Notes From the Edge

The original Part 1 & 2 from ABWH's “An Evening of Yes Music Plus”.
Info can be asked by sending an e-mail to address below:

peter.kistemaker@planet.nl

For Sale AFFIRMATIVE

From: Damon Waitkus questioncloud@yahoo.com
Location: Belmont, MA USA

I have AFFIRMATIVE: THE YES FAMILY ALBUM, in very good condition.
A reasonable price that covers shipping will do--please email me with offers at questioncloud@yahoo.com.

Albums

Conspiracy - THE UNKNOWN

From: Yann Clochec yann.clochec@wanadoo.fr
Location: Boulogne-Billancourt, FR France

Received it last week. Listened to it twenty times since. Excellent album.

Well, THE UNKNOWN, the second album from Chris Squire and Billy Sherwood as Conspiracy, was certainly worth the wait. The whole album is highly energetic and very well written. I'd say the largest part of the music comes from Billy, of course there are some very recognizable parts that have Squire written all over, but I think about 2/3 of the music comes from Billy and 1/3 from Chris. And it's Billy at his best, as good as on THE BIG PEACE. Chris probably wrote more of the lyrics, from the general sound of them I'd say Billy and Chris probably have equal parts there.

"Conspiracy" will remind you of the rockiest Squire songs. It's in the same conceptual line as "Beyond and before", "Parallels" and "Open your eyes". Great opener. Other highlights are "New world", "Half a world away" and the title track "The unknown". This last track was written by Billy after the 9/11 attacks. I won't say more, just listen to it. I was very moved.

All in all, even if some tracks are weaker, this is a great album, really worth listening to. Billy Sherwood is a really great musician, this album proves it once more if needed.

35TH ANNIVERSARY COLLECTION Selections

From: Barrett Brassfield wood_elf@mac.com
Location: Larkspur, CA USA

I like the song selection on the 35TH ANNIVERSARY COLLECTION, but I would have axed “Big Generator” and put “Shoot High Aim Low” from that record on there instead. Other than that, it's a nice overview of the band's long career.

ANNIVERSARY Omission

From: Lee Crawford leecrawford75@hotmail.com
Location: Plumstead, London England

I was given a copy of the 35TH ANNIVERSARY ULTIMATE COLLECTION CD & on the face of it, it seemed a decent compilation but after closer inspection I noticed one glaring omission; nothing from the DRAMA album. The obvious choice would have been "Tempus Fugit". It's a track I've always liked and one that I would dearly like to see performed live, the addition of Jon’s voice surely taking the song to a different level altogether.

My one other criticism of the package is Chris Welch's wholly inadequate sleeve notes. As with his biography of the band, it touched on huge areas of the bands career in far too little detail. Any other Yes fans agree?

The Chance to Heal Old Wounds

From: Graeme Stewart graemestewart@supanet.com
Location: Glasgow, Strathclyd Scotland U.K.

I was surprised, or rather, shocked, when the 2004 dates were announced last week, but, obviously, DELIGHTED!

Not withstanding problems with Bookings Direct (Why no contact telephone number?), and having to make do with Row M, when I could have had Row B,I will be there.

Which brings me to my point.

35 years, 2 vocalists, 4 guitarists, 6 keyboard players, 2 drummers, and of course, only ONE BASS PLAYER, isn't it time some old wounds were healed, some egos set aside, some great songs dusted down,& a REAL "UNION" takes place?

No one would expect a world tour of this, of course, but in the age of DVD, ONE show, ONE special event, bringing together the line ups that performed the songs we know & love, for one last time.

I know it has been mooted in the past, at various anniversaries,& during the UNION tour, only to be killed off by one or other member, but lets face it, HOW MUCH LONGER WILL WE HAVE YES ON THE ROAD? None of the band are in the first flush of youth, (NO OFFENSE guys!), though any one who witnessed the performance in Edinburgh recently might want to argue! Jon is SIXTY YEARS OLD next year, and after his recent injury, who knows when he might decide to hang up his mic?

This is possibly the last significant anniversary that gives YES the opportunity to do this, and for us to witness,& God willing, participate in it. I would love YES to still be together when I shuffle off this mortal coil, (I'm 44,& have no plans in this direction for QUITE some time!), but we have to be realistic

DON'T LET THE CHANCE SLIP PAST.

It has been said many times, by various band members that YES music is bigger than who ever is in the band at the time.

LET THEM PROVE IT.

PS Don't let the opportunity to film Honolulu slip past either...

ULTIMATE YES surprises

From: MARK LOCKWOOD MARKROBERT@Tinyworld.Co.UK
Location: Windsor, Berkshire England

First surprise - ULTIMATE YES entering the UK chart at number 10! So good to see my local supermarkets displaying a Yes album at last!
Second surprise - a previously unheard of version of “And You and I” on this album. (I assume it's not just on my copy!) Can anybody tell me the story behind this version? It's not simply an edit but a completely different recording to the album original. Different singing from Jon (sometimes out of tune (!) but an interesting echo effect towards the end) and different keyboard and guitar work from Rick and Steve, finishing with a mighty loud blast of sound to finish the track rather then the familiar calm conclusion we are familiar with.

The sleeve notes offer me no clues but I'm not complaining (apart from a minor recording fault a little way in and some rather harsh editing to lead into the second section) as it provides an interesting addition to my collection of classic yes songs. Any thoughts from fellow UK Yes fans? Are you enjoying seeing a Yes album on display at your local Woolworths at last?!

[“And You and I” on the collection is the bonus track from Rhino’s upcoming remastered and extended release of CLOSE TO THE EDGE. It was included here in error, and will be replaced with the released version on future pressings. --MOT]

Recipe for disaster: Yes Remixes

From: Hamish Kuzminski kuzminski@btinternet.com
Location: Tunbridge Wells, Kent UK

- Take 11 great songs
- Put into blender
- Ruin for 1 hour 2 minutes and 16 seconds
- Release CD called YES REMIXES

I have been a Yes fan since I was in nappies (diapers to my US cousins), and I am afraid to say that this CD is just about the most blatant cash-in of all time. It is appalling. Rubbish. Outrageous. If you love Yes music, do not buy this album. A remix should *add* to a song, or give a different *angle* to the music - but this mess just ruins 9 of Yes's best numbers (I'm leaving "No Clowns" and "Arriving UFO" out of the equation ;-)

To cap it all, the remixes don't even sound that there's any logic (or dare I say, talent) behind them - just lots of stuttering jump cuts, loops and unnecessary orchestral crashes.

What on Earth possessed Yes to release this album?

I am sorry to rant in my first post on NFTE (long time lurker) but I just *had* to say something. Yes owe me an apology . . . . .

