainstream-rock-tracks/1991-05-04|title=Mainstream Rock Songs: The Week of May 4, 1991|work=Billboard|accessdate=8 September 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-mainstream-rock-tracks/1991-06-08|title=Mainstream Rock Songs: The Week of June 8, 1991|work=Billboard|accessdate=8 September 2016}}</ref> It reached a peak of eighty-six on the ''Billboard'' [[Billboard|Hot 100]] singles chart.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/431615/yes/chart?f=379|title=Yes - Artists - The Hot 100|work=Billboard|accessdate=8 September 2016}}</ref> The second single, "Saving My Heart", released in July 1991, reached a high of number nine on the Album Rock Tracks chart a month later.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/431615/yes/chart?f=376|title=Yes - Artists - Mainstream Rock Tracks|work=Billboard|accessdate=8 September 2016}}</ref> "I Would Have Waited Forever" was the final single released.<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=I Would Have Waited Forever|publisher=Arista Records|id=ASCD-2344|year=1991}}</ref> == Reception == {{Album reviews |rev1 = [[AllMusic]] |rev1score = {{Rating|2.5|5}}<ref name=allmusic>{{Allmusic|class=album|id=r22447|label=Union – Yes|first=Bruce|last=Eder|accessdate=20 June 2012}}</ref> |rev2 = ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' |rev2score = {{Rating|2|5}}<ref name=RollingStone>{{cite web|last=Eddy|first=Chuck|title=Yes: Union|url=http://zenponies.com/yitp/1991/jul/jul01_91.html|work=Rolling Stone|accessdate=7 September 2016|date=1 July 1991}}</ref> }} The album received mixed reviews from critics. [[Chuck Eddy]] gave it two stars out of five for ''[[Rolling Stone]]'', calling it "an eclectic miscarriage that almost isn't even worth laughing about", and wished the album had more memorable hooks, riffs, and concise lyrics.<ref name=RollingStone/> ''Q'' magazine issued a review from Robert Sandall, who thought ''Union'' "veers alarmingly between ... neurotically jumpy overarrangements and competing time signatures" from ABWH and "heads-down riffing" from the Yes members. Sandall picked out "Lift Me Up" as one of the few "strong, anthemic tunes" that remain "unscathed" from the collision of such varied styles, which makes ''Union'' "one of the least ridiculous Yes albums in recent memory".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://zenponies.com/yitp/1991/jun/jun01_91.html|title=Yes - Union |first=Robert|last=Sandall|work=Q4|date=1 June 1991|accessdate=7 September 2016}}</ref> In ''[[The Washington Post]]'', Gil Grifin noted that "musically and conceptually", the band are "reaching for its glorious past" which resulted in an album not entirely appealing. Though "Lift Me Up", "The More We Live – Let Go" and "Saving My Heart" are picked as more favourable tracks, Grifin concludes with "the aloofness of 'Union' is often sleep-inducing".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1075704.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161008195858/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1075704.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=8 October 2016|title=Art Rock Again? In a Word, Yes|first=Gil|last=Griffin|work=The Washington Post|date=19 July 1991|via=Highbeam Research|url-access=subscription|accessdate=7 September 2016}}</ref> ''Union'' received two and a half stars out of five in a retrospective review by Bruce Eder for [[AllMusic]]. Eder thought it was always difficult for the album to live up to expectations given the amount of musical talent involved. Nevertheless, he judged its songs "reasonably solid", and cites the harmonies in "I Would Have Waited Forever" from Anderson and Squire and Howe's "Masquerade" as highlights. But he thought "Lift Me Up" is a "forced exercise in heaviness" and "Without Hope (You Cannot Start the Day)" a "composed-by-numbers" track.