Yes Music Podcast

In Production:

Tales from Topographic OceansListening guide

Join me live in London tomorrow!

Please join me as I broadcast live from various locations in London that are connected with Yes and/or Tales. I will be going live on Facebook at various points tomorrow afternoon - 28th September 2024.

Join in via the Facebook Event: https://fb.me/e/1Xctfte4M

Sign up to the e-newsletter updates for exclusive access to the PRESALE!

TormatoBook.com

Produced by Wayne Hall, Joseph Cottrell, Jeffrey Crecelius and Ken Fuller

This week, Mark and I enjoyed looking back in time via the lens of our Yes tracks through time feature but with a slightly different approach. We both chose 2 Yes song performances from the archives, separated by years, or decades and talked about the differences and similarities in approach, personnel and overall effect. Can you guess what songs we went for and what performances? Have your say on the show notes for this week and see if you agree with us on our choices.

Are there any differences in arrangement between older and newer performances of the same song?

How much difference does changes in personnel make?

Are the newer versions always slower?

Let us know if you agree with us!

Every Little Thing:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QILTC5WZ2Qg

https://youtu.be/Z9TmD4KtnJU?si=Tg2_1DDBuNFj6KNY&t=7482

Yours is no Disgrace:

https://youtu.be/nx_GIji9EGw?si=P61Q5LMeA4uaiLlV

https://youtu.be/6s-fIwAtrho?si=Jo7OkKKWp6rv__gH

Sweet Dreams:

https://youtu.be/hVCZWZRAYic?si=AtzEJJAoDShXjIbe&t=684

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pgp9eybyzG4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkZxosBnUDo&t=2739s

Roundabout:

https://youtu.be/kmZoQFYYx8U?si=VFK0KVpQwIYW8FHf

https://youtu.be/O8mDO4ZJQx0?si=tZtt_nHcYJmScjio

There are only 100 of these packs available, so buy yours now! (Opens in a new window)

Check out the progress on my other podcast - https://anthem52.com/

Yes - The Tormato Story

Available now!

TormatoBook.com

YMP Patrons:

Producers:

Joseph Cottrell

Wayne Hall

Ken Fuller

Jeffrey Crecelius

Patrons:

Jim Morrison Jon Pickles Declan Logue Gary Betts Aaron SteelmanMichael Handerhan Barry Gorsky Steve Perry Doug Curran Martin Kjellberg Todd Dudley Rachel Hadaway Lind  Paul Hailes Craig Estenes Mark James Lang Steve Rode David Bob Martilotta John Holden Stephen LambeDem Fred Barringer Scott Colombo Chris Bandini David Heyden John Thomson Mark Baggs John Cowan John Parry Dave Owen Simon Barrow Steve Scott Terence Sadler Steve Dill Robert Nasir  Fergus Cubbage William Hayes Geoff Bailie Steven Roehr Lobate Scarp Geoffrey Mason David Watkinson Tim Stannard Robert VandiverBrian Sullivan David Pannell Jamie McQuinnMiguel Falcão Paul Tomei Michael O'ConnorBrian HarrisHogne Bø PettersenGuy DeRomeMark Slater

Become a Patron!

Our Facebook YMP Discussion Group is open to anyone to join. One of the advantages of the new format is that all members of the group have the same ability to post content, so it’s a bit more egalitarian, or somesuch. Please do search for the group and join in.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/3216603008606331/

Please follow/subscribe!

If you are still listening to the podcast on the website, please consider subscribing so you don’t risk missing anything:

Theme music

The music I use is the last movement of Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite. This has been used as introduction music at many Yes concerts. My theme music is not take from a live concert – I put it together from: archive.org

In Production:

Tales from Topographic OceansListening guide

Sign up to the e-newsletter updates for exclusive access to the PRESALE!

TormatoBook.com

Produced by Wayne Hall, Joseph Cottrell, Jeffrey Crecelius and Ken Fuller

It's time for Mark and me to expound our reactions to the new Jon Anderson and the Band Geeks album, True. I just listened to the music and deliberately stayed away from all other information about the writing etc. of the album but Mark found out a little more. I wonder if our views on the record will be the same as yours.

