This page last updated: 4 Jul 2009
 

YES and projects with several Yesmen	Jon Anderson	Chris Squire	Steve Howe	Alan White
Rick Wakeman	Bill Bruford	Tony Kaye	Peter Banks	Patrick Moraz
Trevor Horn	Geoff Downes	Trevor Rabin	Billy Sherwood	Igor Khoroshev
Anderson & Wakeman	Asia	CIRCA:	Oliver Wakeman	Others associated with the band

On this page—Yes: Howe, Squire and White on tour as Yes - Set list - New music? - 2010 plans - Animated film - DVDs/re-releases - Covers of Yes songs - Documentaries & books - Fandom

Projects involving multiple Yes men: Asia (Howe, Downes) - Anderson & Wakeman - CIRCA:/AKA (Sherwood, Kaye, formerly White) - Psy-op (Sherwood, Downes, Kaye) - Billy Sherwood's tribute albums (with Howe, White, Wakeman, Kaye, Downes et al.) - Jon Anderson & Trevor Rabin - Squire, White & Rabin at John Lennon tribute

Howe said the band was sympathetic to Anderson's condition but decided their fans couldn't wait any longer, particularly since tour plans had previously been delayed for years due to the singer's solo pursuits.

"Jon put an announcement out and said, 'Oh, it's not really Yes, they've not been kind to me,' and that's nonsense," Howe said, adding that the band still hopes that Anderson can hit the road again in 2009 for the European leg of the tour.

"We've been kind to him, we've been considerate, we've not let him down, but he started up a movement to boycott the tour. But it's not working, we're getting great ticket sales, people want to come and see us."

Rick's absence is for a number of reasons, with the stresses of touring on his health being central. In an early-Feb interview with Notes from the Edge, Anderson said, "Oliver Wakeman will be playing in the band, because Rick can't tour anymore. His doctors have told him that you can't do it. He can do small tours, but he can't do the big work, you know. He's excited that his son's playing." In a 17 Mar interview, he said, "I saw Oliver again last week. He's just as good as his father." The key point of contention seems to have been the length of the tour. Chatting with fans after a solo show in early Nov 2007, Rick explained that he is limiting himself to 25 shows a year, but that the others in Yes wanted to do a tour of over 100 dates. He was quoted as saying, "They're mad—Jon's voice would never stand up to it." R. Wakeman has semi-retired from touring. In Mar 2008, Rick made an announcement about the situation on his website, abbreviated here:

Reporting on an Apr 2008 conversation (see 2 Apr entry) with R. Wakeman, journalist Dave Ling said, "Though Rick hasn't ruled out appearing during the trek's intended two-year run in some shape or form, his son Oliver will be tickling the ivories [...] Seems that the last suicidally long bout of roadwork nearly killed the legendary keyboard player and, according to Rick, almost cost Jon Anderson his voice. He also felt they should have had some new material to promote, which sadly won't be the case." In an Apr 2008 interview, asked about Wakeman, White replied, "Well, he's not really out of the band—he'll never really be out of the band. He just doesn't want to push himself. He's got a bunch of things going on and he doesn't feel like touring." In an interview circa Apr 2008, Oliver said Rick was not out of the band, although it is unclear in what sense he meant that. In a Sep interview, White said of the current tour:

[Wakeman] said he’ll come and do certain shows. He just doesn’t want to do the full-blown tours. He wants to come and do New York and L.A., which is fine. We’re just going to carry on being Yes like we’ve always done. The band has changed around so much. There’s quite a few versions of the band it seems. This is just another version of it.

Trevor has for a number of weeks been contacted by YES members and their new management inviting him to tour with the band this year [2008]. “I appreciate the invite and miss the excitement of playing live. Unfortunately, my schedule just does not allow for it this year,”

In a Sep 2008 interview for Delicious Agony, Sherwood relates how, after Anderson's illness, he had had an idea: "this was [when White] was still around in CIRCA:. I said it's too bad we can't do CIRCA: with Chris Squire as well doing an hour of Fish Out of Water. Steve Howe playing either as Steve Howe or maybe we get Asia. And we put the various elements together under one tent [...] That's kinda a concept I had that obviously didn't fly."

