Yes: Time & A Word '70 Perf w/Orchestra

[Bucka001]

1970 concert ad in Melody Maker. So... did this happen??? Time & A Word is by far my fave Yes album (and one of my fave albums period). The thought of a live perf of tunes from that album *with* an orchestra (like on the album) is mouth-watering to me. So, not only do I ask if it happened, but also if it was ever recorded. Any Yes aficionados out there who are hip to all the boots, etc?

Yes MM.jpg

[Sunlight Caller]

It definitely took place, but there’s no mention of any recordings.

Info can be found at http://forgotten-yesterdays.com/date...70&qdateid=861

I love this extract from the programme, gig goers of today need to take note....

During a recent test in the Hall, a note played "Mezzoforte"
on the horn measured approximately 65 decibels (dB(A)) of
sound. A single 'uncovered' cough gave the same reading. A
handkerchief placed over the mouth when coughing assists in
obtaining a 'pianiasimo'.

[Mister Triscuits]

I found this quote from Chris Squire on the Yes Facebook page:

"This is going back to when we were using coat hangers to hang Sure microphones off and dangle them above the violinists. It was very Heath Robinson in the days of mic'ing up an orchestra. I don’t know if anyone was ever there who could let us know what it sounded like but I doubt if it was that balanced between the band and the orchestra." - Chris Squire

The Wikipedia list of Yes gigs says there were two nights at the QEH (the 21st and 22nd) but doesn't mention the orchestra. Forgotten Yesterdays doesn't list any concert on the 22nd.

[moecurlythanu]

Forgotten Yesterdays doesn't list any concert on the 22nd.

That's because it's Forgotten.

[per anporth]

That quote from Squire is fascinating, & makes one appreciate all the more just how remarkable the recording of The Nice at Fairfield Hall is. They manage to get a very good balance between orchestra, band & jazz group in the Five Bridges, & in the part following the section of organ distortion in the Intermezzo from the Karelia Suite, there's an exhilarating power in the coming together of band & orchestra.

[Paulrus]

That quote from Squire is fascinating, & makes one appreciate all the more just how remarkable the recording of The Nice at Fairfield Hall is. They manage to get a very good balance between orchestra, band & jazz group in the Five Bridges, & in the part following the section of organ distortion in the Intermezzo from the Karelia Suite, there's an exhilarating power in the coming together of band & orchestra.

I was thinking the same thing, although that could have come down to the post-production mix as well.

Re: Yes with an orchestra in 1970, I can't recall where but some time ago I thought I recall reading that it didn't come off as well as they had wanted it to. I wonder if Jon, Tony or Bill have any recollections of it. I can guess Bill would be pretty dismissive of the whole affair these days.

[pb2015]

Re: Yes with an orchestra in 1970, I can't recall where but some time ago I thought I recall reading that it didn't come off as well as they had wanted it to.

I remember the Hedges book had a quote from Jon (or maybe Chris) saying he had hoped the orchestra would enjoy the music but that they approached it as a job.

[bondegezou]

It definitely took place, but there’s no mention of any recordings.

I believe a recording exists in private hands and is known to the band's management.

Henry

[ronmac]

I found this quote from Chris Squire on the Yes Facebook page:

The Wikipedia list of Yes gigs says there were two nights at the QEH (the 21st and 22nd) but doesn't mention the orchestra. Forgotten Yesterdays doesn't list any concert on the 22nd.

I see three dates listed (including the 20th) on http://db.etree.org (a traders' database) with nobody claiming to have the actual recording. The dates could be an error, though.

[Mister Triscuits]

I see three dates listed (including the 20th) on http://db.etree.org (a traders' database) with nobody claiming to have the actual recording. The dates could be an error, though.

Wikipedia, Forgotten Yesterdays, and setlists.com all agree that Yes played at Salford University on the 20th.

[Steve983]

I'm pretty sure it has been documented in the Yes biographies.

[ronmac]

Wikipedia, Forgotten Yesterdays, and setlists.com all agree that Yes played at Salford University on the 20th.

I won't argue with that. Like I stated, it's a traders' site. Listings tend to be based on how they were received. Lots of mislabeling in the trading circles.

[Paulrus]

I guess the thing I'm most curious about those concerts is: did Yes play those songs with the orchestra at the same breakneck tempos they did without the orchestra?