Rick Wakeman

[mal b]

the wizard returns to his throne!
nuf said

[1yesfan]

I wonder how long he stays this time!?!?!? Sometimes I think the constant revolving door with this group turns off fans.

[RobAdams]

In some ways this 'revolving door' is a bit much. Just as I was beginning to like Igor's playing, he leaves the group.Now Rick is back, and as much as you want to embrace his return, you have the feeling he's only visiting. Would be nice if he'd stay at least a few years and help the group create some exciting new music.

[Jeffrae]

I like the revolving door!!

ITs like my Favorite band is Many Bands

I love it.. So much variety out of the band

Jeff

[mal b]

I think Rick had every intention of staying when he came back in 96 but the band sort of played a tour without consulting him
and with his solo commitments at the time - he kind of felt shafted a bit -
plus his health and a divorce(noted on the Wakeman site) have tested him i'm sure - Hopefully he'll stay a while god knows that rick is a strong member and that the bands best work as a whole is with him there...I was just listening to the Keys 2 studio tracks this morning - the stuff on there has a definite flow and punch
that they lack without him - let's hope this time is for a while

rick noted that the plan is to really make it work this time for a while - i think the other thing that's better is the band's management has changed for the better

later
mal

"make the white queen run so fast"

[mal b]

sorry i meant planned a tour

[Jeffrae]

Hey I hear Ya.. howabout this though people..

Want to learn about Wakemans New Rig???

Check out.. Chicago Yes News! (http://www.yesfans.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2108) Website...

It is very Insightfull!!

Jeff

Originally posted by mal b
i think the other thing that's better is the band's management has changed for the better

They have management?

[jcraig]

Hi there, I'm new to the forum. While I think it's about time the guys are getting together, I think it's important to remember that management conflicts were the cause of Rick's departure the last time. It was not right how he was treated when the Union record was done. Everyone from Toto to the producer was playing the parts Rick was to play. Then came the Keys stuff: It doesn't make sense that Rick would be there and not make more of a contrabution to the project. Then, whoever, decided to release the studio tracks that had more of the music and mix the band had intended. The guys were much better when they produced themselves. The Ladder came close to the way the guys did it themselves. But still there was something missing. Igor did a great job trying to play in the style of the seventies and he did a great job in concert playing Rick stuff especially Amaken. Where was Igor's contrabution to the project. Yes has been and always will be a band with the keyboards as it's back bone. Rick has been the only keyboardest to fill that corner.

Thanks,
JC

[Q]

Rick's return is certainly cause for celebration! Whatever else happens, we will be assured of an incredible live experience!

Q

[mal b]

JC welcome and you echo my thought s and yes PAT the band
has had horrible management - round and round
and they really put it to rick last time - with the tour not being mentioned to rick until the dates had been made

[jcraig]

Not only the management but some band stuff came in last time as well. The things that Rick is always behind is the music and arranging. Rick needs to be given the credit he is due both in the writting and production.

[dyingpoet]

The master is back! Say what you want about the roles within YES being inter-changable. True, they have never had a weak musician, but they haven't nor has anyone else ever had a stronger one than Mr. Wakeman. Props to Tony, Patrick, Geoff and Igor, but Rick brings a certain elegant quality to YES music that simply cannot be duplicated. It is no longer a matter of how far I'll have to travel to determine whether I'll get to see them this time around, but a matter of certainty. I'm there, baby! Hell or high water, I'd drive to the moon and back to attend this tour!

- d.p.

[maninawhitecar]

I can't wait to see Wakeman! When did it become official? Is Rabin rejoining as well?

maninawhitecar, the Wakeman announcement came out several weeks ago. No Rabin. See, that's what happens when you don't visit us for tooo long! Come back more often!

And mal b, I was trying to make a statement that their management was so horrendous that it appeared that they had none at all. I guess I was not making myself understood. Sorry.

