Jay Schellen officially joins Yes

[bondegezou]

It'd just be nice to get the feeling that they are thinking more than a couple years ahead with these moves, and exhausting all their options looking around and gauging what will help them build for the band's future, and it sometimes doesn't feel that way to me. Maybe they are and just aren't telling us. That could be why this announcement took so long. But my gut questions if they are.

I think the band do look further ahead that we, as fans, often realise, but, no, I don't think they're planning 5 years ahead for a post-Howe/Downes band. I don't know what Howe wants to happen after he stops, but I don't see much in the way of succession planning.

[bondegezou]

(Sorry, I'm repeating myself here. I'm working through my thoughts...)

Well before his death, we were hearing reports that the album was basically finished. Since drum tracks are the first things you lay down when it comes time to actually record tape intended to make it to the final version, one would think that would mean he was the drummer on everything except *possibly* some select passages that late changes to songs forced rerecordings of and/or anything that they didn't think he was up to in his last years and might have had Jay do instead even while both were alive (Not saying anything in those two categories even exists- I have no idea. He could have done the whole thing.).

Good post, dbar. There were early reports that the album was basically finished a while back, as in (just) before White's passing. I thought we might get an album release in 2022. But I was wrong and we didn't and it seems that there was more recording going on after May 2022. So, maybe, maybe not.

However, Henry's site quotes a February 2023 interview with Billy Sherwood (Conducted by another site) as follows:



That makes it sound like while Alan White probably recorded some demos, did some pencil sketches of ideas and other things that involves him enough to generate writing or other credits, that it might be Jay Schellen who actually laid down the final versions of the tracks on the album.

Of course, it doesn't actually say that.

We'll have to see what people say and how everyone is credited as we get closer to the album's release.

Right now it seems fair to say that Alan was definitely involved. Whether he's actually playing on some or all of the final product is not as clear to me at present.

Indeed. I find that quote from Sherwood very confusing. I'm not at all certain what he was trying to say, but, yes, your interpretation seems as good as any. Shrug emoji

[Mr. Holland]

I think the band do look further ahead that we, as fans, often realise, but, no, I don't think they're planning 5 years ahead for a post-Howe/Downes band. I don't know what Howe wants to happen after he stops, but I don't see much in the way of succession planning.

Well, I think that Arc of Life, with Davison, Sherwood and Schellen, maybe (part of) succesion planning, in that those players have created a platform to continue playing together when Steve calls it a day. Of course I have no way of knowing, but I could see Arc of Life continue making and playing their own music, but live also doing some Yes classics. I feel that when Steve retires, it's highly likely the Yes name will be retired as well.

[bondegezou]

Well, I think that Arc of Life, with Davison, Sherwood and Schellen, maybe (part of) succesion planning, in that those players have created a platform to continue playing together when Steve calls it a day. Of course I have no way of knowing, but I could see Arc of Life continue making and playing their own music, but live also doing some Yes classics. I feel that when Steve retires, it's highly likely the Yes name will be retired as well.

Sure. I can see Arc of Life playing some Yes numbers even while Yes keeps going. Arc of Life is good succession planning for Davison, Sherwood and Schellen... but do they get the "Yes" name when Howe stops? I think you're right, that they don't.

[Soundwaveseeker]

Well, I think that Arc of Life, with Davison, Sherwood and Schellen, maybe (part of) succesion planning, in that those players have created a platform to continue playing together when Steve calls it a day. Of course I have no way of knowing, but I could see Arc of Life continue making and playing their own music, but live also doing some Yes classics. I feel that when Steve retires, it's highly likely the Yes name will be retired as well.

After Steve Howe calls it a day I can see Yes dissipating - only to be put back into action several years later with a lineup of Anderson, Sherwood, Schellen, a keyboard player, maybe Rick, and maybe Rabin. Whether new music or just nostalgia touring is involved is anyone's guess, but I kinda see that, though nobody has a crystal ball on that.

[Ash Armstrong]

After Steve Howe calls it a day I can see Yes dissipating - only to be put back into action several years later with a lineup of Anderson, Sherwood, Schellen, a keyboard player, maybe Rick, and maybe Rabin. Whether new music or just nostalgia touring is involved is anyone's guess, but I kinda see that, though nobody has a crystal ball on that.

Jon Anderson will be 79 in October, so I very much doubt he'll want to do that 'several years later' with any of those guys.