New music & future plans
Touring so far has featured one new song, "Aliens are Only Us from the Future" (see above). This song was demo'd by Chris Squire in 2007 with Paul Stacey and Gerard Johnson (both ex-The Syn) for his ongoing solo project, and was then further developed with Steve Hackett (ex-Genesis, ex-GTR) for their collaboration. In an early Nov interview, Squire explained:

One thing I definitely wanted to do on this tour just from the point of view of progress – I wanted to do this one new song, which is one of the songs that I’ve been working on with Steve Hackett.  The version that I do with Yes on stage is a very different version that features Oliver Wakeman on keyboards.

In a Nov interview, Oliver said he had been involved in developing "Aliens...". While initially performed by Squire, David and O. Wakeman live, over the course of the first leg, White developed a drum part for it. In an Oct 2008 article, Squire had said that he and Howe had written some "completely brand new things" for the tour, but in a later radio interview, Squire said they would be playing live a new song by him and that, "I would like us to do some new music for next year [2009]." In his NftE interview, Oliver Wakeman alludes to new material, saying:

I know people would like to think that Yes music is going to keep going and still create new stuff, and I know it's difficult for people to put out new albums these days, but I know for having spoken to Chris and work with Steve and things, these guys they write such good music, and they've got so much more music in them. It would just be great to be a part of them creating new stuff that hopefully will surprise a few people.

In a Sep 2008 interview, White said: "We're always writing. Chris has songs, so does Steve and so do I. We've been talking about putting something together, but whether we can do it prior to this tour or not…it may be in January." In mid-Oct, White said they are trying to do a new album "perhaps after Summer 09" whoever the singer might be. In a Nov interview, he said:

We're all thinking about [a new record], but right now it's just going out on the road and all kind of jelling together. Chris and Steve and myself all have a bunch of music that we've piled up over the last three years, and maybe Oliver and Benoit have some.

In the early Nov interview, asked about doing a studio album with the new line-up, Squire said:

Yes.  Absolutely.  We’re looking at doing some new recording.  And obviously we’ll be working with the guys on that.  Although there are no definite plans or dates yet, because obviously we’re working on this tour.  But, we’ll be introducing new ideas.  I know Steve Howe has new ideas and I know I have, as I mentioned earlier, have written quite a lot of material when I was in London that I want to use for that purpose.

A Nov 2008 report had the band saying they are planning to record a new album and then tour behind it. In a Dec 2008 article, Squire said he would like to do an album with the new line-up in 2009. He said the same in Feb 2009, with an article reporting, "Squire [...] is looking forward to making new music with [David] and [O.] Wakeman in the near future." In a Jan 2009 interview for Notes from the Edge, Howe said, "maybe Yes aren't really at a point where we're basing our career on the next record we're about to make. We're basing our career at the moment on playing music that people already love". This seems to suggest a focus on live playing rather than recording, although later in the interview he, in passing, acknowledges the possibility of a new record. A May 2009 Billboard article reports Howe saying that Yes "has got to pace itself", especially given the new band members, but the article continues:

However, by the time of a Jun 2009 article, Howe says of the current touring line-up: "I think that when a group is on a good run and you've got a good feeling, you want to transport that into the studio". In Jul, on Rockline, asked about a new album, Howe said, "By next year, we'll have something in the can," and he implied he and Squire would be the main writers. In a Jul article, Howe said, "I can't really make an announcement like this is going to happen and that's going to happen, but let's just put it this way: both bands [Yes and Asia] are working towards recording projects being realized."

Asked about the possibility of Anderson recording with the others, in a Jan 2009 interview for Notes from the Edge, White said:

I'm sure everybody's open-minded about the whole thing; it all depends on how Jon feels about doing that, and everybody else. We haven't really approached that yet, but I think we're all thinking about it when we can get the time to do it, because we haven't been on the road for such a long time as a unit, so everybody is just wanting to hear the band [...] everybody's got music. I know Steve's got a lot of music, and Chris has got music, and I've got music at home. We could put something together, and Oliver's obviously been working on stuff too, so who knows whether it will sound like a regular Yes album or whether it would be something new.

Yes with Anderson were working on material. In an interview with Michael Smerconish in May 2008, Anderson said that, "there's a couple of new songs we've been recording." He went on to explain: "There's going to be about four new songs altogether on the show." While details were unclear, some reports suggested new material was planned both to be played on the tour and for studio recording. Anderson in Mar and May 2008, and White in Apr indicated that new material might be played on the tour that was subsequently cancelled. This new material seems to have been driven by Anderson and so, I would guess, will not be used by the line-up without him. In a Jun 2009, Polish radio interview, Anderson says of two new songs he is playing live, that he had wanted to do them with Yes in 2008. He doesn't identify the songs in the interview, but the three candidates would appear to be "Under Heaven's Door", "No Point" and "Music is the God of the World".

