Progressive Palaver

Episode 52 – Yes Part 15, The Ladder The year of Yes continues as Paul, Ken and Joe tackle The Ladder. The technical gremlins manifest themselves in this episode as phantom beeps but the Palaver is as engaging as ever for this joyful, enjoyable album. The group finds The Ladder as a pleasant surprise (Ken declares the album a “hidden gem”) in the catalog in this time. The only Yes album recorded with six members, The Ladder benefits from the flexibility of an extra set of hands and a collaborative songwriting process. While some may dismiss the “progressive adult contemporary” aspects of this record, the Palaver finds it to be an excellent listen. Twitter: @progpala Email: progpala@gmail.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/ProgPala Instagram: ProgPala / Progressive Palaver YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCw_Xxit3D8wbv-AcJ_7Z__w/featured Theme music provided by: Dave DeWhitt

Episode 51 – Yes Part 15, Keys to Ascension & Open Your Eyes The almost full Palaver of Joe, Paul, Ken, Jay and Tom tackle both Keys to Ascension albums and Open Your Eyes in this episode. The musical parallels between Keys and Tormato are explored at some length whether or not they actually exist. Either way it seems this group can’t stop talking about that particular album (Ken suggests a drinking game). Tom sees Keys as a reaffirmation of a great band while Joe posits that Keys represents what ABWH should have been. Paul suggests a Mr. Crowley influence and Ken points out that Keys features a VERY restrained Rick Wakeman. Open Your Eyes fares less well in the eyes of the Palaver. A canon album in name alone, the group finds little redeeming here which is interesting given the obvious relationship between this album and The Ladder. Twitter: @progpala Email: progpala@gmail.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/ProgPala Instagram: ProgPala / Progressive Palaver YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCw_Xxit3D8wbv-AcJ_7Z__w/featured Theme music provided by: Dave DeWhitt

The Yes palaver continues with Jay, Tom, Ken, Paul and Joe covering Talk. The group considers the (at the time) cutting edge recording and production techniques which lend this album a unique flavor. The 2 < 5 theory is explored again as well as the effect of no strong outside producer (too many Trevors, too many Jons and where is the bass???). This album does, however, contain perhaps the most "Yes" portion of music of the Trevor Rabin albums in the song State of Play of all places. Tom brings it all home by posing the question Talk or Tormato... You decide. Twitter: @progpala Email: progpala@gmail.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/ProgPala Instagram: ProgPala / Progressive Palaver YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCw_Xxit3D8wbv-AcJ_7Z__w/featured Theme music provided by: Dave DeWhitt

Bonus Episode – Trevor Rabin, Can’t Look Away In this bonus episode, Paul and Joe take a (small) sidestep away from Yes to discuss Trevor Rabin’s solo effort Can’t Look Away. Paul has always held this album in high regard and time has proven him correct. The influence of a top-notch producer (Bob Ezrin) is readily evident in focusing Trevor’s creative urges. This album serves as a fascinating addendum to the Yes albums of this era and, perhaps, provides an early glimpse into Trevor moving toward movie music. Better than Union, Big Generator or Talk? You decide. Twitter: @progpala Email: progpala@gmail.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/ProgPala Instagram: ProgPala / Progressive Palaver YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCw_Xxit3D8wbv-AcJ_7Z__w/featured Theme music provided by: Dave DeWhitt

Episode 48 – Yes Part 12, ABWH & Union For this episode of the Yes Palaver Paul, Ken and Joe discuss the curious period in Yes history with the albums Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe and Union. These two albums represent a very dynamic period in the band’s history. The interweaving timelines for the two Yes camps that resulted in these albums is fascinating and is ultimately punctuated by management intervention, producer shenanigans and “too many everybodies” vocals. Neither of them perhaps realize the potential for these groups of musicians but there are some highlights. For ABWH those highlights include Themes, Brother of Mine, Birthright and The Meeting (although all agree this song is better live than on the record). Highlights of Union include I Would Have Waited Forever, Lift Me Up and The More We Live, Let Go (not the questionable Mira-kill of Life or Angkor Wat). Ken posits that these are the two best Jon Anderson solo albums and Paul ultimately points to the real value of Union being the 8-man tour that opened fans such as ourselves to the magic of Awaken. Twitter: @progpala Email: progpala@gmail.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/ProgPala Instagram: ProgPala / Progressive Palaver YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCw_Xxit3D8wbv-AcJ_7Z__w/featured Theme music provided by: Dave DeWhitt