Is this a Yes album?

Why would it be?

Is it any good?

Let us know if you agree with us!

https://youtu.be/xn-kFz5ibGA?si=sopJh41QjTJDqEBs

https://youtu.be/-yNutgZWo5g?si=LS9PtD7CyP7dArff

https://youtu.be/ty4M-EluOMs?si=L2zG2OcUYbiQwVRp

Photos from Clive Ayer:

There are only 100 of these packs available, so buy yours now! (Opens in a new window)

Check out the progress on my other podcast - https://anthem52.com/

Yes - The Tormato Story

Available now!

TormatoBook.com

YMP Patrons:

Producers:

Joseph Cottrell

Wayne Hall

Ken Fuller

Jeffrey Crecelius

Patrons:

Jim Morrison Jon Pickles Declan Logue Gary Betts Aaron SteelmanMichael Handerhan Barry Gorsky Steve Perry Doug Curran Martin Kjellberg Todd Dudley Rachel Hadaway Lind  Paul Hailes Craig Estenes Mark James Lang Steve Rode David Bob Martilotta John Holden Stephen LambeDem Fred Barringer Scott Colombo Chris Bandini David Heyden John Thomson Mark Baggs John Cowan John Parry Dave Owen Simon Barrow Steve Scott Terence Sadler Steve Dill Robert Nasir  Fergus Cubbage William Hayes Geoff Bailie Steven Roehr Lobate Scarp Geoffrey Mason David Watkinson Tim Stannard Robert VandiverBrian Sullivan David Pannell Jamie McQuinnMiguel Falcão Paul Tomei Michael O'ConnorBrian HarrisHogne Bø PettersenGuy DeRomeMark Slater

Become a Patron!

Our Facebook YMP Discussion Group is open to anyone to join. One of the advantages of the new format is that all members of the group have the same ability to post content, so it’s a bit more egalitarian, or somesuch. Please do search for the group and join in.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/3216603008606331/

Please follow/subscribe!

If you are still listening to the podcast on the website, please consider subscribing so you don’t risk missing anything:

Theme music

The music I use is the last movement of Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite. This has been used as introduction music at many Yes concerts. My theme music is not take from a live concert – I put it together from: archive.org

In Production:

Tales from Topographic OceansListening guide

Sign up to the e-newsletter updates for exclusive access to the PRESALE!

TormatoBook.com

Produced by Wayne Hall, Joseph Cottrell, Jeffrey Crecelius and Ken Fuller

A couple of weeks ago, Mark and I assembled one of the most learned and erudite groups of experts the progressive world has ever seen to talk in incredible depth and detail about the Steven Wilson remixes of Tales from Topographic Oceans.We welcomed Prog Report stalwart Geoff Bailie along with Yes book authors Simon Barrow and Stephen Lambe to our special YMP round table after setting them the task of listening to one side each of Tales, with Mark taking side 4. I was exempt because I needed to act as referee and moderator - or at least that’s my excuse.

Steven Wilson Remix vinyl

If you’re a fan of YMP deep dives, you’re in for a treat. If you’re not a fan of that kind of thing feel free to take this week off - not really, it’s all fascinating stuff.

Is remixing Yes albums ever a good idea?

What has Steven Wilson done to Tales?

Has he improved it?

Let us know if you agree with us!

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKbZ-Fq1jqpwV01e0siDMvxxNrgbvwYrf&si=64uV0bhYZPEzA-Em

There are only 100 of these packs available, so buy yours now! (Opens in a new window)

Check out the progress on my other podcast - https://anthem52.com/

Yes - The Tormato Story

Available now!

TormatoBook.com

YMP Patrons:

Producers:

Joseph Cottrell

Wayne Hall

Ken Fuller

Jeffrey Crecelius

Patrons:

Jim Morrison Jon Pickles Declan Logue Gary Betts Aaron SteelmanMichael Handerhan Barry Gorsky Steve Perry Doug Curran Martin Kjellberg Todd Dudley Rachel Hadaway Lind  Paul Hailes Craig Estenes Mark James Lang Steve Rode David Bob Martilotta John Holden Stephen LambeDem Fred Barringer Scott Colombo Chris Bandini David Heyden John Thomson Mark Baggs John Cowan John Parry Dave Owen Simon Barrow Steve Scott Terence Sadler Steve Dill Robert Nasir  Fergus Cubbage William Hayes Geoff Bailie Steven Roehr Lobate Scarp Geoffrey Mason David Watkinson Tim Stannard Robert VandiverBrian Sullivan David Pannell Jamie McQuinnMiguel Falcão Paul Tomei Michael O'ConnorBrian HarrisHogne Bø PettersenGuy DeRomeMark Slater

Become a Patron!

