being a West fan also I really...

[1yesfan]

MISS THAT SOUND. Yes I love the surrent lineup but being a fan that came up on WEST stuff I really do miss it sometimes. Today I have been listening to a boot (good recording I must add) from the Union tour and the West stuff really freaking moved out. Sure it's simple stuff, not much to it from the Troopers stand point but man listening to Changes today over and over that tune just plan old rocks. It healp that the UNION lineup is jamming on it but is nice to hear. Fun tune that live is quite good. I for one miss the Rabin era.

[yarstruly]

I love the whole catalog.....I try to mix it up to listen to tracks from different line-ups.....

[1yesfan]

I to do love ALL of it. Maybe for me it's having listed to all the same stuff over and over. and the recents tours more or less being the same main group of sounds it nice and refreshing to hear something different.

[Dale Cleary]

I reckon the West band was one of the best rock acts around. I get the feeling Yes would have been very tight with Rabin in the band. The band I saw in Melbourne was decidedly loose. Tight up in Sydney though. I still think 90125 is one of their best records.

[1yesfan]

I don't know about the tightest. They still jammed and mixed it up a lot. Just listening to the Rabin played stuff be it old Yes or Yes with him I just hear a lot more of the little riffs here and there in tunes taking the tune further away from studio versions. It still happens with Steve. I guess just not hearing any more new WEST stuff I am just used to the way the current stuff is played it now (which is STILL GREAT). To slip in a Live West CD and hear the stuff still blows me away.

[Dale Cleary]

You know Tim I get a bit annoyed when people put Rabin down. I reckon he is fantastic ! I wish I'd seen that band.
(I'm just never ever satisfied :D)

[1yesfan]

If they want to put him down I don't care. I know I like him and a heck of a lot of others folks did and still do. I am happy for him and what he is doing now. But I wish he would if he could/asked come back for one more round of YES. he he he

[Q]

I have to agree

when i listen to "classic" stuff, i hope in my heart that they'll come up with some new stuff that wonderful, with that same terrific vibe ...

and when I listen to YesWest, i feel a little sick, knowing there will never be any more like it ...

[groovecake]

Yeah man. Me too. 90125 is just a fantastic album all around. I am even warming up to Talk lately.

[1yesfan]

I can understand why some Troopers say that the West stuff was never that good. I gues folks that like both versions were lucky in that we got to hear pretty much the same band in a new way in the 80's. I sorta miss that sound. With that said I can't wait till the spring tour.

[Erdy1]

Lately I've been wondering something - it's ironic to me that someone with Rabin's abilities as a composer, as demonstrated by his soundtracks, would not have strived for a more proggy sound with Yes. It seems Talk was starting in this direction (and even Miracle of Life on Union), and I kind of wonder what would have happened if he had stuck around (although I was very happy to see Steve back).

[1yesfan]

I think he wanted to do the soundtrack stuff and maybe the BS that goes on with any band much less Yes and it's history that he pretty much wanted out.

[ycantibu]

Well, there were four other people in the band. I'm guessing that, despite what many Yes fans think, Rabin didn't rule with an iron hand and that the other members had some say so as well. :D



Originally posted by Erdy1
Lately I've been wondering something - it's ironic to me that someone with Rabin's abilities as a composer, as demonstrated by his soundtracks, would not have strived for a more proggy sound with Yes. It seems Talk was starting in this direction (and even Miracle of Life on Union), and I kind of wonder what would have happened if he had stuck around (although I was very happy to see Steve back).

[TTT]

90125 was one of the first large venue shows I saw. Unforgettable! I like a good mix of all the eras, though some albums get more spins in my home (and head) than others. 90125 and Talk are in higher rotation currently.

