YES Album discussion volume 1: 90125

RE: YES Album discussion volume 1: 90125 (Duke)

Sun, 09 Jan 2011 16:38:18 GMT

Travor Rabin Joined Yes in Los Angeles this past 7-9-2010 at the Greek Theater and perfomed Owner Of A Lonely Heart. It is on ewe toob.

He and Steve Howe are standing there side by side.

Interesting news on the Rabin / Wakeman Anderson front.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trevor_Rabin

RE: YES Album discussion volume 1: 90125 (GlassDream)

Fri, 31 Dec 2010 13:04:49 GMT

funny, I popped this album in a week ago and reminded myself how cool and awesome it is.
I should pop this in today and give it another spin.

RE: YES Album discussion volume 1: 90125 (Duke)

Fri, 31 Dec 2010 11:35:18 GMT

Moog

Whoa - interesting reading posts from over 5 years ago! One thing has changed for me about this record...it has climbed into my top 5 YesAlbums list! It just keeps getting better and better! From a production standpoint and overall song writing. Each song seamlessly flows into the next and it doesn't sound dated one bit (even though it's over 25 years old!)

Regarding the 9012Live DVD. I love the straight concert footage option and have watched this show numerous times (I think it's called non-chantix. I'll have to take a look.) It always cracks me up to see Tony Kaye "pretending" to play keyboards on this tour and record. I'd like to find out how much keyboards he was actually playing or was it exclusively Casey Young or Robby Eagle. The mystery continues!!

Finally - since we're talking Yes - I'm afraid this band is dead. They are getting so damn old and it appears like Jon will never join forces with Chris again. I saw Jon doing some orchestra stuff with kids on HDNet in the states and it was awful!! I saw the new "Yes" with Benoit on vocals and although it had its good moments, I couldn't stand to hear and watch Oliver Wakeman. He looks bored as shit and his digital keyboard sounds are an abomination. I just see this ending sooner than later and unfortunately, I don't think we'll ever see Chris and Jon on the same stage ever again. They should do one last farewell tour (before they're in wheelchairs.)

Thanks for bringing back this thread - great read.

Right, you can't help noticing that Kaye is playing something visually, but no sound is coming out i.e. watch Cinema on the DVD.

Regarding 90125, having 3 strong vocalists Anderson/Squire/Rabin is a rare find in a band, which obviously contributes to the dynamic nature of 90125. The Moody Blues did it well, but not too many others in the prog world I can think of at the moment. When you break it down, 90125 is a very inspirational and contemplative album, that is like fine wine. ABWH has some of the magic (but is a little mechanical in some parts), but 90125 is miles ahead.

Things you never thought you would ever imagine happening 25 years ago today: Steve Howe playing lead guitar for Owner Of A Lonely Heart in 2010 on state (saw this in June).

I would love to see Rabin come back and do something Yes-related.

What I can say regarding the Benoit-Yes lineup is, the better setlists make it in my mind worth checking out whenever they come around. When I saw the show this year, I didn't really look at him, just listened, and you could imagine it was Anderson there. Like watching a movie with an implausible plot, I can sometimes suspend disbelief, maybe because the instrumentality of Yes was/is as strong for me as the vocals.

Re: RE: YES Album discussion volume 1: 90125 (tangdog)

Fri, 31 Dec 2010 11:22:15 GMT

i saw that tour. not sure what i was on but i purchased a pink, muscle shirt that glows in the dark. D'oh! worse shirt purchase ever!

RE: YES Album discussion volume 1: 90125 (pullmyfinger)

Fri, 31 Dec 2010 11:11:47 GMT

It was a very good album for what is was...."A prog band going mainstream".

RE: YES Album discussion volume 1: 90125 (The Fish)

Fri, 31 Dec 2010 01:08:18 GMT

Agreed. I would really like to see em bow out with Jon singing and some fire in the gut. Given their track record though, I get the feeling that Yes will go until the wheel's can't be glued back on anymore.

RE: YES Album discussion volume 1: 90125 (Moog)

Fri, 31 Dec 2010 00:41:41 GMT

Whoa - interesting reading posts from over 5 years ago! One thing has changed for me about this record...it has climbed into my top 5 YesAlbums list! It just keeps getting better and better! From a production standpoint and overall song writing. Each song seamlessly flows into the next and it doesn't sound dated one bit (even though it's over 25 years old!)

