The "Official" Yes thread

[The Owl]

QUOTE (Jaye @ Oct 14 2010, 08:40 AM)

QUOTE (Hatchetaxe&saw @ Oct 14 2010, 02:17 PM) QUOTE (circumstantial tree @ Oct 14 2010, 12:41 PM) QUOTE (Hatchetaxe&saw @ Oct 14 2010, 04:48 AM) QUOTE (The Owl @ Oct 14 2010, 05:50 AM) If wikipedia is correct, Yes should be in the studio as we speak They are. Trevor Horn producing, apparently. yeah, but what lineup do we have this time? The Andersonless one. With Wakeman junior. And the tribute act singer.   Bodes well, huh!? God, again?   As YBT would say, 'Sakes'! Am I one of the few who do not have a problem with Benoit David? He sounds remarkably like Jon Anderson, and is a great vocalist. (Check out his main band "Mystery" for some more of him)   Would I rather have Anderson back, Yes I would. But Benoit David is a good substitute nonetheless, and I feel he is getting undeserved criticism.

[circumstantial tree]

QUOTE (tjtull @ Oct 14 2010, 10:25 AM)

QUOTE (circumstantial tree @ Oct 14 2010, 08:53 AM) Then I'll pass. If you have ever watched the documentary, you'll agree with many that Yes should hang it up. They are a seaside act, to quote Bill Bruford, and nothing more. I haven't seen Yes in a while...probably a good 8 years or more. I did see a video of them on Palladia last year. I think it was from their 35th Anniversary show at the Tsongas Arena in Lowell, Massachusetts (2004).   Anyway, I was incredibly disappointed with the stage setup. Looked like they had a bunch of inflatable "things" floating around. Totally unwatchable and downright embarrassing...and that was WITH Jon.   On the topic of a new Yes record; I wouldn't listen to an Anderson-less Yes if you paid me.   Oh, and F' Mr. Christopher Squire...backstabbing prick!! I was at that show. I thought it was pretty good, but the whole show had real problems. First of all, there was no air conditioning so people were sweating. Wakeman had a sonic boom occur on his keyboard during "And You and I" which led to him reaming the tar out of his tech. Yes, this happened and you don't see it on the DVD, but it was pretty obvious at the show.

[tjtull]

QUOTE (The Owl @ Oct 14 2010, 09:28 AM)

QUOTE (Jaye @ Oct 14 2010, 08:40 AM) QUOTE (Hatchetaxe&saw @ Oct 14 2010, 02:17 PM) QUOTE (circumstantial tree @ Oct 14 2010, 12:41 PM) QUOTE (Hatchetaxe&saw @ Oct 14 2010, 04:48 AM) QUOTE (The Owl @ Oct 14 2010, 05:50 AM) If wikipedia is correct, Yes should be in the studio as we speak They are. Trevor Horn producing, apparently. yeah, but what lineup do we have this time? The Andersonless one. With Wakeman junior. And the tribute act singer.   Bodes well, huh!? God, again?   As YBT would say, 'Sakes'! Am I one of the few who do not have a problem with Benoit David? He sounds remarkably like Jon Anderson, and is a great vocalist. (Check out his main band "Mystery" for some more of him)   Would I rather have Anderson back, Yes I would. But Benoit David is a good substitute nonetheless, and I feel he is getting undeserved criticism. I look at it this way, if Geddy came down with an illness and Neil/Alex chose to go on with someone that sounded like him, would you go to see it?   I would NOT, just on principle alone.

[The Owl]

QUOTE (tjtull @ Oct 14 2010, 09:30 AM)

QUOTE (The Owl @ Oct 14 2010, 09:28 AM) QUOTE (Jaye @ Oct 14 2010, 08:40 AM) QUOTE (Hatchetaxe&saw @ Oct 14 2010, 02:17 PM) QUOTE (circumstantial tree @ Oct 14 2010, 12:41 PM) QUOTE (Hatchetaxe&saw @ Oct 14 2010, 04:48 AM) QUOTE (The Owl @ Oct 14 2010, 05:50 AM) If wikipedia is correct, Yes should be in the studio as we speak They are. Trevor Horn producing, apparently. yeah, but what lineup do we have this time? The Andersonless one. With Wakeman junior. And the tribute act singer.   Bodes well, huh!? God, again?   As YBT would say, 'Sakes'! Am I one of the few who do not have a problem with Benoit David? He sounds remarkably like Jon Anderson, and is a great vocalist. (Check out his main band "Mystery" for some more of him)   Would I rather have Anderson back, Yes I would. But Benoit David is a good substitute nonetheless, and I feel he is getting undeserved criticism. I look at it this way, if Geddy came down with an illness and Neil/Alex chose to go on with someone that sounded like him, would you go to see it?   I would NOT, just on principle alone. Jon Anderson said it himself that Yes would outlive and continue on after the original members of Yes were gone, that there would always be a Yes...     I wish Anderson was with Yes right now, but I think it's unfair to White, Howe, and Squire to automatically dismiss and Andersonless Yes.