[TopoOceans85]

As an avid Yes fan since I was 9 years old (I am now 18): I appreciated Yes in all of its forms. I think with each lineup and each album they did positive things for music. I think it is important to realize that the lineups ARE different...and each lineup was going for a different direction with the music. EVERY member in Yes has been talented. But I must say I am really loving the classic Yes lineup that is in action right now :-) But hey I wouldn't mind another Union tour...I didn't get to go because I was only in Kindergarten. I am so jealous of all you older YesHeads! :-)

[yesindeed]

MISS THAT SOUND. Yes I love the surrent lineup but being a fan that came up on WEST stuff I really do miss it sometimes. Today I have been listening to a boot (good recording I must add) from the Union tour and the West stuff really freaking moved out. Sure it's simple stuff, not much to it from the Troopers stand point but man listening to Changes today over and over that tune just plan old rocks. It healp that the UNION lineup is jamming on it but is nice to hear. Fun tune that live is quite good. I for one miss the Rabin era.


Although I grew up with the classic stuff I do like to pop shoot high aim low, or new state of mind or even owner on now and then. I wouldn't mind a little west style diversion on the next tour myself...

[Ryan]

sorry to be so nieve, but what is yes west?
forgive me, I am but 14 years of age and have just joined the site.

[Robert Shupe]

Yes West refers to the era of the band when Trevor Rabin was the lead guitarist. He was the first non-european member of Yes. (Although it has slipped my mind where Alan is actually from.) He was from South America and hence from the western hemisphere. I.E. - Yes West. This encompasses the albums 90125, 9012Live, Big Generator, Union (partly), and Talk.

Ryan, the fact that you asked what Yes West means is very positive to me. To me that tells me you hear Yes music in terms of Yes Music. Fans of Rabin are frequently labeled Yeswest fans while fans of the other incantations are often called Yes Troopers from Starship Trooper.


At the end of the day Yes music remains Yes music. However, it does cause some interesting debates and sadly some very mean debates.

Ryan by the way you can thank a Yeswest fan for this site. (1yesfan aka Tim is the owner of this wonderful site)


----------------------------------------
I do also miss the sounds of Rabin. Rabin was Yes in my High School and College days and has a special place in my heart. My first concert was the Big Generator tour and man was it exciting and energetic and sold out. I was thrilled.
Union tour. What a fantastic melding of all things Yes.
Rabin had a difficult job, probably the most difficult job ever in the history of Yes and he did it with passion, energy, and grace.

I am glad to have experienced the Rabin era and always long for that taste yet again.

Cheers

Robert Shupe

[Ryan]

thanks Rob. all I own is old yes stuff right now so I guess I can't form an opinion on this "Yes west" stuff. I have heard a lot of good things about talk. I can't imagine any of the newer stuff being better than CTTE though.

[ycantibu]

Trevor Rabin is actually from South Africa. :D
YesWest refers to the band being "based" in Los Angeles during Rabin's time in the band.

[Thoughtbecontact]

Ryan

I'd "kill" to have my 16-year-old son and 19-year-old daughter into Yes. Kudos to you! Don't apologize for only owning Classic Yes material. It definitely is hard to beat CTTE--for the most part, it is considered the definitive Yes work. But if you do want to get into YesWest, find a copy of Talk. It's a wonderful album!

[Robert Shupe]

ycantibu - Well my friend, if you are going to make a mistake you might as make one of continental proportions. I am truly embarrassed. There it is in all the books South Africa. Johanesburg. Oh well, it won't be my last mistake but hopefully my last Yes mistake.

Talk about an exciting life Trevor has had. He has lived on atr least three different continents.


Ryan it truly is great to have someone you age on our site. So many of discovered Yes when we were the age you are. It really does demonstrate the timelessness of Yes music. Let us know what you think of Yes with Rabin when you get to it.

Thanks for not ripping into me ycantibu. (I really am embarrassed. Where do I turn in my yesfans card.)


Cheers Robert Shupe

[ycantibu]

Hehe Robert, no problem - why would I rip into ya anyhoo?! :D

[JudysTrevor]

Robert, at least you had the South part right!! ;)

YesWest FOREVER!!

Judy
:guitar:

[IsabellaCapobianc]

Why do people get so upset over this West / East thing it is just music. Yes is good rather they had Trevor or Steve. Besides They had so many members its really hard to keep up. And after all isnt about the great music that they have done over the years!

