In this second part of our look at what Steve Howe did next, Mark and I listen to his solo album, Spectrum.

It includes contributions from Tony Levin, Dylan Howe, Virgil Howe and Oliver Wakeman and features many fabulous examples of Steve's virtuosity and versatility.

• How does this rank among Steve's solo albums?
• What are the contributions of the 'guests' like?
• Is that 'Hour of Need'?

Listen to the episode and let us know what you think!

Produced by Wayne Hall and Jeffrey Crecelius

In a break from our very well-received technical episodes, Mark and I return this week to the what did they do next series.

We are still in the so-called YES hiatus period of 2005-ish and we have just two band members yet to consider, the first being Steve Howe. SO we’ve taken a look around the various sources to see what Steve was up to at this point and one of the most useful was, perhaps unsurprisingly, his autobiography, All My Yesterdays.

So, what do you think we chose to talk about this week and listen to next week? You will need to be a bit of a hard-core Steve Howe fan to know the answer, I suppose, but keep listening and see if you are correct then take the opportunity to listen yourself this week and then see how our opinions differ from yours next week. Do let us know, of course.

• What was Steve up to now?
• Who was he working with?
• What Yes connections can we discover?

Listen to the episode and let us know what you think!

I asked our friend Miguel Falcão to tell me a bit about how Chris Squire achieved such a remarkable bass sound for Tormato. Instead of sending me a few bullet points, Miguel was kind enough to record a complete audio description of the technical minutiae of the master's solution. Mark and I listen to this amazing in-depth piece and discuss a few of the points Miguel makes.

Many thanks to Miguel and if you haven't heard his staggeringly accurate Yes bass covers, then you are missing out a great deal. See the links in the show notes at https://yesmusicpodcast.com/ to remedy that immediately.

• How did Chris Squire achieve 'that' sound for Tormato?
• What technology did he employ?
• Was the approach the same on every song on Tormato?

Listen to the episode and let us know what you think!

It was a great pleasure to speak to another dedicated Yes fan this week and one who has had the privilege to be involved with the new album, The Quest. Paul K Joyce provided the orchestrations for a number of the songs on the record and worked closely with Steve Howe as producer.

Paul takes us through the story of how this all came about as well as his Yes story and some of the remarkable and unexpected turns his career has taken. Prepare yourself to hear about Tangerine Dream, Noddy, Bob the Builder, Time by Steve Howe and more in a delightful interview.

• What was Paul's million-selling single?
• How did a biology student end up composing orchestral arrangements for The Quest?
• Is Paul a Yes fan?

This week we decided to go really deeply into the technical weeds of Yes and look at an instrument which appears on Tormato and not very many other places in the musical universe. We are joined by the remarkable Chris Dale who has devoted many years of his life to collecting and renovating this, rarest of all musical instruments, the Birotron. We discuss what Rick Wakeman had to do with this fascinating story, what the Birotron is and why it was never put into production despite 1000 musicians wanting to buy one.

It’s another deeply hidden part of the Yesstory and one which Mark and I enjoyed finding out about enormously. I hope you also find it an interesting diversion.

The time is finally here for Mark and me to present our in-depth review of the new Yes studio album, The Quest. We are also delighted to be joined by Henry Potts, the man behind the essential Yes online source, http://www.bondegezou.co.uk/ which has been cataloguing the crazy world of Yes and its former members since 1998 - and we thought we were doing well with 10 years!

So listen out for that conversation.

 First of all, Mark and I give our impressions of The Quest, then there's a surprise contributor and finally a round-table with Henry.

Mark and I had a brilliant time this week speaking to Richie Castellano about his Band Geek Yes covers. Multi-instrumentalist Richie is passionate about Yes and a lot of other music and if you haven't seen his Band Geek YouTube channel, then what are you waiting for? It's amazing.

We chat about topics like:

• How does Richie choose songs to cover?
• What is the rehearsal and production process like?
• What have been Richie's favourite Yes covers?

So listen out for that conversation.

In a truly epic episode, as is appropriate for the 500th, Mark and I present a competition and have the privilege and pleasure to speak to not one but two Yes keyboard legends - founder member, Tony Kaye and present band member, Geoff Downes.

We talk to Tony about his recently-released and highly remarkable debut solo album, End of Innocence, as well as asking him some of the questions about Yes which have been keeping us up at night for years (well, not really).

Geoff Downes discusses new studio album The Quest which is, of course, a must-hear interview and there are lots of audio messages from Producers, Patrons and friends of the show to enjoy.

Miguel Falcao and David Pannell have very kindly provided brand new jingles and we think the episode is a fitting way to celebrate 10 years of the show.

We hope you enjoy it!

• What was the inspiration for End of Innocence?
• Why has Tony only now created his first solo album?
• What is Steve Howe's production like on The Quest?
• How successful does Geoff Downes think the new record is?

Listen to the episode and let us know what you think!

