Best Yes Man Behind The Keyboards

[Q]

Wakeman will surely win - but what will the remaining order be?

(Rabin is included because it is clearly documented that much of the keyboard work on the YesWest albums, and played on the Talk tour ...)

[therifferoo]

...I think you know who I voted for!!

~Riffer!

[Q]

... and it's a vote well-cast! Patrick ROCKS!

[Jackaranda]

It has to be Rick here, although Moraz is close. I loved him with the Moodies, also.

[Q]

... but I don't think the Moodies really let Pat stretch out much - I saw him twice with MB and he was great - I just don't think that their tunes really gave him enough to work with ...

I think he was too good for them ...

[Jackaranda]

Agreed again, Q.

[therifferoo]

MORAZ IS KING!!!!!! LOL!!!!

[ANTIOCH]

This becomes a popularity contest really ; I voted for Rick because he was there when YES blossomed into the measure for which all is compared to.
But, I personally feel both Geoff and Igor brought that extra vocal aboard, and that's worth something
in the 'live' setting.

[1yesfan]

I went with Igor on this one. If anything he just blew me away with how well he did on the Masterworks tour. With Rick coming back on tour this summer, perhaps that will change, but I rate most yes things based on how they do it live!

[Q]

I saw him in '97 and '98, and I've studied his playing on House of Yes ... the subtle changes he introduced in "Awaken," "Owner" and other tunes were really fresh and interesting ...

Q

[PeterCologne]

...but use this opportunity to thank the underrated Tony Kaye for his hot and always deep in sound organ, Trevor Rabin for his - as far as I/we presume - very sensible and risky keyboard contributions on tracks maybe like Endless Dream or I'm Running, Billy Sherwood for his exotic, colourful and fresh playing on the album Open Your Eyes.

And yes, Geoff Downes did a good Job on Drama. And Igor should have got more freedom to develop. He was more than a Wakeman-Clone and could have add fresh sounds and ideas, like he already did on The Ladder.

Greetings
Peter

[Q]

A vote for Patrick is a worthy vote for sure - but all the points you make about the other key Yes men are good ones!

Q

[brismike]

I have to be brutally honest .. Wakeman is good and its great to have him back but...

Igor runs rings around him. He can play Wakeman's stuff in his sleep with one hand. He can play Kaye's stuff with his little finger and he can easily do Moraz's stuff too.

This guy is extremly talented, pity he had to go!!

Mike

[Q]

... about the time of his 1990 concert film. His return to Yes in 1995 excited me but I couldn't say he looked like his old self.

And I agree with brismike that Igor is astonishing in concert!

But I still have high hopes for the tour. I bought Rick's 2000 concert DVD and he knocked me out! Something has stirred the coals ... the boy is hot again ...

Q

[mrgone3]

I think we know now.We'll be seeing him this summer!And we will all be playing along with him in our imaginations. YES! JOE :keyboard::band::angel:

[Rabin105]

you have gotta stop being so predictable these polls are predictable 9 out of ten yesfans beat up the tenth guy who likes kaye and downes (little yes joke there though i'm sure none of you will get it) i say that you guy should be less predictable

[Q]

Tony Kaye's work on The Yes Album is nothing short of brilliant! And Geoff Downes worked wonders on Drama - both showed themselves to be superb musicians and, more importantly, superb team players!

Q

[Tanbar]

you forgot someone...

[Tanbar]

thank you for adding mr. brislin

sooner,
*tink*

[Rabin105]

What about billy he wrote the keyboard parts to about 90 percent of Open Your eyes he rightfully should have been the keyboardest on that tour

[Tanbar]

yeah, and we all know how great an album open your wallets... eyes was huh?

sooner,
*tink*

[Rabin105]

It's a great album also listen to Big peace (his solo album) and Conspiracy more great examples of billy's playing

[Tanbar]

over and over again...(ha ha, not really, i've only watched it once)
i have once again come to the conclusion that Tom Brislin really is the best option for Yes right now. (if he were actually an option at this point... oh well, maybe next tour).

my mum, (Devotee, just so you all know), said to me in the car the other day "i hope yes isn't making a mistake bringing rick back. they should just have tom" so, i'm not the only one who thinks so. the kid has a ton more energy than wakeman will ever have -- being all of 2? (i can't say how old he really is you know) -- and he knows what he's doing. not to mention he looks like he's having a blast!(which, you can be assured, he was)

of course, i'm not just the president, i'm also a fan...

[markjyes]

My favorite is Rick; but, Igor seems to me to be much more diverse in style.

So, I did not answer this question as "Who is your FAVORITE Yes Man behind the keyboards?"

[jcostello]

I don't think any of the choices has disgraced himself as Yes Keyboardist Du Jour, but even though Wakey was a bit shaky on the early dates of this tour, now that he's got his tour legs, I think he's proving why he gets the slight nod over Moraz and the other candidates.

Peace, Love, and What About Adam Wakeman or Eddie Jobson? Do They Count?,

John C.

[yessongs72]

Originally posted by Tanbar
over and over again...(ha ha, not really, i've only watched it once)
i have once again come to the conclusion that Tom Brislin really is the best option for Yes right now. (if he were actually an option at this point... oh well, maybe next tour).

my mum, (Devotee, just so you all know), said to me in the car the other day "i hope yes isn't making a mistake bringing rick back. they should just have tom" so, i'm not the only one who thinks so. the kid has a ton more energy than wakeman will ever have -- being all of 2? (i can't say how old he really is you know) -- and he knows what he's doing. not to mention he looks like he's having a you can be assured, he was)

of course, i'm not just the president,blast!(which, i'm also a fan...

OK, I can't belive that i read this, but evidently you really don't inderstand that energy and show manship doesn't produce greta music. Brislin did good on symphonic,but with an orchestra playing Ricks parts. Now that I have said this i'm leaving this thread and go to bed and when I wake up hope it was a nad dream that someone dreamed up!