<ref name=allmusic/> Most of the band have negative opinions on the album. Wakeman stated he was dissatisfied with the production, commenting that most of his contributions were so altered in the final result that he could not recognise them, adding that he called the album ''Onion'' because "it made me cry every time I heard it". Rabin thought it lacked a linking thread and ranked ''90125'' and ''Big Generator'' as better.{{sfn|Chambers|2002|p=118}}{{sfn|Chambers|2002|p=119}} "I don't hate ''Union'' as much as Rick," he stated in 2016, "but it was a peculiar record. It was instigated by [[Clive Davis]] and made largely in isolation by the musicians and Jon, so the title is misleading. To me, ''Union'' is more of a failed project than a real album."<ref>Ling, Dave: "Anderson Rabin Wakeman"; ''[[Classic Rock (magazine)|Classic Rock]]'' #227, September 2016, p100</ref> Bruford remains very critical: "It was probably not only the most dishonest title that I've ever had the privilege of playing drums underneath, but the single worst album I've ever recorded."<ref>{{cite AV media| url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ovHxAw_UEg |work= Rock Family Trees |title= The Prog Rock years| publisher= YouTube.com| time= 44:30}}</ref> The music portal Ultimate Classic Rock ranked ''Union'' worst in its list of Yes albums.<ref>[http://ultimateclassicrock.com/yes-arw-roundabout/#photogallery-1=2 Yes Albums Ranked Worst to Best]. Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved on 13 October 2016.</ref> == Track listing == Note: "Angkor Wat" and "Give & Take" are not included on the LP version.<ref name=LPsleeve>{{Cite AV media notes|title=Union (LP version)|publisher=Arista Records|id=211 558|year=1991}}</ref> {{Track listing | extra_column = Producer(s) | title1 = I Would Have Waited Forever | writer1 = [[Jon Anderson]], [[Steve Howe (musician)|Steve Howe]], [[Jonathan Elias]] |extra1 = Jonathan Elias | length1 = 6:32 | title2 = Shock to the System | writer2 = Anderson, Howe, Elias |extra2 = Elias | length2 = 5:09 | title3 = Masquerade | writer3 = Howe |extra3 = Howe | length3 = 2:17 | title4 = [[Lift Me Up (Yes song)|Lift Me Up]] | writer4 = [[Trevor Rabin]], [[Chris Squire]] |extra4 = Rabin | length4 = 6:30 | title5 = Without Hope You Cannot Start the Day | writer5 = Anderson, Elias |extra5 = Elias | length5 = 5:18 | title6 = [[Saving My Heart]] | writer6 = Rabin |extra6 = Rabin | length6 = 4:41 | title7 = Miracle of Life | writer7 = Rabin, [[Mark Mancina]] |extra7 = Rabin, Mancina, [[Eddy Offord]] | length7 = 7:30 | title8 = Silent Talking | writer8 = Anderson, Howe, [[Rick Wakeman]], [[Bill Bruford]], Elias |extra8 = Elias | length8 = 4:00 | title9 = The More We Live – Let Go | writer9 = Squire, [[Billy Sherwood]] |extra9 = Offord | length9 = 4:51 | title10 = Angkor Wat | writer10 = Anderson, Wakeman, Elias |extra10 = Elias | length10 = 5:23 | title11 = Dangerous (Look in the Light of What You're Searching For) | writer11 = Anderson, Elias |extra11 = Elias | length11 = 3:36 | title12 = Holding On | writer12 = Anderson, Elias, Howe |extra12 = Elias | length12 = 5:24 | title13 = Evensong | writer13 = [[Tony Levin]], Bruford |extra13 = Elias | length13 = 0:52 | title14 = Take the Water to the Mountain | writer14 = Anderson |extra14 = Elias | length14 = 3:10 }} {{tracklist | headline = European and Japanese editions<ref