YES REMIXES: Variations of a Theme

From: Ron Moses ron@mktrading.org
Location: Merrimack, NH USA

I was just over at Amazon reading a number of reviews of the new YES REMIXES CD, and it was about what I expected: a large number of purists being horribly offended and a few more level-headed fans telling them to relax. Well, I've been a Yes fan for as long as I've been listening to music, and I'm here to tell you that the album is wonderful. Open your ears wide and throw away your pre-conceptions. They will only limit your ability to expand.

When I first heard about the album, I was not optimistic. Why would I want to hear my favorite band's finest moments converted to disco? (Yes, I know it's not disco -- I'm an old fart, and as such I make a point of deriding any music with a danceable beat as "disco." I've been calling Prince disco for years, which really angers the "Prince is a genius" crowd, which is precisely why I do it, but anyway I digress.) Why would I want to hear Bruford's and White's drum tracks drowned out by techno beats? Why would I want to hear Squire's bass line often over-ridden by a new line that never existed in the original track? Because the result is some truly captivating music and a fine modernized tribute to some of the greatest music yesterday has to offer, that's why.

The track selection is impeccable. Not that I have any problem with Rabin-era Yes, but I'm glad not to see any of it on this album. Remixing that stuff would be too easy. The Verge (Steve Howe's son Virgil) has selected tracks that will provide more challenge, and far more fertile ground for interpretation. You see, this album is not just a matter of placing a dance beat over the existing track. The pieces have been meticulously dissected (lifted from vinyl, in case you care) and rearranged into new works that are at once familiar and innovative. This is true progressive techno here, folks.

VH (Virgil Howe...I'm sorry, I can't bring myself to call him The Verge) makes his intentions clear with the opening track, "Tempus Fugit". By starting with a Drama track, we understand that anything goes, it's all fair game. He's not afraid to rebuild entire sections of the piece, repeating lines, omitting them entirely, whatever his vision dictates. This is not a disrespectful approach by any means; quite the contrary. The proven thesis is that the deconstructed components he is reassembling are strong enough to support any structure. This track segues beautifully into an interpretation of "Arriving UFO" that can't help but make one smile. The transcendent joy striven for in the original is even more clearly realized here. (Striven? I'm not sure about that one, but you know what I mean.)

Then it's on to the "Heart of the Sunrise," the remix that started this project. Pardon my language, but it takes quite a pair of balls to re-imagine such a landmark work to the degree that VH has here. I'll admit the purist in me was tentative at first, but the more I listened to it, the more I appreciated it as its own being. One would have to truly adore the original to put this much work into tearing it apart. It bears little resemblance to the original, so be prepared for that.

This lack of resemblance is true of most of the album. "Awaken," "Sound Chaser," "Ritual," etc. are not timid in their willingness to diverge from the originals. This will freak some people out...I encourage you not to be one of them, for you will be missing out.

I'm not going to run down the whole album track by track, but I must mention the absolutely brilliant takes on "Siberian Khatru" and "Five Percent For Nothing." They are worth the price of admission, alone. "Khatru" is probably the best example on the album of the opportunities the raw material presents. You'll recognize every guitar lick, but you've never imagined hearing them in this context. The results are remarkable.

Do I prefer any of these tracks to the originals? Rather than give the obvious answer no, I would rather emphasize that the question misses the point. These are not remakes or covers. They are variations on a theme. VH has taken the house of Yes, torn it down, and built a new modern structure from its component parts. A structure that neither replaces the original nor suggests an improvement upon it, but rather pays respect to it through interpretation. It is very artfully done, and it is highly recommended to any Yes fan with big enough ears to appreciate it.

Flogging a Dead Horse

From: Farout Pete FAROUTPETE@HOTMAIL.COM
Location: Ducksarse Creek, Essex England

As a die in the wool Yes fan for 25 years I have been looking forward to this album. But the poor quality, the duff vocals, the naff sampling what a let down. Why use one person to remix the whole lot why not let talented remixers like the Orb, Fila Brazila, Fluke, Nightmares on Wax, the list is endless that would do the tracks justice. Even Jamie Anderson who is producing some of the best dance music in the south west. More money looks to have been spent on the design of the cover than in production cost.

Other artists have utilized the use of remixers to breath taking results take B.T.'s remix of Mike Oldfield’s "Let Their Be Light" or Steve Hillage move into dance music...

I don't think I'll be buying any more Yes albums as they just seem to be trying to cash in with substandard work and living off past glories. HOW MANY COMPILATION ALBUMS DO YOU THINK WE NEED?

ONE VERY PISSED OFF YES FAN

CRIMINAL RECORD and other Japanese Minis

From: Gary Davis artshop@artist-shop.com
Location: Cuyahoga Falls, OH USA

Fans of Wakeman will be delighted to know that the next round of remastered Japanese minis (SIX WIVES, JOURNEY and MYTHS & LEGENDS have already been released as minis) will include CRIMINAL RECORD, NO EARTHLY CONNECTION, WHITE ROCK & LISZTOMANIA! All titles that are currently unavailable.

Criminal Record is personally my favorite Wakeman album of all time, so I really couldn't be more ecstatic about that! (And I found Rick's comments in the NFTE interview on the making of that album to be very enlightening! Thanks fellows!) I'm also anxious to hear No Earthly Connection again as I never really listened to my original LP of that too much due to terrible problems with the vinyl (don't know if it was a common problem to that title, but my copy sucked!).

The Japanese have been pretty meticulous in the reproductions of the original packaging. I wonder if they'll go so far as to include a sheet of reflective foil in NO EARTHLY CONNECTION as was part of the original contents. When rolled into a tube and placed in the center of the album cover it gave a 'corrected' view of the distorted cover.

The first three are doing quite well as far as pre-orders are concerned. Not as much interest in LISZTOMANIA, probably because people have been buying The Real LISZTOMANIA.

Anyway, LISZTOMANIA aside, there's no doubt the other three will make The Artist Shop's top 50 for the month of July. In fact, they're edging their way up the chart quite rapidly. The only question is how high will they go before the end of the month! ;-)

And there are a couple more Japanese mini's on the way that will be of interest to Wakeman fans! As we all know, prior to Yes, Rick was a member of The Strawbs. The two albums he did with them - JUST A COLLECTION OF ANTIQUES & CURIOS and FROM THE WITCHWOOD - are both coming out in the Japanese mini format.

You'll find all these listed at http://artist-shop.com.

