Tag: Dave Watkinson

Categories
Episodes

Olias of Sunhillow 50th Anniversary with Dave Watkinson – 730

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS

Produced by Joseph Cottrell, Wayne Hall, Doug Curran and Jeffrey Crecelius

It’s the 50th Anniversary of Jon Anderson’s masterpiece, Olias of Sunhillow this month, so it was highly appropriate that we spoke to the album’s biggest fan, David Watkinson, this week. Dave helps us plot the musical development of Yes’ co-founder to the point at which he felt able to create his first solo album – entirely on his own. We also discuss the amazing packaging and the album’s influence on Anderson and Yes.

Do watch Dave’s interview with artist, Jeff Cummins, which is embedded into the show notes below and check out the photos of my copies of the album and a small selection of Dave’s memorabilia collection.

  • Was Jon Anderson ready to create Olias?
  • Did he play everything on the record?
  • Why isn’t Roger Dean the artist?

Please do add your own comments below.

Kevin’s LP and CD

Some items from Dave’s Olias collection

Those involved in the record
CD
8-track, cassette, badge
The team
Original Olias drum stick, cuttings
Yes solos poster with Olias pendent
Signed Olias promo card

Yes – The Tormato Story & Tales from Topographic Oceans – Yes Album Listening Guide

Available now!

YesMusicBooks.com

YMP Patrons:

Producers:

  • Joseph Cottrell
  • Wayne Hall
  • Jeffrey Crecelius
  • Doug Curran

Patrons:

Aaron SteelmanSteve LuziettiLind
Al Dell’AngeloTerence SadlerLobate Scarp
Barry GorskyJohn ThomsonMark Baggs
Bill WhittakerSteve PerryMark James Lang
Bob MartilottaThomas DeVriesMark Slater
Brian HarrisJohn ViolaMartin Kjellberg
Brian SullivanSteve RodeMichael Handerhan
Chris BandiniTim StannardMichael O’Connor
Craig EstenesSteve ScottMiguel Falcão
Dave OwenChip PalmerPaul Hailes
DavidGuy DeRomePaul Tomei
David HeydenSteve MossRachel Hadaway
David PannellGeoffrey MasonRobert Nasir
David WatkinsonHenrik AntonssonRobert Vandiver
Declan LogueHogne Bø PettersenRonnie Neeley
DemSteven RoehrScott Colombo
BrianTodd DudleySimon Barrow
Fergus CubbageJohn HoldenStephen Lambe
Fred BarringerDouglas CaldwellSteve Dill
Gary BettsJohn CowanJamie McQuinn
Geoff BailieRay RiethmeierKen Fuller
Become a Patron!

Categories
Episodes

Dave Watkinson’s financial forensic detective work in the Yes archives – 690

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS

Produced by Joseph Cottrell, Wayne Hall, Ken Fuller and Jeffrey Crecelius


This week, Mark and I spoke to the redoubtable David Watkinson who has published another fabulous Yessay (see what he did there?) on Forgotten-Yesterdays.com. This time, it’s about a subject that might appear a bit dry – the band’s accounts books from 1969-1970. In fact, there is a huge amount that can be gleaned from the documents as you will hear in this episode. Can you guess what are the largest – and the most bizarre – expenses the band incurred at this time? Prepare to be amazed, as they say.

  • Yes were into Coke!?!
  • Which member of the band was an official Director of the first ever Yes limited company?
  • Why was there a separate charge for taking a bath?

See if you agree with us and then leave a comment below.

You might – or might not – want to read Dave’s Yessay before listening to us banging on about it. If you do, you can use the link below:

Dave’s Page on Forgotten Yesterdays:

https://forgotten-yesterdays.com/yessays.asp

Dave Watkinson (left) and Kevin Mulryne (right) at Trading Boundaries, 2025 (image credit – Grace Hayhurst)

Yes – The Tormato Story & Tales from Topographic Oceans – Yes Album Listening Guide

Available now!

YesMusicBooks.com

YMP Patrons:

Producers:

  • Joseph Cottrell
  • Wayne Hall
  • Ken Fuller
  • Jeffrey Crecelius

Patrons:

Aaron SteelmanLind
Al Dell’AngeloLobate Scarp
Barry Gorsky
Mark Baggs
Bill WhittakerMark James Lang
Bob MartilottaMark Slater
Brian HarrisMartin Kjellberg
Brian SullivanMichael Handerhan
Chris BandiniMichael O’Connor
Craig EstenesMiguel Falcão
Dave OwenPaul Hailes
DavidPaul Tomei
David HeydenRachel Hadaway
David PannellRobert Nasir
David WatkinsonRobert Vandiver
Declan LogueRonnie Neeley
DemScott Colombo
Doug CurranSimon Barrow
Fergus CubbageStephen Lambe
Fred BarringerSteve Dill
Gary BettsSteve Luzietti
Geoff BailieSteve Perry
Geoffrey MasonSteve Rode
Guy DeRomeSteve Scott
Henrik AntonssonSteven Roehr
Hogne Bø PettersenTerence Sadler
Todd DudleyThomas DeVries
John CowanJohn Thomson
John HoldenJohn Viola
Jamie McQuinnTim Stannard
Become a Patron!
Categories
Episodes

