Live in 2014: YES - The 3 Albums Tour - The Hippodrome, Bristol, Sunday 11th May

Over here in the UK it seems as if we've been waiting forever for this tour. YES have been playing the 3 albums tour for 2 years over in the USA and Canada and have finally brought it here.

With new vocalist Jon Davison now firmly on board, it was a chance to see what the YES 2014 sound like live.

The 3 Album Tour consists of the YES albums Close To The Edge, Going For The One and The Yes Album being played in their entirety in the original track order. There has been a change from the US dates where The Yes Album has been moved to the final album played due it's more upbeat nature.

I've seen YES many times over the years and I've never been disappointed. 

So, the big question among the fans I talked to before the show was, is Jon Davison up to the task as vocalist of YES? 

I'm delighted to report that the answer is a resounding YES!

YES will ALWAYS be associated with Jon Anderson as vocalist but he has been one of five YES vocalists over the years. Since Jon Anderson there have been Trevor Horn, Trevor Rabin, Benoit David and now Jon Davison. 

Indeed, if you look at the albums by these new vocalists, they have always been excellent - DRAMA - 90125 - Fly From Here. So the track record has been positive when a new vocalist comes to town - more of that later.

Taking the stage to the now obligatory Firebird Suite by Stravinsky, the band launch into the title track of Close To The Edge and all reservations are banished. Jon Davison more than holds his own. He is a revelation. It is always a huge task trying to fill those Accrington shoes but he is more than up to the task and brings a fresh energy into the band. The standing ovation at the end of CTTE was well deserved and the band and audience relaxed and continued to perform the Prog Rock classic in style and with some aplomb.

YES 2014 consists of Jon Davison on vocals, Chris Squire on Bass, Steve Howe on Guitars, Alan White on Drums and Geoff Downes on Keyboards.

The band go on through the rest of Close To The Edge and show just what excellent musicians they are, playing these complex rhythms and time signatures. Steve Howe in particular is on fire tonight and improvises on well established solos throughout the evening.

Chris Squire has become the Keeper Of The Flame for YES and is now obviously Band Leader and as always, relishes his time in the spotlight. And his bass playing and vocals are impeccable. And both Alan White and Geoff Downes provide outstanding musical ability to showcase these excellent songs.

It's a testament to the writing that these albums can sound so fresh and vibrant up to 40 years since they were recorded.

Next up was my favourite YES album, Going For The One.

http://macwoodfleet.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/the-archivist-volume-2-yes-going-for-one.html

It is here that Jon Davison really shows what he can do as a vocalist. From the rocky title track and the stomping Parallels to the delicate Turn of The Century, Jon shows his vocal range and engaging stage persona. It's great to see a bit of energy come into the band. Youngsters, eh?

Talking of youngsters, it was also great to see some young faces among the middle aged faithful tonight. As Jon Anderson said, YES music is bigger than the band. This is true.

The moment I had been waiting for came just after the hit single Wonderous Stories.

It was the mighty Awaken. My favourite YES song. And it was totally amazing. Jon Davison's vocals were just superb and he also played keyboards and guitar. He's an excellent find and fit for the band.

Awaken got the biggest ovation of the night and rightly so.

After a 20 minute intermission, YES come back to the stage for the final album of the evening The YES Album. It proved a wise decision to move this album to the later slot as the songs are rockier and more direct than the earlier two albums. 

From the opening Yours Is No Disgrace, the band were now rocking with a vengence.

The Clap with a solo Steve Howe was always going to bring the house down. And so it did.

It was also great to hear A Venture live again after so many years in the wilderness.

The final song was Perpetual Change with Jon Davison again proving how well he has fitted into the band.

Steve Howe and Chris Squire gave it one last blast to finish the show on a high.

But there is always an encore. And it was the crowd pleasing Roundabout from the Fragile album that finally had ALL of the crowd on their feet with a bit of encouragement form Jon.

So an amazing 3 hours of YES music and a fully satisfied audience. Even the band looked especially pleased at the response.

Oh, and by the way, the show was filmed :) - so look out for the DVD coming soon.

YES begin a new tour in the US in the summer. They will be playing the Close To The Edge & Fragile albums along with the new album they have recorded with Jon Davison on vocals for the first time, called Heaven & Earth.

http://www.billboard.com/articles/6032603/chris-squire-of-yes-talks-heaven-and-earth-album-new-singer-rock-hall

The band have said that the recording went really well with producer Roy Thomas Baker and that Jon has contributed in the writing of the music and lyrics. If tonight was anything to go by, we can expect another special album by a new vocalist.

