Relayer Out - CTTE In

[Gilly Goodness]

Been thinking about CTTE50 BOX today whilst walking up to the high street, mercifully free of rain for the first time in weeks, the sun suddenly appeared and had a flash of inspiration regarding a documentary/ interviews with the band to mark the special event.

Led by Bill Bailey. Renowned comedian and musician, old friend of Rick from Never Mind the Buzzcocks. Past form narrating Prog docos. Maybe with Jerry Ewing's help. Netflix production. With interviews by Les Claypool, Taylor Hawkins, Rush dudes, Trevor Horn....do I dare Alan Partridge? He is a DJ isn't he?

btw has anyone else noticed how Ozabal from TFF has morphed into Bailey's twin?

[Davy]

Looking for a version of GoD from 2019, Howe had major meltdowns throughout this one show, especially on GoD. Maybe he foresaw the same if they played Relayer in its entirety. They just couldn't get the lighting right..

Well, of course, you'd pick that show...

[josuev80]

Well, of course, you'd pick that show...

Think about the people who picked that show to go to and paid money to see it. The show does have some much better parts but there are some others that are representative of where the band was in 2019. I don't expect a turnaround for 2022.

Seems strange Davison chose to wear sunglasses in the opening song like Anderson did in this promo video for the same song. It can't be a coincidence.

[Davy]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=62JJmJ8RoH0

[True]

I don’t mind that they are not going to play Relayer. I saw them play It in the 70’s, I am happy to leave it there. But I’d be very happy if they did a broader set and just threw in To Be Over.
is it confirmed they have started rehearsing?
Yes are not big on rehearsing , they usually cram it in just before the tour begins.

[luvyesmusic]

Plenty of dicks in the audience, for sure at times. I've sat next to many, at many different types of shows. I've seen many on the receiving end of Steve, and most deserved it. Some of it rather hilarious. Folks were told, than repeated or warned. Not sure how many times folks have to be told. Too many folks think that because they spent money, they can do what they want.I saw and heard what most folks missed.

There are also usually basic rules put forth, and a grace period after a YES show starts. Steve just wants things to go right, and right for most of the audience. Huge amount of pressure on the guy. If you act respectful, Steve is the nicest guy in the world. If you are an arse, he wants nothing to do with you. He's a got a great laugh, and sense of humor, too. But few will post about that.

Here's the one time I got the evil eye from Steve, but I couldn't resist taking a pic, because he rarely holds a guitar like that.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/da7zH3gC7jefw4hK8

[mattomega]

It's funny to see how CTTE isn't good enough for some Yesfans. C'est la vie!

[Mr. Holland]

It's funny to see how CTTE isn't good enough for some Yesfans. C'est la vie!

I think you're kind of missing the point. I love burgers, I really do. But If I pay to go to a pizza restaurant, because I haven't had pizza in years, and instead of the pizza restaurant I'm taken to a burger place, I will be very disappointed. Not in the least, because I actually paid on the promise of something else.

[Mr. Holland]

I wonder if the promoters asked them to make the change. My understanding is that promoters really get to call a lot of the shots, and it wouldn't surprise me if they don't like the idea of a whole album of deep cut material as the focus ... maybe the market will be really hard to compete in, now that everyone can come back and play this year.

That seems unlikely to me. Those promoters agreed to this package two years ago and had no problem to start selling tickets on that premise. Seems rather odd, with a good amount of tickets already been sold, that they now suddenly have a problem with it.

[Mr. Holland]

I'm wondering if there could be any legal consequences here, and whether they've thought that through. After all the tour was sold to those who have tickets on the premise/promise of the whole of Relayer being played. Deception is probably too strong, but in legal terms there is also something as 'recklessness' or 'carelessness'.

[bondegezou]

is it confirmed they have started rehearsing?
Yes are not big on rehearsing , they usually cram it in just before the tour begins.

We know the band members have individually been working on their parts since 2020. They have not, as far as I know, started full band rehearsals for the 2022 yet.

[josuev80]

I wonder if the promoters asked them to make the change. My understanding is that promoters really get to call a lot of the shots, and it wouldn't surprise me if they don't like the idea of a whole album of deep cut material as the focus ... maybe the market will be really hard to compete in, now that everyone can come back and play this year.

All twelve die-hards are pissed. I myself am not; but it's totally disappointing. It's like the time when you really counted on Santa to bring you Beatles action figures, but all the presents ended up even more sweaters. Best sweaters ever, but your parents work at Sweaters and so you get sweaters for every gift. And sometimes it's even breakfast.

From a promotional point of view, they could have easily played both albums along with a couple of songs from The Quest and a few warhorses. It would have checked off 4 different promotional “wants”. If they didn’t feel ready to play songs from Relayer after a couple of years of practice individually, what about songs from The Quest that have never been rehearsed by the collective group?

[Yorkshire Square]

I'm very disappointed with this decision. I won't balk at CTTE again, but I was very much wanting to hear Relayer in full. Perhaps they don't think that they can do it justice, but they should have considered that before advertising it as such.

Let's see what they do play other than CTTE.

[Gtkgasman]

Musicians - please help me out!

I don’t buy it that they have rehearsed Relayer and can’t get it right. They are professionals. Yes professionals. All with all this time to boot. Didn’t we see Total Mass Retain, and the Brislin group, do Sound Chaser well? Maybe the band Awaken, or other tributes that escape me also (that’s just a guess)? And aren’t we just talking about sound chaser as the “difficult” tune vs To be Over. GoD should be well in hand by now and just a refresher.

So, musicians please tell me what I am missing. Or anyone else. I realize GoD had its faults at times and all didn’t like it (I was very happy to get to hear it and enjoyed it at the show I saw) and many are apprehensive about the rest. But that aside, as a layman, I can’t imagine them tossing the Relayer concept out cause they feel they “can’t play it”. If that’s the case, I’m feeling very disillusioned this morning.

(just a toss in thought about personal preference - no, I don’t think all of the classics played with this lineup are my favorite versions, or come across ‘perfect’. Or some parts would be closer to original with others. But That doesn’t mean they aren’t good and that I don’t enjoy hearing them in the current form also).

[bondegezou]

I'm very disappointed with this decision. I won't balk at CTTE again, but I was very much wanting to hear Relayer in full. Perhaps they don't think that they can do it justice, but they should have considered that before advertising it as such.

Possibly the difference is that when they initially advertised the tour, they felt able to do it, but 2+ years of not touring has taken its toll.