Rabin-esque: September 2017

Friday, September 29, 2017

Media Watch: new interview

Published yesterday in advance of ARW's stints in Trenton and Philadelphia is a new interview with Trevor on the Montgomery Media website:
http://www.montgomerynews.com/entertainment/yes-featuring-anderson-rabin-wakeman-in-philadelphia-area-this-weekend/article_c256dc88-e15c-5926-80af-0a1cd09e91e4.html

Wednesday, September 27, 2017

ARW tour report, week four part two: East Coast

Reader beware: this entry contains SPOILERS! for week four of ARW's 2017 North American tour. If you do not wish to read/view/listen to any details/elements of the tour prior to your applicable show then please do not read this entry!
_____________________________________________________________

Author's Note: A big thank you to everyone who shared photos and videos and impressions on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram and the Yesfans discussion forum. Each tour report entry could be considered a work-in-progress as I find more things to add.

Port Chester
Meanwhile...Rick might need to borrow Trevor's stool for this gig.

The plane yesterday was so small I'm still waiting for my left leg to arrive.
— Rick Wakeman (@GrumpyOldRick) September 21, 2017

Amazing that I can watch all the Premier league live in America for free. Great day for me with Brentford and Man City both winning .
— Rick Wakeman (@GrumpyOldRick) September 23, 2017

#yes #arw #jonanderson #trevorrabin #rickwakeman #oakdaletheatre #oakdaletheater #ig_connecticut #livemusic #concert

A post shared by Tim (@mrtimmyc) on Sep 24, 2017 at 7:15am PDT

Monday, September 25, 2017

Media Watch: new Ultimate Classic Rock interview

With thanks to Yesfans member flatopfreak for the heads-up, published today is an interview with Trevor which addresses subjects old and new.

http://ultimateclassicrock.com/trevor-rabin-interview-2017/

I was glad to see this update regarding the upcoming release of the Manchester show.

I know that you guys recorded the shows on the last tour — including filming the show at the Apollo in Manchester earlier this year. What’s the status on that project?

As soon as I finish this tour, I actually go in and finish the mix on that. It’s for the company, Eagle Rock, and I don’t know what they’re going to do — put it out as a DVD or just put it out on YouTube. I don’t know how you release things like that these days. It’s quite a weird one, because long gone are the days of the video disc. But we’ve done the film and it looks really good. I think it was a really good performance, and the band sounds good on it. By the end of the year, that should be completed.

Collector's Corner: another online treasure trove

The YouTube archival channel Yes Source has been active for a little over a year now, but as they've been uploading material in chronological order it's taken the owner this long to get to the YesWest era. There is now so much for Rabinites to enjoy: live recordings, interviews, remixes and demos - just about everything we're aware of as far as extant recordings are concerned. The owner also has a blog featuring an aggregate entry which lists, links and categorizes all uploads to the channel. It is one to definitely subscribe/bookmark as I'm sure there will be plenty more great things coming soon.

Yes Source YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSX-Iki812AOFip8lF9Xf-A/videos

Yes Source uploads master post:
https://judicialsupport.wordpress.com/2016/09/29/yessource-youtube-channel-roundup/

Saturday, September 23, 2017

ARW tour report, week four part one: Canada

Took my 17 year old daughter to see YES tonight who I first saw when I was 17. Highlights: Anderson's voice & Wakeman's cape.

A post shared by Tom Park (@thevoicepark) on Sep 16, 2017 at 9:02pm PDT

@YESfeaturingARW last night at @masseyhall. Full house of oldish rockers. Amazing! pic.twitter.com/ZA45UMa1V8
— Miri Hadas Koller (@mirikoller) September 17, 2017

Quebec City

YES featuring Anderson, Rabin & Wakeman #quebec #villedequebec #quebeccity #macapitale #quebecregion #quebecoriginal #quebecshot #quebecenphotos #canada #canadalife #canadalove #lovequebec #lovequebeccity #lovecanada #qcaccent #canada150 #jonanderson #trevorrabin #rickwakeman #yes #yesfeaturingjonandersontrevorrabinrickwakeman #yesfeaturingarw #yesband #progressiverock

