For the popular British progressive rock band Yes, 2019 was a pivotal year: it marked the 50th anniversary of the band’s self-titled debut album that introduced a long and lasting career. Intermediate recordings, exhibitions and adjustments of the workers’ body over the more than five decades. , Yes, whose current composition includes guitarist Steve Howe, drummer Alan White, singer Jon Davison, keyboardist Geoff Downes and bassist Billy Sherwood, remains active, as evidenced by his new album The Royal Affair Tour (Live in Las Vegas) to satisfy enthusiasts for now until Yes returns to the level in 2021 after his tour has been postponed this year due to the pandemic.
“It’s a wonderful feature of the band over the years betting smart music,” White says of the new album, which was released last Friday. “We are very proud of him and look forward to getting back on the road with everything that is happening about us. “
The music on The Royal Affair Tour covers the first decade of Yes’s lifestyle from 1970 to 1980. Last year’s tour was notable for featuring special visitors such as John Lodge of Moody Blues, ELP Legacy through Carl Palmer and Asia. “As this wonderful excursion progressed, we felt it was vital to capture this show,” Downes says. The Las Vegas concert was one of the last of the tour when the band amended, and it was definitely a special night for all of us. It was also very special and we enjoyed the company of many rock legends such as Carl Palmer, John Lodge and Asia, all together. A real matter!
In addition to Yes’s well-known songs, the live album also includes in-depth excerpts from the band’s catalog: from “No Opportunity Necessaire, No Experience Needed” (from 1970’s Time and a Word) to “Onward” (from 1978’s Tormato) to “Tempus Fugit” (from the 1980s drama). “We have a huge repertoire,” White says of preparing the list of songs for a Yes program. “Sometimes it’s very difficult to determine when you need to represent. Steve proposes a skeleton of what he thinks is good, and then we combine all our heads and what we have to do and how we should do it.
In addition to “No Opportunity, No Experience Required”, several canopy songs appear on the album, adding the popular performance of Simon and Garfunkel’s “America”, which has been played intermittently over the years. “Obviously, we’ve improved. ” to date,” White says, “but it’s still the fundamental form and shape it had at the time. By the way, Steve had a verbal exchange with Paul Simon [who wrote the song] and enjoyed it. john Lennon’s ‘Imagine’, a duet with Moody Blues’ Lodge, is also exclusive to this new album. “All the band members liked this song like other people in the world,” says White, who played in the 1971 original recording “Imagine. “”I think it has more to do with the meaning of the words that apply to what is happening in today’s world. “
Unsurprisingly, each and every screen of Yes would not be complete without the inclusion of the ancient epics “I’ve Seen All The Good People,” “Roundabout” and “Starship Trooper. “Basically, I can do them in my sleep,” White says. I’m delighted to play those songs, especially with Yes. Everyone in the band is talented musicians, and it’s a wonderful challenge to play those songs on stage.
Yes’s existing band has been intact for five years since the band’s founding bassist Chris Squire’s death. Even after his death (Squire had the difference of being on all of Yes’s studio albums until 2014), there is no doubt that the band would one day do so. call him, along with Billy Sherwood, a former associate of the band, who acts as bass.
“One of Chris’ last wishes, who said to me, “Whatever you do, Alan, stay that way if I die,” White recalls. [Billy] is amazing. Chris was one of his mentors. He literally knows everything Chris has done, adding up his voice. It was a blessing to have someone who listened to Chris’ talents to update him.
“Of course we all miss Chris, who has been an indispensable figure in Yes’s evolution and 50 years,” Downes says. “It was wonderful to paint with Drama since 2011. I think Yes’s legacy deserves to continue [as Chris did], and Billy and everyone else did a fantastic task to keep that flame on.
After Squire, White is the oldest member of Yes, having been with the band for about five decades. Prior to enrolling in Yes, White had directed with artists such as Lennon, George Harrison and Ginger Baker. “I’ve heard them, several times on the radio, ” says White of Yes. “I went to see them live once. I think they supported Cream and thought they were a very smart cutting-edge group. When I signed up for a group, I think ” is another of many things I’ve done so far. But they said, “Come on, sign up for the group. ” I said, “Listen, give me 3 months” Array . . . and here I am 49 years later. “
Nearly a decade later, after White’s arrival, around 1980, Downes and Trevor Horn of the Buggles, known for their hit song “Video Killed the Radio Star”, joined Yes after the departure of singer Jon Anderson and keyboardist Rick Wakeman. on the 40-year-old album Drama, which is one of Yes’s top underestimated works, an album that foreshadowed the sublime sound of his hit 1983 album 90125. In recent years, Drama has been made on a full excursion with this existing band configuration.
“Drama was a wonderful album,” White says, we recorded that in a very short time, actually. Songs like “Machine Messiah” and many old things. People still love this album. It’s funny how he got here. [Geoff and Trevor] were listening again in the studio next door where we were listening again, and they were big fans of yes. They kept passing through the door and blew their heads off and said, “That’s smart. . ” And Trevor said, “We write a song for you if you need to listen to it. “They came and played the song for us. Finally, his device entered the room and, nevertheless, it was the new Yes.
“I think it holds the passage of time,” Downes says of Drama, “and helped propel Yes into a new era and attract a new generation of enthusiasts. Yes in the 1980s it showed that the band has the ability to reinvent itself. “regardless of existing trends».
Next year, Yes is scheduled to begin its new European tour in which they will make their 1974 album Relayer in its entirety, as well as the classics. “The broadcast is rarely very, very simple to play on stage,” White admits, especially the songs. like ‘Sound Chaser’ and ‘The Gates of Delirium’, they’re pretty crazy pieces of music to play on stage, but you know, it looks like we’re successful.
Meanwhile, the band is also performing new music for the pandemic, which would adhere to Yes’ most recent studio album Heaven and Earth in 2014. “We exchanged a number of concepts for Yes the lockdown,” says Downes, who is also the co-founder of Grupo Asia, “although in the virtual world. It is a new way of running, but also attractive because we are able to keep in close contact despite the geographical separation of the group members. At some point, I hope put an end to some of the Asian songs that I started with [singer] John [Wetton] before he sadly passed away in January 2017.
“We’re doing it,” White says of Yes’s new material. “With the stage with COVID, it’s another way for everyone to record Array. . . and make the album that way. He’s attractive to say the least. It’s less” personal, but at the same time, some of the effects are excellent. “
I’ve been writing about popular music since I bought my first copy of Rolling Stone magazine about 30 years ago, when I was a teenager.
I’ve been writing about popular music since I bought my first copy of Rolling Stone magazine about 30 years ago, when I was a teenager. Since then, I have covered popular music for Rolling Stone, Billboard, Pitchfork, Time Out New York, Paste, The Quietus and many other media. In fact, I like to talk to artists and find the stories, their music and their craftsmanship. I was born and raised in New York, and that’s where you can locate me watching an exhibition any night.