[Timmo]

90125 was one of the first large venue shows I saw. Unforgettable! I like a good mix of all the eras, though some albums get more spins in my home (and head) than others. 90125 and Talk are in higher rotation currently.Me and a few of my YesFanATICS friends went to the 90125 show in Detroit.

We were so disappointed that we vowed never to see 'em again.

And I didn't, until last week in San Diego.

You have to understand that, starting with Drama, many of those of us who had grown up with Yes felt betrayed. They had traded in epics for radio-friendly somewhat pedestrian 80s rock.

Asia was the nail in the coffin.

With my current Yes revival, I have relistened to most of the Buggles and Trevor-era Yes, with a less-critical ear.

I don't hate it anymore. I just don't LOVE it.

But I did enjoy "Rhythm of Love" live, I must say. Good rocker tune.

It just doesn't have the awe-inspiring majesty of the TYA-through-Tormato material. It's interesting pop music with some killer hooks, but to me, not a heck of a lot more.

I am VERY glad to have found "Keys" and "Mag" though.

TIM
Venice, CA

[Thoughtbecontact]

Me and a few of my YesFanATICS friends went to the 90125 show in Detroit.

We were so disappointed that we vowed never to see 'em again.

And I didn't, until last week in San Diego.

You have to understand that, starting with Drama, many of those of us who had grown up with Yes felt betrayed. They had traded in epics for radio-friendly somewhat pedestrian 80s rock.

Asia was the nail in the coffin.

With my current Yes revival, I have relistened to most of the Buggles and Trevor-era Yes, with a less-critical ear.

I don't hate it anymore. I just don't LOVE it.

But I did enjoy "Rhythm of Love" live, I must say. Good rocker tune.

It just doesn't have the awe-inspiring majesty of the TYA-through-Tormato material. It's interesting pop music with some killer hooks, but to me, not a heck of a lot more.

I am VERY glad to have found "Keys" and "Mag" though.

TIM
Venice, CA

Tim,
The above post shows why you are one of the Troopers here whom I really respect. You've tried listening to the works you didn't care for, but just can't get into them. I too, grew up with Yes in the 70s, but the experience that parallels yours didn't happen until Union. It was at that point when I lost some interest. I feel much the same way about Union now. I don't hate it, but I definitely don't love it.

The 90125 tour was also my last one until 2002, but for different reasons. Life and family got in the way. I thought that was a wonderful tour--remember thinking at the time that Hearts and ST were outstanding.

And one more thing, thanks for being considerate that some of us really love all eras of this wonderful musical entity.

[1yesfan]

"You have to understand that, starting with Drama, many of those of us who had grown up with Yes felt betrayed. They had traded in epics for radio-friendly somewhat pedestrian 80s rock. Asia was the nail in the coffin"

I can feel the betrayal points you folks speak, but 70's Yes, hell most any 70's band did that the 70's music into the 80's, kept trying to make the same stuff, that WOULD have been the NAIL IN THE COFFIN!

[Timmo]

"You have to understand that, starting with Drama, many of those of us who had grown up with Yes felt betrayed. They had traded in epics for radio-friendly somewhat pedestrian 80s rock. Asia was the nail in the coffin"

I can feel the betrayal points you folks speak, but 70's Yes, hell most any 70's band did that the 70's music into the 80's, kept trying to make the same stuff, that WOULD have been the NAIL IN THE COFFIN!They didn't have to make the SAME stuff, we just didn't like the direction that they chose.

It would have been a shame if they'd try to release "Close to the Edge, Volume 2" as well.

Compare and contrast 80s Yes and 80s King Crimson to get what I'm talking about. KC radically changed its sound and its lineup, but the music from "Discipline" and "Three of a Perfect Pair" (and to some extent, "Beat") was not only fresh, but NOT radio-friendly 80s music.

TIM
Venice, CA

[Timmo]

Tim,
The above post shows why you are one of the Troopers here whom I really respect. You've tried listening to the works you didn't care for, but just can't get into them. I too, grew up with Yes in the 70s, but the experience that parallels yours didn't happen until Union. It was at that point when I lost some interest. I feel much the same way about Union now. I don't hate it, but I definitely don't love it.

