sunday mail 7 day supplement horrendous review of edinburgh concert

[Close2TheEdge]

on sunday the 13 th of july i read what can only be described as a truly horrific disgusting review of yes's wonderful edinburgh concert.a moron called barry gordon slated the concert from the outset even slagging the fans giving the band a standing ovation as they came on stage from there he simply got worse wheeling out all the usual idiotic commments about the band and the fans.he referred to the fans as mullet heads and he informed the readers that he wished he had taken a sleeping bag with him the songs were so long and that only labrador head wakeman looked worth watching.now i have seen idiots like this before but this guy is top of the class for being ignorant and totally subjective.every other reviewer at all concerts covered from that weekend at least liked the bands they went see so why was this cretin at the yes concert.i cannot believe this person was actually at the concert as he would have seen an audience of all ages from very young to some who were in their sixties with not a single mullet head to be seen.the crowd were incredible because yes were awesome.i am sick to death seeing and hearing the same tired old rubbish about yes being self indulgent .what they really mean is that their brain cell s can only handle mundane basic rock.this guy should never be allowed near a yes concert.i have e-mailed both the supplement and the paper's letter page i was so angry and i will be phoning the editor as to why this clown was allowed to review the greatest rock band on god's dear planet.would he have been sent to review a classical concert so why was he at yes i'm still angry edinburgh was a glorious triumph for a band who have kept me and shaped me for 32 years i urge others to e-mail this paper if you read this trash review keep the faith in yeswe have loads more to see and hear in the oncoming years.

[nightliner]

Welcome to the site.

If you have an email address for his idiot, feel free to post it here. I'm sure some of us can pretend we read his review and let him know what we thought of it.

[lifeson]

I'm not really surprised. Yes are not exactly a trendy band so he went to the concert thinking he was on safe ground to slag them off.

Probably thinks John Peel is still at the cutting edge of music and was influenced by his sarcy comments on the eve of Glastonbury.

[Yes Oz]

Please post the email addresses and if possible the whole article so we can all read, get very up set and bombard this pr***.

I, like you, get angry when "so called" expert reviewers put in such an unprofessional attempt at what, all readers would hope, would be an accurate reflection of the show they attend.

[yesindeed]

this seems to be the site:

http://www.sundaymail.co.uk

but I can't see the article. Perhaps someone else can find it?

[ranyart]

Welcome to the site Close to the edge, I totaly agree with you and I used to get mad. Believe me all through the seventies I read unfair and totally uninformed album/concert/band reviews where mainly progressive rock bands were concerned in the "Rolling Stone".
That's why I started reading "Melody Maker" becaues they in mho seemed to "get it".
I know this may sound crazy but it's been known to happen where some budding reviewer will purposely write a horrible concert review just to get the negative reaction. The first thing that happens is he purposely pisses alot of people off, but then people (much like ourselves) start talking about him, especially if we use his name that's what he wants, some of these so-called reporters or journalists respect the credo "there is no such thing as bad publicity" and will gladly live by it as it get's their name out there and in this case all the way across the pond.
Chances are he may not even have anything against Yes or their music. More than likely he is totally neutral to everything(musical) except his career and furthering it.
It's just a thought.
There use to be a guy here in Sac, wrote for the Bee, you could have sworn that this guy was at a totally different concert than the one that you and several other 20 thousand rocked out and satisfied fans were at last night, but sure enough when you read his review the next day, you would be like what the f%&*!
Even the local rock stations would create sound alike named characters and clown the %*&^ out of him, but as a result his name got out there. That's why I won't post his name here now.

[InverYes]

In another thread one or two folk were asking what a wanker was.

Now you know! It's another name for a Barry Gordon.

[Dr Yes]

From their website:


MAILMUSIC Jul 13 2003

It just had to be Tony

Chris Pollock
A PACKED week with something for everyone from teens to Grandaddies. Punk kids Good Charlotte and crooner Tony Bennett impressed our reviewers but wrinkly rockers Yes get the thumbs down. Do you agree? Write to Mailmusic, Sunday Mail, One Central Quay, Glasgow, G3 8DA or e- mail music@sundaymail.co.uk WAS Kate Spence at the same excellent George Benson gig as me (Mailmusic, July 6)? I do remember two or three "slushy" numbers but there were also nearly two hours of jazz, disco and romantic songs plus spots from the excellent band members. Maybe Kate Spence misunderstood the more subtle jazz numbers as sugary ballads. Maybe this isn't her favourite genre. - Theresa Hamilton, by email.