A May 2008 article reported, "Anderson says the [band] are preparing four new songs of the "opus" variety -- lengthy, multi-movement compositions along the lines of "Close to the Edge" and "Tales From Topographic Oceans."" It quoted Anderson: "They're very, very different. It'll be interesting when we perform them, because we know that we want to try and perform them in a unique fashion." However, he goes on to suggest that recording an album had yet to be decided upon: "Putting together an album really isn't logical anymore. Putting together a large piece of music or something that is really a jump in a musical direction takes a lot of commitment from everybody.... But maybe during the tour we will discuss making some new music." In a later May interview (see above), Anderson talked of playing "a couple of new songs we've been recording", and then went on to say, "There's going to be about four new songs altogether on the show." A Mar 2008 article described Anderson as, among various solo projects, also "writing songs for an upcoming Yes album and tour." In two Mar 2008 articles, Anderson said the set would include some new music. In the NftE interview, Mike Tiano asked Anderson about new music. He replied, "I've been writing new music for the band, and I'm working with Trevor [Rabin] on a couple of songs." (Anderson and Rabin have been writing together since early 2006—see below.) In a Jun 2008 interview, after the Yes tour was cancelled, Anderson said the band are continuing to work on 3-5 songs via the Internet, in collaboration with producer Jack Douglas (worked with John Lennon, Aerosmith, The Who, The New York Dolls), for a new album—see details above.

White also talked about new material, but in more cautious terms. At RoSFest in early May 2008, he said there were "thoughts floating around" for new music, although in another report, White was said to have confirmed that there are two new pieces that the band want to include in a live recording of the tour. In a Jan 2008 interview, asked about new recordings, White said, "We're looking towards recording some material to go with the tour and all that kind of stuff". In his Apr 2008 interview, White said, "we're thinking about new material. Jon's got a couple ideas and things are being passed around, but nothing concrete yet. I guess we are working on some—some—new material to go with the tour." A Dec 2007 report quoted White as saying he will be spending some pre-rehearsal/writing time with Anderson in Jan 2008 and that Anderson has put together five new pieces in outline form that may be played live in 2008 and may form the basis for a new album. However, a report from Dave Ling (see 2 Apr entry) on a conversation with Wakeman had him saying the band has no new material to promote.

In an interview in Oct 2005's Classic Rock, Howe said, "for Yes to continue we've got to record and tour, it can't be one of the other."

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Older news on Yes re-grouping
It is unclear whether earlier comments can shed much light on the current situation, but they do suggest that the band members have material for a new project and raise a number of possible forms a project could take. There were some band discussion about recording a new album, or at least new material, prior to a tour. In a Jun 2004 interview, White had said the band were going into the studio in Feb 2005 and that all the band members have been writing material, saying they were working on longer pieces rather than trying for a hit. Plans for a new album produced by Trevor Horn appear to have been developed by Squire/Howe/White. In early Nov 2004, a correspondent reported hearing that the plan was for Squire, Howe and White to join Horn for writing and recording sessions in London from mid-Mar 2005, with Horn contributing to the writing as well as producing and with the intent that Anderson would join in at some point. This, of course, never came about.

In a Sep 2004 article talking to Howe, he was asked about a new album:

"We've been putting it off for a couple of reasons. We don't actually talk about it like this, but we've got to be on the same page. We have to agree on the level of pre-production, writing, rehearsing, then choosing the material, all that before you even set foot in the studio.

[...] Howe (and other members of the band, he alludes) are not big fans of Yes' biggest '80s hits, such as "Owner of a Lonely Heart." It could cause a schism in the band.

"Some of the band are desperate for Yes to have this raging success again [...] That's an area the band hasn't fully agreed on. If we're looking for those kinds of hits, some of us don't want to do that, really don't want to do that. We don't want to sell Yes down the river for a cheap hit."

don’t talk to me about that. We are scheduled to do one and we owe it to ourselves. I’m not ever gonna let YES get into the ELP syndrome where we go out and play the twelve songs. Which is what GREG [Lake] told me one day. “I go out and I play twelve songs. My life is twelve songs.”

do these guys [the others in Yes] still know what’s going on in the music industry do they still have the creativity? Probably not! Do we still need a producer to tell us if what we’re playing is great? I’m one of these guys who seems to be abreast of what people like. [...] Just like LINKIN PARK. They’ve moved into an area where they’re huge and I know why. And I have that connection. JON ANDERSON, RICK WAKEMAN and STEVE HOWE will have no idea bout that. [...] Over all this period of time I’ve learnt how to be a lead singer [too] though. But I know JON doesn’t really dig that.

I struck a good friendship with the conductor in Europe [on the YesSymphonic tour], Wilhelm Keitel, so we agreed to do things together in the future. One of the things we (Yes) hope to do [...] is record a concept album based around the life of an important classical composer. So we would take on [a] composer, choose some of his work and build something completely new around it—kind of a tribute to his life [...]

What I want to do, however, is go for different set-ups which can be only choir on one track, an intimate ensemble on another track, only cello, only violin, a symphony on the other, etc. Personally, I love flute sonatas whether by Bach, Mozart, or Vivaldi.

strong elements of rock [...] that's one of the leading things that I like about Yes. I want Yes to be moody and understated [...] There is a very big story on Yes. You know, it's been on a lot of curves and deviations and sometimes it's played as radio music and that didn't do the band any long-term good, although in the short term, everybody thought it was great that we had a hit record. But in the long-term, [...] you can never change the path. After that it's very hard to get back on your original brief and do music that's progressive, un-commercial, sometimes purposely un-commercial.

Hace poco la compañía Universal Pictures se mostró interesada en hacer una película de animación en la que se muestra un poco de nuestra trayectoria musical, desde cuando surgimos, hasta la actualidad, incluyendo obviamente, nuestras canciones más representativas. Lo estamos analizando, todavía hay algunas puntos por precisar, como la historia, de qué trataría y cómo se abordaría, cuáles etapas de la carrera se incluirían, las canciones, pero creo que es muy pronto para hablar del tema, esperemos pronto poder dar más detalles. [...]

Son muchos años, muchas anécdotas que contar, creo que tendríamos que seleccionar muy bien lo que quisiéramos abordar, porque una película, comúnmente tiene una corta duración, cerca de dos horas y es muy poco para contar tanto, ya casi cumplimos cincuenta años de estar juntos.

It is unclear how much Yes are involved with current planning for "Floating Islands". It is expected to feature music by Yes. Asked in the Mar 2008 interview about Yes making some music especially for the project, Dean replied: "all members of the band have spoken enthusiastically about doing that. [...] That's definitely what we would like." He goes on to say he would like both existing and new songs, and discusses the options for either existing or new recordings of old songs. He talks about both "Awaken" and "Soon". Back in Jun 2007, Dean had said that Yes are not currently involved with the project beyond authorising the use of their music. A report from around 2005 had that the film is intended to contain 8-12 classic tracks (a re-recorded "Close to the Edge" was mentioned in one rumour) and at least 4-5 new recordings. In Jun 2007, Dean confirmed there had previously been discussion of Yes writing new music for the film and that the band had been thinking of "re-recording everything" (presumably meaning re-recording classic pieces), but that there hadn't been any discussion of new music recently with Yes then being dormant.

The most recent reports about Dean's project come from Dave McKean's Twitter in Jun 2009. McKean is an artist (including cover art for Bill Bruford's Earthworks, Dream Theater, Tori Amos) and filmmaker (directed "MirrorMask", conceptual artist on the "Harry Potter" films). He explained, "we were both developing fantasy feature film ideas and decided to try and combine them since they have a lot in common", but cautioned, "Very early stages of something that may never happen and even if it does will take years". He also tweeted, "Lots of notes today on story outline for Roger Dean film. Coming together well. Parts of our individual stories + new connective tissue."

Further back, there were more reports from Yes about contributing. In a Dec 2004 Delicious Agony interview, White said, "We're starting to write music for it." In his Christmas Newsletter 2004, Wakeman said: "There are certainly ideas in the offing which include [...] making a film/and/or DVD with Roger Dean involved with all of the visuals which I particularly like, but there is much to be sorted out within the band itself before any decisions". Wakeman indicated that one of their main reasons to prefer the DVD format over CDs is Internet piracy.

The project tied in with ideas Anderson was proposing for the band's future direction in 2004. Earlier reports suggested the film could also involve footage of the band performing, possibly both new and old material, as well as Dean's animations. For Yes, the idea to do such a project originates from Anderson (linking in with Dean's longstanding interest in doing an animated work). Anderson has expressed dissatisfaction with traditional modes of releasing new material. He has often talked about new ways of producing and releasing new material both for Yes and in his solo career, focusing on DVDs as a way forward. These ideas appear to be similar to his solo plans (described below), although details have been lacking. In a May 2004 interview, Anderson said Yes may never release another studio album: "None of us feel that's what the business end is all about now. [...] I think DVDs are really the next level." In an Aug 2004 interview with The Post Standard/Herald-Journal, Anderson said: "DVDs are good for us, with computer animation and the like. DVDs is where it's at, so you've got to visualize what to do with it." He went on, saying how he saw Yes crafting "a series of ideas over the next two or three years and let them come out one or two at a time on the Internet. Not being tied to 60 minutes of music that takes a long time to create. Rather, two songs a month for, say 24 months. A series." The finished assemblage may still have running themes, like a concept album: "By the time you get all the music, it's like a jigsaw puzzle. By the time you get the final work, you realize what the whole thing is." However, the interview finishes with this caveat from Anderson: "That's what I think. The others in the band? Who knows." In a interview in Feb 2004 for Rockline, Anderson outlined a "vague" idea for a "new way of creating" whereby the band would rehearse/record for a few weeks, take a break of a few months, rehearse/record for a few more weeks and so on. In an interview published in Jan 2004, Anderson was asked, "Is a new Yes album likely?":

it depends a lot on what we get offered. I would love to do something adventurous, like write a musical with the band or a film score or an opera. Something really different. I've also been working on the idea of creating a video game. [...] I'm not really excited to make a record because I made one last year and it never really got into the marketplace. It was a beautiful album [...] called Magnification and it never got to be heard by too many people. And I don't really want to go through that whole experience again.

No one ever quite understands what he means but that comes with the territory. [...] I think that we were looking at doing an album like that and we still are possibly. But it would have to be combined with some kind of a major motion picture or some kind of soundtrack that we could be involved in. We are looking at various options from the various major companies. Universal have shown interest and we are going to be looking at trying to put together a show that maybe then after the film has been made of the same, we can then tour the world with that kind of a look and with that kind of combining the film and the touring aspect. So maybe Jon had this in his mind [...] He is always so far ahead in his thinking, its hard for me to keep up with him.

I think Roger’s floating Islands idea is a very good project. But after Lord of the Rings was made [...] with such good quality, it[']s hard to know quite whether Roger may be a bit late in thinking about that because it has been done so well with the correct amount of money [...] His idea, I fully support it but I am not quite sure where it is going to go. I had a couple of meetings with him to try and figure it out but so far nothing is happening.

[...] I think pretty much [he is looking for funding]. [...] Yes is a separate entity really from Roger [...] I have to look out for what’s best for Yes as opposed to Roger. But I think the idea of animated film for a Yes musical project is a good one but there are various options on the table that we are looking at.

It will be based on a worthy project. I think that could be the next thing as Jon suggested for Yes, that we will combine our musical input into some kind of film venture and then we will take that out on the road. In terms of putting a date on it, it’s under continual negotiation. And we are trying to figure out the best way to keep Yes’ integrity and also to make money as well which obviously is a real factor in the real world.

Further new DVDs and live releases
Due possibly as early as the summer is an archival DVD from the band's early years, all taken from master tapes and including some previously unseen material. This includes black-and-white recordings of "Looking Around", "Survival" and "No Opportunity Necessary, No Experience Needed" recorded for German TV in Nov 1969, only the last of which has previously been released. There is then a colour, but mimed, performance of "Time and a Word" from Feb 1970, shortly before Banks' departure—also previously unreleased. Finally, from Apr 1971, now with Howe in the band and I think again from German TV, comes "Yours is No Disgrace" and two takes of "I've Seen All Good People": while two of these have been released before, the second take of "I've Seen All Good People" is previously unseen. Liner notes are by Jon Kirkman (Rock Radio).

The three previously released tracks from the new DVD were recently re-released on DVD as part of Classic Pictures' DVD EP series: "No Opportunity Necessary, No Experience Needed", "I've Seen All Good People" and "Yours is No Disgrace".

A live album recorded in 2004 was planned to accompany the band's summer tour, since cancelled. This has been put on hold, according to a 9 Oct interview with Squire.

Re-releases
Much of the Yes catalogue is getting re-released 8 or 22 Jul in Japan by Warner Music Japan, with a new remastering using the Super High Material CD format and in cardboard sleeve packaging. Albums included in the set are Yes (WPCR-13512), Time and a Word (WPCR-13513), The Yes Album (WPCR-13514), Fragile (WPCR-13515), Close to the Edge (WPCR-13516), Yessongs (WPCR-13517), Tales from Topographic Oceans (WPCR-13519) and Relayer (WPCR-13521), released on 8 Jul, and Going for the One (WPCR-13522), Tormato (WPCR-13523), Drama (WPCR-13524), Yesshows (WPCR-13525), 90125 (WPCR-13527), 9012Live The Solos (WPCR-13528) and Big Generator (WPCR-13529), released on 22 Jul. The releases that were also included in Rhino's expanded and remastered series include the Rhino bonus tracks; the others have no bonus material.

Friday Music are re-releasing 90125 on LP in their 180 Gram Audiophile Half-Speed Master Series (mastering by Joe Reagoso and Ron McMaster). They previously released Close to the Edge in the same format last year.

Covers of Yes songs & other news
Various Yesmen have covered Yes material in other projects. Billy Sherwood, on Jim Ladd's Headsets album Chapter 1: Alone Out Here, does a re-make of "Universal Garden"—see under Sherwood. Asia, with Howe and Geoff Downes, have been playing Yes's "Roundabout" live—details here. The Steve Howe Trio's album The Haunted Melody includes re-interpretations of "Mood for a Day", "Siberian Khatru" and the opening of "Close to the Edge". They also played these live. Glass Hammer cover "South Side of the Sky" on their album Culture of Ascent, on which Anderson guests: see under Anderson. Howe joines Matthew Sweet and Susannah Hoffs for a forthcoming cover of "I've Seen All Good People": see under Howe. White has performed a number of Yes songs with bands in 2009: see under White.

Media, books & documentaries
UK magazine Classic Rock have launched a new quarterly publication, Classic Rock Presents... Prog (MySpace page; European online orders for issue 2; US online orders for issue 1). The first issue (with cover CD including a track by Mystery) has now sold out; it covered Yes, Asia and many other prog bands, with interviewees including Howe, David, Downes, John Wetton (Asia, ex-King Crimson, ex-UK), Keith Emerson (ex-ELP, ex-The Nice), Greg Lake (ex-ELP, ex-Asia) and Carl Palmer (Asia, ex-ELP). Issue 2 is now out, with a larger print run; issue 3 is due 5 Aug, issue 4 is due 30 Sep and then there will be no more until 2010. (Note that, as a spin-off from Classic Rock's specials, the first issue of Classic Rock Presents... Prog is sometimes labelled as Classic Rock special #8, and likewise issue 2 gets labelled #9.) Issue 2 includes interviews with Bruford (4 pages) and Dave Stewart (ex-Bruford, ex-National Health). Meanwhile, the May 2009 issue of Classic Rock came with a cover DVD including Yes performing "Owner of a Lonely Heart".

BBC4 showed a 90 min. documentary entitled "Prog Rock Britannia" on the genre in Jan 2009; Wakeman, Bruford, Howe, Roger Dean and Pete Sinfield were among those interviewed. Preceding the programme was "Prog at the BBC", a compilation of archival performances including Yes performing "Yours is No Disgrace" in 1973 (from "Yessongs"), as well as King Crimson performing "Frame by Frame" on The Old Grey Whistle Test. BBC America are considering broadcasting the show later in 2009.

Classic Artists is a series of DVDs and for TV from producer and director Jon Brewer (former Yes, Chris Squire and Asia manager). Episode 3 is on Yes. As "The Classic Artists Series 3: Yes", it is out as a 2-disc DVD (Image Entertainment). The DVD is over 5 hours with the main feature being 3.5 hours. The series will also be broadcast, in an edited form, on VH1 in the US and in Japan and Canada. Chris Welch (author of "Yes—Close to the Edge") wrote the script and did the interviews. Disc 1 contains the main feature, while disc 2 has extended interviews; 3 photo galleries; 3 music videos ("Wonderous Stories", "Tempus Fugit", "Owner of a Lonely Heart"); and ~23 minutes of raw footage of the band rehearsing in New York in 1996. Welch is also working on a revised version of his book "Yes—Close to the Edge".

Garry Freeman (author of "The Bootleg Guide" and the forthcoming "Emerson, Lake and Palmer—A Live Guide 1970-1978") is working on "Yes—A Live Guide 1968-1979" (Helter Skelter Publishing). The book aims to review as many shows as possible from this period, including details on equipment specifications and so on. If you can help with recordings of shows or technical information (what equipment the band used, what was the set list etc.), please e-mail Garry. The Gottlieb brothers are working on a book on Yes collectibles and Bill Martin (author of "Music of Yes—Structure and Vision in Progressive Rock") has been rumoured to be working on a new Yes book.

In a Jul 2004 interview, Wakeman said he would be writing a book about Yes: "I am going to do [a book] about Yes. There have been lots of books written about the band and I want to do one from what it's like inside the band." In a Jan 2005 interview, he said he was "seriously thinking about" writing a book about Yes having been asked to do one by a "big publisher". See further details under Wakeman. Squire, Howe and Bruford are all working on autobiographies, which will doubtless cover Yes.

Howe, Squire and White appeared at the Experience Music Project in Seattle, WA, on 29 Jun for an Oral History Live event covering the history of Yes. Bill Bruford and Roger Dean have been interviewed for a section on progressive rock at the British Music Experience, now open at London's O₂, about popular music in the UK over the last 60 years.

Jason Ali and Jonathan Aitchison have recently published a palaeogeographic paper (Journal of Biogeography, 2009, doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2699.2009.02105.x) considering the evidence that the Kerguelen Plateau formed a terrestrial causeway between east Antarctica and India in the late Cretaceous period. Their paper is entitled "Kerguelen Plateau and the Late Cretaceous southern-continent bioconnection hypothesis: Tales from a topographical ocean," a title which they explain was inspired by Yes's Tales from Topographic Oceans.

Fandom/Events
The Second Attention, the second alt.music.yes compilation (2CD), is now out. In support of the project and the previous album, Cyberian Khatru, a.m.y. mugs and T-shirts are available. Join the AMYCD mailing list to get involved.

It appears North American shows were planned, but these have yet to materialise. In a Dec 2006 article, Wakeman said:

Jon and I decided from the outset to take things slowly. The Rick and Jon area is just one part of our lives. [...] The next stage is not to go out with more touring. I’ve pretty much retired from long touring now. This means that there is likely to be a few shows at some time in America with Jon and myself, but not until after we have completed the album that we are doing at the moment. The new songs we performed on the tour had a really good reaction and that convinced us to finish off more of the songs we had been working on and to put a really nice acoustic album out.

[Buy Return to the Centre of the Earth from Amazon.com (US), Amazon.co.uk (UK) or Amazon.ca (Canada).]

All to Bring You Morning
Pianist Johnny Harris's 1973 album for Warner Bros., All to Bring You Morning, has been released on to CD (as a vinyl transfer) by Rhino for the first time; it is also available digitally. Tracks: "Imagine" (3:52), "All to Bring You Morning" (14:18), "Love Song" (3:18), "Norwegian Wood (This Bird has Flown)" (2:36), "Pavane" (4:11), "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" (9:17). While mostly instrumental, the title track includes guest appearances by Jon Anderson (vocals, lyrics) and Steve Howe (guitar), while Alan White plays on much of the album. Eddie Offord also worked on the album, as recording engineer on 2 other tracks.

Jon Anderson & Trevor Rabin
A Jun 2006 report had Trevor Rabin saying he and Anderson had just spent a week writing together and that they were both very pleased with the results. The pair were also working together for about a week in Mar 2006. Anderson has talked about the collaboration since. In a May 2008 article, he talked of him and Rabin doing live work, "maybe touring some of that '80s-period music, because it was very special. [...] I wouldn't do it, like, Yes. I'd do it like me and Trevor aspiring to be the two of us making music and see what we come up with." The article describes Anderson as being "amenable to some sort of reunion of the Yes[West] lineup", although it is unclear whether Anderson indicated the involvement of any of Squire, White or Kaye. In a Jun 2008 interview (see above), Anderson again talked about writing with Rabin, this time mooting the possibility of doing so for a film in 2009.

Any news, additions or corrections, please e-mail Henry Potts. Thanks.