Regarding the 9012Live DVD. I love the straight concert footage option and have watched this show numerous times (I think it's called non-chantix. I'll have to take a look.) It always cracks me up to see Tony Kaye "pretending" to play keyboards on this tour and record. I'd like to find out how much keyboards he was actually playing or was it exclusively Casey Young or Robby Eagle. The mystery continues!!

Finally - since we're talking Yes - I'm afraid this band is dead. They are getting so damn old and it appears like Jon will never join forces with Chris again. I saw Jon doing some orchestra stuff with kids on HDNet in the states and it was awful!! I saw the new "Yes" with Benoit on vocals and although it had its good moments, I couldn't stand to hear and watch Oliver Wakeman. He looks bored as shit and his digital keyboard sounds are an abomination. I just see this ending sooner than later and unfortunately, I don't think we'll ever see Chris and Jon on the same stage ever again. They should do one last farewell tour (before they're in wheelchairs.)

Thanks for bringing back this thread - great read.

RE: YES Album discussion volume 1: 90125 (Duke)

Thu, 30 Dec 2010 19:10:54 GMT

The Fish

90125live is funny (what is Alan wearing?) except for the cool behind the scenes stuff on the DVD

Something glittery. Seems everyone but Rabin was looking a little squirrely on this tour.

I watch the director's cut of the concert in the Special Features section essentially. All that artsy old crap enmeshed into the show is bothersome in the original version of the concert video.

RE: YES Album discussion volume 1: 90125 (The Fish)

Thu, 30 Dec 2010 19:02:32 GMT

90125live is funny (what is Alan wearing?) except for the cool behind the scenes stuff on the DVD

RE: YES Album discussion volume 1: 90125 (Duke)

Thu, 30 Dec 2010 18:55:41 GMT

Cinema is a gift from the Gods. Instrumental perfection. The 9012Live DVD is the bomb also.

RE: YES Album discussion volume 1: 90125 (Devnoy)

Thu, 30 Dec 2010 18:18:16 GMT

I've actually been listening a lot to this record lately. Sounds great, great playing, great writing. One of my favs from them and one of the best prog/pop records out there!

RE: YES Album discussion volume 1: 90125 (The Fish)

Thu, 30 Dec 2010 15:00:24 GMT

I sometimes agree that this is the most modern Yes and it still sounds fantastic. It takes a lot shit for little reason. My least favorite tune on it, Our Song reminds me of where Yes would of been with Jon on Drama.

One other side note. Does it Really Happen and It Can Happen are the same songs..

RE: YES Album discussion volume 1: 90125 (emtee)

Thu, 30 Dec 2010 14:54:46 GMT

I have spent the last 2 days going through my complete Yes discography and I can
honestly and boldly say, with todays ears this is my favorite Yes album. Hands
down. It has a unique sound and feel and I am still astonished at how much I still
connect with this masterpiece.

RE: YES Album discussion volume 1: 90125 (JNA)

Fri, 23 Apr 2010 09:05:51 GMT

Listening to this album now for the first time ever. I had heard Owner of a Lonely Heart on TV one morning, and this was just around the time I had dived into Close To The Edge. So I was like "....what the fuck is going on?" and then never saw any reason to check out the album that the song came from, and just assumed the majority of their 80's stuff was bland and medicore and not really worth any time. Maybe it's because I just watched Transatlantic's Live In europe from start to finish, but I am really enjoying this album. I don't think I'll fall in love, but it's good, and sometimes that's all you need.

RE: YES Album discussion volume 1: 90125 (Rawk)

Fri, 23 Apr 2010 07:54:47 GMT

This was the first album (and there have been a few since) that having got home with it I put on, sat down to listen to all the way through, and then listened to all the way through again immediately.

I must play it tonight! Maybe just the once since I reckon I know every nuance inside out and backwards.

Awesome at the time. Still awesome.