[Tanbar]

believe it. it's my opinion and i am intitled to it. while i enjoy a lot of the albums that wakeman played on, he's not my favourite and never has been. this last tour i saw with wakeup was rather disappointing to me because the same energy wasn't there. and yes, tom did play "wakeman's parts" but he also played parts that were written by other equally fabulous keyboardists and played them well.

i don't expect anyone to agree with me, but i don't want to be blasted for having a different opinion. regardless of what any one thinks, rick wakeman is not the definative pianist/keyboardist/organist -- neither is tom, but he is cuter -- and never will be.

^T^

[Rabin105]

I go by rick's saying that "There has never been a bad musician in yes" that carries on today though I wish Keith joined after tom then rick come on you want energy and showman ship picture this yes playing hoe down and the segueing that right into siberean katrue huh wouldn't that be cool

[Rabin105]

Both Geoff and Tony are much better than igor i mean really most keyboardest here are better than igor who am i kidding Jon Anderson is better than Igor. Geddy lee is better than Igor (if haven't guessed i'm very anti Igor ) and he got mkor votes than Tony and Geoff and Tom what are you kidding me (then again a poll about keyboardests with Trevor Rabin you do realize a lot of the tim it is Tony or Alan not trevor Yeah he Wrote some keyboards parts for the albums he was on but so why don't we put jon up there he came up with gates on piano (he claimes on the yesyears video it was most of the song i think just the battle idea but oh well) or how about Chris squire he did run through the light and some others or how about Alan (MAGNIFICATION!)

[ycantibu]

Rabin105, your comments about Trevor are a bit off. Rabin played most of the keyboards on 90125 & on Talk he played them all, save for the Hammond bits, which Tony Kaye did. On the Talk tour, he also played a bit of piano. I think this definitely gives him a place in the poll.

[Dances w/PURPLE]

reminds me of a wizard

[ronblatt]

well, i think this one should be blatanly obvious by now.

[jcostello]

Originally posted by Quantum
... but I don't think the Moodies really let Pat stretch out much - I saw him twice with MB and he was great - I just don't think that their tunes really gave him enough to work with ...

I think he was too good for them ...

I just saw the Moodies on Sunday night in St. Paul, and I don't agree that Moraz was "too good for them." They were an excellent band then, they're still an excellent band now, but maybe it was a matter of chemistry, of the Patrick and the Moodies pieces not fitting together properly in the musical puzzle. Kind of like Yes deciding in the '70s that Rick fit them better at that point than Patrick.

Peace, Love, and The Moodies Were Best with Mike Pinder on the Keyboards,

John Crazed Yesfan

[Rabin105]

I still can't belive geoff in not voted for

[ronblatt]

ouch



I still love Kaye tho

[jcostello]

We're not allowed to vote twice, so I voted for Rick, but if Rick wasn't in Yes right now, I would have no problem with Geoff being the keyboardist. It would probably open up the setlist, with less of a focus on the '70s, and a more even spread of songs from the past 30 years (including, of course, some of the cool "Drama" songs like "Tempus Fugit" and "Machine Messiah"). "Run Through the Light" is one of my all-time favorite Yessongs, too. And if Geoff was there and they pulled out some Asia, that would be fine with me as well, although I realize that I'm in the minority of people on this site with that opinion.

Peace, Love, and Maybe We Can Get Both Rick and Geoff in a another Union Tour,

John Crazed Yesfan

[Rabin105]

any member that widdens the setlist is alright with me

[the'YES'kid]

Originally posted by jcostello
...including, of course, some of the cool "Drama" songs like "Tempus Fugit" and "Machine Messiah"). "Run Through the Light" is one of my all-time favorite Yessongs, too. And if Geoff was there and they pulled out some Asia, that would be fine with me as well, although I realize that I'm in the minority of people on this site with that opinion.


I'm definitely w/ you. I love every single thing about Drama, every minute of it. The bass line for "Run Through the Light" I amazing.

DRAMA RULES!!!!!!!!:cheers:

[hypatiamarshall]

I voted for Moraz. I would like to have seen him go on with Yes for awhile. I don't know what happened? Anyone? I heard he screwed up with Yes and the Moody Blues. Yikes. I thought he was extremely talented. Does anyone know whatever happened to him?

jan in erie co

[Rabin105]

I LOVE DRAMA
KEATON IS BACK AS BATMAN

[jcostello]

Originally posted by hypatiamarshall
I voted for Moraz. I would like to have seen him go on with Yes for awhile. I don't know what happened? Anyone? I heard he screwed up with Yes and the Moody Blues. Yikes. I thought he was extremely talented. Does anyone know whatever happened to him?

jan in erie co

You know, it's funny, I actually asked Patrick why he left Yes when he was on "Rockline" a few years ago, and I only vaguely remember the answer. From what he said, and what I've read, it was a combination of things. Three years of touring (actually, a little more than two: part of '74, all of '75, and a solid chunk of '76) apparently took its toll on him, and even though he was there for the early workouts of "Going for the One" material, it seems that the rest of the band didn't think that he fit in with where they were going musically, which is why Wakeman made the first of his multiple comebacks.

I never heard what caused Moraz to part company with the Moodies, but I recall that it ended badly [lawsuit(s)]. Apparently, he still works as a solo artist.

Peace, Love, and I Wouldn't Mind a Moraz/Wakeman Pairing for a reUnion Tour, Either,

John Crazed Yesfan

[yessongs72]

There's only one person worthy of playing the keys for Yes and that is ....THE MAN WITH MAGICAL FINGERS AND INROVENTIVE SONG WRITING, MR RICK WAKEMAN. CASE SETTLED!

[Erdy1]

The question is who is best for Yes - obviously, this has to be Wakeman. Even the band members agree that he is the best fit with the band.

As far as who is "the best" generally speeking, I would say that Igor's composition training and music background and astounding performance skills would probably put him in the lead here. Afterall, I feel he accomplished much more, musically speaking, with his 1 solo piano album than Wakeman has in almost all of his combined. I'm guessing that if he gets the right breaks and keeps himself together he could become a well known composer of film music. Hopefully he'll get a change to get out and play some, too.