[tjtull]

QUOTE (The Owl @ Oct 14 2010, 09:35 AM)

QUOTE (tjtull @ Oct 14 2010, 09:30 AM) QUOTE (The Owl @ Oct 14 2010, 09:28 AM) QUOTE (Jaye @ Oct 14 2010, 08:40 AM) QUOTE (Hatchetaxe&saw @ Oct 14 2010, 02:17 PM) QUOTE (circumstantial tree @ Oct 14 2010, 12:41 PM) QUOTE (Hatchetaxe&saw @ Oct 14 2010, 04:48 AM) QUOTE (The Owl @ Oct 14 2010, 05:50 AM) If wikipedia is correct, Yes should be in the studio as we speak They are. Trevor Horn producing, apparently. yeah, but what lineup do we have this time? The Andersonless one. With Wakeman junior. And the tribute act singer.   Bodes well, huh!? God, again?   As YBT would say, 'Sakes'! Am I one of the few who do not have a problem with Benoit David? He sounds remarkably like Jon Anderson, and is a great vocalist. (Check out his main band "Mystery" for some more of him)   Would I rather have Anderson back, Yes I would. But Benoit David is a good substitute nonetheless, and I feel he is getting undeserved criticism. I look at it this way, if Geddy came down with an illness and Neil/Alex chose to go on with someone that sounded like him, would you go to see it?   I would NOT, just on principle alone. Jon Anderson said it himself that Yes would outlive and continue on after the original members of Yes were gone, that there would always be a Yes...     I wish Anderson was with Yes right now, but I think it's unfair to White, Howe, and Squire to automatically dismiss and Andersonless Yes. Based on Jon's reaction when they decided to go on without him, I'd say that he was very hurt by what the others chose to do. For me, Jon was always the voice and soul of Yes. Continuing on without him is meaningless. Having someone mimic the songs that he poured his heart into is simply karaoke.   I wish Jon all the best. As far as Squire goes...he's taken the name Yes and soiled it beyond repair, in my book. He can HAVE it!!   I'm not going to pay to see Yes without Jon; just as I wouldn't pay to see RUSH without Neil, Alex, or Geddy.

[ghostworks]

a few 'difficulties' I have with accepting Benoit David as a bona fide member of Yes:

 

he was drafted into Yes as a 'temp' so that they could keep their tour commitments while Jon recovered from his illness - that's it

 

he didn't 'audition' - Yes weren't looking to replace a singer (Jon never 'quit')

 

in fact, Yes only became aware of David via his work as a Jon Anderson mimic in a Yes tribute band, not for his vocal talents in their own right

 

for a little contrast, back in the 'pre-Drama' days, Jon (and Rick) had officially left the band

 

and Trevor Horn wasn't singing in a Yes tribute band when he 'got the call' from Squire

 

Trevor and Geoff (Downes) were writing, performing and producing their own music (Buggles)

 

for these reasons alone, I have no 'problem' accepting Drama/the Drama tour as an 'official' version of Yes

 

conversely, any album/tour that involves a Yes w/Benoit David is offensive

 

 

 

 

 

 

[spacement]

QUOTE (ghostworks @ Oct 14 2010, 10:13 AM)

a few 'difficulties' I have with accepting Benoit David as a bona fide member of Yes: he was drafted into Yes as a 'temp' so that they could keep their tour commitments while Jon recovered from his illness - that's it he didn't 'audition' - Yes weren't looking to replace a singer (Jon never 'quit') in fact, Yes only became aware of David via his work as a Jon Anderson mimic in a Yes tribute band, not for his vocal talents in their own right for a little contrast, back in the 'pre-Drama' days, Jon (and Rick) had officially left the band and Trevor Horn wasn't singing in a Yes tribute band when he 'got the call' from Squire Trevor and Geoff (Downes) were writing, performing and producing their own music (Buggles) for these reasons alone, I have no 'problem' accepting Drama/the Drama tour as an 'official' version of Yes conversely, any album/tour that involves a Yes w/Benoit David is offensive

I have to agree with you. I love Drama however the new line-up leaves me cold. I've seen this new line-up 3 times and each time it felt more like I was watching a Yes tribute band with special guests Squire/Howe/White.