RE: YES Album discussion volume 1: 90125 (Duke)

Thu, 22 Apr 2010 23:42:32 GMT

Our song
It gives us a reason
Our song
That good remedy
Music has magic
It's good clear syncopation

Treat it good
Treat it rightly
And if you get it flowing
The harmony is glowing
So get ready
So get ready
Don't go toledo toledo don't go
Music - Good to you
Music - Good to you

Re:YES Album discussion volume 1: 90125 (Virtual Scott)

Thu, 22 Apr 2010 18:34:16 GMT

Best YES album ever. Blasphemy to some, but I'm far more of a fan of the Trevor Rabin-era YES... I just like the production, the songwriting and his style of guitar playing much more than "classic"-era YES> but that's in no way to disrespect the legacy or influence or talent of the previous incarnations of YES. "Changes" is certainly a high watermark for the bad, as far as songwriting is concerned. The post-90125 CD's aren't bad either... again, it's almost an entirely different band (literally!) so I can understand the "era's of YES" argument in effect.

Re: RE: YES Album discussion volume 1: 90125 (BrickGlass)

Thu, 22 Apr 2010 14:41:00 GMT

Don't know how I never posted in this thread originally, but it is a great album. The remastered version has an acapella version of Leave It that blows my mind. Changes would have to be my favorite song off of this one. Great stuff.

Re: RE: YES Album discussion volume 1: 90125 (crazy climber dude)

Thu, 22 Apr 2010 13:21:31 GMT

Love this album. It was groundbreaking sound in its time. Cinema is one of the most underrated.....albeit short....instrumentals. And Alan White is excellent on this disc.

Re: RE: YES Album discussion volume 1: 90125 (emtee)

Thu, 22 Apr 2010 11:40:56 GMT

Simply amazing album that still sounds captivating to this day. Still not overly fond of the
single, but happy it brought such success, however every other song is top notch.

RE: YES Album discussion volume 1: 90125 (Duke)

Fri, 25 Jan 2008 04:10:25 GMT

ORIGINAL: onthewall2983
I've been watching the Yessymphonic DVD lately, and the performance of it on there is amazing. But my favorite song has to be "It Can Happen". As I said earlier, the spiritual side was pretty much gone but this was an exception. Jon's influence is pretty strong here where it's probably not as strong in other places.

Listen to Yes' Yours Is No Disgrace, then It Can Happen. There is a very striking similarity in a recurring sound being played in It Can Happen that it seems was lifted from Yours Is No Disgrace, just played a little quicker.

RE: YES Album discussion volume 1: 90125 (onthewall2983)

Fri, 25 Jan 2008 01:32:11 GMT

I make no apologies for bringing this back from the archives, especially considering how surprising it is to resurrect this thread in particular. I've been on a bit of a Yes binge lately, after seeing the Classic Artists: Yes DVD and documentary a few weeks ago. One of the surprising revelations in the disc is from Trevor Horn. I'm paraphrasing, but he says despite how proud he was of the finished product he was unsure if he would have liked it if he weren't involved with it as a fan of the group's prior material. In Steve Howe's interview, in talking about the first time he heard "Owner Of A Lonely Heart", (again paraphrasing) he said he felt a little bit as if Yes were trying to copy Asia since "Heat Of The Moment" had already been a big hit by then. Just some interesting tid-bit's to pass along to my fellow Yesfans

My feeling about this period in the band's career is a tiny bit mixed. The spiritual and adventurous side Jon, Steve and Rick brought to the classic Yes albums which predated 90125 was pretty much gone. It's a bit of a mystery to me why Jon stuck around but I don't question it too much because he did some amazing singing during this period. "Owner Of A Lonely Heart" is a great pop-rock song, and it still stands up today. That it went straight to #1 on the American charts justifies that. It still works live, too. I've been watching the Yessymphonic DVD lately, and the performance of it on there is amazing. But my favorite song has to be "It Can Happen". As I said earlier, the spiritual side was pretty much gone but this was an exception. Jon's influence is pretty strong here where it's probably not as strong in other places.