The 90125 tour was also my last one until 2002, but for different reasons. Life and family got in the way. I thought that was a wonderful tour--remember thinking at the time that Hearts and ST were outstanding.

And one more thing, thanks for being considerate that some of us really love all eras of this wonderful musical entity.Your welcome.

I try to be somewhat fair and balanced...although I have to confess, sometimes it's fun just to bash Rabin because it pisses PeterCologne off!

KIDDING, I love Peter's commentary.

TIM
Venice, CA

[1yesfan]

Pisses him off, ha ha ha ha.

[About The Round]

(I shall not type any damaging posts into this idyllic thread-, but here I recognize what it was like- during the hibernation of the eighties;))

[Sheerah]

One of my favorite Yes concerts was BG!
It was a combination of things, admittedly, but it was a very high-energy show.

As much as I love Love LOVE all things Trooper, I have got to say that two of my favorite Yes songs are Shoot High Aim Low and Leave It.

And I really do like TR as a musician. But, he just doesn't have the heart that I look for in my Yes. Well, this is just a personal opinion, and I guess you just can't debate that.

I would like to say that if it wasn't for TR, Yes would not be where it is today. Therefore, I think that all Yes fans owe TR a huge debt of gratitude.

[Jackaranda]

I've supported the band through every incarnation, although I almost bolted when I heard Rabin had left after the Talk tour.

Talk was, I thought at the time, the beginning of a great new period for Yes. Rabin was just beginning to branch out into unexplored territory, as Endless Dream showed, and still wrote great rockers (The Calling, Real Love, State of Play) as well as beautiful songs like I Am Waiting and Jon's WWYB. It was a great album that was pretty much doomed from the start for reasons that are easy to see in hindsight. To this day, even though I still love Yes, and I became a Yes fan in the 70's, the departure of Rabin and the ultimate destiny of Talk is the biggest disappointment of all my years as a Yes fan. As has been the case with Yes so often, the timing was bad. If Talk had come out, say, when Union did, it probably would have been a massive hit.

I think it's great that the classic line up is playing so well and generating interest these days. I look forward to seeing them again. But Yes took one of the great talents on the planet and just threw him away. Why? I think we pretty much know the answer to that.

One thing is for sure: They threw away a ton of young fans when they "let Rabin go".

[Jacaranda]

Well, I understand with the impact 90125 made some "Troopers" dislike the direction Yes took, but there is also the fact that it was someone else other than Steve. You could of had Eric Clapton joining for 90125, and people still would have said, "Yeah, but he's not Steve". For some people, anybody besides Steve on guitar brang automatic criticism, because anybody else is going to be different. It sounds like an obvious point, but I think it will be a reason while there will be Steve vs. Trevor debates till the Sun burns out. As silly as those debates are, I think in a way they are a compliment to Trevor in that they still pop up; if someone with lesser talent would have joined for 90125 we'd probably never see such debates 10 years after the guy left the band!

[About The Round]

Well, I understand with the impact 90125 made some "Troopers" dislike the direction Yes took, but there is also the fact that it was someone else other than Steve. You could of had Eric Clapton joining for 90125, and people still would have said, "Yeah, but he's not Steve". For some people, anybody besides Steve on guitar brang automatic criticism, because anybody else is going to be different. It sounds like an obvious point, but I think it will be a reason while there will be Steve vs. Trevor debates till the Sun burns out. As silly as those debates are, I think in a way they are a compliment to Trevor in that they still pop up; if someone with lesser talent would have joined for 90125 we'd probably never see such debates 10 years after the guy left the band!

I'm not against Trevor, but Yes making AOR.

[Timmo]

I'm not against Trevor, but Yes making AOR.EXACTLY.

If the music had the same magic and majesty as earlier (and, by the way, later) material, I wouldn't care if it was Donald Duck on guitar.

TIM
Venice, CA