* * * * * * * * * * ______ ______ ____________ _________ / \ | \ __/ \ __/ \__ _________ | \| \ / |/ _ \ _________ / | // _____ || / \_/ \ |NOTES \ // / \ \\_ \_ | |FROM \ || _____ ___\ \ \_ \_ | |THE \ || / ---/______| \ \_ | |EDGE ___\ || | | /______ __/ \ | |#33 ___/ \ \\ \_ \_ // | | \_____ / ___\ _/ \_ \ \_ _// | ______/ \__ \__/ ___/ \_ \____ | \_/ \__ ___/ \___ _/ \__ \__/ \ \_________/ \_____/ \_ \_____/ \ \_ | \_ | \__ __/ \_____________/ Notes From the Edge #33 March 2nd, 1992 * * * * * * * * * * IN THIS ISSUE... ================ Editorial Notes --May the Schwartz be with you Earthworks on Tour --The dates, the places... Here Today, Gone Tomorrow --Rick's latest album's near release A Few Thanks --A recording found Those Nagging Questions --GTR, Levin, Union shows Some Answers --To last issue's issues Leave it --Two viewpoints "To Be Over" Lyric --A possibility The Crimson Connection --Looking for keyboard-pals The Meaning of "Miracle of Life" --Tuna anyone? :-) Some Opinions on ABWH --Survey says: Thumbs up! Random Musings --On various topics More on the Future of Yes --Who should be in...and out! In Search of... --Strange landscapes, different times Are We Too Tough on Tony? --Readers speak out Endnotes --Excuses, excuses * * * * * * * * * * EDITORIAL NOTES: ================ Did you ever notice how we have so little time for the things we enjoy most? Seems like we spend 90% of our lives trying to make time for the 10% that we get the most pleasure out of. Like editing a newsletter! Between two projects, finals in three weeks, trying to teach 80 some odd students the fundamentals of computer science, looking for a summer job (the low-work, high-pay type, if you please... :-]) and searching for next year's apartment, sleep has become a luxury! Sometimes the little pleasures that keep us going get waylaid by nasty mobs of busywork and deadlines. (I love the literal meaning of some words...deadline...DEADline... makes me think of a guy in a 3 piece suit and a voice like Darth Vader, "If you don't get the proposal to me by 5pm, you're ____!") Well, anyway, this is just my roundabout way of letting you know what a relief it is to sit down and mull through two weeks of submissions to make a newsletter. I really enjoy this job, and when I get such a positive response from all of you, it makes it that much better. In the time between the last issue and this one, we've had over 40 new subscribers join. If nothing else I guess this means I should post to Usenet more often (and I didn't even start a flame war, so there! :-]) I welcome all of you aboard. Good news for those of you who've been waiting for the archive server to get back on-line. It should be up by the time you read this, same address, same interface and everything. However it will be a bit faster since the meiko.com site now has a direct link to the Internet. On a somewhat serious note, I'd really prefer that all Notes related mail get sent to me at: borella@snowball.cs.ucdavis.edu. Quite a few people sent submissions to borella@cs.ucdavis.edu, which gets to me but I'd like to keep mailing list mail all in one place. I send the newsletter from snowball, but the weird routing we have here sometimes makes it look like it came from "cs" or "toadflax.cs". So please don't use "r" or "R" to respond to the newsletter with your submission. If you are on a machine running Unix, you can set up an alias very easily: 1) Create a file (if you haven't already) called ".mailrc" 2) In this file put the following line: alias notes borella@snowball.cs.ucdavis.edu 3) When you want to send in a submission, type "mail notes" just like notes was a userid and then follow through normally. If you aren't using Unix or if this just confuses you, contact a friendly consultant or system administrator and ask them for help. This would really make my life easier. And finally, the We Have Heaven controversy managed to drum up quite a response. For sake of simplicity, the lyrics are: Tell the moondog tell the march hare We have heaven To look around He is here Yes! Here is here Thanks to Robert Kudla, Ron Chrisley, John Nash, Roan Anderson, Robert Francis, Mitch Gorman and several others (whose names didn't show up in mail headers) for the replies. Not everybody responded with the same exact text, but minor discrepancies aside this is what almost everyone (and the Yes Complete songbook) agreed on. -Mike Borella Editor of Notes From the Edge borella@snowball.cs.ucdavis.edu * * * * * * * * * * EARTHWORKS ON TOUR: =================== Baltimore, MD Max's On Broadway 3/10 Philadelphia, PA Theatre of Living Arts 3/11 Vienna, VA Wolftrap 3/12 TBA, NJ 3/13 New York NY The Bottom Line 3/14-15 Mansfield, PA State College Ballroom 3/16 Boston, MA The Nightstage 3/18 North Hampton, MA Iron Horse 3/20 Huntington, NY IMAC 3/20 There seems to be a bit of a discrepancy with the last two dates... I seriously doubt they've scheduled two shows on the same day. If anybody can clear this up or has further info (like, west coast dates would be nice :-]) Thanks to Ross Storey for the dates (which I stole from a newsgroup!) -Mike Borella borella@cs.ucdavis.edu * * * * * * * * * * HERE TODAY, GONE TOMORROW...: ============================= Date: Wed, 26 Feb 1992 01:39 EST From: STOREYR@Venus.YCC.Yale.Edu I received the latest catalogue from Long's Christian Music Supply this week. One of the new releases listed is "Prayers" from Rick Wakeman at $10.98! I imagine this is a sequel of sorts to last year's "The Gospels." I don't have the address right now, but I'll try to get it soon for anyone who might want to order that. It is a good price. Also, for anyone who is interested, there was no mention of the re-release/box of Kerry Livgren's Seeds of Change/Timeline. Ross Storey StoreyR@Venus.YCC.Yale.edu +++ +++ +++ +++ Date: Sun, 1 Mar 1992 18:59 EST From: STOREYR@Venus.YCC.Yale.Edu Concerning my previous remarks about Rick Wakeman's new album "Prayers", it turns out that plans to release that one have been shelved. However, the company that had listed "Prayers" on its upcoming releases list, Long's Christian Music, did say that they plan on stocking many of Wakeman's albums which are currently available only as imports in the near future. They did not specify which ones, but I would guess they meant the numerous New Age recordings like the Airs collection, the Ambient collection, and the Sunworks box. Once again, I don't have their address on me, but I'll try to remember to submit that soon. Also, the appended comment on the two Livgren CD's, Seeds of Change and Time Line, is void now too. They are now available. Ross Storey * * * * * * * * * * A FEW THANKS: ============= Date: Tue, 25 Feb 92 12:04:17 CST From: "David Zekert" Thanks to everyone who responded to my search for the A Cappella "Leave It," especially Dale Hackmeyer. Dale and I both attend the University of Missouri at Columbia, so getting a copy was no problem. Regards, David * * * * * * * * * * THOSE NAGGING QUESTIONS: ======================== Date: Tue, 18 Feb 92 10:52:31 EST From: Jeff Tucker Hello NFTE, Does anyone remember the name of the keyboard player who toured with GTR? Just wondering? thanks, Jeff +++ +++ +++ +++ Date: Mon, 17 Feb 92 11:36:07 EST From: tculver@weil.helios.nd.edu (timothy culver) I caught the first few minutes of a movie that starred Paul Simon as the leader of a rock band. The bassist was Tony Levin. I'm a big fan of Levin's work, both with Yes (etc) and with King Crimson. (Tangent: Levin is so much more skilled and versatile than Squire. My standard for comparison: try Levin's brilliant complement to Robert Fripp and Adrian Belew on the Crimson albums of the 80's -- versus Squire's loud, unimpressive Amazing Grace solo, which even Roger Waters could play!) Anyway, does anyone know what the movie is? Does it have a worthwhile soundtrack? It also had a scene with the B-52's, so that puts it within the last ten years or so. Tim Culver tculver@darwin.cc.nd.edu +++ +++ +++ +++ Date: Wed, 26 Feb 1992 00:47 EST From: <00JJGUSKE@LEO.BSUVC.BSU.EDU> I saw Yes on the recent Union tour in Chicago at the Rosemont Horizon. Before 'Seen all Good People--Your Move' Jon said that they were going to record and that everyone should join in. I was wondering if this live recording is out there somewhere. If you have any info please e-mail me. Thanks. Thanks for the posting, J [ Many of the Union shows had one or more songs recorded but I don't think any are available except on video. - Mike ] * * * * * * * * * * SOME ANSWERS: ============= From: Ronald L Chrisley Date: Mon, 17 Feb 92 14:03:03 GMT >THE GIFT OF TONGUES: > ==================== > >From: TGRAVES@UPS.EDU > > If anybody out there can possibly tell me what is being said > (mumbled) at the end of _to be over_ I would be extremely grateful. You see, > I got my friend into that album this last summer and he said he'd kill me > if I didn't find out what is being said. (Jokingly, of course) I thought > it might be in a foreign language, like the stuff on _topographic_, but my > friend who speaks French nixed that idea. Swiss?(ha ha) because Moraz > is on that Album? I remember reading in Hedges' Yes biography that nothing is being said there; it actually is quite similar to speaking in tongues! They just made whatever sounds with their mouths they wanted to. > From: KURT MILLER > > I was wondering if anyone knows what the words are that are spoken by > the voice of (I presume) a child at the end of the track "Angkor Wat" on the > Union disc? Along the same lines, what is the translation of the title? Someone typed in an English translation a long time ago; it should be in a back-issue. Angkor Wat is, I believe, the largest temple in the world; it is in Cambodia. > From: "David Drum" > > Umpteen years ago when 90125 was released, I heard an A Cappella version > of "Leave It" ONCE. It made such a big impression on me that I have > always wanted to find it, with no luck. > Can anyone help? > > David It's on the 7" and 12" singles of "Leave It". > For ELP fans: > > I just noticed that the guitar solo from "Something's > Coming" (from the boxed set) is the same as the guitar > part in ELP's "I Believe in Father Christmas" - listen > carefully from about 4:28 to 4:45 into the song. This > song certainly pre-dates IBiFC. I assume that this > music is from original Sondheim/Bernstein piece? > Wouldn't be the first time ELP lifted something from > a classic... The theme is "Troika" from the Lt. Kije Suite by Prokofiev. A troika is a three-horse Russian sled. For many, the piece has Christmas connotations, which explains Emerson's use of it, but not Yes's. By the way, the classical theme in "Russians" by Sting is also from Lt. Kije Suite. Another appropriate use. > [mke@kaberd.rain.com on Lake in Asia] One thing about Lake joining Asia: they had to transpose the songs down several keys in order for Greg to sing them, which made the songs sound odd... Finally, as Rob Petrone says: buy the Kansas album when it is released!!!! Ronald L. Chrisley +++ +++ +++ +++ From: Ingrid Agolia >For ELP fans: >I just noticed that the guitar solo from "Something's >Coming" (from the boxed set) is the same as the guitar >part in ELP's "I Believe in Father Christmas" - listen >carefully from about 4:28 to 4:45 into the song. This >song certainly pre-dates IBiFC. I assume that this >music is from original Sondheim/Bernstein piece? >Wouldn't be the first time ELP lifted something from >a classic... Actually, the section of music that you hear in the background is indeed the same as what is on Father Christmas by ELP. It is titled ``Troika'' (Russian for a horse-drawn Sleigh) and is part of the Lt. Kije Suite by Sergie Prokofiev. I've always thought that bands like ELP and Yes ``lift'' classical pieces as a way to show that there really isn't all that much difference between classical music and good rock. It's all in the way it's interpreted and presented. Ingrid iba@rti.rti.org +++ +++ +++ +++ Date: Mon, 17 Feb 92 12:06:01 EST From: Nous Sommes du Soleil a) Angkor Wat is an ancient ruined place in Cambodia. b) Miracle of Life is no way about being pro-life and that's that. I think it just makes a cool song. Any analysis of Yes lyrics should be carefully thought through and should be accompanied by large quantities of psychadelic drugs. c) Now my question: what the heck is a "khatru"??? [ I think this was answered a while back. Its translation from Yemeni was "As you wish" (refer to Notes #12) - Mike ] * * * * * * * * * * LEAVE IT: ========= From: MICHAEL.LEE@mail.admin.wisc.edu Date: Mon, 17 Feb 92 08:51 CST I think I actually own the Leave It single with the acapella version -- it was one of the first singles I bought -- along with Genesis' That's All and Asia's Don't Cry they were singles I loved, but albums I wouldn't get for years...I didn't buy albums until much later. I don't know how good the quality is - I wasn't a collector in any way then, and I wouldn't be surprised if it's kind of hacked up. What I'd die for is the one time MTV showed all thirty billion versions of the Leave It video...... Michael Lee +++ +++ +++ +++ Date: Mon, 17 Feb 92 10:59:07 -0500 From: dbreiden@mentor.cc.purdue.edu I don't mean to question anyone's tastes, but I find the a capella "Leave It" to be a bad joke. Maybe I'm overly sensitive because I know what it's like to really do a tune a capella, but when you release a single on which the producer did nothing but drop all tracks but the vocals, that IS NOT a capella!! Besides the improper use of the musical term, the whole recording sounds very fake--the silence during instrumental interludes is deafening. I was excited when I heard of the "a capella" recording; when I heard it, I was deflated. Respectfully submitted, Danny Breidenbach * * * * * * * * * * "TO BE OVER" LYRIC: =================== Date: Mon, 17 Feb 1992 12:13:14 -0800 (PST) From: TGRAVES@UPS.EDU Just to clarify my last entry, I'm trying to find out what the chorus of voices chanting softly in the background in the end of _To Be Over_ is saying. I'd Appreciate any ideas, and I'd like to hear anything about this rumored King Crimson reunion. [ See below. - Mike ] +++ +++ +++ +++ Date: Wed, 19 Feb 92 16:11 GMT From: a cabbage for your genocide In answer to the person in 'Notes from the Edge' 32 , I think that the lyrics of the choral part at the end of 'To be Over' are: Sound relayer, sound relayer, sound relayer to sound Sound relayer, sound relayer, to the sun chase. I could be wrong, but I am pretty certain that's what is sung. Spencer Jones. * * * * * * * * * * THE CRIMSON CONNECTION: ======================= Date: Mon, 17 Feb 92 11:53:38 EST From: tculver@weil.helios.nd.edu (timothy culver) I'm first and foremost a Yes fan, but I'm also a big King Crimson fan. I'd like to converse with other fans -- I figure this might be a good place to find them, considering the Bruford connection. Does anybody have: a) the live _USA_ album, circa 1974, which I can't find; b) the new box set, which I can't afford? (I have all the rest :-) Tim Culver tculver@darwin.cc.nd.edu [ If you haven't already, you might want to check out Discipline, the King Crimson mailing list, which is run by Toby Howard at: toby@cs.man.ac.uk - Mike ] * * * * * * * * * * THE MEANING OF "MIRACLE OF LIFE": ================================= Date: Mon, 17 Feb 92 13:09:35 EST From: "BURN DOWN VIOLETTE HALL!!!" The meaning behind this song, according to a source that I heard when the "Union" album first came out, is the senseless slaughter of dolphins. I don't remember now where I heard that, but I don't have any reason not to agree with it! I think it was also talked about on one of the editions of Rockline with Yes. It was the one that had Trevor Rabin on if I remember right... - Matthew Tomich +++ +++ +++ +++ Date: Mon, 17 Feb 92 21:33:47 -0600 From: John R. Nash Random scraps: --> Miracle of Life: It's about killing dolphins. (Read any good tuna cans lately?) "Sacred lives of oceans, washed away like mud...." source: Rabin himself, on the premiere show. -->Earthworks: anyone have a tour date list? I MUST see them! -john nash nash@chem.wisc.edu * * * * * * * * * * SOME OPINIONS ON ABWH: ====================== Date: Mon, 17 Feb 92 08:40:45 -0500 From: mcmahan@cs.unca.edu Yes, I had the choice between getting ABWH and Union this weekend, and I thought ABWH would be the better deal... The first side has been great so far. I have to completely agree with Anil about ABWH getting back together and getting rid of the rest. I have heard a few tracks from Union, and compared to ABWH they aren't as great. Speaking of Yesyears, is there anyone out there with the boxed set who'd be willing to make a tape of all the non-album stuff? I have a large collection of Genesis and Police (and a few Marillion) bootlegs... (Even if I could find the boxed set :) I couldn't afford it -- they probably wouldn't let me in to even look at it. :)) Does Yes have a future? Not as a 20 man band, I don't think, with everybody. It was a clever publicity stunt, but I don't think it will last. They need to get the best (or at least the most dedicated) members to stay, and the rest go out on their own. Scott +++ +++ +++ +++ From: rawdon@cs.wisc.edu (Michael Rawdon) Date: Fri, 28 Feb 92 20:44:30 CST I finally got around to buying ABWH on CD - it's one of those albums that's just grown on me more and more as time goes on. (At this point it's without a doubt my favorite post-_Drama_ Yes-oriented set.) So this means I finally got a chance to read the lyrics. Regarding "Second Attention": Is this fragment of "Themes" supposed to be a castigation of the Squire/White/Kaye/Rabin Yes line-up? The lyrics give me that sense: a sort of "You don't want to listen to them - you want to listen to US" sort of piece. +++ +++ +++ +++ From: Robert Kudla > Has anyone heard of a release by ABWH in the near future? > I have heard that while recording the tracks that ended up on UNION, > about an albums worth were left out, slated for release on a new ABWH. > Any truth to this. I can't tell the poster anything about that, but according to my local record store, there *is* a Japanese import CD entitled "ABWH - Dialogue". Considering that that was the fabled name of the new Yes album to begin with, we haven't a clue what it is yet, but I'm trying to find out. Anyone else's info would be appreciated. Watch it turn out to be a lame interview disk.... [ ...or a bootleg... - Mike ] > Saw Rush in Sacramento and Oakland last week... my response to the question > "How does it compare to the Yes Union shows?" > "Who are Yes?" Hmmm. While this tour's Rush shows were far better to the last ones I went to (for Hold your Fire - I never wanted to see Rush again after Presto came out) I'd rank it about halfway down my list of favorite concerts, with the three Union shows I saw being the top three followed by Lollapalooza and the least favorite being either Yes in 1987 or Jethro Tull on this tour. Just goes to show you we're a diverse bunch..... Rob * * * * * * * * * * RANDOM MUSINGS: =============== Date: Wed, 19 Feb 1992 11:21 CST From: RNT3515%TNTECH.bitnet@CUNYVM.CUNY.EDU Well, I owe you guys a couple responses here. First of all, concerning Gregg Brown's questions about the meaning of "Miracle of Life". I had never thought of it as an anti-abortion song -- interesting idea. I always figured it was an environmental tune. I can't make out half the lyrics, but the ones that I can seem to be in this vein, especially, when Jon sings the names of the oceans ("Pacifica, Atlantica, India, Antarctica..." [yeah I know there's more oceans then this, but this is rock and roll not geography! =) ]). This song is really underrated, by the way. Rolling Stone (musical geniuses that they are... >>NOT<<) said it was "Christmas music", which of course is stupid. I love the intro (even though you can hear the overdub tapes click in during the short a capella section), especially the rhythmic weirdness (this whole tune is basically a major-key remake of "Changes", though better than the original, maybe) and the keyboard run that is taken straight from Handel's "Water Music" (appropriate, no?). Definitely the best tune on the album. Second, about Rob Petrone's response to my thing in NFTE 31 about Steve Walsh. I had no idea Kansas was coming out with another album -- cool! I hope it won't be as pathetic as _In the Spirit of Things), though. That little band idea with Trevor Rabin and Steve Walsh was just a daydream, nothing I think has any possibility for actually happening. I just think that if these two gentlemen find themselves bandless or looking for a one- or two-album lark anytime soon, they should try each other out. And hire me as their bass player. =) Didn't Yes audition Walsh as a possible replacement for Jon Anderson after Jon quit? And speaking of men with high voices, has anyone heard from Max Bacon of GTR lately? The last I saw of him was on Mike Oldfield's last album, _Earth Moving_. Max's voice is too awesome... Styx should kick Dennis "Pansy" DeYoung out and put Max in (IMHO). See ya next time! -- Robert +++ +++ +++ +++ Date: Mon, 17 Feb 92 15:25:05 EST From: Rob Petrone In response to Kurt's question about Angkor Wat, as John Nash enlightened us in NFTE 13, Angkor Wat is an old Khmer temple in Kampuchea (NW Cambodia). The poem is recited in Khmer by Pauline Cheng, and the translation was provided by Sara Lewis in NFTE #16 from an interview she heard with Jon Anderson. [ Thanks Rob...I should have been on the ball and pointed that out. We *really* need a FAQ... - Mike ] In response to Anil's observation concerning ABWH & Levin, I wouldn't mind hearing more from this lineup (kinda like a King Crimson / Yes hybrid), only we never get to hear enough from Tony! His bass is always mixed down to nonexistence! I was thoroughly disappointed in /ABWH/ because I couldn't hear Tony at all! Even in Andy Summers' new album, Tony is mixed out almost entirely! Where are these producers coming from?! If there is a new ABWH line-up, I would like it to be ABWHL, giving Tony his fair share of the mix! Oh, and I just want to clarify my post to NFTE 31 where I said that Rabin has been providing the enthusiasm for Yes since /Drama/. I didn't mean that Rabin was *in* /Drama/. I realize that the /90125/ lineup was the first to include him, but I meant to say that *without* Trevor's presence the albums since /Drama/ would have been limp. I see Rabin as a driving force behind the band these days. Perhaps that has to do with his youthful vigor, perhaps the others have become jaded or disallusioned with Yes (case in point: Bill), but whatever the reason, Yes without Rabin would just be ABWH with a few extras. That is not to downplay Squire's abilities--he's great, but Levin could do anything Squire could do just as well IMHO, and Bruford...well, Bill has always wanted to play jazz, even from the very beginning. Can we deny the man his aspirations? Let's face it, if he doesn't want to be there, it's going to affect his playing. He's a limp limb. Let him do what makes him happy. Anyway, hate Rabin if you must, but the man has got some power in those strings. Regards from the City of (Brotherly) Love, Rob Petrone * * * * * * * * * * MORE ON THE FUTURE OF YES: ========================== Date: Mon, 17 Feb 1992 15:55:32 -0800 (PST) From: TGRAVES@UPS.EDU I would like to address the question of a final blowout YES album and its lineup. First, I'd like to say this: the definitive final album of YES will include the _Going for the One_ lineup. It will also contain Bruford, Rabin, and Kaye. These are exactly the people who were on the Union tour. Now, the reasons why. Squire: What is YES without the Doctor? From Yes' inception Squire has produced some of the best bass lines ever. His vocal abilities have strongly defined YES since the beginning. Also, he has legal rights to the name YES. His writing is still spectacular, I believe if given the chance and the right environment, he could produce amazing stuff. Kaye: Kaye and Wakeman get along very well. Kaye, although his style is very thin, has come up with some very grand YES textures, his organ playing is stupendous, he is a great arranger. Just think of _The Yes Album_-- wonderful isn't it? Anderson: I feel I don't have to say much here, only that his voice keeps getting better. This man has a vision and helped YES get back together. I really can't imagine another singer. Howe: What can I say, except _Yours is no Disgrace_, _And You and I_, _Going For the One_, _Close to the Edge_, _To Be Over_, _Sound Chaser_, _Siberian Khatru_, _Roundabout_, _Long Distance Runaround_, _South Side of the Sky_, _Parallels_, _Wonderous Stories_, _Heart of the Sunrise_, anon. Bruford: Though he seems to be an arrogant guy, unenthusiastic, I think he's always been that way. His polyrhythms, fills, jazzy drumming made early YES tracks. White: Pure enthusiasm, tight drumming, innovative, gets along well with everybody. Wakeman: God of keyboards. Rabin: _Miracle of Life_ is definite YES material at its near-finest. He's also written lots of great stuff on _Big Generator_. Though it's not highly likely that they will do an album together, really together where they all contribute, I believe all of these elements constitute the YES I know. Just imagine what they could come up with! --Just an answer to YES. +++ +++ +++ +++ From: greywolf@defender.ossi.com (Roan Anderson) Date: Tue, 18 Feb 1992 11:18:00 -0800 I agree that an album would be certainly much better done if the lineup would start compiling things as a group instead of on different schedules. Given the attitude of Jon Anderson, as much as I love his stuff, this looks like a no-op. It's really disappointing to see that Chris has gone so far downhill. I really wish that somehow we could get a message across to him that there are people out here who would really *love* to see him drop the booze and start climbing again. Bill? Ha. Tony? He had his moments in earlier albums, but man, who *is* this bozo? Alan? There we go, but as has been noted, one can't just do "Heart of the Sunrise" on drums... I dunno, to see them do one final kick-ass album and possibly tour once more would be nice, but I don't think it'll happen. I'll just kick back and listen to Tales from Topographic Oceans for a while. As far as _UNION_ goes, it was a nice idea, and I still like to listen to the album. It's a *real* pity that "The More We Live -- Let Go" got panned so badly by the reviewers. That tune blows doors on every other tune on the album! I mean, okay, sure, it's not the less commercial side of the group, but they really turned out a rough gem with this one! (For me, I'm truly impressed if a song is intense enough to drag my concentration to the song from making love with my lady!) There is some REAL powerful energy coming from this song -- someone out there could doubtless come up with some really KILLER technoanimation or something and make a great video from it. It's in the same league (musically) as "Turn of the Century" (for those who *haven't* listened to this song, do so -- it's the single most coherent song Yes have ever done). It's a pity that the group no longer lives up to all the hype which surrounded them. If there were to be a lineup to do this final album, I'd do: Anderson: Obvious. Put him on vocals and leave him there. Break his hands so he can't play anything else. Squire: Only if he could get (and keep) his shit together, otherwise Levin: Not quite the spark of Squire, but more together, and excellent in his own right. Wakeman: He still screams! Rabin AND Howe: Unless we could find someone who played like both of them put together, and as well. This I doubt. Rabin's crispness and sharp edges combined with Howe's spirit and warmth would make for an excellent sound. Yes they're different, but they could con- ceivably work together. White instead of Bruford: I'd vote them both in if Bill could keep his attitude out of the way. I guess he doesn't see the effect of two drummers -- I thought it was great! It was like seeing the Dead, almost. I got to see Bruford/Earthworks perform at a small out-of-the- way venue in San Rafael, CA (small == 260 people maximum!). The guy was great. He was playing chords on his synthpads in one called "Pilgrim's Way", and I thought, "Gee, he sounds like he really wanted to do keyboards and didn't have the knack; that must be frustrating." After the show, he mentioned that "Well, really, I'm a frustrated keyboard player..." The reason he doesn't mix well with Yes is illustrated by the fact that he doesn't like to talk about Rock, or do Rock or think Rock. He's a Jazz player and really much happier doing the Jazz scene. ----- To the people who seem to think that Yes is a God-given band to their Christian causes: I will agree that there are Xian overtones to their music, but they do it in such a way that they are not force-feeding religion to those who don't want it. I didn't even realise that they were a God-loving bunch of musicians until someone else brought it up. I just loved the music for what it was. Yes' religion is not the love of God. It is the god of Love. In "Brother of Mine" from ABWH, there is the line of "We have walked the path of all the known religions." Nothing could be truer -- these guys have OBVIOUSLY seen more than most of us have even considered. If they've forgotten everything else they've seen, this might be the reason for their downfall -- they've slipped into a groove. ---- Yes' lyrics seem to me almost incidental most of the time. "Turn of the Century" is one notable exception, where music and lyrics fuse so completely into one. Most of what I love about them is the intensity of their music. They put a lot of energy and spirit into their music and it shows. I hope they do one more album, but if they can't do it right, then yes, they should hang up their hats or, better yet, pass the torch on. Let some others become Yes. (Do you suppose they might need a keyboard player :^) greywolf@ossi.com * * * * * * * * * * IN SEARCH OF...: ================ Date: 18 Feb 92 12:38:45 From: Tom Weyer I'm looking for a catalog of Dean's artwork, and prices for any/all of his various prints. I am acquainted with much of his work on YES'S album covers as well as ASIA, and ABWH but am sure he has other noteworthy works. I saw the full size Blue Dessert painting (on an TV art show), it is HUGE. I love his concept of integrating nature, technology, and fantasy into his art work. I wish I could purchase ALL his originals but alas that kind of money is not in my immediate future and I would need a MUCH larger place to hang them all. Thanks for all the help. Tom Weyer Bitnet: TW9@CornellC Internet: TW9@Cornellc.CIT.Cornell.edu +++ +++ +++ +++ Date: Wed, 26 Feb 92 16:51:42 -0500 From: rcf2001@andy.bgsu.edu Hey my name is Rob Francis and I'm relatively new to Notes From The Edge, but in response to some things last issue. I missed out on something here with these YES posters from YES Magazine. First of all I don't even know what YES Magazine is! BUT....My birthday is March 16th and they stop selling them the 15th and my brother needs an address so he can get me my Tales From Topographic birthday present! So any info on how I can get one would be much appreciated. [ Doug Gottlieb is the editor of Yes Magazine and also subscribes to Notes. For more information on Yes Magazine and the poster sale, write him at: YES Magazine 12 Chelsea Place Dix Hills, NY 11746-5414 USA Since Doug doesn't get a chance to log on very often, please don't send him email regarding the publication. - Mike ] On a personal note, King Crimson's cover of the Court of the Crimson King album, available on GIF in the archives, makes a great deskpicture (background) and is also great for conversation starters. Well that's all for now, thanks! Always, Robert Carl Francis * * * * * * * * * * ARE WE TOO TOUGH ON TONY? ========================= Date: Sun, 23 Feb 1992 19:38 PST From: CIS1001044@AXE.HUMBOLDT.EDU First off, I'd like to say that this newsletter is pretty cool. As a new Yes freak (recently converted at the Union shows), I am a little surprised by the comments from some people. Half of the letters sound like eulogies!! I didn't realize the rampant dislike for various members of the band. I know everyone has their favorites, but this is ridiculous! Can't you just appreciate the music and talent? Anyway, now that I've gotten that off my chest... I have a couple of tidbits. To answer the question about the theme behind "Miracle of Life", I heard it was about the slaughter of dolphins. (Lyrical hints: "cold depths of blue water...", "rising tide to slaughter", "Pacifica-Atlantica-India-Antarctica") Also, for anyone interested in news on a new Rabin solo album, (is there anybody?!), I heard him interviewed on the Mark and Brian radio program in L.A. in August. He said that he'd written and recorded some songs for an upcoming solo project. Well, that's all that I've got! Lesley CIS1001044@AXE.HUMBOLDT.EDU +++ +++ +++ +++ Date: Mon, 24 Feb 92 03:58:55 -0500 From: x90wallis3@gw.wmich.edu Ok, ok, he was less than friendly on Yesyears, but he is, IMHO (and several of my friends'), the most underrated guitarist alive. He's got monster chops and flawless style. Let us face the facts. Rabin is excellent. Sorry if I seem simple, Bob [ These were the two posts on this topic, but I also received a letter from a reader who seriously objected to the treatment that many of us have given Tony (I did not post it because the author didn't give me permission). In the same sense, quite a few people have bashed Trevor, and others. As the editor this is what I think: As far as I'm concerned anybody can voice their opinion about anything as long as it's not a personal attack on another reader. If you think Tony sucks, Trevor's overrated and Jon should be killed in a freak lawnmower accident and want to post these opinions, that's fine. On the other hand, if you think that these three add incomparable depth and dimension to Yes music, that's fine too. Whatever you think, feel free to express yourself, and please respect the opinions of other readers. - Mike ] * * * * * * * * * * ENDNOTES: ========= In case you're wondering, yes this newsletter is one day late. My excuse? Well, I decided that my exam today took precedence, so I bagged doing the finishing touches last night. Hope you don't mind. :-) The next issue might be off by a day or two as well because I'll be deep into my final projects by that time (theoretically, at least). However if some timely information comes along, such as Earthworks tour dates, I'll send out a special mailing for that. I still haven't gotten any volunteers to help with a FAQ list or backissue directory, so if you're interested, drop me a line. Ok, that's a wrap! -Mike Borella Editor of Notes From the Edge borella@snowball.cs.ucdavis.edu * * * * * * * * * * THOSE ALL-IMPORTANT ADDRESSES: ============================== New subscribers, contributions, questions/comments/criticism, and additions/corrections to the discography: Mike Borella (Editor) borella@snowball.cs.ucdavis.edu NFTE Server (lyrics, backissues, discography, rarities, surveys, GIFs): Automated. For help send mail with subject line yes-archive@meiko.com "send main help" to NFTE Server problems, additions/corrections to the lyrics & GIFs, and additions/corrections to the rarities list: Mike Stok mike@meiko.com NFTE backissues and lyrics via anonymous FTP from cs.uwp.edu (131.210.1.4): Backissues: Directory: /pub/music/lists/yes Lyrics: Directory: /pub/music/lyrics/files/yes GIFs: Directory: /pub/music/gifs/yes Contact for helping out with transcriptions: Greg Utas utas@bnr.ca For Import CD's (last resort): Joe Pizzirusso joep@cbmvax.cbm.commodore.com ******************************************************************************** --< END OF NOTES FROM THE EDGE #33 >-- ********************************************************************************