Overall, I can understand the Yes-West haters despite not totally agreeing with them. Yeah, they went with a more commercial direction here but it saved the band from being written off as a 70's relic. Genesis did the same thing but it was obviously more organic and gradual partly because they never replaced Gabriel or Hackett. They continued despite the attrition. I'm not saying Trevor Rabin was bad for the band overall, anything but really. His abilities as an arranger and songwriter were a big part in this album becoming a monument in their recording career. But his style as a guitarist isn't even on the same planet as Howe's. And obviously towards the end of the Yes-West period, Rabin's style had become stale which allowed for Steve to rejoin and bring his style as a guitarist (not to mention backing vocalist).

RE: YES Album discussion volume 1: 90125 (dabby)

Mon, 28 Mar 2005 08:19:14 GMT

ORIGINAL: Noware

ORIGINAL: dabby

Moraz is an awesome piano player. The main part of the solo on the QPR video is the main theme from the opening track "Papillon" on the album "Refugee" that Moraz did with the two other member of The Nice just before he joined Yes.

...and the acoustic rendering of "Papillion" he did on that tour doesn't even do it justice. That's a really good, manic sounding tune, from an even better band that's seemingly lost to history.

Moraz is pretty out there, tho. A former colleague of mine was his American management (maybe even his only management, I don't remember) in the early/mid-90's. From all he told me, Patrick is nearly impossible to work with on an artistic or business level...but he's always, always totally cool with his fans.

The whole Refugee album is great, especially the epic "Grand Canyon". I have it on tape but would dearly love a CD re-issue!

Moraz did a piano CD a few years ago and I hear a sample track from it called "Birds" that was just the most technical piano piece I have ever heard. Around this time he was offerring to play concerts for free as long as his travel expenses were paid for.

RE: YES Album discussion volume 1: 90125 (Noware)

Sun, 27 Mar 2005 23:54:46 GMT

ORIGINAL: dabby

Moraz is an awesome piano player. The main part of the solo on the QPR video is the main theme from the opening track "Papillon" on the album "Refugee" that Moraz did with the two other member of The Nice just before he joined Yes.

...and the acoustic rendering of "Papillion" he did on that tour doesn't even do it justice. That's a really good, manic sounding tune, from an even better band that's seemingly lost to history.

Moraz is pretty out there, tho. A former colleague of mine was his American management (maybe even his only management, I don't remember) in the early/mid-90's. From all he told me, Patrick is nearly impossible to work with on an artistic or business level...but he's always, always totally cool with his fans.

RE: YES Album discussion volume 1: 90125 (dabby)

Sun, 27 Mar 2005 13:56:58 GMT

ORIGINAL: Salmacis

Nothing cracks me up more than watching Patrick Moraz play the middle of Close to the Edge at Queen's Park. When the lead comes on, he has to tune his synth and it sounds awful!! Not to mention the Fender Rhodes on Soundchaser! That is so loud in the mix!!

The whole QPR show sounds awful, it was mixed so horrendously. Jon is #1 in the mix for one thing. Ummm, sorry but we'd rather hear Steve Howe's guitar than Jon's rhythm guitar. Moraz is way off the charts and makes me cringe when he comes in. It's such a shame because the show itself is dynamite - the band was on fire and that is my favorite period of the band for how they looked on stage. Steve Howe looks so cool, and there was a time when Jon Anderson looked cool too. When they do "Gates Of Delirium", it is just KILLER. Such a shame about the mix.

I think it was a general tecnhical problem at the concert itself - the crowd got exactly that mix, I remember a load of newspaper articles about it from the time.

RE: YES Album discussion volume 1: 90125 (dabby)

Sun, 27 Mar 2005 13:50:37 GMT

Not to mention, his piano solo is brilliant and unique in the realms of Yes. Rick used to do the whole "Six Wives" passages and Patrick just goes in and rips out an awesome piano solo. He took it back to the roots of the keyboard. Maybe Patrick can do a piano on ice for a tribute to Rick in the future

Moraz is an awesome piano player. The main part of the solo on the QPR video is the main theme from the opening track "Papillon" on the album "Refugee" that Moraz did with the two other member of The Nice just before he joined Yes.

