Yes in USA Today...

[Purple Wolfhound]

Yes got a nice plug from the May 10th (Friday) print edition of USA Today. I couldn't locate the article at their website, so here ‘tis:

“Just say Yes to progressive rock

Is anyone in pop music catering to progressive-rock fans?

The answer is Yes.

The prog-rock band who hit the heights with Roundabout and Owner Of A Lonely Heart is resurfacing for a summer tour, a box set and two DVD-Audio reissues.

The U.S. tour, with keyboardist Rick Wakeman rejoining Yes men Jon Anderson, Chris Squire, Steve Howe and Alan White, kicks off July 17 in Seattle. More dates will be added to the 22-city itinerary. (Check pollstar.com and ticketmaster.com.)

In a Word: Yes (1969- ) , a five-CD box spanning the band’s 32-year career, arrives on July 16 with 55 tracks, artwork by Roger Dean (designer of several Yes albums) and an 80-page booklet of Yes photos, liner notes and commentary by Cameron Crowe and members of Phish, Primus, King’s X and Tool.

The $69.98 Rhino collection boasts six previously unreleased tracks: Tango, Never Done Before, Richard, Backing Track 2, an alternate take of Fist Of Fire and Magnification outtake Last Train. Formed in 1968, Yes has sold more than 30 million records worldwide. On June 6, last year’s Magnification will be reissued on DVD audio. A reissue of 1994’s Fragile is due this fall.

-Edna Gunderson”

Yikes! Big mistake with that Fragile release date (and the only one I could find off the bat), but hey, it’s a newspaper and rarely do they get everything right.

Peace,

Phil

USA today! Who would have ever thought? Very cool! Thanks for telling us about it!

[Jackaranda]

USA Today named Talk the 2nd worst album of 1994. Needless to say, this was a low point in all my years of being a Yes fan, because I loved Talk. Only Bill Clinton's brother beat Yes for worst album.

So that article is a minor miracle...Jack

[bjm0rwo]

For once some good publicity.Not exactly a glowing one but at least they get mentioned.I've oftened wonder what other bands that came out at the time of Yes and are still being productive as far as new recordings and other forms of media.Not many.

And not JUST productive, but continuing to be vital.

[Trevor Walker]

And not just vital - essential..............

[Nick Green]

Im afraid I have to take issue with the above.

Asmuch as I love Yes, it is some years since they were 'vital' or 'essential'

Of the period that spawned Yes and their contemporaries, only one band can still be considered these things

KING CRIMSON

obviously.....

[Purple Wolfhound]

The thing was I don't normally read USA Today, but I was on vacation and we had picked it up to check on something else (hockey playoffs, I think). Flipped me out when I saw that in the Life section, though!

Peace,

Phil

Originally posted by Nick Green
Im afraid I have to take issue with the above.

Asmuch as I love Yes, it is some years since they were 'vital' or 'essential'

Of the period that spawned Yes and their contemporaries, only one band can still be considered these things

KING CRIMSON

obviously.....


And obviously I do not agree with you. But we all have our own opinions here and this being a Yes fan site, you might encounter folks with similar thoughts as I have expressed. I do not mean to suggest taking anything away from King Crimson, they just are not as interesting as Yes is to me or in any way vital or essential to my life.

[Nick Green]

.....you must be able to look at the issue objectively and recognise that Yes' truly stellar work is way behind them.

Magnification cannot stand beside Relayer and in any way be comparable...

whereas Thrak can comfortably stand beside, say, Starless and Bible Black...

...I just feel that, though of course these forums are full of obsessive Yes fans, you can all really be a little too forgiving....just the cynic in me I suppose...

[BredYes]

Nick Green, you are right about Thrak. Thrak is as good as the King Crimson in the seventies (Starless, Red etc.). But Yes albums of the seventies (Close to the Edge, Relayer, Yes Album, Fragile) were much better than those Crimson in the early seventies. After Thrak (1995) I was not very impressed by the Crimson albums (for example The construKtion of light). I think Magnification was better than recent Crimson albums.
I think the best album of King Crimson was Discipline. That album was made in 1981. So my conclusion is: The best Yes Album is from 1972 (CTTE) and the best Crimson album from 1981.
So I don't agree with you about the vitality of today's Crimson in comparison with Yes.

[bataisflow]

King Crimson is more relevant than Yes - say what? Maybe in Robert Fripp's mind.

:bash:

[Insane Teacher]

Hey Nick. I read your posts with interest, but I respectfully disagree. In fact, I think a strong argument can be made that with Magnification Yes has produced its most refined music ever.