Concerts

NIA Birmingham July 3 / King's Dock Liverpool July 5

From: Paul Truswell paul@truswell.org
Location: Macclesfield, Cheshire UK

I have had a lot of catching up to do. I was introduced to Yes by my brother in 1972 who at the time raved about FRAGILE and instantly got me converted to this whole new world of sound and vision at the tender age of 13. I totally lost touch with the band through the 80's, finally re-connecting in '91 with the Union tour at the NEC in Birmingham and more recently The Ladder tour at Sheffield City Hall.

Ever since UNION I've been convinced that Yes were destined for even greater heights - the current Full Circle Tour has confirmed that I was right (and they're still soaring ever higher!). Unfortunately I ended up with really naff seats at the NIA on July 3, and the gig was disappointing for those of us up in the "Gods". Yes of course were fantastic, but they were let down at this particular venue by an acoustically dead box of a hall, and a PA that struggled to fill the vast void. You could feel Chris's bass but you couldn't really hear it. To make matters worse I had to leave just as the encore (Roundabout) started to catch the last train home – aaagh!! - Absolute torture!!

Came away from Birmingham feeling on a bit of a downer - unusual because Yes usually deposits me somewhere in the upper stratosphere!! All was not lost however because I managed, by a complete fluke, to secure two unsold VIP seats for the King's Dock gig a couple of day's later at regular ticket prices. One row away from the front opposite Rick's wall of keys and very near to my absolute all time mega-hero, Mr. Squire, I couldn't believe my good fortune!! As you can imagine I'm still, three weeks later, somewhere in outer space never mind the stratosphere!! The gig at King’s Dock was indescribably BRILLIANT and easily the best large venue/big name gig I’ve been to in years. The whole event was just FANTASTIC. These days it is rare that you feel that having shelled out 40 quid for a ticket that you actually get value for money but this gig was the exception; great venue, magnificent sound and the chance to brush up on my own bass playing by paying close attention to the master at work (Chris you just get better at that old bass banjo mate!). Now that’s what I call value for money.

My only criticism of both gigs was the lack of big video screens. Of course at the King’s Dock this wasn’t a problem for me, but if you find yourself a long way from the stage as I was in Birmingham, screens are really essential. I my opinion they are a pre-requisite for the larger venues; were they deliberately left out for some reason or just forgotten?

Anyway I’m pretty much up to date now having also purchased a copy of the “YesYears” DVD (also excellent) from someone in Germany. The bass playing’s also coming along having also got hold of a copy of Star Licks featuring Mr. S, although it has to be said that I know who’s boss in this department!!

Roll on the 35th anniversary tour! Now how do you get to be designated as a VIP??!! I have been very spoilt ;-) YES – simply the best.

Asia Across America – July 16, 2003

From: Josh Creasey jcreasey98@yahoo.com
Location: Montoursville, PA USA

On July 16th, I caught the Asia Across America show at the Bullfrog Brewery in Williamsport, PA, the next town from where I live. It was absolutely magnificent. Geoff and John Payne played songs from each Asia studio album. I can't remember the order, but they started and ended the show with two songs from the debut album, "Wildest Dreams" and "Heat Of The Moment" respectively. They totally rearranged all the Asia songs with a very unique twist. It was beautiful.

After the first set they took a break and then on came Geoff with two solo numbers and the first one he played was "Tempus Fugit"! It was, I believe, one of the very first times that a full-length DRAMA tune was played live by any current or former Yes member.

Even though he played along with a computer, still, I didn't care. It was just awesome that I, along with other Asia and Yes fans got to actually hear a full song from DRAMA played live. The other as you may have guessed was "Video Killed The Radio Star," with just him playing keyboards. It was totally magnificent! They played a GTR song that they had previously covered on their ANTHOLOGY compilation, "The Hunter," with a totally different arrangement and it was very, very sweet.

The show was very intimate with just John playing acoustic, classical, and electric guitar, and Geoff with three different keyboards and they talked to the audience about each song, mentioning nothing but great things about Steve Howe, the various musicians they have played with over the years, how Geoff and John got together well over a decade ago, what some of the sings they played were about, and how they saw the recent Yesshow in Cardiff, Wales and thought it was amazing. It's kinda cool that Geoff stops to see his former bandmates every once in a while and also for them to see him and Asia every once in a while. Their, I believe it was their tour manager talked to the audience for a few minutes and also the person who set up the gig said a few words as well. It was fantastic.

Now, like I said before, I can't remember the song order but I will list the songs they played from the earliest time period they came out:
The Buggles-1979-Age Of Plastic: Video Killed The Radio Star

Yes-1980-Drama: Tempus Fugit

Asia-Asia: Wildest Dreams, Only Time Will Tell, Time Again, Heat Of The Moment

Asia-Alpha: The Smile Has Left Your Eyes, The Heat Goes On, Open Your Eyes.

Asia-Astra: Go, Voice Of America

Asia-Then And Now: Days Like These

Asia-Aqua: Aqua Part 1 (a nice extended version. John and Geoff actually dedicated it to Steve, "wherever he was."), Don't Call Me

Asia-Aria: Feels Like Love, Military Man

Asia-Anthology (and also GTR's album): The Hunter

Asia-Arena: Two Sides Of The Moon

and last, but not least....

Asia-Aura: Ready To Go Home, On The Coldest Day In Hell, and The Longest Night

It was truly one of the best nights of my life. After the show we all stuck around for a while. John was hanging out at the bar and I was going out for a smoke and, low and behold, there was Geoff Downes himself, having a smoke. So, I got to hang around and have a smoke with him for a few minutes. He autographed a DRAMA LP and CD (the pre-Atlantic remastered version) and Asia's Aqua CD for a fellow fan and he joked that he was "not gonna sell it on E-Bay." LOL! I got my picture taken with Geoff, well, two pictures with him, and I'll tell you people, he was a very friendly and warm guy. Very camera-friendly as well. There was also a guy there with an ELP (first album) t-shirt who was pretty cool. Now, I do realize that I am talking about an Asia concert, but still Geoff Downes was a member of Yes and he played a Yessong, so I just thought I'd share this lovely memory with you folks. It was a night I will never forget for the rest of my life.

It's shame that he doesn't get as much respect as he deserves for what he brought to Yes, even for just just a brief eriod of time. In some respects, I like him a little better than Rick. I'm not saying I don't like Rick, it's just that I feel that Geoff had a sort of different approach to playing and not playing constant arpeggios and going totally overboard as he has been wont to do, which is OK. I guess I'm being overly simplistic, which is also OK, I guess.

Rock on, Geoff!!!

Dialog

Hyde Park Show Cancellation

From: Jimmy Millard jem302@juno.com
Location: Oswego, Illinois USA

In April, a good friend of mine who works for a major airline in the U.S. sent me an email with a proposal: he would get us discounted airline tickets to London and we could go see the Full Circle Tour. We looked at our calendars and decided we could both be away from work for the Hyde Park show on July 17th.

