igor, the best?

[mess]

i am a pretty good musician (30 something years) & i personaly think igor was the best YES ever had. i know alot of you guys will probably disagree with this... but when i heard "piano works" i was blown away! i mean, he was not playing bach or something someone else composed-HE WROTE THIS!

any comments?

mess

[SKEETER]

I like Igor on the house of blues CD, he must be the only guy on earth that can clone Rick Wakeman that good. I am not so much a sythesizer fan, but, he knows how to use his gear to get interesting sounds. But, if that is him on the Ladder, I gotta tell you, I really wondered if some of the keyboard stuff on there wasn't perhaps Jon Anderson in the absence of Rick Wakeman, with a synth guitar or something. I thougt it was appropriate and interesting for the music, but nothing outstanding. I am not a keyboard player, but I am a musician, and I know from playing with a lot of keyboard players that there are a lot of guys that can clone about anyone, but cannot do jack when it comes to their own creativity. I supect Igor is a great studio musician, but did not get the impression he is someone that would be the integral part of the creative process in a band.

[tcellie]

I wrote songs with Igor for two years long before he ever joined YES or even did the studio stuff with Ben Orr, Delp and Farren. When I met him, he was broke living in a brownstone in South Boston. He didnt even have furniture but he had lots of gear.

Igor would practice and write every single waking moment of every day. He was a robot. I have never a more comitted artist. He was also an arrogant verbally abusive dick head most of the time but I loved him anyway.

He has perfect pitch and that gift enavbles him to learn a song he has never heard instantly. He doesnt even need the piano in front of him. He can hear it once....drive home and sit in front of the piano and immediatley begin playing it perfectly, he is a freak!

We were recording and writing songs (I am a guitar player/singer) and he was intimidating to work with. His musicianship is truly amazing as well as his arranging and programming. We would drink vodka and eat wierd Russian type concoctions in his humble apartment like pickled green tomatos (we were both completely broke, starving musicians) Anyway...it was really mixed emotions working with him. His talent was undeniable but his personality was very abrasive and his ego reached undiscovered galaxies.

When it comes to the creative process though I can honestly say that he is extremely creative. He could give you five different approaches and styles to a song and they all sounded awesome. So I think that he probably had plenty of input for the band. If anything, they probably spent alot of time trying to squelch him because he tends to take over when he is in the studio. Between his personality and his amazingly quick instinct and delivery of ideas. I bet he had everybody on their toes...(Not that those guys cant hold there own at all) For what its worth.

[PO]

Great info, Tom Glad you are here.

Paul

[neilius]

Thats got to be the best introductory post I've read in a long while. Welcome to the site Tchellie.

[Vic Anderson]

well what he hell is he doing now

i'd certainly wanna hear a new album of him :)

i thought he was great

[cinderella]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/1003/Cinderella528/Dolls/CindyYesRedDolly.gif

That was a wonderful story, Tom! Thanks for sharing, I loved it.
Welcome to Yesfans. I'll look forward to reading more of your posts.

Cindy

[kmcpro615]

His talent was undeniable but his personality was very abrasive and his ego reached undiscovered galaxies.

When it comes to the creative process though I can honestly say that he is extremely creative. He could give you five different approaches and styles to a song and they all sounded awesome. So I think that he probably had plenty of input for the band. If anything, they probably spent alot of time trying to squelch him because he tends to take over when he is in the studio. Between his personality and his amazingly quick instinct and delivery of ideas. I bet he had everybody on their toes...(Not that those guys cant hold there own at all) For what its worth.

I seriously doubt that the Yes braintrust would have let him even come close to "taking over" in the studio. The situation Trevor Rabin walked into was the only time anything like that ever happened. Igor was a hired sideman, and as such was not in a position to dictate anything. I personally believe Igor squandered his opportunity with Yes. The dickheadedness you speak of has probably bit him in the a$$ from a career standpoint. Actually you hear more about Tom Brislin and Spiraling these days than you do about Igor.

You have to be a bit of a politician to take advantage of the opportunities Igor has been afforded and it really helps if you are likeable person. There is nothing to suggest that Igor has anything going for him other than his obvious talent, and there are many with that level of talent in every major metropolitan area on the planet. Why work with a dick head if you don't have to?

