New Rabin interview covering Jacaranda, Yes, film scores & even Disco Rock Machine

[bondegezou]

I was privileged to do an interview with Trevor Rabin recently: http://bondegezou.blogspot.co.uk/201...vor-rabin.html

Some interesting comments along the way, including on the current Yes situation.

Henry

[rabinmovies]

wow! thanks Henry. Just printed all out and gonna read it later before it goes into my Rabin folder

[trevorforever]

Great interview Henry! Thank you.

[luna65]

I was asked specifically for questions away from the usual, so I took this opportunity to quiz Trevor about a variety of topics from some unusual angles.

You too, huh?
It definitely makes for a better interview! And you asked some great questions, Henry, but I wouldn't have expected any less of you.

It's funny, at the Q&A Trevor told that story about the dinner party which Wakey missed. Trevor said Rick called (from Switzerland, I think), obviously drunk, to say he wasn't going to make it. He also told us a story about meeting David Geffen for the first time in London which was also rather amusing.

One thing which keeps making me chuckle in interview after interview...and you won't see it in mine when it's finally posted: Trevor keeps misspelling Hennie Bekker's name, the poor chap!

[Mr. Holland]

Very nice interview Henry! Love the fact that the questions were different.

Funny how ex-members all though having a lot of difficulties with Jon when they were in the band, maintain that Jon should really be in Yes for it to be Yes. I know Billy Sherwood has made comments in the vein Rabin does in this interview.

[BrianD]

Nice interview Henry - but interesting to see how Trevor skirted past a lot of your Qs about Yes e.g. the input of Alan & Chris to Talk

[bondegezou]

Nice interview Henry - but interesting to see how Trevor skirted past a lot of your Qs about Yes e.g. the input of Alan & Chris to Talk

Yeah. I didn't shy away from throwing some difficult questions in there, and Rabin ducked a few of them! But that's his prerogative. The story of who played on Talk is still emerging, but I think it's apparent that Squire and White aren't responsible for all the bass and drums.

Henry

[gitsy]

Great interview as expected from you Henry, it's made we want to order the CD.

[Mr. Holland]

Yeah. I didn't shy away from throwing some difficult questions in there, and Rabin ducked a few of them! But that's his prerogative. The story of who played on Talk is still emerging, but I think it's apparent that Squire and White aren't responsible for all the bass and drums.

Henry

I agree, in that respect saying nothing or saying something vague actually says it all.....

[JaneEyre]

Only have time for a quick look right now, but I am looking forward to reading this later. I did notice he didn't mention that he and the family do visit SA, which I though was kind of odd, maybe...

[relayeire]

Yeah. I didn't shy away from throwing some difficult questions in there, and Rabin ducked a few of them! But that's his prerogative. The story of who played on Talk is still emerging, but I think it's apparent that Squire and White aren't responsible for all the bass and drums.

Henry

Didn't learn a thing from the Union travesty, apparently.

[ragtime]

I agree, in that respect saying nothing or saying something vague actually says it all.....

Yes. I think that's as clear an answer as your going to get on that one. He clearly doesn't want a sort of Union style Jimmy Haun second by second analysis of who played what. Still a great album.

His comments on Jon's contribution to Yes are interesting: "It's not just the sound, but the input and perspective he brings. Sometimes it is difficult, but it is so worth it". That's what I've always thought. Jon doesn't write or initiate all the material, but he brings something quite unique to the shape and structure of it all.

Also he seems to confirm that Chris and Jon do have a deep and enduring respect for each other on the artistic level - even though they have not really been friends, perhaps ever (unlike Jon and Trevor who do seem to be real friends since Talk). What that may mean in practice at any time in the future is anybody's guess however.

[Mr. Holland]

Didn't learn a thing from the Union travesty, apparently.

Maybe he did. Elias (and Anderson for that matter) did not decide for nothing to hire session musicians. It was because they actually got the job done that others were either to lazy, to stubborn or to uninterested to do (though each and everyone of them were interested in the paycheck that came with the album, hence no one bailing out even though they were so 'disgusted' at the way things went).
From what I've heard surrounding Talk (and I think Henry can vouch for this as well), Squire wasn't doing very well due to ehm...well let's call it an illness. It was the reason why Sherwood was hired. The original plan was to have Sherwood play bass on tour, because Squire was unlikely to make it to the tour, but eventually got' better enough' in time for it. So, if someone isn't able to perform up to par and there is still a deadline from a record company and each and every day working on an album costs money, some decisions have to be taken. It was the way with Union, it was the way with Talk. One can blame the producer and record company, but maybe the people who were actually expected to play on the albums should have taken a little more responsibility.

[Reflections]

Maybe he did. Elias (and Anderson for that matter) did not decide for nothing to [COLOR=#BF5F00 !important]hire[/COLOR] session musicians. It was because they actually got the [COLOR=#BF5F00 !important]job[/COLOR] done that others were either to lazy, to stubborn or to uninterested to do (though each and everyone of them were interested in the paycheck that came with the album, hence no one bailing out even though they were so 'disgusted' at the way things went).

I don't know about Jon as he was just as stubborn as Steve, he would work with Elias but not Steve. Rick wanted to stay in Switzerland and watch TV all day and Bruford was only worried about finances. Elias said that the savior of the project was Trevor Rabin and the session musicians like Tony Levin who, if it were not for them, the album would've never been finished.

[Frumious B]

Yeah. I didn't shy away from throwing some difficult questions in there, and Rabin ducked a few of them! But that's his prerogative. The story of who played on Talk is still emerging, but I think it's apparent that Squire and White aren't responsible for all the bass and drums.

Henry

I definitely think it is Squire playing bass on "The Calling", "Real Love" and possibly "Walls". The rest of the album is much tougher to read. Some of the drums sound live and I assume those are probably White, but there are a lot of drums on the album that are very obviously samples. I think you can watch live performances from the tour and it's obvious what portions of the Talk material are actually being played live and what parts are on backing tracks.

[1yesfan]

"I love Chris like a brother and wish only the best for him. But I think Jon is such an important part of YES, and it's not just the sound. It's the input and perspective that Jon brings. It sometimes is tough, but it's so worth it"

WOW. Did not expect that one. I translate (my slant, by no means means anything, not trying to stir the pot but read between the lines in Trevor's comments on it) that to the below conversation that Trevor could have had with Chris about all the YES stuff of late.

"I love you man but Chris, Jon is a missing link to the bands signature sound. He perspective that he brings to the band through all the years is one only he can do. Yes Chris I know he is a pain in the ass but it is really worth it to have him as part of the band"

[luna65]

Yeah. I didn't shy away from throwing some difficult questions in there, and Rabin ducked a few of them! But that's his prerogative.

In the process of my interview (which went on for several months) I asked Trevor one question about Yes history which could have been considered provocative and he chose not to answer it at all. But one thing I learned not only from interviewing him myself, but reading every interview he's done during this promotional cycle, is that sometimes he chooses to provide a response, it's just not the response to what was actually asked. And as you say, it's his perogative.

[rabinmovies]

I always thought it odd when chris playeds endless dream live in concert with a 4string bass (along with pedal board) but the album version definately contains a 5 string. I assume trev played bass on the studio version maybe? Still, it is my ALL time favourite yes track!!!! And my all time fave album too

[luna65]

I derived much satisfaction in tellilng Trevor that Talk is a great album and has been unfairly criticized over the years.

[SunshipVoyager]

Very nicely conducted/presented interview, Henry.