This was our first trip to London. I scrambled to get a passport (this is a slow process in the U.S.) and paid dearly to get a "rush service" so I would have it in time for the trip. No problem - I was going to see Yes!

I went on the Tour page and posted to the Hub for that show asking for tips from Yes fans in London about where to stay, what to see, and transportation around London. Thanks to the many Yes fans who were very helpful with their replies. With this guidance, I booked rooms in a hotel adjacent to Hyde Park. We were set!

The day after my friend purchased the airline tickets from his employer, I received the unbelievable email: the show had been cancelled! We were both scrambling then - me to cancel hotel rooms, and he to get his money back for the airline tickets.

From my research on this site, I was able to get some information about why the show was cancelled, and know it was not the fault of the band.

We were really disappointed not to be able to come to London, visit the sites, and show up at a pub near Hyde Park to rub elbows with fans from the U.K. It was going to be a real experience for both of us.

Things happen for a reason. My immediate manager at my work had become ill during the first weeks of July, was hospitalized, and passed away the day of the cancelled show! He was a good friend, and it was actually a good thing that I was home instead of London. I had the opportunity to make sure his family was taken care of with food, notification of friends, and gathering his personal effects from his office. It was a very trying time, and it would not have been good to be away.

To the U.K. Yes fans who gave me guidance when I was searching for information - thanks! Maybe we will be able to get together another day and enjoy the finest group in the world - Yes.

Hyde Park Cancellation

From: Tony Rima tony@rima2.evesham.net
Location: Coldstream, Berwicksh Scotland

Just for the information of those people who read NFTE who do not live in the UK. In the latest issue, Vincent Egan intimated that the Hyde Park gig was cancelled because it didn't sell. This is not true. There was to be a series of concerts over 5 days featuring other artists such as Simply Red & Paul Weller but the promoter went bust and they ALL were cancelled. I would have thought that as a Yes fan and living in the UK he would have known this.

Truly Progressive Music

From: Keith Okie oakdogeng235@netscape.net
Location: Sleepy Hollow, NY UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Spock's Beard - Dream Theater - Shadow Gallery - Royal Hunt - all have one thing in common - great music. Yes used to make great music. There hasn't been a good song out of Yes since "Endless Dream". Whilst the groups aforementioned make CD's I can respect Yes jerks our chains by playing nothing but the oldies. They should settle in Vegas where you never have to write a song again.

Genuinely NEW Old Yes to Come?

From: Dave Payne reem@mindspring.com
Location: Charlotte, NC USA

So much to write about and so little time, but Rhino's recent announcement could be a milestone.

Somebody in power may finally be starting to get it with regard to marketing Yes-past, if upcoming Rhino "reissues" are an indication and their announcement in YesWorld not somehow misleading. We might actually soon have official offerings in some volume of truly unique recordings from Yes' most brilliant and innovative era, albeit tied to yet more pointless rereleases.

Make no mistake about it: Yes at their best in any era were almost invariably caught "live", both in studio and on stage. Studio outtakes, altogether unreleased material, and RAW recordings of COMPLETE concerts have made up a huge volume of Yes' absolute best work outside of certain icon albums. What we may now finally get from Rhino, if I'm not hallucinating, are honest-to-God outtakes from CTTE through GFTO. Truly worthy and extensive ones. Not just teasers and crumbs as together with some limited concert recordings totaled maybe 1% of YESYEARS right through Rhino's last batch. Having for example not a single official live performance of Sound Chaser available is completely criminal, but an original studio outtake of Gates warrants some excitement.

I have not purchased any official Yes "nostalgia" release to date because I'm not interested in multimastered versions of exactly the same recordings I first heard on 1970s vinyl. Neither have most people I know who care about this or any period in Yes history. Even more recent periods are woefully underrepresented and underdocumented by official releases. This has certainly been said already by others, but paying consumers of rarities having to ignore everything from YESYEARS on may mean something.

Buy I would lots of unreleased live and studio material - particularly from TFTO's through TORMATO's eras - if it were genuinely new and not edited to death. Plenty of very exciting recordings exist, which hopefully Rhino has begun to tap in earnest. A great deal more has to happen, but I will actually purchase all four upcoming Rhino issues if what they appear to offer is real. I urge all discriminating Yes aficionados to likewise reward such a move.

BTW I never was much into video games but here confess having become addicted to something called "Return to Castle Wolfenstein", as released for XBox. A frequently repeated theme in its score had been uncannily and weirdly familiar before I finally realized its striking resemblance to "Sound Chaser"'s 5-note driving theme. It happens to fit quite well the game's reconstructions of World War II violence and its similarity to Yes' masterpiece is probably just coincidence, but from what I've observed many computer programmer types do tend to be Yesheads.

Anyone out there know of an actual connection? Could make for some great trivia.

Advance tickets

From: John Roberts John@harlech.fsnet.co.uk
Location: Prestatyn, Denbs. UK

I have, like millions of others around the planet, have been a YES fan for in excess of 30 years. I am, however, a little annoyed that tickets are on sale now for the 2004 tour in the UK next June. At £38 each, that is a lot of money sat in some ticket agency/promoters bank account for almost a whole year. It does seem to be a trend over the years, especially since the internet arrived to sell early and get the money in for all artists tours. WHY?

Re: A Real UNION

From: John Brennan zervos@comcast.net
Location: Sterling Heights, MI USA

I agree with William. Actually I had a similar idea that very day - before I read William's article. I was listening to the HOUSE OF BLUES live CD (by the way, my HOB DVD was useless too after a year of sitting on the shelf!) when the thought occurred of YES staging the ultimate event. In today's music world it's all marketing - here's the ploy;

YES could stage the ultimate concert - 5 days at say, Radio City Music Hall or maybe some grand European opera house. Invite all the old, new, and in between, members. Add an orchestra for some of the songs where strings and brass would sound so much more dimensional than just a synthesizer. Give enough advance notice and get the word out to the fan base so they can plan the ultimate vacation of enjoying a 5 day YEStival reUNION. Do all the tie-ins with the airlines, hotels, car rentals and package the deal for a fair price. Line up a play list that consists of maybe 2-3 songs from each album to be played out over the 5 day period. (Some people STILL want to hear "On the Silent Wings of Freedom" or "That, That Is" live!)

Add a couple of new songs or rearrange some older ones. Digitally tape the concert with plenty of backstage remarks, interviews, and philosophies. And of course do a primo sound recording. Do some inexpensive digital editing, remixing and sweetening (everything can be just about done on one computer nowadays) and voilá, YES has a 5-6 DVD box set of the event, a 6-8 CD box set, tons of money and tons of happy fans! Anybody else with me on this?