KMCc:)
www.kurtmichaels.com

[PO]

I'd take talent over personality any day. Personality doesn't play keyboards well. These days, talent is hard to come by (especially keyboards). As long as the music is played well, I can deal with anything else. I don't expect my best musical mates to be my best friends. It's nice if it happens, but it's not a deal breaker.

[gathernear]

What happened to Igor? I hope he finds success somewhere. He is a great talent.


Larry

[kmcpro615]

I'd take talent over personality any day. Personality doesn't play keyboards well. These days, talent is hard to come by (especially keyboards). As long as the music is played well, I can deal with anything else. I don't expect my best musical mates to be my best friends. It's nice if it happens, but it's not a deal breaker.

Yours are the words of someone who doesn't make a living in music, and furthermore, there is no shortage of talented keyboard players. There *IS* however a shortage of work that pays a professional wage. To make a living and have a career in music generally requires WAY more than talent. There is no reason to work with an a$$hole in most situations. You are deluding yourself if you think otherwise..........

KMCc:)
www.kurtmichaels.com

[PO]

Yours are the words of someone who doesn't make a living in ....
The profession doesn't matter. You will find very talented people, with personalities that may not jibe with your own, everywhere. However, I keep my focus on the finished product (as does any organization).

Any company in the world has it's share of personality clashes. If that were the ultimate litmus test, there would be no organizations.

When the love of the music (or product, as the case may be) is in common with people, I can deal with the rest. I expect differences in people. There's one too many "me's" in the world already! :winknudge

But, with a common love of a common music, that's a great start!

[kmcpro615]

Originally Posted by kmcpro615
Yours are the words of someone who doesn't make a living in ....

The profession doesn't matter. You will find very talented people, with personalities that may not jibe with your own, everywhere. However, I keep my focus on the finished product (as does any organization).

I think the profession does matter if you are trying to put yourself out as having some sort of insight into how the business works. The universal truth is that there are always more musicians than there are jobs to play. There are plenty of qualified and talented guys out there who are eager to please. There is no compelling reason to keep a crass,foul mouthed,womanizing, security officer assaulting *sideman* around (no matter how talented) when you have your pick and choice of the cream of the crop of what the world has to offer. I can tell you that intrapersonal chemistry is a huge consideration for me as a musical contractor in any number of types of situations. So is character. Talent is a given.

KMCc:)
www.kurtmichaels.com

[Hugh Shiebler]

We never got a chance to find out! He sure did a great job with some incredibly demanding parts, though. I saw him do "Gates" on the Masterworks tour and he was damn good. I did not hear Moraz's jazzy flair, but he played the parts precisely, and knew how to create all of the right sounds.

It would have been interesting to hear his improvisational "voice" and compositional style in the context of Yes. On the other hand, I don't think that his contributions to "The Ladder" were all that hot. Imagine Rick or Moraz on that album.

[PO]

I'll take him! :winknudge

[tardistraveler]

Let's try to keep the focus of this thread on Igor's talent, and NOT his personality issues, or his differences with Yes. I think we all realize that there were issues which led to his his being dismissed from the band.

I think the intent of the thread was to discuss his work with Yes, and his talent. And I can certainly agree that he is a very talented musician.

And as to whether or not you can work musically with people who you have personal differences with, I would think that just depends on the musician. . . :D

[kmcpro615]

Let's try to keep the focus of this thread on Igor's talent, and NOT his personality issues, or his differences with Yes. I think we all realize that there were issues which led to his his being dismissed from the band.

I think the intent of the thread was to discuss his work with Yes, and his talent. And I can certainly agree that he is a very talented musician.

And as to whether or not you can work musically with people who you have personal differences with, I would think that just depends on the musician. . . :)

I think Igors baggage is totally relevent to the thread. You cannot seperate the baggage from the talent. If you are working with the talent, you are also taking on his baggage, and that is probably why he could very well be flipping burgers at this very moment at a McDonalds near you in spite of his talent.

KMCc:)
www.kurtmichaels.com

[PO]

I wrote songs with Igor for two years long before he ever joined YES or even did the studio stuff with Ben Orr, Delp and Farren. When I met him, he was broke living in a brownstone in South Boston. He didnt even have furniture but he had lots of gear.

Igor would practice and write every single waking moment of every day. He was a robot. I have never a more comitted artist. He was also an arrogant verbally abusive dick head most of the time but I loved him anyway.