Our Facebook YMP Discussion Group is open to anyone to join. One of the advantages of the new format is that all members of the group have the same ability to post content, so it’s a bit more egalitarian, or somesuch. Please do search for the group and join in.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/3216603008606331/

Please follow/subscribe!

If you are still listening to the podcast on the website, please consider subscribing so you don’t risk missing anything:

Theme music

The music I use is the last movement of Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite. This has been used as introduction music at many Yes concerts. My theme music is not take from a live concert – I put it together from: archive.org

In Production:

Tales from Topographic OceansListening guide

Sign up to the e-newsletter updates for exclusive access to the PRESALE!

TormatoBook.com

Produced by Wayne Hall, Joseph Cottrell, Jeffrey Crecelius and Ken Fuller

Mark and I had a great conversation with the legendary Michael Tait this week. Here is what the biography on his Mickey's Black Box website says:

"Michael “Mickey” Tait landed in London from his native Australia in 1967. It was his third stop, after Hong Kong and Tehran, in what was meant to be a 3 month “Visit the Motherland” working vacation. His first job was bartending at the Speakeasy, a private club frequented by the who’s who of the music business. Rubbing shoulders with rock stars led to his second job: Road Manager for the newly formed progressive rock band YES.

During his 12 years on the road with YES he advanced the art of stage production and was a driving force in the new field of tour lighting.

He is credited with building the first pedalboard for guitar, the double Mellotron, the flat mirror ball, the 400-watt Leslie speaker box, and one of the first pin matrix lighting consoles. Next came self-contained lighting units consisting of genie lifts in large road cases with integral 4 cell par 64 lamps. These became known as “Tait Towers,” hence the name of his soon-to-be lighting rental company.

Perhaps one of his most important innovations was the portable rotating stage used by Yes in the 1970’s. Inspiration struck Tait while delivering a can of 35mm film to Morgan studios, where YES were recording. The concept, initially met with skepticism, was soon embraced as it gave everyone in the house a better view of the band and also increased the ticket gross dramatically."

Despite recovering from COVID, Michael was generous and open about his recollections of working with Yes, particularly around the time of Tales from Topographic Oceans.

Yes concert at the Montreal Forum on the Tales Tour, photo courtesy of Ken Jonach - lots of Mickey Tait's work on show

https://www.taittowers.com

https://mickeysblackbox.com/

Was the Tales Tour a turning point for the Yes live production?

How did Michael get from Yes roadie/van driver to establishing the most successful live production company in the world?

What about Jon's bathroom at Morgan Studios?

Let us know if you agree with us!

There are only 100 of these packs available, so buy yours now! (Opens in a new window)

Check out the progress on my other podcast - https://anthem52.com/

Yes - The Tormato Story

Available now!

TormatoBook.com

YMP Patrons:

Producers:

Joseph Cottrell

Wayne Hall

Ken Fuller

Jeffrey Crecelius

Patrons:

Jim Morrison Jon Pickles Declan Logue Gary Betts Aaron SteelmanMichael Handerhan Barry Gorsky Steve Perry Doug Curran Martin Kjellberg Todd Dudley Rachel Hadaway Lind  Paul Hailes Craig Estenes Mark James Lang Steve Rode David Bob Martilotta John Holden Stephen LambeDem Fred Barringer Scott Colombo Chris Bandini David Heyden John Thomson Mark Baggs John Cowan John Parry Dave Owen Simon Barrow Steve Scott Terence Sadler Steve Dill Robert Nasir  Fergus Cubbage William Hayes Geoff Bailie Steven Roehr Lobate Scarp Geoffrey Mason David Watkinson Tim Stannard Robert VandiverBrian Sullivan David Pannell Jamie McQuinnMiguel Falcão Paul Tomei Michael O'ConnorBrian HarrisHogne Bø PettersenGuy DeRome

Become a Patron!

