Other Jon is close enough. I miss Chris ... Patrick is still my favorite Keyboardist, and Steve IMO is required. So... my favorite lineup is just not going to happen again. Glad I saw them back "in the day".
There is no way forward. Bruford is retired. Wakeman is shortly stopping playing live. Chris Squire, the heart of the band( and the sunrise!) is sadly no longer with us . White is also gone. Jon Anderson doesn't particularly seem interested and Trevor Rabin is otherwise occupied. The options are limping along with the competent, but uninspired current lineup, or have a giant one off reunion concert and say goodbye. I'd go for the latter.
Much, much better Minimoog sounds than Wakeman ever came up with. (I'm not sure he realised that you were allowed to have different settings on the oscillators)
Igor was a great keyboardist. Didnt know about why he left. Yes can do whatever they want. The last gig i saw was with igor at the beacon nyc. I hope it continues like beatlemania. Its all tribute
My intro to Yes was 90125. That was the line up I grew up with. Big Generator, Union and Talk. I guess that line up is my sentimental preference. Please don’t hate me.
Rabin added a strong 3-part harmony, as well as lead vocals, along with strong songwriting (and a #1 hit) . . . it's hard to ignore his immense contributions to the YES canon.
@@4absentfriendsyeah, frankly I don’t think Steve Howe ever forgave Trevor Rabin for writing Yes’s only number one hit. Steve has, many times, tried to disparage Trevor over the years. He has become very unlikable of late.
All a bit of a dream Barry. Jon has said that he wouldnt be joining "Yes" as Chris and Alan arent there and its not Yes anymore without them. Jon and Band Geeks sounds very like classic Yes. Im all for the new line up moving things on. Id like to hear more keys too in the next one. Id also like to hear more Billy on Backing vocals and the thing i loved about earlier incarnations of Yes was the vocal harmonies. Steve doesnt have the power in his voice, Billy does. Jon D needs to try and put a little more performance and power into this sound. Its a little too etherial and light for my taste, but he does sing nicely.
I saw anderson, bruford, wakeman and howe in germany in and then saw union tour shortly after. Both great shows. Jon Anderson and Steve Howe are the two who make Yes for me. Their guitar and vocals just sound like Yes. Ofc that was 30+ years ago.
Union was a great, great live show. If you caught the giant three tiered rotating stage you won’t ever forget it. Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe Squire Anderson White Wakeman Howe Squire Anderson Bruford Kaye Howe Squire Anderson White Moraz Howe Squire I’ve cheated. 😂 Love me some Yes. ❤
Awesome line up picks! I was just listening to Mirror To The Sky this week and felt that if Jon were involved it could have been even better. Oliver Wakeman is a logical choice to add some pizazz to the keyboards and he won't even have to borrow dad's old capes to do so. Now if only Steve can open his eyes...
After watching Chris and Alan working and touring right up when they die, I would think that Steve might be more likely to spend what's left of his life with his family instead of quickly passing away not having any retirement. Same with Geoff. But I think that he will keep working until the day he dies.
Anderson, Squire, Howe, Wakeman, and Bruford-absolutely. The band carrying on now is a mere shadow in comparison. For me any lineup without Anderson and Squire will never be YES- Jon returning might help but their best has been over for almost 50 years.
There is such a thing as band chemistry. When Bill was in the band it was like a dialogue between 5 virtuosos with each member delivering an equally important musical statement. Yes’s intelligent approach and musical ability astonished me back in 1972 and are my favorite band still. I was devastated when Bill left. Good thing Alan White turned out to be so great but even so, Bill can’t be replaced.
I love your line-up idea with Oliver and Jon A. However, I do love the latest Yes album quite a bit! So, that makes it a tough choice because I'd also love to see this current line-up build upon what they've started developing.
Interesting comments and line up. Anderson on vocals should be a must, Oliver an interesting suggestion. I might sub Howe for Rabin once more based solely on the fact Steve seems not to be in best health and possibly slowing down a little. That said, my love and respect for Howe is immense and he is my #2 best guitarist of all time (behind Hackett). Don’t shoot me for my comments I suggest this based solely on the best for the band imo. All the best. Dave✅✅
That's not a bad lineup. I've seen Oliver onstage on the 2009 tour and he did his dad proud. Billy has a long history with Yes and I think he deserves his place. I saw the current band on a CTTE warmup at Tavistock Wharf a couple of years ago. They were very good and well worth seeing in a small venue like that. They will be using the Wharf again for pre tour rehearsals this month and are doing another warmup but I don't think I'll be going again at 70 quid a ticket. Seeing Yes in any form is a blessing these days and it's a shame the current band is dismissed. Seem to be mostly hated by Americans.
I was too young to have seen 70's Yes, and I could have/should have gone to see the 90125 lineup when I had the chance in the 80's. For reasons lost to time, i missed seeing them in that era too. I finally went to see some version of the Jon Davison/Howe line up, in a 2500-ish seat auditorium, around 2017. It was a fantastic and very polished show. Vocals and musicianship were top notch and the sound in the venue was off the charts good. However, I still have some lingering regrets of not seeing some of the earlier lineups generally, and Jon Anderson in particular.
The late 90’s, then early 2000’s with Rick rejoining in 2002-2004 was marked by some extremely fine tours and onstage performances. I witnessed the 2004 And You And I @ Madison Square Garden that was so affecting that the audience stood and applauded and wouldn’t let the band finish the beautiful little coda properly. Extremely moving and yet not even the best version of the song that I’ve ever seen. Anderson White Howe Wakeman Squire. Immense onstage, in performance. If you caught them on a good night, unforgettable. Sadly never caught the Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe Squire band in concert. This might’ve been their most Yeslike iteration. I certainly adore their studio work, Fragile and Close To The Edge. These days I listen to Siberian Khatru, Close To The Edge’s concluding track a little wistfully. Maybe even sadly. The Bruford Era Yes sailing off into parallel universes. RIP Chris and Alan who were so good together, so powerful. And reeled off some pretty amazing studio works themselves in the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, 00’s… Now God’s Rhythm Section, Chris Squire and Alan White. It’s still massively underrated what Alan did replacing Bill on such short notice way back when, and though Bill is an amazing drummer, one of the greatest of our time, Alan’s work is often overlooked to some degree, and slagged by some. Unfairly! Those of us who saw him with Yes know that he was, in his own ways just as productive, creative and passionate with the band as Bill.