He has perfect pitch and that gift enavbles him to learn a song he has never heard instantly. He doesnt even need the piano in front of him. He can hear it once....drive home and sit in front of the piano and immediatley begin playing it perfectly, he is a freak!

We were recording and writing songs (I am a guitar player/singer) and he was intimidating to work with. His musicianship is truly amazing as well as his arranging and programming. We would drink vodka and eat wierd Russian type concoctions in his humble apartment like pickled green tomatos (we were both completely broke, starving musicians) Anyway...it was really mixed emotions working with him. His talent was undeniable but his personality was very abrasive and his ego reached undiscovered galaxies.

When it comes to the creative process though I can honestly say that he is extremely creative. He could give you five different approaches and styles to a song and they all sounded awesome. So I think that he probably had plenty of input for the band. If anything, they probably spent alot of time trying to squelch him because he tends to take over when he is in the studio. Between his personality and his amazingly quick instinct and delivery of ideas. I bet he had everybody on their toes...(Not that those guys cant hold there own at all) For what its worth.

So, what are you up to now? Anyone with the capabilities to work with Igor I'd like to hear more about.

[soundchaser77]

I'd take talent over personality any day. Personality doesn't play keyboards well. These days, talent is hard to come by (especially keyboards). As long as the music is played well, I can deal with anything else. I don't expect my best musical mates to be my best friends. It's nice if it happens, but it's not a deal breaker.
I agree and i disgree, yes talent is #1 ...BUT!! if you have a real a$$hole in the band then the music suffers still cause everyones on edge, we had a dick drummer who was like a carl palmer type style player but he made it so so hard for everyone that the communication was all off on playing and the tightness sufferd all because this guy was sooooooo out of control with being in control, we got rid of him and got a increable female drummer who was even pass his level and we were all in sinc and we had many happy yrs together till or other bad luck hit us (me having brain anurism, and our great Rick wakman clone player was killed) So as far as im concern talent is great but so is commucation and getting along is as important!

[kmcpro615]

I agree and i disgree, yes talent is #1 ...BUT!! if you have a real a$$hole in the band then the music suffers still cause everyones on edge, we had a dick drummer who was like a carl palmer type style player but he made it so so hard for everyone that the communication was all off on playing and the tightness sufferd all because this guy was sooooooo out of control with being in control, we got rid of him and got a increable female drummer who was even pass his level and we were all in sinc and we had many happy yrs together till or other bad luck hit us (me having brain anurism, and our great Rick wakman clone player was killed) So as far as im concern talent is great but so is commucation and getting along is as important!

Sorry to hear about your tough times with the band.

In most hardcore pro situations, someone (or someones) are usually in charge and have the power & ability to make big picture personnel decisions. Unless a specific player was crucial to your "branding", why would you work with someone who presents so many problems? You can clearly see with Yes how easy it was, even at this late stage of their career, to replace Igor in time for the YesSymphonic tour with the considerably less baggaged Tom Brislin.

KMCc:)
www.kurtmichaels.com

[soundchaser77]

Sorry to hear about your tough times with the band.

In most hardcore pro situations, someone (or someones) are usually in charge and have the power & ability to make big picture personnel decisions. Unless a specific player was crucial to your "branding", why would you work with someone who presents so many problems? You can clearly see with Yes how easy it was, even at this late stage of their career, to replace Igor in time for the YesSymphonic tour with the considerably less baggaged Tom Brislin.

KMCc:)
www.kurtmichaels.com
Well at the time 1977 thu 1985, was hard to find a drummer with the capbillties of a Alan white , or carl palmer type, so we delt with him at the time and guess our gtr player and me (lead vocals, some bass gtr and some keys) were the leaders, But the drummer who was really into coke and other things didnt relized that to play really complacated music you have to have it together, Enter Roxy our new drummer, and i feel the best female drummer around (now a days she teaches music at a miami collage) she i feel was a amazing player and also a hot babe to boot lol! really save us back in the day after we got rid of mr ego drums! we were called Fantasia and i think we were a cross bettween yes and Return to forever like prog rock meets jazz fusion, so thats some of my story thanks Rick!

[The Whale]

As to the question at hand, is Igore the best? no. Give journy to the center of the earth or some of Patricks solo stuff with bill bueford and You might come to the same conclusions.