RE: YES Album discussion volume 1: 90125 (Duke)

Sun, 27 Mar 2005 13:14:58 GMT

ORIGINAL: Moog
Not to mention, his piano solo is brilliant and unique in the realms of Yes. Rick used to do the whole "Six Wives" passages and Patrick just goes in and rips out an awesome piano solo. He took it back to the roots of the keyboard. Maybe Patrick can do a piano on ice for a tribute to Rick in the future

I agree with Sal on the mix. During the middle of "To Be Over," all you hear is Jon's guitar. Where's the pedal steel? Steve is always never loud enough on that thing in every mix! I also love at the end of "And you and I" when Steve goes down to the lower octaves of the pedal steel. It sounds like a Violin and is so effective!

Thanks Duke and Sal -now I'll have to watch QPR right before the Michigan State game!

Damnit, one more thing.

I always loved how they throw one line of "The Remembering" in on Ritual! Not to mention "The Ancient" parts during Chris's bass solo (right before the Ritual.)

EDIT: Hey Duke, you're getting very "Close to the Edge" of 2112 posts.

Interesting. I'll have to capture the screen. I go on record now though that I will never change my avatar again. I've grown tired of changing it, and think I settled on the right one.

RE: YES Album discussion volume 1: 90125 (Moog)

Sun, 27 Mar 2005 13:08:10 GMT

ORIGINAL: Duke
It was interesting to see Moraz going off as he did. It looked kind of peculiar, but was very entertaining, and very interesting. A good showman. Anyone can just stand there and play, but he added a new element to it. The times I saw him with the Moody Blues were entertaining also. I think he wore a cape a few times onstage. I agree, that show was tremendous. That was a great setting for a concert: a neighborhood soccer/football stadium.

Not to mention, his piano solo is brilliant and unique in the realms of Yes. Rick used to do the whole "Six Wives" passages and Patrick just goes in and rips out an awesome piano solo. He took it back to the roots of the keyboard. Maybe Patrick can do a piano on ice for a tribute to Rick in the future

I agree with Sal on the mix. During the middle of "To Be Over," all you hear is Jon's guitar. Where's the pedal steel? Steve is always never loud enough on that thing in every mix! I also love at the end of "And you and I" when Steve goes down to the lower octaves of the pedal steel. It sounds like a Violin and is so effective!

Thanks Duke and Sal -now I'll have to watch QPR right before the Michigan State game!

Damnit, one more thing.

I always loved how they throw one line of "The Remembering" in on Ritual! Not to mention "The Ancient" parts during Chris's bass solo (right before the Ritual.)

EDIT: Hey Duke, you're getting very "Close to the Edge" of 2112 posts.

RE: YES Album discussion volume 1: 90125 (Duke)

Sun, 27 Mar 2005 12:54:33 GMT

ORIGINAL: Salmacis

Moraz is way off the charts and makes me cringe when he comes in. It's such a shame because the show itself is dynamite - the band was on fire and that is my favorite period of the band for how they looked on stage. Steve Howe looks so cool, and there was a time when Jon Anderson looked cool too. When they do "Gates Of Delirium", it is just KILLER. Such a shame about the mix.

It was interesting to see Moraz going off as he did. It looked kind of peculiar, but was very entertaining, and very interesting. A good showman. Anyone can just stand there and play, but he added a new element to it. The times I saw him with the Moody Blues were entertaining also. I think he wore a cape a few times onstage. I agree, that show was tremendous. That was a great setting for a concert: a neighborhood soccer/football stadium.

RE: YES Album discussion volume 1: 90125 (gazinwales)

Sun, 27 Mar 2005 12:53:23 GMT

Thanks for the info, Salmacis.
I really like BG, only has one dud for me, Almost Like Love, the is brilliant.

RE: YES Album discussion volume 1: 90125 (Salmacis)

Sun, 27 Mar 2005 12:41:17 GMT

Nothing cracks me up more than watching Patrick Moraz play the middle of Close to the Edge at Queen's Park. When the lead comes on, he has to tune his synth and it sounds awful!! Not to mention the Fender Rhodes on Soundchaser! That is so loud in the mix!!

The whole QPR show sounds awful, it was mixed so horrendously. Jon is #1 in the mix for one thing. Ummm, sorry but we'd rather hear Steve Howe's guitar than Jon's rhythm guitar. Moraz is way off the charts and makes me cringe when he comes in. It's such a shame because the show itself is dynamite - the band was on fire and that is my favorite period of the band for how they looked on stage. Steve Howe looks so cool, and there was a time when Jon Anderson looked cool too. When they do "Gates Of Delirium", it is just KILLER. Such a shame about the mix.

