Relayer Out - CTTE In

[Homemade Parachute]

I wonder if the band haven't been able to make it work in rehearsals…

It may have seemed like a good idea at the time, and I can only imagine they wouldn't have even announced this before trying it out in some kind of rehearsal, just to see if a) they could, and b) they wanted to. Possibly yes to both at the time, but maybe not any longer, after a, what, two, three year delay? A lot can happen in that time, especially as we've all probably had to confront some degree of mortality in that time, and make some decisions about what we really want to do. Disappointing as it is, I guess I'd rather they change direction now rather than keep on with something that, for whatever reason, maybe wasn't working…

(Naturally, of course, this is all guesswork, and indeed it could be they foresee a long and fruitful history to band touring, and want now to capitalize on CTTE50 to beef up the ol' retirement fund, and figure Relayer can go to '23 or '24, which, fingers and antlers crossed…)

[bondegezou]

The announcement does say that they'll do Relayer in the future

[Homemade Parachute]

It's also been noted that the set has time to play all of Relayer and CttE. Theories 1 and 2 wouldn't rule out playing both, so is that evidence for theory 3?

Sadly, as they are bound by the laws of god and man to play Roundabout and Starship Trooper, there might not be time to play CTTE, Relayer, R, ST, *and* some songs from The Quest, and maybe after that new album and almost three years off the road, that's what they want to do more? As with you, speculating wildly…

[Soundwaveseeker]

That's disappointing. I would have liked to hear Relayer (one of my favorite Yes albums) live and get the eventual Relayer Live/Like It Is live album which hopefully would have some Quest songs on it. Even if it's the 50th anniversary of CTTE, they have performed the entire Close To The Edge album live numerous times and that's even BEFORE the album series was implemented. Yessongs and Keys To Ascension both have entire CTTE albums on it, and they've played it on other tours as well. They've done it already, so it's really not all that special anymore even if the album is a stellar classic. I'm not complainin', but the value of seeing them just got reduced by a molecule.

They've resurrected a lot of classic 'main sequence' stuff from 1969-80, though have yet to breathe new life into side two of Relayer. Hopefully they eventually do the Relayer tour, maybe when they come back to the States. We'll see. Probably not the right lineup for it anyway, but I'm still all ears if they do wish to present it live eventually. Another CTTE is kinda playing it safe, but I understand the possible reasoning for it and that they haven't player live in a while now anyway. It probably would have been better for them to do a small greatest hits tour first and then work their way up to the big guns. We'll see. Good luck, Yes.

[luvyesmusic]

Just saw this. It's a bit understandable, considering the circumstances. Might possibly be a better draw for general public concert goers. Relayer is a bit out there. I know I would certainly be a bit disappointed, as I missed that tour's heydays. Sorry to those folks expecting and planning to see Relayer.

However, live YES- music is always a blast. I just saw my first live show in over two years. It was a Foreigner tribute band, Double Vision. It still brought me back, and folks were damn happy. That is what it is all about for me.

[Ash Armstrong]

If they haven't been able to work up the whole Relayer album to a satisfactory level of performance in rehearsal, and while that's an educated guess I think it's a good one, I can't see how in another year or three these players are going to be able to do it any better. Their clock is ticking and the sand is fast running out.
It'd be good if Steve, as the band's spokesperson, or someone in the band's management structure could step up and say why this decision was taken, knowing a lot of people were going to be disappointed. While I agree wholeheartedly that the masterpiece that is Close to the Edge deserves to be celebrated, I can't help feeling that the postponements of the tour due to Covid have helped bring them to now, when the 50th anniversary gives them a plausible excuse to ditch Relayer without having to admit it's too tough for them to play.

[Kevin W]

The announcement does say that they'll do Relayer in the future

Hmmm. I know it says that but I am not sure whether a Relayer tour will ever surface. Whatever the reason there is no doubt this is disappointing. I will have to think about whether I purchase a ticket. I haven't heard CTTE live since the ABWH tour but there's no way, I'm afraid, that seeing it played by Jon A, Rick, Bill and Steve will be bettered in 2022 given the fact that Jon A and Rick are not involved and Alan won't be playing drums

[Kevin W]

If they haven't been able to work up the whole Relayer album to a satisfactory level of performance in rehearsal, and while that's an educated guess I think it's a good one, I can't see how in another year or three these players are going to be able to do it any better. Their clock is ticking and the sand is fast running out.
It'd be good if Steve, as the band's spokesperson, or someone in the band's management structure could step up and say why this decision was taken, knowing a lot of people were going to be disappointed. While I agree wholeheartedly that the masterpiece that is Close to the Edge deserves to be celebrated, I can't help feeling that the postponements of the tour due to Covid have helped bring them to now, when the 50th anniversary gives them a plausible excuse to ditch Relayer without having to admit it's too tough for them to play.

Regrettably I think you have the nail firmly on the head there Ash.

[Gilly Goodness]

SCENES FOM A LONDON RESTAURANT


As was rumoured recently,Rick met Steve for lunch. Both gentlemen ate vegetable soup and still water. Rain softly beat down on the ornate windows.

STEVE: "Dunno mate. It's been tough. Rehearsals.
Relayer. It's crazy."

RICK: "Relayer? Not my business. Sorry."


(Silence. Both men stare into their soups.
Straining to understand this existance)

[soundchaser09]

SCENES FOM A LONDON RESTAURANT


As was rumoured recently,Rick met Steve for lunch. Both gentlemen ate vegetable soup and still water. Rain softly beat down on the ornate windows.

STEVE: "Dunno mate. It's been tough. Rehearsals.
Relayer. It's crazy."

RICK: "Relayer? Not my business. Sorry."


(Silence. Both men stare into their soups.
Straining to understand this existance)

yep that sums the situation up perfectly

[luvyesmusic]

scenes fom a london restaurant


as was rumoured recently,rick met steve for lunch. Both gentlemen ate vegetable soup and still water. Rain softly beat down on the ornate windows.

Steve: "dunno mate. It's been tough. Rehearsals.
Relayer. It's crazy."

rick: "relayer? Not my business. Sorry."


(silence. Both men stare into their soups.
Straining to understand this existance)

jesus! Lol!

[Skankindead]

I know I really shouldn't be complaining because I'm likely not even going to be going, and I'm sure some people will enjoy it... but for me, this is incredibly disappointing.

Not only has CTTE already had multiple tour where they played all 3 songs in the last decade, they might as well have had EVERY tour in the last decade be the CTTE tour considering how much they play the songs from that album. Compare that to Relayer, which is infamous for rarely getting played outside of Soon. It seems like they'll still be doing that tour at some point, which is good, but still - not really interested in them playing CTTE AGAIN, even if it is one of my favorite albums.

[Gilly Goodness]

And now the image....

[T.R. Brockbanks]

Really pissed off about this, after such a long wait - Relayer was my main reason for seeing them again.

[Frumious B]

I never felt like this band would be able to do Relayer justice, but I know it’s a drag for the folks who bought tickets years ago and have been patiently waiting and hoping.

But on a more important note, The Chipmunks turn into a goth band if you slow them down.