So Jon Anderson is not in Yes. Does it matter?

OPBASSMAN1994 · #1 02-24-2011, 08:23 PM

Self explanatory.

I'll miss Jon's lyrics deeply, but as long as Yes is still playing the songs I love so much, I don't mind if Benoit is the singer!
It's the music, not the man that makes the legacy. I want Anderson back too, but I think there needs to be less animosity among Yes fans over the issue. Jon's gone. Deal with it. He might come back, he might not. If it doesn't feel the same to you, don't go see them. If you don't mind, then go watch some world class musicians playing some incredible music!

I just hope the new album retains some of the Jon-era lyrical style. As long as the songs are as deep and cryptic as ever I won't mind too much.

With all due respect and Sincerity,

OP.

hrodbert696 · #2 02-25-2011, 04:41 AM

There is more than one Jon-Anderson era in Yes. The kind of stuff he's written since the 80s is very different from the 70s material -- frankly, less evocative and cryptic and more anthems for earth day new agers. I saw an interview where he stated that the point of playing music was to stay true to your "ideology" - his word. So from the writing perspective, I don't mind that much. It remains to be seen if the writing on the new album is any good. He always was the face and the voice of Yes, though, so I will miss him in that respect.

Tampabass · #3 02-25-2011, 04:50 AM

Yes w/o Jon Anderson is kinda like the Stones w/o Mick or Journey w/o Steve Perry - his sound/voice/style was so essential to what the band's sound was all about that it just will not be the same thing at all. It's not just a cosmetic change. Whether it's still appealing (to me) remains to be seen.

I've not been a "hardcore" Yes fan for years, but there was a period in my life when I really, really loved that band and the whole prog rock/art rock thing.

Phalex · #4 02-25-2011, 06:24 AM

Drama is one of my favorite YES albums, and Jon wasn't around for that one either. Who's taking over the vocals? Did they get Trevor Horn back?

Hoover · #5 02-25-2011, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OPBASSMAN1994

I just hope the new album retains some of the Jon-era lyrical style. As long as the songs are as deep and cryptic as ever I won't mind too much.

Wait, what? There's gonna be a new album?

4001 · #6 02-25-2011, 10:04 AM

After listening to a TON of Yes last night, I'll say, yes, it does matter. Even though Drama was a good album and the band has gone through a few guitarists , keyboaridsts and now, three singers, Jon Anderson is the VOICE of Yes.

I'll check out the new album, but I havent seen Yes since Anderson left.
I've seen them 29 times from 1984-2004.

I think Yes has spoiled the end of their career. They should have waited until Jon was ready to get back out, do a farewell album and tour and call it a day and go out on top.

MonetBass · #7 02-25-2011, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phalex

Drama is one of my favorite YES albums, and Jon wasn't around for that one either. Who's taking over the vocals? Did they get Trevor Horn back?

+1. Drama is a fantastic Yes album, even without Jon.

However, that said, I think Jon's voice is certain a key in Yes' sound, but obviously Chris Squire is more important.

brianrost · #8 02-25-2011, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4001

Jon Anderson is the VOICE of Yes.

Chris Squire sounded an awful lot like Jon on his solo album...just saying

Stealth · #9 02-25-2011, 12:52 PM

I'll say I enjoyed Drama as much as any other album. Yes exists as a whole for me in the sense that no matter the band lineup, it still sounds like Yes to me.

'sides, it's all about The Squire.

ster · #10 02-25-2011, 12:58 PM

I have no desire to go see them. I understand the OP's point but for some reason I don't care to see them w/out Jon. This is coming from a HUGE Yes fan. I just think its silly when bands go out and get someone from a "tribute band" to replace the real thing. Its like trying to replace an important piece with a replica.

tangentmusic · #11 02-25-2011, 01:14 PM

I agree with most here. I have always felt Jon was the voice of Yes.
But I too enjoyed the Drama LP with Trevor Horn.
I feel that Steve Howe defined the Yes guitar sound.
But I liked the Trevor Rabin Yes era too.
Rick Wakman is the classic Yes keyboardist, yet I loved Patrick Moraz' playing on Relayer.
Bill Bruford played on the classic Yes Album, Close to the Edge and Fragile records, yet Alan White has played drums on many more Yes recordings. Chris Squire being the only original member to appear on every Yes album. (setting the Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, Howe LP aside)

What I am trying to say is: I LOVE YES in every incarnation of the band throught the decades. I would not hesitate to go see them with Benoit David singing Jon's material.

