Magnification Review in New York Post
From: PeabodyMat - Dec. 4From today's NY Post: December 4, 2001 -- Yes "Magnification" Beyond Music
By making classical conductor Larry Groupe' an honorary member of the band, Yes shows what modern electric rock can sound like when it's accompanied by a symphony orchestra.
The result: uplifting, optimistic music that's lush without the mush.
The songs are composed by the usual Yes-men, and fans will recognize the band's trademark affectations - like Steve Howe's unnecessarily involved guitar work and Jon Anderson's aching falsetto as he sings annoying New Age lyrics like "We are all prisoners of our own desire."
But if you've said no to Yes before, this album might just change your mind - especially if you've got good speakers.
Magnification Promo
From: Lee [yesman@mediaone.net] - Dec. 4http://yesmuseum.org:8080/MagPromo/
First, the cover art is printed with slightly more definition than my UK copy.
I got 2 of all three, even though I protested the evil scheme. I can't return the Mag disc, since they are all double CD cases.
Each store has it's own UPC code stickered over the original code.
Best Buy and BORDERS have their logo printed right on the label, while FYI didn't. This will probably be the one that eventually becomes the standard issue label. It doesn't say "exclusive..." so anyone can sell it.
Best Buy: $12.99
Borders: $15.99
FYI: $16.99FYI puts their price tag over the promo label. I removed it for the scan.
In Valencia we have all 3 stores:
FYI had 2 copies. Had. Both were in the bins.
Best Buy had 11 copies in the bins, none in the New Releases displays.
Borders had more than 2, but I forgot to count. They had NONE in the Yes bin and all of their new Mag stock was in a promenent space near the floor. If she hadn't shown me where, I wouldn't have seen it.Should I open one? Okay...
(I added more artwork to the folder.)
The main disc has the same art as the UK disc, except for the legal stuff that Beyond/Eagle records put on the edges.
The bonus disc is simple. The colors in the scan are from the diffusion of the scanner light off the metalic background. They're not on the disc, which has only black ink. The titles run right into the center area and are hard to read. Bad publishing.The US and UK booklets are nearly identical. The only noticed differences are the publishing credits and the paper stock. The UK issue has heavy paper. Very strong. The US issue uses flimsy thin stock.
I'm listening to Gates Of Delerium live. I'm not a big fan of live recordings, but this sounds good. It doesn't sound overly produced. I could actually imagine that it's right off the soundboard without too many overdubs. (The intro doesn't remind me of what I heard at the show.) I'd like to hear a little more bass, but that's probably my stereo. Overall, it's a little thin, but I like it.
There are no performance credits for the bonus stuff (that I can find). This was Igor, eh?, but he's not to be found. Anyone know the show?
Wait... there are some cool new sounds in GoD in the middle. Great GTR additions that I don't remember from the concerts. Some kick-ass rhythms here, too. Needs more keyboard. (Steve must've mixed this one!) Oooh! There're the keys! Hey, I didn't know Moraz was back. ; ) I would have mixed the bass and keys a little higher. The drums are pleasantly not intruding. I like to hear the drums fitting into the music, rather than plowing through. Jon's 'la, la, la, la, la, laaaa..." at the end is beautifully flawed. I'm so glad they didn't try to make this a pristine performance. Maybe I should open the other 2, too...
Eagle Releases
From: yescelt@aol.com - Dec 7The UK limited edition (numbered) of Magnification in Slipcase with Interviews and footage, which I mentioned earlier this week, will be released by Eagle on 28th January.
They are re-releasing "Talk" on the same day.
Jon Sighting: ET Magazine
From: Re1ayer - Dec. 10I was reading the recent Entertainment Magazine with George Harrison on the cover, in which there is an article on J.R.R. Tolkien and the Lord of the Rings. Not only is there a picture of TFTO (it says Yes's album covers were influenced by Tolkien), but also some comments from Jon Anderson in it. Interesting spot for some Yes promotion. lol.
Another Version of New Album
From: Dave Roy [khoardiroy] - Dec. 12Just read this on Scottish Yes Network:
"Eagle Releases + Barnes and Noble exclusive
Eagle have announced that they will release the Amsterdam DVD on 18th March. This seems remarkably quick. I admire their optimism, and I hope they do it.
Eagle also announce a Limited Edition release of Magnification in a Slipcase Cover, and will include Interviews with the Band Members and Live Footage. I have not heard what the Live Footage is, but it may be the "Don't Go" film which was recently available as a download from www.yesworld.com .
This will be available on 28th January.