RE: YES Album discussion volume 1: 90125 (Moog)

Sun, 27 Mar 2005 12:36:31 GMT

ORIGINAL: Salmacis
You did forget Tom Brislin on keys too.

I love The Ladder, but I can't help to think if Tom was playing keys instead of Igor, how it would have sounded. Tom brought so much energy to the symphonic tour and his playing/sounds were even better than modern day Rick! Tom went back and used analog syths and patches, where Rick is only currently using a mini-moog (surrounded by tons of digital synths!) Don't get me wrong, I like seeing Yes with Rick for nostalgia reasons, but I would rather HEAR Tom.

Nothing cracks me up more than watching Patrick Moraz play the middle of Close to the Edge at Queen's Park. When the lead comes on, he has to tune his synth and it sounds awful!! Not to mention the Fender Rhodes on Soundchaser! That is so loud in the mix!!

RE: YES Album discussion volume 1: 90125 (Jagk80)

Sat, 26 Mar 2005 20:48:26 GMT

1979-1980: The only era without Anderson after he and Wakey leave, replaced by Trevor Horn and Geoff Downes. Drama is released.

Wait.. Drama isn't with Anderson? Wow... I didn't even notice.

Thanks for the history lesson. *thumbs up*

RE: YES Album discussion volume 1: 90125 (Duke)

Sat, 26 Mar 2005 20:16:59 GMT

ORIGINAL: Salmacis

?!?!?!? Never heard of him.

Keyboardist on the Symphonic tours.

Saw the show in Lewiston, NY (near Niagara On The Lake). Had 2nd or 3rd row. I was very impressed by Brislin. He tore up The Gates Of Delirium. Played it to a T, and was enjoying himself immensely. A great show.

RE: YES Album discussion volume 1: 90125 (Salmacis)

Sat, 26 Mar 2005 20:11:57 GMT

?!?!?!? Never heard of him.

Keyboardist on the Symphonic tours.

RE: YES Album discussion volume 1: 90125 (MusicTriviaNut)

Sat, 26 Mar 2005 20:04:01 GMT

ORIGINAL: Salmacis

Thanks for filling in the blanks. I knew if anyone knew the rest of the story, it would be you.

Just minor points really. You basically have everything important listed there. You did forget Tom Brislin on keys too.

?!?!?!? Never heard of him.

RE: YES Album discussion volume 1: 90125 (Salmacis)

Sat, 26 Mar 2005 19:59:15 GMT

Thanks for filling in the blanks. I knew if anyone knew the rest of the story, it would be you.

Just minor points really. You basically have everything important listed there. You did forget Tom Brislin on keys too.

RE: YES Album discussion volume 1: 90125 (MusicTriviaNut)

Sat, 26 Mar 2005 19:50:11 GMT

ORIGINAL: Salmacis

And Salmacis is welcome to correct any error he sees.

LOL!

1973: Bill Bruford is replaced by Alan White and Tales From Topographic Oceans is released.

Not an error, but technically the fans' introduction to Alan White was the Yessongs triple-live album, since he was the drummer for the CttE tour.

1975-1976: Everybody is pretty much on their own for a bit,

Well, not really. They toured quite a bit throughout that period, for Relayer and then the solo albums in '76.

2002?: Things are hazy in here for me, but at some point, Wakeman comes back and they end up touring with DT in 2004.

And during this period, they release The Ultimate Yes with reworked acoustic studio tracks and a full band rendition of Jon's "Show Me" that he & Rick had been playing during the Full Circle and 35th Anniversary tours.

Ah, see, I don't have YesSongs or The Ultimate Yes. I have all of the studio albums and I was just going through those and making notes on who was playing on each, therefore, I was slightly off.

Thanks for filling in the blanks. I knew if anyone knew the rest of the story, it would be you.

RE: YES Album discussion volume 1: 90125 (TheDanceOfMaternity)

Sat, 26 Mar 2005 19:48:22 GMT

BTW, thanks for tha history. WOW!!! I knew Chris was the only constant member throughout the whole 35 years, but MAN, I didn't know their lineup history was that complicated