------------------------------------------------------- NOVEMBER 5, 1999 ------------------------------------------------------- Source: Seattle Post-Intelligencer Going strong: Yes' creative fire shows no sign of waning By Gene Stout Long before Yes began recording its new album, members of the veteran rock band spent six weeks in Vancouver, B.C., brainstorming new songs. "We all sat in a room together writing individually and collectively," said drummer and percussionist Alan White. "The band hasn't written like that for quite a while. I tend to think that some of the better Yes compositions come of that kind of situation, where everybody's getting and giving input." "The Ladder," released in late September, is a bright, optimistic album that combines unusual textures and styles, from orchestral rock to reggae. "We recorded the album in more of a live fashion," said White, a Seattle-area resident for nearly two decades. "I think that's why the new material plays so much better on stage, because we spent so much time getting it right in the first place." Among the standout songs on "The Ladder," released in late September, is "Lightning Strikes." "I'd been experimenting in my studio with jazz and African-type rhythms," White said. "Jon (Anderson) had some chords and he had this idea for the melody. And I started playing this rhythm and we just knit the whole thing together." Yes, one of the top progressive-rock bands of the '70s, formed in London in 1968. Its biggest songs include "Roundabout," "Seen All Good People" and "Owner of a Lonely Heart." The group, which has sold more than 28 million albums worldwide, has long been known for its three-part high vocal harmonies, top-flight musicianship and suitelike compositions. "Yes has always had high standards for its music. And I think the fans appreciate that," said White, who lives in Newport Hills with his wife, Gigi, and their two children. In addition to White and lead singer Anderson, the group includes guitarists Steve Howe and Billy Sherwood, bassist Chris Squire and Russian-born keyboardist Igor Khoroshev. Anderson and Squire are founding members of a group that once included Bill Bruford and Rick Wakeman. "The Ladder" was completed after the death last spring of producer Bruce Fairbairn, who suffered a heart attack at age 49. Anderson found the talented producer, who had worked with Aerosmith, Kiss, Bon Jovi, The Cranberries and many other bands, on the floor next to his bed after he failed to come to the studio one day. "It was a shock for everybody because we were really getting along well with Bruce," White said. "We had found a producer who could work with this band really well and could have done future projects with us." Yes finished mixing the album with the help of first engineer Mike Plotnikoff. "Mike really had a handle on how Bruce wanted the album to sound," White said. "He said, 'Look, I know Bruce would have wanted me to carry on with this. I know how he would have wanted to mix this album.' So we just carried on and finished up in another week or so." The album's title was inspired by a London art exhibit where John Lennon met Yoko Ono. Attendees climbed a ladder and looked into a magnifying glass to see the word "Yes." Among the new songs is "The Messenger," a tribute to reggae star Bob Marley. "It has a reggae-type rhythm, but it's kind of backwards. I always try to do things the opposite way around," White said. Another song, "Homeworld," is featured on a PC real-time strategy game also titled "Homeworld." "The game is about a lost civilization in space trying to find its way home," White said. "It's apparently a pretty sophisticated game to play, but I think it's going to be popular. . . . And you hear the band playing the song at the end." Game graphics will be featured in Yes' performance Tuesday night at 8 at the Paramount Theatre, part of a tour that runs through next year. White said there is talk of possibly launching a progressive-rock tour next summer featuring Yes and a number of younger bands. "It would be something like a 'Prog-a-palooza,' an evening of progressive bands in bigger venues, culminating with us," White said. Yes attracts a fair number of young fans to its shows, and White doesn't think they'll be disappointed. "The passion in this band never seems to wane. We play our music from the '70s kind of like it's the '90s. I would say the band is playing as good as it's ever played." Yes. Rock concert Tuesday night at 8 at the Paramount Theatre. Tickets $39.50-$59.50 at Ticketmaster. Close Window YesInThePress.com For site comments, problems, corrections, or additions, contact YesinthePress@aol.com