Produced by Wayne Hall, Jeffrey Crecelius and Preston Frazier

In the second part of our look at what Rick Wakeman did after leaving Yes for the final time, we welcome Yes author and classical music expert, Simon Barrow onto the show to discuss Rick Wakeman at Lincoln Cathedral.

Hopefully you have had a chance to listen to the album but if not, check out the videos below.

• Why is there a piano piece on this disc?
• How does the album sound?
• Was it all worthwhile?

Listen to the episode and let us know what you think!

Produced by Wayne Hall, Jeffrey Crecelius and Preston Frazier

This week Mark and I embark on another 'what did they do next' quest. Once again we come to Rick Wakeman and what he did after leaving the band in 2005.

So we discuss the next release from Mr. Wakeman which turns out to be a most unusual release, even for him.

Take a listen below and then join in with our assessment of the package next week.

Also, this week, you can't have failed to notice that Yes have released a second online single from the new album, The Quest. It's called Dare to Know and Marka nd discuss our first reactions to it in a special Two Pence. Let us know if you agree!

• What was Rick Wakeman doing in a cathedral?
• Can he even play the pipe organ?
• What is the new Yes song like?

Listen to the episode and let us know what you think!

This week I was able to speak to Scott Schorr about how he created the LEVIN TORN WHITE album. You may not know Scott's name but you're bound to have heard some music he has been involved with.

Founder of record label and music publishing company, Lazy Bones Recordings, Scott describes himself as 'a successful Music Producer, Arranger, Songwriter, Beat Maker, Mixing Supervisor and Video Editor'.

He has produced recordings for some people you might have heard of such as Jordan Rudess, Marco Minnemann and Mike Keneally as well as numerous albums by Tony Levin. If you haven't heard the LEVIN TORN WHITE album, then it's time to remedy that situation.

• How did this meeting of 3 iconic prog artists happen?
• What do the track names mean?
• What was it like working with these 3 characters?

Listen to the episode and let us know what you think!

Produced by Jeffrey Crecelius, Preston Frazier, and Wayne Hall

This week Mark speaks to one of the unsung heroes of Yes’ recent releases (going back to the Like It Is live series), Maor Appelbaum. If, like me, you haven’t a clue what a Timbre Farm is or what difference a Saturator/Clipper makes to the sound of a record, then you’re in for a treat.

It’s a fascinating and in-depth conversation, so many thanks to Mark and Maor for making this happen.

• What IS mastering?
• Which Yes records has Maor worked on?
• How do you make a recording sound as good as possible?

Produced by Wayne Hall, Jeffrey Crecelius and Preston Frazier

This week Mark and I finish off our investigation of some of the interesting songs from the Yes official Spotify playlist, Yes not Yes.

We listen to 6 of the songs we didn’t know and we hear from listeners who left comments filling in details on some of the others. It was great fun and I think we both learned a lot.

• What did we learn from listeners and other sources?
• Are all the contributions worthwhile?
• How long would the Yes family tree of contributions be?

Listen to the episode and let us know what you think!

Produced by Wayne Hall, Jeffrey Crecelius and Preston Frazier

This week has been a little quieter in the land of social media and conspiracy theories - at least for Yes. So Mark and I decided to go through a Spotify playlist created by Yes official which is called Yes Not Yes. It includes lots of music which Yes members and alumni have been involved with over the years and it’s a very interesting collection. Take a listen to what Mark and I have to say about the selection and then add a comment to the show notes for this episode to tell us what you know about the music that we clearly don’t!

• Which Yes members are included?
• Do you know who plays on every song?
• Are there any musicians missing?

Listen to the episode and let us know what you think!

Produced by Wayne Hall, Jeffrey Crecelius and Preston Frazier

I'm officially on leave but Mark and I had to comment on the storm around Ice Bridge Gate this week.

If you haven't been on social media for some time you may have missed what happened so we aim to bring you up-to-speed on all the tortuous twists in this tale.

• Who wrote The Ice Bridge?
• Where did it come from?
• Why is a very similar tune on a 1980 film and Sale of the Century?

Listen to the episode and let us know what you think!

Well, here we are. Friday 23rd July 2021 and we have brand new Yes music to enjoy. The Ice Bridge is available for all to listen to on Yes’ YouTube channel and Mark and I share our initial reactions to it. Sneak preview - we love it.

We also speak to the wonderful Claire Hamill in an interview I’m sure you will enjoy as much as we did. There are some amazing and hilarious recollections about Alan White and others to enjoy.

• What was the London music scene like in the early 1970s?
• What was Alan White like?
• How was recording with Yes tribute band, Fragile?

Listen to the episode and let us know what you think!

I had no time to do any news collation this week but I did have time to speak to the redoubtable Geoff Bailie and the equally impressive Mark Anthony K about what could have happened if the ill-fated Paris Sessions of 1979 had ended in a Yes album.

I also invited Geoff to give is thoughts on the forthcoming new Yes album, The Quest.