[mal b]

I have to agree that with wakeman and in particular wakeman's writing abilities - that the group is at its strongest...
as far as rabin i can only hope that will never come to pass...
i know i shouldn't delve into this here - only i can say is trev is a very talented guy but he's not steve *nuf said

i've waited 22 years to see these five guys finally together
thank god the wait is almost over...

Yes, mal b. Yes.

[dyingpoet]

Let us not forget that Rabin and Wakeman never really collaberated in the studio, and I'm not sure how that would work, if at all. Rabin is a fantastic guitarist and a moderately talented singer-songwriter with some real gems to his credit, but Howe is much more in the YES vein than he will ever be. Granted, there are times when live YES would be (and has been) helped by having two guitars on stage, (from the Union and OYE tours) but as far as composition and production, this classic five is about as good as it can get. (The White/Bruford debate would be inappropriate to delve into here).

- d.p.

[Michael Bourque]

Wakeman's return probably means no orchestra this tour. That means little or no music from Magnification. I was skeptical last year with the whole orchestral bit, but after seeing my first show at Kinocti, I was totally hooked. As the CD was not yet out, i did not fully appreciate the new music. Now that I'm very happy with 'Mag", I was looking forward to hearing some of these songs in the next tour. I've heard no rumors to suggest orchestral accompanment is planned, and I don't see Wakeman doing a Brislin. One way out would be for Wakeman to use his keyboard prowess to emulate the orchestra in its absence on stage.

I'm otherwise happy that Wakeman has returned, provided he sticks it out, because I think he does improve the commercial bottom line for the band with his presence and his onstage presence adds much excitement to a show.

I'm new here BTW.

Originally posted by dyingpoet
but as far as composition and production, this classic five is about as good as it can get. - d.p.

Very true dyingpoet.

And Michael Bourquet, I see you are new and you are a welcome addition to our YesFans family! Welcome! Hope to see you often.

[The Fish]

Originally posted by mal b
the wizard returns to his throne!
nuf said I like you!!!

[Skyward]

I can see why one would think that the continuing personnel evolution of YES which is not always awash in stability, could be perceived as a negative. However, I do believe that Mr. Wakeman's return ( for something longer than just a couple of shows ) spells very good things for our beloved band this time around. His name is synonymous with the most successful years of this band and if you have ever seen him in concert as the YES keyboardist, he is quite the marvel to behold. Surely there must be some direct or indirect ploy here to recapture any fans lost during the Rabin years ( careful, I remained loyal ). It is the right move at the right time and I personally look forward to a Wakeman interpretation of let's say..."Dreamtime". I am confident that they will not make the mistake of not performing stuff from Mag...they will,right along with many of the classics. Don't count on "Roundabout" as an encore this time around either. I think they've been listening to the voice(s) of the people, at least to some degree.

[Skyward]

Oh yeah, one more thing. I know success found them in a big way after the release of "90125". When I speak of the most successful years, I mean their meteoric rise to stardom after "Fragile". Some would say, of course, that this path to fame actually started with TYA. There is some truth to that but, we can discuss that in another thread. However, safe to summize that Rick Wakeman played a very large role in this ascension.

[mal b]

definitely no orchestra - I gave magnification another couple of listens the last couple of days and really like it - Having been moving into a new home over the last few months I haven't had a chance to give it a proper listen on the home system...many quieter parts...another another thread...back to rick -
there are certain pieces that the band will want to play with rick
hopefully we can at least get a couple more tracks from going for the one and tormato...(so more of an SLO list plus a couple of tracks from keys - MIND DRIVE has got to be played this tour
we should flood the NFTE website recommending this song be played...

[dyingpoet]

You are right, "Mind Drive" should be an essential number. And none of this fragmented stuff where they take ninety-second segments from a dozen songs and do a fifteen-minute medley like on the OYE tour. We want it ALL, baby. If the promoter has to charge $47.50 for a ticket, we should get a three or four hour show, with an intermission. The boys can handle it, they're consumate professionals! (I know the fans can handle it!)
- d.p.

