Produced by Joseph Cottrell, Wayne Hall, Doug Curran and Jeffrey Crecelius
This week Mark and I listened to 2 medleys – the Big Medley from the The Word Is Live box set, recorded on 5th October 1978 at The Forum, Inglewood and a recording of Jon Anderson and The New Life Band playing their Yes medley in 1980 at The Royal Albert Hall from a BBC recording broadcast the same year.
It was a very entertaining process and, as you’ll hear, Mark has a particularly interesting reaction to the rather different style of the New Life Band’s interpretations, on a tour that Jon Anderson arranged to promote his recently-released second solo album, Song of Seven. Having just left Yes for the first time, he ended up being out on tour at the same time as the Yeggles version of Yes, who boasted Geoff Downes and Trevor Horn as part of their (fairly hastily assembled) lineup. For his part, Anderson collected together brilliant musicians but with a rather different instrumentation to the classic rock band arrangement.
The Big Medley wasn’t played on The Drama Tour (unfortunately, some would say) so we can’t compare these two performances directly, but they are very close in time.
What songs were included in each medley?
How does the New Life Band instrumentation work?
Which ends up being a better Yes medley (and do we even make a decision on that)?
Do take a listen to the recordings I have embedded into the show notes for this week and let us know what you think in the comments below.
Mark Lang’s photos:
Yes – The Tormato Story & Tales from Topographic Oceans – Yes Album Listening Guide
Produced by Jeffrey Crecelius, Wayne Hall, Preston Frazier and Bill Govier
The huge news this week is certainly the 2020 UK tour announcement including the fact that the band will be playing the whole of Relayer which is something fans, not least us here on the YMP, have been hoping for for a long time. Mark and I will be talking quite a bit about what this news means in our Two Pence later it the episode.
Before that, we are completing our look at what Jon Anderson did as soon as he left Yes in 1980 which means listening to Song of Seven and seeing what we think of it now.
Listen and let us know what you think!
Were you expecting Jon’s second solo album to be Olias 2?
If so were you upset?
What’s this album like though?
If you would like to support the Yes Music Podcast financially and also have access to exclusive activity and opportunities, there is a special page you can use to sign up and 2019 is the time to join us: Become a Patron!
Show notes and links:
DOWNES BRAIDE ASSOCIATION
Return with 2CD/DVD Box setLive in England (2018)and New UK Concert Date
2nd October 2019: Downes Braide Association (DBA) have announced the release of Live In England a 2CD/DVD Box set on 29th November 2019 via Cherry Red Records. A double-vinyl edition will be released on 14th February. The album features stunning artwork by the legendary Roger Dean.
Live In England, the fourth album release by the duo Geoff Downes and Chris Braide, is their first live album, recorded at their first ever concert at Trading Boundaries, East Sussex, on 28th September 2108. Whilst DBA was conceived as a studio project, the concert was a great success and features material from the DBA albums Suburban Ghosts (2015) and Skyscraper Souls (2017) together with tracks from Geoff Downes’ time with Buggles and Asia. Geoff Downes (keyboards), Chris Braide (vocals) and Andy Hodge (bass guitar), were joined on stage by David Colquhoun (guitars) and special guest Big Big Train’s David Longdon (vocals, flute). The show was narrated by Barney Ashton Bullock.
Geoff Downes commented: “It was a most memorable evening, last September, at the iconic Trading Boundaries venue and we believe we have managed to capture the magic of the whole night. Chris and I were supported by some amazing musicians – Andy Hodge, Dave Colquhoun and David Longdon and narrated by Barney Ashton Bullock. As well as songs from our albums we have added some extra special treats and we hope it gives a rare insight into the special songwriting and production relationship Chris and I have developed over the last decade on the journey that is DBA. “We sincerely hope you enjoy the music with us, from this very special occasion, in a raw and live setting, and we thank you for all your support.” Chris Braide says: “After many requests for DBA to perform live, Geoff and myself, along with the excellent musicianship of Andy Hodge, Dave Colquhoun, David Longdon, Barney Ashton Bullock, finally took to the stage for the first time at the stunning Trading Boundaries. It was a wonderful evening surrounded by friends and the beautiful English countryside and this live album is a great document of that magical evening and encapsulates what DBA is all about.”
The full track-listing is: CD1 Prelude Skyscraper Souls Machinery Of Fate Live Twice Vanity Suburban Ghosts Bolero / Video Killed The Radio Star Glacier Girl Angel On Your Shoulder CD2 Tomorrow Lighthouse Skin Deep Darker Times Finale Heat Of The Moment The Smile Has Left Your Eyes Dreaming Of England DVD Prelude Skyscraper Souls Machinery Of Fate Live Twice Vanity Suburban Ghosts Bolero / Video Killed The Radio Star Glacier Girl Angel On Your Shoulder Tomorrow Lighthouse Skin Deep Darker Times Finale Heat Of The Moment The Smile Has Left Your Eyes Dreaming Of England
You can pre-order the album here: https://geni.us/DBAlive Downes Braide Association: Live In England is released on 29th November 2019 and is available to order from Cherry Red Records here https://geni.us/DBAlive A vinyl edition of the live album is scheduled for release on 14th February 2020.
New Live Show – 14th February 2020 To coincide with the vinyl release of Live in England, DBA have announced a show on 14th February in the atmospheric surroundings of Trading Boundaries once more. This promises to be a unique evening featuring Geoff Downes and Chris Braide together with special guests. For more information please visit www.tradingboundariesmusic.com or contact the box office on 01825 790200
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
Produced by Jeffrey Crecelius, Wayne Hall, Preston Frazier and Bill Govier
This week Mark and I discuss the next musician to leave the band, Jo Anderson and what he did next. In the first part of our feature, we talk a little about the reasons Jon left in 1980 and the first solo record he released after leaving, Song of Seven. We will return to a more in-depth look at the album itself in a couple of weeks’ time.
We are gearing up for next week’s 400th episode of the show which will feature a great interview with someone you’ll recognise as well as an epic competition to win lots of Yes and Yes related items. You’ll need to have your Yes thinking caps on to stand a chance of winning something. Lots more on that next week.
Listen and let us know what you think!
Were you expecting Jon’s second solo album to be Olias 2?
If so were you upset?
What’s this album like though?
If you would like to support the Yes Music Podcast financially and also have access to exclusive activity and opportunities, there is a special page you can use to sign up and 2019 is the time to join us: Become a Patron!
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