Episode 47 – Yes Part 11, Big Generator This episode is another lean Palaver where Ken and Joe consider the Yes album Big Generator. Ken provides a look into the outstanding prog context of 1987 (what a year!). Regardless of the greater Palaver’s feeling about this album, Big Generator was the group’s ultimate gateway to Yes, originally via Paul. While Tom provides some scathing criticism via text message, Ken ultimately feels that both Big Generator and 90125 met the goals for all stakeholders involved. Big Generator sees Trevor Rabin specifically trying to write Yes music and strangely enough may come closest in certain sections of the lengthy “I’m Running”. Jon Anderson’s increased influence on this lineup is felt very clearly in the “beautiful positivity” of the last three tracks. Ken summarized our thoughts perfectly when he said, “In an upside-down world, this album makes a lot of sense.” Twitter: @progpala Email: progpala@gmail.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/ProgPala Instagram: ProgPala / Progressive Palaver YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCw_Xxit3D8wbv-AcJ_7Z__w/featured Theme music provided by: Dave DeWhitt

Episode 46 – Yes Part 10, 90125 In order to help celebrate 50 years of Yes, the Palaver returns to the Yes catalog with the 1983 album 90125. Paul, Tom, Ken and Joe (including Jay and Colby in spirit if not substance) dive deep into this game-changing (for better or worse) album featuring the return of Jon Anderson and Tony Kaye to the band. The significant influence of the two Trevors is contemplated. The Palaver talks at length about the courage demonstrated by the songwriting collaboration to create these truly remarkable songs and is left impressed. Whether this album is “classic” Yes or not, it is very clearly a timeless masterpiece in terms of songwriting, performance and production. Twitter: @progpala Email: progpala@gmail.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/ProgPala Instagram: ProgPala / Progressive Palaver YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCw_Xxit3D8wbv-AcJ_7Z__w/featured Theme music provided by: Dave DeWhitt

Bonus Episode – Total Mass Retain In this very exciting bonus episode Joe and Ken get to interview three of the members from Total Mass Retain. As a featured performer at the YesFanFest – 50 True Summers event in Philadelphia on July 21st, TMR is one of the hottest trending names in the world of tribute bands. Members Joel Simches, Mark Gonzalez and Joey Cassano share their love of all things Yes and provide some insights into how TMR came to be and where they hope to go. If you love Yes music (and why wouldn’t you?) you must listen to this interview. Twitter: @progpala Email: progpala@gmail.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/ProgPala YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCw_Xxit3D8wbv-AcJ_7Z__w/featured Theme music provided by: Dave DeWhitt TMR Facebook: www.facebook.com/Total-Mass-Retain-YES-Tribute-1999360123645703

Episode 45 – Asia Part 6 Omega, XXX & Gravitas Joe completes his solo consideration of the Asia catalog, finishing up with last three albums featuring John Wetton. These three albums are full of surprises and demonstrate a band that is in clear control of their art. Fast tempos, killer vocals, well-balanced songwriting and even a mantra are the hallmarks of these albums. Even the departure of Steve Howe and the arrival of Sam Coulson doesn’t slow down Asia. These albums have found a place in heavy rotation at Palaver Central. Twitter: @progpala Email: progpala@gmail.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/ProgPala YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCw_Xxit3D8wbv-AcJ_7Z__w/featured Theme music provided by: Dave DeWhitt

SCS9- Yes - Philadelphia PA - July 21 2018 by Progressive Palaver