Unfortunately, Igor doesn't seem to have clicked with Yes. They didn't seem to make use of his abilities as a composer very much. I would be fascinated to hear the Anderson/Khoroshev album, but I now doubt it will ever see the light of day.

The other Keyboardists didn't seem to work out terribly well either, for one reason or other.

Anyway, to make a long post longer, I voted as Wakeman as the best keyboardist for Yes, because he really is, even though Khoroshev might be considered a superior musician in some ways.

[Rabin105]

really what band members say wakemans the best I have my yesstories book yes in there own words here is what a few of them say
Chris squire said"Geoff downes is the best keyboard player yes has ever had. He listens."
Steve on Tony Kaye "he was a good group member, he was always particapating"
yeah jon and alan say now how it's great but i think they man that the fans are happy that rick is back and at least it not life tales type of days.

[Erdy1]

Rabin105 - When I said other members agree that he's the best fit, I was basing that statement on the band's recent history and what I've read of the others' reactions to Rick being back in the group. Particularly, I remember reading something from Steve to the effect that he's very happy to have Rick back. They all seem to be excited about the current lineup.

I was guilty of putting words in other people's mouths in my last post, sorry.

[R'tanys]

Wakey's da man.

[Bo Locks]

I voted for Kaye: everyone forgets that he's on 8 [eight] albums. 9 [nine] if you count Yesterdays.

[Rabin105]

I voted Tony kaye as well the man rocks on organ

[soulsearcher]

wakeman is my guy1
and his son adam isn't hard to look at either! :valintine

[Earl Grey]

Lord knows I ribbed Wakey when I met him...

(I handed him TALES to sign, and Rick said, "What's THIS Shyte?!" I answered, 'Aw c'mon Rick, it 'aint all THAT bad!" ...He signed it, begrudgingly...).

Rick Wakeman belongs in YES.

There have been other luminaries: Moraz was the stuff!

Igor Korochev may have had a penchant for drinking a bit and biting cute female security officers on the neck. I heard that THAT went over really well with Jon!
Hehehe!

But Igor DID do a fine job on the keys...
I loved Korochev's work, and wish there'd been another album.
'Homeworld' is up there with the best of the best.

Moraz added MAGIK to the band. He was the boho jazzman, snapping his fingers in 4/17 time and slipping YES a funny rolled cigarette known as, dare I say... FUNK! So cool, all that jazz!
Moraz also wrote the ascending-figure of 'Workings Of Man' from AWAKEN, while never receiving a writer's credit.

Workings Of Man the realms of song etherous-climb these cloudless climes so helium-clear this spectral light spindizzy fist of thundrous light escape and lift this YES! YES YES!

But yet, among the luminaries,

WAKEMAN still and ever still, remains the quintessential bearer of the keys to yes.
Some speak of Rick's style as 'organic'. Which is funny! Rick is as organic as a minimoog...
But yet, yes. I understand.

Rick's fingerings grow naturally, like lightning-seeds planted in the verdant earth, finally erupting into nature's own fireworks. Seeds scattered to the four winds.

A Lifestorm.

Rick belongs in YES.
It was foreordained.
And we are rich for it.

I never disregard what the other great keysmen of YES have graced us with, but WAKEY!

Rick Wakeman Esquire.

The Caped Crusader is THE MAN.

Classic is Classic, and Rick Wakeman is Classic Yes.

Thank the gods for him.

:yesbird:

[PeterCologne]

Could someone tell me, why Rick Wakeman is leading in this poll? Could someone explain me the grace of Wakey? Why are yesfans so much devoted to him? It's a mystery to me. In return I could tell, why I think, that at least Patrick Moraz and Trevor Rabin and maybe even Igor Khoroshev and Tony Kaye are the better key-men.

Greetings

Peter

[bender]

Could someone tell me, why Rick Wakeman is leading in this poll?

Because the majority of Yesfans think Rick is the best Yes keyboardist :D

Why are yesfans so much devoted to him?

See answer above plus Earl's post :D

It's a mystery to me

That's the problem isn't it Peter? ;)


Just kidding of course, I think Patrick is almost as good as Rick! (I said "almost")

[PeterCologne]

Because the majority of Yesfans think Rick is the best Yes keyboardist :D



See answer above plus Earl's post :D



That's the problem isn't it Peter? ;)


Just kidding of course, I think Patrick is almost as good as Rick! (I said "almost")

Well, I was hoping for some explanation. Ok, it doesn't have to be a mathematic formula, but some thoughts, some ideas, why ya all think, that Rick is the only one and better than Patrick Moraz and Trevor Rabin, I would like. I know, I know, sometimes a feeling is enough, but ...

Greetings

Peter

[Philly112]

Peter, just checked your profile and see we are the same age (well, May 20th 1961)
For me, I can remember being at Sunday School in (I think) 1975. The teacher (guy called Dave Owens - thanks Dave) had a tape player playing this weird but beautiful music. All the other guys in the class were goofing around, but I just sat down and listened to this stuff with my jaw open. It was Fragile, and next week he brought me round CTTE and TFTO to borrow. The next 3 months were the most magical of my life - I bought Journey, Fragile, Six Wives, CTTE, TFTO, and got into Mahavishnu, etc etc. There I was, 14, getting into John Coltrane, with my mates listening to bubblegum pop!
So I guess for alot of people here of our age, it's much more than just, well, Moraz on Relayer is better etc (and I partly agree, cos it still sounds amazing!).
But it's too emotional for that for me.
My mum still remembers me coming home with Six Wives - she still talks to this day of the look on my face putting it on the turntable for the first time.
Do I still listen to it - to be honest, no. But it was literally a life changing experience and along with meeting my wife the most moving and magical time for me. If I could have a six month Groundhog Day it would be the six months around that time*
I'm sure other people reading this will have similar experiences. Yes/Rick weren't a band that I liked, they changed my life.
I also must add that I'm far more likely to listen to Medeski Martin and Wood than Yes/Rick, nowadays, but that's just music. I would never have got there without Yes and Rick, and I will always love them for that.
Hope this makes sense.
Phil

* Or maybe 2 months in 1982 when I was working at a USA Summer Camp, but that's for the X Rated thread lol!!