KATE SPENCE has no respect for a legend. George Benson excelled in jazz, funk and R'n'B. The gig was awesome. His jazz guitar playing was out of this world and his disco hits had the place jumping. The man is a genius. - Joseph Chisholm, by email.

GLAD Liz Steele liked Robbie Williams' gigs (Mailmusic, July 6) but, having gone on Saturday, I feel cheated - I wish I'd gone to both nights. - Claire Jones, Perth.

EVERY Suzanne Vega song is a "best of" - she'd make the speaking clock sound great. She deserved Claire Reid's four star review (Mailmusic, July 6). - Polly James, by email.

[Dr Yes]

Jul 6 2003

GHOST OF THE ROBOT, Liquid Room, Edinburgy, June 23

Barry Gordon

CAN James Marsters - a.k.a. Spike, the peroxide blood sucker from TV's Buffy - nail the transition from actor to pop star?

Well for a start, he can't really sing. His lyrics are trite and he doesn't play an instrument. But so what? Marsters oozes coolness and is an eerily captivating performer.

Blending garage, bubblegum pop, and grunge, Ghost Of The Robot are mad as hatters, yet totally unpretentious. Marsters camped it up, arms folded across his chest vampire- in-the-coffin-style. His low voice worked chillingly well on quirky Mad Brilliant, their album's title track. Not quite a thriller but not just an ego trip, either

MAIL MUSIC: UP TO SKULLDUGGERY Jul 6 2003


MINISTRY, Carling Academy, Glasgow, June 28 ****

Barry Gordon

IN his black 10-gallon hat, Ministry mainman Alan Jourgensen looked like a zombie version of JR Ewing as he sang behind a mike-stand made out of human skulls.

Every song came at you like out-of-control machine gun rounds, while a bizarre mix of images fired off behind them.

Newer songs such as Psalm 69 and Jesus Built My Hotrod - spiked with venom and performed at hell's pace - re- affirmed why Ministry are the benchmark for aspiring metal bands. But the best part was the two drummers pulverising their way through the songs without missing a beat.

MAIL MUSIC: ANI DIFRANCO, QUEEN'S HALL, EDINBURGH, JUNE 4 *** Jun 15 2003


Pint-sized and bitter

Barry Gordon

BEHIND the charming, girlish exterior of Ani DiFranco lies a bitter and twisted woman with a grudge against society.

Dwarfed by a huge guitar, she played intensely and passionately, while remaining invigorating and self- righteous throughout her set.

Very much a new-generation folkie, the only real downside was her rant about George Bush. Self- indulgent speeches about war and politics are something gig-goers everywhere are finding increasingly nauseating.

MAIL MUSIC: JOE JACKSON, QUEEN'S HALL, EDINBURGH, JUNE 10 *** Jun 15 2003


Joe's been Steppin' Out just too long

Barry Gordon

JOE JACKSON'S reunion gig - celebrating 25 years in the business - could have been seen as artificial, nostalgic vulgarity and a selfish attempt to cash in on the memories of die- hard fans.

But Joe tried hard to make the night special and was determined to avoid blandly churning out every famous track in his back catalogue.

True, those expecting carbon copies of Jackson's early post-punk songs were let down.

Instead, they were replaced by the sometimes brilliant, sometimes dodgy re- workings of older tunes and material from his new album, Volume 4.

"I'm not nostalgic really, I hate the way it bubbles up like some sulphuric aroma," mused Joe.

This was quite a contradictory statement from someone who - aided and abetted by the band that established him as a major artist in the 1970s - dedicated half his set to songs old enough to be classed as antiques.

Never one to stick to one genre of music, Joe likes to experiment with them all and uses elements of new wave, ska, jazz and full-out pop.

Opening track On The Radio got the crowd going, while Jackson's soft vocals and touching lyrics on Love At First Light kept them begging for more.

But it was the classic track Is She Really Going Out With Him that sent the fans wild. For three- and-a-half minutes, every member of the audience remembered the days when Junior Kickstart was on the TV and what it felt like to be 16 again.

The biggest disappointment came during an ill-advised, lounge-room version of Steppin' Out. I haven't seen a timeless classic butchered so badly by its creator since Nirvana's infamous performance of Smells Like Teen Spirit on Top Of The Pops.

Although he's still a quality act, watching Joe Jackson perform live is a bit like getting back together with an ex- partner - it might be fun re-discovering the old chemistry that once made it good, but it's probably best to store the memories and move on.

