Categories
Episodes

New Yes single ‘Aurora’ plus Oliver Wakeman live in Worcester and the new version of From A Page – 717

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

Kevin is back! He and Mark bang on at length about the recent Oliver Wakeman concert with his band at Worcester, the remastered and expanded From A Page album and the first single from the new Yes album, Aurora.

My thanks to everyone who has wished me well, including Brian Breen, Chris Berry and Gary Betts and his wife and most importantly Mark, who has kept the wheels turning at YMP Towers brilliantly.

There are also some thoughts from Daniel and Amanda about the new From A Page, especially the inclusion of the song, Aliens and do check out the show notes for a video of our own Geoff Bailie discussing the new Yes single with his Prog Report compatriots.

  • How was the Oliver Wakeman band?
  • What’s new about the expanded From A Page?
  • What do we think of the new Yes single?


YES announce 24th studio album 

‘Aurora’;

launch video for title track 

10th April 2026YES, who is Steve Howe, Geoff Downes, Jon Davison, Billy Sherwood & Jay Schellen, are proud to announce their 24th studio album ‘Aurora’ will be released on the 12th June 2026 via InsideOutMusic/Sony Music.  As Howe explains: “Making this record was joyful, a chance to play, explore and give everything to the music. It’s always been about collaboration, somebody can write a song, but until everybody puts their contribution in it isn’t really a Yes song. We’re not trying to echo the past; we’re carrying the spirit of Yes forward and turning it into something new”.

The band are also launching the first single from the album, and you can watch the beautiful animated video for the title track, created by Matt Hutchings (Greg Lake, Oasis, Iron Maiden),  here: https://youtu.be/ETEGJTM6plw

‘Aurora’ will be available as a Limited Deluxe 180g Light Green 2LP+2CD+Blu-ray Artbook & Poster, as well as a Ltd Deluxe 2CD+Blu-ray Artbook, both featuring the stunning artwork of Roger Dean and Freya Dean, as well as a bonus disc of instrumentals, and a blu-ray featuring Dolby Atmos, 5.1 Surround Sound & 24bit stereo mixes (by Curtis Schwartz). The album is also available as a Gatefold 180g 2LP + LP-booklet, Special Edition CD Digipak & as Digital Album. 

Pre-order now here: https://yes-band.lnk.to/Aurora

The track listing is as follows:

1. Aurora 07:27

2. Turnaround Situation 05:50

3. Love Lies Dreaming 06:24

4. Countermovement 13:48

5. Ariadne 06:18

6. All Hands on Deck 03:04

7. Outside the Box 04:20

8. Emotional Intelligence 03:30

9. Jambustin’ (Bonus Track) 04:24

10. Watching the River Roll (Bonus Track) 04:42

When Yes first began sketching out ideas for what would become ‘Aurora’, the process was loose and exploratory. There was no preconceived concept at the start, just a collection of musical fragments that gradually began to find one another and take form. Among these early sketches was a piece titled “Aurora,” and it quickly became clear that the name carried certain gravity. It suggested light, emergence, and a sense of vastness, qualities that resonated deeply with the band. Jon Davison remembers how “the title immediately resonated with Steve Howe and sparked visual inspiration for artist Roger Dean, setting a conceptual tone that would guide the project.”

Work on ‘Aurora’ began almost as soon as the ‘Classic Tales of Yes’ tour ended in 2024. The idea of a new album surfaced quickly and with the label’s encouragement, the band had the time to develop material organically. Rather than gathering in a single studio for months, they embraced a modern workflow; ideas were born in home studios, shaped independently, and then woven together through constant collaboration. Downes and Howe often acted as the central creative axis, with Howe, as producer, serving as the point through which all ideas eventually flowed.

Across ‘Aurora’, each track carries its own character. Some echo the classic Yes approach, others push into new territory, but together they form a cohesive whole that honours the band’s heritage while embracing forward motion. With their 24th studio album, Yes demonstrate not just longevity, but a sustained curiosity, a desire to keep exploring, keep refining and keep discovering their capacity to create.

   YES is:

Steve Howe

Geoff Downe

Jon Davison

Billy Sherwood

Jay Schellen

YES ONLINE:

www.yesworld.com  

www.facebook.com/yestheband  

www.x.com/yesofficial

www.youtube.com/user/yesofficial  

www.instagram.com/yesofficial  

INSIDEOUTMUSIC ONLINE:

www.insideoutmusic.com

www.youtube.com/InsideOutMusicTV

www.facebook.com/InsideOutMusic

www.instagram.com/insideoutmusic/

https://insideoutmusic.bandcamp.com


Barry Plummer 2026 Calendar is still available!

ORDER HERE

Apply £11.00 off with the promo code wh4y4pk3

Enrich your Prog year with iconic images of Yes in the 1970s, taken by the legendary rock photographer, Barry Plummer.

Enjoy 12 beautiful colour and black and white photographs of Yes in the studio and live, capturing the essence of the world’s greatest progressive rock band. With this limited-edition calendar on your wall throughout 2026, you’ll agree that Barry Plummer is, indeed, the Master of Images!

(A flat shipping fee will be added at checkout depending on your location.)

ORDER HERE


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:

Become a Patron!
Categories
Episodes

Yes albums and the memories they bring us – 712

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

Mark continues his solo episodes in Kevin’s absence. This week, he thinks about his memories associated with three Yes albums.

There’s also time to reflect on the recent announcement of the deluxe and expanded version of the Oliver Wakeman-led Yes album, From a Page.

Do let us know your thoughts in the comments below.


Barry Plummer 2026 Calendar is still available!

ORDER HERE

Apply £11.00 off with the promo code wh4y4pk3

Enrich your Prog year with iconic images of Yes in the 1970s, taken by the legendary rock photographer, Barry Plummer.

