Roundabout has to go

[taineer]

I just saw that Dragonfly said in another thread that he'd gladly give up Roundabout for something different. I'd gladly give up Roundabout and cut the show by 10 minutes. It's been overdone. I've seen them 6 times and it's been the encore at every show. On some classic radio stations it's the only Yes tune they play. I've frankly had enough of it. It's something that should be put away for five years and then brought out again so that it'll once again be appreciated.

[Yes Oz]

It's great to see you guys from the US pick and choose your "set list" for the next tour. I'd love to see them play Roundabout in Oz. In fact I'd just love them to come to Oz. Come on guys just be pleased your going to see them. We've been waiting for nearly 30yrs. Some of the tracks you lot are "bored with" weren't even released since they last played in Oz.

But I do appreciate that you support them just like we all do and have your "wish list" of numbers to be played. I guess I am just re-acting as a very frustrated Ozzie fan. Hope you ALL enjoy the tour and share your experiences with us all.

[crazedyesfan]

i dont really care what songs they play as long as i get to see them. that's all that matters, that's all that should matter.

i plan to be at all three texas shows, that's dedication for you. and most likely they'll play the same set list at each show but i dont care...i get get to see them live!

anyway, where are the other texas yesfans....i know you people exist....

and darn-it if they play roundabout for the millionth time so be it...the song friggin' rocks :clap:

[gt76yesman]

Hey Crazedyesfan, where is The Woodlands? I plan to be at Austin, bit don't want to go to Dallas.

Yes Oz, I am really hoping they come visit you. I've heard rumors, but I've heard rumors before too. I would love to visit downunder and what better excuse than to see Yes!

Glendo

[crazedyesfan]

the Woodlands is near houston...i think about an hour away.

it's an outdoors venue...very, very nice

[taineer]

Isn't the Woodlands a TPC golfcourse?

[RobAdams]

I don't mind if they play FLOUNDERTROUT, as long as they don't cut it short. I want the whole song, and I would be very happy to see it played early in the show. The keyboard solo is one of Rick's signature solos, and his best known. If Rick weren't back I could take it or leave it - but Rick being there makes a difference here.
And I'm hoping for NO tour song. I hate those. I'd rather get an extra REAL song.

[Dragonfly]

I know the tour songs aren't the best things the band ever do, but I still think they're a fun. It gets the band a bit loose with the crowd.

I'm hoping for a continuation of the "No Solos" rule we've had recently. They take up valuable space where more songs could be played. I mean, I like the idea of seeing "The Fish" live, but in the end I'm sorry not to have had another full-group composition in its place.

I'm pleased that MAGNIFICATION tunes are rumored to be on the set list. Let's hope, though, that it's not the only album post-CLOSE TO THE EDGE that gets played from. I could see them doing that (with, perhaps "Awaken" as the only other exception to the rule.) It would be a waste of a great opportunity.

I’d like to hear material from each album this lineup’s ever made. Add to that a little from the new album and a few oldies (from albums Alan or Rick might not have been on) and you’d have an incredible show.

Firebird excerpt
8:57 "Siberian Khatru"
7:15 "Magnification"
7:45 "On the Silent Wings of Freedom"
7:58 "Turn of the Century"
6:02 "Children of Light"
20:38 "The Remembering High the Memory"
5:52 "Parallels"
10:45 "Dreamtime"
8:04 "South Side of the Sky"

1st encore:
19:14 "That, That Is"
6:47 "I’ve Seen All Good People"

2nd encore:
9:26 "Yours is No Disgrace"

That’s just shy of two hours (plus breaks). Just imagine how much that would rock!:heydude:

Dragonfly:yesbird:

[hypatiamarshall]

How about give up Roundabout and play something they have never played live?

I have memorized every dam note to Roundabout.....

Jan in Erie CO

[RobAdams]

I was at the Masterworks show in Saratoga, and a girl sitting near me told me it was her first Yes concert. She was in her twenties I think. Near the end of the show she asked me if I thought they'd play ROUNDABOUT. I said "Probably as the encore." She then told me how it was her favorite song and how that song got her into Yes to begin with. "If they don't play ROUNDABOUT I'll just die."

What I'm getting at is this. Dropping ROUNDABOUT from the show wouldn't be right for the newbies. YES may be tired of ROUNDABOUT as well, but they know that's the song first time Yes show attendees would be disapointed not to hear. Gotta throw a bone to the rookies. In this respect I see why it works for them as the encore. Its like their way of telling the first timers, "You first timers probably sat through all this music you might not be familliar with, so here's one you're sure to know."

