Produced by Ken Fuller, Wayne Hall and Jeffrey Crecelius

This week Mark and I have enjoyed listening to Alan White in a rather different context to normal - adding his remarkable talents to John Lennon’s classic album, Imagine. We present our thoughts and then get together to have a chat about the music and the musicians involved. Please do add your own thoughts below and see if you agree with Mark and me.

This is the image from our conversation with Alan

We also found time to consider a two pence topic around Jon Anderson’s plans for live concerts next year with The Band Geeks. Stay tuned for our thoughts on that.

In other news, I’m excited to announce that I am part-way through writing a book about Tormato which will include all the aspects we’ve covered on the YMP as well as copious illustrations and a myriad of other things. It will be in paper and online format and I’ll be announcing all kinds of other news about it as we approach the publication date - which is still a long way off. However, you can already go to tormatobook.com to find out more and to sign up to an email newsletter to keep up-to-date with progress. The book will be published by Five Per Cent For Something Publishing (see what I did there?) and is to be called, ‘Too Close To The Edge? The surprising and instructive story of TORMATO, the final YES album of the 1970s’. Good title eh?

Not final artwork - just me messing about with one of Jeremy North's photos

* What does Alan's drumming on Imagine sound like?* Does he play appropriately?* Can you tell it's him?

Take a listen to the episode and then let us know what you think below!

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YMP Patrons:

Producers:

* Ken Fuller* Jeffrey Crecelius and* Wayne Hall

Patrons:

Aaron SteelmanDave OwenMark James LangPaul TomeiJoost MaglevDavid HeydenMartin KjellbergPaul WilsonBob MartilottaLindMichael O'ConnorWilliam HayesBrian SullivanDavid PannellMiguel FalcãoLobate ScarpChris BandiniDavid WatkinsonNeal KaforeyRachel HadawayCraig EstenesDemPaul HailesMark 'Zarkol' BaggsDoug CurranRobert NasirFergus CubbageScott ColomboFred BarringerGary BettsGeoff BailieSimon BarrowGeoffrey MasonStephen LambeGuy R DeRomeSteve DillHenrik AntonssonSteve PerryHogne Bø PettersenSteve RodeDeclan LogueSteve ScottJamie McQuinnSteven RoehrAlan BeggTerence SadlerMichael HanderhanTim StannardJimTodd DudleyJohn CowanTony HandleyJohn HoldenJoseph CottrellJohn ParryKeith HoisingtonJohn ThomsonBarry Gorsky

Robert and David

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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:

Produced by Ken Fuller, Wayne Hall and Jeffrey Crecelius

While we wait for Yes to begin their tour in Japan in September and following the end of Jon Anderson’s Close To The Edge tour, it’s comparatively quiet in Yes world at the moment. That certainly doesn’t mean we don’t have anything to talk about, of course. So this week Mark and I have been thinking about why Yes wanted the late and already desperately missed Alan White.

We have discovered or perhaps rediscovered some aspects of Alan’s early career which made him the perfect fit for Yes following the departure of Bill Bruford, very shortly before the beginning of the original Close To The Edge tour. It was an excellent discussion reminding us just how multi-faceted Alan’s abilities were so do keep listening for that.

* What about Alan White attracted Yes?* What did Alan spend his teenage years doing?* What recordings can we hear pre-Yes Alan playing on?

Take a listen to the episode and then let us know what you think below!

Peter D'Amore, featuring Billy Sherwood:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aG920bzWKTI

John Michels mentioned this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7CFDd0q5XE

...and here are his photos:

Griffin featuring Alan White:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mrPC2xTVUU

Become a Patron!

YMP Patrons:

Producers:

* Ken Fuller* Jeffrey Crecelius and* Wayne Hall

Patrons:

Aaron SteelmanDave OwenMark James LangPaul TomeiJoost MaglevDavid HeydenMartin KjellbergPaul WilsonBob MartilottaLindMichael O'ConnorWilliam HayesBrian SullivanDavid PannellMiguel FalcãoLobate ScarpChris BandiniDavid WatkinsonNeal KaforeyRachel HadawayCraig EstenesDemPaul HailesMark 'Zarkol' BaggsDoug CurranRobert NasirFergus CubbageScott ColomboFred BarringerGary BettsGeoff BailieSimon BarrowGeoffrey MasonStephen LambeGuy R DeRomeSteve DillHenrik AntonssonSteve PerryHogne Bø PettersenSteve RodeDeclan LogueSteve ScottJamie McQuinnSteven RoehrAlan BeggTerence SadlerMichael HanderhanTim StannardJimTodd DudleyJohn CowanTony HandleyJohn HoldenJoseph CottrellJohn ParryKeith HoisingtonJohn ThomsonBarry Gorsky

Robert and David

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:

I’m on holiday - again - with the family so I’ve added a repeat of one of our favourite ’deep dives’ into the feed. I hope you enjoy it even if you’ve heard it before.