Our Facebook YMP Discussion Group is open to anyone to join. One of the advantages of the new format is that all members of the group have the same ability to post content, so it’s a bit more egalitarian, or somesuch. Please do search for the group and join in.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/3216603008606331/

Please follow/subscribe!

If you are still listening to the podcast on the website, please consider subscribing so you don’t risk missing anything:

In Production:

Tales from Topographic OceansListening guide

Sign up to the e-newsletter updates for exclusive access to the PRESALE!

TormatoBook.com

Produced by Wayne Hall, Joseph Cottrell, Jeffrey Crecelius and Ken Fuller

Unfortunately, this is another week in which Mark and I have been unable to record a new episode. Don't worry though, next week we are interviewing someone who created a huge amount of Yeskit when he worked with the band in the 1970s. We are also taking part in an epic session all about the Steven Wilson remixes of Tales from Topographic Oceans with several of your favourite YMP guests. Those two episodes will (hopefully) be coming up in the next two weeks so look out for those.

This week, on the theme of Yeskit, I'm going to replay the interview we did with the delightful Derek Dearden.

The Yes equipment warehouse as it is today

Here's how I introduced the interview in June 2023:

"Unless you have already read my book, Yes The Tormato Story, you may not recognise the name Derek Dearden. However, you have certainly heard the results of his amazing technical wizardry. This is another deep dive episode but it also contains much of interest to any Yes fan. Derek was a delight to speak to when Mark and I interviewed him a few months ago and I’ve been keeping this fascinating interview under wraps so that early readers of the book had a few surprises to discover. If you don’t like spoilers, then consider coming back to this episode at a later date. I won’t be offended.

Quite a bit of this conversation was used in the chapter entitled The Other Drums in my book but even if you have read that, I’m sure you’ll love hearing Derek explaining how it all came about in his own words. To whet your appetite, Derek was employed at Advision as a technician and then went on to found a company very closely associated with Alan White."

What did Derek Dearden create for Alan White?

How did it all come about?

What else did Derek invent?

Let us know if you agree with us!

There are only 100 of these packs available, so buy yours now! (Opens in a new window)

Check out the progress on my other podcast - https://anthem52.com/

Yes - The Tormato Story

Available now!

TormatoBook.com

YMP Patrons:

Producers:

Joseph Cottrell

Wayne Hall

Ken Fuller

Jeffrey Crecelius

Patrons:

Jim Morrison Jon Pickles Declan Logue Gary Betts Aaron SteelmanMichael Handerhan Barry Gorsky Steve Perry Doug Curran Martin Kjellberg Todd Dudley Rachel Hadaway Lind  Paul Hailes Craig Estenes Mark James Lang Steve Rode David Bob Martilotta John Holden Stephen LambeDem Fred Barringer Scott Colombo Chris Bandini David Heyden John Thomson Mark Baggs John Cowan John Parry Dave Owen Simon Barrow Steve Scott Terence Sadler Steve Dill Robert Nasir  Fergus Cubbage William Hayes Geoff Bailie Steven Roehr Lobate Scarp Geoffrey Mason David Watkinson Tim Stannard Robert VandiverBrian Sullivan David Pannell Jamie McQuinnMiguel Falcão Paul Tomei Michael O'ConnorBrian HarrisHogne Bø PettersenGuy DeRome

Become a Patron!

Our Facebook YMP Discussion Group is open to anyone to join. One of the advantages of the new format is that all members of the group have the same ability to post content, so it’s a bit more egalitarian, or somesuch. Please do search for the group and join in.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/3216603008606331/

Please follow/subscribe!

If you are still listening to the podcast on the website, please consider subscribing so you don’t risk missing anything:

Theme music

The music I use is the last movement of Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite. This has been used as introduction music at many Yes concerts. My theme music is not take from a live concert – I put it together from: archive.org

In Production:

Tales from Topographic OceansListening guide

Sign up to the e-newsletter updates for exclusive access to the PRESALE!