[YYY]

Absolutely correct. I personally could replace Roundabout for once. But for all the radio play it gets as the only YES song in existence, I still think that its a well crafted song. The intro, the hook, the chanting and bridge are all trademarks of a great classic YES song. Even after all these decades, I still turn the volume up on the radio when it comes on. Unfortunately YES has to play it for all the reasons {i and i} mentioned. This is the only song that some people in the audience would recognize, believe it or not.

[ANTIOCH]

The ingredients that make up the fiber that is YES weave throughout 'Roundabout'. They will always play it ! I hope they choose to play it early on and surprise us wining fans; or re-invent it.
I've seen YES for over 30 years and they've NEVER disappointed me yet.
F.Y.I. - The Woodlands is located some 45 minutes north of Houston on I-45. It's easy to find and in a woodsy/outdoor setting.
Bring bug juice as the summer mosquitos of Texas will be very hungry in the hot AUGUST night !
Lastly; I'm hoping to hear "Tempus Fugit" & "On the Silent Wings of Freedom" as alternatives to the older classics we're used to.
Let's give YES an ovation heard 'round the world !!!

[Dragonfly]

As has been suggested before, if they're gonna play it, why not somewhere earlier in the set. That'll give the newbies the song they know while leaving the rest of us guessing as to how to close the show.

I feel the same way about "Starship Trooper". It's one of the things I like most about the LIVE IN PHILADELPHIA video. They play it in the middle of the set. The nice thing here is that "Würm" is at a reasonable length. I remember Tony Kaye being quoted as saying "if I ever have to play those three chords again..." On the 9012LIVE video I timed it. "Würm" (not the whole song, just that last section) is over 10 minutes long! Those same three chords!! Come on, now!!! That's just plain boring!

Dragonfly :yesbird:

[ANTIOCH]

I know where you're coming from, and sure; if it's intricate musicality you want, then "Wurm" isn't going to satisfy that jones; but . . .
the slow build-up is orgasmic, and as it builds; the tension rises and creates an anticipation that ( for me ) is worth waitng for.
I love it !!!
It's the ultimate set closer !
Then you light up your (funny) cigarette and enjoy the encore(s) :-)) . . . pass it my way !

[gt76yesman]

Very good point about Roundabout and the newbies. I have also heard this for a newbie. In the days I lived in Concord I figured once they started Roundabout I was out of there. I could beat all the traffic and be home by the time they finished. After doing that 2 shows in a row I really, really wanted to hear it a Konocti for YesSymphonic. Then I got the shortened version. :-(

Antioch, one more question about The Woodlands, you say it is north of Houston. I have a good friend in Conroe, and that's about 30-40 minutes north of Houston. Is it out that way?

Glendo the NoCal yesman (well not the only NoCal yesman ;-))

[mrgone3]

You know who is the most tired of this song must be YES.Have they played it at EVERY show now?But I guess they look at it as a signature piece.A party song.A song to say goodbye with.10 true "summers"we'll be there and laughing too.Twenty four before my love you'll see I'll be there with you.And have you heard the little stuff that happens during the song.It changes texture so much.Dig Chris'bubbling bass line.Steve's searing guitar work.Rick's swirling keyboard flourishes.And the clatter clash of Bill's snare and drum kit.Have you really heard this song?Or are you tired of hearing it on the radio?I also hope they play CTTE like they used to.Or play Changes or Leave it like they used to.Or Rhythm of Love.I think that's it!I'd like the public to hear other stuff on the radio.Even the band seems to be locked into a small spectrum for the play list. But I'll see them as long as I can.And I know when Roundabout does come it will signal the end of another fine YES show. .JOE

[Lerxst]

I would love to hear Tempus Fugit, Circus of Heaven and Wonderous Stories this tour over Roundabout -- But then again Roundabout id like Tom Sawyer or Closer to the Heart for Rush fans. The diehards can do without them but the people who are newbies or have never seen the shows tend to crave the staples

[smatt]

Let's see a Yes show without Roundabout? Hmmm, nope can't even imagine it. Seen it so many times, in fact I think I've seen it live more than I've heardit on the radio (joking). I'll tell you that they will play it, but may move it, according to a poll released by Tiz Hay of the Yes Musci Circle, the band had asked for some advice as to wether or not to play it, then changed the question to when to play it. IE, as the encore or towards the beggining of the show. My vote was towards the begining, why not move it. Although this may cause me to subconsciously get up and leave, and miss the rest of the show, it would be interesting if they played it earlier. Another question asked was about Awaken yes or no, my answer YESSSSSSSSS! #3 was what song would I like to hear that's been ignored as of late. My reply Soundchaser or To be Over.