“Awaken” as Prayer

From: Bob Zorich relayerbob@progedge.com
Location: Carlsbad, CA US

I was in a discussion in another forum a few months ago about the meaning of “Awaken”, one person actually calling the lyrics "gibberish"! So after some debate and a bit of editing, I thought that all you Yesfans out there might find my comments on my personal meaning of “Awaken” interesting also. In what follows I do not quote each lyric, but in some cases, quote only the first line of a stanza for brevity. Enjoy!

::::::

- I personally have never heard “Awaken”'s lyrics as anything but straightforward and clear, certainly not "gibberish" at least since the third or fourth time through it in 1977. It will, of course, mean various things to various people, but to me it's about God and His impact on us all, it's about accepting life and death, and about the four "cornerstones of the world": Time, Images, Light and Soul, and God as the Master of them all. It's a cry out to us all to accept the Divine within us and to “Awaken” to the Spirit of the larger plane of our existence. In all the chaos of this world, where can we be? We can be here and now. It definitely takes a typically Jon spin on religion, with pieces of Christianity, Tibetan Buddhism (reading the Tibetan Book of the Dead helps when listening to this), Taoism, Ram Dass, and many others. He undoubtedly throws in words to add texture. But the keys (to ascension) are:

-----

- "Wish the sun to stand still" - so our lives can be forever and we can join with the Divine always
- "Reaching out to touch our own being" - knowing oneself and knowing the Godhead within oneself
- "Past all mortal as we" - the immortal spirit we can find in the Here and Now (in the printed lyrics, you will see the words "Be Here Now" that is a key to enlightenment in Eastern religions)

----

- "Awaken Gentle Mass Touch" - Feel the touch of the world and the Divine within yourself
- "Suns high streams through" - The energy of the Divine Light is shining through us
- "Strong dreams reign here" - In this world, we have illusion, this is an early concept of "Dreamtime", an Australian aboriginal concept. The dreams of the dreamtime have taken over, we have lost our spiritual center through technology and societal rules. The Grand Illusion (sorry, wrong band ) is very powerful.

----

- "Workings of man set to ply out historical life" - Humanity has set a course through history and lost the Spirit, as continued by:
- "Reregaining the flower of the fruit of his tree" - getting back to the Garden of Eden, ie, back to the spiritual beginning, before the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil was consumed
- "All awakening, all restoring you" - If you “Awaken” to it and feel the Divine Spirit, the energy will restore your Spirit, the Garden

- "Workings of man crying out from the fire set aflame by his blindness" - Mankind is buried in lust and war and physicality and is in pain
- "to see that the warmth of his being is promised for his seeing ... " - the spiritual awakening is there in front of you if you take it. If you look, it is there.

"Workings of man driven far from the path, rereleased in inhibitions "- We have become creatures of our habits and false mores, trapped by our belief in the illusions around us, we've strayed far from the spiritual center

"So that all is left for you now" - It's still there hiding, you must search for it

---

Then they go into the keyboard meditative section, which I personally interpret as the birth, life, maturing, aging, and eventually death and ascension to heaven and eventual reincarnation of the soul, the "you" in the song. This is an incredibly moving part to me, as it encompasses the "All in All" to me, the Light within us. How do I hear this? The part starts simply and quietly (birth) and builds in complexity until it reaches a crescendo (life and its twists and turns) and ascending repetitive section, then collapses down to a low, long chord (death). This is then followed by the choir and harp refrain: the angels of heaven, which then eventually begins the next cycle of birth and life, represented by Steve's re-entry into the song.

----

The next four parts are "quatrain" prayers

"Master of Images, songs cast a light on you" - God creates the beings and the "images" we see around us. The world that requires being "tunneled out of sane existence" We are challenged to see the world as it truly is: "As eyes see young stars assembled". As a Physics guy, I see a lot of Fritjof Capra and others who were writing at the time, there are some very exotic physics references in here. Jon asks to set us free from the world of illusions.

"Master of Light all pure chance as exists, cross divided" .. oh closely guided plan - God has a plan for us all. It's often buried or diluted by the varying religions and philosophies of the world ("as exists, cross divided") and often results in conflicts, divisions and wars. But he prays "Oh closely guided plan, “Awaken” in our heart", let Your plan come alive in us now.

"Master of Soul set to touch all impenetrable youth" - God's spirit lives forever in us all, but we must search for it within ourselves "ask away, that thought be contact with all that's clear". In Christian terms, ask and ye shall receive the very keys to the doors of heaven. "Be honest with yourself, there's no doubt, no doubt" Should be self-explanatory, look into yourself and you know that this is Truth.

"Master of Time setting sail over all of our lands, and as we look forever closer shall we now bid Farewell, Farewell" God has set us in a land of time and history and of birth and of death. As we look inward and study it "forever closer" eventually we can “Awaken”, see the real Truth, ascend to the Godhead and bid the cycle and this world of mortality farewell. Alternatively, this can be seen as a plea and prayer *to* God, that as we look forever closer, please let us go to that place and bid this illusion farewell.

The song then builds to it's musical climax, in a final hymn to the glory of Creation.

Then he goes back to reprise the original pleas, in a more personal way:

"High vibration go on to the sun ..." Let me see the Light
"Past all mortal as me, where can I be?" Let me see where I fit in
"Wish the sun to stand still" Let me live on and be here in your Spirit forever
"Reaching out to touch our own being" Let us find the Truth and find the Light and Spirit within
"Past all mortal as we, here we can be" Yes, we can live in the Light of the Divine Spirit, past all the mortality of life, we can still be here and be in the Light

-----

"Like the time I ran away, turned around and you were standing close to me" - When we get lost in our lives and our world and realize we have strayed, we can turn and realize that God, the Divine Light, Buddha, Jesus, Grandfather, the Christ-energy (whatever you want to call it is completely irrelevant), is there waiting, patiently, for us to “Awaken” and take us back to that Divine Place. Standing on Sacred Ground.

------

So that's my feeling on Awaken. Very deeply spiritual and religious. Some stray words and selections of sounds to fit the music, but a cogent, consistent and straightforward prayer, plea and direction from Jon to us. *That's* why we feel the religious aspect, especially when hearing this live. As many religions say, just discussing God brings Him into the place where you are. Here, Yes are singing a very long and inspired hymn and are beckoning and invoking God to join them and us, the audience, right Here and right Now. I know many of us feel this way and have experienced this feeling and energy. AWAKEN!!

Final Circle?

From: Digby Nathan babadiga@hotmail.com
Location: Tangiers, Tanger Morocco

Peace, when the Dead and yes come together the DREAM will be fulfilled.