[PeterCologne]

Peter, just checked your profile and see we are the same age (well, May 20th 1961)
For me, I can remember being at Sunday School in (I think) 1975. The teacher (guy called Dave Owens - thanks Dave) had a tape player playing this weird but beautiful music. All the other guys in the class were goofing around, but I just sat down and listened to this stuff with my jaw open. It was Fragile, and next week he brought me round CTTE and TFTO to borrow. The next 3 months were the most magical of my life - I bought Journey, Fragile, Six Wives, CTTE, TFTO, and got into Mahavishnu, etc etc. There I was, 14, getting into John Coltrane, with my mates listening to bubblegum pop!
So I guess for alot of people here of our age, it's much more than just, well, Moraz on Relayer is better etc (and I partly agree, cos it still sounds amazing!).
But it's too emotional for that for me.
My mum still remembers me coming home with Six Wives - she still talks to this day of the look on my face putting it on the turntable for the first time.
Do I still listen to it - to be honest, no. But it was literally a life changing experience and along with meeting my wife the most moving and magical time for me. If I could have a six month Groundhog Day it would be the six months around that time*
I'm sure other people reading this will have similar experiences. Yes/Rick weren't a band that I liked, they changed my life.
I also must add that I'm far more likely to listen to Medeski Martin and Wood than Yes/Rick, nowadays, but that's just music. I would never have got there without Yes and Rick, and I will always love them for that.
Hope this makes sense.
Phil

* Or maybe 2 months in 1982 when I was working at a USA Summer Camp, but that's for the X Rated thread lol!!

Hi Philly,
what a spiritual post. And I can understand you. Sometimes things are just magic.

I remember the day, when I bought my first Yes-album, it was in December 73. And It was The Yes Album. After some seconds into Your's Is No Disgrace, I felt, something, something special. So Wakey was not so prominent at the beginning. And I agree, it was a great time, discovering all the Yes-music, slowly - because of lack of money - but intensive. And it was a wonderful moment, buying the first really new Yes-album at the end of 74, Relayer. This new guy, Pat Moraz made me forget Rick. But, no discussion, I loved Wakemans work from Fragile to Tales, and I still do very much. Tales is still one of my two favourites. But I just think, he lost it later. But that is only my story, one of many. And your's is a great one too. And I agree too about Sixth Wives, though I was never really into Ricks solo-work, this one still thrills me.

Greetings

Peter

[bender]

Well, I was hoping for some explanation

Peter, the only explanation I can give is for me, Rick just has a certain "something" that I can't find in other keyboardists.

Okay, I love Patricks work on Relayer, I love Emersons ELP stuff, and I love Tony Banks and Rick Wrights stuff as well, but there is just a bigger quantity of keyboard playing that comes from Rick which I find more interesting.

Rick is "fluid" - his fingers constantly dancing over the keyboard, almost like he is trying to create some ever-flowing melody that, to me, almost seems to border on rhythm.

He also seems to be able to blend solos with guitarists well, difficult to explain what I mean but his "duel" with Steve on SSOTS last year is a good example.

Finally, and nothing to do with his playing, his stage presence with the capes is really cool - he just looks like a real "showman".

And I love his sounds - I've always liked the synthesizer far more than piano or organ - so Ricks playing on synth-laden albums like Tormato, ABWH etc "sounds" just as good as his playing on Tales, CTTE etc

Hope this explanation gives you an understanding of why Rick is No.1 (to me)

cheers :D

[Rabin105]

I thought I replyed to this but apparently not. I'm a fan of wakeman. That being said I never like the synth solo's he puts on Starship trooper not only that I like it less that the 2 session Keyboardests (Igor and Tom) just basically followed suite and played a synth solo like rick and that is it.I love Tony Kaye's organ solo on starship trooper. It has a burst of orignality and is classic Kaye. It is a shame he is not voted more and only has 6 votes. I for one say that after this tour Tony should drop the lawsuit and join the band either with rick or without rick. I have never Seen Tony Kaye live and would love too. Frankly I'd like to see the 9012live lineup live but I doubt that will ever happen Rick and steve are staying and that is it (not that I'm complaining esspecially since steve is now starting to enjoy playing 80's yes). Tony kaye Is the best Organ player the band hasw ever had. I just love his organ sound esspecially on the earliert albums. That is one of the resons I love Miracle of life because with Eddie Offord as the produce Tony is back to playing great organ sounds.
I hope you enjoyed my rambling on Kaye
Mac
P.S. a lot of time Rick leaves out keyboard parts on say the third movement of starship trooper why is that?

[paulovajao]

What about billy he wrote the keyboard parts to about 90 percent of Open Your eyes he rightfully should have been the keyboardest on that tourALL THE MEN BEHIND KEYBOARDS WERE SUPERB.INCLUDING TREVOR HE IS A GREAT MUSICIAN,BUT I HEARD SOME RUMOURS THA EDDIE JOBSON COULD SOON ON YES LINEUP,AND YOU`RE RIGHT BILLY DID A GREAT JOB AND UNFORTANETELY PATRICK MORAZ ONLY STOOD FOR RELAYER,ANOTHER MUSICIAN I WOULD LIKE TO SEE,MAYBE DEREK SHERINIAN

[Timmo]

Lord knows I ribbed Wakey when I met him...

(I handed him TALES to sign, and Rick said, "What's THIS Shyte?!" I answered, 'Aw c'mon Rick, it 'aint all THAT bad!" ...He signed it, begrudgingly...)

Was this at the Tower Records signing Earl?

Before the show, they announced that the band was there only to sign the new 35th Anniversary compilation, but said "But if you also have that copy of Relayer that you have to get Steve to sign, we'll look the other way."

Oddly, I had a copy of "Relayer" that I wanted Steve to sign.

