For Rabin fans - Ranking the Trevor solo albums in how I enjoy them. As his film scores are too numerous, I was just going for the 'rock' type ones. I'm not counting Yes or Rabbitt either, just solo albums. As always, not a definitive rank, just how I like them. How do you rank them? Or maybe just talk about the ones you like or have heard. Mine are:
In descending order:
7) Wolf (1981) - after his quirkier first two solo albums, this one is more of a straight ahead rock album, you may think you're listening to Loverboy or Billy Squier. Nothing wrong with that, but doesn't take too many chances. 'Heard You Cry Wolf' is a rock gem though.
6) 90124 (2003) - Well lesser sound quality demos of Yes material better recorded later on doesn't float my boat 100%, though still worth a listen. 'Can You Feel My Love' is a forgotten gem that I think Jon Anderson sang a demo of too, so I suppose it was offered up for inclusion on Big Generator maybe? Promenade from Pictures At An Exhibition has that guitar in full on Brian May, and Miracle Of Life demo is nice.
5) Live In LA (2003) - live album recorded from the tour for Can't Look Away in 1989. As I was too young to get into the clubs in 1989, I didn't get to see Rabin live, so this CD will have to do. Good 1-cd live album, but it would have been nice to have the whole show. The best tracks are actually not the Yes songs, but the solo ones. Eyes Of Love and Cry Wolf are sublime, and the title track Can't Look Away is powerful and extended into a long Starship Trooper-like jam at the end. In fact, Can't Look Away is Rabin's Starship Trooper. It locks on and really sounds good. The Yes ones - outside of Changes maybe- are a little, meh. Ok, I guess.
4) Face To Face (1979) - second album, nice driving down the road album. A bit of a pomp rock album with some of those glammy moments from the first album still around. 'Always The Last One' pumps. I like that track, and 'I'm Old Enough To Make You A Woman'. Styx harmonies, squealy guitar, rock & roll stuff.
3) Jacaranda (2012) - instrumental/fusion album from Rabin, definitely for the prog-leaning Yes enthusiast. If you liked Peter Banks instrumental jazzy albums you'll go for this without a doubt. Great playing and textures here. When he goes for some country pickin', well, take that, Mr. Howe. Nice female vocals on one track. Anerley Road is real tasty. The album has a good atmosphere and playing, though I admit it is a little light on actual songs or identifiable melodies. A bit of noodling, but better than a lot of fusion/noodler albums.
2) Beginnings/Trevor Rabin (1978) - his first solo album. A little bit of lingering Rabbitt sound, and some real nice Styx/Queen-level harmonies. 'Live A Bit' sounds like a Queen/Floyd hybrid. Nice solo at the end. 'Red Desert' is cool. I think I read he wasn't too big on Queen, but there is a total glam rock element at play here. A friend of mine thought the ballads sounded like Bay City Rollers. The original 'Beginnings' cover is kinda ugly, I prefer the more glammy cover when it was reissued as 'Trevor Rabin'. A good first album
1) Can't Look Away (1989) - his only solo album as a member of Yes, at least I think he was still a member while ABWH were around and the official Yes were in limbo. That's always been a hazy scenario for me. Like a 'YesWest' album, good songs and hooks, the most Yes-like album he has and probably the one Yes fans know more that any of his other solo things. Title track and Sorrow (Your Heart) sound like Yes songs. Eyes Of Love is a good one too. Can't Look Away was a high profile album
with cassette singles and an MTV video featuring Trevor polka dot clothes and an iguana climbing up his head. Good way to cap off the 80's. I have a soft spot for this album, and would love a new vocal/song/Yessish solo album, but I won't hold my breath.
That's my ranking.
In descending order:
7) Wolf (1981) - after his quirkier first two solo albums, this one is more of a straight ahead rock album, you may think you're listening to Loverboy or Billy Squier. Nothing wrong with that, but doesn't take too many chances. 'Heard You Cry Wolf' is a rock gem though.
6) 90124 (2003) - Well lesser sound quality demos of Yes material better recorded later on doesn't float my boat 100%, though still worth a listen. 'Can You Feel My Love' is a forgotten gem that I think Jon Anderson sang a demo of too, so I suppose it was offered up for inclusion on Big Generator maybe? Promenade from Pictures At An Exhibition has that guitar in full on Brian May, and Miracle Of Life demo is nice.
5) Live In LA (2003) - live album recorded from the tour for Can't Look Away in 1989. As I was too young to get into the clubs in 1989, I didn't get to see Rabin live, so this CD will have to do. Good 1-cd live album, but it would have been nice to have the whole show. The best tracks are actually not the Yes songs, but the solo ones. Eyes Of Love and Cry Wolf are sublime, and the title track Can't Look Away is powerful and extended into a long Starship Trooper-like jam at the end. In fact, Can't Look Away is Rabin's Starship Trooper. It locks on and really sounds good. The Yes ones - outside of Changes maybe- are a little, meh. Ok, I guess.
4) Face To Face (1979) - second album, nice driving down the road album. A bit of a pomp rock album with some of those glammy moments from the first album still around. 'Always The Last One' pumps. I like that track, and 'I'm Old Enough To Make You A Woman'. Styx harmonies, squealy guitar, rock & roll stuff.
3) Jacaranda (2012) - instrumental/fusion album from Rabin, definitely for the prog-leaning Yes enthusiast. If you liked Peter Banks instrumental jazzy albums you'll go for this without a doubt. Great playing and textures here. When he goes for some country pickin', well, take that, Mr. Howe. Nice female vocals on one track. Anerley Road is real tasty. The album has a good atmosphere and playing, though I admit it is a little light on actual songs or identifiable melodies. A bit of noodling, but better than a lot of fusion/noodler albums.
2) Beginnings/Trevor Rabin (1978) - his first solo album. A little bit of lingering Rabbitt sound, and some real nice Styx/Queen-level harmonies. 'Live A Bit' sounds like a Queen/Floyd hybrid. Nice solo at the end. 'Red Desert' is cool. I think I read he wasn't too big on Queen, but there is a total glam rock element at play here. A friend of mine thought the ballads sounded like Bay City Rollers. The original 'Beginnings' cover is kinda ugly, I prefer the more glammy cover when it was reissued as 'Trevor Rabin'. A good first album
1) Can't Look Away (1989) - his only solo album as a member of Yes, at least I think he was still a member while ABWH were around and the official Yes were in limbo. That's always been a hazy scenario for me. Like a 'YesWest' album, good songs and hooks, the most Yes-like album he has and probably the one Yes fans know more that any of his other solo things. Title track and Sorrow (Your Heart) sound like Yes songs. Eyes Of Love is a good one too. Can't Look Away was a high profile album
with cassette singles and an MTV video featuring Trevor polka dot clothes and an iguana climbing up his head. Good way to cap off the 80's. I have a soft spot for this album, and would love a new vocal/song/Yessish solo album, but I won't hold my breath.
That's my ranking.
). It is more focused and has good players, but a bit average rock stuff. After doing this thread, I listened to Wolf on the way to the movies. Yeah, still at the bottom of my pack, but an ok rock listen. It sorta trails off towards the end. 
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