Me and my journey through life, from the highest of highs to the lowest of lows and all wacky, funny, deep, depressing and interesting points in between. My interests are varied from one end of the spectrum to another. Basically, the disappointing side of mediocre.
Released on this day in 1994, Talk is the fourteenth studio album by progressive rock band Yes. It is their first release with an independent label after having been distributed the length of their career thus far with Atlantic Records and Arista Records.
Talk is also the last Yes recording with Tony Kaye on keyboards and Trevor Rabin on guitars, keyboards and vocals. Pop artist Peter Max created the artwork for the album. I think it pretty much sucks even though I have a t shirt with this logo. It was the first Yes tour and concert that I ever got to attend. It was at the old Orlando O-rena.
Here's one of my favorite tracks from this album:
I also have covered this album in more detailed posts (Side 1, Side 2).
The album peaked at #33 on the US charts (#20 UK) and had one Top 100 single, "Walls", that reached #24.
On this day in 1983, Yes released their 11th album, 90125. And the world went crazy.
This was a new Yes. A hip Yes. A popular Yes mostly thanks to solo artist Trevor Rabin who replaced Steve Howe. Gone were the 20 minute prog pieces with multiple sections. The new music was catchy, contemporary and well liked by reviewers and their new fans (many of whom had little clue of the band's previous incarnation). The lead single, "Owner of a Lonely Heart," became the band's first (and only) US #1 hit, driving 90125 to the Top 5 and helping it sell three million units in the US alone, by far Yes's most successful album. "It Can Happen", "Changes", and "Leave It" all charted during 1984 and received heavy airplay.
Yes was popular (again) like they never had been before. In addition, "Cinema" won the Grammy Award for Best Rock Instrumental Performance in 1985.
I have previously covered this album in more depth here (Side 1), and here (Side 2).
On this date in 1987, Yes finally (after over four years!) released a follow up to the massively popular 90125. Their 12th studio album was called Big Generator.
So yes, Hurricane Matthew came and closed Disney last Friday, but fortunately that's all he did. We avoided the heavy rains in my area, while enjoying the full on breezy evening. Best of luck to the others who were not so lucky though. October and pukey orange only means one thing where I'm from (no not pumpkin spice flavored anything): Alabama versus Tennessee! Welcome to Hate Week.
Talk (1994) is Yes' first release with an independent label after having been distributed the length of their career thus far with Atlantic Records and Arista Records.
In a 1993 interview, Alan White joked that the album would be called Crunching Numbers and another working title was History of the Future. He also mentioned a song called "Scarlet from the Tide", but it is unknown whether this song became part of a track on the album or if it wasn't added at all.
Talk is also the last Yes recording with Tony Kaye on keyboards and Trevor Rabin on guitars, keyboards and vocals. The album cover was done by Peter Max. It sucks.
Following the mammoth tour for Union in 1991, Bill Bruford, Steve Howe and Rick Wakeman left the eight-member band. Only the "A" from ABWH was left. Wakeman was originally going to be part of the lineup, but conflicts with management kept this from happening. Remaining was the 1983-88 line-up of Jon Anderson, Chris Squire, Trevor Rabin, Tony Kaye and Alan White.
With Rabin taking the lead - even producing the project himself, he introduced Yes to the non linear digital revolution. Talk was the 1st album ever produced on the Digital performer format. As a lot of the technology was very new from being at the frontier of non-linear recording, Talk was a difficult record to make technically. It has always sounded very modern and "electrical" to me.
1) The Calling - This was written by Rabin, Anderson and Squire, with Rabin producing. As with the other tracks on Talk, "The Calling" was recorded and mixed digitally, rather than on tape as was done with previous Yes recordings. The song has been described as featuring a modern sound, with heavy focus on Rabin's guitars, and a three-part vocal harmony featuring Anderson, Rabin and Squire.
According to Anderson, the song's lyrics were inspired by the concept of "local history", the current three-thousand year window of history, outside of which mankind has little visibility or understanding.
4) State of Play - Another almost "political" song with Rabin all over the place. I can see where many just think of this as almost a Trevor solo album.
Well it looks as if the rainy season has finally hit the sunshine state. Thunderstorms daily. Back to the norm. Today also happens to be one of my favorite days, Friday the 13th. I've never considered it a bad luck day seeing that I'm not one of the Knights Templar (for those of you that know your history). I even wore 13 in high school and college. Either way, it's time to roll out another random 10. You know what? Let's make that a random thirteen! Looking back at last week I see that AC/DC and Foreigner are banned for this week. As usual the rules and whatnot are there ↑ at the top. Get lucky! 1) Love Conquers All/Yes - This is a demo/Trevor Rabin song that didn't make it onto 90125. 2) A Day in the Life/Soundtrack (Sergeant Peppers) - One of my guilty pleasures. The Bee Gees singing this with Peter Frampton. 3) Vultures (In The City)/Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe - Bonus track that did not make it onto the ABWH album. How, I have no idea since this song is awesome. Give a listen:
4) Droned/Phil Collins - From his album with his face on the cover. No not that one. Or that one or that one or that one. Yeah, that one. 5) Mainstream/Kansas - The 80's were not too good to them either. 6) First Time/Styx - This is the song that actually broke the band up when they refused to release another wimpy love song. 7) Piano Concerto in E Flat/Soundtrack (Amadeus) - I've already told you of my love for Mozart. 8) It's Getting Better All The Time/The Beatles - You may have heard of this album:
9) 51st Anniversary/Jimi Hendrix - Just added this and it shows up right away. Cool.
10) Send Her My Love/Journey - Right smack dab in the middle of the 80's love song destruction. STCS: More About You/Steve Howe - Another one of his demos that ended up rewritten for ABWH. 12) Simply Irresistible/Robert Palmer - Classic. 13) Recycle Countdown/Nektar - One day I'm going to actually listen to their music. Well there we go for another week. No one gets banned and we didn't have an opportunity for the Tarkus to show up either. At least we added some new blood with the Hendrix. I'm still fine tuning my music y'all. Don't give up on me yet. I'm always welcome to suggestions!
So stay cool and dry central Florida, and as always Roll Tide!
After bashing this album a lot in my last post when I covered Side 1, I realized that I actually like this album. I mean even when things are bad, Yes is still better and more talented than 99% of the people out there. Also, it was the 80's and the music is still fun and full of energy.
I made a little page last week which you can see listed to the right over there (--------->), that explains all the ins and outs of the random 10. It's also an archive of terms and special awards, so if you're late to the party here it will help you understand some of my ramblings.
Anyway, here we go. Ready! Set! Random!
1) Stevie Nicks/After the Glitter Fades - From her classic album Bella Donna.
2) Yes/Dangerous - Demo for the Union (onion) album. I have an upcoming post on this mess of an album. This song even had several dance mixes. Yeah, you read that right.
3) Syd Barrett/Love Song - Thought I had gotten rid of this crap. Time for the Cybermen.
4) America/Sandman - Another new artist for the countdown. Welcome to the party!
5) AC/DC/Are You Ready - Love these Aussie rockers!
6) Jon Anderson/Days - This is another one of those Yes demos that didn't quite pan out and ended up on a solo album. Album cover winner in Song of Seven.
7) Styx/Unfinished Song - This is a song that shows up on some versions of the Man of Miracles album but not others. Nice little DDY song from the Wooden Nickel years.
8) Yes/Love Conquers All - Yet another Yes demo. This is basically a Trevor Rabin song that didn't make it onto 90125. It was one of those unreleased songs that appeared on the YesYears box set.
9) Pink Floyd/The Fletcher Memorial Home - I'm trying but I still cant get into them.
10) Chicago/Take the "A" Train - This is from their big band album Night and Day. Still trying to recover from those 80's, but at least they picked the right genre.
Well that will do it for another week peeps. Seems like there were a lot of demo/unreleased type songs this go round. The STCS for this week is Guns N' Roses/Welcome to the Jungle. Wow, wish we could have opened with that, but I'll let them play us out. Until next week...
Another Friday, another list. I'm not feeling very wordy today so i'll just get right down to it.
1) King Crimson/Starless and Bible Black - nice way to start..I've still got alot to explore in their music
2) Styx/Come Sail Away - live version from Caught in the Act...awesome but not quite as awesome as studio
3) Kansas/Andi - another song from that transition love song singing Kansas...which is why they really didnt survive the 80's either...
4) YES/Solly's Beard - technically the Trevor Rabin steel guitar piece from 9021Live the Solos
5) Third Day/Mama - Christian band that still sounds like Hootie to me...
6) Pink Floyd/Dont Leave Now - I'm not as high on them as some people are...pun intended
7) Camel/Send Home the Slates - yeah, I dig 'em
8) The Black Eyed Peas/Where Ya Wanna Go - I got some phunk in me from time to time
9) Francesca Battistelli/It's Your Life - Christian singer who's really nice to look at...
10) Apollo 440/Suitcase '88 - these guys are beyond cool
Alot of big names in the list this week. The Spinal Tap Commemorative Song this time around is YES/Rhythm of Love (Remix), back when every song had a dance remix....<puke>.
Only thing worthwhile to play us out is some Trevor...not from the same album, but video of a live performance...you're welcome Laurie!
