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Episode 55 – A Yes Music Dinner Party Conversation

Where to start?

The fifty-fifth episode of the Yes Music Podcast featuring an imaginary dinner party conversation.

Listen and see if you would say the same as me. Then let me know what suggestions you have for where to start – or not to start – with Yes music. Contact the show via any of the different routes on the right hand side or by leaving a comment below!

  • How would you convince dinner party guests to listen to Yes music?
  • Where would you recommend new listeners to start?
  • How would you defend Yes music and progressive rock?

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Show links

Cruise to the Edge

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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 the following two creative commons sources:

thanvannispen and archive.org

4 replies on “Episode 55 – A Yes Music Dinner Party Conversation”

Great show Funny thing about this show is that has happen to me over the last 35 + years or so.Remember growing up in Motown was not a easy sort of way to go with Yes.I think the biggest thing about Yes music is that you have to have some sense of music in a non traditional sort of way. I can remember many times with people who only listen to FM radio and they only new what was put out for them. Needless to say they did not play a lot of Yes music so the only thing they would hear is tunes like all good people,roundabout, maybe long distance runaround and owner of a lonely heart. However I do remember the early days of FM radio and you could get them to play And you and I or if you were lucky enough you could get them to play to be over.So as you can see it was allways a battle for me to get people to listen to Yes.I think there time signutures were very much different and new and Good to mmy liking however most people like the beat or the glam. There is a point I would make for Tormato and that would be Silent wings of Freedom a killer tune for sure and very prog I think its a master piece and I have never heard it live and I would Love to have heard that being played live.Now back to dinner I have come to a stage in my life where Music means so much to me and without Yes in it I could not even tell you what my music would mean.I guess what I mean is that music to me has to be special for me to listen to it over and over and never get sick of it.Todays music is basically Pro Tools with people that have no real talent what I mean by that is can you produce your music to sound the same Live with out Pro Tools I bet there is a whole bunch of bands out there that could not reproduce there raw music.I have gone over the edge again I’m sorry but when it comes to Yes in any shape or form I will always be a fan and I have two son’s that play it so to me I have done my part so I believe that Yes will always live well beyond my life. Loved the show as always keep up the great work you know I’m out there and always listing and voting for you and your show
Cheers

Hi Paul and thanks for the comment. We are very fortunate in the UK to have the BBC who have just about been able to play some Yes in every decade. The BBC have always had champions of great music and are state-funded so don’t have to rely on adverts.

I agree about Silent Wings of Freedom – as you know, Tormato has always been my favourite. Perhaps you are right that this track might be a good way in for some.

I’m sure you’ll agree that there was plenty of rubbish around in the 1970s-2000s but, yes, you are right, it is now possible to make poor singers and musicians sound much better with technology. This is a great shame when ‘real’ musicians can struggle to find an audience. Maybe the music which will survive into the next decade and century will be the good stuff, though – I certainly hope so.

A great improvisation for a show, Kevin. Very enjoyable. I think you missed the obvious introduction to Yes for Hard Rock/Blues Rock fans though – The Yes Album. The opening of Yours is no Disgrace is as powerful as anything Zep produced and leads the hard rock fan off into new territories. Follow that with (The) Clap and anyone who’s become familiar with Page’s layering of guitars will be staggered that all that sound can come from just one instrument. I was a big Zep (and like you, Queen) fan whe at 19 Ifirst heard the album (actually Disgrace seemed so immediately familiar I can’t help but think I must have heard it before, but not known where). It immediately expanded my horizons and had me hooked.
I wouldn’t disregard Madrigal as an introduction either. It would be sure to appeal to fans of Genesis (similar to parts of Nursery Chryme, Foxtrot, Trick of the Tail) as it did to me (I was also a big early Genesis fan). In fact it was and still is my favourite track from that album. BTW I may have gone quiet, but I’ve downloaded and listened every week without fail. How about a forum? I think it’s a more natural place to discuss the podcasts than a blog (as if you didn’t have enough on your plate)

Thanks, Tim, it’s great to know you enjoyed the episode. Fascinating what you say about the hard rock credentials of the Yes Album. I certainly missed that one! I can see exactly what you mean and will listen again to that album!

Great point about introducing fans of other prog via Madrigal – once again, that was a serious omission on my part. Thanks.

Forums – yes I have considered it many times. I really don’t want to step on the toes of YesFans.com but if it’s set up well, I don’t think it would have to do so. Thanks for the suggestion and I will give it some more thought. I know other podcasts don’t go down that route until they have quite a few comments per episode but maybe we are almost there!

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