Yes Textures – 626

Tormato from Japan!
Japanese Tormato

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS

Produced by Joseph Cottrell, Jeffrey Crecelius and Ken Fuller

Mark and I had a great time this week thinking about interesting or unusual Yes musical textures. We both came up with 3 examples that we thought were surprising or different so do have a look below to hear the clips we are referring to and add your own examples to the comments section. You may be surprised with some of our suggestions – that’s somewhat the idea, after all.

  • What interesting textures can you think of in Yes music?
  • Is it down to instrumentation, arrangement or a combination?
  • Do Mark and I choose the same things again?
Kevin – Church bell texture!
Mark – Weird electronic sounds in the drum solo
Unable to embed this one – Mark – Tom Brislin playing the electronic sounds in perfect synch with Alan White – Ritual
Kevin – the orchestral and band textures throughout Dreamtime, especially when the orchestra takes over towards the end
Mark – Steve Howe’s Coral Sitar guitar sounds in the mix
Mark – The Coral Sitar again in Siberian Khatru
Mark – Sitar in the introduction
Mark – A real Sitar this time played by Deepak Khazanchi on It Can Happen from 90125
Mark – this is the Danelectro Coral Sitar guitar as used by Steve Howe
Kevin – the amazing texture of Tony Levin’s Chapman Stick and Bill Bruford’s electronic drums
Mark – Alan White’s amazing electronic drum sounds
Mark – Chris Squire’s harmonica solo!

Let us know if you agree with us!

There are only 100 of these packs available, so buy yours now! (Opens in a new window)

Dave Watkinson’s latest article for Yesworld.com:

YES – The Long-Lost Roger Dean Stages
Check out the progress on my other podcast – https://anthem52.com/

Yes – The Tormato Story

Available now!

TormatoBook.com

YMP Patrons:

Producers:

  • Joseph Cottrell
  • Ken Fuller
  • Jeffrey Crecelius

Patrons:

Jim Morrison Jon Pickles Declan Logue
Gary Betts Aaron SteelmanMichael Handerhan
Barry Gorsky Steve Perry Doug Curran
Martin Kjellberg Todd Dudley Rachel Hadaway
Lind  Paul Hailes Craig Estenes
Mark James Lang Steve Rode David
Bob Martilotta John Holden Stephen Lambe
Dem Fred Barringer Scott Colombo
Chris Bandini David Heyden John Thomson
Mark Baggs John Cowan John Parry
Dave Owen Simon Barrow Steve Scott
Terence Sadler Steve Dill Robert Nasir 
Fergus Cubbage William Hayes Geoff Bailie
Steven Roehr Lobate Scarp Geoffrey Mason
David Watkinson Tim Stannard Robert Vandiver
Brian Sullivan David Pannell Jamie McQuinn
Miguel Falcão Paul Tomei Michael O’Connor
Brian HarrisHogne Bø PettersenGuy DeRome
Become a Patron!

Our Facebook YMP Discussion Group is open to anyone to join. One of the advantages of the new format is that all members of the group have the same ability to post content, so it’s a bit more egalitarian, or somesuch. Please do search for the group and join in.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/3216603008606331/

Please follow/subscribe!

If you are still listening to the podcast on the website, please consider subscribing so you don’t risk missing anything:

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
Subscribe on Google Podcasts

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: archive.org

Categories
Episodes YMP Classic Feed

Dave Watkinson is back to tell us all about Yes concert opening music – 526

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS

Produced by Wayne Hall and Jeffrey Crecelius

It was great to speak to Dave Watkinson once again on the show this week. Some time ago he published an article on Yesworld.com all about the variety of music Yes have used to open their shows over 50 years and more. Mark and I very much enjoyed finding out more from Dave and here is the article – http://yesworld.com/yesshows-the-opening-music/yes-opening-music-year-guide/ 

After that conversation, there is a contribution from Daniel and Amanda Krohn with a different spin on the change from Relayer to Close to the Edge on the upcoming tour – do stay tuned for that.

  • What kinds of music have been played before and after Yes shows?
  • Isn’t it always The Firebird?
  • Have the band ever played their own music as an introduction?

Take a listen to the episode and then let us know what you think below!

Become a Patron!

YMP Patrons:

Producers:

  • Jeffrey Crecelius and
  • Wayne Hall

Patrons:

Aaron Steelman
		Dave Owen

Mark James Lang
		Paul Tomei

Joost Maglev
		David Heyden

Martin Kjellberg
		Paul Wilson

Bob Martilotta
		Lind

Michael O’Connor
		William Hayes
Brian Sullivan
		David Pannell

Miguel Falcão
		Lobate Scarp

Chris Bandini
		David Watkinson

Neal Kaforey
		Rachel Hadaway

Craig Estenes
		Dem

Paul Hailes
		Mark ‘Zarkol’ Baggs

Doug Curran
		Robert Nasir

Fergus Cubbage
		Scott Colombo

Fred Barringer
		Gary Betts
Geoff Bailie
		Simon Barrow
Geoffrey Mason
		Stephen Lambe

Guy R DeRome
		Steve Dill

Henrik Antonsson
		Steve Perry

Hogne Bø Pettersen
		Steve Rode

IanNB
		Steve Scott

Jamie McQuinn
		Steven Roehr

Ken Fuller
		Terence Sadler

Michael Handerhan
		Tim Stannard

Jim
		Todd Dudley

John Cowan
		Tony Handley

John Holden
		Joseph Cottrell

John Parry
		Keith Hoisington

John Thomson
		Barry Gorsky

Alan Begg

Robert and David

Please subscribe!

If you are still listening to the podcast on the website, please consider subscribing so you don’t risk missing anything:

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
Subscribe on Google Podcasts

Subscribe on Android
Listen on Stitcher

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: archive.org

Categories
Episodes YMP Classic Feed

Stephen Lambe and David Watkinson – YES in the 1980s – 509

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS

Produced by Wayne Hall and Jeffrey Crecelius

As always, it was sheer delight to welcome Stephen Lambe and David Watkinson back onto the show this week to talk about their latest collaboration, YES in the 1980s.

It’s a great book which goes into detail about the often tortuous journey of the band in the decade of excess. Solo albums and other groups closely associated with Yes are included in a volume which boasts 2 sets of full-colour photos as well as countless other illustrations, a lot of which are presented in printed format for the first time.

A must for all serious Yes fans (particularly the five per cent), the book is available now from Burning Shed at the link below.

  • Why write a book about the decade which could – or should – have killed off progressive rock?
  • What hidden stories are uncovered?
  • What untaken paths would the authors like to have see Yes take in the 80s?

Listen to the episode and let us know what you think!

David Watkinson and Stephen Lambe with their new book

The best place to buy the book is the official Burning Shed online store:

https://burningshed.com/sonicbond/stephen-lambe_david-watkinson_yes-in-the-1980s_book

  • Dave’s original press advert for 90125
  • A rare Mexican version of 90125 from Dave’s collection

Become a Patron!

Bag yourself a fabulous piece of YMP history before it’s too late…

Head over to the YMP Emporium to…

  • Order a YMP Trivia Card Game ‘The Answer Is Yes!’ – available now!
  • Order the unique Full Union art print – available now
Tony Kaye at the Cinema sessions
The Full Union! Available now.

YMP Patrons:

Producers:

  • Jeffrey Crecelius and
  • Wayne Hall

Patrons:

Aaron Steelman
		Dave Owen

Mark James Lang
		Paul Tomei

Joost Maglev
		David Heyden

Martin Kjellberg
		Paul Wilson

Bob Martilotta
		Lind

Michael O’Connor
		William Hayes
Brian Sullivan
		David Pannell

Miguel Falcão
		Lobate Scarp

Chris Bandini
		David Watkinson

Neal Kaforey
		Rachel Hadaway

Craig Estenes
		Dem

Paul Hailes
		Mark ‘Zarkol’ Baggs

Doug Curran
		Robert Nasir

Fergus Cubbage
		Scott Colombo

Fred Barringer
		Gary Betts
Geoff Bailie
		Simon Barrow
Geoffrey Mason
		Stephen Lambe

Guy R DeRome
		Steve Dill

Henrik Antonsson
		Steve Perry

Hogne Bø Pettersen
		Steve Rode

IanNB
		Steve Scott

Jamie McQuinn
		Steven Roehr

Ken Fuller
		Terence Sadler

Michael Handerhan
		Tim Stannard

Jim
		Todd Dudley

John Cowan
		Tony Handley

John Holden
		Joseph Cottrell

John Parry
		Keith Hoisington

John Thomson
		Barry Gorsky

Alan Begg

Robert and David

Please subscribe!

If you are still listening to the podcast on the website, please consider subscribing so you don’t risk missing anything:

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
Subscribe on Google Podcasts

Subscribe on Android
Listen on Stitcher

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: archive.org