Good to see he doesn't have an agenda! ;)

[Mr. Holland]

Why even bother to write or say someting to this guy?! Seems to me, he's the old sour graped has been, who has no inkt left to dip his pencil in so instead he is dipping it in vinager. So, only thing I have for him is my hand with five fingers up, then pulling four down, so only one finger is up, can you guess witch one???

[Rock Babe]

ok, i totally agree with my dad (close 2 the edge) i am still angry at this idiot and it's 3days later.
Here is the article:

Oh no - it's Yes Again.
YES, they've reformed- again- this time for their Full Circle tour. And their bearded, mullet haired fans are so delighted they get a standing ovation before they even start.
There were the usual epic tunes about cosmic wisdom . Some of them went on so long i ought to have brought my sleeping bag. Admittedly , their recent material was better full of killer key changes and blistering solos.
Golden retriever lookalike Rick Wakeman was the most energetic, jumping between seven keyboards , despite his dodgy ticker.
But in all , it was an evening of smug indulgence from these grizzly old rockers.

Here is the email address : music @sundaymail.co.uk
Here are the phone numbers : 0141 309 3871 (editor)
0141 309 3886
my dad emailed and phoned and is still angry.

[Sheerah]

If anyone is going to write a letter, a good approach to consider might be writing a "review" of this Barry Gordon dude. Logic and cunning wit will draw more attention than anger.

[illusion]

If I knew anything about him I'd write a review of him. Am I allowed to make stuff up, do you think?:D

I don't have a problem with the guy. He was giving his opinion, which lets be honest, most people who aren't Yes fans agree with.

[Rock Babe]

i'm sorry illusion but as yes are still maintaining their brilliant standards at this stage in their collective years it's time to hit back at these sort of people what chance of new fans coming on board if they read reviews by morons like him any body seeking to hear something different would automatically have been turned totally off by this guy's insulting remarks so it's time to hit back the music scene in this country the u.k. is a joke because it is predominated by knuckleheads like barry gordon(q magazine and mojo come to mind) full of subjective writers who haven't got a clue when it comes to the real deal in rock namely prog rock.yes are performing as good as they ever did their brilliance should be shown respect even by those who don't share the same taste as we who love yes music even an idiot such as barry gordon if he was at the concert should have been able to see the crowd loved every minute of their band yes's musicianship.his derision is unacceptable and i for one don't think he should even be in a job.to say nothing simply let's these people get away with it i am saying once more he shouldn't get away with it our music is easy targets for these uneducated almost braindead supposed music reviewers enough is enough:boom:

[Dances w/PURPLE]

Close2. Glad to have you on board.

We went through this about a review in another publication a few weeks back. The press is not kind to YES over there. We got into a whole discussion about a quality critque of a show rather than talking about what color clothes people had on and how much weight they had gained, it was absurd what reveiwers (if you can call them taht) were writing!

Thanks for sharing with us and join in the other discussions.

[illusion]

I sense that you don't like this Barry Gordon guy, then?

It isn't a reviewers job to just review, they need to entertain as well. Yes are an easy band to take the piss out of, and so a true review is sacrificed for a pathetic attempt at "humour". Well I hate people who try to be funny and fail.

I bet Bon Jovi fans don't have this trouble.

Actually he's got one of those names that you can switch around: Gordon Barry. Never trusted people with names like that, you know.

(The above paragraph is of course bulls***)

[Roan's Lady]

Originally posted by Rock Babe
ok, i totally agree with my dad (close 2 the edge) i am still angry at this idiot and it's 3days later.
Here is the article:

Oh no - it's Yes Again.
YES, they've reformed- again- this time for their Full Circle tour. And their bearded, mullet haired fans are so delighted they get a standing ovation before they even start.
There were the usual epic tunes about cosmic wisdom . Some of them went on so long i ought to have brought my sleeping bag. Admittedly , their recent material was better full of killer key changes and blistering solos.
Golden retriever lookalike Rick Wakeman was the most energetic, jumping between seven keyboards , despite his dodgy ticker.
But in all , it was an evening of smug indulgence from these grizzly old rockers.



This review is pretty tame compared to some I have read in the past. But goodness, the concert Gordon attended sounds quite unique! How odd the female fans must have looked with beards! Unless it was only the bearded ones (with mullets) who gave them the ovation. ;)

[BrianD]

This is a no win situation. Complaints from the fan base are regarded as par for the course after such reviews. Certainly write letters of praise for the concert - they might be published but unlikely. These type of reviewers are only trying to entertain, not review. And they are very unlikely to say anything original - they simply lack the talent and as others have said, feel as if they are on safe ground slagging Yes because so many have done so before.