When Wakeman joined Yes he added something on top of the basic Hammond organ sound, not only that but he added a bit of a 'Jack the Lad' to the other lentil eatting types in the band. Those days are gone and will never return, its sad but that's life. Howe should be doing what Steve Hackett has done with the early Genesis stuff. As regards the Wakeman/Howe rift look at how Wakeman and Anderson always appear to get along, there must have beeen fiction after Topographic Oceans but they have moved on together.
I first saw Yes in 1988 on the Big Generator Tour and have seen them at least a dozen or more times since (including ABWH and ARW). I did manage to see the "Classic" lineup of Anderson, White, Squire, Wakeman, and Howe in 2004. I don't dislike the current lineup. I've seen them a few times and found the performances to be quite enjoyable. I welcome any opportunity to hear Yes music live.
As an old fart I was really introduced to them with Bruford, Squire, Wakeman, Howe and Anderson. That's what I would probably go with but, having said that, I need to listen to more non Bruford drumming more. As good as he is I do feel a more relaxed style would compliment. Let's also not forget Eddie Offord (sp?) producing and really, a Yes album needs a Roger Dean!!
Before I make it around to how I feel about the subject of this video, I've got this to say. Thanks for including sound snippets of the music that you are delving into. That's not somethingyou often do, and it would be great if you could do it more. Yes probably would have been best served if the name was retired when we lost Chris. I can understand the different sides of the coin, how some people still want a rendition of Yes to watch perform live and get records by, but there's always a time when something simply needs to stop. That being said, I don't think I would object to the lineup you propose, assuming any or all of them would like to participate in it.
Anderson, Squire, Howe, Wakeman & Bruford. Was the definitive lineup. Phase 4 with White is the second “classic” iteration. I’ve enjoyed other lineups as well such as what is found on Drama but when it comes to Yes they are firmly cemented in the 70s and tied to that “classic” lineup. With either Bruford or White on the drum kit.
A Duo of Jon Anderson and Steve Howe, would continue and add to the Legacy. New material could be written as elders of progressive rock, and a duo would take care of the issue of retiring, former, and the passing away of musicians. This would be a realistic and profound version of YES, as all seem to agree that for the most active of musicians Anderson and Howe are it. They could do an album with guests and be free from constraint, and tour with guests and be free from constraint. Or tour as a duo. A blend of of the Steve Howe trio, with the approach of Jon Anderson's Thousand Hand Band, would be remarkable and progress the music of YES. The audience would have to accept this form of the NEW. For a Legacy act... the new YES cannot meet the backing vocals of Squire which is crucial, they need more singers. Sherwood to me is more of a replacement of Peter Banks in aural sound scape then of Squire. Schelling is good. The rhythm section of ARW - Molino and Pomeroy were superb and could cover the vocals, the feel, the subtlety, and the power magnificently. So for group. Anderson, Howe, Downes, Pomeroy, Molino. But I would be ecstatic with a Anderson/Howe duo...
Many decades from now, Anderson's grand daughter might be looking for someone to replace her on tour while still writing and recording new Yes music. Wakeman would be in his seventies and wanting to retire. Hauns grandson would still be quite young making his grandad proud. Alaverdyan would be pushing 50 still playing better than Sherwood and Squire. And only God knows what's going on with their 5th drummer.
Saw Wakeman recently and he’s still got it. Yes without Anderson is not Yes. I prefer Bruford but White did a pretty good job. Love Rabins contributions and his concert with Anderson in 2017 is extremely entertaining. However, Steve Howe is THE yes guitarist. Wakeman bassist who also plays on the 2017 concert is very very good
If the band aint a tribute already then surely they would be if steve howe was no longer in the band, that would leave no members from the classic era. The band should wrap in when this happens
You will enjoy! Yes music is a lifelong endeavor. And 100% worth the effort. I love some of their music, much of the classic era stuff, even more now than when I first heard it, even more now than ever, 50+ years of applying ears to it. Yes will ultimately probably be deemed as one of music’s more notable and important events. Up there with the greats ever.
White saved them in 1973 as Bill bailed on the world tour for Close To The Edge. Subsequently Alan owned the Close To The Edge(and other/all) material in the live setting for nearly half a century. Alan’s mighty shoulders gave us Yes into the 21st Century. Alan is one of my heroes lol ❤
I don't agree that Yes was Squire+. Personally I think the classic lineup was Squire, Anderson, Howe, Wakeman and Bruford. But White and Tony Kaye should be included as well.
"An Evening of Yes Music with Steve Howe and Friends" might better suit this lineup? No hate here, just that things have changed way too much. I do wish them success in any case.
I’d agree with your lineup. Jin Anderson will always be their best lead singer. Mirror To The Sky and The Quest were good but Heaven And Earth was awful- a sad departure for the late Chris Squire. RIP, Squire, Alan White and Peter Banks.
I consider myself old school Yes and Barry, I'm pretty sure I'm a lot older than you. Therefore you might be surprised that I like your proposed line-up. I adore Geoff Downes, loved Drama, was a massive Asia fan, and DBA of course, but I was sorry than Oliver Wakeman didn't remain. His solo stuff is great. My only objection, believe it or not, is JA. He can't sing like he used to. JD's voice is perfect for the songs. However you never even mentioned Moraz. Relayer was as great an album as CTTE. Why does everyone forget about Patrick? The QPR concert was amazing.
I’m with everyone who prefers the Bruford/Wakeman era of 1971-72 but artistically, I actually liked Tales, Relayer, GFt1 and Tormato more than I did Fragile or CTtE
All of these albums( and more!) . People will still be liatening to this material long after you and I, and our successors, and their successors have cast off the bonds of this existence. ❤
The line up is very good now, sad about the Yes greats who have passed it would be nice to have Jon Anderson back Jon Davison could sing harmony with him
I've seen most of the Yes lineups from the "classic" to the present and have enjoyed them all to a point for who and what they were. For me it isn't who's in the band but how they're playing. The last time I saw them there was still some magic in those old songs but there was also some energy missing. We're all older and (supposedly) they've slowed the songs down for Steve. I applaud a certain amount for them wanting to keep the music alive and the die hard fans that want to keep seeing them but I think this summers tour could be their last.
Spot on! Authenticity is an oft misguided parameter though this is an exception where Anderson is concerned imo particularly as a lyricist. Oliver the obvious choice too I think though Moraz was epic also. While acknowledging Chris is irreplaceable, Billy has history with the band and plays the part - ditto drums. Howe of course is a no-brainer.
The only reason I even began to like Yes was because of Trevor Rabin. So as long as he’s in the line-up along with Jon Anderson, I’d be fine with it. Add Wakeman to the mix, and I’d be in heaven.
Great line up, but Howe is somehowe showing signs of cognitive decline (when he stormed out of a live performance for no reason at all) and his adamant refusal to let John Anderson join in again. Also, Anderson is not the kind of guy who gets along with anyone lately. I think Rabin stated that he wouldn't work with Anderson again, so maybe there's something about John Anderson that casts aspersions with anyone in the band. His choices on the Union album were disastrous. Also, Oliver Wakeman was ignominiously fired from the band. I think what the remaining legacy members should do instead of reuniting to play together again, is to talk about the future of the Yes name when they're gone from this planet (which doesn't look to distant, unfortunately). Pick players, set rules, etc. Or perhaps just end the brand at all.
My lineup would be 2 combos would be Rabin, Anderson, Squire, R Wakeman, White, the other Combo Would be Banks, Bruford, Kaye, Davidson, Levin. if you need and extra line up. Howe, Shelling, David, Downes, Sherwood. There are lots of good keyboarderss, and orchestra sections left over. and all the musicians are good.
No reason to substitute Oliver Wakeman for Geoff Downes, other than the name. Both great keyboardists, but Geoff doing a great job on last two albums Mirror to the Sky and The Quest, and having a history with the band.
His work on Drama is overlooked! He gleams and shimmers all over that album and is an entirely worthy Yes keyboardist on it. He’s one of the reasons the album has resonated so well with time. Did he ever sound better than Drama? ❤
Actually, Anderson and the Band Geeks play miles around the Steve Howe band on the classic stuff; I'm really curious to hear what they do with original material later this year, as it wouldn't be tough to outdo The Quest or Mirror to the Sky in my book. Chris Clark is just tremendous on keys with that outfit, and the rhythm section sounds more like Squire/Bruford than anything since 1972. My vote is to put Howe in with them and call it Yes.
Even a duo of Jon Anderson and Steve Howe, composing together as well material anew, would be phenomenal, and actually quite appropriate for the aging, retiring and passing of musicians. A Anderson/Howe duo would have absolute authenticity and be phenomenal, and quite new as well. I can't stress that enough, it would be YES as an aging older, wiser perhaps, experienced creative still active continuity. Instead this is being lost in holding to the past, and trying to get others to replace in the confines of the legacy. With an Anderson/Howe duo - perhaps with guests - the legacy continues into old age. For large group today, I would say the rhythm section from ARW with Anderson, Howe and Geoff Downes - who is a sparser keyboardist who can play all of the parts, and probably more akin to Howe. This would be an excellent group. For one thing Lee Pomeroy - who plays Squire parts superbly - and Lou Molino - who plays superbly, and with the natural subtlety of Bruford - can sing the harmonies of classic Yes. As good as Billy Sherwood is, he can't sings those harmonies, and Howe often just doesn't anymore. To my ears that is really lacking, and negative when attempted without attaining. Also Sherwood, though Squire's choice, I think lacks in that he is somewhat all over the place and sounds conflicted from doing what he can do, and what he is assigned. In my ears Sherwood replaces Peter Banks more than he does Squire. Schelling is quite good. If this current YES continues, it needs to add background vocalists who can reach Squire's range.
Great episode - I love Billy and Oliver seated, however, I would really be interested in what Terry Bozzio would look like with that group. No disrespect to Jay Shellen who has a strong history with various members of Yes
For me, the definitive Yes lineup was the Fragile and CttE lineup. Alan White's style was heavier, thus necessitating the change in Squire's style (Chris said this himself). It is akin to ELP with Cozy Powell instead of Carl Palmer.
A fantasy collab on who would be the most grumpy between Tony and Steve. TB already dealt with one Steve despite Entangled being a masterpiece. Gavin - Brilliant choice since he plays with geniuses SW, RF and Bruce Soord.
The Yes Album lineup I saw in 71 or 72. Wakeman might be better technically, but I prefer Kaye. Rumour has it our school booked Yes for our school gig and they then added another 0 to the price as they hit the big time.
I'm not old enough to know a time when Jon Anderson or Rick Wakeman were in the band, and I was only 9 when Chris Squire passed. Alan had just passed when I started getting into the band so I've only ever really known the current line-up that so many seem to write off. I saw them live in May of this year and I thought they were fabulous. Sherwood is my favourite member of the current line-up and does a good job filling in the shoes of Chris Squire. Jay Schellen is a good drummer and they make a good rhythm section. Geoff Downes has been getting progressively worse over the years which is a shame as his contributions to the Drama album are quite good. I reckon Tony Kaye or Patrick Moraz would be much better in the place of Geoff Downes, or, as you said, Oliver Wakeman. When it comes to guitar, Steve is the obvious choice, but he struggles to keep up following the down tempo last years of Alan White's drumming career. If he kicks the bucket I reckon the return of Trevor Rabin would bring back up the energy a bit. And with vocals, all respect to Jon Davison as he fills the role as well as you really could, but Jon Anderson is the Yes vocalist and is irreplaceable, mind you some would say the same about Chris on bass, but Sherwood has not proven otherwise, but has shown its not impossible.
