This week’s episode once again features our resident walking vinyl encyclopedia, Mark but this time I have a chance to pick his brains about the murky world of deadwax.
As you might imagine, I get out a couple of my copies of Tormato to see what I can find in the deadwax areas of those and Mark shares some fascinating insights into the production of Yes vinyl records.
Doug Curran also sent in an example of one of his Yes rarities for us to decipher and it was a real geek-fest!
What are acetates, test pressings and deadwax?
Why do Yes records have information hidden in the vinyl?
Is any of this any use? (Spoiler – yes it is.)
Listen to the episode and let us know what you think!
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
This week, I’m away for work so it’s been impossible to create a full episode. However, there are two important Yes updated we need to cover so I attempted to connect with Mark from my hotel room – which worked, a bit…
So what we have is a very short episode covering the announcement of the US Tour dates for 2020 and the press release from Dave Watkinson which I’ve copied below:
JON
ANDERSON and THE WARRIORS
The Book, Vinyl
EP Record and Accrington Display
March – April –
May 2020
28 – March – Paperback Book
release
30 – March – Jon & The Warriors
Vinyl Demos EP Record release
27 – April – Accrington Library
Display Opening Day and Signing
30 – May – Accrington Library Display
– Warriors member – Signing
JON ANDERSON BOOK
Jon Anderson and The Warriors – the road to Yes
A meticulously researched book about Jon Anderson
and his early band The Warriors (who also featured future King Crimson drummer
Ian Wallace).
Published by Sonicbond Publishing in the UK it has
208 pages. It features 175 black and white photos and 44 in colour, most not
seen for more than 50 years.
Jon Anderson is the enigmatic lead singer and founding
member of Yes. He is also a composer, artist, writer, dreamer, lyricist, poet
and musician, with a career spanning more than fifty years. Many books have
been written about the band Yes, but until now none have covered Jon’s early
years in his first band, The Warriors, in any detail. This group played a key
role in developing Jon’s Anderson’s vocal range, work ethic and determination
to succeed, as well as giving him valuable experience in the music business, which
was of invaluable help as his career blossomed.
David Watkinson takes us on a journey from the
Lancashire beat music scene in the early 1960s to the vibrancy of London later
in the decade. In the short time The Warriors existed – from 1963 to 1967 –
they released a single, appeared on TV and in a movie, and spent a year
following in the Beatles footsteps as a working group in Germany.
As well as providing a complete history of The
Warriors, this book also follows Jon’s subsequent career in London, his
appearances with Gun and his brief solo career as Hans Christian. He finally
met Chris Squire and found a home in Mabel Greer’s Toyshop, as that group
gradually morphed into Yes during the summer of 1968. The book includes new
interviews with Jon and many members of The Warriors, through its various
line-up changes, most for the very first time. It also features a newly
researched family tree, long forgotten photographs, of both the Warriors and
the first line up of Yes, many items of memorabilia and an exclusive look into
the band’s diaries. It closes with a comprehensive discography and a
collectables section.
This unique and meticulously researched book will
delight both Yes and Jon Anderson fans as well as students of the 1960s music
scene. It is essential reading for all lovers of the world’s greatest
progressive rock band, and fans of the genre’s finest vocalist – Jon Anderson.
The Paperback edition signed by the author is
exclusively available through…
The book is also available to pre order from all
bookshops and online stores.
JON ANDERSON and THE WARRIORS
THE LOST DEMOS VINYL EP
In
these early recordings by Jon we don’t get the lyrics, wordplay,
mysticism or complex sounds and meanings which later became his signature. What
we have here is a young man enjoying himself as a band member, trying to
make a few pounds, travel and to emulate the Beatles a little. In these
basic beginnings neither Jon Anderson or Ian Wallace shine much, but
what we do get are little signs and glimpses of their potential.