They will re-issue "Talk" on the same day.www.barnesandnoble.com have something different available for collectors. You may already know that Best Buy, Borders and other outlets in USA are selling Magnification with Live tracks exclusive to each store.
Barnes and Noble are offering a Limited Edition of 170 autographed by all 4 members. This will cost you $23 including shipping to UK, but you will need to be quick. "
Could Eagle Records be doing correctly what Beyond didn't???
Jon's Travelogues
From: Cherokee [cherokeebw@yahoo.com] - Dec. 12If you haven't visted Jon's site recently, go there he's recently posted a travelogue that is sure to bring some smiles. http://jonanderson.com/message.html
The Forgotten Star
From: Cherokee [cherokeebw@yahoo.com] - Dec. 12PS Don't miss the charming Christmas story Jon has up "The Forgotten Star". http://jonanderson.com/story_forgottenstar.html.
Pictures from Sheffield
From: Chris Hunt [chris@hunt31.freeserve.co.uk] - Dec. 12Here are some photographs from the front row. Yessymphonic Sheffield 11/12/2001. http://www.hunt31.freeserve.co.uk/homepage.htm.
Reviewer's Comments on Jon
From: Rick 'Samgeyser' [Samgeyser@cfl.rr.com] - Dec. 15...part of a review from Sheffield, England. Ya gotta love the last line:
"Jon Anderson's thin wavering voice was slightly hoarse but he could still hit the high notes. Where once he might have danced around the stage like a demented Hari Krishna he now comes across as a humble but contributing musician. Percussion one minute, reedy keyboards or acoustic guitar the next. When he spoke it was obvious that his brains had been replaced by scrambled egg but he was harmless and entertaining."
Opio Members Group
From: Alex Lumen [alumen@earthlink.net] - Dec. 18http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/opiofoundationmembers
this is the address for the Opio foundation Members Group/club. It's a group for anyone who love the messages that Jon / YES put out in their music. you don't have to be a member of the Opio Foundation to be a member here. We just share favorite Jon/YES lyrics or other similar ideas, and spiritual enlightenment.
It would be great to have a few more members.
anyway- you're invited to join if you like.
YesWorld Update
From: yescelt <[yescelt@aol.com] - Dec. 19Yesworlds says that "Magnification will be released in the new 5.1 DVD-A (DVD Audio) format. It is scheduled to be released by Rhino on May 28.
"A DVD-A version of Close to the Edge is scheduled to be released in the US on May 28, also by Rhino."
Yes Services December Update
From: believers@earthlink.net] - Dec 20New Year's Greetings, fellow YES fans!
YesServices has opened three new areas which we hope you will enjoy and find useful.
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THE FANSHOP
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Here, artistic creations, inspired by YES music and lyrics, are offered by YES fans, for YES fans. Online and mail-order purchasing are available. This area is *extremely* new, and is just now beginning to grow and develop. If you are an artist, writer, musician, or manufacturer with "YES-appropriate" merchandise, please contact us. There are guidelines and requirements for placement in the FanShop, and all inquiries are welcome!-----------------------
THE CALLING
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Now that "Magnification" has been officially released in the United States, we are encouraging YES fans to help support the band by requesting radio airplay of songs from the album. Email links and telephone contact numbers are provided for almost 500 stations around the country. You may submit station information for your own area that may not yet be listed.We also suggest that you **DONATE** copies of "Magnification" to the stations in your area most likely to provide that airplay.
Please take the time to email the program directors the link to the mp3 offered at YesWorld's newspage http://yesworld.com/ywnews.html#Magnification. The link to the mp3 is: http://www.beyondmusic.com/promotions/yes/YesMagnification.mp3
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SPREAD THE NEWS
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Here you may submit announcements and news items that you wish to share with the global YES fanbase... invitations to fan-gatherings, wedding announcements, celebrations of the birth of a child, the creation of a new YES fansite online, etc. A submission link is provided on the homepage! Let us know what is happening in your area!-----------------------
And of course, we hope that you will all decide to join the over-400 YES fans from around the world who have volunteered to participate in the "LIKE LEAVES WE TOUCH" project!
This area lists YES fans and their email contact links geographically. If you are moving, traveling on business, vacationing, or seeing a YES concert in a new location, feel free to email any of the YES fans who have volunteered to assist you personally with information about their areas to help make your trip as easy and pleasant as possible. Make new friends! Find other fans in your areas!
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"AND YOU AND I" now lists over 80 online email lists, clubs, chat groups and user groups for which YES is a focus. These are available in English and also in 14 other languages. Information about joining these groups is provided. Check it out!