No Dead Please!

From: John Sisak sisak123@wmconnect.com
Location: Camp Hill, PA USA

The idea of Yes touring with The Dead is such a bad idea, I can't believe the band members would even consider it. Dead fans want to party and such while their favorite band plays. Yes fans want to let the expert musicianship and song structures take them to a higher place. The two bands have no common bond and a tour together makes no sense. I hope management doesn't pursue this any further!

Request from AUSTRALIA

From: Tony Roberts tonyroberts47@hotmail.com
Location: Melbourne, Victoria Australia

I saw and heard the Yes concert in Melbourne's Festival Hall in 1973. At that time CTTE was the latest record and we heard a great collection from YES ALBUM, FRAGILE and CTTE. As the years passed I resigned myself to never experiencing Yes live again, so I'm obviously thrilled at the prospect of the September Concert. The deferral from March has only increased the anticipation and given me the chance to hear and appreciate MAGNIFICATION.

Having checked out set lists for recent concerts, it's obvious that many, many of my favourites won't be played. Don't get me wrong, I'll be very happy to hear whatever these great musicians and composers present to us - there's just too much damn good music to fit it all in.

If Yes members read these comments and maybe take any notice, then I have a request - please include the full band version of “Silent Wings of Freedom” and “Soon”. “Silent Wings “has something very special in the way the bass/drums shift time leading toward the introduction of vocals and then how the voice/melody, guitar and keys work the spaces around the great rhythm. Soon remains one of the greatest blends of melody and sympathetic accompaniment I've ever heard - after 30 years I've never lost my love of this song.

Ultimate in Australia

From: Robert Burton rjburton51@yahoo.com.au
Location: Sydney, NSW Australia

Having been a Yes fan for over 30 years and waited 30 years for their return to Australia, I have been exploring some of the web pages relating to the current tour through Europe and Britain and in particular the set lists. Whilst I am extremely excited about seeing the band again after all this time, having felt quite envious about my European and US brothers and sisters who have had far more access to their wonderful music in the ensuing years, I would love to hear live some of the music which has captivated me for all this time and to this day still sounds fresh and relevant.

I have always regarded TALES as being an unrecognized and indeed unprecedented masterpiece, so to hear "The Revealing Science of God" live would (will?) be awesome.

However, to hear "Yours is no Disgrace" live would be the ultimate.
YING played live is what I consider the best "Rock" moment in the band's body of work and would surely stand the test of time today against some great young bands which have undoubtedly been influenced by Yes - Radiohead, Jane's Addiction to name a couple that I hear.

So, maybe this correspondence will fall on deaf ears or maybe, just maybe, someone within the inner sanctum will take note of an old but ever so ardent fan who still believes that Yes were the perpetrators of the best and most influential music to have been recorded.

Whatever the case, I eagerly await September 20 to see what I somehow consider to be a bunch of my oldest and dearest friends doing what they do so well - making me feel very special.
Am I a fan of Yes?

Damm Straight! MINE is no Disgrace.

DVD “House Of Blues” Problem

From: Rich Pieciak rich827@optonline.net
Location: Freehold, NJ USA

I have read a previous post in issue #249 (October 5,2001) concerning problems with the Yes “House Of Blues” DVD, and a potential solution of replacement offered by Dean Buckley from Beyond Music. I also have an original copy of this disk, with the same problem, and would like to know if it is still possible to get it exchanged. The problem is that it does not appear that the address listed for Beyond Music is valid anymore.

Does anyone know who I can possibly contact to address this DVD replacement offer? Current address or affiliation of Beyond that print the current version of this DVD ??

Thanks for any help.

"House of Yes" DVD Problem

From: Eduardo Pro eapro@fibertel.com.ar
Location: Buenos Aires, CF Argentina

Re: DVD Trouble From "The House Of Blues" (Robert Baister) in NFTE issue #276 - July 15, 2003. Excellent DVD, but...

I bought "Yes live from HOB" in a Buenos Aires' music shop on 2000, and I believe it's spectacular. I watched it at least 15 times, but all of a sudden, it didn't play anymore. It has no scratches, it's completely clean and I have a first line DVD player, but no matter that, I tried the DVD on other players with the same results. I came across four other fans (at least) at amazon.com who had the same problem. This version was distributed by BMG, it's a region 1 DVD. This is the first DVD I have troubles with. I've noticed that the golden layer has darkened over time (1 year) and my hypothesis is this isn't a storage problem, but a manufacturer one.

The only way I found to solve this problem was to buy a new copy, that's also region 1, but this one is not distributed by BMG, and plays fine (by now).

Yes Has NOT Run Its Course

From: Rick Bartlett stats212002@yahoo.com
Location: Fredericton, NB Canada

In response to NFTE article, "Yes Has Run its Course", I'll say, "I don't think so." I'm all for respecting someone else's opinion but, please. The more I read the less sense it made, until I finally realized. This was written, not by a "Yes" fan, but a Trevor Rabin fan. Which is fine, he's a fine guitarist. But he is not Yes, nor has he saved Yes at any point. He had a lot to do with their biggest commercial success, which has never been their direction. Yes strives for a band effort not to be controlled by one member and in this respect, Trevor was damaging. He was just doing what he wanted, which is what he does today. Yes members are band members, not soloists.

Anyway, Steve Howe is a legend and is the most unique guitarist to pick up a guitar or a variety of stringed instruments. This is how expanded Steve has become. If his progressed guitar style is too much for some Rabin/Yes fans, I'm sorry to hear, but there's no need to condemn a living legend. It was also the writer's opinion that any recording Yes has made in the past however many years was hardly worthy of a listen. I guess he must have missed MAGNIFICATION, which is a classic, superb piece of work. Yes work. My advice. Don't pretend to be a Yes fan when it sounds like Trevor Rabin was the only thing about Yes you liked.

I am a Yes fan and I follow Yes. The writer sounds like a Rabin fan and should follow Rabin. If I feel the need to complain about an artist, I generally don't listen to them, thus not knowing what I'd be talking about if I was to complain. I am very excited about the present line up as, I believe, the majority of Yes fans are. Onward through the night. Long live Yes.

Agreements and Disagreements

From: Jim Brown es355jtb@aol.com
Location: Atlanta, GA USA

I am a 49 year old Yes fan since the first album. I have been with them all along. I have seen the personnel changes, seen them live since CTTE tour-missed a few in there though-and have most of the recorded stuff. I also have a music degree and work as a sound engineer. So, while not bragging, was wanting to qualify myself.