Your lineup would be interesting although I'm not too bothered about the current lineup either. As you say the last album was very good. I'm also hoping that Anderson keeps releasing solo albums - 10,000 hands was a good album I think. I listened to a Robert Fripp podcast recently and he was very dismissive of Bill Bruford. Perhaps he wouldn't have lasted anyway if he'd stayed in Yes.
I would throw Trevor Rabin in there right next to Steve howe. An added Dimension that would give us something we've never seen before not just rehashing the old material.
The ARW lineup was stunning and it's a shame Rabin ruined a superb live recording with fake audience noise. I would go for the classic line up, either Bill or Alan. As a major Yes fan, I think it is time to accept that the gig is up.
I have tried REALLY hard to like all of the subsequent albums after the "Classic" lineup but they just don't grab me the same way that the original lineup albums do.
@@classicalbum What did you think of that line up? I really liked how faithful to the music Khoroshev was by playing the music written by Wakeman, Kaye, and Moraz.
@@S-Ltd1000 Barry called “that Russian guy” keyboardist a bottom-pincher. The way Igor got kicked out of the band was rather scandalous. What I had read previously was Igor “shoved his tongue down a woman’s mouth after a concert. I don’t know if that’s true or not.
Nobody ever talks about 'Fly from here'. Now, what was the lineup on that one again? Seems largely forgotten which is a shame I think. Benoit David was in there wasn't he? He's the better singer than Jon Davison imo. Did Steve Howe not get on with him either?
For me the obvious answer is Anderson, Squire, Howe, Wakeman, and White simply due to its longevity. Bruford was by far the better drummer, no slight towards White, but he wasn't in the band long enough. This next comment will bring out the haters, but from a musical and stage chemistry perspective, the 90125 lineup is by far the best. Squire was a rock bassist who understood harmony, White was a rock drummer, Kaye's keyboards and organ fitted best with that lineup, Rabin's songwriting and classical training, and Anderson can sing with anyone. His voice is one of a very few that is both distinctive and irreplaceable.
Also, ABWH was phenomenal it's too bad that lineup didn't get a chance to breathe for a while. I also wish ARW could've had a longer run with some new music. Yes peaked around 05-08, the name should be retired.
Anderson, Bruford, Howe, Squire, Wakeman. That's that. RIP Chris Squire.
Happy for Allan White instead of Bill.
I agree with that
Bruford's drums were crisper, but Alan had a more organic feel.
Spot on but I would say White or Brufford are interchangeable. Either makes me happy. Rip to Allen and Chris.
That’s that.
If he wasn't retired then Bill Bruford baby. Best drummer they ever had and one of the best ever.
I have seen Yes live many times, but for me it's not Yes without Jon Anderson, but hey each to his own..
Other Jon is close enough. I miss Chris ... Patrick is still my favorite Keyboardist, and Steve IMO is required. So... my favorite lineup is just not going to happen again. Glad I saw them back "in the day".
I've been saying the same thing since he was kicked out.
Without Jon it isn't Yes.
Totally agree Mr Lofter. It simply isn’t Yes without Jon’s vocals. Simple. I wouldn’t pay a penny to see the current rubbish.
I don't think Anderson is needed for his vocals, but I think his musical contribution has always been underestimated.
Wakeman, Howe, Anderson, Bruford, Squire
There is no way forward. Bruford is retired. Wakeman is shortly stopping playing live. Chris Squire, the heart of the band( and the sunrise!) is sadly no longer with us . White is also gone. Jon Anderson doesn't particularly seem interested and Trevor Rabin is otherwise occupied. The options are limping along with the competent, but uninspired current lineup, or have a giant one off reunion concert and say goodbye. I'd go for the latter.
Quite strange Patrick Moraz did not get a mention. Relayer was f... good and Moraz did an awesome job on this album.
Much, much better Minimoog sounds than Wakeman ever came up with.
(I'm not sure he realised that you were allowed to have different settings on the oscillators)
Also more synth driven in the Moody Blues than Mike Pinder, who used Mellotron & Solina Strings.
Wish they'd pack it in but for a final tour then Anderson, Howe, Wakeman, Bruford, and Geddy Lee.
For me it has got to have Jon Anderson in it. But I do not think Howe will allow that.
👍👍
It’s all YES to me.
❤
Igor was a great keyboardist. Didnt know about why he left. Yes can do whatever they want. The last gig i saw was with igor at the beacon nyc. I hope it continues like beatlemania. Its all tribute
My intro to Yes was 90125. That was the line up I grew up with. Big Generator, Union and Talk. I guess that line up is my sentimental preference. Please don’t hate me.
👍👍
Rabin added a strong 3-part harmony, as well as lead vocals, along with strong songwriting (and a #1 hit) . . . it's hard to ignore his immense contributions to the YES canon.
That's my favorite lineup.
@@4absentfriendsyeah, frankly I don’t think Steve Howe ever forgave Trevor Rabin for writing Yes’s only number one hit. Steve has, many times, tried to disparage Trevor over the years. He has become very unlikable of late.
All a bit of a dream Barry. Jon has said that he wouldnt be joining "Yes" as Chris and Alan arent there and its not Yes anymore without them. Jon and Band Geeks sounds very like classic Yes. Im all for the new line up moving things on. Id like to hear more keys too in the next one. Id also like to hear more Billy on Backing vocals and the thing i loved about earlier incarnations of Yes was the vocal harmonies. Steve doesnt have the power in his voice, Billy does. Jon D needs to try and put a little more performance and power into this sound. Its a little too etherial and light for my taste, but he does sing nicely.