[Michael Bourque]

Of all the KTA material, Mind Drive is the one they must play this tour. I know Rick thought highly of the KTA II material. How can we, the fans, lobby the band to play this. What web site does the band surf regularly? Do we know? Are there email addresses for the label, for management? It's Left Bank or something like that....that might be the most fruitful path to influence the set list. I strongly suspect Mind Drive was a finalist in the last poll of fans taken before the Masterpiece tour.

dyingpoet, I'm wondering where you are getting your tickets! $47.50! Last I looked they were $80--the regularly priced seats. And if you want to talk about scalped tickets....the sky's the limit. But, I do completely agree with you regarding the medleys. They really really really get on my nerves.

So Michael B, when you write to them with your request, please include that Yes play no medleys. I wish I could tell you who to write to. You might PM or e-mail nightliner. He might have an answer for you.

[mal b]

if its the tormato tour medley i'm fine with that but I still want all of mind drive (hey give me all of keys two - that would be just fine
- the keys one studio stuff didn't strike as good as the keys 2 stuff which seemed much more cohesive and complete...

[hippieinacloset]

I swear, I get sall scared everytime I go to the News or Tour section of NFTE. Sometimes, I wont go in for fear of finding out Wakeman left again. I've even spent many a days away from my computer resisting the temtaption to log on to the Internet. But, sooner or later, I have to succumb to my need to read my e-mails. Once I'm done reading them my eyes will predictably stare at the Go To window: "Should I, or shouldn't I?" "It's dot org, isn't?" "I swear if that bastard leaves again..."
And so my thoughts encirlce my head until they cover my face like an embalmed mummy. My breathing gets heavier and heavier and by then I'll be trembling so hard my finger usually hits the mouse click without meaning to do it. And there appears NFTE promptly asking me over and over again what is it I want. The Band Members section perhaps? Or how about a try at the Gallery? Yesfans is fun, isn't it?
No! No! And no! I have to go in News or Tour. I have no choice but to know the truth! There is no point in diluting myself! Aaaaaaaaaargh! Life sucks and then you die!
Fortunately, though, Wakeman is still with us so far. Oh, thank goodness, I'll get my eight hours of sleep tonight. I'll be able to joke with my co-workers and make them think I scored the night before. Peace of mind for another day. Sweet.
But tomorrow? How about tomorrow? What if Wakeman leaves tomorrow or the next day? What if he has already left?!
There's only one way to find out and that's to log on. Should I, or shouldn't I?

Johnny Buzz

[Koko]

The way the initial 'news' of Ricks' return was worded...for me...seemed to be implying that at present, at least he's only 'with YES' for the Tour...I hope I am totally wrong...as I like many, many others was overjoyed to hear he had returned to the fold....but the way they quoted Chrissy Boy...I can't recall his actual words..but ..there was a hint of imperminence about it..

For the Record I hope he is here to STAY.....I hope Rick reads this.


By land, by road , by rail, by sea our Journey starts......

Peace and ever hopeful

[jcostello]

On a slightly different, Rick-related topic, apparently he's going to come out with a box set, called "Treasure Chest," in the next few months, that will include rarities. Anyone hear anything about this, such as what might be included? Rick is so prolific with album releases, I'm surprised that there's anything left in the vaults.

John C.

[illusion]

Originally posted by kokopelli
The way the initial 'news' of Ricks' return was worded...for me...seemed to be implying that at present, at least he's only 'with YES' for the Tour...I hope I am totally wrong...as I like many, many others was overjoyed to hear he had returned to the fold....but the way they quoted Chrissy Boy...I can't recall his actual words..but ..there was a hint of imperminence about it..

For the Record I hope he is here to STAY.....I hope Rick reads this.


By land, by road , by rail, by sea our Journey starts......

Peace and ever hopeful

He is staying. From www.rwcc.com

You have left before, how long do you see this lasting?
A long time. YES appear to have strong management , (for the first time for many, many years), and there seems to be a really good feeling about the future. there are no negatives floating about and that is always a great situation to be in. I have spoken to Steve a couple of times over the last week and there is a really good buzz going backwards and forwards.