[Mr. Holland]

After Steve Howe calls it a day I can see Yes dissipating - only to be put back into action several years later with a lineup of Anderson, Sherwood, Schellen, a keyboard player, maybe Rick, and maybe Rabin. Whether new music or just nostalgia touring is involved is anyone's guess, but I kinda see that, though nobody has a crystal ball on that.

Rabin is never going to do Yes anymore, period. From what I could see at the Alan White tribute, he also simply wouldn't physically be up to it. Anderson is three years older than Howe. By the time Howe retires, Anderson likely is already retired. So, 'back into action a few years later would mean Anderson is like 85 (say Howe retires in 5 years). So, I think what you say here doesn't need a crystal ball to predict that won't happen. Just common sense.

[soundchaser09]

Yeah I can see Yes dissolving after Steve is gone, the last connection to the 70s, its fitting in a way. Arc of Life is the natural progression for those who remain, and Geoff will likely do DBA and Asia if he still wnats to be involved in music.

[Somis Sound]

What I am certain about is that there are recordings from recent years (2008+) with White on them that haven't been released yet, like the new version of "Go Through This". I hope these are released in due course. Before Danny gets too excited, I am absolutely not expecting "Go Through This" on the new album, but it would be nice if it had some avenue to release some time.

This interests me more than a "new" album. Horizon's, Go Through This, any 2008+ stuff with Chris and Alan. I watched a youtube doc the other night about post Zep activities of Page, and it had some pretty good sounding XYZ footage and showed where they recorded it. Best I've heard yet other than that rad mash up of Telephone Secrets and Song 4 Satellite. Love to hear a proper release of XYZ too!

[Somis Sound]

Well, I think that Arc of Life, with Davison, Sherwood and Schellen, maybe (part of) succesion planning, in that those players have created a platform to continue playing together when Steve calls it a day. Of course I have no way of knowing, but I could see Arc of Life continue making and playing their own music, but live also doing some Yes classics. I feel that when Steve retires, it's highly likely the Yes name will be retired as well.

That makes sense, sounds fine, and hope that's what happens...

[luvyesmusic]

Great for Jay. Obviously a very nice man, a great drummer, and someone who gets YES. Just like Billy, he had YES in his blood. Billy has done more for this group than most folks know.

Jay has been in for a while, and obviously did the majority of drumming on the last album. Very comfortable, and skilled, and the guys all love him.

Billy was pointing out my plate last time saw and heard them. I am happy for Jay, and I am happy for YES-fans.

[JMKUSA]

Great for Jay. Obviously a very nice man, a great drummer, and someone who gets YES. Just like Billy, he had YES in his blood. Billy has done more for this group than most folks know.

Jay has been in for a while, and obviously did the majority of drumming on the last album. Very comfortable, and skilled, and the guys all love him.

Billy was pointing out my plate last time saw and heard them. I am happy for Jay, and I am happy for YES-fans.

Jay did not do most of the drumming on The Quest. It was Alan.

[luvyesmusic]

Jay did not do most of the drumming on The Quest. It was Alan.

I don’t believe Alan was physically capable. Alan really hasn’t been physically capable of doing anything but the encores, and even then so.

I’ve been backstage enough, and even several years ago hanging out with Geoff and Alan afterwards in Atlantic City, until Geoff brought him to his room, and I can’t see it.

I’ve only borrowed The Quest, so perhaps the drumming was more simple than I realized?

[JMKUSA]

I don’t believe Alan was physically capable. Alan really hasn’t been physically capable of doing anything but the encores, and even then so.

I’ve been backstage enough, and even several years ago hanging out with Geoff and Alan afterwards in Atlantic City, until Geoff brought him to his room, and I can’t see it.

I’ve only borrowed The Quest, so perhaps the drumming was more simple than I realized?

There’s a big difference between touring night after night and hanging out with Billy in the studio for a few days. They probably did a few takes on each song, spread out over a couple of weeks. The drumming sounds like Alan, and there’s no indication Jay played any drums and only added some additional percussion while spending a few days in the studio with Billy and Jay.

I understand your doubt about Alan being physically capable, and he had a lot of problems with his back and joints. His drumming was impacted, but he was still capable of playing for 30-40 minutes at a time in 2018 and 2019.

[Soundchaser413]

Good for him. Was there another drummer too or was that my imagination?