However, Jon grabbed it out of my hand, signed it, and passed it down the line. Rick was looking the other way when he took it. When he turned around and saw what he was holding, he did this exagerated "EEK!" and threw it across the table.

We both started cracking up and I said "just give it to Chris."

I had wanted Rick to sign my copy of "Close to the Edge," but decided that discretion is the better part of valor.

Now all I have to do is find Moraz to sign my copy of "Relayer...."

BTW, I voted for Moraz as my favorite Yes keyboardist. I love Rick, but I'm in awe when I think what Moraz could have done on another few Yes records.

Apparently the parting was NOT gentle, either. And Moraz, while not being bitter, pulls few punches in an interview I read that he gave a few years back about leaving Yes.

If I find the link I'll post it.

TIM
Venice, CA

[Rabin105]

It would be interesting t have like the first yes albnum or drama or union just to Say well you might not be on the ablu but um..
Steve sighing 90125 I wonder if the will ever happen
"Tony Kaye the man who play with his organ" Jon orignally said this no seriously he did
Great organist great keyboardist and should be in the band

[terrillk]

Jordan Rudess!!! Oops, Wrong band ;)

[Stever]

I know it was just one album, and unfortunately the only one without Jon, but Geoff Downes work on Drama, and his subsequent (and prior) work over the years has finally led me to believe he was the greatest keyboard treasure we had. Then I guess Rick, Patrick & Igor.

[jimmygtr]

I know it was just one album, and unfortunately the only one without Jon, but Geoff Downes work on Drama, and his subsequent (and prior) work over the years has finally led me to believe he was the greatest keyboard treasure we had. Then I guess Rick, Patrick & Igor.

I'm not sure I'll ever get past the Asia in Asia broadcast and Geoff having approximately 9,538 keyboards on the stage running back and forth between every song. You add that to an over weight Greg Lake and that whole broadcast was not a pretty site.

[Timmo]

I'm not sure I'll ever get past the Asia in Asia broadcast and Geoff having approximately 9,538 keyboards on the stage running back and forth between every song. You add that to an over weight Greg Lake and that whole broadcast was not a pretty site.It's "sight," not "site."

One of my pet peeves.

Other than that, funny post!

TIM
Venice, CA

[Rabin105]

I'm not sure I'll ever get past the Asia in Asia broadcast and Geoff having approximately 9,538 keyboards on the stage running back and forth between every song. You add that to an over weight Greg Lake and that whole broadcast was not a pretty site.
wow that sounds sad. :lol: though it would been funny if in the middle of heat of the moment they broke into Karn evil #9

[Bill Mocarsky]

This poll can also show who is most overrated.

[Warhorse]

1st choice Rick, 2nd choice Igor

[neilius]

I agree totally with the vote result.

[slazman]

Yes - Rick first, Patrick second ... entirely predictable, and entirely correct

[Hill St.]

Rick of course

[DaveJB]

My man Rick! As I read the question, and thought the answer, Excerpts from the Six Wives on Henry VIII came up on my internet radio!

[Charles Matejic]

Wakeman had the most material,Kaye on The Yes Album is my favorite type of keyboards sound for Yes ;Moraz on Relayer was excellent , as for the others good musicians but not in the same league

[Whitefish]

Patrick Moraz got my vote. He is able to improvise endlessly and compose on the spot. He has written many symphonies, songs, and tons of other pieces of music, and to me has much more technique than the others.

But as for who is best for Yes? Rick Wakeman is no doubt.

[raz]

I voted for Mr Moraz...

I Love Mr Wakeman.... A Lot, very much in fact....
but right now Relayer is my Fave album!

[Mostly Harmless]

Rick is THE man!!

[overlook]

OK, I can't belive that i read this, but evidently you really don't inderstand that energy and show manship doesn't produce greta music. Brislin did good on symphonic,but with an orchestra playing Ricks parts. Now that I have said this i'm leaving this thread and go to bed and when I wake up hope it was a nad dream that someone dreamed up!

Frankly, I'm more concerned about what your nads dream about at night!!!!!!

Wakeman rules !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :git[1]:

[overlook]

It's "sight," not "site."

One of my pet peeves.

Other than that, funny post!

TIM
Venice, CA

I’m just back from the pet shop on my street and the guy behind the counter had never heard of ‘peeves’. What do you feed them? Do they have names?

Ricardo De Wakeman for el presidente of ze Yes Keyboards
:git[1]:

[Steve St Thomas]

NO vote. I honestly like all of them for very different reasons. Each one exposed a weakness in the other, each one accented a strength held by another. How can one be chosen?

Tony Kaye -- Just the overall best Hammond Organ player this band has ever had. He understands the instrument, he played it with Soul, and I think he did the fastest run down the keys on a Yes album (The Calling), which is also totally ----ed up. He is also the most out-of-time-in-time player this band has ever had. He runs rings around the others when it comes to stepping outside the tempo. If only his Piano work with Yes was mixed a bit better to see what it is he's actually doing, I'd say his Piano playing runs that Jazz ring as well.

Rick Wakeman --- In some aspects, the most well-acquainted with the keyboard. In other aspects, he brings Yes back in time about 200 years. One weakness is his choice of keyboard sounds, and his stubborn refusal to let go of some of them. One strength is an amazing personality and presence that goes into everything he does. The life and soul of the party, he's just a cool guy overall.

Patrick Moraz --- Does one album justify this guy's talents? Nah. Go get FLAGS, or I. The Moodies? Was he even used there to his best abilities? I honestly get a little bored by anything they released post- 1974. It's all a little bit gentle. That's not the guy playing on ''Sound Chaser''. That guy would give Jan Hammer, Herbie Hancock, and George Duke some serious competition. Honestly, he's one of my favourites of the Yes keyboardists. He had a lot of Jazz in him, all in the right places.

Geoff Downes --- Does one album justify this guy's talents? Nah. Overall, he's the most user-friendly of Yes's keyboardists, but I just like his sounds. That's where he really shines. he just has great ideas for what the keyboard should sound like, rather than what could be played between every 16th interval or what not. He totally beefed up Howe's guitar tone just by supporting him on nearly every chord of DRAMA. I also have his work with The Buggles and ASIA. Geoff's cool.

