______ ______ ____________ _________ / \ | \ __/ \ __/ \__ | \| \ / |/ _ \ | // _____ || / \_/ \ // / \ \\_ \___ \ || _____ ___\ \ \_ \ \ || / --/ ______| \ \ ___\ || | | - /______ __/ \ ___/ \ \\ \_ \_ // | / ___\ _/ \_ \ \_ _// | \__ \__/ ___/ \_ \____ | \_/ \__ ___/ \___ _/ \__ \__/ \ \_________/ \_____/ \_ \_____/ \ \_ | \_ | \__ __/ \_____________/ N o t e s F r o m T h e E d g e #90 THE Internet Magazine For YES Fans (copyright) January 11, 1994 ______________________________________________________________________________ | nfte nfte nfte nfte nfte nfte nfte | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ IN THIS ISSUE ============= Steve Howe - - DC Review Steve Howe - - A Rod Stewart Connection? Yes - - The Family Album Yes - - But What Does It Mean? Rick Wakeman - - Better Days Asia - - Tongue In Cheek Birotron - - An Answer Yes - - Big Generator Live Birotron - - Affirmed Again New Albums - - Thoughts Turn Of The Century - - Story Impressions Asia - - Instrumental Song? Sound Chaser - - Tribute From The Editor - - Hi There ______________________________________________________________________________ | nfte nfte nfte nfte nfte nfte nfte | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ STEVE HOWE IN DC ================ From: IN%"71334.332@CompuServe.COM" "Jimmy Jones" Hi, here's a quick note on the Washington D.C. Steve Howe concert. First of all, I am a hard core YES fan since 1971, and truly admire Steve for the virtuoso that he is. However, I cannot understand at all why he chose to sing on this gig. I know he wrote most of the music, and I know it was an 'informal' show, very intimate and fun. But the singing almost ruined it for me. Anyway, I won't dwell on it, obviously his voice didn't deter other fans, the show was sold out! He played lots of pieces of tunes from all his groups and solos albums, the last NFTE had a list that was the same as the washington show. Much emphasis on classical guitar - he didn't really go electric until the very end with things like the Starship Trooper intro, My White Bicycle, Heat of the Moment...etc. All the while his running banter and elf-like visual performance kept us all enthralled. The sound people gave him fits (The Bayou in Georgetown). First too soft, then too loud, then too much reverb and feedback, then...well in Steve's own words: 'WHAT'S HAPPENING???' I sure wouldn't want to have been in their shoes after the show :) I was there early enough to get a table up front, and after an hour wait in rapidly dropping temperatures outside Steve rushed by into the club. He said 'hi' to us in line, but nothing else, seemed a little rushed and anxious. (When Rick Wakeman came he talked to just about everyone, but then he didn't have to tune his keyboards!) I really enjoyed his solo work, was very happy to see him out there playing his heart out and showing those who may have forgotten that he indeed does 'still have it', but I wish, I wish, I wish, oh how I wish he had asked Jon, Chris, Trevor(?!), Frank Sinatra, Bono, ANYONE to sing instead of trying to do it himself...oh, the horror.....(he said with a disarming grin)... * * * * * * * * * * ROD STEWART CONNECTION? ======================= From: IN%"V091RUSJ@ubvms.cc.buffalo.edu" "CONFUSION" I was recently searching through the album database at the new "the Wall" chain near me and came across an entry I have heard nothing about. Steve Howe was cross-listed with Rod Stewart. It didn't say which album, so... does anybody know of this recording? Was it a mistake? I am just a little curious. Later! [Ed. - I can't imagine what this could be.] * * * * * * * * * * THE AFFIRMATIVE YES FAMILY ALBUM ================================ From: IN%"V091RUSJ@ubvms.cc.buffalo.edu" "CONFUSION" This is not a review. I just want to know if anyone has any idea what the first minute of the first track off the Affirmative Yes Solo Family Album is. It sounds like Yes, though there is no mention of it in the booklet. It cannot be part of Catherine Howard, that is for sure. (: So... what is it!? * * * * * * * * * * NEW YES BOOK ANYONE? ==================== From: IN%"wcsanil@ccs.carleton.ca" A new Yes book called "Yes -- But What Does It Mean?" has allegedly been published by a company called Wyndstar. Supposedly, this book has been endorsed by Yes itself. It costs $15 and the address is: Wyndstar c/o Thomas and Coral Mosbo 824 Neumann Court Milton, WI 53563-1773 USA Buyer beware here though... I don't have a copy, nor do I have any details on this thing. I'm curious if anyone else does. Please let us all know. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ aNiL pRaSaD wcsanil@ccs.carleton.ca * * * * * * * * * * RICK WAKEMAN, BETTER DAYS ========================= From: IN%"90125@unh.edu" "Jet Jaguar" Hello all, Can somebody please tell me what happened to Rick Wakeman? I realize I'm in danger of offending the many Wakeman fans out there by saying this, but I seriously haven't heard much good music from him in probably the last fifteen years. Don't get me wrong-- I've been a huge Yes fan for years and still am, but to be be honest, I'm glad Rick won't be appearing on the next Yes album (it is definite that he won't be on it, right?) I've been thinking about this for a while, but Wakeman's recent release "Rick Wakeman's Greatest Hits" (an inaccurate title if I ever saw one) really clinched it. Listening to Wakeman's absolutely disgusting interpretations of classic Yes tunes, I would never know he was once a member of this band. The godawful liner notes to this disc mention something about Rick using "artistic license" to make "mostly subtle" changes to enhance this music. I've never read anything so ridiculous in my life. Rick, like David Palmer and the London Philharmonic on "Symphonic Music of Yes" seems to have an extremely limited view of the possibilities available for music like this (I think Palmer succeeds slightly, though-- the Symphonic album to me is merely mediocre while Wakeman's is downright terrible, but that's another discussion). Throughout the recording, Rick takes pieces that were once adventurous, daring, and cutting-edge, and turns them into bland computerized pop songs. The amount of feeling and emotion I get out of this recording is ZERO. Instead of demonstrating the power and beauty of what this music once was, these new 'interpretations' prompt me to wonder whether Rick's brain is 16 or 32 bits. The disc is so lacking in human feeling that it baffles me as to why it was ever released. But what happened since the days of "Close To The Edge", "Fragile", and "Six Wives"? On these recordings it is clear to me that Rick had more emotion in his playing. The notes meant more, and there was definitely a human soul behind these sounds. Without this necessary and obvious link between human feeling and music, the music is empty. Listen to Rick on "Close To The Edge" and then compare it to his new version of "Madrigal" or his circus-music rendition of "Going For The One" on the "Greatest Hits" disc. Somehow he has lost the fire in his playing. Every note sounds computerized (i.e., no feeling).And drummer (?) Tony Fernandez could easily be replaced by a drum machine. There is nothing surprising here, nothing that makes you sit up and take notice, because the human element is somehow gone. So... anyone want to buy my "Greatest Hits" disc? I'll sell it cheap! :) * * * * * * * * * * NEW ASIA ALBUM IDEAS ==================== From: IN%"07822@brahms.udel.edu" "Jeremy Weissenburger" Subj: New Asia album titles... Driving in the car, I started to postulate about Asia's next album. It has been said that they are in the studio, but what could they use for a title? So here are (from the home office): The Top 5 suggestions for the new Asia title: 5) Aja (of course, Steely Dan might sue, but what the hell...) 4) Abba (an album of cover tunes! Similarly, they could use "Anka") 3) Aurora (seriously, I kind of like this one...) 2) Abuttafuocoa and the number one suggestion... ALFALFA --Jeremy * * * * * * * * * * BIG GENERATOR LIVE QUESTION =========================== From: IN%"STU_NESHUE@VAX1.ACS.JMU.EDU" Hey there everyone! I have a question for all you knowledgable Yes people: which boot CD set from the BG tour has both Holy Lamb and the Ritual excerpt on it? I'd appreciate any answers, just send 'em straight to me! And anyone interested in trading Yes shows, PLEASE send me e-mail, I'd love to trade!! Later on, Nate stu_neshue@vax1.acs.jmu.edu * * * * * * * * * * MORE ON THE BIROTRON ==================== From: IN%"r.rarich@genie.geis.com" >BIOTRON, BIROTRON? >From:IN%"John.Lukes@EBay.Sun.COM" >Mike: >The Steve Howe interview was excellent -- thanks for posting it. >I paraphrased the portion about the practical joke on Rick Wakeman for a >discussion on the Gilbraltar Digest because they have been discussing >the Biotron keyboard device. Your interview listed it as a >Birotron...but I'd be willing to bet this should read Biotron. >Can you verify? >[Ed. - I believe it is "birotron". John, Yes it is Birotron- an interesting name, although I don't know how this was derived. Actually I think the Birotron is an interesting instrument that is deserving of some comment. In addition to being a major force in shaping the sound of Tormato (for better ir worse, you decide), it was an interesting technology. A major goal of keyoard design was to achieve the most realistic sounds of actual accoustic instruments. Rick Wakeman helped invent the Birotron to this end. They made actual tapes of various instruments playing indivual notes. A battery of these tapes would be running in an ongoing loop in the Birotron. When this particular sound was needed, the keyboard would simply tap into this running sound library. A great idea in theory, but constrained by the shear mechanics of the system, and the excessive wear on the continuously running tapes. The advent of digital technology at about that time (the late 70's, early 80's) dealt a fatal blow to the Birotron. Maybe if it hadn't been for digital sampling, the Birotron may have gone somewhere. Rick just had some poor timing with this idea. I never knew that the tape format was simply standard eight track tape cartridges. I always assumed it was a more highly customized affair. Anyway, Steve's comments on the joke they played with tape swap is pretty funny. I guess Rick didn't like them playing with his "child". * * * * * * * * * * CLOSE TO THE EDGE QUESTION ========================== From: IN%"atober@genesis.nred.ma.us" NFTE-- Greetings and salutations to all me fellow Yessers. I have one quest- ion pertaining to the song Close to the Edge on Yessongs. How does Steve Howe make his guitar solo in the intro sound like saxophone? I'm a guitar player and am very interested in how Howe does it. Adam Tober Teakbois! We be Jammin'. * * * * * * * * * * BIROTRON ANSWERED ================= From: IN%"rwb7806@prdc.prdc.dukepower.com" The Birotron was a version of the Mellotron that used eight-track tape cartridges instead of long strips of tape. This made it much simpler to change the sounds in the unit. Rick Wakeman helped develop this instrument as well. For information's sake, the Mellotron and Birotron were early "sampling" instruments, which used tapes for the various sounds before digital sampling became available. They were mainly used for strings, choirs, brass, and flutes; sounds not easily reproduced on the synthesizers of that era. Russ * * * * * * * * * * NEW ALBUM AND OTHER RELEASES ============================ From: IN%"JTOKAZEW@DREW.DREW.EDU" Well, I finally got a change to read my "Releases" list of upcoming album releases today (these lists are archived at cs.uwp.edu for reference). It says that the new Yes album is slated to be released sometime in March, and it has a title: "History of the Future". This is tentative, at best. [Ed. - Alan White has stated that this probably won't be the name.] Picked up Symphonic Yes over the holidays...definitely not one of the best Yes albums around, but some of the tracks are rather nice IMHO. I like the later tracks on the disk, such as "Mood For a Day" and "Owner...", and absolutely hate "Roundabout" and "Close to the Edge", which is one of my favorite songs. My brother picked up "An Evening of Yes Music Plus...", and I and he both are pleased with it. My and his favorite lineup is the ABWH lineup, and we both thought the tracks on this set are worth the money. Happy 1994! * * * * * * * * * * TURN OF THE CENTURY, THE SHORT STORY ==================================== From: IN%"ab149@freenet.buffalo.edu" Subj: Turn of the Century I had to write to comment on Bob Starnes' story in the last NFTE. I think his story is what Yes are all about. By that I mean that they inspired him to think, to dream, to create. Yes have always done that for me, but I've never done more than just think and muse. Bob was obviously moved by Yes' story but I felt like I was reading the story that inspired *them*! I hope to see more consequences of Yes' influence in future issues of NFTE. -- Remember! Politicians should be treated like diapers: Changed frequently and for the same reasons. Paul Bartek ab149@freenet.buffalo.edu * * * * * * * * * * ASIA INSTRUMENTAL ================= From: IN%"V1180G@TEMPLEVM.BITNET" "Rob Petrone" 11-JAN-1994 13:52:27.66 Here's a stumper for all you Asia fans (Asians?) On the Live from Moscow CD, Geoff Downes does a two song keyboard solo. The first song is "Video Star", the slow, instrumental, piano version of "Video Killed the Radio Star". Can anyone tell me what the *second* song is and where it came from???? Feel free to respond via personal e-mail rather than through the newsletter. * * * * * * * * * * SOUND CHASER =============== Notes from the Associate Editor, Mike Tiano (miketi@microsoft.com) TRIBUTE TO A YES FAN The first time I became aware of Pat Kervran was when he responded to email sent by his longtime friend Chris Nelder. If I recall correctly Chris had emailed a few select individuals, both male and female, about the infamous Plaster Casters. (For those who may not know they were a group of females who 'immortalized' in plaster the erections of certain rock legends.) Patrick replied to the same group of individuals, and went into graphic detail of some of the Casters' more interesting encounters. I replied to Patrick, concerned that he may offend some of the recipients, and Patrick responded to Chris saying something to the effect of, who *is* this guy, anyway? Chris was able to smooth out what was really a non-situation. But it turned out Pat had and I had a very big thing in common: he was into Yes and progressive rock. As owner of the internal Microsoft Yes alias I got mail from him asking to join, which of course was no problem. Thereafter I would see his mails on the alias, either asking a question or responding to others, and many times I would respond to his mail to answer his question. Once he wanted to find a copy of YESSHOWS on cd, and many of us directed him to a local retailer. (In fact when I interviewed Steve Howe in November and asked him about YESSHOWS, it was the thought of Pat, and his search, which actually brought the subject to my mind). Two weeks before Christmas someone had sent mail notifying the alias that another retailer was selling YESYEARS dirt cheap. Patrick must have misunderstood and ended up purchasing YESSTORY, which he was going to try and return after discovering his error from myself and others. Another time a friend had borrowed some Genesis albums from Pat, and asked me to record them. I did so, returning the lps to my friend, never directly contacting Pat about it. So even though I had communicated with Pat through email on numerous occasions, even though I had his possessions for a short time, the irony is I never met him or spoke to him. And now I've missed my chance as Pat passed away suddenly of an illness the evening of Sunday, December 19, at age 32. And though I never met him I feel very sad he's gone, almost as if I somehow did know him; though I couldn't pinpoint it perhaps it's just that the bond of being a lover of Yes music is very strong, that common knowledge of knowing what Yes music is about, and the strong feelings conveyed. I would have liked to discuss the subject with him; I also understand he was a fierce guitar player, and would have liked to jam with him as well. My deep and sincere condolences to his wife Joanie, his two young children, his family, and his close friends. I don't know if Pat ever got YESSHOWS, or traded YESSTORY for YESYEARS. But I hope he did and got a chance to hear and enjoy both. God Bless you, Pat Kervran. High Vibration go on. Mike * * * * * * * * * * FROM THE EDITOR =============== Happy New Year to all of you. I hope it finds you happy, healthy, and content. I've almost completed work on the Notes logo. It looks great in my not so humble opinion. It's basically the name using Tales style lettering and the words "The Internet Yes Newletter" underneath. (Thanks Mike) If we're to put this on a shirt I'll probably have the logo and name on the front and the Starship Trooper on the back. Before this can be done I've got explore the legalities of it. I'll try and get it in gif and jpeg formats soon and put it on the archive for you to take a look at. --jeff ______________________________________________________________________________ | nfte nfte nfte nfte nfte nfte nfte | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ THOSE ALL-IMPORTANT ADDRESSES: ============================== New subscribers, contributions, questions/comments/criticism: Jeff Hunnicutt (Editor) hunnicutt@vxc.ocis.uncwil.edu Reviews, Surveys, Etc. Mike Tiano (Contributing Editor) miketi@microsoft.com 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, lyrics, etc, via anonymous FTP: cs.uwp.edu Directory: /pub/music/lists/yes Contact for helping out with transcriptions: Greg Utas utas@bnr.ca ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |The views expressed within Notes From The Edge are the opinions of individual| |contributors and in no way reflect the views of the editorial staff unless | |otherwise stated. - The Editor. | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ______________________________________________________________________________ | nfte nfte nfte nfte nfte nfte nfte | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ END OF NOTES FROM THE EDGE #90 ______________________________________________________________________________ | nfte nfte nfte nfte nfte nfte nfte | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------