Views among the fans of the band seem to be in agreement that the 3 albums format is an excellent choice and with such a wealth of material to chose from another 3 albums tour would be another sell-out.

It seems the fans want Fragile, Relayer and Drama - I wouldn't disagree one iota.

Twitter - @yesofficial

http://www.yesworld.com/

Albums of 2014: Jones - To The Bone

Let me start by saying that I have thought long and hard about posting Albums Of 2014 so early in the year - but I know what I like and I like what I know (that sounds vaguely familiar in a Prog sort of way) - so for Albums that I know are going to make the list, well why not get them in early to give everyone an opportunity to seek out and get a few months more enjoyment if they feel so inclined as to invest

There are a few select artists that I will buy blind. That is, buy their music without even hearing it first.

Miracle Mile is one such band. Well Duo actually. Consisting of singer/songwriter Trevor Jones & multi-instrumentalist and producer Marcus Cliffe.

Since hearing them with their 2001 album Slow Fade, I've been a huge fan. Indeed their latest album, In Cassidy's Care, was MY Album Of The Year 2013

http://macwoodfleet.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/my-album-of-2013-miracle-mile-in.html

In 2009, Trevor Jones released his first solo album under his surname Jones, called Hopeland. It was conceived in Corsica and comprised of songs linked by spoken poetic passages.

He built on Hopeland with his second solo album two years later called Keepers. This was a lush album with strings and a depth of instrumentation.

However, during the genesis of To The Bone it became apparent that Trevor wanted to keep the instrumentation sparse and fairly limited. It's probably the nearest he will get to an acoustic album - despite my protestations.

Trevor has always been a 'hopeful' romantic and the album deals with friendship, nostalgia and romance. 

There is always a lot of emphasis placed on the words in Trevor's songs both solo and with Miracle Mile and you can always hear every word of his songs. And you need to, as they are the key to the experience. 

Marcus Cliffe is also on hand to provide the colour and delicate production on the album.

The album opens with Phil The Hat. A nostalgic look back at friendship and an earlier life. Trevor loves to build word pictures and you can see them in your mind as you listen to the music. It's easy to create your own mind movies to Trevor's songs.

Dream Horses is a lovely piano led ballad which is complimented by some lovely string sounds and pedal steel guitar.

Next up is Pardon Me, another simple piano led ballad with Trevor's quavering almost breaking beautiful vocal to the fore.

An influence on the album is Mid Air by Paul Buchanan - with it's gentle approach and almost vignette type songs, with six of the fourteen tracks coming in less than 3 minutes long. 

Almost sketches on the canvas or opaque colours at least.

Some Kind Of Surrender features a backdrop of bells and tuned percussion to an almost Morricone like tune.

Books To Bed opens with the sound of distant police sirens before a keyboard backdrop leads into a piano and guitar while Trevor heartrendingly sings 'or we could just make love' - A truly beautiful song.

It is definitely a Midnight Album

'Well sometimes you need silence to hear the silence in your voice' is the opening line to Man Behind The Moon which is one of the most 'Miracle Mile' tracks on the album and clocks in at a sparse 1.37 - but it's none the worse for that in this album of brief encounters as passing images,

Angelicana is the track that sounds most like Americana - hence the title with its's slide guitar, pedal steel, rimshot drums and bells.

Trevor recalls Hopeland with the next song as he uses spoken word to introduce Cabin Fever - 'a new day is dawning and my heart is beating fast' - a simple song with basic acoustic guitar and atmospheric keyboard backdrop.

I can also sense a Sigur Ros influence in several of the songs but without their icy remoteness.

Indeed, the album is one of intimacy, like someone whispering sweet nothings in your ear.

Next up is Fullness Of Time. 

'It's magic we crave, explosions of wonder, make heavens above of the grey skies we're under' - the gentle almost waltz -like Fireworks shimmers like light on the ocean.

Glimpsed & Gone - is a plaintive piano instrumental with some what sounds like nighttime sounds. It's very Edward Hopper!

The title track To The Bone is the most unusual song on the album - it has Trevor's clear vocal against a tune with multiple voices, organ and electric guitar to an almost football-chant like tune.

The penultimate song on the album is the most 'complete' song on the album and the one that sounds most like what you would expect from a Miracle Mile/Trevor Jones album - the magnificent Somewhere North Of Here.

For me, Trevor has kept the best song until last.

Row begins with a piano and pedal steel refrain and is a love letter to his lady. It is very touching and sounds very personal - as if we should not be listening to these private thoughts. The ending is lovely and I don't want to spoil it by describing it here but it almost broke my heart with sound. 

To The Bone is beautiful, delicate, like whispers in the wind or that glimpse from the corner of your eye. It draws you in and seduces you with both sounds and words. It's Trevor Jones' most simple and perhaps honest record - emotions stripped down 'to the bone' and the stripped down feel to the album compliment the music perfectly. 

If you hear a more beautiful album this year then I'll eat my Marshall gigging cap.

If you want to delve a little deeper into Trevor's music, this is a indication of what Miracle Mile can bring to your music collection.

Trevor also writes a brilliant blog and wrote about To The Bone when he was recording it, so it's well worth reading - but listen to the album first.

http://hissyf.blogspot.it/

If you can't wait for the official release date on 16th June - then you can get it here 

http://www.miraclemile.co.uk/store.html

Twitter - @hissytrev

http://www.miraclemile.co.uk/

Live in 2014: Boo Hewerdine - The Chattery, Swansea, Wednesday 7th May 2014

It was another great night at my favourite Swansea venue when Boo Hewerdine came to town.

Boo is regarded as a musician's musician and a songwriter's songwriter - if that makes sense.

Highly regarded in the industry, Boo has written songs for many of the top names in the music business (more of that later) and has been in the music industry since 1983 when he joined his first signed band The Great Divide. Although he formed his own band in 1985. And called them The Bible. After 2 albums and 5 years Boo began is solo journey.

Throughout tonight's show, Boo told stories of various well known musicians who he has worked and come into contact with. He is an engaging narrator and some of his stories are very funny indeed.

 The show began with the title track from his forthcoming album - My Name In The Brackets and then he played Last Cigarette accompanied by a very good story about KD Lang - for whom he wrote the song.

I won't say too much about the stories that Boo told as it will spoil the show for anyone who hasn't seen it yet.

Another new song that got an airing tonight was Boo's new single - Amazing Robot

Here is the video for the new single courtesy of  Folk Radio Uk

http://www.folkradio.co.uk/2014/04/exclusive-video-premiere-boo-hewerdine-amazing-robot/

Next up was Boo's most famous song which was recorded by his long time collaborator Eddi Reader, and one of Mrs Fleet's favourite songs,  the ever lovely The Patience Of Angels.

Boo played several songs from his forthcoming album which were all very good indeed - so forgive me if I've got the name of the songs incorrect.

The next one up was a new song - Snowglobe

Followed by he Bible's Honey Be Good.

It's amazing how Boo manages to keep up the quality of the songwriting, as every track he plays tonight is an absolute killer.

Part One of the evening concluded with the gorgeous, The Girl who Fell In Love With The Moon, which he dedicated to his friend an co-writer Jacob Eriksen who passed away very recently. The song has been covered by many artists but I still love Boo's original.

Part Two kicks off with a new song called maybe - We Never Get To Shine and is followed by another favourite  Dragonfly.

A new song Boo debuted tonight was My Secret Life which he has written for a band he is currently producing called Dark Green Trees.

A beautiful version of Slow Learner got some extra special applause from the appreciative & knowledgeable audience, many of whom had seen Boo on several occasions.

To close the show and with encouragement from the audience, Boo plucked out two old favourites, The Harvest Gypsies and 16 Miles.

The final song was a cover of the Bee Gees, I Started A Joke which was a lovely surprise.

Although he never played my favourite Bible track - the timeless Graceland. Here is Boo in the 80s.

I don't want to give too much away and spoil the surprises in the show but suffice to say that the audience showed it's appreciation and Boo seemed genuinely moved by tonight's response in a Sold Out Chattery.

Twitter - @boohewerdine 
http://www.boohewerdine.net/

New To Me: The Prefab Sprout Project

This is my biggest musical surprise of the year so far.

A group of fans set up a project to write and create music in the style of the great Prefab Sprout and Paddy McAloon. It is an homage and not imitation.

It contains songs written by fans and sung by Scott McPherson & Andrea Perry and various musicians provide the musical background.