• What was that music like?
• Was it worth finishing off?
• Would we have had Drama or 90125 or anything else from the band?

Listen to the episode and let us know what you think!

This week there was some fairly significant Yes news - The Quest is the new studio album which will be released on 1st October 2021. Mark and I will be talking about this, as you can imagine, in our two pence later in the episode.

Before that, we finish off our examination of The Syn’s 2005 album, Syndestructible which we are taking as what Chris Squire did next in the Yes hiatus period. Stay tuned for our thoughts on that and get involved yourself by adding your comments on the show notes for this week.

• What did Chris Squire do in the hiatus?
• Why was it a return to former times for him?
• What was the result and was it worth it?

Produced by Wayne Hall, Jeffrey Crecelius and Preston Frazier

This week I am officially on holiday from the day job but that didn't stop Mark and me discussing the next person in our What Did They Do Next series - it's Chris Squire. He never really left Yes but during the hiatus period he did get up to some interesting things...

• What did Chris Squire do in the hiatus?
• Why was it a return to former times for him?
• What was the result and was it worth it?

Listen to the episode and let us know what you think!

Produced by Wayne Hall, Jeffrey Crecelius and Preston Frazier

This week Mark and I are delving deeply into a 5% for something topic so if you consider yourself a casual fan of the world’s greatest progressive rock band you can either stick around and learn or save yourself a chunk of time by leaving now. I recommend you stay and become inducted into the mindset of the YMP enthusiasts. It’s fun, or at least I’ve found it so for 10 years now.

So assuming you are still with me, we will be diving into a comparison of two Yes albums, The Ladder and Fly From Here, based on our own, entirely arbitrary measures. Do let me know if you agree or disagree with our findings by commenting on the show notes for this week’s episode or maybe opening your window and shouting for the world to hear - whichever you’d prefer.

• Which album is 'better'?
• What is the artwork like?
• What is the music and production like?

Listen to the episode and let us know what you think!

This week, Mark and I watched the concept DVD Tour of the Universe from Jon Anderson which was the first major release from him after leaving Yes at the start of the band’s hiatus period in the mid 2000s. We have a chance to feed back on what we found out a little later and then we come together to discuss it all.

There’s also a rather important 2 pence where we discover quite a bit about the new Yes album. Stay tuned for all that.

• What did Jon Anderson do next?
• What is a concept DVD?
• Who produces the new Yes album?

Listen to the episode and let us know what you think!

In a special, extra episode, I have the pleasure of talking to the man who helped Yes to transform their sound and approach in 1970, Steve Howe.

He told us about his time in Asia and how the band got back together in 2007 with its original line-up which is featured on the latest release, Asia, The Reunion Albums, 2007-2012.

We also had a chance to hear about the slightly different approach on Steve's latest Homebrew collection, which is to be released in July 2021.

As always, it was a delight to speak to Steve, one of my all-time musical heroes.

Let me know what you think of the interview.

Once again this week, Mark and I are looking at what did they do next. We have reached the Yes hiatus period from 2004 and we are using the opportunity unashamedly to examine what each of the 5 members of the band did in this interregnum. First, we will look at one of the Yes men who did really leave at this point, in fact, never to return, Jon Anderson. What did he get up to once he had recovered from total exhaustion at the end of the 35th Anniversary Tour? Listen on to find out.

It's the second part of our look at what Igor did next. In fact, we have bent the rules again in order to listen to the excellent ELP tribute album, Encores, Legends & Paradox from 1999.

• What are these versions of ELP songs like?
• Which Yes men are included?
• How does Igor come over?

Listen to the episode and let us know what you think!

This week, Mark and I return to the surprisingly long series on what did Yes members do when they left the band. It’s Igor Khoroshev’s turn this time and, as you’ll hear it’s more than usually difficult to decide what he went onto next but we do have a go at it.

This week Mark and I had a highly enjoyable conversation with Dave Kerzner about his position with Billy Sherwood, Jon Davison, Jay Schellen and Jimmy Haun in Arc of Life. We talk about what he would like the band to grow into and delve a little into his keyboard work with Geoff Downes and Tony Banks. It was a real pleasure to welcome Dave back onto the show.

Produced by Jeffrey Crecelius, Wayne Hall and Preston Frazier

After the sad news we shared last week about Phil Naro, Mark and I have decided to listen to parts of Yessongs this week and compare the performances with later live offerings. It’s what we’ve done before in our Yes Tracks Through Time series.

Most Yes fans agree that Yessongs captures the band at its best and it often comes top in the best live albums lists and polls but what about other versions of these classic songs?

• Is Yessongs really the only live record worth listening to?
• What radically different performances exist?
• Are they just as enjoyable?

Listen to the episode and let us know what you think!

Mark shares the news of the loss of a member of our global Yes fan community, Phil Naro, and we re-play an interview Mark did with him back in 2016. Rest In Peace.