Produced by Ken Fuller, Wayne Hall and Jeffrey Crecelius

I recently spoke to illustrator Colin Elgie, who was a freelance illustrator for legendary album art producers, Hipgnosis, for the whole of the 1970s. We chatted about his artwork for Tormato and I found out that he also produced some other Yes items you'll recognise, along with other prog album covers. It was a great phone call and this week I explain to Mark what Colin said and we take a look at some of the artwork Colin and I discussed.

Then Mark tells us about some other vinyl albums which have interesting and/or unique inner contents. You'll also have your favourites so please do add them in the comments below.

* What did Colin Elgie produce for Yes?* What did he think of the Hipgnosis cover for Tormato?* What other inner album contents are worth tracking down?

Take a listen to the episode and then let us know what you think below!

Two Genesis albums with Colin Elgie covers:

https://youtu.be/PrqRAmPsWYg

https://youtu.be/GMSjD716bGU

Al Stewart - Year of the Cat with Colin Elgie cover:

https://youtu.be/Ak_MTXQALa0

Colin Elgie's YES poster and newspaper advert, uploaded to Forgotten-Yesterdays.com by Geoffrey Mason:

Colin Elgie's artwork for the inner bag of Tormato, in various places and formats:

Original 1978 Tormato inner bag - front

Original 1978 Tormato inner bag - back

Back inside cover of the Tormato music book

Expanded and remastered CD tray

Expanded and remastered CD printing

The 'pre-release' version on the inside front cover of the 1978 Tourmato programme - note the different lettering, lines and map!

Mark's copy of Rick Wakeman's King Arthur:

Produced by Ken Fuller, Wayne Hall and Jeffrey Crecelius

After a period of ill health I’m finally back this week with the second part of our Why did Yes want Rick Wakeman feature. Many thanks to everyone who has sent wishes for a speedy recovery.

We also have the final word from Simon Barrow on the CTTE 50th Anniversary UK and Irish tour and we start with some news from around the interwebs.

* What were the two previous albums from Strawbs like?* Why was Rick fed up with that band?* What were press and fan reactions like to CTTE50?

Take a listen to the episode and then let us know what you think below!

Become a Patron!

YMP Patrons:

Producers:

* Jeffrey Crecelius and* Wayne Hall

Patrons:

Aaron SteelmanDave OwenMark James LangPaul TomeiJoost MaglevDavid HeydenMartin KjellbergPaul WilsonBob MartilottaLindMichael O'ConnorWilliam HayesBrian SullivanDavid PannellMiguel FalcãoLobate ScarpChris BandiniDavid WatkinsonNeal KaforeyRachel HadawayCraig EstenesDemPaul HailesMark 'Zarkol' BaggsDoug CurranRobert NasirFergus CubbageScott ColomboFred BarringerGary BettsGeoff BailieSimon BarrowGeoffrey MasonStephen LambeGuy R DeRomeSteve DillHenrik AntonssonSteve PerryHogne Bø PettersenSteve RodeIanNBSteve ScottJamie McQuinnSteven RoehrKen FullerTerence SadlerMichael HanderhanTim StannardJimTodd DudleyJohn CowanTony HandleyJohn HoldenJoseph CottrellJohn ParryKeith HoisingtonJohn ThomsonBarry GorskyAlan BeggDeclan Logue

Robert and David

Please follow/subscribe!

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

Subscribe on Android

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 and Jeffrey Crecelius

We are back almost to normal or what passes for normal in these parts this week. After the merry mayhem of the Yes UK and Irish tour celebrating CTTE’s 50th Anniversary, this week Mark and I return to our new-ish series trying to make semi-educated guesses about why Yes wanted to add new or different musicians to their fold. This time, we turn our excited attention to Rick Wakeman and consider what he was doing to attract the band’s attention. That’ll be fun.