[brotherofmine]

to replace Igor in time for the YesSymphonic tour with the considerably less baggaged Tom Brislin.

KMCc:)
www.kurtmichaels.com
But IMHO considerably less talented Tom Brislin.

[kmcpro615]

But IMHO considerably less talented Tom Brislin.

Go listen to Brislin play the hell out of Soundchaser w Spiraling at this years CalProg and get back to me.......

KMCc:)
www.kurtmichaels.com

[Timmo]

Sorry to hear about your tough times with the band.

In most hardcore pro situations, someone (or someones) are usually in charge and have the power & ability to make big picture personnel decisions. Unless a specific player was crucial to your "branding", why would you work with someone who presents so many problems? You can clearly see with Yes how easy it was, even at this late stage of their career, to replace Igor in time for the YesSymphonic tour with the considerably less baggaged Tom Brislin.

KMCc:)
www.kurtmichaels.comBrislin was already on tap to play the Russian gigs, as Igor couldn't get a visa. Tom had been playing with Meat Loaf, who had the same manager as Yes at that point, which is how that whole thing went down.

At the last minute, Tom had do to the tour. He was 20 or 21 at the time.

[kmcpro615]

Brislin was already on tap to play the Russian gigs, as Igor couldn't get a visa.

Imagine that......

But once again, that shows you just how easy it is to replace a keyboard player in Yes. Igor was a very talented guy, who had a wonderful opportunity and apparently squandered it. When you have a personality that strong, you almost have no choice except to start your own band and be the leader. This coould be a good thing. Chances are, he won't be inclined to fire himself.........

KMCc:)
www.kurtmichaels.com

[PO]

Well, when Wakey wasn't able to continue with the band after Keys to Ascension, Yes needed a keyboard player. Who could play the Yes epics and anything else thrown the keyboardist's way? Yes had their "pick and choice of the cream of the crop of what the world has to offer" and who did they choose?

Igor.

His first concert he played The Revealing Science of God. Not a bad debut!!

When the Masterworks tour came along (Igor's 3rd tour with Yes) the big guns were needed. The Gates of Delirium was on the setlist for the first time since 1975 (25 years!!!) . Again, Yes had their "pick and choice of the cream of the crop of what the world has to offer" and who did they choose?

Igor.

I think Igor more than made his point and has excellent credentials. He was in the band just as long as Moraz was.

Doesn't the "difficult to work with" label apply to a lot of musicians? I would think Mick, Keef, Blackmore, Zappa, Ian Anderson, Scott Thunes, DL Roth, Van Halen, and a host of others would be well ahead in the queue before Igor! Some would even add Jon Anderson and Trevor Rabin to the list. Probably Howe and Bruford, too. Hell, Wakeman, too, for all I know! From what I've heard, Pavrotti was quite the, um, ladies man. ;) Despite his name, Igor is not a gargoyle. :winknudge

Rock has always been rife with badboys (so has Jazz for all that). Hell, that's half the attraction in a lot of cases! :winknudge Igor doesn't even come close to a badboy. I don't think Yes is the typical rock band, but Yes members certainly aren't saints, either.

Igor made the cut from the entire world of keyboardists. Until I hear his story from him, anything else is innuendo and speculation. As fans of Yes, we should give him the benefit of the doubt.

[kmcpro615]

Well, when Wakey wasn't able to continue with the band after Keys to Ascension, Yes needed a keyboard player. Who could play the Yes epics and anything else thrown the keyboardist's way? Yes had their "pick and choice of the cream of the crop of what the world has to offer" and who did they choose?

Again...there was no huge search. Jon was handed Igors demo at the right time and place by one of the people at Cakewalk that Jon was working with. Igor was working for peanuts doing demos for Cakewalk at the time I believe. That's how easy it is. There's a potential keyboard player for Yes lurking around every corner. I bet I know ten guys right here in Chicago that could nail all that material just as well and just as quick.

When the Masterworks tour came along (Igor's 3rd tour with Yes)

...it was three strikes and your out time. I was at his last show w them in Cincinatti in the 2nd row and watched him doing alternating lap dances off stage with two 20 something yr old females, while his wife was home pregnant. I saw the look of disgust on Steve Howes face, and they weren't even playing any Trevor Rabin material at the time.

I think Igor more than made his point

I think he did too....does this mean we agree?????