Here is what I mean. What I heard on Magnification were the members of Yes playing like classical musicians in an orchestra. They played beautifully when it was appropriate, and when it was time for other musicians to move to the front, they moved to the background or were silent. The reason Magnification succeeds, in my opinion, is that the refined and restrained playing of Yes allowed the orchestra to shine through. You do not hear the boys and the orchestra competing with each other.

That is the way great orchestras play. Sometimes the brass section plays, and sometimes it is silent. The same is true for the other parts of the orchestra on most classical pieces. The same is true with great jazz recordings. Take Miles Davis's "Kind of Blue," which also featured John Coltrane. Davis and Coltrane didn't compete for the lead on that one. They each took their turns and sometimes played together. Sometimes, neither played. What I love about Miles Davis's records is the way he allows the other musicians to take the lead and shine. Miles is silent often on his great records. I think that Yes did the same thing on Magnification.

In the classic days, I found that the members of Yes used to overdue it sometimes. They seemed to be playing constantly on some songs, almost battling for the lead. I particularly noticed this after Bill Brufford left.

Magnification has been criticized for the lack of playing of Yes. Where's Steve? Alan's performance was uninspiring. I have heard these criticisms over and over. Alan was more Bruffordesque on Mag and I loved it. The same was true with Steve. On Mag, it wasn't how often, fast, or loud each musician played. It was how well they played when it was appropriate for the overall composition.

Sometimes less is better. And I believe that Yes's refined approach was the key to the success of Magnification.

Originally posted by BredYes
Nick Green, you are right about Thrak. Thrak is as good as the King Crimson in the seventies (Starless, Red etc.). But Yes albums of the seventies (Close to the Edge, Relayer, Yes Album, Fragile) were much better than those Crimson in the early seventies. After Thrak (1995) I was not very impressed by the Crimson albums (for example The construKtion of light). I think Magnification was better than recent Crimson albums.
I think the best album of King Crimson was Discipline. That album was made in 1981. So my conclusion is: The best Yes Album is from 1972 (CTTE) and the best Crimson album from 1981.
So I don't agree with you about the vitality of today's Crimson in comparison with Yes.

You are on the money BredYes!

And of course bataisflow, too funny, true----but too funny too!

And Insane Teacher, you are always so right! No point in arguing with you!

[Nick Green]

I do agree that Crimsons output in the early 70's was inconsistent at times - but there were always moments of genius on even the most uneven album. Plus, when it comes to musicians, Fripp did not work with no slouches!!! Who can tire of the wilfull, manic playing of Keith Tippett, or the sax work of Mel Collins. Furthermore Crimson draw on European classical and jazz influences giving their music a darker, edgier, more 'uneasy' feel. Sometimes this is a good antidote to the churchy, choral feel of Yes....and anyway, the devil has all the best tunes.

As far as Magnification goes, you know what my main problem is with it - a serious lack of decent tunes - it is easy on the ear but majorly bland. And where is the virtuoso playing? Damn it - I demand indulgence!! I demand a bass solo!!! I demand that songs develop interstingly and take me on a journey!!!!I demand that Yes do what they do best and stop it with this 'prog-lite'!!!

[YYY]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Nick Green
[B]Im afraid I have to take issue with the above.
Asmuch as I love Yes, it is some years since they were 'vital' or 'essential'
Of the period that spawned Yes and their contemporaries, only one band can still be considered these things
KING CRIMSON

Sorry, I understand your point, but I have to take issue with your issue.
YES music and message are absolutely vital and essential, especially today with whats going on in the world. Even though they haven't maintained a high-level of innovation in recent years their message has always been more pertinent and light years beyond what most groups are saying & doing.

Without debating the music, let's remember the message.

[Nick Green]

I am not interested in any particular 'fluffy', or 'touchy feely' message - you can be as relevant as you like, but if the music is bland, whose going to want to listen to any message anyway?

You can be as worthy as you want, but for Gods sake, please don't be boring!

[YesNY]

Originally posted by Nick Green

As far as Magnification goes, you know what my main problem is with it - a serious lack of decent tunes - it is easy on the ear but majorly bland. And where is the virtuoso playing? Damn it - I demand indulgence!! I demand a bass solo!!! I demand that songs develop interstingly and take me on a journey!!!!I demand that Yes do what they do best and stop it with this 'prog-lite'!!!

I have no problem with "prog-lite", as you call it, if it is done well like in Yes' case. It is not as if Yes did a "Genesis" and became a lite-lite.

And a demonstation of virtuoso playing by running off solos was not what the Magnification album demanded. In fact, as much as I admire Chris's bass playing there are actually parts of the album I wish the bass was less in front. It all has to do with letting the music being the master (cliche noted). And for the most part, Magnification did that Magnific-ently.