TormatoBook.com

Produced by Wayne Hall, Joseph Cottrell, Jeffrey Crecelius and Ken Fuller

Before we start, I’d like to thank everyone who has taken part in the Presale for my new book, the Tales from Topographic Oceans Listening Guide. It’s gone really well and I can now afford to commission book covers, pay for production costs and licences for essential photographs and so on. The Presale is still open to those who have signed up to the e-newsletter over at tormatobook.com and to all YMP Patrons. If you are yet to sign up for the e-newsletter, you’ll receive a message telling you how to access the presale as soon as you subscribe.

Remember that the presale is the only way to purchase signed copies of the forthcoming book and you’ll also receive an exclusive mini-pack of book-based memorabilia. What could be better? So make sure you don’t miss the opportunity to be the proud owner of those fine extras. Finally, almost all the Executive Producer slots have been snapped up. At time of recording this episode there are just 7 remaining so if you’d like to see your name printed towards the front of the Tales book as an official Executive Producer, you’d better get in quickly.

This week, Mark and I were going to talk about our favourite pieces of Yes-related equipment but unfortunately Mark was unavailable in the end due to an emergency situation with his dog, Shadow. So, instead, here is a chapter of the audiobook version of my book, Yes - The Tormato Story that deals with one of the pieces of Yes kit I probably would have mentioned anyway - Rick Wakeman’s Birotron. Incidentally, the audiobook is still available from Audible, Spotify and other fine purveyors of that digital format. As one kind review said about my first foray into authorship which, incidentally, he believes is, “presented as a teenage fan essay”, the audio version is delivered with what he calls a, “clipped late night Radio 2 circa 1990 style”. Hopefully that won’t put you off too much.

What was the world's rarest instrument?

How was Rick Wakeman involved with it?

How does Chris Dale all this?

Let us know if you agree with us!

There are only 100 of these packs available, so buy yours now! (Opens in a new window)

Check out the progress on my other podcast - https://anthem52.com/

Yes - The Tormato Story

Available now!

TormatoBook.com

YMP Patrons:

Producers:

Joseph Cottrell

Wayne Hall

Ken Fuller

Jeffrey Crecelius

Patrons:

Jim Morrison Jon Pickles Declan Logue Gary Betts Aaron SteelmanMichael Handerhan Barry Gorsky Steve Perry Doug Curran Martin Kjellberg Todd Dudley Rachel Hadaway Lind  Paul Hailes Craig Estenes Mark James Lang Steve Rode David Bob Martilotta John Holden Stephen LambeDem Fred Barringer Scott Colombo Chris Bandini David Heyden John Thomson Mark Baggs John Cowan John Parry Dave Owen Simon Barrow Steve Scott Terence Sadler Steve Dill Robert Nasir  Fergus Cubbage William Hayes Geoff Bailie Steven Roehr Lobate Scarp Geoffrey Mason David Watkinson Tim Stannard Robert VandiverBrian Sullivan David Pannell Jamie McQuinnMiguel Falcão Paul Tomei Michael O'ConnorBrian HarrisHogne Bø PettersenGuy DeRome

Become a Patron!

Our Facebook YMP Discussion Group is open to anyone to join. One of the advantages of the new format is that all members of the group have the same ability to post content, so it’s a bit more egalitarian, or somesuch. Please do search for the group and join in.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/3216603008606331/

Please follow/subscribe!

If you are still listening to the podcast on the website, please consider subscribing so you don’t risk missing anything:

Theme music

The music I use is the last movement of Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite.

In Production:

Tales from Topographic OceansListening guide

Sign up to the e-newsletter updates for exclusive access to the PRESALE!

TormatoBook.com

Produced by Wayne Hall, Joseph Cottrell, Jeffrey Crecelius and Ken Fuller

This week, Mark and I took a listen to some of the existing Yes songs and versions that have already been added to official reissued albums and collections and classed as ‘previously unreleased’. We have chosen some of our favourites and discuss what we like about them.

This activity was partly prompted by Yes aficionado Jon Dee who, in his own words on Facebook says the following:

“I’m currently listening to YES playing ‘Eleanor Rigby’… IN THE STUDIO!!