(Honourary Mention) Eddie Jobson --- Never really officially a Yesser, he's in a video. If there's one thing I can say about this player, is that he's crazy. Of all the possible keyboardists that could have joined Yes, he would have been the most chaotic, quite possibly the most talented of all their keyboardists. Carrying No Cross from U.K.s Danger Money (1979) is burden of proof. Oh well . . .

Trevor Rabin ---- His keyboard parts were more supportive, and a lot of times you can hear that Tony Kaye is in the forefront, depending on the song. He's more a programming keyboardist for Yes, but he is a great keyboardist when he's working on his solo material. Particularly on Piano.

Igor Khoroshev -- Is Open Your Eyes and The Ladder enough to justify one man's talent? No. From what I've heard of his Piano works, he's a very, very talented musician. he impressed me more there, than with Yes, but then again, Yes music and I haven't totally agreed since 1996. We're in talks though. When I heard his solo works, I actually listened more closely to what he was doing on The Ladder. He seems to be a combination Downes / Wakeman. But I honestly don't think he was given room enough to stretch out. Just another Cancer signed Yes member who's only really around for one thing in official status, and then goes off to do sometimes greater things.

Tom Brislin --- I loved this guy. Apart from Squire & White working their butts off, this guy was the most animated person on that entire stage. He actually looked like he loved every single note he had to play, every chord he had to remember. He was totally into what he was doing. I can't remember a single thing he particularly played, I was just impressed how into he was. Brislin's very cool.

[Timmo]

Patrick Moraz --- Does one album justify this guy's talents? Nah. Go get FLAGS, or I. The Moodies? Was he even used there to his best abilities? I honestly get a little bored by anything they released post- 1974. It's all a little bit gentle. That's not the guy playing on ''Sound Chaser''. That guy would give Jan Hammer, Herbie Hancock, and George Duke some serious competition. Honestly, he's one of my favourites of the Yes keyboardists. He had a lot of Jazz in him, all in the right places.What he said.

Tom Brislin --- I loved this guy. Apart from Squire & White working their butts off, this guy was the most animated person on that entire stage. He actually looked like he loved every single note he had to play, every chord he had to remember. He was totally into what he was doing. I can't remember a single thing he particularly played, I was just impressed how into he was. Brislin's very cool.Tom's band Spiraling was so much fun at CalProg. They're all SO YOUNG and talented. His singing is OK, his keys smoking.

He was 20 or 21 when he did the Symphonic tour.

Plus he's the nicest guy on the planet!

He gets most charismatic Yes keys player. Too bad they never tapped him for an album.

[rememberer]

Everyone who's every played keys for Yes sounds pretty stellar in their own light, I think. I was impressed when I heard Geoff's and Igor's live solos, and I've never wanted for Yes to go back and re-record The Yes Album with anyone else but Tony on it, ever.

Not sure what it is, I think I heard Rick's song Lure Of The Wild recently, that lately Rick really is out a bit ahead of Patrick as far as my vote goes. That's quite an achievement for Rick as stuck as I am on Gates Of Delirium, and all of Relayer, and as unable as I am to separate Patrick from that whole album.

[ThePatman]

Wakeman all the way... but that does not mean I don't like the others. :headset:

[Close to Loch Ness]

It has to be Rick for me. He just 'gels' better than the others.

[Buglunch]

"Best" is impossible to say: Wakeman was my favourite overall and I've met him but moraz does amazing things on the fly and uses more complex ways from around the world.
Khoroshev is incredible as all-aroubd keyboardist and all of them have personal problems but staying outta court helps a lot.

I'd rather see more of Moraz love to make up for on ly 1975 but if I had to make a choice I'd...............refuse. :)
Brislin knows every note and nuance Yes did and he's kind of a Dennis the Menace like me.
Geoff Downes' life has been a lot like mine but he hit the progpop big at a good time.
And Rabin was playing classical piano with orchestras at eleven.

Hoo boy!

I detect more true exploration and worldsoul in Patrick Moraz and I have lots of his solo stuff and know it well. Plus he grooves with Bruford duo-style and Bill's my favourite percussionist of all. Moraz just hasn't hit on a huge fortune alone, no Ahmet Erteguns to pave the way today. Tastes have also changed mightily

[overlook]

Dammit - i've kept quiet long enough - I WOULD BE BEST!!!!
.....though maybe not for you lot!!!

[jcostello]

I'm not sure I'll ever get past the Asia in Asia broadcast and Geoff having approximately 9,538 keyboards on the stage running back and forth between every song. You add that to an over weight Greg Lake and that whole broadcast was not a pretty site.

I enjoyed it, and was happy 20 years later when I finally got in on video. Did it ever come out on DVD?

Look at it this way: You're not going to get to see Geoff and Steve together live this summer, and I don't know of any other video of them together other than the two videos on "Yes Greatest Video Hits" and "The Making of GTR," so thank god it exists, I say.

John Super Mega Out Of Time Yesfan

[yes_angel]

Dammit - i've kept quiet long enough - I WOULD BE BEST!!!!
.....though maybe not for you lot!!!take a look over,,my man is next to me :lmao:

[new_sum_do_solve_ay]

Is this someone's idea of a joke? Everyone who worked on Tales is awesome. Same goes for Relayer, but the keys on Relayer were not the heart of the album. So right there I don't feel Moraz has as brilliant a contribution, regardless of what you make of an overall 'sound comparison.' Secondly Wakey comes from a classical theory-based background that is on a much higher level. That and he is much faster.

[Ian B]

take a look over,,my man is next to me :lmao:

Sheesh, I didn't bother to vote! What the cute lady said. Though I'm also very partial to the chops of that poodle haired Swiss chap, 'Future Memories' is one of my favorite albums. But in Yes? No contest.....