We also finish off our look at Conspiracy, the album by the band of the same name which features Billy Sherwood, Chris Squire and a number of very famous guests.

This week, Marka and I had the opportunity to think about the next person to leave the band - Billy Sherwood. What did he do next after the end of The Ladder tour? We’ll let you know a little later.

At the end of this episode, I’m going to play a very interesting piece of audio from Daniel and Amanda Krohn. It’s about From A Page, the Oliver Wakeman led Yes mini-album. We will return to this topic soon.

It’s been a week for thinking deeply...or maybe not. Anyway, Mark and I have been listening to the oft maligned sides 2 and 3 of Tales from Topographic Oceans which have not been played as often as sides 1 and 4. 'Why not?' I hear you cry. Or maybe I don’t. In any case, that’s what we will be banging on about in this episode.

In part 2 of our occasional 'What did they do next' series, we listen to Return To The Centre Of The Earth. We also welcome Nic Caciappo onto the show to explain his personal connection to the Rick Wakeman album.

It's a great conversation and a lovely treat to meet Nic, at least virtually.

• What is this album like?
• How was Nic involved?
• Was it a worthwhile idea?

Listen to the episode and let us know what you think!

This week we return to our occasional What did they do next series and it’s Rick Wakeman’s turn again. After some fairly typical personal and legal upset, the band and Rick parted ways and there was to be no repeat of the Keys to Ascension positivity.

This left Wakeman free to indulge other passions and so he ramped up one of his long-held ambitions - to return to the centre of the earth. Mark and I discuss this project a little later on and then next week we will report back on the music itself.

In a change to our plans (which were not to release an episode at all over the Easter weekend), the host of the Underrated / Overhated podcast, Jacob, has given us permission to play his episode which features none other than me and Mark.

Many thanks to Jacob for a really fun conversation. We hope you enjoy it and check out the rest of Jacob's podcast as a result.

Unusually for recent weeks, it’s just Mark and me this week having some fun considering the relative merits of TAAW and Magnification. Quite a distance apart in time but linked by some pretty obvious themes as we shall see later. Do give us your opinions on these albums via your comments in the show notes for this week’s episode on yesmusicpodcast.com

Jacob, a musician and podcaster from Bristol, UK joined Mark and me this week to talk about Yes lyrics.

• What typifies Yes lyrics?
• What are our favourites?
• Which lyrics make us cringe?

Joining us on the show this week it's that man again, Geoff Bailie. The redoubtable gentleman of prog helps us to discuss some written and audio contributions from Jeremy North, John Parry, John Thomson, Simon Barrow and Stephen Lambe. Do you agree with any of us? Let us know!

After a suggestion by Dave Watkinson and a twitter chat between him and Henry Potts, Mark and I have been listening to the compilation album Keystudio and thinning about what could have happened if it had been released in place of Keys to Ascension and Keys to Ascension 2. Please take a listen to our thoughts and then get involved yourself by sending in your thoughts via any of the ways on yesmusicpodcast.com.

It’s been quite a week. Mark and I managed to scoop an amazing world exclusive thanks to Bob Cesca and Tim Panella. They joined us to talk about the period in which they both worked with Yes on remixes, artwork, videography and more. We discovered not only untold stories but also Yes music which has never been heard in public before, 20 years after it was recorded by Jon Anderson, Chris Squire, Alan White and Steve Howe.

Listen out for the full, fascinating conversation as well as some undiscovered Yes music.

This week, Mark and I have been listening to and watching some recordings of the Union Tour in 1991. It’s a special one for Mark as it was his very first experience of Yes live - what a way to start. Listen out for our thoughts on that a little later in the episode when we compare notes on a couple of live versions of songs from the Union album and a couple of older songs.

This week, Mark and I complete our look at what Tony Kaye did after leaving Yes in 1995. We listen to Run Like Hell from the album, catchily entitled, 'Pigs And Pyramids - An All Star Lineup Performing The Songs Of Pink Floyd..

We also have time to consider the other Yes-related song on this album, 'Comfortably Numb' which features Chris Squire, Billy Sherwood and Alan White.

Finally, we muse on what other line-ups of a Yes Power Trio might look like.

This week, Mark and I return to the perennial favourite series, What Did they Do next. When Trevor Rabin left Yes to pursue film scoring after the Talk tour, Tony Kaye also said goodbye not only to the band but also to the music industry, as we will hear a little later. What did he do next and when did he return to music? Stay tuned to find out.

This week, Mark and I had the pleasure of speaking to Billy Sherwood about Arc Of Life, the band and the album.

We also asked him about the widely rumoured new Yes studio album and he was, unsurprisingly, less forthcoming about that. It did lead to some light-hearted moments which we think you will enjoy though.

• Where did Arc Of Life spring from?
• Who plays what?
• What are the plans for the future of the band?

Listen to the episode and let us know what you think!

