A return to the return trip of Fly From Here from the Yes archive.

Release Date: 28th November 2025

Label: Cherry Red / Spirit Of Unicorn

Format: CD / LP / digital / Bluray

A CONFESSION – SETTING OUT THE STALL – BEAR WITH ME

Without wanting to sound like we’re at the start of an AA meeting, I’m Mike and I’m a Yes fan. Mind, kinda fits. Like most Yes fans I have my personal opinions about the many versions (some may say ‘brands’) of personnel that issues music under the name ‘Yes’, but am inevitably drawn to the band, the logo , the gigs and whatever new, or remastered music they put out.

I can’t say with conviction that any version of Yes without Jon Anderson fits my vision. Trevor Horn, Benoit David and Jon Davison have all stepped into the singer’s shoes. But – it’s n-o-t t-h-e s-a-m-e. In hindsight (and yes, I was at the gigs in Manchester) the 1980 version of Yes with Trevor Horn and Geoff Downes on a free transfer from The Buggles, works! The force of the Squire/White rhythm section and an on fire Steve Howe gave that album and its subsequent appraisal over the last 45 years, some credence.

FLYING FROM HERE IN 2011

The short tenure of Benoit David from 2008-2012 saw the band deliver the Fly From Here album. Again, Downes (on keys) and Horn (as producer) were involved, utilizing parts of the music created from their 80s tenure. The resulting Fly From Here album, containing the twenty minute, six part Fly From Here suite sounded promising. Afraid to say that after a listen or two, the set was consigned to the shelf. Marked as a disappointing Yes-lite (and of course still no Jon A) the album lay dormant.

But time is a healer…

RETURN TRIPPING

The Return Trip version of Fly From Here that arrived in 2018, saw another twist in the (not always easy to follow) story of Yes) with Benoit’s vocals replaced by Trevor Horn’s vocals. Allegedly, so the story goes, the idea was pitched to Horn of having him re-record the lead vocals himself. White, who suggested the idea, reminded Horn that if he did, it would mark the second album recorded with the same line-up that had recorded Drama (1980). Maybe a more promising progress, although the notion of erasing Benoit seems to have questionable morals.  Horn however, thought, “why not?”

The new version, titled Fly From Here – Return Trip, was released in 2018, containing several tweaks which have consequently been re-polished for the current version. New overdubs, a mix that gave a greater emphasis to Chris Squire, and a few years late to the party, but better late than never, Fly From Here clicks.

There may be those who will state their case for one version over another; the original gets considerable favour, yet the Return Trip’s modifications, to be upfront, have tipped the balance here. The full version of Hour Of Need takes much credit. The ‘full’ version with new intro and an extended Howe solo on the outro gets a genuine thumbs up the real revamp. The acoustic-ness shines (in a Your Move / Wonderous Stories way) and use of the different guitar sounds from the Howe arsenal leads to what could be one of his best solos, at the peak of his powers and where you can genuinely feel the energy. Wishful thinking, but it might be as close as you;d get to a more contemporary sound of what Yes might be like with JA.

THE HORN / DOWNES COMBO

Talking Howe, the previously unreleased Don’t Take No For An Answer, written and sung by Howe and recorded by the group during the album’s sessions feels necessary. Squire as lead vocalist we might understand, but the Howe voice upfront has been an acquired taste. Much more palatable is the leftover Horn/Downes penned Life On A Film Set – the “riding a tiger” urgency and the melodiousness of the verses and hook of the keyboard lines justifying the ‘Drama follow up’ comments.

Meanwhile, back at the business end, the re-discovery of the Return Trip and the title suite reveals the quirky bounce of Pt.IV (Bumpy Ride) that does what it says on the tin, while the opening fanfare of Pt.V is very Wakeman (in solo guise)-esque. Horn sings comfortably and enough time has passed for Trevor Horn not to be intimidated by the expectations of Yes fans and spirit of Jon Anderson sitting on his shoulder.

IN CONCLUSION…

May be a little overstating the cause, but Fly From Here is a revelation. That could be mainly due to the time given to listen properly to the new Return Trip, that makes it feel like a new album. A new clarity with Squire’s bass thundering through that seems to brim with confidence, should confidence be a button on the remix console that could be added. The original release shouldn’t be discounted although it is now a hard to find artefact yet the streaming services prove useful.

Initial apathy has given way to a real appreciation for what could arguably be labelled the last great Yes album. Now there’s an article that could kick in with Steven Wilson’s comment that everything Yes did after Tormato was “f@@king excrement.”

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