The Drama lineup was pretty good
🤘🤠👍
I saw anderson, bruford, wakeman and howe in germany in and then saw union tour shortly after. Both great shows. Jon Anderson and Steve Howe are the two who make Yes for me. Their guitar and vocals just sound like Yes. Ofc that was 30+ years ago.
👍👍
I saw them on the Union tour. It got some flak but was an amazing show.
@@S-Ltd1000 👍👍
Union was a great, great live show. If you caught the giant three tiered rotating stage you won’t ever forget it.
Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe Squire
Anderson White Wakeman Howe Squire
Anderson Bruford Kaye Howe Squire
Anderson White Moraz Howe Squire
I’ve cheated. 😂
Love me some Yes. ❤
Awesome line up picks! I was just listening to Mirror To The Sky this week and felt that if Jon were involved it could have been even better. Oliver Wakeman is a logical choice to add some pizazz to the keyboards and he won't even have to borrow dad's old capes to do so. Now if only Steve can open his eyes...
After watching Chris and Alan working and touring right up when they die, I would think that Steve might be more likely to spend what's left of his life with his family instead of quickly passing away not having any retirement. Same with Geoff. But I think that he will keep working until the day he dies.
Anderson, Squire, Howe, Wakeman, and Bruford-absolutely. The band carrying on now is a mere shadow in comparison. For me any lineup without Anderson and Squire will never be YES- Jon returning might help but their best has been over for almost 50 years.
There is such a thing as band chemistry. When Bill was in the band it was like a dialogue between 5 virtuosos with each member delivering an equally important musical statement. Yes’s intelligent approach and musical ability astonished me back in 1972 and are my favorite band still. I was devastated when Bill left. Good thing Alan White turned out to be so great but even so, Bill can’t be replaced.
I love your line-up idea with Oliver and Jon A. However, I do love the latest Yes album quite a bit! So, that makes it a tough choice because I'd also love to see this current line-up build upon what they've started developing.
Steve Howe was so instrumental to this band
....! I see what you did there...clever.😊
Interesting comments and line up. Anderson on vocals should be a must, Oliver an interesting suggestion. I might sub Howe for Rabin once more based solely on the fact Steve seems not to be in best health and possibly slowing down a little. That said, my love and respect for Howe is immense and he is my #2 best guitarist of all time (behind Hackett). Don’t shoot me for my comments I suggest this based solely on the best for the band imo. All the best. Dave✅✅
That's not a bad lineup. I've seen Oliver onstage on the 2009 tour and he did his dad proud. Billy has a long history with Yes and I think he deserves his place. I saw the current band on a CTTE warmup at Tavistock Wharf a couple of years ago. They were very good and well worth seeing in a small venue like that. They will be using the Wharf again for pre tour rehearsals this month and are doing another warmup but I don't think I'll be going again at 70 quid a ticket. Seeing Yes in any form is a blessing these days and it's a shame the current band is dismissed. Seem to be mostly hated by Americans.
I was too young to have seen 70's Yes, and I could have/should have gone to see the 90125 lineup when I had the chance in the 80's. For reasons lost to time, i missed seeing them in that era too. I finally went to see some version of the Jon Davison/Howe line up, in a 2500-ish seat auditorium, around 2017. It was a fantastic and very polished show. Vocals and musicianship were top notch and the sound in the venue was off the charts good. However, I still have some lingering regrets of not seeing some of the earlier lineups generally, and Jon Anderson in particular.
The late 90’s, then early 2000’s with Rick rejoining in 2002-2004 was marked by some extremely fine tours and onstage performances.
I witnessed the 2004 And You And I @ Madison Square Garden that was so affecting that the audience stood and applauded and wouldn’t let the band finish the beautiful little coda properly. Extremely moving and yet not even the best version of the song that I’ve ever seen.
Anderson White Howe Wakeman Squire. Immense onstage, in performance. If you caught them on a good night, unforgettable.
Sadly never caught the Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe Squire band in concert. This might’ve been their most Yeslike iteration. I certainly adore their studio work, Fragile and Close To The Edge. These days I listen to Siberian Khatru, Close To The Edge’s concluding track a little wistfully. Maybe even sadly. The Bruford Era Yes sailing off into parallel universes.
RIP Chris and Alan who were so good together, so powerful. And reeled off some pretty amazing studio works themselves in the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, 00’s…
Now God’s Rhythm Section, Chris Squire and Alan White.
It’s still massively underrated what Alan did replacing Bill on such short notice way back when, and though Bill is an amazing drummer, one of the greatest of our time, Alan’s work is often overlooked to some degree, and slagged by some. Unfairly! Those of us who saw him with Yes know that he was, in his own ways just as productive, creative and passionate with the band as Bill.
You didnt mention Patrick Moraz. Relayer is my favourite Yes album, the keyboard playing is more adventurous and jazzy than previous Yes albums.
They can still be great, but there is no Yes without Jon Anderson.
When Wakeman joined Yes he added something on top of the basic Hammond organ sound, not only that but he added a bit of a 'Jack the Lad' to the other lentil eatting types in the band. Those days are gone and will never return, its sad but that's life. Howe should be doing what Steve Hackett has done with the early Genesis stuff. As regards the Wakeman/Howe rift look at how Wakeman and Anderson always appear to get along, there must have beeen fiction after Topographic Oceans but they have moved on together.
I first saw Yes in 1988 on the Big Generator Tour and have seen them at least a dozen or more times since (including ABWH and ARW). I did manage to see the "Classic" lineup of Anderson, White, Squire, Wakeman, and Howe in 2004. I don't dislike the current lineup. I've seen them a few times and found the performances to be quite enjoyable. I welcome any opportunity to hear Yes music live.
As an old fart I was really introduced to them with Bruford, Squire, Wakeman, Howe and Anderson. That's what I would probably go with but, having said that, I need to listen to more non Bruford drumming more. As good as he is I do feel a more relaxed style would compliment. Let's also not forget Eddie Offord (sp?) producing and really, a Yes album needs a Roger Dean!!
Before I make it around to how I feel about the subject of this video, I've got this to say. Thanks for including sound snippets of the music that you are delving into. That's not somethingyou often do, and it would be great if you could do it more.
Yes probably would have been best served if the name was retired when we lost Chris. I can understand the different sides of the coin, how some people still want a rendition of Yes to watch perform live and get records by, but there's always a time when something simply needs to stop. That being said, I don't think I would object to the lineup you propose, assuming any or all of them would like to participate in it.
Nice to hear the music clips during the video.
You completely forgot Patrick Moraz and Relayer?
I think you have a good pick for Yes, but I think Carl Plamer could be a good fit on drums.
Anderson, Squire, Howe, Wakeman & Bruford. Was the definitive lineup. Phase 4 with White is the second “classic” iteration. I’ve enjoyed other lineups as well such as what is found on Drama but when it comes to Yes they are firmly cemented in the 70s and tied to that “classic” lineup. With either Bruford or White on the drum kit.
A Duo of Jon Anderson and Steve Howe, would continue and add to the Legacy. New material could be written as elders of progressive rock, and a duo would take care of the issue of retiring, former, and the passing away of musicians. This would be a realistic and profound version of YES, as all seem to agree that for the most active of musicians Anderson and Howe are it. They could do an album with guests and be free from constraint, and tour with guests and be free from constraint. Or tour as a duo. A blend of of the Steve Howe trio, with the approach of Jon Anderson's Thousand Hand Band, would be remarkable and progress the music of YES. The audience would have to accept this form of the NEW. For a Legacy act... the new YES cannot meet the backing vocals of Squire which is crucial, they need more singers. Sherwood to me is more of a replacement of Peter Banks in aural sound scape then of Squire. Schelling is good. The rhythm section of ARW - Molino and Pomeroy were superb and could cover the vocals, the feel, the subtlety, and the power magnificently. So for group. Anderson, Howe, Downes, Pomeroy, Molino. But I would be ecstatic with a Anderson/Howe duo...
Would be ideal to see Anderson/Bruford/Wakeman/Howe/Levin. But IMO Yes was a spent creative force decades ago...
That’s the line up I’d choose now!
Many decades from now, Anderson's grand daughter might be looking for someone to replace her on tour while still writing and recording new Yes music. Wakeman would be in his seventies and wanting to retire. Hauns grandson would still be quite young making his grandad proud. Alaverdyan would be pushing 50 still playing better than Sherwood and Squire. And only God knows what's going on with their 5th drummer.
Saw Wakeman recently and he’s still got it. Yes without Anderson is not Yes. I prefer Bruford but White did a pretty good job. Love Rabins contributions and his concert with Anderson in 2017 is extremely entertaining. However, Steve Howe is THE yes guitarist. Wakeman bassist who also plays on the 2017 concert is very very good
If the band aint a tribute already then surely they would be if steve howe was no longer in the band, that would leave no members from the classic era. The band should wrap in when this happens
The fact Wakeman and Howe don't see eye to eye on many things brings about the friction required to take the music forward.
I’d like to add Lee Pomeroy to this list. He is a fantastic bassist and played with ARW on tour. He always looks like he’s having the best time live.
I agree with this. He had the impossible task of following Chris Squire, but he did as good a job as we could seriously expect anyone else to do.
No Chris Squire, no YES. That said, the Anderson, Wakeman, Rabin project was a hell of a great show.
Due to the fact I really liked the Relayer album I would also be ok with having Patrick Moraz
Absolutely or maybe tony Kaye, maybe!
I've started listening to Yes because of this guy......!!!!
You will enjoy! Yes music is a lifelong endeavor. And 100% worth the effort. I love some of their music, much of the classic era stuff, even more now than when I first heard it, even more now than ever, 50+ years of applying ears to it.
Yes will ultimately probably be deemed as one of music’s more notable and important events. Up there with the greats ever.
Good line up, missing Rick Wakeman, if you can't have the dad, why not the son ! Thanks !
I think Alan White was a better drummer for Yes than the great Bill Bruford. I prefer him in King Crimson.
White sounds more rocker.
Absolutely 100%
White saved them in 1973 as Bill bailed on the world tour for Close To The Edge.
Subsequently Alan owned the Close To The Edge(and other/all) material in the live setting for nearly half a century. Alan’s mighty shoulders gave us Yes into the 21st Century.
Alan is one of my heroes lol
❤
Your lineup doesn't sound bad at all
I don't agree that Yes was Squire+. Personally I think the classic lineup was Squire, Anderson, Howe, Wakeman and Bruford. But White and Tony Kaye should be included as well.
"An Evening of Yes Music with Steve Howe and Friends" might better suit this lineup? No hate here, just that things have changed way too much. I do wish them success in any case.
YES is only YES if Jon Anderson is there. The heart of and soul of YES
I’d agree with your lineup. Jin Anderson will always be their best lead singer.
Mirror To The Sky and The Quest were good but Heaven And Earth was awful- a sad departure for the late Chris Squire. RIP, Squire, Alan White and Peter Banks.
No Buggles and no Davison. The rest? All of them. The Yes Philharmonic
I consider myself old school Yes and Barry, I'm pretty sure I'm a lot older than you. Therefore you might be surprised that I like your proposed line-up. I adore Geoff Downes, loved Drama, was a massive Asia fan, and DBA of course, but I was sorry than Oliver Wakeman didn't remain. His solo stuff is great. My only objection, believe it or not, is JA. He can't sing like he used to. JD's voice is perfect for the songs. However you never even mentioned Moraz. Relayer was as great an album as CTTE. Why does everyone forget about Patrick? The QPR concert was amazing.
Sounds good to me, but it will never happen. The current lineup will be the last. I've enjoyed all the lineups, though JA,CS,SH,RW,&AW is my favorite.
I’m with everyone who prefers the Bruford/Wakeman era of 1971-72 but artistically, I actually liked Tales, Relayer, GFt1 and Tormato more than I did Fragile or CTtE
All of these albums( and more!) . People will still be liatening to this material long after you and I, and our successors, and their successors have cast off the bonds of this existence. ❤
Anderson, Bruford, Howe, Squire, Wakeman & (Offord)
Yeah, great line-up! 7:30.
Jon Anderson, Bill Bruford, Patrick Moraz, Steve Howe, Me.
That would be great! I really like Oliver in that lineup.
The line up is very good now, sad about the Yes greats who have passed it would be nice to have Jon Anderson back Jon Davison could sing harmony with him
Tom Brislin on keyboards for me.
Anderson, Howe, Squire, Wakeman and Bruford. But White is on standby.
I've seen most of the Yes lineups from the "classic" to the present and have enjoyed them all to a point for who and what they were. For me it isn't who's in the band but how they're playing. The last time I saw them there was still some magic in those old songs but there was also some energy missing. We're all older and (supposedly) they've slowed the songs down for Steve. I applaud a certain amount for them wanting to keep the music alive and the die hard fans that want to keep seeing them but I think this summers tour could be their last.
Spot on! Authenticity is an oft misguided parameter though this is an exception where Anderson is concerned imo particularly as a lyricist. Oliver the obvious choice too I think though Moraz was epic also. While acknowledging Chris is irreplaceable, Billy has history with the band and plays the part - ditto drums. Howe of course is a no-brainer.
Geddy Lee on bass for the win. Maybe Tony on keyboards Gavin Harrison on drums!
😂
Only change i would suggest would be Geddy Lee on bass !! Rush is at a stand still and I know Geddy would love to tour with Yes !!
The only reason I even began to like Yes was because of Trevor Rabin. So as long as he’s in the line-up along with Jon Anderson, I’d be fine with it. Add Wakeman to the mix, and I’d be in heaven.
Great line up, but Howe is somehowe showing signs of cognitive decline (when he stormed out of a live performance for no reason at all) and his adamant refusal to let John Anderson join in again. Also, Anderson is not the kind of guy who gets along with anyone lately. I think Rabin stated that he wouldn't work with Anderson again, so maybe there's something about John Anderson that casts aspersions with anyone in the band. His choices on the Union album were disastrous.
Also, Oliver Wakeman was ignominiously fired from the band.
I think what the remaining legacy members should do instead of reuniting to play together again, is to talk about the future of the Yes name when they're gone from this planet (which doesn't look to distant, unfortunately).
Pick players, set rules, etc.
Or perhaps just end the brand at all.
My lineup would be 2 combos would be Rabin, Anderson, Squire, R Wakeman, White, the other Combo Would be Banks, Bruford, Kaye, Davidson, Levin. if you need and extra line up. Howe, Shelling, David, Downes, Sherwood. There are lots of good keyboarderss, and orchestra sections left over. and all the musicians are good.
No reason to substitute Oliver Wakeman for Geoff Downes, other than the name. Both great keyboardists, but Geoff doing a great job on last two albums Mirror to the Sky and The Quest, and having a history with the band.
His work on Drama is overlooked! He gleams and shimmers all over that album and is an entirely worthy Yes keyboardist on it. He’s one of the reasons the album has resonated so well with time. Did he ever sound better than Drama? ❤
Actually, Anderson and the Band Geeks play miles around the Steve Howe band on the classic stuff; I'm really curious to hear what they do with original material later this year, as it wouldn't be tough to outdo The Quest or Mirror to the Sky in my book. Chris Clark is just tremendous on keys with that outfit, and the rhythm section sounds more like Squire/Bruford than anything since 1972. My vote is to put Howe in with them and call it Yes.
Even a duo of Jon Anderson and Steve Howe, composing together as well material anew, would be phenomenal, and actually quite appropriate for the aging, retiring and passing of musicians. A Anderson/Howe duo would have absolute authenticity and be phenomenal, and quite new as well. I can't stress that enough, it would be YES as an aging older, wiser perhaps, experienced creative still active continuity. Instead this is being lost in holding to the past, and trying to get others to replace in the confines of the legacy. With an Anderson/Howe duo - perhaps with guests - the legacy continues into old age. For large group today, I would say the rhythm section from ARW with Anderson, Howe and Geoff Downes - who is a sparser keyboardist who can play all of the parts, and probably more akin to Howe. This would be an excellent group. For one thing Lee Pomeroy - who plays Squire parts superbly - and Lou Molino - who plays superbly, and with the natural subtlety of Bruford - can sing the harmonies of classic Yes. As good as Billy Sherwood is, he can't sings those harmonies, and Howe often just doesn't anymore. To my ears that is really lacking, and negative when attempted without attaining. Also Sherwood, though Squire's choice, I think lacks in that he is somewhat all over the place and sounds conflicted from doing what he can do, and what he is assigned. In my ears Sherwood replaces Peter Banks more than he does Squire. Schelling is quite good. If this current YES continues, it needs to add background vocalists who can reach Squire's range.
Great episode - I love Billy and Oliver seated, however, I would really be interested in what Terry Bozzio would look like with that group. No disrespect to Jay Shellen who has a strong history with various members of Yes
Or Marco Minneman who also played with Wetton & Jobson.
@@MichProgNerd excellent call
@@dwaynejessome1728 Thanks
How about Geddy Lee on Bass and occasional vocals? He did a fine job at the Hall of Fame, and he’s long admired Yes.
For me, the definitive Yes lineup was the Fragile and CttE lineup. Alan White's style was heavier, thus necessitating the change in Squire's style (Chris said this himself).
It is akin to ELP with Cozy Powell instead of Carl Palmer.
For me many classic bands continue on a musical journey! Bands are brands nowadays
Anderson, Howe, Tony Levin, Tony Banks, Gavin Harrison
A fantasy collab on who would be the most grumpy between Tony and Steve. TB already dealt with one Steve despite Entangled being a masterpiece.
Gavin - Brilliant choice since he plays with geniuses SW, RF and Bruce Soord.
Jon with Dylan on guitar, Gary Numan on keys, Adam Clayton and Meg White.
A great lineup. I would hope Rick Wakeman would be in although Oliver is also very accomplished. I would love to see Jon Anderson return.
Intriguing exercise - would you be interested in repeating it with reference to Jethro Tull?
Tom Brislin should have been a permanent replacement after the Symphonic tour. Hey he’s Kerry & Steve into one in Kansas.
The Yes Album lineup I saw in 71 or 72. Wakeman might be better technically, but I prefer Kaye. Rumour has it our school booked Yes for our school gig and they then added another 0 to the price as they hit the big time.
One point about keyboards, is Patrick Moraz still going? I think he is the 2nd best player, after Rick, that the band have ever had.
I'm not old enough to know a time when Jon Anderson or Rick Wakeman were in the band, and I was only 9 when Chris Squire passed. Alan had just passed when I started getting into the band so I've only ever really known the current line-up that so many seem to write off. I saw them live in May of this year and I thought they were fabulous. Sherwood is my favourite member of the current line-up and does a good job filling in the shoes of Chris Squire. Jay Schellen is a good drummer and they make a good rhythm section. Geoff Downes has been getting progressively worse over the years which is a shame as his contributions to the Drama album are quite good. I reckon Tony Kaye or Patrick Moraz would be much better in the place of Geoff Downes, or, as you said, Oliver Wakeman.
When it comes to guitar, Steve is the obvious choice, but he struggles to keep up following the down tempo last years of Alan White's drumming career. If he kicks the bucket I reckon the return of Trevor Rabin would bring back up the energy a bit. And with vocals, all respect to Jon Davison as he fills the role as well as you really could, but Jon Anderson is the Yes vocalist and is irreplaceable, mind you some would say the same about Chris on bass, but Sherwood has not proven otherwise, but has shown its not impossible.
Anderson/ Wakeman/Howe/Squire/Bruford
Anderson, Squire, Rabin, Howe, Wakeman, Bruford.. Have to add Rabin to the list.
Anderson, Bruford, Howe, Sherwood, Wakeman
Do I have to choose? Can't I listen to all of them? It's all on TH-cam for free.
Your lineup would be interesting although I'm not too bothered about the current lineup either. As you say the last album was very good. I'm also hoping that Anderson keeps releasing solo albums - 10,000 hands was a good album I think.
I listened to a Robert Fripp podcast recently and he was very dismissive of Bill Bruford. Perhaps he wouldn't have lasted anyway if he'd stayed in Yes.
I would throw Trevor Rabin in there right next to Steve howe. An added Dimension that would give us something we've never seen before not just rehashing the old material.
Anderson, Wakeman, Howe, Squire, White, the Going for the One lineup, although the Close to the Edge lineup with Bruford runs it close.
The ARW lineup was stunning and it's a shame Rabin ruined a superb live recording with fake audience noise. I would go for the classic line up, either Bill or Alan. As a major Yes fan, I think it is time to accept that the gig is up.
I'd go along with that
Patrick Moraz was Swiss not Russian. He played on their best album Relayer..
Barry was referring to Igor Khoroshev, who was very Russian.
@@Justin_Kipperoh thanks for that. My love of Yes only goes up to Drama.
I have tried REALLY hard to like all of the subsequent albums after the "Classic" lineup but they just don't grab me the same way that the original lineup albums do.
Ppl may laugh at me but I have seen Yes 5x and the best concerts had Anderson Howe Koroshev Sherwood Squire and White. And yes I saw yes with Wakeman.
I saw that line up.
@@classicalbum What did you think of that line up? I really liked how faithful to the music Khoroshev was by playing the music written by Wakeman, Kaye, and Moraz.
hahahah "bottom pincher." I really like your idea of Oliver, Jay, and Billy. That works for me.
@@coachplyoguy2637what's the story behind the bottom pinching?
@@S-Ltd1000 Barry called “that Russian guy” keyboardist a bottom-pincher. The way Igor got kicked out of the band was rather scandalous. What I had read previously was Igor “shoved his tongue down a woman’s mouth after a concert. I don’t know if that’s true or not.
How about Tony Banks for keyboards and Mike Rutherford for bass? It might broaden their appeal...
Nobody ever talks about 'Fly from here'. Now, what was the lineup on that one again? Seems largely forgotten which is a shame I think. Benoit David was in there wasn't he? He's the better singer than Jon Davison imo. Did Steve Howe not get on with him either?
I saw the Benoit David/Oliver Wakeman lineup in 2009. It was one of the best performances I saw them do.
Anderson, Rabin, ...
Best you're gonna get in 2024 is ABWH with Tony Levin or Geddy on bass.
Bruford has retired from live performance. Can he be tempted back to play? Doubtful.
What happened to Moraz lineup?
For me the obvious answer is Anderson, Squire, Howe, Wakeman, and White simply due to its longevity. Bruford was by far the better drummer, no slight towards White, but he wasn't in the band long enough. This next comment will bring out the haters, but from a musical and stage chemistry perspective, the 90125 lineup is by far the best. Squire was a rock bassist who understood harmony, White was a rock drummer, Kaye's keyboards and organ fitted best with that lineup, Rabin's songwriting and classical training, and Anderson can sing with anyone. His voice is one of a very few that is both distinctive and irreplaceable.
Also, ABWH was phenomenal it's too bad that lineup didn't get a chance to breathe for a while. I also wish ARW could've had a longer run with some new music. Yes peaked around 05-08, the name should be retired.
I like Mirror, but maybe Steve and Jon Anderson are like lennon and mccartney
I remain, as always, not too enraged.