These are NOT Prefab Sprout Songs but songs 'inspired' by Prefab Sprout. New songs.

Some of them are very good. All are at least interesting. I managed to get both of the cds.

Here are three videos of songs from the albums.

If you like Prefab Sprout or Paddy McAloon then check them out.

http://www.theprefabsproutproject.com/

Albums of 2014: Simone Felice - Strangers

Let me start by saying that I have thought long and hard about posting Albums Of 2014 so early in the year - but I know what I like and I like what I know (that sounds vaguely familiar in a Prog sort of way) - so for Albums that I know are going to make the list, well why not get them in early to give everyone an opportunity to seek out and get a few months more enjoyment if they feel so inclined as to invest

Simone Felice made his name as part of the band The Felice Brothers.

He left the band in 2009 to form his own band The Duke & The King (which are both worth investigating).

http://www.thefelicebrothers.com/favorite-waitress

Then in 2012 - Simone released his self titled debut album. The fact Simone is also a published author may come as no surprise when you look at how the quality of the lyrics and are highlighted even more by some of the simple instrumentation and sympathetic production which are featured on his debut.

His second solo release, this year's Strangers builds on his debut and has become one of my favourite albums of the year. The lead off single (are they still called singles?) ok, let's say song, was the uplifting Molly O. It reminds me somewhat of Bob Dylan, on a happy day, but Simone can actually sing! - 'Good trips and bad trips, we can still hold our lips to the chalice'

Simone's vocals are delicate and gentle and suggest a certain fragility and sensitivity which comes across beautifully in the track If You Go To LA with its sweeping string, acoustic guitar and banjo accompaniment.

Running Through My Head is a lovely piano ballad with an insistent drumbeat and female vocals and build up with sweeping strings and organ like a slightly twisted gospel song.

photo courtesy of John Huba

A lone acoustic guitar starts of Our Lady Of The Gun which has an accompaniment of handclaps, layered voices, piano and strings, which form a percussive beat throughout.

The plaintive Bye Bye Palenville starts off with organ and builds into a gorgeous piano led ballad which is almost gospel and is a song which Elton would have killed for.

Photo courtesy of Uncut

Next up is the song Gettysberg which chugs along nicely with its simple acoustic backing and handclap percussion backing.

The Best That Money Can Buy recalls Paul Simon at his 60s best with Simone's quavering vocal, acoustic guitar and cello background with a lone violin and what sounds like a vibraphone and trumpet providing the colour to this relatively simple song. 'In this kingdom of slaves and radio waves where nobody ever cries'.

photo courtesy of Uncut

Heartland starts off with distorted piano and builds with electric guitar and strings - like a Daniel Lanois production on one of his own albums. It is definitely the most atmospheric track on an album of atmosphere.

An interesting feature of the album are the unusual rhythm patterns on some of the songs which may come from the fact that Simone is also a drummer.

photo courtesy of americansonwriter

Bastille Day is another piano led ballad with minimal glockenspiel and voices to add the colour to the track before it builds at the end into a multitude of voices, organ and drums. 

The album ends with the moving, hymnic, Gallows which is a song based around acoustic guitar, beautiful harmonies and sweeping strings. 

Strangers is up there with the best of Jackson Browne, James Taylor and all of the 60s & 70s classic singer/songwriter albums. 

WIDESCREEN FILMIC AMERICANA AT IT'S VERY BEST.

And it sounds totally fantastic on VINYL.

I urge you to investigate further.

photo courtesy of Leeds Music Forum

Twitter - @SimoneFelice 

http://www.simonefelice.com/

Live in 2014: Rick Wakeman - Journey To The Centre Of The Earth 40th Anniversary Show - Cardiff Motorpoint Arena 4th May 2014

Can it really be 40 years since the release of Journey To The Centre Of The Earth. Where has the time gone? Since the average age of the audience tonight must be over 50, I guess I wasn't the only one asking THAT question.

Well, Rick rolled back the years tonight with the performance of Journey complete with rock band, choir and orchestra. This is a performance of the newly recorded version which is extended by over 10 minutes and is now the album that Rick wanted it to be back in 74 but could not because of the limitations of vinyl at the time.

Anyone who has seen Rick before or even caught him on TV will know what an excellent raconteur he is. He could have been a stand up comedian. 