It was a delight to welcome Yes and DBA keyboardist Geoff Downes back onto the show this week. Mark and I speak to him about his excellent new DBA album, Halcyon Hymns as well as a couple of aspects of what’s coming up for Yes in 2021, specifically the rumours around the new album and the possibilities of touring. So listen out for that conversation.

This week, Mark and I have had the chance to listen to the whole of the new Arc of Life album so listen out for our initial reactions to that.

We also have time to think about a 2 pence suggested by Jeremy North and I need to correct an omission from last week when we played Daniel and Amanda’s contribution to the What if Rick Wakeman had joined Yes before the Yes Album question but didn’t have time to add any feedback.

This is our first episode in the YMP’s 10th Anniversary year and it’s a real epic. I asked Patrons and a few others for their contributions to this week’s topic and the response was amazing. So this is another episode you might want to listen to in parts. It may well be the longest episode ever but I also think you’ll really enjoy hearing everyone’s thoughts on Rick Wakeman and The Yes Album. Incidentally, if you sent me a contribution but I haven’t included it, please do let me know and I’ll apologise and add it to next week’s show.

Recorded on the last day of 2020, we bid a grateful farewell to a year which has been difficult for everyone. However, it's also been one of the most successful years for the YMP!

Mark and I have chosen our own 6 favourite episodes from the past year and we invite you to add your own selections to the comments below.

We also look ahead briefly to 2021 which is, of course, the 10th Anniversary Year of the YMP. It would be fantastic if you were able to join in the recording of the 500th episode from the top of Yes Tor in Devon, UK, on 17th August 2021. Many more details to follow! We hope to see you there!

It’s been a bit of a challenging week on the technical side with Mark in lockdown and without proper internet access and my move of the YMP Towers into a new location in the house. However, we did manage to listen to the Jon Anderson Christmas album, 3 Ships which was very enjoyable.

• What's Jon's Christmas album like?
• Are all the songs 'Christmassy'?
• Why listen to 3 Ships?

Listen to the episode and let us know what you think!

This week marks something of a departure for us here at YMP Towers. In our ever-popular what did they do next series, we have reached the point where Trevor Rabin left the band after the Talk Tour in 1995. He went off to pursue his other musical avenue of choice - film scores. So that means we will be listening not to a rock or progressive album next week but a film soundtrack. That should be very interesting. We are also hoping to have Julia from the fabulous Rabinesque blog with us next week because she knows rather more than we do about Trevor’s soundtrack work and should be able to fill in a lot of the details for us.

It’s been a very interesting task to compare and contrast Big Generator and Drama this week. Mark and I have hopefully come up with some thoughts which are of interest to you. As always, please add your own comments to the show notes for this week - we’d love to hear what you think of these two albums in our latest shoot-out.

You can’t have escaped the fact that it’s been Thanksgiving in the US this week and when this episode is released it is Black Friday. Happy Holidays to all.

This year, YMP has jumped on the proverbial bandwagon and the Emporium is offering a special deal from 27th November to 4th December. If you’d like to order yourself one of the Full Union Art Prints, you’ll also receive one of the The Answer Is YES! Trivia games for free when they are released. Sounds like a good deal to me. Head on over to https://yesmusicpodcast.com/shop and tell all your friends!

Across the globe from Canada, Indonesia, the UK and the US (I think!) it was a real pleasure for Mark and I to speak to Kevin Currie and Ted Stockwell this week about their band, White, which has featured Alan White and Geoff Downes in the past. It's a great, in-depth interview in which we delve into the fascinating history of the band and their strong links to Yes.

The whole conversation was organised for us by Daniel Krohn so many thanks to him.

• What albums has White produced?
• What happened to the More Drama Tour on which White were to play?
• Are there any plans for the future?

Listen to the episode and let us know what you think!

It was, as usual, a delight to speak to one of the most knowledgeable and friendly Yes fanatics this week, Dave Watkinson. He told us about three very special memorabilia activities he’s been involved in recently. You might want to take a look at the show notes for this week to see exactly what Dave’s talking about but it’s all fascinating and gives some new insights into the story of the world’s greatest progressive rock band. I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as Mark and I did recording it.

Mark and I are back this week with the second part of our look at the World Trade album Euphoria in our what did they do next series this time featuring Billy Sherwood.

We also have a chance to give our two pence on a topic which compares Roger Dean’s approach to that of Yes themselves. I hope you find all that interesting.

This week, Mark and I start off the next instalment of the perennially popular What Did They Do Next series with a certain Billy Sherwood’s activities post Yes. Can you guess what album we will be talking about? Stay tuned to find out if you’re right.

Unfortunately, both I and Mark have been a bit under the weather this week but we recovered in time to listen to two classic Yes albums and record our thoughts. There's also time for a few thoughts about Jon Anderson's new very controversial song!

I’d like to say Mark and I have been enjoying listening to the new Yes live album, The Royal Affair Tour: Live From Las Vegas this week and actually I have enjoyed the majority of it but you’ll hear a little later in the episode why we’re slightly concerned about the latest release. You may find our comments difficult or you may agree - please do let us know either way.