There are 3 takes and it sounds like they’re doing a studio run through. Sounds like a single microphone was used to record it as a demo - but it’s very good quality.Getting this on top of the multi-tracks for some ‘Time and a Word’ songs has made this a great week!I have let the record label and management know about this as the first two albums will be getting rereleased at some point.

How many of you would like to hear ‘Eleanor Rigby’ by YES - plus an orchestra free version of ‘No Opportunity’, ‘Sweet Dreams’ and ‘Clear Days’??

‘No Opportunity’ will blow people away when they hear a no orchestra version with Kaye, Squire and Banks far more to the fore. It seriously rocks.

In addition to his full electric guitar track, there is also a Spanish guitar track from Banks on the multi-track for ‘No Opportunity’. Peter plays some very cool acoustic guitar on that track.”

It’s another set of very exciting discoveries for us Yes fans so keep your ears peeled for more news of that, hopefully soon.

What could we hear in the future?

What are our favourite previously unreleased songs?

Could any of them have been on official albums?

Let us know if you agree with us!

https://youtu.be/m2RljIXD8yU?si=ptP4FmrTAfDjuySM

https://youtu.be/9Yr9ckFVvVM?si=hhGzUjlzdXP4cPj0

https://youtu.be/4mQqfXLwmB0?si=HDK0ATmQay92k3th

https://youtu.be/MOqJyxJr_jQ?si=pDMccrQj66MLqKjC

https://youtu.be/X3Jc6-0wY80?si=W5oLPrVAL-pPFH29

https://youtu.be/IPg_YY09I0E?si=J3Ryahd4cZMtVfiT

There are only 100 of these packs available, so buy yours now! (Opens in a new window)

Check out the progress on my other podcast - https://anthem52.com/

Yes - The Tormato Story

Available now!

TormatoBook.com

YMP Patrons:

Producers:

Joseph Cottrell

Wayne Hall

Ken Fuller

Jeffrey Crecelius

Patrons:

Jim Morrison Jon Pickles Declan Logue Gary Betts Aaron SteelmanMichael Handerhan Barry Gorsky Steve Perry Doug Curran Martin Kjellberg Todd Dudley Rachel Hadaway Lind  Paul Hailes Craig Estenes Mark James Lang Steve Rode David Bob Martilotta John Holden Stephen LambeDem Fred Barringer Scott Colombo Chris Bandini David Heyden John Thomson Mark Baggs John Cowan John Parry Dave Owen Simon Barrow Steve Scott Terence Sadler Steve Dill Robert Nasir  Fergus Cubbage William Hayes Geoff Bailie Steven Roehr Lobate Scarp Geoffrey Mason David Watkinson Tim Stannard Robert VandiverBrian Sullivan David Pannell Jamie McQuinnMiguel Falcão Paul Tomei Michael O'ConnorBrian HarrisHogne Bø PettersenGuy DeRome

Become a Patron!

Our Facebook YMP Discussion Group is open to anyone to join. One of the advantages of the new format is that all members of the group have the same ability to post content, so it’s a bit more egalitarian, or somesuch. Please do search for the group and join in.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/3216603008606331/

Please follow/subscribe!

If you are still listening to the podcast on the website, please consider subscribing so you don’t risk missing anything:

Theme music

The music I use is the last movement of Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite. This has been used as introduction music at many Yes concerts.

Produced by Wayne Hall, Joseph Cottrell, Jeffrey Crecelius and Ken Fuller

Mark and I had a lot of fun talking about a remarkable video suggested by Rachel Hadaway this week. From a BBC programme called Sounding Out, it features live show footage and interviews with the band from 1971, shortly after Rick Wakeman joined.

It’s full of period charm, as they say, and thankfully available on YouTube now. You might want to watch it before listening to Mark and me banging on about it - or you might not. If you do, there’s a video embedded in the show notes below.

https://youtu.be/sr9j5pbKHGA?si=XBIfp51Dz8sh3nUT

How does the band sound?

What is the venue like?

What did each band member say in their interview?

Let us know if you agree with us!