A post shared by Arnaldo Cruz (@arnaldocruz82) on Sep 18, 2017 at 7:40pm PDT

Trevor Rabin live in Montreal september 19 2017 pic.twitter.com/tZaXoLvvdN
— Pierre Desjardins (@PierDesjardins) September 20, 2017

Yes featuring ARW

A post shared by Dan (@dancorredorb) on Sep 20, 2017 at 3:11pm PDT

Friday, September 22, 2017

Media Watch: new YMP podcast

The new edition of Yes Music Podcast features a report from the Toronto stop on the ARW tour (with a short interview with Lee), as well as presenter Kevin Mulryne's review of his recently-obtained copy of the Yes Active CD-ROM. The site entry also features photos from Toronto (Lee saluting Canada's sons Rush with his choice of t-shirt) as well as the packaging for the software.

http://yesmusicpodcast.com/marks-arw-experience-including-an-interview-with-lee-pomeroy-299/

A big SCORE! (for fans of film composers)

With huge thanks and gratitude to my dear friend illustrator/musician Theo Radomski for sharing screencaps/photos of his SCORE: A Film Music Documentary swag from the Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign; as he ordered the Blu-ray plus bonus features discs award, which includes the full 38-minute interview with Trevor. This interview is also included in the SCORE: The Interviews companion book which I reviewed last month. And I need to declare that Theo is a true bud for indulging my Rabid Rabinite mania, as he participated in the campaign strictly as a fan of film scoring in general. I am expecting my DVD/t-shirt award shipment any day now, so I will be adding to this entry with photos of my swag as soon as it arrives.

ETA: I have added to this entry with a photo of what I have received from the campaign as well.

Menu screen from the bonus disc.

Trevor shows off one of the most memorable souvenirs of his career as a film scorer.

And here is my swag!

Tour Report extra: photos from Kettering

With many thanks to Yesfans member Eddie Yessongs and his friend JR for these photos, which I felt should have their own special entry. Anyone so inclined to send me photos or gig reviews or anything of that nature, please do! I love fan-mail!

Thursday, September 21, 2017

No "dirty thirty" for you, BigGen!

Today marks the 30th anniversary of the release of my favorite YesWest album, 1987's Big Generator.

I actually have an in-depth essay on the album in the works, but with Tour season going on and such, it will have to wait till quieter times for completion. But from the propulsive opener "Rhythm of Love" (an absolute highlight of the ARW setlist if I do say so myself) through to the lovely lilting closer "Holy Lamb (Song for Harmonic Convergence)," this is an album which displays the depth and breadth of the band's ambition, taste, and creativity as a true ensemble - something which was only achieved, in my opinion, just this once.

Wednesday, September 20, 2017

ARW tour report, week three: Ohio and Virginia

Reader beware: this entry contains SPOILERS! for week three of ARW's 2017 North American tour. If you do not wish to read/view/listen to any details/elements of the tour prior to your applicable show then please do not read this entry!
_____________________________________________________________

Author's Note: A big thank you to everyone who shared photos and videos and impressions on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram and the Yesfans discussion forum. Each tour report entry could be considered a work-in-progress as I find more things to add.

Kettering

YES! #yes 〰Rick Wakeman killed it on the keyboards 🎹

A post shared by Rachel Shaw (@rachylizbeth) on Sep 12, 2017 at 6:58pm PDT

A few of my shots of the one and only Trevor Rabin of YES! #yes2017 #rockhall2017 #trevorrabin

A post shared by ⓓⓡⓔⓦ ⓛⓐⓝⓘⓤⓢ (@drewlanius) on Sep 13, 2017 at 7:34am PDT

Vienna

#wolftrap says YES to progressive rock! #YESfeaturingARW

A post shared by Wolf Trap (@wolf_trap) on Sep 13, 2017 at 5:26pm PDT

YESfeaturingARW rockin' @Wolf_Trap! WOW! What an awesome concert! These guys still sound amazing! ❤️ #YESfeaturingARW #JonAnderson #TrevorRabin #RickWakeman #LeePomeroy #LouMolinoIII #WolfTrap #LumixZS100

A post shared by JettaJimm Valle (@jettajimm) on Sep 13, 2017 at 10:11pm PDT

Akron
Meanwhile, Rick appears to have a wardrobe revolt on his hands...

