Fragile: Tony Kaye's presence?

[Billsbro]

See!
I have said this before here and I'll say it again...
you guys are so civil! I love it! On the YesFans site, a comment like yours would create a 17 page flame war because they are so uptight and...mean!
Here, folks understand it is your opinion and they can have theirs but still get on well. I love all stages of the band but those earlier years were so special, weren't they? Each one of them had such power, passion, and originality. It was so clear.

Thanks again for having such a good Forum, folks!

[johnallg]

Yeah, Steve, we are civil here. That and the forum rules and active moderation. Seriously, what you said.

I like all iterations of the band, all albums, have a few real favorites (oddly or not Drama is one), but the vibe and sound their version of America has just captures it all for me.

I remember back in the day you'd hear a new Yes album and wonder how they could top it, until the next one came out.

[cjj]

+1 on all counts...

[just_bassics]

...have a few real favorites (oddly or not Drama is one), but the vibe and sound...

I personally love DRAMA and will thrash all those who disagree!

Just Kidding

Thanks for the nice words, Steve, we do try to keep it civil and positive around here. Drop by as often as you'd like.

[Billsbro]

...have a few real favorites (oddly or not Drama is one), but the vibe and sound...

I personally love DRAMA and will thrash all those who disagree!

Just Kidding

Thanks for the nice words, Steve, we do try to keep it civil and positive around here. Drop by as often as you'd like.

Hey are you one of those Drama Kings? Ha ha.
Your hard work here clearly shows. I have been dipping into lots of the sub-forums...all great places to hang.

And yes, what ever happened to the idea of cherry-picking the good tracks on LPs (CDs)? Starting back in the 70's, we'd listen to the whole record and on following listens, groove to (and record onto mix tapes) only what we liked. (I had a friend who would SCRATCH the record on the tracks he didn't like! How is that?!!) Sometimes down the road we would eventually appreciate and love some of those tracks we didn't like at first (like on Tales and Relayer).But the point is, we'd say things like "I only like that one track but it is great!" or "I love the last side of "Tales." It was all about what was good, not what was BAD. And we always seemed to remember that what I like you might not like...and that was OK. We didn't bash each other about it, we just got on with life and partied a bit more. So much of the time now (especially on line), whether it is a NY Times reporter or just an individual on a blog or website, it seems to be all about sweeping statements, global rulings on whether a band sucks, and paint-yourself-into-a-corner hard-headedness. Why? Life is not cut and dry, neither is Art. It just is.

Enjoy it...don't take it too seriously.

[ram]

.....some of those tracks we didn't like at first (like on Tales and Relayer).....

Are you daft man?!!!?! not like track on Relayer or Tales???? this is hearsay!! "..you English pig dog, I phart in your general direction..." oh wait! wrong forum... so sorry.

Welcome to THE Forum Steve. This is a nice place to visit and hang out at; and although we do occasionally differ it is usually kept civil - atypical of so much of our modern world....

[jps]

I personally love DRAMA and will thrash all those who disagree!

+!!

[Billsbro]

DRAMA

I love the entire album.
I remember listening to it those first few days after its release and thinking that despite the line-up change it was great music. AFter all, SQUIRE led the charge!
It is kind of like falling in love with a woman that is very far away from your normal "type." You think you probably shouldn't like it but you fall for the exotic differences and are swept away!

[ram]

I've always seen each Yes album/CD as different from the one before... in the early stuff there seemed to be a bit more of a bleed over of the previous album's sound and feel but each, to me is, different. As you get into the later stuff (say TOTO or Relayer) each subsequent release was its own show to me. I do agree Drama was great!

[johnallg]

I've always seen each Yes album/CD as different from the one before... in the early stuff there seemed to be a bit more of a bleed over of the previous album's sound and feel but each, to me is, different. As you get into the later stuff (say TOTO or Relayer) each subsequent release was its own show to me. I do agree Drama was great!

Same for me. Ahhh, the memories of riding around in the Lincoln with my young son listening to a live version of Gates of Delirium up LOUD. Quality time together!

I jest but he was having as much fun as I was. Now he listens to country and rap.

[seyesbass]

Just to get back on track,
Have you guys listened to the recording of America from Crystal Palace Garden Party on "The Word Is Live" CD set that I mentioned?
The "middle 8" section is all there for those who want the complete lyric version and theres an introduction from Jon.
The bass is very low in the mix (which is straight from the desk by the sound of it so you dont get the full stage sound) but its a great example of the Yes dynamic from the time just before Wakeman stepped in.

Talking of Tony Kaye and regarding the Hammond in particular,he was a big fan of Garth Hudson and The Band in general and I remember him saying in an interview that he wanted to go in that (The Band) direction on the Hammond which isnt where the rest of Yes were heading unfortunately.
If you listen to the above recording of America you can get a taste of this "Hudson" style Hammond augmented by some Steve Howe guitar phrases that arent a million miles from Robbie Robertsons style of soloing.
(listen to "Endless Highway" on "Before The Flood" for instance).
When I saw The Band at Wembley Stadium in 74 Garth Hudson played "The Genetic Method" on his Hammond and other keys and it was a scary solo!
A Prog moment from The Band returning the compliment perhaps.

[Billsbro]

Excellent post there! I had no idea about Tony's interest in The Band. I have been wanting to show my wife "The Last Waltz" and you have amped up my desire to go back to some of their fine work. Robbie is an AMAZING musician. I love his solo CD (Broken Arrow, Crazy River...so many fine tracks AND a bit of Peter Gabriel on Fallen Angel to boot!)
I do not have "The Word is Live" CD but you have me motor-vated. I'll charge over to AMAZON now.
Thanks for the fascinating details!

[woodyng]

welcome,and thanks-this is a great forum,and peepul tent to be respectful here. i am what is known as a "yeswhole" on some of those other sites,basically meaning i never met a yes album i didn't love immediately,even "union",so i never really understood people's divisiveness (sp?) over various incarnations of the band. i was talking to a guitarist the other day that said they went downhill after bruford left,and i just thought to myself "yeah right-the next 35 years were ****!" lol,there have been a lot of talented players associated with the name over the years,and everybody has brought something special. myself i really loved mr moraz both on the relayer lp and in concert,he was fantastic,plus i'm a huge fan of mr ragin' rabin,and the other trevor,horn...seeing the group play last year was great,and even though not seeing jon there is a little sad for me ,mr benoit is quite good. anyway,looking forward to see what any and all of the yesfolk come up with in the future....also,back to the topic,tony was great on the 90125/gen/talk albums and tours as well,working that hammond...

[mikeyesfan]

Hey Guys..I have been lucky enough to hang with Tony Due to his newest bands...Circa: and YOSO...Check out YOSO on Facebook..Toto and YES.plus new YOSO Music..Youtube too...

Friend him on face book and he might answer some of these questions.....

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id= ... 0745841645

my facebook

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id= ... 1838424160

[mikeyesfan]

Here's the soundcheck with Tony Playin...
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id= ... 1734054172