I'm not really certain. I do have this 2-out-of-3 model of Yes, that it generally takes 2 out of Anderson, Howe and Squire to get anything done. For much of the '80s and '90s, Squire sided with Anderson and Howe was often excluded (and Anderson and Howe have struggled to get on since the late 1970s). But what the 2008 reunion marked was a decision by Howe and Squire to move on without Anderson. Without being best mates or anything, Howe and Squire do seem to have established a good working relationship.
Henry
Where Are They Now? Yes news: http://www.bondegezou.co.uk/wh_now.htm
Blogdegezou, the accompanying blog: http://bondegezou.blogspot.com/
I think you're missing my point.
What I'm saying is that as fans, it's silly to call for any artist to "hang 'em up" simply because we don't like what they're currently doing. Many people do enjoy what they're doing, like their recent material, enjoy seeing them live, etc. So to just say "they should stop because I don't like them" is like the height of arrogance, IMO. Don't like it? Ignore it!
Now, if the band itself is struggling to keep up with the schedule, then sure, hang 'em up. Or, change your paradigm, like Zeppelin, or many other acts that use a more sporadic schedule now (Rush, etc.).
Music isn't about chops, or even about talent - it's about sound and the way that sound communicates to people. Mike Keneally
Fair point. And I have pretty much ignored what I couldn't get into after more than a couple listens, just because there's so much good new stuff out there. Really it makes me more sad than anything when I hear a band I used to adore floundering around later on. But you're right. One man's trash and so on...
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Music isn't about chops, or even about talent - it's about sound and the way that sound communicates to people. Mike Keneally
On this day in 1968, YES opened for Cream's farewell concert at the Royal Albert Hall.
Now back to our regularly scheduled arguments
High Vibration Go On - R.I.P. Chris Squire
Can I just say that I like the band Yes
Sometimes, they were good. Other times, they were bad. I want them to record new material if it's going to be good. Anyway, that's all I have to say.
I really wasn't trying to argue your point so much as making my own. I actually agree, although I think it's natural for some to write off a band when they've been around long enough to become mediocre, or jumping the shark by having not one, but two singers replacing someone who's still willing and capable, especially when it's gotten to the point where the casual fan doesn't even know the difference. It's disheartening to the hardcore longtimers to see their fav band go out like that. I doubt that Yes has another great album in them, and it's apparent that Howe has similar feelings. I'm also pretty sure that none of these guys wanna spend the last ten years of their lives trying to live up to CTTE. Their last album was incredibly strong, but it's still just a footnote in an illustrious history that deserves a proper end, and I don't think that being their own tribute band is the way to go about it. Just my two cents.
Where Are They Now? Yes news: http://www.bondegezou.co.uk/wh_now.htm
Blogdegezou, the accompanying blog: http://bondegezou.blogspot.com/
This hardcore long-timer was in no way disheartened by last summer's show. For their age, at this point in time, I was pleasantly surprised.
High Vibration Go On - R.I.P. Chris Squire
I agree with this. I'd prefer that some of these old bands just hang it up too, but rather than bemoan the fact that they're just doing the nostalgia/tribute act scene, I say let 'em continue if they're making a decent living at it and their fans are okay with it. I can just ignore them if I'm not interested (which is the case with YES today). But I agree, it's dishaertening to see a band that you worshipped in the past just continue playing state fairs, casinos, etc. as a tribute act. I'm not referring to YES playing "state fairs" I'm thinking of a few other bands.
Just my $0.02: Anderson may be willing, but I really don't think he's capable. At least not to the extent that the others currently tour (and are arguably capable of touring).
In some ways, the folks who keep hoping for Anderson to return are kidding themselves even more than the folks who like the current lineup. Anderson returning won't fix anything; it will just send the band back into the same spiral of self-destruction that came to pass in the mid 2000's. Anyone who has followed Anderson's ever-growing list of "pending projects" would know that his return would pretty much end any chance of significant new output.
Even if they strictly toured the oldies? A classic reunion would be the same "grand finale" as watching poor ELP struggle their way through lackluster renditions of their classics at High Voltage, where the crowd is putting on severely-rose-tinted lenses. Watching another cringefest like the '04 tour, where the band so clearly disliked one another and turned in half-assed renditions of the songs isn't my personal idea of a solution.
I think that's what they're trying to do now. But I also think they're all (current and former) strong personalities who don't exactly have a reputation for being on the same page for more that ten minutes at a time. Whatever happens happens. I just hope it's not embarrassing for them. Of course they're capable of putting on a great show. They're pros. It's what they do. But for how much longer?
Well Rick Wakeman would disagree with you. He talks in depth about Yes in the Classic Rock edition of 'Journey' which has just hit the news stands. He said the 04 tour was Yes at their peak from a musicianship view point. He knows they would never be able to replicate the playing standards of that tour & so a reunion would be pointless!
IMHO I think he's doing what he does best...a bit of historical revisionism to paint a rosier picture than was actually the case at the time. Same way he bashes the band when he isn't there, and then talks of pure brotherhood and whatnot the minute he's back on the roster.
But he and I would probably disagree on a wide array of subjects, so the '04 assessment is probably just keeping in line
I think Jon Anderson really needs structure and a more fixed slate of collaborators in order to do his best work. When he gets off on his own he tends to flit around like a butterfly, lose focus and not follow through on things. It can be very frustrating for people who just want to see him get down to business again because I, for one, think he's still got the voodoo kicking around in there somewhere. In that sense, I think that either rejoining Yes or entering into a some other more rigidly defined collaborative situation would benefit him tremendously.
It would benefit him, but would it benefit Yes, or the other members of the band?
Frankly, I care more about Yes than I do Anderson, so I'm perfectly happy with the current situation.
Music isn't about chops, or even about talent - it's about sound and the way that sound communicates to people. Mike Keneally
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