I have seen each tour since 1998 and the sound has always been an issue--more so lately than in the early days. In the early days, I was usually right in front of Steve getting my yearly guitar lesson from the master, so I never really heard the full impact of the PA til GFTO tour-sounded good to me then. So why, with all the current amazing audio technology, are there Yes sound problems? Simple: everyone except Steve arrives at the venue about 1/2 hour before show time-no band sound check. So the crew has to do it for them. Except Steve, who gets there about 3-4 pm and plays for about half an hour, checks with Shooz, his git tech, and visits with whomever for a few minutes.

I have been lucky enough to hear two of Steve's checks from side stage and it is just like being in his living room as he is practicing/creating--a truly wonderful experience and a wonderful human being who, unfortunately did not allow a photo of the two of us taken; can't understand that. Anyway, with no band sound check, there is no way the sound engineer-who is really good can get anywhere near an accurate sound for the evening.

I heard Full Circle at Lakewood in Atlanta and “Khatru” was awful. Steve started it way too slow and the sound guy was getting the mix as they were playing through one of my all time fave Yes classics. By the third song, he had the sound somewhat straightened out, but no excuse for this other than no sound check. Come on guys, ticket prices are getting to the point of breaking some folks that don't have a lot of money and everybody deserves to hear these guys play ALL the parts from the beginning of song one.

As for the writer of the issue 276 letter about is Yes progressing: yes and no. MAGNIFICATION was a progression of nicely using an orchestra. I think that every band now gets record company pressure to sell, sell, sell. Come up with a hit or be dropped from the label. So here's an idea for the Yes guys. You have been doing this for a long time, so I do not believe that anyone in the band is financially strapped. Do a CD with the impact, creativity and chops of THE YES ALBUM-GFTO era, put it out independently and sell it over the internet and keep ALL the profits. You do not need a record deal, a major recording studio or all the hassles of paying them back for expensive studio time. Pro Tools can be had by anyone and I bet they each have some sort of digital home recording studios. I am poor compared to these guys and have 2 Roland vs1680s to record with. My stuff turns out well and anything I sell, I keep the money. Imagine doing another CTTE and selling it on their web site. I'd buy it in a heartbeat. We could have the creativity of the glory years and no need for trying to write pop songs.

So are Yes progressing? In my mind on things like using an orchestra like MAGNIFICATION, yes. As to the live shows-only partly. LADDER: Yes, OYE: no, MAG: yes, STUDIO KEYS: yes mostly. Steve's solo stuff is always a surprise; my fave is still TURBULENCE--great sound and playing. They obviously still have it, but getting older can change the creative mind and desire to continue to achieve. I know; I have less fire than when I was in my early 20s doing great cover material, we actually pulled off HOTS live and watched people try to dance to it--crazy stuff. But I do try very hard to be creative on mt own personal recording projects and do them at my leisure with no pressure from anybody for any reason. Hence, IMHO, my CDs sound more relaxed and I am able to explore more synth sounds and git parts than if I had somebody breathing down my neck to create a hit. Think about it, and any fellow Yesheads feel free to email me.

The Ethereal Yes

From: Randall Walker rwalker1@sympatico.ca
Location: Hamilton, Ontario Canada

My first exposure to the music of Yes was a song heard on a Toronto FM radio station in 1971. The booming bass and shiny, liquid lead guitar riffs made an immediate and lasting impression on me but it would take two more years to actually find out the name of the song and the artist.

In the interim, I heard the song "Roundabout" by Yes on various local AM and FM radio stations in 1972 and it led me to buy the FRAGILE album. A year later, I bought THE YES ALBUM and happily discovered that the first song, "Yours Is No Disgrace", was the "nameless" song I had heard two years before.

Those two Yes albums were and are deeply impressive in their colour, movement, power, harmony and depth. However, their subsequent album, CLOSE TO THE EDGE, proved that Yes was capable of taking their music to yet another level. To be frank, when first hearing the opening few minutes of the song "Close To The Edge", it seemed chaotic and discordant and I wondered "What were they thinking?" but, as the song progressed, its soaring vocals and instrumentals transcended into a musical, lyrical, spiritual place rarely if ever experienced through any other source of music. The song "And You and I" also has this transcendental quality.

Looking back at the musical accomplishments of Yes from a 2003 viewpoint, the group has produced hundreds of wonderful songs, most of which contain a fascinating, eclectic mix of rock, classical, jazz and folk influences together with the unique sound of Yes itself. But there are a few select Yes songs which seem to form a special genre of music which, for lack of a better word, might be termed "etherea". The following songs, in whole or in part, seem to reach that ethereal plane:

"Close To The Edge"
"And You and I"
"The Revealing Science of God"
"The Remembering"
"Soon" (From the song "Gates of Delerium")
"To Be Over"
"Turn Of The Century"
"Awaken"
"Miracle of Life"
"In The Presence Of"

There is no doubt that avid Yes listeners have their own ideas or lists of ethereal Yes songs or portions of Yes songs. Perhaps some Yes fans will mention some of these songs in future postings on the YesWorld website.

Why Do I Like YES' music?

From: David Wykoff yesman1955@yahoo.com
Location: Phoenix, AZ USA

In a post to the current issue July/17 someone said that YES' fans fall into 2 categories. Well I say BULL@#$%! There are those of us who like YES' music (PERIOD)

I like YES' music for one reason alone... It moves me.

I was sitting here at work reading the latest NFTE and I read about the first time someone else heard CTTE and how Chris' Bass caught his attention. I ran that part of the song through my head and DAMN if it didn't send the same chill up my spine as the recording does.

There is something in and about the music that touches the very heart of me. Sometimes it is IN the music, AND others it is IN the words. Often it is both together.

I like some songs better than others but I still do not have a preference to any particular lineup or year. Each DECADE of YES has music that reaches into my soul and reminds me of who we truly are. To the nay Sayers one thing stands out for me. The purpose to YES' music is varied.

One is to create the best music they can in any given moment.
Another is to have fun doing it. And the dearest reason of all to me is to elevate the soul

Thank you to all who have played in this Band since it's inception.

YES: That That Is What It Is

From: Frank List franzstuka@yahoo.com
Location: Nashville, TN USA

Hello, YesFamily! Do you find it tedious (as I do) to read some pontifications regarding YES' relevance, or how one version of Yes is more Yes than another?

I suspect that I speak for a large block of Family members who just love the music, love the guys in the band, (whomever those individuals happen to be at any moment), and celebrate the fact that Yes exists... saving us from the dubious wailings of this garbage called 'popular'.