The first part of the show comprises of songs by people that helped Rick in the gestation of Journey.

First up was Cat Stevens, and Rick talked about how he played piano on Cat's Morning Has Broken and played a rendition complete with choir providing the vocals. It is still a moving piece of music and Rick proves he's still got the touch on the piano.

Next up came David Bowie - Rick went on to explain how David helped him by telling him not to compromise on his vision for Journey, no matter what the record company wanted. Rick played keyboards on Hunky Dory and went on to discuss Life On Mars. He then played this with his female vocalist of the tour, Hayley Sanderson.

Next up was Gershwin's Summer Time sung by original vocalist for Journey, Ashley Holt with whom Rick has worked with since the 1960s.

Rick finished part one with a tribute to his father and the composer Prokofiev by playing a version of Eleanor Rigby in the style of Prokofiev. 

Anyone who thought that Rick might have lost his skills over the years was proved wrong at this point where he showed just what an amazing pianist he actually is.

After a short intermission, it was back with the complete album of the reworked Journey To The Centre Of The Earth.

Rick emerged, resplendent in sparkling cape to thunderous applause!

To hear the album live with the Choir and Orchestra is a completely different experience from the album. The power of the music is just immense.

The narrator for this tour is the actor Philip Franks who does a fine job in the chair providing the required gravitas which is spoken by Peter Egan on the new recording.

photo courtesy of Kevin Cooper

The New World Symphony Orchestra under Guy Protheroe were fantastic in giving the music it's dynamic range and allowed Rick to paint his pictures using his various keyboards to convey Jules Verne's classic novel to the audience.

Since it's recording back in 1974, yes, the original album was a live recording, the music has stood the test of time and doesn't sound dated at all. Probably due to it's classical leanings. 

The 50+ minutes of the album just flew by and it was great to be 14 again.

Here is the last track from Journey - Mount Etna - rubbish video but the sound isn't too bad

As an encore, Rick and the musicians played a track from the album's sequel Return To The Centre Of The Earth and brought the 2 1/4 show to a standing ovation that lasted several minutes.

photo courtesy of kevin cooper

There is a rumour doing the rounds that Rick may attempt his follow up album King Arthur & The Knights Of The Round Table next. Now THAT would be something to see. Even on ice!!

Twitter - @GrumpyOldRick

http://www.rwcc.com/

Albums of 2014: Doug Paisley - Strong Feelings

Let me start by saying that I have thought long and hard about posting Albums Of 2014 so early in the year - but I know what I like and I like what I know (that sounds vaguely familiar in a Prog sort of way) - so for Albums that I know are going to make the list, well why not get them in early to give everyone an opportunity to seek out and get a few months more enjoyment if they feel so inclined as to invest

I came across Doug Paisley by looking at the Amazon 'Also Bought' section on one of the albums I was looking at. I often trawl through these selections to see if I can find anything I like.

It was an earlier album called Constant Companion. From it, this song called At The End Of The Day. 

That was back in 2010. In 2012 he released an EP called Golden Embers. 

These tracks didn't appear on the follow up album, the exquisite Strong Feelings this year.

photo courtesy of Countryweekly.com

So I kept an eye out for Strong Feelings. Doug is a Canadian from Toronto, who sings with a warm, husky tone.

The album opens with the longing Radio Girl.

Some reviewers have classified Doug's sound as 1970s folk rock - but I think that a bit too simplistic. There is a warm glow to the album which elevates the songs to much more than the usual singer/songwriter fare.

However, I can see how there say that and although I'm loathe to pick out influences, I think there's a direct line from fellow Canuck Neil Young in acoustic mode, on several of the tracks including the excellent It's Not Too Late. I can even hear echoes of The Band.

.

photo courtesy of music.cbc.ca

Which might not come as a surprise as Doug gets some help on the album from the legendary Garth Hudson.

The instrumentation is quite sparse with Doug's acoustic often only accompanied by some percussion, piano or organ.

photo courtesy of endoftheroadfestival.com

The country feel permeates onto several of the tracks but it doesn't feel like a Country album somehow. It feels more than that.

photo courtesy of northcountrypublicradio.org

Listening to this album is like drinking a nice warm whisky and leaves a beautiful aftertaste for a long time after it's finished.

So let Doug envelop you in his lovely Canadian burr and sit back and enjoy.

Twitter - @Doug_Paisley 

http://dougpaisley.com/