name=CDsleeve>{{Cite AV media notes|title=Union (CD version)|publisher=Arista Records|id=261 558|year=1991}}</ref> | collapsed = yes | title15 = Give & Take | writer15 = Anderson, Howe, Elias | length15 = 4:29 }} ==Tour== The [[List of Yes concert tours (1980s–90s)#Union Tour|Union Tour]] covered the United States, Canada, Europe, and Japan from 9 April 1991 to 5 March 1992, billed as Yesshows '91: Around the World in 80 Dates. It was the first rock tour produced by Philadelphia-based [[Electric Factory Concerts]] in its history which also organised advertising and promotion. The partnership evolved following discussions between Anderson and EFC head [[Larry Magid]], who learned that Anderson had enjoyed how the ABWH concert in Philadelphia was presented.<ref name=TPI91>{{cite newspaper|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/30434919/|title=A big Yes for Electric Factory|date=15 April 1991|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|pages=1-E, 10-E|first=Tom|last=Moon|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> The tour featured the eight members playing on stage and some shows were performed in the round with a central revolving stage that the band had first used on their 1978 tour.<ref>{{cite newspaper|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/30463724/|title=On this tour, 8 former members form a great big Yes|first=Chris|last=Heim|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|page=Section 7, N|date=26 April 1991|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|accessdate=10 April 2019}}</ref> Unlike the album, most of the group have reflected positively on the tour. Wakeman ranked it as the most fun he had on a tour.<ref>{{cite AV media| people = Brewer, Jon| date = 18 June 2007| title = Classic Artists: Yes| trans-title =| medium = DVD| language = English| url = https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1180575/| access-date = 21 May 2017| format =| time =| location =| publisher =| id =| isbn =| oclc =| quote =| ref =}}</ref> A live CD and DVD from various dates was released in 2011 as ''[[Union Live]]''. At the tour's conclusion Bruford, Wakeman, and Howe left Yes, reverting the band to the 1983–1988 line-up. == Chart performance == {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |- ! scope="col"| Chart (1991) ! scope="col"| Peak<br /> position |- {{albumchart|Netherlands|17|artist=Yes|album=Union|rowheader=true|accessdate=8 September 2016}} |- {{albumchart|Germany|15|artist=Yes|album=Union|rowheader=true|accessdate=8 September 2016}} |- {{albumchart|Sweden|32|artist=Yes|album=Union|rowheader=true|accessdate=8 September 2016}} |- {{albumchart|Switzerland|16|artist=Yes|album=Union|rowheader=true|accessdate=8 September 2016}} |- {{albumchart|UK|7|artist=Yes|album=Union|rowheader=true|accessdate=8 September 2016}} |- {{albumchart|Billboard200|15|artist=Yes|album=Union|rowheader=true|accessdate=8 September 2016}} |- |} == Personnel == Credits are adapted from the 1991 CD liner notes.<ref name=CDsleeve/> '''Yes''' *[[Jon Anderson]] – [[Lead vocalist|lead vocals]] <small>(tracks 1–2, 5–12, 14)</small>, backing vocals <small>(track 4)</small> *[[Steve Howe (musician)|Steve Howe]] – [[guitar]] <small>(tracks 1–3, 5, 8–14)</small>, [[Backing vocalist|backing vocals]] <small>(tracks 1, 2, 5, 8, 10–14)</small> *[[Trevor Rabin]] – guitar <small>(tracks 4, 6–7, 9)</small>, backing vocals, lead vocals <small>(track 4, co-lead on track 6)</small> *[[Chris Squire]] – [[bass guitar]] <small>(tracks 4, 6–7, 9)</small>, backing vocals <small>(tracks 1, 4–5, 11)</small> *[[Tony Kaye (musician)|Tony