 

They should have got anyone but a Jon Anderson clone. It's one thing to sound (sorta) like him but he tries to move and act like Jon and that's where you loose me. I guess they felt the need to go the Journey route rather than bring some fresh new ideas into the band. I was really hoping they would have brought in a female singer to replace Jon.

 

Now Yes has been reduced to playing state fairs and casinos with a tribute singer. After going through the Yes vs. Genesis thread, say what you will about Genesis, at least they went out in style and retired with the 2007 tour. That was a grand production unlike the winery show I saw Yes (or "Maybe" as I like to now refer to them) at this summer.

[rushgoober]

I am profoundly not interested in this incarnation of Yes.

[GrandDesigner]

I am sad that Anderson is not in the band, but am willing to give the new incarnation a chance. I just want to hear some REAL music, with no pretenses of trying to get radio play or appeal to old Yes fans, etc. I want to hear something groundbreaking and passionate from these guys, even though at 60+ that's probably too tall an order.

[metaldad]

QUOTE (ghostworks @ Oct 14 2010, 09:18 AM)

QUOTE (Hatchetaxe&saw @ Oct 14 2010, 03:48 AM) QUOTE (The Owl @ Oct 14 2010, 05:50 AM) If wikipedia is correct, Yes should be in the studio as we speak They are. Trevor Horn producing, apparently. hopefully, Benoit will come down with some terrible voice-afflicting illness (from which he'll fully recover from eventually, of course) and Chris will kick him out of the band and Trevor will have to step in   I'd be happy with 'D2: Rise Of The Machine Messiah' I would be just fine with that. If the new stuff sounds anything like Drama , i am a happy mofo

[ColdFireYYZ]

QUOTE (rushgoober @ Oct 14 2010, 10:43 AM)

I am profoundly not interested in this incarnation of Yes.

[micgtr71]

QUOTE (Mr. Krinkle @ Feb 21 2010, 09:46 PM)

The Close To The Edge lineup is perfect:

Bruford
Anderson
Howe
Squier
Wakeman



I wouldn't mind switching out Wakeman for Moraz if it had to be done, though. That would be amazing too.

SquiRE




And I'd vote for that same lineup as well.

BUT...
I'd really like to see this lineup get back together for a short, major city tour playing only songs from YES and Time and a Word:

Squire
Anderson
Bruford
Banks
Kaye

Absolutely,

I would pay some serious coin to see Anderson, Squire, Bruford, Banks, and Kaye tour with nothing being played past Time and a Word. This would be the best way for them to hang it up. I don't want to hear anything new from Yes. What was that Aliens song from the 2008 tour? The only thing that song did for me was to make me believe that the Open Your Eyes album was not the most horrendous thing they ever did.

[spacement]

QUOTE (metaldad @ Oct 14 2010, 03:46 PM)

QUOTE (ghostworks @ Oct 14 2010, 09:18 AM) QUOTE (Hatchetaxe&saw @ Oct 14 2010, 03:48 AM) QUOTE (The Owl @ Oct 14 2010, 05:50 AM) If wikipedia is correct, Yes should be in the studio as we speak They are. Trevor Horn producing, apparently. hopefully, Benoit will come down with some terrible voice-afflicting illness (from which he'll fully recover from eventually, of course) and Chris will kick him out of the band and Trevor will have to step in   I'd be happy with 'D2: Rise Of The Machine Messiah' I would be just fine with that. If the new stuff sounds anything like Drama , i am a happy mofo Despite my bashing of the current line-ups recent live shows, I am very curious to hear what they will bring us in terms of new songs. Especially if Trevor Horn produces the new album. Drama is one of my favorite Yes albums.   Only time will tell... opps wrong band

[spacement]

QUOTE (micgtr71 @ Oct 14 2010, 08:51 PM)

What was that Aliens song from the 2008 tour? The only thing that song did for me was to make me believe that the Open Your Eyes album was not the most horrendous thing they ever did.

From what I read elsewhere, that song is from the upcoming Hackett/Squire album.

[ghostworks]

Squackett

 

(and no, I'm not kidding)

 

 

[Hatchetaxe&saw]

QUOTE (ghostworks @ Oct 15 2010, 05:12 PM)

Squackett (and no, I'm not kidding)

That's terrible. Hope the music is better. Squire's last album, the Christmas thing, was terrible.

I did like Conspiracy's "The Unknown" though.

[spacement]

QUOTE (Hatchetaxe&saw @ Oct 15 2010, 12:21 PM)

QUOTE (ghostworks @ Oct 15 2010, 05:12 PM) Squackett (and no, I'm not kidding) That's terrible. Hope the music is better. Squire's last album, the Christmas thing, was terrible. I did like Conspiracy's "The Unknown" though. That Xmas album grew on me. At first I didn't care for it, but I quite like it now.