At the end of the episode Mark also helps me out to gain a proper understanding of the significance of Eddie van Halen who, as I’m sure you know, sadly died at the tragically young age of 65 this week. Do stay tuned for that.

It was a great pleasure to speak to Roine Stolt this week about his forthcoming album with The Flower Kings, Islands. We also chatted about Yes, working with Jon Anderson on the Anderson Stolt record Invention of Knowledge and other projects. He’s another very busy musician - even in these pandemic days.

Is or was Yes a promotional video type band? This is the question Mark and I wrestle with this week. We each choose 3 videos to discuss and also broaden our scope a bit as well. Stay tuned for that a little bit later on and do watch the videos which I’ve embedded into the show notes below to give you some context.

In a week when I was very pressed for time, I did manage to listen to Yes and Time And A Word and also speak to Mark about it.

Mark and I have had an interesting week firstly trying to get hold of and then listening to the collaborative album Wakeman With Wakeman by Rick and Adam.

It’s the beginning of September and the YMP is back. Mark and I are starting off with the next part of our 'what did they do next' series and this time we are back again to Rick Wakeman leaving in the run up to work starting on the Talk album, which he was originally going to be part of. Instead, he undertook some solo and collaboration activity and we will be discussing all that in more detail in this episode.

It’s also been an important week for Yes with the official launch of the pre-order for the new live album.

We were delighted to welcome back onto the show the smooth tones of Yes fan and serial prog podcaster, Geoff Bailie this week to talk about the 40th birthday of Drama.

It's a mini round table episode - leave your thoughts and reactions on the show notes for this week's episode!

This week, Mark and I enjoyed listening to The Grand Scheme of Things by Steve Howe which he produced shortly after leaving the band following the end of the Union Tour in 1993. It’s a great collection but might be a little bit too long. Take a listen to our thoughts a little later on and add your own to the show notes for this week.

It was a genuine pleasure to speak to Casey Young this week about his contributions to the 90125 Tour. 
This conversation was suggested by Keith Hoisington.

We return to our ever-popular what did they do next series this week and it’s time to work out what Steve Howe did after the end of the Union Tour. It’s an opportunity for Mark and me to discover more music we don’t know and a chance to compare 1993 solo work  with Love Is which we spoke to Steve about last week.

After a few technical hitches, we managed to speak to legendary Yes guitarist, Steve Howe, about his brand new solo album, 'Love Is'. It features his son and recent YMP interviewee, Dylan Howe, on drums and Steve's fellow Yes member, Jon Davison, on backing vocals and bass guitar.

If you like Steve's solo work, you'll absolutely love this new album, which is packed full of his trademark multi-guitar work and contains half instrumental tracks and half songs. Steve is pleased with his lead vocals and we can see why!

• Does Steve enjoy writing, producing, engineering and performing?
• How does Steve choose from his incredible collection of guitars?
• Are there any clues to future Yes happenings?

It's a fantastic time for current and former members of Yes. Here's another example - the new prog album by Rick Wakeman and the English Rock Ensemble - The Red Planet. We spoke to Lee Pomeroy recently who plays bass on the record and this week we are listening to the music. If you've heard the album, do let us know what you think in the comments below.

• In what way is this album progressive rock?
• How does this music compare with Rick's older material?
• Is it an enjoyable album?

Listen to the episode and let us know what you think!

In our second part of what Bill did next, Mark and I enjoy listening to the Earthworks album, Stamping Ground. It's a complete change for me but Mark has quite a few Earthworks albums.

• What do those electronic drums sound like here?
• Is this just 'standard' jazz?
• Can Kevin get into the music at all?

Listen to the episode and let us know what you think!

Kevin is on holiday this week so Mark introduces a blast from the past!

As I'm officially on leave this Friday and next, there no time for news I'm afraid but there was time for a great discussion between Mark and me about what Bill Bruford did next after leaving Yes following the end of the Union tour. Almost immediately, he recorded a live album with his band, Earthworks.

• What is Earthworks all about?
• Is Bill's favourite music jazz not rock?
• Melodies on the drums - how does that work?

Listen to the episode and let us know what you think!

This week, Mark and I decided to delve back into the main sequence of Yes albums and think about the pros and cons of Fragile and Close to the Edge. Both contain some fantastic music but which is the more satisfying? Listen to our thoughts and then add yours to the show notes for this week on yesmusicpodcast.com

This week we were delighted to welcome extraordinary bassist, Lee Pomeroy, back onto the podcast. As part of Rick Wakeman's English Rock Ensemble, Lee has been involved in the creation of a wonderful prog album, The Red Planet. Although the release date has been hit by lockdown, as you will hear, Lee explains that it will be well worth the wait and is very excited about this return to Rick's progressive roots.

• How was this record put together in lockdown?
• Is it really progressive rock?
• How much was Lee involved in the writing of bass parts?

This week, Mark and I had a hugely enjoyable conversation with the amazing Fernando Perdomo. A long-term collaborator with a previous guest, Dave Kerzner, Fernando tells us about his fascination with Peter Banks, his work on the 50th Anniversary Yes tribute CD and his own music in the new Peter Banks continuation project, The New Empire whose album is out soon. Fernando has even given us permission to play a song from the new album exclusively here on the show so listen out for that later on - I’m sure you’ll agree it’s brilliant.

Mark and I also had time to record our thoughts in a two pence segment about the rumours around the producer for the new Yes album. Hold on tight for that as well.

In part two of our exploration of what Trevor Rabin did next, this week Mark and I have been listening to his solo album, Can’t Look Away. There’s plenty to like and plenty to discuss so look out for that later on.

With the news that Trevor Rabin is working on a new solo record, Mark and I bend the rules of the what did they do next series almost to breaking point so we can take a look at Trevor’s 1989 album, Can’t Look Away. Messages of protestation welcome but not necessary. This week we discuss our expectations of the record and then next week we’ll feed back on our listening experiences.

Join in a wonderful story-telling session with Dave Watkinson. It's another amazing Yes chat!

This week, Mark and I have been listening to the album which Jon Anderson released shortly after leaving Yes following the Big Generator tour, 'In The City Of Angels'. It’s not exactly progressive rock but see if you agree with our assessment of the music and take a listen to an audio contribution on this subject from Stephen Lambe as well.

We also have time for a two pence about the latest Roger Dean Yes album cover and its public development as well as a very exciting YMP Announcement connected with what the YMP Patrons have been up to in secret lately. And that’s not all. There’s the result of the Dave Watkinson Warriors EP competition, news of Miguel Falcao’s PlayForChris6 project and the official press release from Steve Howe about his new album. So, Look out for all that!

This week we turn our attention to the next person to leave the band, Jon Anderson. He called it a day after the Big Generator Tour. So, what did he do next? Find out later on.

We also have a sort of double 2 pence which is concerned with both what Roger Dean is currently up to on Facebook and why it matters for fans of the recorded output of the world’s greatest progressive rock band.

This week we blew away the lockdown cobwebs by means of a bracing conversation with the ever jovial and generous Sid Smith. Responsible for many Yes, King Crimson and other sleeve notes, he shared his approaches and told a story or two. It was a very enjoyable chat.

It’s another week of normality, courtesy of the YMP. I hope you are well and coping with the current situation.

This week in a bit of a departure from the usual format, Mark and I took a look at some of the sleeve notes which come with Yes records, CDs and so on. We both choose our favourite 3 examples and talk quite a bit about the different kinds there have been through the years.

There’s an invitation to suggest your own favourites on the show notes for this episode and also the news that we will be speaking to Sid Smith next week on the show. In case you are unaware, Sid recently updated his essential King Crimson book and is also the author of many essays for sleeve notes including the Steven Wilson Yes remixes. We are very much looking forward to that conversation.

• What different styles of sleeve notes are included with Yes albums?
• Which are the best?
• Which are our favourites?

Listen to the episode and let us know what you think!

In the midst of the global emergency, we are back with more YMP in an attempt to help take your mind off everything at least for a short time.

This week, Mark and I have been listening to the Green Album by Eddie Jobson - as you’ll see it’s a great discovery.

We also enjoy a two pence suggestion about Yes medleys from Dave Watkinson.

In the UK we are coming to the end of the second week of total lock down and my friends and family are currently coping quite well thanks to the wonderful work of the NHS (including my wife, Sarah) and all the key workers. Thank you to each and every one of them.

As I said last week, we are aiming to ensure the YMP provides a bit of normality through this difficult time so this week we are perhaps bending the rules slightly to consider what Eddie Jobson did after leaving Yes.

As John Lennon once sang - Strange Days Indeed. However, we aim for a little bit of normality here on the YMP.

This week Mark and I caught up with Dave Watkinson and had a great time talking about his debut as record producer. Jon Anderson and The Warriors - The Lost Demos EP is out on 7in vinyl now from Plane Groovy Records and you can get your copy - if you are quick - at BurningShed.com.

This week amongst the coronavirus mayhem, Mark and I keep calm and listen to...Adventures in Modern Recording by Buggles in our second look at what Geoff Downes did next after leaving Yes following the end of the Drama tour.

We also have a two pence based around some alternatives to the live Yes shoes which have had to be cancelled or postponed.

This week the whole world has been preoccupied with COVID-19, which is entirely understandable. Mark and I discuss the situation in relation to Yes later on in this episode but, maybe as a bit of light relief, we start by thinking about what Geoff Downes did next after leaving Yes following the Drama tour

his week, Mark and I enjoyed listening to The Bodast Tapes featuring Steve Howe in the second part of our examination of what Steve did after leaving Yes following the Drama tour. We also had the pleasure of speaking to Danny Markovitch who plays saxophone in the progressive/fusion band Marbin who are returning for the second time to the Cruise to the Edge next month. He explains what his band is all about and how they developed their music from their roots in Israel to the US.

This week, Mark and I begin our look at what Steve Howe did next after leaving Yes after the Drama tour. Michael Handerhan suggested that, rather than going straight to Asia, Howe produced something else next which uncovered a remarkable passage of time in his early career.

This week Mark and I caught up with Yes author and friend of the band, Jon Kirkman, who told us about his new Yes live photography book as well as the next Cruise to the Edge which he is co-hosting.

The book is called Tales from Photographic Oceans and it promises to be an amazing publication, one which is limited to only 300 copies as well.

Get your copy here - https://jonkirkman.co.uk/tales-from-photographic-oceans-coming-soon/

Mark and I have finally managed to complete our look at The Dollar Album which was produced and partly co-written by Trevor Horn after he left Yes. It’s an interesting album and prompted quite a few points of discussion.

We also think about the impact of the recent fire at the acetate factory in the US and consider what the ramifications might be for vinyl releases from Yes.

You'll be amazed by the story we are told by Jon Dee and Dave Watkinson this week. They were the only people beyond the inner circle of the band to hear Cinema in their original format, shortly before the band morphed into the Yes of 90125.

We had such a brilliant time hearing all about it this week!

• Who were Cinema?
• How did Jon and Dave come to be there at a rehearsal?
• How and why did the band change their name to Yes?

Mark and I have ticked off another of our top ambitions on the podcast by speaking to Yes drum legend, Alan White. We cover a number of different topics and Alan is absolutely delightful, as I'm sure you know.

For the first time in ages, I also managed to do a news catch-up which features a few highlights from around the social webs in recent days and/or weeks and do listen out for a couple of new items. I hope you enjoy the whole episode!

I'm away for work in Liverpool this week so here is a very short update on two important pieces of Yes news.

Mark recently uploaded a video in appreciation of his fellow Canadian, Neil Peart. I thought it was important to hear what he had to say here as well, particularly as I am almost ignorant of Neil and Rush's importance in the world of Prog rock.

So here's Mark's heartfelt introduction to his video. You can see the whole video here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtAjvAk61UM

R.I.P. Neil Peart

This week, Mark and I went in search of the first thing Trevor Horn did after leaving Yes as (reluctant) front man. He threw himself into production, with the support and encouragement of his wife and the first project was the band, Dollar. So, we have been doing a bit of research, in our own minds  and on the interwebs to see what we can remember and find out about this band and Trevor Horn’s involvement with it. It’s actually quite a bit more interesting than I thought it was going to be!

I’d like to dedicate this episode of the Yes Music Podcast to the memory of BRIAN HARTLEY. You won’t have known him in person but you certainly know his work. Brian was a school friend of mine and was a brilliant cartoonist and illustrator even then. He went on to design graphics for video games but for us, he will always be best known for creating the new YMP logo and associated artwork. He died shortly before Christmas at the age of 49 and all will miss him terribly. Rest In Peace, Brian.

This week, Mark and I take a look back at our favourite episodes from the past year and look forward to 2020

For a special end of decade show, we join forces with our friends at the Progressive Palaver and enjoy a Two Pence all about Tormato!

This week, ark and I take a close look at both the XYZ sessions and Run With The Fox - the two things Alan White and Chris Squire did after the breakup of the Drama lineup of the band. See if you agree with our assessments as always and leave your comments on the show notes for this week.

I also need to give my now weekly apologies - this time to Patron Mark Lang. I meant to put his wonderful Trading Boundaries photos in the show notes for last week and then I forgot - sorry Mark - they  are in this week’s notes. I’m particularly fond of the shot of you and Roger for a couple of reasons.

This week Mark and I begin to consider what happened when the band essentially split up a short time after the Drama Tour ended almost exactly 39 years ago in December 1980. So we have the chance to see what each member of the band did next and we’re starting with Alan White and Chris Squire.

This week Mark and I had planned to start looking at the next exodus from the band. Yes had essentially disbanded after the Drama tour had come to an end and so we have the opportunity to examine what each member of the band did next - Trevor Horn and Geoff Downes, Steve Howe, Alan White and Chris Squire. First we were going to listen to the next chapter in Squire and White’s journey - so that’s XYZ with Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page - a project which didn’t go anywhere in the end but did produce some demos and, particularly relevant at this time of year, Ru WIth The Fox, the duo’s strangely unsuccessful Christmas single.

Unfortunately, Mark has not been well this week so we’ve decided to shelve this episode until next week. In the meantime, I’ve put together a selection of clips from the Yes authors we have spoken to in 2019’s Patreon group. If you’ve already heard or actually seen these because you are a Patron, then I hope you enjoy hearing some highlights again and if you have been wondering whether to start helping the YMP out financially, maybe this will tip you over the edge - one way or the other!