As for 80's and 90's King Crimson, it has taken time but I actually have grown to like some of the stuff. That being said, Peter Gabriel got along further with that type sound so perhaps Crimson's real problem is they keep on getting beaten at their own game.

[Nick Green]

.....I have enjoyed the cut and thrust, but I suspect this argument may have run out of steam. No doubt we shall agree to disagree.

It seems to me that the Yes/King Crimson divide is a bit like Tory/Labour, Republican/Democrat and never the twain shall meet.

I'm off to listen to some VDGG and think of something else inflammatory to say!

[Insane Teacher]

Hey Nick. I think I understand your point about Magnification. It just didn't provide what you wanted. That's okay. Magnification isn't for everyone. The one think I have been surprised about is that some old Yes fans and classical music lovers have had difficulty getting into it even though it isn't overly complex. I know it played tricks with me for a while until I grew accustomed to the orchestra and the rock instruments working together.

I know many people seem to compare and measure Yes's new works by their old works. I just take the Yes albums as they come and try to appreciate them for what they are. I tend not to compare them to past albums. My sense is that Yes has explored many paths in its history and Magnification was a new and different one. I really can't and don't compare it to their past works. I also sense that Magnification could be a real building block to a deeper and more involved integration of rock and classical music if Yes chose to continue this course. Larry Groupe seemed to suggest this in his interview. I am not sure they are going to continue in this direction though. In fact, I suspect they might take a break from recording new music unless sales pick up.

[Nick Green]

I very much appreciate you're careful and considered response...I can sometimes get a little to worked up about these things. However critical I am about Yes' output post 1980, I am still very glad they are together and that I can still see them live reasonably regularly. No one jumps about and shouts and claps more appreciatively than me. In my minds eye I still always see them in their prime (eg the QPR film if you have seen it). Perhaps because I idolise them I expect too much......would not want to feel any other way about them though.....

[Koko]

So, are you saying that in order to be appreciative one has to Jump about, shout and or clap ?......HHHmmmm...my physically disabled amigo would disagree (along with me!) me thinks....
...as for K. Crimson...their best music after Greg Lake had jumped ship....was Discipline, Beat and Three of a Perfect Pair..for obvious reasons....you seem to be in illusion, but that's okay...we are here to learn....
By the way...there are 3 kinds of teacher...
The kind who teaches through Fear and Confrontation
The kind who teaches through Patience and Friendship
The 3rd kind you don't even realise is a Teacher....

...Reminded of the Rhyme.......

Thre are no corners in the Universe...

[Insane Teacher]

Thanks for the kind words Nick and Kokopelli. I am not sure what the QPR film is, Nick. I am sorry that I can't add anything about King Crimson. I have never listened to their music although I have been tempted to try one of their albums. Any recommendations for a starter.

It still amazes me that the internet and this forum allows us to converse with people from around the world. Nick, I spent a week in Scotland in the 1984 and I played the Old Course at St. Andrews. What an experience. The people were so kind to us in Scotland. I climbed up that interesting granite outcrop in Edinburgh, I think it is called Alladin's Seat. I was told on that hike that I could experience three seasons in one day in Scotland and I sure did on that hike.

Kokopelli, I have never had the pleasure of visiting Wales. I have a good friend here in Ohio who came over from Wales to coach soccer the United States a few years ago. He now runs a soccer club in our community and he speaks fondly of his home. Rose season must be fast approaching for you. It is "Dreamtime" for me here in Ohio.

[YYY]

Well while you two are kissing and making up, I'd like to say that I thought the last King Crimson release wasn't very interesting at all. Lots of technigue but no emotion. But unlike YES, KC kept me very intrigued many years after 1980. MAG is the only album since 'Tormato' that has again aroused my interest in YES. With all of its fluffliness and prog-lite style washes of sound, I think its their most interesting, cohesive and balanced release in decades (dismissing a couple of weak songs). Finally I DO think lyrics that try to raise consiousness and heal the soul are more engaging. And when the music works as well... something very special can evolve.

[Nick Green]

King Crimson - start with the first album In The Court Of The Crimson King - the first mature prog rock album ever - this should really impress you - it certainly impressed the members of the fledling Yes when they first heard it. After that, try Red from the Bruford/Wetton period, Discipline from the early 80's period and then Thrak from the 90's. You will be definitely impressed in how Crimson can constantly reinvent themselves.

The QPR film is a Japanese 2 disk dvd of Yes' show at Queens Park Rangers Football Ground, London 1975 - in other words a complete document of a show from the Relayer tour. The mixing is ropey at times but it is still an essential purchase.

See ya!

I wont be on the forum for a week as Im off down south to see The Musical Box in Newcastle.