Doesn't the "difficult to work with" label apply to a lot of musicians?

Yeah, but if you are the employer, you don't have to work with an asshole unless there is some compelling reason to. That has been my point all along. You have yet to make a case otherwise. He was in the band long enough for them to figure out what a liability he was. The fact that Jon won't let his collaboration w Igor see the light of day speaks volumes, seeing as how Jon was responsible for him being in the band in the first place.

KMCc:)
www.kurtmichaels.com

[PO]

Igor was in Yes. I can only think of 4 other people in the world, in 40 years, who have done the same (I'm including Brislin, although he was not officially a member. On stage is close enough for me!). He's extremely talented (the topic of this thread).

Anything other than the topic at hand is splitting hairs and should be the subject of another thread.

Start a thread, kcm.

[kmcpro615]

Igor was in Yes. I can only think of 4 other people in the world, in 40 years, who have done the same (I'm including Brislin, although he was not officially a member. On stage is close enough for me!). He's extremely talented (the topic of this thread).

Anything other than the topic at hand is splitting hairs and should be the subject of another thread.

Start a thread, kcm.

Lets see....Kaye, Wakeman, Moraz, Downes, Rabin, Robbie Eagle (under the stage), Sherwood, Igor and Brislin, not to mention Jon Anderson who likes to paw a keyboard onstage every now and then. So far I count nine, but who's counting. Do we get to count Wakeman more than once?

As to the title of the thread "igor, the best?" My vote is no. Igor was no savior to that band, and his legacy will always be how he left. We know Yes won't be playing anything from Ladder or OYE anytime soon, but just in case I've forgotten something, what Yes epics did Igor compose or have writing credits on? What was his major contribution to the band? Being the betting man that I am, I'll bet you that if there was a "Masterworks 2" poll being taken 20 years from now, nothing from OYE or Ladder would show up in the top half of poll results. I'll give you that he was talented enough to be in Yes and perform more than credible renditions of the material he was paid as a sideman to perform.

If there is a "greatest" Yes keyboardist, it would have to be Wakeman as he is so closely identified with Yes' branding. No other keyboard player is so closely linked to the band, regardless of whether or not he is in the band at any given point in time. Wakeman is all over the "main sequence" classics, with only a brief intrusion by Moraz.

You can't even get my initials right.........

KMCc:)
www.kurtmichaels.com

[PO]

Is your demeanor this diplomacy of musicians you speak of? Speaking as you do of womanizing, why are a woman's panties any of your interst on a music site?

[kmcpro615]

Is your demeanor this diplomacy of musicians you speak of? Speaking as you do of womanizing, why are a woman's panties any of your interst on a music site?

Why would I be relating to you as a musician? As to the womanizing reference, that is a first hand story that can be corroborated by any number of people who were there, and as such is part of Igors legend. Since he is/was a public figure, he is fair game. And furthermore, there is plenty more going on at Yesfans that has nothing to do with music. You ought to know........

KMCc:)
www.kurtmichaels.com

[Thoughtbecontact]

Go listen to Brislin play the hell out of Soundchaser w Spiraling at this years CalProg and get back to me.......

KMCc:)
www.kurtmichaels.com

My sentiments, exactly. In fact, Brislin said, I believe to the people who attended CalProg, that he told Jon that they were planning on doing Soundchaser, and Jon looked at him and said something to the effect of "Are you nuts?"

Spiraling pulled off Soundchaser beautifully. "Nuff said.

[PO]

As to the womanizing reference, that is a first hand story that can be corroborated by any number of people who were there...


Did you seek consent from the lady in question?

I see it's in your nature to insult, so i'll bet you didn't. Why don't you ask now? It might be an enlightening experience.

You needn't speak to me as a musician. I don't refer to you as one.

[kmcpro615]

Originally Posted by kmcpro615
As to the womanizing reference, that is a first hand story that can be corroborated by any number of people who were there...

Did you seek consent from the lady in question?

What does this have to do with "Igor, the best?"? Stay on topic Paostby. You really don't play this game very well. Try PMing me if you have a beef.

I see it's in your nature to insult, so i'll bet you didn't. Why don't you ask now? It might be an enlightening experience.

Yawn............

You needn't speak to me as a musician.

Those that can, do.............