Enjoy 12 beautiful colour and black and white photographs of Yes in the studio and live, capturing the essence of the world’s greatest progressive rock band. With this limited-edition calendar on your wall throughout 2026, you’ll agree that Barry Plummer is, indeed, the Master of Images!

(A flat shipping fee will be added at checkout depending on your location.)

ORDER HERE


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:

Become a Patron!
Categories
Episodes

Why did Yes want Geoff Downes…again? Part 1 – 616

Produced by Joseph Cottrell, Jeffrey Crecelius and Ken Fuller

This week, Mark and I talked about the situation in Yes at the time Geoff Downes rejoined for Fly From Here – around 2010-11. It’s a contentious time – but then again when isn’t with Yes? Oliver Wakeman had to make way for the return of Downes who had worked very closely with Steve Howe in Asia for many years and, when Trevor Horn was brought in to produce the new album, perhaps the writing was on the wall for a Downes redux.

All was not well between certain other members of the band either…

  • Why did Geoff return (trip)?
  • Whose idea was it?
  • Why was Oliver Wakeman ‘let go’?

Let us know if you agree with us!


Check out the progress on my other podcast – https://anthem52.com/

Support the Fundraiser!


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 Alan Begg Michael 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
Aaron Steelman
Become a Patron!

Our (not really) new Facebook YMP Discussion Group is open to anyone to join but I’ll be adding rules and joining requirements when I have time (one day…). 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
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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: archive.org

Categories
Episodes YMP Classic Feed

Why did Yes want Oliver Wakeman? Part 2 – 590

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

Mark and I really enjoyed listening to/watching Oliver’s album/DVD ‘Coming To Town – Live In Katowice’. We were surprised by and delighted with the performances, the writing and the production. It’s a great set from a band firing on all cylinders!

  • Is this all progressive rock?
  • Does Oliver take the lead?
  • How proficient are the others in the band?

Oliver’s Website page about the album

Let us know if you agree with us!


Available now!

TormatoBook.com

YMP Patrons:

Producers:

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

Patrons:

Aaron Steelman

Dave Owen

Mark James LangPaul Tomei
Joost Maglev

David Heyden

Paul WilsonMartin Kjellberg
Bob MartilottaLindMichael O’ConnorWilliam Hayes
Brian Sullivan

David Pannell

Lobate ScarpMiguel Falcão
Chris Bandini

David Watkinson

Neal KaforeyRachel Hadaway
Craig EstenesDemMark ‘Zarkol’ BaggsPaul Hailes
Doug Curran

Robert Nasir

Fergus CubbageScott Colombo
Fred BarringerDavidGeoff BailieSimon Barrow
Geoffrey Mason

Stephen LambeGuy R DeRomeSteve Dill
Henrik AntonssonSteve Perry

Hogne Bø PettersenSteve Rode
Declan LogueSteve ScottTodd DudleyJim
Jamie McQuinn

Steven Roehr

John ParryKeith Hoisington
Alan BeggTerence SadlerJohn HoldenBarry Gorsky
Michael HanderhanTim Stannard

Jon PicklesJohn Thomson
John CowanTony HandleyRobertGary Betts
Jim Morrison

Our (not really) new Facebook YMP Discussion Group is open to anyone to join but I’ll be adding rules and joining requirements when I have time (one day…). 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/

https://www.patreon.com/platform/iframe?widget=become-patron-button&redirectURI=https%3A%2F%2Fyesmusicpodcast.com%2Ftechnological-musical-magician-derek-dearden-585%2F&creatorID=3112762


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

Why did Yes want Oliver Wakeman? Part 1 – 589

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

Contrary to what I said last week, we are going to continue with our Why did Yes want series this week as we turn back slightly in time to Oliver Wakeman after we inadvertently got Benoit David in the wrong order last time.

It was one of the most confusing periods of the band in terms of personnel so I have turned to interviews and accounts from those involved to try and get as close as possible to the truth – see if you agree with what Mark and I discuss in a few moments.

  • Did Oliver know any of the band before he joined?
  • How did they know he was any good?
  • Was it just nepotism?

Let us know if you agree with us!


Available now!

TormatoBook.com

YMP Patrons:

Producers:

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

Patrons:

Aaron Steelman

Dave Owen

Mark James LangPaul Tomei
Joost Maglev

David Heyden

Paul WilsonMartin Kjellberg
Bob MartilottaLindMichael O’ConnorWilliam Hayes
Brian Sullivan

David Pannell

Lobate ScarpMiguel Falcão
Chris Bandini

David Watkinson

Neal KaforeyRachel Hadaway
Craig EstenesDemMark ‘Zarkol’ BaggsPaul Hailes
Doug Curran

Robert Nasir

Fergus CubbageScott Colombo
Fred BarringerDavidGeoff BailieSimon Barrow
Geoffrey Mason

Stephen LambeGuy R DeRomeSteve Dill
Henrik AntonssonSteve Perry

Hogne Bø PettersenSteve Rode
Declan LogueSteve ScottTodd DudleyJim
Jamie McQuinn

Steven Roehr

John ParryKeith Hoisington
Alan BeggTerence SadlerJohn HoldenBarry Gorsky
Michael HanderhanTim Stannard

Jon PicklesJohn Thomson
John CowanTony HandleyRobertGary Betts
Jim Morrison

Our (not really) new Facebook YMP Discussion Group is open to anyone to join but I’ll be adding rules and joining requirements when I have time (one day…). 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/

https://www.patreon.com/platform/iframe?widget=become-patron-button&redirectURI=https%3A%2F%2Fyesmusicpodcast.com%2Ftechnological-musical-magician-derek-dearden-585%2F&creatorID=3112762


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