* * * * * * * * * * ______ ______ ____________ _________ / \ | \ __/ \ __/ \__ _________ | \| \ / |/ _ \ _________ / | // _____ || / \_/ \ |NOTES \ // / \ \\_ \_ | |FROM \ || _____ ___\ \ \_ \_ | |THE \ || / ---/______| \ \_ | |EDGE ___\ || | | /______ __/ \ | |#26 ___/ \ \\ \_ \_ // | | \_____ / ___\ _/ \_ \ \_ _// | ______/ \__ \__/ ___/ \_ \____ | \_/ \__ ___/ \___ _/ \__ \__/ \ \_________/ \_____/ \_ \_____/ \ \_ | \_ | \__ __/ \_____________/ Notes From the Edge #26 November 22, 1991 * * * * * * * * * * IN THIS ISSUE... ================ Notes from the Editor --the latest scoop Transcriptions? --possibility of adding them to our files, of course this entails a...volunteer! --a CTTE transcription The Discography(ies) --an update That poll again... --taking a poll of your Yes favorites Another poll???? --a net news cover art poll Steve Howe --someone finally finding the chance to ask what we've all been wanting to ask: When's the tour???? Chris Squire --back to his drinking problem (they don't call him Fish for nothing...) Jon Anderson --correcting the track listing given last issue for _Page Of Life_ Rick Wakeman --more on the Feud between Rick and Jonathan Elias Trevor Rabin --a review of _Can't Look Away_ Regarding the Union --fuming Over Union Videos --a few obscure Yes-related videos! Birthdays --anybody sick of these yet? :-) Contributors --get writing! (...please...:-) Addresses --of course. * * * * * * * * * * FROM THE EDITOR: ================ So here we are again...droning on through the rest of the semester (well I am anyway, I'm sure about half of you can sympathize...). Actually, I'm starting to get incredibly (well, sort of :-) excited for this semester to end in particular since I'll be graduating!! YES!!! I know, some of you are thinking, "oh no! What happens to Notes if she graduates????" Hope I fail a class or two? For shame! No, seriously, I am trying very hard to find access to the net while I'm out of school. I will be starting grad school in the fall (am I a masochist or what???), so I'm sure I'll have access then. In the meantime, things could get a little shaky for me. I have a 50-50 chance of keeping an account I have through Syracuse University, which would be great. But it's not definite. So bear with me in the next few newsletters. If all else fails I can always turn Notes over to some kind volunteer (like I did with Dave Scidmore over the summer--once again, everyone, three cheers for Dave!) until I'm back on the net. We'll see how this turns out in the weeks and months ahead. For now, sit back, relax, and enjoy! Make it last--it seems a tad bit short this time through... Cath V111PBXX@Ubvms.Cc.Buffalo.Edu * * * * * * * * * * TRANSCRIPTIONS ANYONE? ====================== 22-NOV-1991 Jim Solomon suggested to me that we incorporate a new addition to the Yes Archive: PostScript files of Yes sheet music. This sounds like a pretty good idea to me. I guess we could include both standard sheet music and guitar/bass tablature. The PostScript files could be generated either by using a hand-scanner to read sheet music and then using a conversion utility to get them into PS form, or by entering the notes into a music or drawing program that could save data into PS format. I'm not too sure about the feasibility of either case, but if we can get this to work, I think it'll be an interesting addition ( something that no other mailing has, as far as I know! :^) ) Some of the problems that come to mind are: 1) Generating PostScript generic enough that most printers will be able to handle it. 2) Getting enough musicians on the list interested. 3) Getting people to make the files (the tough part :-) ) Unfortunately, neither Jim nor I have any time to organize this. This is just an idea that I'd like to throw out. If you are interested in organizing this new and exciting project, drop Cathy a note and she'll announce in the next newsletter if and how we're going to do this. -Mike Borella borella@toadflax.eecs.ucdavis.edu +++ +++ +++ +++ A TRANSCRIPTION: ================ "Gregory Utas" 14-NOV-1991 A specific interest of mine is getting transcriptions. Yes sheet music is rather poor, so I'd be interested in talking to anyone with similar interests. I did a transcription of Wakeman's "Close to the Edge" solo that I could contribute, although 100% accuracy is not guaranteed :-) Regards, Greg Utas UTAS@BNR.CA ***adding transcriptions to the server is currently under discussion. --ed. * * * * * * * * * * UPDATING THE DISCOGRAPHY: ========================= 22-NOV-1991 Slowly but surely I've been updating the discography with current information and my "new and improved" format. I have most of the work done but I keep the master files on my PC, and to upload around here is a royal pain, not to mention that I have to send them all to Mike Stok and so on... But it IS getting there and I hope to have an up to date version done around Christmas. FYI, I've sent Mike some parts of the ELP and King Crimson discogs that I've done and we might end up making the complete "family tree" of 70's British progressive rock available. We'll see how things go but it's a thought for the future. Remember, if you have any discography info, please send it to me. -Mike Borella borella@toadflax.eecs.ucdavis.edu * * * * * * * * * * NFTE SURVEY'S HERE (AGAIN??)!!!! ================================ 1-NOV-1991 In typical YES fashion, after seemingly dropping off the face of the earth, I've resurfaced... with a fantastic survey. Thanks to all NFTE members for your OUTstanding INput. Now, as for completing the survey... --->To complete the survey, (1) only include the question number and your answer (e.g., 1-Roundabout), (2) use one line for each question you answer, (3) don't forget to also answer the background questions, (4) all surveys are anonymous, so speak your mind. (5) please return survey to: BERCOW@APPLELINK.APPLE.COM by December 31. [***If you have any problems getting through to Doug, you can send them to me (Cath) at V111PBXX@UBVMS.CC.BUFFALO.EDU and I'll forward them to Doug. - ed.] (6) Enjoy. 1-Favorite Song 2-Favorite Album 3-Favorite Long Song (12 minutes or more) 4-Favorite Short Song (5 minutes or less) 5-Favorite Guitar Solo in a Song 6-Favorite Bass Solo in a Song 7-Favorite Drum Solo in a Song 8-Favorite Keyboard Solo in a Song 9-Favorite Song to "Crank Up the Volume" 10-Favorite Song to "Drive To" 11-Favorite Song to "Dance(?) To" 12-Desert Island Album (Mix and Match Any Song, Must fit into 90 Minutes) 13-Favorite song to "get in touch with the universe" 14-Favorite song to sing along with Jon Anderson 15-Favorite song to sing Chris' parts instead 16-Most difficult Steve Howe part to play 17-Most difficult Trevor Rabin part to play 18-5 Yes songs you'd like to pass on to your kids 19-Least Favorite Album 20-Favorite Yes Member Please also complete the Background Info.... A-Age: B-Sex: M or F C-Musician Yes/No D-Instrument: Specify E-Second Favorite Band of All-Time: F-Year of first Yes turn-on: Year ***Look for results sometime next year (toward the end of every year someone says this and every year it still sounds so far off...it's not really!)--ed. * * * * * * * * * * NET NEWS COVER ART POLL: ======================== 15-NOV-1991 I received this from the "4ad-l" discussion group (4ad is a British record label that has interesting/different music like Cocteau Twins, Dead Can Dance, This Mortal Coil, His Name is Alive, etc..). Anyway, the sender of the message below is conducting a poll of album cover art. It seems like Yes albums ought to take the cake here. So, maybe it would be appropriate to distribute this as a news-flash type of thing to the list members. That way all of us YES fans could vote before its too late. Collin@vmd.cso.uiuc.edu ***Hope it's not too late for those of you interested in responding...--ed. ----- Date: Mon, 11 Nov 1991 10:26:00 CST Reply-To: 4ad recording artists list <4AD-L@JHUVM.BITNET> Steve W Hill I know some of you have responded to this poll originally posted to various newsgroups on Netnews...I am widening my range. Please remember that you can vote for anything at all, not just 4AD stuff, even tho it may deserve all the votes. :) Generic poll call follows: POLL: Favorite Record Cover Art In response to Rolling Stone magazine's "Best 100 Album Covers" article in which it seemed that the judges were either ignorant to a lot of albums or were not allowed to vote for non-US releases, this poll not only encompasses album covers but SINGLE COVERS AS WELL. This is the last call for votes. I am posting to smaller, more specific groups to get an even wider range of votes. I have received about 60 responses to date. Results will be posted within the next two weeks if all goes well. RULES: 1) Mail your ballot directly to me. Please do not post or mail t a list. 2) RANK your top ten choices. You can vote for AS MANY COVERS AS YOU LIKE...points assigned as follows: 1st place=11 pts, 2nd=1 3rd=9, 4th=8, 5th=7, 6th=6, 7th=5, 8th=4, 9th=3, 10th=2, and everything else gets 1 point. 3) Please put the artist first, then title. I am compiling the results *very* manually. This makes it easier for me. 4) Remember, take advantage of being able to vote for as many as you want! Most people are only voting for 10 things. --- Steve Hill SHILL@HARPERVM.BITNET * * * * * * * * * * STEVE'S TOUR? ============= "Pete H. " 8-NOV-1991 Can anyone tell me anything about what Steve Howe is doing now? I know he is planning to tour with his new album, Turbulence. Please does anyone know of Concert Dates? Thanks.. or mail Hagemepp@duvm.ocs.drexel.edu * * * * * * * * * * POOR CHRIS? =========== 9-NOV-1991 It is sad to hear of Squire's alcoholic state of affairs, and in wondering if it's true or not, you can just take a look at some of the facts: 1) His bass playing after Drama (which was some of the best stuff he's ever done, IMHO) continually declined. 90125 had its moments, but he was sonically in the background and almost absent on many of the tracks on Big Generator. Sure, I think it's "I'm Running" that starts off with him doing that running intricate bass line, but besides that, he's almost no where to be seen on "Love Will Find a Way", "Big Generator", "Rhythm of Love", "Final Eyes", "Aim High Shoot Low", etc. On Union, he seems to have done a little more on Big Generator: at least the bass is present on "Lift Me Up" and "Miracle of Life", but asides from that, he's really low key (no pun intended). 2) The lyrics to "The More We Live" sound extremely optimistic. I'd believe it if someone told me that he wrote them on the wings after kicking his alcoholic habit, but to have written them while in the binge of it...hmmm...maybe he's desperate. Or maybe he's just cashing in on the New Age ideas. Any comments? What other evidence does anybody have for Chris's drinking problem? Or is it just "EVERYBODY know's Chris has a drinking problem!?" (This is really sad to see because Squire's playing one of the reasons that I picked up playing the bass, and you can look at the popularity and sales figures of Rickenbacker basses in the 1970's to show that I'm not the only one!) - Matthew Tomich * * * * * * * * * * CORRECTION TO TRACK LISTING ON PAGE OF LIFE: ============================================ 11-NOV-1991 11 Journey to Ixtlan This is the title to one of Carlos Castaneda's excellent books (I think it was the second one). I highly recommend these books. They are about the author's experiences with a (South) American Indian learning to become a "warrior" (Zen/Buddhist sense of the word) / "magician". As Castaneda says himself, don't become "obsessed" with what you read, just understand what he is trying to say. A real cut above your average "new age"-type books. That Anderson would like this stuff is obvious... David Kuznick david@ait.com * * * * * * * * * * RICK WAKEMAN AND JONATHAN ELIAS: ================================ 8-NOV-1991 About two weeks ago, I had the opportunity to go home, and to hear an interview with the individual members of Yes, and about their experiences on the tour. One thing that is worthy of mentioning is Rick Wakeman's disapproval of the way Jonathan Elias handled the album, specifically his keyboard parts. As Sarah Lewis mentioned in the last issue (Go Drew!!), Elias felt that Rick's keyboard parts were too "heavy". Well, what he didn't say in that interview was that in the final mix, quite a bit of Rick's keyboard work was either deleted, or "mixed down" to a lower, more background volume. Rick ended his interview by saying that he would NEVER do another album having any association with Jonathan Elias; I can't say I blame him. Jeff Tokazewski * * * * * * * * * * RABIN _CAN'T LOOK AWAY_ ========================= 14-NOV-1991 _Can't Look Away_ Trevor Rabin Elektra 9 60781-2 1. I Can't Look Away (7:19) 6b. Eyes of Love (6:53) 2. Something To Hold On To (5:05) 7. I Didn't Think It Would Last (4:05) 3. Sorrow (Your Heart) (4:28) 8. Hold On To Me (4:42) 4. Cover Up (5:17) 9. Sludge (2:26) 5. Promises (5:54) 10. I Miss You Now (5:38) 6a. Etoile Noir (1:03) 11. The Cape (2:57) Trevor Rabin has been both praised and debunked as a purveyor of pop music. Those who dig his brand of catchy, perfectionist power-pop will rave about his awesome musicianship as a vocalist and guitarist, and about his studio genius. Those who don't will complain of his being commercial, and how he re- duced Yes to nothing better than Foreigner with a higher lead voice. Whichever way you lie, though, I think you will like _Can't Look Away_. It's Rabin's fourth solo album, and the first since is indoctrination into Yes in 1983. I have not heard his pre-Yes solo works, but one can tell that this Rabin is one that has matured from extensive studio and live workouts and from pop chart success. One of the more remarkable things about this album from the outset is that Rabin actually does play almost all the instruments -- all except drums, and some of the backing vocals (Alan White plays drums on tracks 4 and 10, by the way) -- which is something I have not seen much. The writing is excellent, both in lyrics and in the music. Many of the songs on this album, particularly "I Can't Look Away" and "Sorrow (Your Heart)", come directly from Trevor's South African heritage. However, Rabin succeeds where Paul Simon didn't: he successfully merges these ethnic strands with "Owner of a Lonely Heart"-style rock. It's easy to see why Trevor has been known to be very selfish with his songs, because the material on this album beats most of what was on _Big Generator_ and the Cinema tracks from _Union_. ("Something To Hold On To", the album's first single, is almost a dead ringer for "Love Will Find A Way".) His playing is very nearly flawless -- a little excessive sometimes, but always justifiably so. Trevor's voice is also in top form. His versatility is evident in the dance groove of "Sorrow (Your Heart)", the powerful and uplifting "Eyes of Love", and the gospel-style chords of "Hold On To Me". No two songs are alike, and all are simultaneously intelligent, catchy, and masterful. The three instrumentals on this album, "Sludge", "The Cape", and "Etoile Noir", are noteworthy. "Sludge" is a hilarious spoof on excessive rock solos, with a god-only-knows-what-time-signature-this-is "beat" and wailing, amelodic solos throughout. In contrast, "The Cape" is an evocative sonic landscape built on a quiet, ambient keyboard line with acoustic guitar ornaments, that becomes like a haunting, forgotten folk tune. When I hear it, I think of Cape Horn with the surf crashing on the rocks, the air cold and misty... Finally, "Etoile Noir" is a short guitar continuo, displaying very clearly and tastefully Rabin's influences from Steve Morse. _Can't Look Away_ is an album from a latter-day rock legend, who for all his detractors, still can crank out a cerebral, hooky album that has nothing but excellent songs on it. You'll be humming the hooks from these tunes for weeks. If you appreciate good songs with excellent performances, buy this disc! If not, well, there's always the new Europe album... Robert Talbert PS: Those of you who have or will buy the CD will notice that I put "Etoile Noir" as 6a and "Eyes of Love" as 6b, while the CD has 6 and 7 (and so "I Didn't Think It Would Last" is track 8, etc.). While the box says that "Eyes of Love" is track 7, the counter on your player actually still reads 6; so if you want to hear "Sludge" and hit track 10, you actually get "I Miss You Now"! I rewrote the track sequence in the proper enumeration for you guys. You're welcome. ;) * * * * * * * * * * MAD AS HELL: ============ "Ian Nathan" 11-NOV-1991 I am mad as hell. I think this whole UNION thing has gone awry. OK - I hear of a YES reunion album and tour. Fantastic. I hear the album. It's OK, but not great. I read the liner notes to find some 12 to 15 guest musicians. I find that Rick hardly did anything on the record. I read that Anderson and Elias do most of the work. I hear Saving My Heart. At this point I was truly disillusioned. This wasn't a YES album, it was a shotty compilation of new ABWH stuff and other stuff that Atco wouldn't take. Yet the album still has some good stuff and I was looking forward to the tour. I was pessimistic about the quality of the show before I saw it. It turned out to be pretty good. I drove to Philadelphia from New York last summer to see the show. I was annoyed to hear that after I saw them at the Spectrum that they were going to do gigs at the Orange County Fair and at Jones Beach. Overkill. In the meantime I was bombarded with Steve Howe's album, Yes Greatest Video Hits and YesYears the video and YesYears the box-set. What is this? Now, I read in Notes From The Edge #25 that Bill has quit and that Steve's son has taken over. First of all, we all knew Bill wasn't going to hang around, but do you blame him? What's with this tour? Will it ever end? And it makes no big difference that Dylan is sitting in because Bill's part wasn't that big to begin with. It was a waste of time for Bill to even rejoin (and Tony for that matter). I don't care what idealism Jon is dishing out. The honeymoon is over. Let's get back in the studio and do something productive! Like a review of UNION read in Musician magazine....What do you get when you reunite 8 of the 12 members of one of the most influential bands of the 1970's? Answer: A terrific marketing opportunity. This is true and it's disappointing. The whole affair was rushed and done in a very slip-shod manner. After seeing ABWH that Spring I was very much looking forward to another record moving in that direction. And what did I get? The answer is clear. And if I see Jonathan Elias comes within a mile of the next record, well, rest assured, I WILL NOT buy it because, hell, I can do that crap on my casio. (And the performance shown on ABC's In Concert '91 wasn't too flattering either.) Ian Nathan The George Washington University Washington, D.C. eu894c@gwuvm.bitnet OR eu894c@gwuvm.gwu.edu * * * * * * * * * * FOR YOUR VIEWING PLEASURE: ========================== 21-NOV-1991 I was leafing through a catalog from Spectrum Music Video in PA, and found this ad, and I'll type it in word for word: CHRIS SQUIRE - An instructional video by Yes' bassist. He demonstrates his unique style on a variety of bass guitars. Also includes an in-depth interview and live footage of Chris performing with Yes. (Star Licks) Star Licks is the company which produced the video. The order number is I-123 and the cost is $49.95. The full address and phone # where this ad is from is: Spectrum Music Video P.O. Box 1128 Norristown, PA 19404 Phone:(215) 272-6142 Fax: (215) 272-6074 For a catalog, call them. For an order, they'll need more info of course. I should say I'm not in any way affiliated with Spectrum; I'm just a satisfied customer. A long time ago, on a computer long long gone, I requested a location to get "hard to find" videos from Usenet, and someone recommended Spectrum to me. I'm glad to return the favor in a way. As for other Yes videos, they list the usual bunch. They do carry a wide variety of Japanese and English imports. For example, they list a Japanese import from Rick Wakeman called "Live 1990", a show from the Nottingham Palace, U.K., June 21, 1990. The price is $69.95. They also list Bruford's "Bruford and the Beat" instructional video. Marty * * * * * * * * * * A FEW NOVEMBER BABIES: ====================== November -------- 22 Frank Woolf 23 Tanguy Kervahut 25 Mark Johnson 26 Terry Christian 26 Rick Rechowicz 27 Mike Sensor 29 Frank Schima 29 Dave Lawson 30 Russell Gorton * * * * * * * * * * CONTRIBUTORS: ============= Doug Bercow, Collin, Pete H., Matthew Tomich, David Kuznick, Jeff Tokazewski, Robert Talbert, Ian Nathan, Gregory Utas, and Marty Saletta. Thanks guys!! * * * * * * * * * * THOSE ALL-IMPORTANT ADDRESSES: ============================== New Subscribers, Contributions, Questions/Comments/Criticism: Cathy Leak V111PBXX@UBVMS.CC.BUFFALO.EDU NFTE Server (Lyrics, Backissues, Discography, Rarities, Surveys): Automated. For help send subject line "send main help", or refer to NFTE #21 YES-ARCHIVE@MEIKO.COM NFTE Server problems: Mike Borella BORELLA@TOADFLAX.EECS.UCDAVIS.EDU Mike Stok MIKE@MEIKO.COM Additions/Corrections to the Rarities List: Dave Markfield ILWN500@INDYCMS.IUPUI.EDU Additions/Corrections to the Discography, Lyrics, & GIFs: Mike Borella BORELLA@TOADFLAX.EECS.UCDAVIS.EDU Latest NFTE survey responses (due December 31, 1991): Doug Bercow BERCOW@APPLELINK.APPLE.COM For Import CD's (last resort): Joe Pizzirusso JOEP@CBMVAX.CBM.COMMODORE.COM ******************************************************************************** --< END OF NOTES FROM THE EDGE #26 >-- ********************************************************************************