Gonzo Multimedia DVD of the BBC Sounding Out programme

There are only 100 of these packs available, so buy yours now! (Opens in a new window)

Check out the progress on my other podcast - https://anthem52.com/

In Production:

Tales from Topographic OceansListening guide

Sign up to the e-newsletter updates!

TormatoBook.com

Yes - The Tormato Story

Available now!

TormatoBook.com

YMP Patrons:

Producers:

Joseph Cottrell

Wayne Hall

Ken Fuller

Jeffrey Crecelius

Patrons:

Jim Morrison Jon Pickles Declan Logue Gary Betts Aaron SteelmanMichael Handerhan Barry Gorsky Steve Perry Doug Curran Martin Kjellberg Todd Dudley Rachel Hadaway Lind  Paul Hailes Craig Estenes Mark James Lang Steve Rode David Bob Martilotta John Holden Stephen LambeDem Fred Barringer Scott Colombo Chris Bandini David Heyden John Thomson Mark Baggs John Cowan John Parry Dave Owen Simon Barrow Steve Scott Terence Sadler Steve Dill Robert Nasir  Fergus Cubbage William Hayes Geoff Bailie Steven Roehr Lobate Scarp Geoffrey Mason David Watkinson Tim Stannard Robert VandiverBrian Sullivan David Pannell Jamie McQuinnMiguel Falcão Paul Tomei Michael O'ConnorBrian HarrisHogne Bø PettersenGuy DeRome

Become a Patron!

Our Facebook YMP Discussion Group is open to anyone to join. One of the advantages of the new format is that all members of the group have the same ability to post content, so it’s a bit more egalitarian, or somesuch. Please do search for the group and join in.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/3216603008606331/

Please follow/subscribe!

If you are still listening to the podcast on the website, please consider subscribing so you don’t risk missing anything:

Theme music

The music I use is the last movement of Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite. This has been used as introduction music at many Yes concerts. My theme music is not take from a live concert – I put it together from: archive.org

Produced by Wayne Hall, Joseph Cottrell, Jeffrey Crecelius and Ken Fuller

As always, it was a delight to welcome Yes guitarist Steve Howe back onto the show to talk about his new solo album, Guitarscape. It was a fun discussion during which Mark and I enjoyed asking some searching questions about the new record. Of course, we also slipped in a few questions about Yes and Tales from Topographic Oceans!

Steve and Dylan Howe:

Guitarscape is a little different to other Steve Howe solo albums and I’m sure you will enjoy it when it is released in September.

What' did Igor bring to the Yes keyboard role's different about this Steve Howe solo album?

How was it put together?

Who else worked on it?

Let us know if you agree with us!

16th July 2024: Guitarist Steve Howe releases his new solo album Guitarscape on 27th September on his own HoweSound label. The album will be available on CD, vinyl and digital downloads, including Dolby Atmos.  Pre-order the album here: https://lnk.to/hkKdov 

Guitarscape marks a new chapter for the YES and ASIA legend as he presents, what amounts to, a guitar masterclass. “What I’m doing,” said Steve, “is focusing on what I do well and what I love to do.” Guitarscape features 14 new instrumental tracks in a host of musical styles, from rock through to acoustic and classical, each bearing that unmistakable Steve Howe sound. Steve plays acoustic, electric, steel and bass guitars along with keyboards and is joined by his son Dylan on drums. Steve has written all of the tracks and produced the album. 

“This album has given me the opportunity to do something different,” says Steve. “I bought a Novation Summit keyboard and found that it had a wealth of inspiring sounds. It gave me a golden opportunity to create my own keyboard structures – chordal movements and structures that I thought were a bit different.  I think differently on a keyboard, I don’t see the chords looking the same but then I had fun playing around with the guitar to see where that goes. 

“I’ve utilised most of the colours, as I like to I think of my styles, and I’m always pleased when I hear them running through and it moves from a steel, maybe, to a Spanish guitar. Because it’s a different sort of album, I’m not using terribly conventional chord sequences but things that give me a fresh feeling and opportunities to improvise and stretch out as well as be melodic and make this a nice tuneful experience. 

“I began feeding the tracks to Dylan. We get on great and he seems to know what to play around my guitar, it’s almost instinctive. Dylan and I fit together really beautifully. We’ve had the chance to do this together, so it’s wonderful. 

