Tag Archives: chris squire

Progressive Rock Legend Chris Squire Passes Away (6/27/2015)

The Progressive Rock world, no, the entire music world was dealt a terrible blow as the news about the passing of Yes’ legendary bassist Chris Squire passing away began circulating on the social mediums. He was 67 years old.

Photo - Chris Squire

To say that Squire was a Progressive Rock legend would be an understatement as he was not only the co-founder of the amazing Yes along with singer Jon Anderson, but he was their only bass player for about 47 years. That is one hell of a tenure for a musician and you know that his bass melodies influenced more players than can easily be counted. Back in May of this year, Chris announced a hiatus from Yes activity in terms of touring and working on new material based on his being diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia; Acute erythroid leukemia. Sadly he must have been very far along in this because it was not even six weeks later that he passed away from the illness and to say that music will miss his inspired playing and thinking is an understatement.

The musical accomplishments of Chris Squire are far too numerous for this humble memorial posting so for more information on his storied career please refer to his Wikipedia Entry HERE for a deep look into his life and works. Rest In Peace Mr. Squire, your sound shall live on and your memory will remain and inspire the Progressive Rock world forever.

Progressive Rock Fans Say “YES” To Their Summer Tour 2014

“Let there be Prog” is what fans will be saying as the news about the summer tour by Yes and with this go round they will be playing two of their incredible albums in full. Since the press copy is rather lengthy I will keep it brief here but will return with my own opinions at the close. Here you go.

Tour - Yes - Summer 2014

The Press Release:
Throughout 2013, the iconic and Grammy-winning rock band YES marked a career first by performing a triple-header concert featuring three of their classic albums in their entirety, all in one concert. For 2014, the band is back to rock crowds nationwide with a brand new show. The 35-date summer tour will feature YES performing–in their entirety–1971’s groundbreaking album FRAGILE for the first-time ever and a repeat performance from last year’s tour of 1972’s CLOSE TO THE EDGE, followed by an encore of the band’s greatest hits. Kicking off July 8 in Boston, the tour will then stop at New York City’s Radio City Music Hall July 10 before making its way throughout the Northeast, hitting Wallingford, CT, Westbury, NY, Newport, RI, Washington, DC, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and more. Among their many tour stops, YES will perform in Detroit, Madison, Chicago, Nashville, Louisville, Atlanta, St. Petersburg, Orlando, Houston, Dallas, Denver, Phoenix, Las Vegas, San Diego and San Jose before wrapping August 24 at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles. See full itinerary below.
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“Symphonic Live” by Yes

Artist: Yes
Title: “Symphonic Live”
Label: Eagle Records
Release Date: 2/24/2009
Genre: Progressive Rock
Rating: 4/5 `

Originally presented to the fans of Progressive Rock giants Yes on the DVD that bears the same name comes the audio release of this very concert. The recording was initially done in 2001 as the band toured for their own orchestral album “Magnification” and if you think that you have enjoyed Yes in the past just wait until you hear them do their thing with the added power of a symphony orchestra behind them. These days the idea of bands releasing albums with an orchestras help is not so new or often even exciting but one of the true musical sounds that works with this idea best is the sound of Yes. If you are one of those fans that have been following Yes for a long time then there is a good chance that you already own the DVD companion piece for this album. That fact alone makes the appeal of owning the audio companion for your stereo, music player or just to leave in the car for those long trips somewhat of a necessity. In 2001, the lineup of Yes was John Anderson, Chris Squire, Steve Howe and Alan White and they are joined by the European Festival Orchestra which was conducted by Wilhem Keitel. The music of Yes has always been big in scope and often took the listener to different worlds based on just how many musical doors it was opening in their minds and that made my hearing these classic tunes with the accompaniment of the orchestra a wonderful thing. I did enjoy the new tunes from the “Magnification” CD that were performed but when it came down to it I was more keen on the time honored classics like “Long Distance Runaround”, “I’ve Seen All Good People” and the tune of tunes “Roundabout”. What comes through crystal clear on every song is just how perfectly Yes seem to mesh with the orchestra and neither one overpowers the other as we have found happening on a number of other similar releases.
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