Before that we have the final tour diary entry from the redoutable Simon Barrow complete with a new crop of photos below:

* What attracted Yes to Rick Wakeman?* What had he been doing before?* How does Simon sum up the latest tour?

Take a listen to the episode and then let us know what you think below!

Listen to Simon’s experiences at the London concert of #CTTE50 from the iconic Royal Albert Hall.

Simon’s photos:

Roger Dean introduced the band

A little bit 'after the fact' but we are still proud to present Simon's second audio diary entry. Stay tuned for more very soon!

Produced by Wayne Hall and Jeffrey Crecelius

I had an amazing time in London with new and old Yes friends on 21st June 2022. The concert was stunning and you'll hear me banging on about it in this episode.

A magical evening of Yes music in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Close To The Edge which was performed perfectly to a full house at one of the most iconic of all venues.

It's only the 10th time Yes have played at the RAH and it's also 10 years since Jon Davison joined the band.

* What was the performance like?* How did the setlist work?* What was the experience like?

Take a listen to the episode and then let us know what you think below!

Obligatory selfie

Yes fans in the place it all began

Remembering Alan

The venue

A lovely T shirt

The Gottlieb Bros amazing tour book

Waiting patiently

YMP patrons and a host!

Ruth's latest wristband

The story of the day in photos

Become a Patron!

YMP Patrons:

Producers:

* Jeffrey Crecelius and* Wayne Hall

Patrons:

Aaron SteelmanDave OwenMark James LangPaul TomeiJoost MaglevDavid HeydenMartin KjellbergPaul WilsonBob MartilottaLindMichael O'ConnorWilliam HayesBrian SullivanDavid PannellMiguel FalcãoLobate ScarpChris BandiniDavid WatkinsonNeal KaforeyRachel HadawayCraig EstenesDemPaul HailesMark 'Zarkol' BaggsDoug CurranRobert NasirFergus CubbageScott ColomboFred BarringerGary BettsGeoff BailieSimon BarrowGeoffrey MasonStephen LambeGuy R DeRomeSteve DillHenrik AntonssonSteve PerryHogne Bø PettersenSteve RodeIanNBSteve ScottJamie McQuinnSteven RoehrKen FullerTerence SadlerMichael HanderhanTim StannardJimTodd DudleyJohn CowanTony HandleyJohn HoldenJoseph CottrellJohn ParryKeith HoisingtonJohn ThomsonBarry GorskyAlan BeggDeclan Logue

Robert and David

Please subscribe!

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

Produced by Wayne Hall and Jeffrey Crecelius

This week we have the chance to talk about Yes live in concert for the first time in 3 years. Mark and I give our reactions to the setlist choices and then our roving reporter, Simon Barrow has sent in the first of his audio diary entries. He will be attending every show on the tour (apart from the warm up gig) and will be keeping us up-to-date as he goes.

* What have the first concerts been like?* What is the setlist like?* Will fans be able to get to the concerts next week?

Take a listen to the episode and then let us know what you think below!

Photos from Glasgow by Simon Barrow

Pete Hopkins' song in tribute to Alan White and featuring Alan on drums

Time Won't Wait by Pete Hopkins

Become a Patron!

YMP Patrons:

Producers:

* Jeffrey Crecelius and* Wayne Hall

Patrons:

Aaron SteelmanDave OwenMark James LangPaul TomeiJoost MaglevDavid HeydenMartin KjellbergPaul WilsonBob MartilottaLindMichael O'ConnorWilliam HayesBrian SullivanDavid PannellMiguel FalcãoLobate ScarpChris BandiniDavid WatkinsonNeal KaforeyRachel HadawayCraig EstenesDemPaul HailesMark 'Zarkol' BaggsDoug CurranRobert NasirFergus CubbageScott ColomboFred BarringerGary BettsGeoff BailieSimon BarrowGeoffrey MasonStephen LambeGuy R DeRomeSteve DillHenrik AntonssonSteve PerryHogne Bø PettersenSteve RodeIanNBSteve ScottJamie McQuinnSteven RoehrKen FullerTerence SadlerMichael HanderhanTim StannardJimTodd DudleyJohn CowanTony HandleyJohn HoldenJoseph CottrellJohn ParryKeith HoisingtonJohn ThomsonBarry GorskyAlan BeggDeclan Logue

Robert and David

Please subscribe!

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

Subscribe on AndroidListen on Stitcher

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