I seem to have more dirty clothes in my suitcases than clean ones. The dirty clothes must be breeding.
— Rick Wakeman (@GrumpyOldRick) September 15, 2017

Yes was FANTASTIC this evening. WOW: Great Show! #yes #concert #livemusic

A post shared by Eric Elsass (@ewelsass) on Sep 15, 2017 at 9:39pm PDT

Tuesday, September 19, 2017

Fashion Watch: le tropique c'est chic

Last night in Quebec was enhanced by this bit of fun tropical flair - Trevor has not worn this particular shirt since last year's Clearwater, FL performance (and one would assume he bought the garment in Florida) so it's great to see it make a return to the stage. As we've seen other wardrobe stalwarts like the dark flowered shirt several times now on this tour, I hope it will brighten up the gigs a few more times.

YES featuring Anderson, Rabin & Wakeman #quebec #villedequebec #quebeccity #macapitale #quebecregion #quebecoriginal #quebecshot #quebecenphotos #canada #canadalife #canadalove #lovequebec #lovequebeccity #lovecanada #qcaccent #canada150 #jonanderson #trevorrabin #rickwakeman #yes #yesfeaturingjonandersontrevorrabinrickwakeman #yesfeaturingarw #yesband #progressiverock

A post shared by Arnaldo Cruz (@arnaldocruz82) on Sep 18, 2017 at 7:38pm PDT

Monday, September 18, 2017

priorities

Spotted on Twitter: some women want a man who is handy around the house, some women want a man who is a good provider, and other women...want a man who can play guitar like a dream.

My wife was clear with me:"If you are not able to play as good as Trevor Rabin I am going to marry him!" @KASDad pic.twitter.com/sFnOviEFmj
— Enrico Tomat (@ET36524) September 18, 2017

Friday, September 15, 2017

guess the set, part four

When the guys performed in Virginia, the Wolf Trap venue had a fun thing for attendees as they entered, asking fans what they were excited to hear the band play (and this is apparently a regular feature at the venue), though of course ARW has what is referred to as a (mostly) static setlist rather than a rotating or evolving one. But it was fun to read the responses, only some of which were literal.

Here is my dear friend and fellow Rabinite fiendish_thingy and her lovely mom posing with the "sounding board" (and being die-hard fans they also attended one of the Yestival performances last month).

😄

A post shared by Mia N (@miatheprogfan) on Sep 13, 2017 at 4:40pm PDT

Thursday, September 14, 2017

Progressive Music Awards 2017

As I noted in a previous entry, ARW was named in the field of nominees for UK Band/Artist of the Year at the 2017 Progressive Music Awards.

And they did make the final slate of three:
Yes featuring ARW
Marillion
Anathema
...but Marillion took home the award, presented by UK comedian Will Smith.

Fittingly there were plenty of other nods to Yes' history and related associates among those in attendance. Iconic illustrator Roger Dean was on hand to present the Album Cover of the Year award; Steve Hackett was the recipient of The Chris Squire Virtuoso award; Eddie Jobson collected the Lifetime Achievement award, and Carl Palmer was crowned this year's Prog God. Carl was his usual ebullient self during his acceptance speech, joking that he was "an overnight success 50 years in the making."