“The bass parts and the keyboards are pretty interesting, everything had to be interesting but also work together. I like doing things that are super fresh and this album says what I am today.” 

Steve Howe - Guitarscape is released by HoweSound on 27th September 2024. 

Guitarscape - Track Listing 

1. Hail Storm (2.22) 

2. Spring Board (2.45) 

3. Distillations (1.48) 

4. Up Stream (3.17) 

5. Secret Mission (3.26) 

6. Passing Thoughts (2.36) 

7. Touch The Surface (3.21) 

8. Spring Rhyme (2.02) 

9. Equinox (3.04) 

10. Seesaw (2.12) 

11. Gone West (3.03) 

12. Suma (1.34) 

13. Spring Tide (2.41) 

14. Steel Breeze (2.57) 

All tracks written by Steve Howe 

Produced by Steve Howe 

Assembled and mixed by Curtis Schwartz 

There are only 100 of these packs available, so buy yours now! (Opens in a new window)

Check out the progress on my other podcast - https://anthem52.com/

In Production:

Tales from Topographic OceansListening guide

Sign up to the e-newsletter updates!

TormatoBook.com

Yes - The Tormato Story

Available now!

TormatoBook.com

YMP Patrons:

Producers:

Joseph Cottrell

Wayne Hall

Ken Fuller

Produced by Wayne Hall, Joseph Cottrell, Jeffrey Crecelius and Ken Fuller

This week Mark and I wish Igor Khoroshev a slightly belated Happy Birthday by talking about some of his greatest moments for Yes. We have chosen our favourite 3 examples of the great keyboardist’s work with the band so keep listening and see if you agree. I’ve embedded YouTube videos of each song we discuss in the show notes for this episode, just in case you don’t have copies of Open Your Eyes, The Ladder and Live from the House of Blues.

What did Igor bring to the Yes keyboard role?

Did he have all the skills he needed?

What are his highlights?

Let us know if you agree with us!

https://youtu.be/Ex3oO4hovqQ?si=lZf_24NXViDLuTON

https://youtu.be/UlzumP5AvRU?si=M963Fz-7XoRQ8glQ

https://youtu.be/P3HTXebhPNo?si=Nh_vtBaEwDHNQyfp

https://youtu.be/kn8ocOsdbEo?si=lWHv3XclZchiC7of

There are only 100 of these packs available, so buy yours now! (Opens in a new window)

Check out the progress on my other podcast - https://anthem52.com/

In Production:

Tales from Topographic OceansListening guide

Sign up to the e-newsletter updates!

TormatoBook.com

Yes - The Tormato Story

Available now!

TormatoBook.com

YMP Patrons:

Producers:

Joseph Cottrell

Wayne Hall

Ken Fuller

Jeffrey Crecelius

Patrons:

Jim Morrison Jon Pickles Declan Logue Gary Betts Aaron SteelmanMichael Handerhan Barry Gorsky Steve Perry Doug Curran Martin Kjellberg Todd Dudley Rachel Hadaway Lind  Paul Hailes Craig Estenes Mark James Lang Steve Rode David Bob Martilotta John Holden Stephen LambeDem Fred Barringer Scott Colombo Chris Bandini David Heyden John Thomson Mark Baggs John Cowan John Parry Dave Owen Simon Barrow Steve Scott Terence Sadler Steve Dill Robert Nasir  Fergus Cubbage William Hayes Geoff Bailie Steven Roehr Lobate Scarp Geoffrey Mason David Watkinson Tim Stannard Robert VandiverBrian Sullivan David Pannell Jamie McQuinnMiguel Falcão Paul Tomei Michael O'ConnorBrian HarrisHogne Bø PettersenGuy DeRome

Become a Patron!

Our Facebook YMP Discussion Group is open to anyone to join. One of the advantages of the new format is that all members of the group have the same ability to post content, so it’s a bit more egalitarian, or somesuch. Please do search for the group and join in.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/3216603008606331/

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Theme music

The music I use is the last movement of Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite. This has been used as introduction music at many Yes concerts. My theme music is not take from a live concert – I put it together from: archive.org