Yesmusik has never been about appealing to the broad population. Most folks are willing to have some mindless drone rappin' on and on about 'Ooooh Baby, let's Do It...whut wuz yo name agin?'... Yesmusik requires a bit more than that from a listener. So, their lack of 'relevance in the modern market' is a barometer of how well Yes is maintaining their integrity, creating Art that is beyond the temporary molds of the Market. ( I guarantee that after 30+ years, Britney and Beyounce will be forgotten entirely, while serious listeners will continue to marvel at this music we love, this music that loves us...)

So, enough with the 'Is Steve right for the band of today?', 'I wish we had Trevor', or 'Is this still Yes?' All that is just mind-noize. Each person who has been on that stage under that banner share one critical, unique, fortunate quality: an undeniable talent, an unbelievable vision, and an uncanny ability to create and develop a musical form that has enriched the lives of those who care enough to sit down, shut up (and that requires recognition that there are greater forces than one's own self-absorption) and allow this glorious music to overtake us, re-arrange us, to bond us together as a YesFamily.

Thank you Yes, God bless each one of you. I pray that each of you has gotten as much from giving as we have from receiving. And keep on keepin' on...one thing's certain: we'll never get enough!

My Glaring Omission

From: Mark Knox unity@clarus-info.com
Location: East Lansing, Michigan United States of America

In my "Yes, Love" posting a couple of issues back, while listing band members of past and present that have contributed to the wonderful sounds of Yes, I left out Rick's name as a prominent member as anyone's. I realized my error only when I saw the posting later on the NFTE website and I would like to now make amends and beseech his pardon. Of course, there are even many more names which I could find on the inside sleeves of the albums to include. As I compose this message, listening to "Awaken" on Keys to Ascension, I realize the immensity of the accomplishment of all that is Yes--as I wrote of in my first posting. Anyway, sorry Rick--or is that "Mr. Wakeman" to me? ;)

35th Anniversary DVD

From: Todd Hull toddrhull@earthlink.net
Location: pasadena, ca USA

Great news that Yes is releasing a 35th documentary DVD! In watching the press conference from Montreux the rep from Classic Pictures said the TV presentation in Jan. 2004 will be an hour long but the DVD will be 3-31/2 hours....with some live material from the European tour. I hope that the extra 2+ hours are live...the reunited band still hasn’t put out a live DVD from a year of touring! If a concert is not part of the doc-DVD I will make a suggestion ONE LAST TIME (this is the 3rd time I have plead my case, for all Yes fans). Please record a concert from the upcoming spring US tour! I understand it will be an extended set, a celebration of 35 years, what better show to record for us loyal Yes fans who have been there from the start and the new fans who have recently discovered the magic of Yes?

The band should be reaping the benefits that the "boots" are getting now and I cant help but think that most every fan that visits any of the Yes sites would love this commemoration of a classic live Yes performance!!

Thank You YES

From: Daniel Thomas Daniel@Moonrocks.biz
Location: Santa Cruz, Ca USA

All silly debates about, progress, guitarists, 80s versus 70s aside...

My life is far richer because of YES music. YES has contributed something timeless and beautiful to our world.

I am deeply grateful for YES.

The Perfect Idea for a Joint Tour!

From: Josh Creasey jcreasey98@yahoo.com
Location: Montoursville, PA USA

I have the perfect idea for a joint tour. Yes touring with Asia! Think about it. There are two bands featuring two people that were in Yes and then helped form Asia. It would be great. Either band could start the show first. Geoff could join in with Yes for a DRAMA tune, like "Tempus Fugit," "Does It Really Happen?," or even a DRAMA medley, if possible. Steve could join Asia on stage for half of their show, playing stuff like "Heat Of The Moment," "Only Time Will Tell," "Time Again," "Don't Cry," "The Heat Goes On," "Open Your Eyes," "Who Will Stop The Rain," "Aqua part I," and their newest classic "Free," and at the end of the show there could be jam with both bands playing. It would be exciting considering John and Geoff go see Yes every now and they all get along very, very well.

It's just a thought. IMHO, it sounds a hell of a lot better than a joint tour with the Dead (or what I call 'the band formerly known as the Grateful Dead.') It's just an idea. What do you all think?

Jon's ANIMATION on CD, Sometime This Century

From: John Casey yessongs2001@hotmail.com
Location: Erie, PA USA

Does anyone know about when or even IF Jon's ANIMATION album will be finally released on CD? I'm having one hell of a time trying to track that album down. The only piece of that album that I have is on the The Yes Solo Family Album, the song "All In A Matter Of Time". Please let me know. Thank you.

Inaccurate/Ignorant People

From: Chris Rickert kenosis232@netscape.net
Location: Doylestown, Pa USA

I have been reading NFTE for quite a long time now, and have sadly come to the point where I can take no more!! I am so sick and tired of reading submissions from people who call themselves Yes fans, and are really nothing more than uneducated and/or ignorant people. It really saddens me when I consistently read entries here that are either totally negative and erroneous, or just plain so far from the truth that it's disgusting. For example, there's a guy who says that Yes is "the most boring band live; they play everything as it is on the record with no improvisation, etc." This could not be further from the truth, and quite obviously, this individual has absolutely no idea what he's talking about, probably due to the fact that he is either tone deaf, or knows nothing about music whatsoever.

He then further uses Frank Zappa as an example of what Yes should do live, which is so obviously absurd, it's not even worth getting into, except to say that it's like comparing Mozart to Duke Ellington. Yes is NOTHING to do with Zappa and vice versa. Then, we have another person who claims that "Steve Howe uses the same approach to his electric playing as he uses for his classical playing" I'm not even going to touch that one!

It is true that at least 75% of the entries that are on Notes From The Edge from quote "Yes fans" really either are not Yes fans at all, or quite simply are so ignorant that they actually believe that what they are saying is true. Most of these people that submit what they think are "facts" are certainly nothing more than their OPINION, which is 99.9% of the time completely unfounded. I am sick and tired of always seeing such negative and inaccurate entries here. Surely there are thousands of educated true Yes fans like myself out there, but like me, never want to waste my time writing in with others that are obviously either not Yes fans at all, or have nothing but laughably stupid false accounts to submit.

As they say, "ignorance is bliss". I suppose so, but it has no place amongst Yes music and its true fans. It is truly sad to see that so many have completely missed the point of what YES is all about altogether. It is, in fact, an absolutely beautiful conglomeration of excellent musicians that have been destined to write and perform together the "Healing Music" which is meant to touch and fill all of our hearts with majesty, fascination, beauty and grace; just to name a few.On a more technical note, I plead with you all: and you know who you are: PLEASE KEEP YOUR FALSE AND NEGATIVELY ERRONEOUS COMMENTS AND OPINIONS TO YOURSELF! They have no place amongst us true and educated musicians and fans that truly know and love YES!!!!