Yes - A Concert Dream - The Fish

YES (the players):
Jon Anderson - lead vocals
Tom Brislin - keyboards
Bill Bruford - drums
Steve Howe - guitars, vocals
Igor Khoroshev - Keyboards
Patrick Moraz - keyboards
Billy Sherwood - guitars
Chris Squire - bass, vocals
Rick Wakeman - keyboards
Alan White - drums, vocals

With the passing of Chris Squire, one of the band's founders and only original member present throughout Yes' various incarnations through 2015, here is my tribute to this utterly unique and prodigiously talented musician. He was much more than just "the bass player." Chris' influence and leadership took Yes in many directions, but despite the many misfires, personnel changes, and infighting, he always brought the music back to excellence, humor and optimism.

[from wiki] "Squire's unique tone was very clear and distinct, and his playing was noted for being aggressive, dynamic and melodic. Squire's main instrument was a 1964 Rickenbacker bass (model RM1999, serial number DC127), which he bought and began playing in 1965.The instrument, with its warmth, was a significant part of Squire's unique sound. Due to its distinctive tone, which has been compared to that of a guitar, it allowed the bass to take on a more "lead" role, which created a dynamic sound, and suited Squire perfectly.

In a 1973 interview for Guitar Player magazine, Squire recalled how he had obtained his distinctive tone at the time by rewiring his RM1999 into stereo and sending the bass and treble pick-ups each into a separate amplifier. By splitting the signal from his bass into dual high and low frequency outputs and then sending the low frequency output to a conventional bass amplifier and the high-frequency output to a separate lead guitar amplifier, Squire produced a tonal 'sandwich' that added a growling, overdrive edge to the sound while retaining the Rickenbacker's powerful bass response. This gave his bass sound bright, growling higher frequencies and clean, solid bass frequencies. This technique allowed Squire to utilise harmonic distortion on his bass while avoiding the flat, fuzzy sound, loss of power and poor bass response that typically occurs when bass guitars are overdriven through an amplifier or put through a fuzz box.

Squire claimed to have rewired his bass to stereo, even before Rickenbacker introduced the Rick-O-Sound feature, so he could send the output of the bass (neck) pick-up through a fuzz box, while keeping the treble (bridge) pick-up clean, because the last sounded "horribly nasal" when used with the fuzz effect. He also played with a pick which contributed to the sharp attack as well as using fresh Rotosound Swing Bass strings for every show."

Christopher Russell Edward Squire (March 4, 1948 – June 27, 2015) Rest in Peace

-Special note: "Onward" and "Time and a Word" are taken from the 1996-03-06, San Luis Obispo show. According to Forgotten Yesterdays, the officially released "Keys to Ascension" uses the performances from 1996-03-05.

A word about compilations: This compilation is diguised as a concert. I put together these performances for my personal enjoyment, and share them for the same reason. There are many Yes compilations available; "Wondrous Stories," "Ultimate Yes: 35th Anniversary Collection" and "Word Is Live." This collection is not meant to replace, but complement, the official releases. Nothing beats the original tracks themselves.

I urge you to seek out the torrented performances contained herein (they’re all available out there). Thanks to the tapers, uploaders and all who share this great music. And, of course, thank you to Yes.

Enjoy,

1chucho
"Live Music is Better"
September 2015

Dodano: 12.5.2019