Yes Music Podcast · Kevin Mulryne and Mark Anthony K

710 - A Vinyl Collector compares and analyzes Time and a Word

·30 min·2 clips

The 1970 German pressing of Time and a Word has alternate mixes and a cowbell you've never heard before.

Host Mark Anthony Kaye, a dedicated Yes fan and vinyl collector, presents this solo episode while his co-host Kevin Mulrine recovers from surgery. The episode focuses on a detailed audio comparison of five different vinyl pressings of Yes's 1970 album "Time and a Word." Kaye explains he was inspired to conduct this test after winning a German pressing for only $10 in an online auction. He owns five distinct copies: a 1970 German first pressing, a German pressing from 1981-1985, a 1970 Canadian first pressing, a 1972 UK repress, and the 2018 US Record Store Day edition. His primary goal is to identify which version offers the best sound quality, driven by his philosophy of seeking the best-sounding copy of albums he loves. The 1970 German first pressing is unique because it contains different song mixes for "No Opportunity Necessary, No Experience Needed" and "Sweet Dreams," a result of Atlantic Records reportedly sending the wrong master tapes. This pressing also has "Dear Father" on the B-side instead of "The Prophet" and flips the track order of "Astral Traveller" and "Clear Days." In his listening test, Kaye found the 1980s German pressing good, with a strong orchestra and dominant organ, but noted Peter Banks's guitar was quiet in the mix. The 1972 UK pressing disappointed him, sounding muffled with an almost inaudible bass drum and a seemingly flipped stereo image. The 1970 German first pressing was the clear standout, with dramatically clearer drums, a present cowbell, and a more prominent guitar, including an extended solo section on "Sweet Dreams." The Canadian pressing sounded muddy and lacked definition compared to the German first press. The modern 2018 remaster by Ian Shefchick was very clean and quiet but was judged slightly less defined, particularly in the drums and vocal presence, than the 1970 original. A surprising insight is that the rushed, error-filled 1970 German pressing ultimately delivered the best audio fidelity, defying the common collector wisdom that the country-of-origin pressing is always superior. Kaye highlights the specific discovery of a cowbell part in "No Opportunity Necessary" that was only clearly audible on the German first press. He also notes the practical challenge of finding a clean, quiet original pressing versus the guaranteed condition of a modern reissue. The episode is educational and deeply technical, centered on audiophile concepts like lacquer cutting, compression, and frequency equalization. The tone is conversational and passionate, reflecting a collector's meticulous enthusiasm. This episode is a must-listen for Yes completists, vinyl collectors, and audiophiles interested in mastering nuances. Listeners with no interest in audio gear or record collecting might find the highly specialized focus less engaging.

Listen to the show on

Apple Podcasts Spotify

Play clips from this episode More from Yes Music Podcast