Mabel Greer's Toyshop - New Way Of Life (2015) FLAC

New Way Of Life is about authenticity without compromise – a unique and very special album. At once distinctly different from all twenty-one Yes studio albums, it still has unmistakeable early Mabel Greer’s Toyshop vibes from the time Chris Squire, Peter Banks, Tony Kaye and Jon Anderson were in the band. The album demonstrates the evolution of the group from when it was formed in the sixties and how life experiences have since shaped the music. “We hope that Yes followers everywhere enjoy this offering. It’s a piece of history brought to life by technology of today. The album includes new versions of old classics like Beyond And Before, and a whole lot of new music too” said singer, guitarist and songwriter Clive Bayley.

The 11-track album co-produced by Yes bass guitarist Billy Sherwood. Billy also plays keyboards alongside Tony Kaye and bass alongside Hugo Barré. The album combines Bayley’s soulful vocals and wailing guitar solos with Tony Kaye’s distinctive keyboards. Mabel Greer’s Toyshop deliver a vibrant, energised and occasionally otherworldly sound; with an eclectic mix of old and new music, the album doesn’t disappoint on originality. It was recorded after the two founding members Clive Bayley and Robert Hagger met up again after a gap of 45 years! Other members of Mabel went on to establish long and successful careers in the music business with Yes and other bands, while Clive and Bob ventured into the world of business. “It really was a miracle that we came together to produce this album” says Hagger. “It started out as fun when I met Clive again and he suggested a trip to the recording studio. The outcome was that we re-discovered the old magic – it was a big buzz working together again.”

Billy Sherwood adds; “On hearing Mabel Greer’s Toyshop wanted to get back together after so long, I was sceptical about how it would all sound – to my surprise it was actually very cool. Not only will this new album appeal to die-hard Yes fans, but also a whole new breed of followers. It’s such an exciting project to be involved in”.

New versions of Beyond And Before and Sweetness, from the very first Yes album in 1969, are included on New Way Of Life – the former co-written by Clive Bayley and Chris Squire and the latter by Bayley, Squire and Jon Anderson. Other new versions of classic songs on the album co-written by Bayley and Squire are; Jeanetta, Get Yourself Together, Images of You And Me and Electric Funeral. The remaining tracks are new compositions written primarily by Bayley.