"It's nice being the headliner because all year I've been going on first!" @ELP_carl collects his #ProgGod award at #progawards2017
— Prog (@ProgMagazineUK) September 14, 2017

Media Watch: old-ish interview

With thanks to Paul Vaughan for the heads-up, here is an excerpt from an ARW interview which was posted back in July but appears to have been conducted last December. The band is the cover story in the latest issue of Red Hot Rock. The full interview can be read by purchasing a copy of issue 75 from the publication's online store (the link is provided at the end of the excerpt).

http://www.redhotrockhq.com/arw-a-prog-legend-by-any-other-name/

Wednesday, September 13, 2017

ARW tour report, week two: West/Midwest

Reader beware: this entry contains SPOILERS! for week two of ARW's 2017 North American tour. If you do not wish to read/view/listen to any details/elements of the tour prior to your applicable show then please do not read this entry!
_____________________________________________________________

Author's Note: A big thank you to everyone who shared photos and videos and impressions on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram and the Yesfans discussion forum. Each tour report entry could be considered a work-in-progress as I find more things to add.

Layton
Another tour, another reason to be grumpy...as Rick finds himself longing for a proper Full English brekkie.

Getting a little fed up with scrambled egg & bacon every day for breakfast. Doesn't any hotel on this tour do grilled tomatoes or mushrooms?
— Rick Wakeman (@GrumpyOldRick) September 2, 2017

The old boys can still get the place rockin

A post shared by @jameshra on Sep 4, 2017 at 12:27pm PDT

My god... tonight's Yes concert was one of the best I've ever seen. Jon Anderson, Rick Wakeman, Trevor Rabin - #damn @HudsonGardensCO
— Suz (@WorkoutNirvana) September 4, 2017

Kansas City

I saw @YESfeaturingARW at @KauffmanCenter tonight & got my mind melted by "Heart of the Sunrise." pic.twitter.com/9ws00cxJXr
— Nick Spacek (@nuthousepunks) September 6, 2017

Live with guitarist #TrevorRabin of legendary #ProgressiveRock band #YESfeaturingARW at @kauffmancenter on September 5, 2017 #YES #YESTheBand #ARW #KauffmanCenter #Prog #ProgRock #OwnerOfALonelyHeart #RhythmOfLove #Cinema #HoldOn #KansasCity #KCMO #instakc #igkc #igkansascity #80s #1980s #80sMusic #Live80sKC

A post shared by Live '80s Kansas City (@live80skansascity) on Sep 12, 2017 at 7:07pm PDT

Welch

Setlist
Cinema/Perpetual Change
Hold On
South Side of the Sky
And You and I
Lift Me Up
Rhythm of Love
I Am Waiting
Heart of the Sunrise
Awaken
Make It Easy/Owner of a Lonely Heart
Encore:
Roundabout

Audience videos
"Hold On"
https://youtu.be/P5RG7-vKPD8
"And You and I"
https://youtu.be/N4FKThgIJuE
"Heart of the Sunrise"
https://youtu.be/_XTxx1sBsc8
"Awaken"
https://youtu.be/_qZSP1cEhqM
"Roundabout"
https://www.instagram.com/p/BYzlR9Qn4W8
https://youtu.be/PIOZefbLRlI

Photos
https://twitter.com/ticasino/status/906324507262058496
https://twitter.com/ticasino/status/906327155893850117
https://twitter.com/jungleoftrips/status/906330848395440128
https://www.instagram.com/p/BYzQOmJF9Sy
https://www.instagram.com/p/BYzZ54Hgrdx

10... count 'em 10 keyboards for the talented @GrumpyOldRick @YESfeaturingARW pic.twitter.com/PQlOYnCjof
— Treasure Island (@ticasino) September 9, 2017

Milwaukee

More shots from tonight #yesband #andersonrabinwakeman #jonanderson #rickwakeman #trevorrabin #prog

A post shared by Alykhan Meherally (@ameherally) on Sep 9, 2017 at 10:10pm PDT

@YESfeaturingARW #YESfeaturingARW Owning the balcony at the Riverside pic.twitter.com/oz27Y1DlBe
— Kevin Hughes (@jungleoftrips) September 10, 2017

Introduction: