Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Out-of-Print Albums



For those who have been following this blog; sorry for another dry spell, but there have been a few things in my real life I had to address first. Nothing sensational, just that I have a life away from the net like you do (I hope!).
One thing we music buffs always notice is when something is no longer made. A single is one thing, but an album is another, warranting Holy Grail Syndrome. A label or artist may pull an album from shops for a variety of reasons, from poor sales or the artist disowning the album (Alanis for example). If no one is willing is bring the record back into the fold, we have to "reissue" them ourselves! I have several out-of-print and hard-to-find releases on this site. Someone in Indiana specialises in obscure bands. Many blogs and mp3 sites will have officially unavailable material for pennies. Sales and shops (in person and online) will also have plenty to whet collectors' appetites. However, if there is enough demand, a remaster just might get made. Sometimes, the original master tape is gone or deplorable, so it would have to be copied from an existing copy of the record. A couple Voiceprint reissues were slated for discrepancies in the sound even casual listeners could notice, but sometimes you have to make a silk purse from a sow's ear!
To wrap things up, if you think something will be taken away in future, get it while and if you can, because it may be gone tomorrow!

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Yes - Mid-Hudson Civic Centre



Setlist (in order of original release except *):

Siberian Khatru*
I've Seen All Good People*
Astral Traveller
Yours is No Disgrace
South Side of the Sky
Heart of the Sunrise
And You and I
Onward
Machine Messiah
Tempus Fugit
Owner of a Lonely Heart
Masquerade/SH Solo TBD
Roundabout*
Starship Trooper*

Dropped:

Clap
Mood for a Day
Aliens Are Only Us from the Future
Close to the Edge
Soon
Parallels
Awaken
Long Distance Runaround

This was my third time seeing Yes, the second with Benoît David and Oliver Wakeman (and the band's second time at this spot). The was smaller than the last two places I went to, apparently because it's a small town. I used to live in the area, so I came in on the train.
There were just a couple minor flibs, but no one noticed. It wasn't 100% full, but people of three generations came. A lot of people were having drink standing up at the side of the auditorium.
I've accepted Benoît enough that I picked up his other band Mystery's CD before the show and paid $20 US. That's another story. However, I still hope things are patched up with Jon Anderson in future, as we all do. Or maybe he can't handle these long tours anymore. He's an old man now.
I had to leave just as the last song finished to catch the bus, but I didn't miss that much.
The old guard still have what it takes and you won't see them at over-60s anytime soon! The local press still mention all three as original members. Of course, we know better! Oliver came more into his own. Just wish his vocoder sounded better on "Tempus Fugit". Benoît makes the songs his own. Some people still slag him off (excuse my language!).
Overall, I give it an A-, and a good time was to be had by all.
Because there was no studio album to promote, the merchandise table had solo albums instead, akin to the 1976 tour. I bought Beneath the Veil of Winter's Face from Mystery (Benoît David) I already have (Alan) White and Fish Out of Water (Chris Squire). Holding out for Homebrew 4 (Steve Howe) on emusic.

Yes review



Setlist (in order of original release except *):

Siberian Khatru*
I've Seen All Good People*
Astral Traveller
Yours is No Disgrace
South Side of the Sky
Heart of the Sunrise
And You and I
Onward
Machine Messiah
Tempus Fugit
Owner of a Lonely Heart
Masquerade/SH Solo TBD
Roundabout*
Starship Trooper*

Dropped:

Clap
Mood for a Day
Aliens Are Only Us from the Future
Close to the Edge
Soon
Parallels
Awaken
Long Distance Runaround

This was my third time seeing Yes, the second with Benoît David and Oliver Wakeman (and the band's second time at this spot). The Mid-Hudson Civic Centre was smaller than the last two places I went to, apparently because it's a small town. I used to live in the area, so I came in on the train.
There were just a couple minor flibs, but no one noticed. It wasn't 100% full, but people of three generations came. A lot of people were having drink standing up at the side of the auditorium.
I've accepted Benoît enough that I picked up his other band Mystery's CD before the show and paid $20 US. That's another story. However, I still hope things are patched up with Jon Anderson in future, as we all do. Or maybe he can't handle these long tours anymore. He's an old man now.
I had to leave just as the last song finished to catch the bus, but I didn't miss that much.
The old guard still have what it takes and you won't see them at over-60s anytime soon! The local press still mention all three as original members. Of course, we know better! Oliver came more into his own. Just wish his vocoder sounded better on "Tempus Fugit". Benoît makes the songs his own. Some people still slag him off (excuse my language!).
Overall, I give it an A-, and a good time was to be had by all.