I think we'll get some other ignored gems I've heard several rumors and a couple really good tips as well. Guess we'll know in a couple months huh! But does it really matter? :confused: Not to me I'll be their, even if they play a 120 min version of Roundabout.


Matt

[Dragonfly]

Originally posted by smatt According to a poll released by Tiz Hay of the Yes Musci Circle, the band had asked for some advice...

Where was this poll and is it still active?

Dragonfly :yesbird:

Originally posted by smatt
I'll be their, even if they play a 120 min version of Roundabout.


Me too!

And I'm with Dragonfly on Where did you find that poll?

[Joe Yes Fan]

I have mixed feelings about Roundabout.....When they play it live, it just seems to have no energy. Twenty years from now they'll be playing the damn song at one of the guy's funerals, and he'll jump out of the casket and start playing along.

Either that, or he'll say, "I've played that crummy song 10,000 times....I'm dead now and I don't want to hear it one more time."

All joking aside, I have to agree that I like it as an encore, because that means I can leave the show and beat all the traffic.

If they don't play Roundabout, they'll have to play Owner of a Lonely Heart.....They can't eliminate both of those songs from the set.....

I have heard "ISAGP" almost as many times, but that song doesn't grate on me like Roundabout does.....

[PaulH]

No energy? hmmmm...???
I would have to disagree with that one.....although I would love to see it in a different spot in the set....or perhaps replaced (for time considerations) with something else, I think roundabout is always filled with energy.
The end jam between Steve and the keyboardist du jour is always a powerhouse that is a redeeming quality if nothing else.
Rick was quoted somewhere (I read it in "where are they now")
something to the effect of saying if you go to (or went to) a Frank Sinatra show and he didn't play NY NY or my way...people would be upset.
Obviously his way of saying that there will be some staples...or what YES considers their NY NY or my way....namely Roundabout.
I think the band has done a great job of late of balancing (perhaps a bit more in the hard-core fans favor as of late) the epics with the crowd pleasers.
The sales speak for themselves....and the Fragile, Close to the Egde and YESwest material will always get considerations based on sales (ergo popular appeal.)

I know that this is being debated on another thread....but perhaps that is why some of the KTA and other YES material of late is being left by the wayside....because the sales weren't really there, and the tunes, even the more neuvo-epics never got a chance to become part of the YES setlists....or Yeslore.

[jcostello]

I think "Roundabout" should be relegated to an excerpt in Steve's solo guitar medley (it can replace "Clap," which I'm also sick of), or maybe Jon and Steve could do it together. If they do it again, I suppose I'll just have to join the rest of my fellow Yes lemmings and stand up and pretend that I'm excited that they've done the song for 30 years without ever taking it off the setlist. Either that, or maybe this time I'll sit down and look as bored as possible, or I'll do what some hunyuck did during one of the cooler parts of the Mpls. show last year: get on a cellphone. I don't own a cellphone, so I'd have to borrow someone's. Or, I'll make a sign that says "South Side of the Sky," and hold it up the entire time that they're doing "Roundabout." One last way to respond: go to the men's room, or out for a drink.

Peace, Love, and Yes, I'm as Bored With It As Many of You Are,

John C.

[Original_Shifty]

Originally posted by jcostello
One last way to respond: go to the men's room, or out for a drink.


By the time they get around to roundabout though, you might as well head for the parking lot. ;)

[hypatiamarshall]

There is one way I might like Roundabout presented.

For example, if it were presented in a totally different style or with only a few instruments.

It would be interesting if Jon played it on harp.

hmmmmm

Jan in Erie CO

[Original_Shifty]

Originally posted by hypatiamarshall
There is one way I might like Roundabout presented.

For example, if it were presented in a totally different style or with only a few instruments.

It would be interesting if Jon played it on harp.

hmmmmm

Jan in Erie CO

Maybe they should try it caribean style like don henley did to Hotel California last tour. That was fun.

[mcguck]

c'mon folks, let's be realists here...Yes HAS to play Roundabout...the same way Tull has to play Aqualung, ELP has to play Lucky Man, the Moodies have to play NIWSatin, etc. It's the song for which they will be remembered as long as they are remembered, whether we like it or not. A Yes concert would not be complete without it. The band also knows it's the song they'll be remembered for, and they're pragmatic and astute enough to know that there would be a lot of people who would be ticked off if they didn't play it. And I for one never tire of hearing it!!!

[hypatiamarshall]

Hi, McGuck:

You are probably right......however, IF they were going to play it again, to make it really different each time would be fun I would think - stretch the creative process. Or do a parody of the whole thing. Don't get me wrong, I worship the ground they stand on.....

