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Magnification 15th Anniversary – 212

Magnification
A collection of Magnification items purchased in the 2000s

I finally manage to speak to Mark Anthony K about Magnification 15 years after its release.

  • Is this a Yes album?
  • Is it progressive rock?
  • What is the production like?

Listen to the episode and then let me know what you think!

Show notes and links

Paul @Earthbound’s prog track

Miguel Falcao’s Hearts bass cover

Preston Frazier reviews South Side of the Sky

Rick Wakeman’s charity single

Graeme Stevenson’s new CD:

Yes Live!

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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

12 replies on “Magnification 15th Anniversary – 212”

I listened to Magnification for the first time a couple of months ago. Incredible album. The symphony is integrated into the music, not added on. There is a lot of energy in the Jon’s vocals and Chris’ bass tone cuts through the instruments. I am so happy to have finally discovered Magnification!

In a happy coincidence, I just found a copy of Magnification this weekend and listened to it back and forth to work. The morning commute was nice, but we had an epic snowstorm by the time I was off today, and “In the Presence Of” found me on a highway, surrounded by snow, I was amazed like a true beginner, as I could see the cars around me slow and and I felt comforted and happy that once again, Yes and my life had intertwined. I thought the album was great from start to finish- can’t wait to spin it again! It was good to hear Mark and your insights about the album- I agree that it’s a strong start, I really like “Can You Imagine” (I agree that Chris should’ve had more leads, but he was content doing his thing) and “Don’t Go”, which the harmonies just ring over. The orchestra was great, too- I’m a sucker for violins in rock as it stands, and I just felt it just worked wonderfully. Great job, as usual!

Thanks, Wendy. Great to know you enjoyed our chat. We all love the album which is why it was a bit of a surprise to hear that Steve himself wasn’t that keen!

I think the fact it was released on 9/11 hampered the success. I know they played NYC the weekend prior and there was a great shot of Chris with a FDNY hook and ladder truck named “Close to the Edge”. The lyrics are haunting, considering the launch date. Take Spirit of Survival for instance. Here are just a few passages… In this world the Gods have lost their way….. The Gods have forgotten to switch on the light; Who’s lost in the dark will crash in the night…. The spirit of survival… Who’s teaching the hatred…..

The live album with the Amsterdam orchestra was incredible; especially seeing all of the young orchestra musicians “digging” the music they were accompanying.

You are still missed, Chris… from your vocal on the same album… “Can you imagine what it’s like seeing life, from the other side” Hopefully, you are jamming with Bowie…

Thanks Jeff. Yes I’ve see that photo of Chris and the truck. I also remember the great feeling in the hall in Birmingham when I saw the orchestral gig – wonderful stuff!

Actually, the album wasn’t released in the United States until early December 2001, so I’m not sure 9-11 would have affected sales much over here. When it was released, it was also paired with a live mini disc from the masterworks tour. Depending upon where you bought it, it would come with ‘Ritual,” “Gates of Delirium” or “Close to the Edge.” I got mine at Best Buy, because I wanted “Ritual.” (I would eventually get the other discs later).

As for other artists doing good progressive rock at the time…Marillion’s “Anoraknophobia” came out the same year. Also, King Crimson’s “Construction of Light” had come out the previous year, and Rush would regroup with ‘Vapor Trails” in 2002. Combined with Magnification, that’s four terrific albums, all startlingly different from each other, and all about two years apart. Moreover, all of those albums represented something of a departure for each group.

Thinking of it that way, the turn of the millennium was a rather interesting time for prog…

Good spot, Kevin! Live mini disc eh? I bet that’s difficult to get hold of now! As you say there were some other things going on at the time – maybe I should give those a spin?

I think so…I’d love to hear how you think that version of “Ritual” stacks up with the others. Igor Khoroshev on keyboards. Do you have those discs? If not, I’ll burn them onto one disc and send it to you.

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