Jon
Anderson would go on to be the legendary singer in Yes. A
writer, musician, frontman, leader and the all-round voice of prog
rock music. On the earlier tracks Jon was most definitely
in his backing singer role, you get to hear that voice cutting through. The
last track being a total joy and a rocking surprise with Jon giving it his
all. King Crimson fans will hear just how tight Ian Wallace’s playing was
before hitting the big time too. All the band members shine, which can be heard
on the instrumental track, Rodney and Dave are solid and it is easy
to see why they brought in Brian Chatton on keyboards, his
work being similar to his personality, bright, lively and
rocking. Jon Anderson can be heard growing as a singer, musician and
frontman for the band over the three years difference in the recordings. From a
backing singer with his brother Tony to an out-of-sight, soul
groover and mover. All seemingly a long way from the music
of Yes and Close to The Edge or Olias
of Sunhillow, but it was all influencing Jon, who
was listening, learning and performing. This was Jon in
his apprenticeship years, preparing
himself for the lifelong career that was to
follow.
This
rare and exciting material came from various lofts and trunks around the world.
Hidden away for more than fifty years, the condition of some of the material
was very poor – having jumps, scratches, muffled and even stopping completely.
In my attempt to bring these recording to life again, I made the decision on a
few tracks not to over-produce them, leaving in the crackles and blemishes.
With others however I was surprised at how well and clear they came out. The
band sounds very accomplished; you can hear just how well practised they were.
The Warriors were among the best beat group acts at the time.
Featuring
seven demo tracks from the band at different times in their career, from
Lancashire at the rise of their local stardom, to the ending months in Germany
in 1967. Six of the tracks are with the full band, Jon Anderson backing
and as a lead singer with just one track as an
instrumental.
This limited – edition (500) picture
sleeved, vinyl EP 7” record, is released on Plane Groovy Records in a coloured
vinyl, a 1960s vibrant orange plus in standard black vinyl format. Played at
33RPM, this record tips it’s hat to the days in the 1970’s when Yes would
produce such an EP.
This long-lost material gives the Jon
Anderson and Yes fans a new insight into these beat music years.
Tracks
Side A
1) ‘Too Much’ (2.21)
2) ‘Can’t Live It Down’ (2.44)
3) ‘Summer Girl’ (1.54)
Side AA
1) ‘The Doll
House Is Empty’ (1.59)
2) ‘Run to Me’ (2.21)
3) ‘She’s Gone’ (2.08) Instrumental
4) ‘She’s Gone’ (2.02) with vocals
Researched, mastering, co-ordinated, images and
production by David Watkinson
Pre
orders 30 January, available through burningshed.com
Released
30 March 2020
Prices:
Limited Orange Vinyl £9.99, Black Vinyl £7.99, Test Pressing (10 only) £20.00
Free
download available of the tracks with each purchase
JON ANDERSON and THE WARRIORS – The Road To Yes
DISPLAY IN ACCRINGTON
Accrington, the hometown
of Jon Anderson, will hold a small display in the town’s library from 27 April
– 30 May 2020 in celebration of the new book and vinyl record published on his
early years in the 1960s. The display takes the form of a cabinet of
memorabilia, with one area focusing on The Warriors and the other Jon as a solo
artist and a member of Yes through the years.
David Watkinson,
the curator of the display and author of the newly published book, Jon Anderson
and The Warriors – the road to Yes, will be on hand to sign copies of the paperback
book (Sonicbond) for sale on the 27 April and on the 30 May, the latter date
being the final day where it is hoped a member of the famous local 60s group
The Warriors will attend too.
Books and copies of
the limited – edition vinyl EP will be available to purchase from David who is
happy to discuss both releases and the display.
David Watkinson was
born in Bolton, Lancashire. He has a background in antique furniture, sales and
the automotive world. He is currently working within the field of historic
furniture restoration in London and his interests include the arts, music,
classic cars, antiques and being creative. The author of the best-selling
history of the band Yes: Perpetual Change (Plexus, 2001), he has been a
passionate admirer, collector and historian of the band Yes for over 40 years.
He lives in West Sussex, England.
