This acquaintance ne'er will be forgot!

My deep gratitude to the Southern African Music Archive channel on YouTube for posting the full version of "Auld Lang Syne Rock" which is more along the lines of the recordings which The Beatles used to make for their fan club during the holidays, with all the boys taking a turn at the mic to give their well wishes to the loyal listeners.  This has also been posted on the official Rabbitt page on Facebook.

A very happy and healthy 2023 to everyone, with the hope that we all find our way to better days and desired pursuits.

The news we've been waiting for!

(With thanks as always to Henry Potts.) 

Yesterday it appears we all received a surprise holiday gift...in the Trevor Rabin Fans fanpage on Facebook (created and administered by TR superfan Judy Davis), Trevor logged in to answer a query about the new album project, stating: 

It is done, the cover is done, record company is done.It will will be announced soon.
🥂🥂🥂
I hope it will be enjoyed as much as I had creating it.!

It is titled Rio, for obvious (loving) reasons.  Trevor also shared the cover image (which he created, apparently), but as I don't belong to any Facebook groups I have not seen it.  So hopefully we will learn more official details during the first quarter of 2023.  

(ETA: here is an image of the cover from Henry's site: http://www.bondegezou.co.uk/Rio%20cover.jpg).  If it is one of Trevor's paintings it seems in keeping with his particular style.

With something wonderful to look forward to...I wish all my readers worldwide an enjoyable holiday celebration and a Happy New Year.

Real ones know, part four

Journeyman guitarist and legendary sideman Tim Pierce has released a play-along/commentary video regarding Trevor's role in YesWest and appreciation thereof, as well as of The Two Trevors (he previously worked with Trevor Horn on various recordings).  As he is also an instructor with a long-running YouTube channel and Masterclass offering, he offers his analysis on how to approximate Trevor's sound as well.

The Man of a Thousand Credits: special guest

One of a continuing series in regards to the myriad variety of Trevor’s discography.

It appears Ryan finally pulled his dad into the Captain Cuts cinematic universe (as the saying goes these days)...last month a new single debuted by Canadian pop princess Carly Rae Jepsen, produced and co-written by Ryan and Ben Berger (Ryan McMahon has departed, though no official announcement was made that I'm aware of) and "Talking To Yourself" features a very brief guitar solo from Our Trev.

It's a catchy tune, as are all of Captain Cuts' productions.  The now duo has been very busy of late, both with production for other artists and a few for themselves, and also working in that part of The Jacaranda Room where GROUPLOVE's Never Trust A Happy Song was recorded, as this recent photoset on Instagram courtesy of princedcf illustrates: https://www.instagram.com/p/CjrGu9itAby/

a loving tribute, part two

Yesterday the lineup for the Alan White tribute show on October 2nd at the Paramount Theatre in Seattle was announced - Trevor and Ryan will be there!  Along with a host of other musicians from Yes, the White band, and elsewhere as well as a few musical legends of the Pacific Northwest, which is also in tribute to Alan's homebase of many decades.  Proceeds from the show will go to benefit the non-profit WhyHunger organization and tickets are available through STGPresents and all affiliated outlets.

Update: National Treasure: Edge of History

If you're looking to renew your Disney+ subscription or sign up in time to add this program to your queue, according to a new profile article in Entertainment Weekly, the show will be airing in December.  It features an interesting overview of how the series will distinguish itself within the franchise as well as honor its' existing traditions (such as having Trevor return as scorer).  Additionally, according to fansite Disney Plus Informer, Edge of History will premiere on December 14th with the first two episodes then new episodes once a week thereafter.

https://ew.com/tv/national-treasure-edge-of-history-lisette-olivera-succeeding-nicolas-cage/

ETA: here is the official trailer.

https://twitter.com/DisneyNT/status/1568744010084417536

it's time for some Talk

With thanks to TheTurtleWithGlasses on Reddit.

It appears that some progress has been made regarding the licensing of Talk for streaming platforms, as it is now available on Apple Music, Amazon Music Unlimited, and YouTube Music (although in the latter case it may only be available on the Premium version of the service), as well as some versions of Spotify.  So here's hoping it can join its' Yes siblings everywhere sooner than later.

(mostly) officially official Good News!

During an interview with Collider to promote the National Treasure: Edge of History television series at this year's Comic-Con (which will debut on Disney+ either at the end of this year or in 2023), it was noted by the show's producers Marianne and Cormac Wibberley that Trevor has returned as the scorer for presumably all ten episodes.  And I think it's reasonable to assume that Paul Linford has joined him in the endeavor, although there's no verification of that as yet.

Marianne described what they have heard of the score in initial viewing of the episodes: "To see the score, like, on the show again but like a little Latinx twist, is just, like, it gives us chills."

Given the global locations for the show which include the American south and also Latin America, it is fitting to learn there will be Latin music elements included in the new score.

The series entire is directed by Mira Nair, and stars Lisette Alexis as Jess, described in the official synopsis as a brilliant and resourceful DREAMer in search of answers about her family -- who embarks on the adventure of a lifetime to uncover the truth about the past and save a lost Pan-American treasure.  The series is considered an expansion of the franchise, which comprises the two films starring Nicholas Cage as Benjamin Gates: 2004's National Treasure and 2007's National Treasure: Book of Secrets.  A third film has reportedly been green-lit and is in pre-production with a script by Chris Bremner.

a loving tribute

Alan's former bandmates have provided tributes at the official Yesworld site, and Trevor is among them...

I’m infinitely sad.
I always loved Alan.
Over decades of being close,
we never had an argument.
A beautiful human.
Hard to think of a world without him.

All the best,
Trevor.

https://yesworld.com/

This was one of the highlights of the performances on the Around the World in 80 Days tour: Trevor and Alan having a little duet of their own during "Yours Is No Disgrace."

