----------------------------------------------------- NOVEMBER 14, 2002 ----------------------------------------------------- Source: Ottawa Sun http://www.canoe.ca/JamMusic/nov14_yes-sun.html Yes says no to hi-tech By Denis Armstrong In the 1970s, progressive rock giants Yes were slightly ahead of their time. Looking for music and song storylines that were light years ahead of the post-Beatles era, Yes was to rock what science fiction is to literature, inventing a re-inventing technology in order to realize their futuristic operatic epics. Now, it's the 21st century and the world's just caught up with the band, who come to the Corel Centre WordPerfect Theatre Sunday. "We were ahead of our time," casually remarked keyboard wizard Rick Wakeman on tour in Indiana. "Music technology at the time was some of the most advanced at that time. We pushed it along." GROUND BREAKERS Yes' original lineup, including vocalist Jon Anderson, guitarist Steve Howe, bass player Chris Squire, keyboard wiz Rick Wakeman and drummer Alan White set the benchmark for how high and far sonic technology and rock music could go. "Back in 1972, it took 10 days to produce some of the musical effects we used in Long Distance Runaround and Heart of the Sunrise that now take 10 minutes." Particularly at the forefront was Wakeman, who, along with ELP's Keith Emmerson and Genesis's Tony Banks, was regarded as the best keyboard player in FM rock radio. "We never thought that something could not be done, but with all the technology that's available today, it's not only impossible to stay ahead, but it's also become boring." But in the era of classically-inspired concept albums, Yes did not let a thing like a sound effect distract them from creating melodic music. ACOUSTIC ROOTS Now, the band that grounded their identity in futuristic sound effects is going back in time and space to their acoustic roots. "We have to move away from all the technology," he says. "Some things we did were overproduced, but we didn't want to play the way other people played, but the way we wanted to play. "The problem with today's music is that it's too sound-oriented. It's out of sync with melody. You can't run a three-hour concert on special effects." The original on-again, off-again quintet enjoy creating and playing together. It shows in the number of times, at least four over the last 30 years, that the band members have reunited. LOVE OF MUSIC Love may not keep the band together, but the music seems to. This latest assembly began in 1999, after the BBC collected the band together for a This Is Your Life television tribute to Wakeman. "Chris said that we should get together sometime and play, like one of those things you say at parties," he recalled. "We started right after the show." "I don't know why these five very different people make music that works," puzzled Wakeman. Yes continue to tour until the summer, when they will record new original material. Tickets for Yes are $59.50 and $75 and are available at the Corel Centre box-office and Ticketmaster outlets or at 755-1111. Close Window YesInThePress.com For site comments, problems, corrections, or additions, contact YesinthePress@aol.com