No Jon For 2010 Tour!

[twinarchers]

I read that young Wakeman and David are now official members and that they plan to record an album according to Mr. Squire.
I have to admit that I am dissapointed and that I always hoped that with Jon, they would come out with one more masterpiece and tour with an even bigger stage than they did for the 35th Tour.
Since I have just discovered "Magnification" and think it is fantastic, I believe they have it in them. They deserve to be massively cosmic one more time. It does not look like that will happen now. Any thoughts?

Rick
MI
USA

[topographic_drama1980]

While I do feel that it is a shame that Jon is no longer with Yes, I say "never say never." I do feel that Mr. David and Mr. Wakeman (Oliver, of course) are great assets to the band musically. Jon has basically been out of Yes for over a year and a half now and while Jon has been/is a great gift to us musically, it seems like he didn't really have the heart to continue recording any new music with Yes. I hate to sound mean saying this, but as I said before a while back, I feel that Jon was holding the rest of the band back from making a new album. They should've recorded a new album many years ago, especially after the Yes 2002 tour. Everyone had material, but Jon wasn't interested in making new Yes music at all. At least he's still around and still singing and playing live. I think it was also a physical thing, due to his voice problems near the end of the 35th anniversary tour, his back, and his unfortunate asthma attack a year and a half ago.

I believe the new blood in Yes will give the rest of the band a good shot in the arm. Benoit is no Jon, of course, but the man can still hold his own vocally and Oliver is a wise choice, following in the footsteps of his very talented father. I believe the rest of the band wants to rock, meaning make a more rocking album than in the past. It's been hinted at before, especially by Steve and judging from his playing on these past tours, I would definitely quote him on that.

As for the whole staging thing, not to sound negative, I just don't see it happening. The band in this format, unfortunately, played to a lot of small crowds and a lot of the theaters and halls they played in were not even full, going from half-full to 3/4 of the way full. I would love to see the round stage make a comeback, but it isn't going to happen. I did love the set-up from the 35th anniversary tour. Alan's drums were a neat idea and they really came in to play during the drum section of "Ritual."

If and when Yes a new album, I'll be there to get it. It may not have Jon on it, but I feel it's still worthy of the name Yes. I'm sure it'll be safe for some of use to agree to disagree on this.

[Chris2210]

Yes, I'm afraid this is no surprise. I think it is reasonable to assume that Jon wasn't showing much in the way of willingness to record new material. Much as I love Magnification and much as I think an album without Jon very likely won't be as strong as one which has his compositional input, I don't really think that's an option. An album without him is better than no album at all IMO. Similarly I don't think there's much enthusiasm, or much incentive to make his touring with the band in the forseeable future a practical alternative.

This is no ideal situation, but events and I believe Jon's actions have conspired to bring the band to this point. It's a shame, because for me personally the real Yes magic only happens when Jon and Steve [in particular] are collaborating in some form. But it's neither fair nor realistic to expect things to work out to suit my wishes.

I saw the band recently and they are putting in satisfying performances. In the final analysis what counts is how the current band members feel about playing together and how commercially viable their choices are. In that regard the fans' opinions do matter, but that's about it. I'll keep supporting them as long as what they do keeps giving me pleasure and won't if it no longer does. Same as everyone else...

[thehallway]

It's a shame about Jon. Rick's idea of doing "Yes weekends" instead of full-scale touring would have worked I think, but it's a matter of opinion, and Steve/Chris/Alan clearly don't agree. If Beniot and Oliver are now permament members, Jon's return seems even less likely (but not impossible).

You never know though, this album may be the next Drama.

[topographic_drama1980]

While the situation for recording the next album would be related to DRAMA, I feel this new album, whatever they choose to call it, will be just as strong, if not stronger than DRAMA. Steve has reallying been rocking these past two tours, rocking like YESSONGS rocking. Alan White still gives great power to his drumming. Chris, well, what can I say about Chris other than the fact that he's the best damn bass player in the world, period! Benoit, great vocalist and does a great job at emulating Jon, even though at times, from what I could hear, also sounds a bit like a younger Dennis DeYoung, but I doubt his keyboard skills, if he even has any don't match his, or even his bandmate, Oliver, who's doingsuch a magnificent job at following in the footsteps of his pop.

As for the tour, why is it so damn short? It's only 16 shows and it's only on the eastern part of the US. I wonder if they'll mix it up like they did with the In The Present Tour and the Yes/Asia Tour. I'll be happy if they still continue to play DRAMA music, plus add something like "Into The Lens." If not, at least they finally had the chance to play that stuff after all these years. I do wonder if they have any surprises in store, maybe even "Sound Chaser?"

As much as I do miss Jon, I've given this line-up a chance and I really like what they have done so far, of course studio work is another matter. As long as the band continues, under whatever line-up, I will support them.

[twinarchers]

[twinarchers]

[topographic_drama1980]

[tardistraveler]

[thehallway]

[twinarchers]

[tardistraveler]

[thesage]

[thehallway]

[Greenglade's Frog]

[EricBliss12345]

[thehallway]