Alan White (1949-2022)

Trevor and Alan with Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, and Bill Bruford at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, April 2017.

It is with deepest sorrow that I report the passing of Yes drummer Alan White at age 72, mere days after announcing that he would not be participating in the band's upcoming tour of the UK due to illness. 

The family's official announcement can be read here: http://alanwhite.net/

Long-time fans know of the depth and breadth of Alan's career in Yes and in other musical concerns, most notably his contributions to the solo work of John Lennon, including the classic song "Imagine."

Alan joined Yes in 1972 and his performative and creative contributions over several decades have assured his place in Yesstory and rock n'roll history.  But he also had a reputation for being easy-going and eager to collaborate.  Trevor liked to say that the only bad thing one could say about Alan was that there was nothing bad to say about him, being well-liked by everyone.  Trevor's chemistry with Chris and Alan - both personally and professionally - was instantaneous from their first meeting.

Trevor performed and recorded with Alan continuously during his time in YesWest, from 1981-1995, and Alan also contributed to Trevor's 1989 solo album Can't Look Away.  They last shared a stage during Yes' induction to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2017. 

My condolences to Alan's wife Gigi and their children, friends and family, bandmates, colleagues and fellow fans worldwide.

#tbt: in his native habitat

Spotted on Instagram: with thanks to shinsui_f_works for posting some little-seen images from the December 1989 issue of the Japanese music magazine Player featuring an article for the Can't Look Away promotional cycle.  

https://www.instagram.com/p/CdlA3Bqrq_P/

In the first photo, Trevor is pictured in his home studio, which was located in the garage until a later upgrade for the recording of Talk.  On the wall behind Trevor is his painting Johannesburg.

There is at least one other image from this shoot by Rick Gould published elsewhere, which was used for an article in the November 1989 issue of Guitar World.

Interestingly, the shoot with William Hames (the other photo included on the second page of the post) is very similar to another with Ray Palmer - a portrait with that same background was featured in an article from the September 1989 issue of Kerrang!

"strange" AND iconic

Spotted on YouTube: Trevor appears on yet another listicle, this time of the video kind...and honestly, if he hadn't I would have had a bone to pick with one of the Internet's most well-known Boomer pundits, Rick Beato.

"Owner" comes in at number five (but Rick notes it could have been number one) on his Top 20 Strangest Guitar Solos of All Time, and that's fair enough.

Rounding out the top five are solos from Eddie Van Halen, Frank Zappa, Allan Holdsworth and Jeff Beck.  Good guitar company indeed!

Collector's Corner: new vinyl reissue

Coming May 27th from boutique label Music On Vinyl is a special reissue of 1985's 9012Live: The Solos, the companion album to the concert film 9012Live.

The track listing follows the original (rather than the 2009 reissue with the bonus tracks) and the album is 180 gram audiophile silver-colored vinyl.  This release is an exclusive numbered limited edition of 1500, so all you vinyl completists get ready to snag one!

format wars

Spotted thanks to Twitter: a episode of Young Canada on Canadian television channel YTV featuring an appearance of Our Trev which was aired sometime in 1990, apparently.  It could be that the interview segment itself is from 1989.  It concerns the decline (at the time) of vinyl, and - always at the forefront of audio technology - Trevor establishes himself as an advocate of the DAT format, which had its' consumer debut in 1987.  Interestingly, Trevor is introduced as the ex guitarist of Yes.

The part with Trevor is at the 2:40 mark.

Media Watch: from one guitarist to another

This is from last year - I wasn't aware of this project until I saw a passing reference from Henry Potts a few days ago. The producers of the documentary Claiming Peter Banks uploaded a "tribute trailer" on the anniversary of Peter's death last year.  The film chronicles the life and career of Yes' first guitarist.  Trevor is among the many musicians interviewed for the film, comprising bandmates and colleagues and contemporaries as well as those who came to be influenced by Peter's singular style in later years.  According to Henry the film is still in post-production.  Trevor's appearance in this clip comes around the 1:02 mark.

Rabbitt revival

As I posted back in November, it's been announced that Duncan, Ronnie and Neil are reuniting for a Rabbitt reunion tour of South Africa, which will begin in October of this year.

Archival footage of the band has begun popping up on the new Facebook page for the band (launched last year), portions of which fans have seen over the years in various documentaries and interviews.  Most importantly they have begun posting full performances of various songs such as "Charlie," "Hard Ride," and "Baby's Leaving."  And even more astonishing, a portion of Rabbitt's actual appearance on Dingley's Bookshop.  I had been under the impression that the clip we knew of was from the opening credits of the show (as Duncan composed the theme and the band performed it) but it is actually from the episode in which they appeared, playing along to "Working For The People."  And proving that Trevor did have an actual speaking part (though this is not enough to judge his acting).

https://fb.watch/b9fEZB81Zx/

It had seemed fairly obvious to me that Duncan has had all this in his possession - as his brother Bill was employed with the SABC for many years - and I appreciate that he's allowing these videos to be enjoyed by everyone now.

For anyone wishing to view the footage from the band's televised appearances be sure to visit the new Rabbitt Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/rockrabbitt/

Always great!

Another year, another birthday...and so on our favorite day I extend - as always - well wishes to Trevor on this 68th trip around the Sun.  And to add to that polymath personality...a new role, that of grandpa, and we love to see it!  I hope everyone plays at least one of the many Maestro masterworks today and feels as grateful as I do for the gift of his creativity and talent.  All the best, all the time, though the years...

Here is a fan tweet with a very nice accompanying gif, displaying that signature headshake over several years.

https://twitter.com/fenixks800/status/1481384517902696451

ETA: This photo set on Instagram is also a really nice era-focused overview.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CYq7Yh8LH5w/