Q
03-12-2002, 10:55 AM
Wow - I have to admit this is a tough one. I was one who was surprised and pleased to see his name on OYE, and warmly welcomed his appearance on the Fall 1997 tour. In my mind Billy was "living the dream" of those of us who love Yes and are also musicians. He is a fine player, perfectly competent, and has a fine voice.
But I have been unable to find anything in his recorded work that marks him as a progressive player or composer. He writes capable pop/rock and can play anything he's asked to play - but I haven't come across anything in his recorded Yes work, or seen anything on stage, that makes him distinctive.
I apologize! Perhaps I have missed something, particularly in The Ladder. There may well be some really innovative parts in some of those songs that I have not correctly attributed to Billy.
As a composer I would say his best contribution to Yes was "The More We Live," though I also enjoy "New State of Mind" and "Open Your Eyes" - it is not clear to what degree he was the writer on those tracks. NSM in particular has some mild "Yes-isms" in it, it would be nice to think Billy contributed them.
Billy's biggest contributions, in my view, were not musical. He was the new Eddie Offord, recording/mixing/producing on the Keys albums and OYE, and this was no small contribution. And he filled out their live sound wonderfully during his membership. But I have trouble finding much more.
Would someone please jump in? Billy should get his due and there is probably a good deal I have missed!
Q
But I have been unable to find anything in his recorded work that marks him as a progressive player or composer. He writes capable pop/rock and can play anything he's asked to play - but I haven't come across anything in his recorded Yes work, or seen anything on stage, that makes him distinctive.
I apologize! Perhaps I have missed something, particularly in The Ladder. There may well be some really innovative parts in some of those songs that I have not correctly attributed to Billy.
As a composer I would say his best contribution to Yes was "The More We Live," though I also enjoy "New State of Mind" and "Open Your Eyes" - it is not clear to what degree he was the writer on those tracks. NSM in particular has some mild "Yes-isms" in it, it would be nice to think Billy contributed them.
Billy's biggest contributions, in my view, were not musical. He was the new Eddie Offord, recording/mixing/producing on the Keys albums and OYE, and this was no small contribution. And he filled out their live sound wonderfully during his membership. But I have trouble finding much more.
Would someone please jump in? Billy should get his due and there is probably a good deal I have missed!
Q