KMCc:)
www.kurtmichaels.com

[Hugh Shiebler]

What does this have to do with "Igor, the best?"? Stay on topic...

www.kurtmichaels.com

Damn. I thought the thread was "best molester". My bad.

[PO]

What does this have to do with "Igor, the best?"? Stay on topic Paostby. You really don't play this game very well. Try PMing me if you have a beef.

I told you first! :winknudge

Yawn............
A girlfriend might help keep you awake.

Those that can, do.............

KMCc:)
www.kurtmichaels.com
10th St. could actually help you. ;)

[Timmo]

10th St. could actually help you. ;) :sofunny: Now, now, Paul, that's a personal attack!

40 lashes with a wet noodle!

:keyboard: :lmao:

[The Whale]

Lets see....Kaye, Wakeman, Moraz, Downes, Rabin, Robbie Eagle (under the stage), Sherwood, Igor and Brislin, not to mention Jon Anderson who likes to paw a keyboard onstage every now and then. So far I count nine, but who's counting.
KMCc:)
www.kurtmichaels.com


apparently your counting but you forgot Alan he has played keys on stage and in studio (Magnification and Symphonic).

[The Whale]

Go listen to Brislin play the hell out of Soundchaser w Spiraling at this years CalProg and get back to me.......

KMCc:)
www.kurtmichaels.com


I would like to vary much how can I hear it? is there a link? Please let me know- thanks

[The Whale]

and Trevor Rabin...ie Endless Dream on Talk tour.


give credit where its due he did mention Rabin look and see

[relayeire]

Casey Young(?) or someone to that effect played offstage for 90125... his name is in the credits of the tour program and live video, I believe, but his role isn't stated...

http://blogdebogs.blogspot.com/ (http://blogdebogs.blogspot.com/)<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>

[relayeire]

Igor was talented, and great at copying Wakeman... I think Brislin did a better GoD, though...

I didn't know about his "issues" until well after he was out of the band... it really seems he blew it... The Ladder was pretty strong, IMHO... especially nice to hear after OYE, which had no specific keyboard personality to it...

[cinderella]

I missed the Talk tour, and it really makes me mad.
I'd love to have seen Trevor play keyboards.



Oh and by the way.......Igor was a babe!!!


Sorry it had to be said. http://pages.prodigy.net/rogerlori1/emoticons/shrug.gif

[Timmo]

I would like to vary much how can I hear it? is there a link? Please let me know- thankswww.calprog.com, look for the official disc from this year.

BTW, the guy in the audience who yells "SOUNDCHASER!" right after Brislin says that Jon told him they were "mad" for doing this certain song, but before he announced it, was me.

[kmcpro615]

apparently your counting but you forgot Alan he has played keys on stage and in studio (Magnification and Symphonic).

Indeed...I stand corrected !!!

KMCc:)
www.kurtmichaels.com

[kmcpro615]

I would like to vary much how can I hear it? is there a link? Please let me know- thanks

A down and dirty way to hear it might be to tune in to the "Southside of the Sky" show on Thursday night at www.deliciousagony.com and go to the chat room and request it. That's where I heard it. Don is REALLY good about accomodating requests......

KMCc:)
www.kurtmichaels.com

[The Whale]

A down and dirty way to hear it might be to tune in to the "Southside of the Sky" show on Thursday night at www.deliciousagony.com and go to the chat room and request it. That's where I heard it. Don is REALLY good about accomodating requests......

KMCc:)
www.kurtmichaels.com

thanks KMCc:) I will try that

[Rabin105]

I think Igors baggage is totally relevent to the thread. You cannot seperate the baggage from the talent. If you are working with the talent, you are also taking on his baggage, and that is probably why he could very well be flipping burgers at this very moment at a McDonalds near you in spite of his talent.

KMCc:)
www.kurtmichaels.com
not nesscarly I can name others with simmalar baggage yet they are well liked and well known if you'd like i;ll listy them all actually wait a minute i cna't think of a yes member without baggage how about that or with out egos really big egos anyways i digress. ofcourse does that mean i don't like musicof course not i love yes music despite what some have done or said what have you yes is like a college dorm room are you going to get along 100% of the time with your roomate no of course not but fights have a way of bringing a dormroom (or a band) closer together (of course there are those times fight can driver someone out of the dorm and subsequently out of the band). so take it for what you will oh and belive me sometimes in life you have to put up with a$$holes in the musi world why because hy if you have a steady meal tickett i could care less if he is an ass I assume it is true in all different professions.

[HaroldLand]

I thought Igor was great with Yes live. Igor's contribution to Homeworld is partly the reason why it's a favorite song of mine.

As to Igor's womanizing on the road, did you hear what happened at the Manassas, VA show on the Masterworks tour?

[smatt]

I missed the Talk tour, and it really makes me mad.
I'd love to have seen Trevor play keyboards.



Oh and by the way.......Igor was a babe!!!


Sorry it had to be said. http://pages.prodigy.net/rogerlori1/emoticons/shrug.gif


I'm telling Trevor, Cinders! He's going to be very angry at you for syaing that.....

:lmao:

[kmcpro615]

not nesscarly I can name others with simmalar baggage yet they are well liked and well known....

Well the point is that Igor was NOT well liked, or certainly not very likeable as a human being, which was corroborated by someone here who knew and worked him. Nobody disputes his talents. As an employer, you make big picture personnel decisions, and clearly Igor's talent was not enough to motivate Yes to continue working with him. You can get away with a certain amount of stupidity if you are a long time member with some "branding" attached to your participation. The truth is that enough stupidity will get you gone even if you are a long time member. That being said, if you are just a sideman, you are gonna be on a much shorter tether. A *smart* & successful sideman, generally has developed above average people skills. That is an undisputable fact based on my 30+ years in the business.

KMCc:)
www.kurtmichaels.com

[HaroldLand]

Well the point is that Igor was NOT well liked, or certainly not very likeable as a human being, which was corroborated by someone here who knew and worked him. Nobody disputes his talents. As an employer, you make big picture personnel decisions, and clearly Igor's talent was not enough to motivate Yes to continue working with him. You can get away with a certain amount of stupidity if you are a long time member with some "branding" attached to your participation. The truth is that enough stupidity will get you gone even if you are a long time member. That being said, if you are just a sideman, you are gonna be on a much shorter tether. A *smart* & successful sideman, generally has developed above average people skills. That is an undisputable fact based on my 30+ years in the business.

KMCc:)
www.kurtmichaels.com
What Igor did at the Manassas, VA Masterworks show led to him being fired at the end of the tour.

[tomas]

Igor was pretty good live although I thought the Ladder was a terrible Yes album. Yes certainly doesn't need to work with him if he's hard to get along with.

In almost any job, a good company won't tolerate someone who harasses women, if nothing else, just because of the liability.

[tomas]

Also, another Yes keyboardist: Julian Colbeck. Played on the Union tour and ABWH

[Rabin105]

What Igor did at the Manassas, VA Masterworks show led to him being fired at the end of the tour.
though it also led to magnification and yessymphonic tour but also meant europe would have to wait a few years till yes would come around and play gates and ritual.

[relayeire]

unless there was another incident, Igor was arrested for groping and biting two women - who I think worked in security - backstage at the Manassas, VA show! he spent the night in jail and the band had to bail him out... a true liability to the band to keep someone like that around...

http://blogdebogs.blogspot.com/<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>

[new_sum_do_solve_ay]

To make a living and have a career in music generally requires WAY more than talent. There is no reason to work with an a$$hole in most situations. You are deluding yourself if you think otherwise..........

Music is essentially communication. And playing in front of a crowd feeds the ego but it is very impersonal. Musicians often sing and play for their bandmates satisfaction as much as anything. If you don't care about your bandmates you aren't going to communicate much substance...

Yes is not what it is solely because of talent. It's because of shared views, concepts, and ideas beyond the music. Views about life, love, family, friends. This is what appeals to us non musicians so much and helped shape us and what we learned and so forth. Some massive talent who's a A-hole is not going to fit into that too well...

I saw Igor's album advertised. If the hype is correct I plan on becoming a fan. This is the type of stuff I'd like to hear Rick do more often. But it doesn't sound like he was good for the band.

[SonicDeath10]

Oops!

[SuperTrooper]

unless there was another incident, Igor was arrested for groping and biting two women - who I think worked in security - backstage at the Manassas, VA show! he spent the night in jail and the band had to bail him out... a true liability to the band to keep someone like that around...

http://blogdebogs.blogspot.com/<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>

i never heard about that. I can see why he was kicked out of the band. Sometimes even people who have been with a band for 20 plus years are asked to leave for behavior problems. Witness Dickey Betts who was tossed out of the Allman Brothers after repeated domestic violence arrests.