Hoover · #12 02-25-2011, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tangentmusic

I would not hesitate to go see them with Benoit David singing Jon's material.

How about with Benoit David singing Benoit David's material?

tangentmusic · #13 02-25-2011, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hoover

How about with Benoit David singing Benoit David's material?

I'd love to hear some. Maybe i'm out of the loop here.
Is there some? Yessongs are Yessongs to me, as long as the musicianship remains at a high level, i'm in..

BigOldHarry · #14 02-25-2011, 01:45 PM

this should be a poll...

ster · #15 02-25-2011, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tangentmusic

I agree with most here. I have always felt Jon was the voice of Yes.
But I too enjoyed the Drama LP with Trevor Horn.
I feel that Steve Howe defined the Yes guitar sound.
But I liked the Trevor Rabin Yes era too.
Rick Wakman is the classic Yes keyboardist, yet I loved Patrick Moraz' playing on Relayer.
Bill Bruford played on the classic Yes Album, Close to the Edge and Fragile records, yet Alan White has played drums on many more Yes recordings. Chris Squire being the only original member to appear on every Yes album. (setting the Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, Howe LP aside)

What I am trying to say is: I LOVE YES in every incarnation of the band throught the decades. I would not hesitate to go see them with Benoit David singing Jon's material.

I understand, but this was when they were still a relevant artistic force. There comes a point, for me anyway, when I just can't accept any new blood in my favorite bands. I just think it's way too late in their careers to start bringing in new people.

jgroh · #16 02-25-2011, 02:01 PM

Replacing vocalists, especially for a band like this, is hard. Its not like the other instruments as its the voice of the band. What exactly is the reason JA isnt playing with them?

tangentmusic · #17 02-25-2011, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ster

I understand, but this was when they were still a relevant artistic force. There comes a point, for me anyway, when I just can't accept any new blood in my favorite bands. I just think it's way too late in their careers to start bringing in new people.

Yeah... I agree. Maybe they should have packed it in.
But here they are, still out there.
Perhaps they are no longer relevant.
My favorite stuff of theirs is near 40 years old.
How long can one stay relevant. Some argue the Stones shoulda called it quits when Wyman left.. I dunno

tangentmusic · #18 02-25-2011, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jgroh

Replacing vocalists, especially for a band like this, is hard. Its not like the other instruments as its the voice of the band. What exactly is the reason JA isnt playing with them?

Jon had been ill. So they moved on.

OPBASSMAN1994 · #19 02-25-2011, 02:37 PM

The whole story is as follows:

Jon had a really severe asthma attack, and while he recovered, apparently there was some miscommunication between the other members and him, and Squire, Howe, and White moved on without Jon. Originally, Jon said he was hurt and "felt Betrayed" that they'd go on without him on his website, but he later took it off the site, and recently in an interview said he wished Benoit and the guys the best of luck and Squire said in an interview "We've got Jon's blessing to go through with it." However, with all that said, there has been a schism among Yes fans about the whole deal whether it was Jon being a diva or being to cautious or something, or whether Howe and Squire were money hungry jerks who just wanted to keep raking it in on their stuff. People forget that we all have conflicts, errors, MISCOMMUNICATIONS, and also that Howe and Squire aren't the only consistent Yes men. Alan White is in there too....

And, as a matter of fact, I'd argue that the fact that the guys chose a sound-alike shows how much THEY believe Jon's voice to be essential and important, but they just couldn't wait.

To Craig, aka Tangentmusic: I couldn't agree more.

ster · #20 02-25-2011, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tangentmusic

Yeah... I agree. Maybe they should have packed it in.
But here they are, still out there.
Perhaps they are no longer relevant.
My favorite stuff of theirs is near 40 years old.
How long can one stay relevant. Some argue the Stones shoulda called it quits when Wyman left.. I dunno

You're right..here they are again. There's no doubt this band put its fans through some crap throughout their career. I remember being extremely pissed that they came back in '94 with the Trevor Rabin line-up. Telling Bruford and Wakeman that their services are no longer required. Yet they produced a great album! (IMO)
Who knows? Maybe I'll warm up to this new situation.