[Hatchetaxe&saw]

Jon and Rick's new album, The Living Tree, is rather lovely, it's just keys and voice, so it's a bit thin sounding in parts, but melodically strong.

 

Screams out to be fleshed out by a full band...

 

Lyrics vary from war, to Jesus, to gardening, to love.

Edited October 16, 2010 by Hatchetaxe&saw

[micgtr71]

QUOTE (Hatchetaxe&saw @ Oct 16 2010, 01:00 PM)

Jon and Rick's new album, The Living Tree, is rather lovely, it's just keys and voice, so it's a bit thin sounding in parts, but melodically strong. Screams out to be fleshed out by a full band... Lyrics vary from war, to Jesus, to gardening, to love.

I am wary of this, though I should give it a listen. Anderson has not impressed me since quartet as far as melodies are concerned. We will see. I have an open mind...

[Hatchetaxe&saw]

QUOTE (micgtr71 @ Oct 16 2010, 11:54 PM)

QUOTE (Hatchetaxe&saw @ Oct 16 2010, 01:00 PM) Jon and Rick's new album, The Living Tree, is rather lovely, it's just keys and voice, so it's a bit thin sounding in parts, but melodically strong. Screams out to be fleshed out by a full band... Lyrics vary from war, to Jesus, to gardening, to love. I am wary of this, though I should give it a listen. Anderson has not impressed me since quartet as far as melodies are concerned. We will see. I have an open mind... I don't blame you, his solo stuff has been embarrassing for well over 2 decades now, but it appears melodies are Ricks, lyrics are Jons.   Played it 3 times today and it's very melodic. Pleasantly surprised actually.

[Xanadu93]

QUOTE (Hatchetaxe&saw @ Oct 16 2010, 02:00 PM)

Jon and Rick's new album, The Living Tree, is rather lovely, it's just keys and voice, so it's a bit thin sounding in parts, but melodically strong. Screams out to be fleshed out by a full band... Lyrics vary from war, to Jesus, to gardening, to love.

Where/how can I get it?

[Hatchetaxe&saw]

QUOTE (Xanadu93 @ Oct 17 2010, 04:10 PM)

QUOTE (Hatchetaxe&saw @ Oct 16 2010, 02:00 PM) Jon and Rick's new album, The Living Tree, is rather lovely, it's just keys and voice, so it's a bit thin sounding in parts, but melodically strong. Screams out to be fleshed out by a full band... Lyrics vary from war, to Jesus, to gardening, to love. Where/how can I get it? Simple: Attend one of their UK shows!!!   Sadly, that is the only way to get it at the moment, like all things connected to Yes these days, they couldn't organise a piss-up in a brewery. Honest to God, I'm convinced they're being managed by 2 orang-utans and a small dachshund.   But! Help is at hand, it is being officially released on Nov 29th.

[ColdFireYYZ]

QUOTE (Xanadu93 @ Oct 17 2010, 11:10 AM)

QUOTE (Hatchetaxe&saw @ Oct 16 2010, 02:00 PM) Jon and Rick's new album, The Living Tree, is rather lovely, it's just keys and voice, so it's a bit thin sounding in parts, but melodically strong. Screams out to be fleshed out by a full band... Lyrics vary from war, to Jesus, to gardening, to love. Where/how can I get it? On Jon's facebook page you can listen to some of the tracks in the music player. http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=lf#!/TheJonAnderson

[Steevo]

 

Got 'The Ladder' on the way, it's gonna be a fresh listen. I'm guessing it will be in the same ballpark as 'Magnification', just an average 3-star collection (patchy but still worthwhile). Hope I'm wrong. Anyone care to put their spin on this one?

[GrandDesigner]

QUOTE (Steevo @ Nov 23 2010, 09:10 PM)

Got 'The Ladder' on the way, it's gonna be a fresh listen. I'm guessing it will be in the same ballpark as 'Magnification', just an average 3-star collection (patchy but still worthwhile). Hope I'm wrong. Anyone care to put their spin on this one?

The Ladder is pretty cool. It has your typical sappy Jon Anderson shit, but even those songs are still pretty good (If Only You Knew and It Will Be A Good Day). New Language and Homeworld are great longer tracks. There's not really any "bad" songs on here. Every one has some kind of redeeming quality (then again, it needs to be REALLY crappy for me to say outright I think something sucks)

 

Honestly, after the dire Open Your Eyes and overly nostalgic feel of Keys To Ascension, this album feels pretty fresh and the band sounds very inspired and it shows in the material. Lightning Strikes, To Be Alive, and Face To Face are energetic and catchy, Finally and The Messenger are a little more adventurous, and the album ends on a softer note in Nine Voices.

 

Good album. Enjoy it.