Kaye]] – [[Keyboard instrument|keyboards]] <small>(tracks 4, 6–7, 9)</small>, backing vocals <small>(track 4)</small> *[[Rick Wakeman]] – keyboards <small>(tracks 1, 2, 5, 8, 10–14)</small> *[[Bill Bruford]] – [[Drum kit|drums]] <small>(tracks 1, 2, 5, 8, 10–14)</small> *[[Alan White (Yes drummer)|Alan White]] – drums <small>(tracks 4, 6–7, 9)</small>, backing vocals <small>(track 4)</small> '''Additional musicians and personnel''' {{colbegin}} *[[Jonathan Elias]] – synthesiser, keyboards, backing vocals *[[Tony Levin]] – bass guitar, [[Chapman Stick]] *[[Jimmy Haun]] – guitar *[[Billy Sherwood]] – bass guitar, guitars, keyboards, backing vocals (track 9) *[[Allan Schwartzberg]] – percussion *Gary Barlough – synthesiser *Jerry Bennett – synthesiser, percussion *Jim Crichton – synthesiser, keyboards *Pauline Cheng – Cambodian poetry on "Angkor Wat" *Gary Falcone – backing vocals *[[Deborah Anderson]] – backing vocals *[[Ian Lloyd (musician)|Ian Lloyd]] – backing vocals *[[Tommy Funderburk]] – backing vocals *Sherman Foote – synthesiser *Brian Foraker – synthesiser *Chris Fosdick – synthesiser *Rory Kaplan – synthesiser *Alex Lasarenko – synthesiser, keyboards *[[Steve Porcaro]] – synthesiser *[[Michael Sherwood]] – backing vocals *[[Danny Vaughn]] – backing vocals {{colend}} '''Production''' {{colbegin}} *Jon Anderson – associate producer *Jonathan Elias – producer *Steve Howe – producer *[[Eddy Offord]] – producer, mixer *Trevor Rabin – producer *[[Mark Mancina]] – producer, programming *Billy Sherwood – producer, engineer *Brian Foraker – engineer, mixer *Chris Fosdick – additional engineering, mixer on "Angkor Wat" *Buzz Borrowes – additional engineering, assistant engineer *Sophie Masson – assistant engineer *Richard Edwards – assistant engineer *Renny Hill – assistant engineer *Matt Gruber – assistant engineer *Michael Sweet – assistant engineer *Paul Berry – assistant engineer *Steve Wellner – assistant engineer *Lolly Grodner – assistant engineer *Susan Kent – production co-ordinator *Paul Fox – mixer *Ed Thacker – mixer *Mike Shipley – mixer *Steve Harrison – assistant engineer *Stan Katayama – engineering *Greg Calbi – mastering *[[Roger Dean (artist)|Roger Dean]] – design and paintings *Carolyn Quan – art director *[[Kai Krause]] – computer graphics {{colend}} == References == '''Citations''' {{Reflist|30em}} '''Bibliography''' *{{Cite book|last=Chambers|first=Stuart|title=Yes: An Endless Dream of '70s, '80s and '90s Rock Music: An Unauthorized Interpretative History in Three Phases|year=2002|publisher=General Store Publishing House|isbn=978-1-894-26347-4|ref=harv}} *{{Cite book|last=Kirkman|first=John|title=Time and a Word: The Yes Interviews|year=2013|publisher=Rufus Publications}} *{{Cite book|last=Morse|first=Tim|title=Yesstories: "Yes" in Their Own Words|year=1996|publisher=St Martin's Press|isbn=978-0-312-14453-1}} *{{Cite book|last=Popoff|first=Martin|title=Time and a Word: The Yes Story|date=2016|publisher=Soundcheck Books|isbn=978-0-993-21202-4|ref=harv}} *{{Cite book|last=Welch|first=Chris|title=Close to the Edge – The Story of Yes|publisher=Omnibus Press|isbn=978-1-84772-132-7|year=2008}} {{Yesband}} [[Category:Yes (band) albums]] [[Category:1991 albums]] [[Category:Albums with cover art by Roger Dean (artist)]] [[Category:Arista Records albums]] [[Category:Albums produced by Jonathan Elias]] [[Category:Albums produced by Eddy Offord]] [[Category:Albums produced by Trevor Rabin]] [[Category:Albums produced by Billy Sherwood]] [[Category:Albums produced by Mark Mancina]] [[Category:Albums produced by Jon Anderson]] [[Category:Albums recorded at Studio Miraval]]'