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The "VENUE & TICKET INFORMATION" and "TRAVEL INFORMATION" areas will be updated with the most complete info we can collect when the next YES tours are announced.
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We are dedicated to providing information services to YESfans worldwide. If you have ideas for site development, or information needs that you would like to see fulfilled, drop us an email! We are here to serve!
Have a wonderful day and a joyous New Year!
Michele Marie Moore in Oklahoma
YesServices Research & Development
~*~ and ~*~
Tim Starr Ellsworth in Michigan
YesServices Webmaster & DesignerYesServices
http://www.zenponies.com/y
Also Accessible at:
YesWorld, through YesNet at Sites
http://yesworld.com
More Yes Japanese HDCD Remasters
From Gary Davis [artshop@artist-shop.com] - Dec. 22I just got the official word from my import distributor that there will be another round of Yes Japanese HDCD remasters in mini-LP sleeves expected to come out around late January/early February. They will include the following five titles:
YESTERDAYS
CLASSIC YES
90125
9012LIVE - THE SOLOS
BIG GENERATORI'm especially looking forward to Yesterdays with the original full length studio version of 'America' not to mention the single b-side of 'Dear Father.'
Please keep in mind that these are limited editions restricted to the first pressing only! I highly recommend pre-ordering these. You'll find them listed at http://www.artist-shop.com/catalog/imports/preorder.htm.
Yes In Classic Rock Magazine
From: Kevin [kdude420@webtv.net] - Dec. 23Yes is in the latest issue of Classic Rock Magazine. (Freddie Mercury's on the cover as it's the 10th anniversary of his passing) It's a great article with some nice pics too. (they must really like Yes as this is at least the third issue in a row with them in it, but this is a full article howeever) It gives a general hstory of the band up until now, BUT, this time I learned a few NEW things (not like usual) I hadn't read a million times before! One of those would be that Chris said "Can You Imagine?" was originally supposed to be used for XYZ out of the four or five demos they made from that period now twenty years ago already. Why didn't they use this tune a long time ago then? Very interesting. There were a few other new things I learned in there too. I probably learned more in there overall in the seven or eight pages than I did in the whole new Yesbook Perpetual Change. LOL By the way, just got my autographed Magnification & they'll be on Off the Record (with "your Uncle Joe Benson") during the weekend of 1/5-6. Unfortunately I'll be on vacation for ten days so I'll have to miss it. I'm gonna try to get somebody to tape it for me, hopefully. Hope everybody has a happy & wonderful holiday.
Trevor Rabin
From: Gary [GBrown8287@aol.com] - Dec. 24Hey One & All, I just picked up the Trevor's new score to the motion picture "The One". Liked it at first listen. In the same ballpark as Con Air just to give you an idea.
Not a clone. Original. He uses the Hollywood Studio Symphony. Has an over all kind of hard sound to it. The quiet moments are beautifully done. Almost forty minutes in length. Listening to it makes you want to see the film. I have not yet but I will. Speaking of Trevor, who else is keeping up on his film work? I have most of the releases. I'm very happy that he has come to be such a success in this field. Am still looking forward to the tour he keeps mentioning but never does. One of these years I guess.
Adam Wakeman's Statement on the Tribute to Yes
From: Eddie Lee [Eddie_K_Lee@hotmail.com] - Dec. 24The following message was from Adam Wakeman's official website:
YES tribute album Delta Music have released this album with many mistakes on, entitled WONDEROUS at a budget price. I was not given proofing of the finished release and am fuming that it has been released as a sub standard album and some of the details about the tracks are misleading and incorrect. A lot of time and effort went into recording this album which should be called The Revealing Songs of YES, and I had artwork specially commissioned for the release. I am urging proper fans to wait another month or so and purchase the real release to be on sale in the UK on The Store For Music label . The reasons for this sub license is unfortunately out of my control but I will do all I can to make sure that the people that buy the album are not getting ripped off. More details should be available on www.thestoreformusic.com
Yes Box Set
From: Eddie Lee [Eddie_K_Lee@hotmail.com] - Dec. 30Yesworld News: A box set containing practically all of Yes' albums is in the works, to be released by Rhino in 2002. There may be some bonus tracks but there are no firm details at this time.
Jon's Travelogues new installment
From: Cherokee [cherokeebw@yahoo.com] - Dec. 30New installment of Jon's Notes from a Touring Nutcase on his website at http://jonanderson.com/message3.html
Alan White Interview
From: RelayerBob [relayerbob@progedge.com] - Dec. 31There is a good interview of Alan at: http://progressiveworld.net/whiteinterv.html