Jan in Erie CO

[smatt]

Sorry folks, it appears the poll I was talking about is over no results yet. I'm still waiting to hear from Tiz.


Matt

P.S. Do any of you really think they'll ever drop Roundabout?

[jcostello]

You'll hear it again this year, you'll hear it again next year if they tour, and they'll keep playing it until the end.

Peace, Love, and I'd Love to Be Wrong About This, But I'm Not,

John C.

[hypatiamarshall]

Wouldn't it be great if they played Roundabout, and everyone expected the same old thing, and instead, they played a techno version? SMILE! Everyone knows that they don't play in a techno style, but it would be very interesting. Parents are bringing their kids to see Yes now. Providing a "foot in the door" to younger people couldn't hurt. Maybe, they couldn't bring themselves to do it, but I think it was be a tremendous crowd pleaser.

Jan in Erie CO

[jcostello]

Maybe they should get Weird Al Yankovic to join them on tour, and do a polka version, or play it on kazoos. Or do a "classic Lawrence Welk" version and play it on musical spoons, like the ones used on the Welk show.

Peace, Love, and Either That, or Do What the Who Did in '89 and Add a Horn Section,

John C.

[illusion]

Originally posted by smatt
Let's see a Yes show without Roundabout? Hmmm, nope can't even imagine it. Seen it so many times, in fact I think I've seen it live more than I've heardit on the radio (joking).

Smatt, I have seen Roundabout live more times than I have heard it on the radio, and I am not joking. I have seen Yes live once....

[smatt]

Originally posted by illusion


Smatt, I have seen Roundabout live more times than I have heard it on the radio, and I am not joking. I have seen Yes live once....


Wow, I've heard Roundabout about 1,000 times on the radio. It's really the only song that is consistantly played in the LA area. Owner does get some attention, with and occasional AYAI, AGP toss in.

They will play it, they always play. It's just a matter of when during the show. I would like to see it moved to a differant part of the set though. Remember that it's a fun song to play and they all enjoy playing it. I think a lot of fans forget this somtimes that musicians like to play songs that are fun to play. When they enjoy playing a song it translates to a good attitude and this translates to great playing. :D

Matt

[Martin Riley]

Yeah,but Illusion, like me is from England.They don't 'do' Yes on British radio. The last time I heard Yes on the radio was Wonderous Stories in 1977. Not that I listen to the radio anymore (it's cr*p) but I presume that is still the case

[hypatiamarshall]

And while they are in the middle of the polka rendition, they could whirl plates up on top of tall thin sticks.

Jan in Erie CO

[jcostello]

Have the Flying Karamazov Brothers (famous jugglers) join them onstage to juggle the plates and sticks.

Peace, Love, and You Have to Take Risks to Keep Entertaining Audiences,

John C.

[illusion]

Originally posted by Martin Riley
Yeah,but Illusion, like me is from England.They don't 'do' Yes on British radio. The last time I heard Yes on the radio was Wonderous Stories in 1977. Not that I listen to the radio anymore (it's cr*p) but I presume that is still the case

1977 was eight years before I was born!

If you have Sky TV, then VH1 Classic Rock will play the occasional Yes video, but I have only heard them four times (Owner, Love Will Find A Way (twice) and Wonderous Stories). That's it. And Classic Rock is also only on after 9PM - so it's four hours viewing maximum, if you can watch it for that long (they play some really bad stuff).

]Originally posted by jcostelloHave the Flying Karamazov Brothers (famous jugglers) join them onstage to juggle the plates and sticks.

Hahaha. I like it! But not at a Yes show.

Open with Rounabout. A good rocker to start the show.

[Jackaranda]

That's pure BS. How, on God's earth, can you throw away the signature song???

[YYY]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by hypatiamarshall
[B]Wouldn't it be great if they played Roundabout, and everyone expected the same old thing, and instead, they played a techno version? SMILE!

I remember a period in the later part of the 70's when YES would step-out-of-the-box and change the arrangements of some songs when performing LIVE. I would love to hear this done with Roundabout. I mean, start it off in the typical way and at some point change it. If they could pull off a Techno or trip-hop groove for a few bars, I think that would be very exciting. Although I think that YES might be afraid to tamper with music that fans know so well note by note.

[HighTheMemory]

Well, I have heard numerous live versions of roundabout over the years. During this tour, I would be happy to hear roundabout, but only in its entirety, with the full intro and the "along the drifting cloud" mid-section. Before these past tours, I didnt think YES would be the kind of band that would shorten their staple-songs like that.