[Joe]

I'll always be a Wakeman fan and wanna be. He's taught me a lot in the past 35 years, so I can't be fair in voting. Wakeman will always be YES!

But I gotta say that Igor Khoroshev did a GREAT job for his short stay. Just listen to him on The Ladder and House of Blues. He's totally killer with the way he blends sounds together. His dynamics are awesome and he has a great imagination. I can just go on........he WAS good!

[Canonsong]

Igor...... with him we got 2 hear it all :O) A real shame It didn't work out...

[ketace]

The man with the Golden Keys is and the only true great keyboardest that YES will and ever had. Ricked live in the Isle of Wight in England so he could be close to music . The keys were his life and he invented the stacks of keyboards. The only keyboard player in the music industry that comes even close to Rick is Mr. Keith Emerson.

Long Live Cozy Powell----

[jcostello]

It has to be Rick for me. He just 'gels' better than the others.

I don't know, I think that Geoff and Igor also made/make fairly impressive use of gel, but only their barber and spouse/significant other know for sure.

John Super Mega Crazed Yesfan

[jcostello]

Sheesh, I didn't bother to vote! What the cute lady said. Though I'm also very partial to the chops of that poodle haired Swiss chap, 'Future Memories' is one of my favorite albums. But in Yes? No contest.....

But how does the gel in his "poodle hair" compare to Rick's? THAT's the question!

Is that a poodle in your hair, Patrick, or are you just glad to see us?

John Super Mega Crazed Yesfan

[jcostello]

I enjoyed it, and was happy 20 years later when I finally got in on video. Did it ever come out on DVD?

Look at it this way: You're not going to get to see Geoff and Steve together live this summer, and I don't know of any other video of them together other than the two videos on "Yes Greatest Video Hits" and "The Making of GTR," so thank god it exists, I say.

John Super Mega Out Of Time Yesfan

Although some of you lucky sods DID get to see Geoff and Steve together in Asia last summer, and will AGAIN this summer. However, sadly, there will be no trip to the Minneapple for the Dynamic Duo (and those other dudes, John and Carl).

John Super Mega Cr-Asia-ed Yesfan

[new_sum_do_solve_ay]

I still can't get over P. Moraz getting 20% of the vote! I just heard The Other Side of Life which he did with the Moodies. Gotta admit that type of thing is just celestial. But it's merely pretty, with an ear for effects. I'd let Patrick play the lullabyes. But if you want something that MOVES and has some kind of theory behind it and has fabulous dynamic moments, Rick HAS to be your man. Is Yes a lullabye band? Hardly!

[Bo Locks]

I voted for Kaye: everyone forgets that he's on 7 [seven] studio albums. Moraz was on one. Moraz shone with Refugee, with Yes not so much. Relayer has been called a guitar album somewhere else here.

[Buglunch]

I still can't get over P. Moraz getting 20% of the vote! I just heard The Other Side of Life which he did with the Moodies. Gotta admit that type of thing is just celestial. But it's merely pretty, with an ear for effects.

Check out Sur La Mer, then.

[kirk]

The thread that wouldn't die!

You do realize that this was started in 2002,
that no one posting on the early pages is still around,
save fearless leader...?

Wakeman hands down, but from a musician's
viewpoint, it doesn't surprise me at all that Moraz
is running 2nd.
Interesting too, considering the dates of the posts,
that recent exposure gave even Tom Brislin some votes.

K

[zoran]

Patrick Moraz is my favorite, I've vote for him.

[Relayer - 1974]

How can someone even ask this question?
Wakeman craps on the rest.

Relayer - 1974

[yes_angel]

Me!! I just learned! :lmao:

[Rabin105]

this thread will never die lol

I feel it dpends upon what styls and what sound. I feel Tony is better on rocvk organ than the rest where rick is better on fast lighting synths Pat is better for jazz Geoff is a good mixture and tom did a very good job.


I skipped Igor as i just never got into his sound he is to "twangy" for my tastes.

[Bo Locks]

Wakeman craps on the rest.Then he craps on yo' handle... fool! So whydja choose it?

[Rabin105]

Then he craps on yo' handle... fool! So whydja choose it?

because he's talking in Jibber Jabber

I pity the fool who talks in jibber jabber lol

[Relayer - 1974]

Then he craps on yo' handle... fool! So whydja choose it?


yeah lol.

I was thinking about that when i wrote my post.
Relayer was my favorite album when i first got into yes. And so i made it my name on this forum. Then i listened to more yes and saw some footage of wakeman. He just blew me away. :P

[jcostello]

I voted for Kaye: everyone forgets that he's on 7 [seven] studio albums. Moraz was on one. Moraz shone with Refugee, with Yes not so much. Relayer has been called a guitar album somewhere else here.

I like Tony, too, but he's only properly used on the first three Yes albums. Other than "The Calling" on "Talk," he's sorely underused on the four '80s and '90s albums on which he's listed in the credits. Then again, because half of California's keyboardists play on "Union," Rick doesn't get much chance to shine on that album, either.

I think that Moraz did a very good job with "Relayer" and the tours following it, considering the circumstances. I'd like to hear what he would have done with the "Going for the One" material. He should do what Rick did with the "Two Sides of Yes" CDs, and do his own versions of "Relayer" and "GftO" songs.

John Super Mega Kayed, Relayered and Crazed Yesfan

[yes_angel]

Whats the matta,,,dont anybody believe me? I should be on this list

[Rabin105]

Whats the matta,,,dont anybody believe me? I should be on this list

sure why not lol

[yes_angel]

sure why not lolsee for yourself,,i'm even better then that guy from seyes,,,Bradders! Go see them and use your own jugement,,,I can even sing! ; )

[Rabin105]

see for yourself,,i'm even better then that guy from seyes,,,Bradders! Go see them and use your own jugement,,,I can even sing! ; )

ok i will.


back o ntopics they are all amzing :)

[kirk]

Before going back to topic~
@Yes Angel-
Might there be somewhere we can listen to your
keyboard and vocal prowess?

Dom has a site and thread going for Yes covers
in Member music y'know....

kirk

[zoran]

see for yourself,,i'm even better then that guy from seyes,,,Bradders! Go see them and use your own jugement,,,I can even sing! ; )

I'd like to hear your work!
Please send some link to hear you!

[Bradders]

see for yourself,,i'm even better then that guy from seyes,,,Bradders! Go see them and use your own jugement,,,I can even sing! ; )

Hey Lisa Pisa thats fightin' talk lady!! ha ha. :-)

[yes_angel]

Hey Lisa Pisa thats fightin' talk lady!! ha ha. :-)lets rumble Bratty :lmao:

[Bradders]

lets rumble Bratty :lmao:
Awww shucks......gotta come clean I guess folks. Its Lisa playing keyboards on the seYes myspace site....not me. I'm just a dumb wanna-be.....sniff sniff

[yes_angel]

Awww shucks......gotta come clean I guess folks. Its Lisa playing keyboards on the seYes myspace site....not me. I'm just a dumb wanna-be.....sniff sniff :dog: xoxo

[zoran]

:Itchscratwe wanna see the fight!
LOL!

[yes_angel]

:Itchscratwe wanna see the fight!
LOL!sorry,,that would be behind closed doors with the blinds down also :lmao: then you'll hear me and him sing a tune

[milestownyes]

The fact that Patrick ranks second after being on only one album speaks for itsself. Rick is great but on a personal level Patrick is my favorite just because he's much more experimental in his approach than Rick. After listening to Eddie Jobson with U.K. just recently, once more, I would have liked to have heard him playing with Yes too. I think it would have been a great collaboration. Igor was good because he was a chameleon. Too bad he couldn't control his baser impulses. They're all excellent players. But for me, Patrick

[zoran]

The fact that Patrick ranks second after being on only one album speaks for itsself. Rick is great but on a personal level Patrick is my favorite just because he's much more experimental in his approach than Rick. After listening to Eddie Jobson with U.K. just recently, once more, I would have liked to have heard him playing with Yes too. I think it would have been a great collaboration. Igor was good because he was a chameleon. Too bad he couldn't control his baser impulses. They're all excellent players. But for me, Patrick

I'd like to see Patrick with Yes again.

[Purple Wolfhound]

Rick Wakeman.

[relayeire]

I am stunned to see Downes with such a low score... maybe because he's only done one Yes album?

[yes_angel]

am I suppose to answer that again? he knows who he is ; )

[Purple Wolfhound]

I am stunned to see Downes with such a low score... maybe because he's only done one Yes album?
Yeah, me too. Khoroshev got more votes? Hardly! Geoff is more deserving of just three votes, imo.

[Canonsong]

Igor was hands down the best imo.... he could do it all... it was a real shame what happened

[Wakey's #1 Fan]

♥ Wakey!!! ♥
http://img07.glitterfy.com/113/glitterfy124754908X.gif (http://www.glitterfy.com/)

[relayeire]

Igor was hands down the best imo.... he could do it all... it was a real shame what happened


I agree... him getting arrested after a Yes gig for sexual assault and all...

I think he was great, but I didn't know he was such an arse...

[Canonsong]

His piano works was a wonder, he had such great touch in his playing and could have given yes something new.... it was a shame...
Things went to his head and he seemed to be a real opinionated musician..... but the best always are :O)

And no I'm not going to the Rush gigs...... I really dislike them .... Id rather see Beyonce. :O)

[Rabin105]

I like Downes. I think he is a great musican. I loved drama and love him better than Igor

Igor i nevber really liked i felt his new age techno sounds annoying. Maybe it's just me. If he got some more natural sounds he might of been better for yes.

Tony Kaye i also love. because well he not only started the yes keyboard tradition but he did a good job in the 80's and 90's. I can't wait to see him with Circa

Rick i love. but iwanna say something about him i dislike his melletron solo on starship trooper I mean once in a whiole i
m in the mood for them but for the most part the best keyboard solo was Tony's organ one on 9012live i really hope next time yes play this live Rick opts for an organ solo.

Patrick great jazz keyboardist now him i'd like to see yes work with again.

Tom Brislin. Here is a man who could do it all. I loved what he did with the band and would of loved to see him on a yes album and do a tour with just the 5 of them (steve chris alan Jon and Tom) no orchestra.


Billy sherwood... Interestingly enough i always assumed he replaced rick i was wrong. They way i always viewed yes history somebody left somebody replaced them and the idea works till 97 when Rick left and Billy joined. oh well. I do like the keyboard work on oye

i could go on about Steve proocco or Eddie Jobson etc.


but i will close by saying Yes had has great keyboardist. and i can't choose a best lol

[Vevey]

Gotta be the Wakeman for me :)

I quite like Khoroshev's stuff too though!

[TOBYSGRAPHICGOKART]

Yep,The Wakester for me too.
With Patrick Moraz not far behind.

Deja vu....could've sworn I voted on this earlier....

[AmyK]

Richard Wakeman!!
Being the best for YES not only involves technical playing ability and creativity, but the ability to build the keyboard parts into the greater whole of the song - as someone once told me (Kurt) that he was the "conservatory musician".

If we were to talk pure technical playing the best was Igor Khoroshev - and it was probably the biggest YES disaster of the 90's that things just didn't work out.

[miar]

Rick of course :)

[Buglunch]

Moraz; Rick has gotten into sweet arpeggios played really fast too
much. Moraz does those nice angular dissonant counter-melodies
and more interesting accompaniments.

[mike on the goldie]

I voted for Rick - I think he is the best all-around keyboardist for Yes - but how come Jon Anderson isn't listed in this poll? He plays keyboards too sometimes.

[Roan's Lady]

I voted for Rick - I think he is the best all-around keyboardist for Yes - but how come Jon Anderson isn't listed in this poll? He plays keyboards too sometimes.

:thinking:

Much as we wuv our Jon, I'm not sure he should be in the running for "the best" Yes keyboardist.

[bob16]

Rick Wakeman a "classic"

[90125yes]

rick is the man