[ritual]

I met him in Argentina when Yes played on the Ladder tour and he seemed a very funny person. He said he wanted to replace Tony Banks in Genesis!!!
I quote him:
"Peter Gabriel, Phil Collins, Mike Rutherford, Steve Hacket and Igor Kkoroshev!"

[proggtr1]

I just watched the OPEN YOUR EYES tour from Argentina and the HOUSE OF BLUES show and have to say that Igor was fantasic....great keyboard player....i think the most Rick Wakeman-ish of all the replacements...too bad he seems to be so hard to work with....but then its not surprising...ive even found in the bands that ive worked with that the most talented people were sometimes the hardest to deal with.

[Yes2Yes]

Any idea what he's up to these days?

[Rabin105]

Any idea what he's up to these days?
last i heard he was going to do "True You True me" a project/album with Jon anderson that tehy were even going to tour behind but that too fell flat on it's face i hear now he's doing soundtrack work

[proggtr1]

last i heard he was going to do "True You True me" a project/album with Jon anderson that tehy were even going to tour behind but that too fell flat on it's face i hear now he's doing soundtrack work

Well after all the hoopla with YES i think Jon decided to dis-associate himself with Igor....

[eyesoflove1]

I have sat here now for over an hour and a half reading this thread.
I don't to often get into a discussion of this nature because it is a very sticky situation.
I do have to say a couple of things.
It is disturbing to me to see grown adults come on to a public forum supposedly devoted to Yes and bang on each other about something that
a) happened years ago
b) was not openly witnessed by both parties
c) if it did happen is a matter of public record (arrest records)
and most importantly
d) has absolutelt NOTHING to do with Mr Khoroshev's musical capabilities.
Hopefully everyone involved has learned a lesson or two.
a) check a guy out before you blindly bring him in to your band
b) make it clear that abberant behaviour WILLL NOT be tolerated by ANYONE
and
c) make it all about the music.

My personal 2cents worth is that Igor was by no means the best key player in the band. That falls to both Mr. Wakeman, Mr. Kaye, and Mr Rabin. All of whom I have seen play.

[rmig68]

Maybe Igor was an angry, super talented musician back then who was frustrated with having all this talent and being broke. It wouldn't be the first time anybody (not the least, me) was difficult to get along with, under those circumstances. I get paid now to be creative (anything from video, sound, script writing, etc), but I wasn't a lot of fun to be around when I was slaving at a job that I didn't like, working terrible hours and not making any money. Maybe this attitude was a defese mechanism to remembering he was talented, even if he was eating boiled cabbage. We shouldn't peg Igor because of one mans encounter with him at that low point in his life, however valid I do believe the story is.

By the way, what was the deal with Igor's departure? Did it involve some kind of abuse at a New Jersey show? (oops, there goes my point). I know Jon worked with him after that.

[Rabin105]

Maybe Igor was an angry, super talented musician back then who was frustrated with having all this talent and being broke. It wouldn't be the first time anybody (not the least, me) was difficult to get along with, under those circumstances. I get paid now to be creative (anything from video, sound, script writing, etc), but I wasn't a lot of fun to be around when I was slaving at a job that I didn't like, working terrible hours and not making any money. Maybe this attitude was a defese mechanism to remembering he was talented, even if he was eating boiled cabbage. We shouldn't peg Igor because of one mans encounter with him at that low point in his life, however valid I do believe the story is.

By the way, what was the deal with Igor's departure? Did it involve some kind of abuse at a New Jersey show? (oops, there goes my point). I know Jon worked with him after that.
yeah Yes wasn't used to dealing with negative press and after igor took a chomp out of the girls leg yes decide himm too much of a liability and cut him loose

[rmig68]

yeah Yes wasn't used to dealing with negative press and after igor took a chomp out of the girls leg yes decide himm too much of a liability and cut him loose


especially since most of them are vegetarians....

[ToBeOver]

I wish they would do a second pressing of "Piano Works." I have 4 songs from this CD, which are absolutely beautiful and I would love to hear the other four.

I also think he did a phenomenal job on "The Ladder." ;)

:keyboard: