brandx@ihuxa.UUCP (01/28/84)
Speaking of misquoting DownBeat....
db: Did the band (Yes) do a lot of jamming? Or was it a song
band?
bb: It was a song band. No, I don't think we ever played an
informal note together, which is of course shameful, but
the musicians in those days weren't very good, and unless
you're going to play on one chord endlessly or play some
tedious kind of 12-bar, I n't think it would have done
us much good...."If you do this on the bass and I do this
on the kick drum and maybe it'll sound funny, and we could
put this funny organ part on top and one way or another
we'll sound different. And if we sound different, then we'll
be famous".
Bruford does say that the attitude is better than the rock musicians
of today, but this was still not a very complimentary statement.
Also, by saying that if Yes would have improvised, it wouldn't have
done them very much good, isn't necessarily a negative stmt., but
it does indeed imply that Yes themselves were not very good musicians
at that time. And yes, Bruford does indeed STATE that Yes never
improvised a single note. I suppose that's not bad because, for instance,
I'd hate to hear what Jon Anderson singing scat would sound like.
Bruford also says "things were done for show" (versus King Crimson
"wasn't like that at all, but clearly dong what it wanted to do.")
Flame on...twiss@stolaf.UUCP (01/28/84)
Well, Howard, after reading your last article, I have to admit I feel pretty silly. It seems to me that we are really in agreement but we are just arguing some minor points. In any case, there are just a few more things I'd like to add... I'm in complete agreement with you that Yes is/was not a terribly creative band, especially when compared to King Crimson, ELP (anyone who bases songs on Bartok piano works and Janacek orchestral work can't be all bad), and others. But the use of improvisation is not necessary. Sure I have respect for good creative playing, but there is a lot to be said for reproduction of music, e.g. nearly all music written before the 20th Cent. is unimprovised (excluding continuo and organ music, of course). Anyway, I'll agree that Yes wasn't the best band in the world, but I won't\ back down from saying they were still creative. In any case, no more flames from me. Humbly, Tom Twiss ...!ihnp4!stolaf!twiss