Fantasy story: Close To The Edge part II
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Topic: Fantasy story: Close To The Edge part II
Posted By: Moogtron III
Subject: Fantasy story: Close To The Edge part II
Date Posted: March 09 2007 at 17:53
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Progressive whodunnit: Close To The Edge part 2 From the bestseller writer of The Le Orme Code, The Collins Identity and Murder At The Marquee. No, just kidding, the story you’re about to read is written by me, Moogtron III, and I hope it lightens up your day a bit. It’s just another fantasy story I wrote, this time about what could happen if the Yes crew were ever coming together to make an album which could top the famous Close To The Edge. To keep things a bit more original, I put it in a new form: you are looking at the first progressive whodunnit, and the story’s being cut into 10 episodes. Each day represents an episode. This story is being called: Return To The Edge and the subtitle is… 10 little proggers (inspired by Agatha Christie obviously Well, here we go. Day 1 On a good day they were all coming together: Jon Anderson, Chris Squire, Steve Howe, Rick Wakeman, Alan White, Bill Bruford, Trevor Rabin, Patrick Moraz, Geoff Downes and Peter Banks, in a rehearsal-room-with–studio in London, to write another classic album. Not everyone was really eager to come. Rick wanted a legal guarantee that Jonathan Elias wasn’t to be involved in this project as producer, and even if the studio toaster was to be damaged, that Jonathan Elias would not try to fix it. Bill had no interest, except when he heard the news that the record company (Atlantic) was willing to invest in the project, so he could earn enough money to do another year of Earthworks afterwards. All Yes, old and new, were invited, except newbies like Igor Koroshev and Billy Sherwood. The only two who declined, temporarily, were Trevor Horn, who was at that moment producing the next Seal album, and Tony Kaye who preferred managerial duties. Trevor Horn said he would come a few days later, though. They had dinner in a health food restaurant to break the ice a little, though Rick slipped away to get a curry and Chris had to powder his nose and came back with something that looked like a steak sandwich. After lunch, they all gathered, and this is the little chat that they had afterwards. Jon: Welcome, everybody. I’m glad you could all make it on the reunion! Immediately after these words, Rick was crying out loud. Jon: Rick, what’s wrong? Rick (still sobbing): You said it, the U-word. Don’t ever say that again. Jon: What do you mean, what U – word? Rick: Union! Or should I say onion? Jon : I didn’t say… Steve : You said re-union, and Rick’s still recovering from… well, you know which album, the album a.k.a. Onion because it makes him cry every time he hears it. Jon : Oh… well… ermm… sorry ‘bout that Rick, but this is a good moment to tell you about what I had in mind, and that’s certainly not a new… you know… but rather. Well, what do you consider the best album Yes ever made ? Steve, Rick, Bill, Alan, Chris: Close To The Edge ! Peter: I thought 90125 was much better. Jon (slightly irritated): Well, Peter, I think you’re a minority here. Geoff : The Yes Album was good too. And Drama… Jon (annoyed): Yes, yes, that’s all true, but most of the fans, and at least six of us, consider Close To The Edge our best album. So, what I was trying to get across… I mean, we’ve done many good albums, but what great albums did we make in the last 20 years? And I know we could do it again. So, why I called you all here to this reuni… this gathering, is because I’d like us to put our shoulders under it and make another Close To The Edge. What do you say? Bill: Another Close To The Edge? Jon (smiling): That’s right! Bill: What, may I ask, was wrong with the first one?? Jon: Nothing, but… Bill: Then why make another Close To The Edge? Jon: Well, I… Bill: I thought we were going to create something fresh? Jon: You see… Bill: Is it going to be called Close To The Edge II? Rick: Well, we could call it Return To The Edge, just like with my Journey To The Centre Of The Earth. I made some sort of sequel called… Bill: You don’t seem to get the point ! What are we, Mike Oldfield ? Close To The Edge II, then Close To The Edge III? And then, the Millennium Edge? Jon: Bill, don’t get edgy, I… Bill: No, you listen to me! Once we start with this, where are we going to end ? Son Of Close To The Edge? Grandson Of Close To The Edge? The Christmas Close To The Edge, the Karaoke Close To The Edge? And the songs, are they being called something like Close To The Wedge, And Us And Them, Siberian Tattoo? Jon: Now, really… Bill: I tell you what we really should call it. Anything but Close To Edge ! We could call it As Far Away From The Edge As Possible. Jon : I only meant… Bill : You could call it anything but Close To The Edge! Call it Close To Bono, or Close To Larry Mullen, or Close To Adam Clayton, but not ... Jon : Are you done ? Bill : Yes, I’m done here ! Goodbye ! Bill leaves the room in anger and slams with the door. Jon (unsecure) : What I was trying to say was that I want us to make a record with the same attitude as Close To The Edge. Rick: I think Bill has left the building. Jon: That hits me like a ton of bricks. Patrick: L’histoire se repète. Jon: What? Suddenly somebody pushed a note under the door. Patrick picked it up and read it out loud. It said : Ten little proggers came together, with ideas real fine, Then history took it’s toll and suddenly they were nine. Geoff: What’s that, a progger? TO BE CONTINUED ! |
Replies:
Posted By: progadicto
Date Posted: March 09 2007 at 17:55
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Waiting for the next part, Moogtron III!!! ------------- ... E N E L B U N K E R... |
Posted By: glass house
Date Posted: March 09 2007 at 18:02
| Great story. Waiting as well.................... |
Posted By: Vompatti
Date Posted: March 09 2007 at 18:11
Amazing!  
|
Posted By: Angelo
Date Posted: March 09 2007 at 18:34
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Poor Bill... Keep it up - this should be in the BLOG section! ------------- http://www.iskcrocks.com" rel="nofollow - ISKC Rock Radio I stopped blogging and reviewing - so won't be handling requests. Promo's for ariplay can be sent to [email protected] |
Posted By: Frasse
Date Posted: March 09 2007 at 18:45
 Nice! |
Posted By: Snow Dog
Date Posted: March 09 2007 at 18:59
A beutiful tale, well told! ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/Snow_Dog" rel="nofollow"> 
|
Posted By: Moogtron III
Date Posted: March 09 2007 at 19:12
| Thanks, everyone, for your heartwarming reactions! I hope to write part 2 real soon. |
Posted By: Uroboros
Date Posted: March 09 2007 at 19:33
Bill was supposed to be my favourite character, but I guess he couldn't last long... that's just the way he is. I suspect Downes is the next to leave...  ------------- Tous les chemins qui s’ouvrent à moi ne mènent à rien si tu n’es plus là |
Posted By: Moogtron III
Date Posted: March 10 2007 at 01:39
He's my favourite character as well, but I couldn't stop him from acting the way he did
 . Downes? Hmmm... you never know
|
Uroboros wrote:Posted By: Crazy Penguin
Date Posted: March 10 2007 at 13:36
Precious Simply can't wait for the next part ------------- I'm a little penguin, short and fat. This is my flipper, this is my hat. |
Posted By: Moogtron III
Date Posted: March 11 2007 at 15:21
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Hello everyone, here's part 2 of my somewhat crazy story. Hope you enjoy it!
Day 2
11.30 AM After Bill left on day one, spirits were really low and Jon thought it was a better idea to give the band the rest of the day off, and start again fresh the next day. Some discussions arose among band members about that strange note that was being pushed under the door. Most thought that it must have been put there by Bill himself after he left the room: an example of his wry humour. The incident was forgotten. Next day, the band began improvising to make a start with their first piece of new music. Everybody was there, except Chris who still hadn’t recovered from a late night party. The first bits of music were being created in the rehearsal room. Steve (pensive) : Perhaps a little Spanish guitar would be nice. Sort of a Peter: Spanish guitar? Spanish guitar? You mean like this? (Starts to play some wild Spanish guitar music). Or maybe some gypsy music ? (Plays some Hungarian music on his guitar, even wilder). Or maybe some Django Reinhardt? (Making uncontrolled music on his guitar). Or some Steve Vai ? (Plays at maniac speed, abusing his tremolo and dancing on his effect pedals). Whaddayasay ? (Long silence) Peter: Whaddayasay, huh? (Some more silence) Steve (finally nodding): Yes. Peter: Yes? Steve : Definitely. Peter : You mean… ? Steve : Yes, like I said, a little Spanish guitar would be definitely nice. I’m gonna try something. Listen to this. (Plays some gentle Spanish guitar music) Peter groans like a hurt animal and makes some gestures, which indicated that he wishes to strangle Steve. At that moment Chris comes in. He takes Jon aside. Chris: So how are things going? Jon (whispers angrily) : You’re late ! Chris : Well, it’s not polite to leave a party before it’s over, is it ? But how’s the band doing ? Jon (brightens up): Oh, such wonderful new music is being created! This is the Yes that I had in mind. Alan started with a dum-di-di-dum-dum-da-da-dum-dum-dum and I said: “Keep playing that! Keep playing that!” And then Steve came with a doo-doo-doo-di-doo and then Rick added some di-da-di-dum-di-dum-dum, and I came with this (starts singing): “In a state of consciousness making connection with your dreams, hoping for the sun to be witness of the moment you reach for the… for the…” Um… now what was I reaching for again. Chris: Alright, alright, I get the idea! Jon: I have a working title for our new piece of music: The enlightening path to self-realisation. I have a storyline from a book that I read about UFO’s which materialize in the shape of Indian guru’s. The book says that all Indian guru’s are in fact highly advanced machines that were made millions of years ago on a distant planet! One of them, the honorable Sri Chutney Curry, knows everything about mind over matter, and his chakra’s are like vertigo’s that… Chris (making impatient movements with his hands): Let’s talk about that later, shall we? But is everybody cooperating? Jon: Well, sort off. Given the fact that we have 3 guitar players and 3 keyboard players, it’s not so bad. The keyboard players seem to be going on pretty well, but there is a bit of a problem at the guitar section. Steve and Peter aren’t really getting along with each other. Whenever Steve plays something, Peter plays something alike, but twice as loud and twice as fast, as if he wants to compete with Steve. Chris: And Steve? Jon: Well, he just ignores Pete, as if he isn’t in the same room with him. At one moment Steve literally walks over Peter. Steve seemed genuinely surprised and said he hadn’t noticed Peter. Strange, huh? Chris: And Trevor? Jon: He acts a bit apathetic, but adds some odds and bits here and there. Chris: Well, that is a problem! At that moment Trevor joins Chris and Steve. Trevor: Listen you guys, this isn’t working out. Wouldn’t it be better if I go back to making some more movies soundtracks? You don’t really need 3 guitar players, do you? Chris: You can’t leave! Jon (smiling): Don’t worry, guys. I expected this problem. I dealt with it, and I’ll present the solution after lunch. Trevor : Oh, one more thing… I have a working title for the new piece of music. Jon and Chris: You do? Trevor : Yes! My idea was to call it Keep on movin’ you oiled-up love machine. We should be writing some more heavy love songs ! Jon and Chris: … 14.00: Band meeting Jon: Okay, let’s do some talking. The great thing about Yes is that we are all entities that come from a different place in the universe and add our own vision to the grand vision of the band. Rick: Grand visions, eh? And you’re the grandvizir? (Chuckles) Jon: Let’s make it more concrete. What music do you listen to at the moment? I myself listen a lot to Sibelius sixth symphony, Delius and recently I have this tape of Chinese music that I like. Chris: John Coltrane, Stravinsky’s Rite Of Spring, The Strokes and Lily Allen… Alan: Daphnis and Chloë from Ravel, Balinese Music… Trevor: Any Schoenberg and music with Vladimir Ashkenazy, the 1812 Ouverture… Peter : Britten’s string quartet’s, Antonio Carlos Jobim with Elis Regina Patrick: Keith Jarrett, Chopin impromptu’s… Keith Jarrett’s Bremen Concerto Geoff : I like Abba. All stare in amazement at Geoff. Jon: Errm… right, the point I was trying to make is that our different influences… Well, let’s leave it at that, shall we ? Well, as for our… big band… I have a solution for the triple keyboard and guitar section. Peter : I hope you brought a conductor. That’s what we need ! Trevor : No, what we really need is a referee ! Jon (smiles mysteriously): Well, it’s funny that you say that… Come on out, Andrea Collina! Suddenly a bald soccer referee enters the room, dressed in black, that is, the standard black referee outfit, with whistle and flags and all. Jon: He’s some distant cousin from Pierluigi Collina, you know, the famous soccer referee, but Andrea’s a real proghead. Now, the idea is this : whenever somebody plays too much notes at the expense of someone else, Andrea will blow his whistle and wave his flag to that person and point his flag at somebody else who hasn’t scored yet, I mean, ho hasn’t added enough to the musical score. All thought it was a crazy idea, but since they all agreed that Yes was never a normal band, and if it would be, it would sound horrible, they decided to give it a shot. And to everybody’s surprise it seemed to be working : the guitar players were actually content, because Andrea gave them each 33% playing time. But then… Andrea blows his whistle and waves his flag at Rick and Patrick, and then points it to Geoff. Patrick : Wait a minute, that’s not fair ! Rick : Geoff gets twice as much playing time as we get !! Jon: I’m sure you have an explanation for this, ref? Referee (shrugs his shoulders): Patreeck and Reek are playing twice as fast as Geoff, so they are getteeng half as much time. That’s logical, no ? Before the civil war could break loose in the rehearsal room, the referee was kindly asked to leave. From that moment on, things really seemed to go well. Everybody was listening to each other, and at the end of the day, some great piece of music, about 10 minutes long, was more or less finished. At night Steve Howe was mixing the piece of music in the control room. Peter Banks joined him. Peter: Can I help you? Steve: Actually, I’m almost done. Listen to this. Peter (listening intensely, and jumps up after a while): Hey, wait a minute! Where are my guitar parts? Steve: Your guitar parts? In this section? I didn’t hear any other guitar parts than mine. But I did hear some strange chainsaw noises. I don’t know how they got there. But I erased them. After listening to Steve’s mix, Peter puts on a tape of the original session. Peter (bursting out after a while): There! My guitar parts! What did you do with them, Howe?? Steve: Are those guitar parts? Sorry, I didn’t recognise them as such. I honestly thought it was a chainsaw. Peter (his face had turned red): You didn’t… (gasping for breath) recognise them as… !! (almost choking by now) I knew this would happen! I hate this band! I always get mixed out! I’ve had it with this band! You can tell the rest that I quit!! Peter leaves the room in anger. Steve (mumbling): Guitar parts? Strange… After a few minutes, Steve’s mobile phone beeps to inform him that he has a short text message waiting for him. Steve reads the message: “Nine little proggers enjoyed the music they made, one was structurally ignored and suddenly they were eight” Steve (somewhat absentminded) : Strange… TO BE CONTINUED |
Posted By: Angelo
Date Posted: March 11 2007 at 15:49
|
This get better by the episode.
------------- http://www.iskcrocks.com" rel="nofollow - ISKC Rock Radio I stopped blogging and reviewing - so won't be handling requests. Promo's for ariplay can be sent to [email protected] |
Posted By: Frasse
Date Posted: March 11 2007 at 19:35
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Haha
The 14.00: Band meeting episode is outstanding
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Posted By: moreitsythanyou
Date Posted: March 11 2007 at 19:41
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I have to admit, this series is genius -------------  <font color=white>butts, lol[/COLOR] |
Posted By: Uroboros
Date Posted: March 11 2007 at 19:42
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Great! This is getting exciting. ------------- Tous les chemins qui s’ouvrent à moi ne mènent à rien si tu n’es plus là |
Posted By: Moogtron III
Date Posted: March 12 2007 at 14:55
|
Thanks, everybody!!! Here's part 3. Have fun!
Day 3 10 AM Rick enters the rehearsal room and he switches the light on. Suddenly his mouth falls open. The rehearsal room is full of cardboard architecture: his keyboards are put into some sort of Mayan temple, there’s an Aztec altar under the Marshall speakers, and Steve’s and Trevor’s guitars are hung onto some kind of Greek lighthouse, and on top of it all, Alan’s drums are being positioned in pyramid form. The next moment Rick’s scared stiff, because suddenly he finds out he’s not alone in the room: two strangely dressed men approach from behind the cardboard temple. Rick: What’s all this? And who are you? This is a private building! Stranger 1: Mutto, matto, mutto! Stranger 2: Sha go teka! Rick: You were saying?? Steve enters the room. Rick: Steve, what happens? And who are those two clowns? Steve: I don’t know, this must be Jon’s doing. I’ll ask him when he’s ready with his meditation. Jon steps into the room. Rick: Jon: Ah, you’ve seen the wonderful architecture? It cost me a fortune, but it’s worth the money! Rick: You gotta be joking! And who are these guys? Jon: Aren’t they great? Did you know that they belong to the last true descendants of the kings of Atlantis? Atlantean 1: Welwel husa dis! Atlantean 2: Transic tö. Hödöyödö? Jon: They don’t speak English, but you can pick up their vibrations pretty well, you know. Did you notice that they use some words that I used on my first solo album: Olias From Sunhillow? I always knew that I received some words from the other side. You know, in my dreams it has been revealed to me that someday I’ll meet true Atlanteans. And now it’s happening! Life can be so sweet! Rick: Life can be quite bitter as well, I’m telling you! And them, Atlanteans? They look like basket cases to me! Besides, has the thought ever occurred to you that maybe Atlantis actually never existed? Jon (smiling) : Come on, Rick, you shouldn’t believe those fairy tales! No really, if you meet them, you know! It is a chance of a lifetime that I met them. Their manager has given me permission to use them on the album. Rick: They’re gonna be on the ALBUM? Jon: Just the language they use for communicating with animals. Rick (drops his jaw): Communicating with… Jon: Animals, like dolphins. They talk with dolphins like they talk with each other. Their manager has told me so much about them! You know, their philosophy is that each man should build a basin in his soul for his inner dolphin. In order that his inner dolphin can always swim around in his soul. Atlantean 1: Fliprrr fliprrrr Atlantean 2: Fasta da li nee. Jon: Look, they pick up our vibrations! They know that we’re talking about their inner dolphin. They’re practising their mantra. Flipr, flipr, to reach their inner dolphin. Come in, dolphin. Flipr flipr! Atlantean 1: (starts singing) Lay lay lay lay! Atlantean 2: Honk! Honk! Honk! Jon: That’s their goose mantra. You know, I can listen hours to this. Rick: Well, I can’t! They sound nasal, they can’t sing and they look like they have an IQ of minus 20! Jon: True, but that’s what makes it so amazing! Rick: What?? Jon: Well, you know, in order to keep the original Atlantean blood line intact, they have to do some… inbreeding, and you know what can happen then! They can become a little crazy, but that’s not important, because they have an aura that can fill up a whole room! Rick: Their stupidity fills the whole room! Oh, and one more thing: I refuse to work with them. It’s them or me on the record! Jon: Come on, Rick, at least give it a shot. The other lads are counting on you, and our fanclubs. They’re so much excitement everywhere about our new album! Even The secretary enters the room. Secretary: Mr. Anderson? Could you come to the phone please? Atlantean 1: Ebebi! Atlantean 2: Aya guna goma we? Jon and the secretary leave the room. Rick and Steve are both following their own train of thought. Steve: Well, Rick, at least this is nothing anymore like Close To The Edge. Rick (listless): No. Steve: Still, the whole scene looks pretty familiar. Rick (thinking): Yes, wait, this is something we’ve been through before! Steve: You know what album it reminds me of? Suddenly Steve sees that Rick’s face has turned purple. Steve: Rick, are you okay?? Rick (bursting out) : No!!!! Not another Tales From Topographic Oceans!!! 2 PM Leaders’ meeting Jon, Chris and Steve discuss the situation at the control room, while the other guys are trying to make some music in the rehearsal room. Steve tells about the message he received on his phone after Peter left. Chris: Another message? Then it couldn’t be Bill. Was it Bill the first time then? Probably not. Anyway, someone is cracking a joke at our expense. Who has your mobile phone number, may I ask, Steve? Steve: No one except some family members. Chris: So one of them must have sent this crazy rhyme? That sounds very unlikely. Steve: Wait, I often forget to take my phone with me! It’s often lying somewhere in the rehearsal room or in the control room or anywhere in the building. So it could be anyone inside this building, because if they use my phone they can find out my number. Chris: And don’t forget, it must be someone with inside information! Steve: A secretary, a porter, the people from the cafeteria… Chris: Or even… someone from the band! Steve: Someone who knew that Peter left tonight. But who from the band knew about that? Chris: We all did. We were still in the cafeteria when we saw Peter running out of the building. Jon: Hey, where’s Rick, by the way? He didn’t leave the band, now did he? Steve: No, he’s in the tearoom down the road. Whenever he’s depressed, he’s drowning his sorrows. Jon: What, he’s drinking alcohol again? Steve: Oh no! He’s tea-total for 21 years now. But when he’s drinking tea, he’s really drinking it, you know. He’s totally stuffed with Jon: Oh, no, poor chap! That shouldn’t be necessary. Because there’s Teadrinkers Anonymous these days, you know. Steve: Let’s pay him a visit at the tea room. Jon: First let’s look at how the guys are doing. In the rehearsal room, the Atlanteans are singing at the top of their lungs. The rest of the band stares in sheer disbelief to the whole scene. Alan: Is this really happening? Geoff: I count to 10, and then I wake up. Atlantean 1: (singing) Atlantis assa collena! Atlantean 2: Esso essa fo lova! Trevor (to Steve, Chris and Jon): Listen you guys, I don’t know about all this Atlantis stuff. You know, wouldn’t it be better if I’d be returning to doing movie soundtracks? Tearoom, teatime Jon: Rick, stop it! Now! Theine is not the answer. Steve: At least drink some rooibos, that’s much less harmful. Rick: What else can I do! The Atlanteans have taken over. Jon: If you’re unhappy in the band now, don’t run away. You must start changing things in the band from within. Rick (suddenly has a strange light in his eyes). Do I have your permission? Jon: To change the band for the better? Well, of course! Rick (jumps up from his seat and shouts to the girl behind the counter): I’ll be back! Steve: Well, somehow your words seem to have done the trick, Jon. When they return to the studio they see the Atlanteans being thrown on the street by the porter, and running away. And they ran past Steve, Jon and Chris, without paying attention to them. When they entered the rehearsal room they saw Rick ripping all the cardboard architecture. The rest of the band was helping him. Rick (grinning): Good advice, 7 PM: Leaders meeting Jon: Well, I gave everybody off. It was a hard day. Chris: At least we didn’t lose a band member today. Though it was pretty close with Rick. The secretary enters the room. Secretary: Mr. Anderson, mr. Rabin has called me and asked me to tell you that he is out of the band. He’s on his way to the Chris: I can’t believe this! Secretary: Oh, and mr. Anderson? Jon: Yes? Secretary: Could you come to the phone please? Someone left a strange message in the voice mail. Chris (groaning): Say it ain’t so! Jon took up the horn, and he heard a sarcastic voice, saying: "Eight little proggers entered a musical heaven, It sank with Atlantis, and then they were seven! Hehehe" |
Posted By: Frasse
Date Posted: March 12 2007 at 16:52
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Haha, best so far |
Posted By: Angelo
Date Posted: March 12 2007 at 17:48
You know, I can actually imagine the look on his face when he says that. Moogtron, you're brilliant at this - the Weird Al Yankovic of PA forums.  ------------- http://www.iskcrocks.com" rel="nofollow - ISKC Rock Radio I stopped blogging and reviewing - so won't be handling requests. Promo's for ariplay can be sent to [email protected] |
Posted By: Moogtron III
Date Posted: March 15 2007 at 05:36
Weird Al Yankovic, eh? You know what, never in my life did I expect to be called something like that
.I take that as a compliment, though
 |
Posted By: Moogtron III
Date Posted: March 15 2007 at 05:37
|
Well, here's part 4. Have fun.
Day 4
10 AM, control room. Chris meets with the CEO from Yes’ record company. CEO: It’s your responsibility, Chris. You’ve got to make it happen! Chris: Yes, sir. CEO: A hitsingle, Chris! You’ve got it in you, you’ve just got to let it out. Can I count on you? Chris: You can, sir. CEO: (Hits with his hand on the table) You’ve done it before! You’ve written Owner Of A Broken Heart, which was a smash hit, and even your album 90265 was a big hit. So I see no reason why you can’t do it again. Chris: Yes, sir, there’s this tiny little problem. CEO: There are no problems, Chris, just challenges. Did you know that the Chinese have just one word for crisis and challenge? Chris: So I’ve been told, sir, but you see, the guy who wrote the hit single, Trevor Rabin, he left the band yesterday. He got an offer from a movie company he can’t refuse. CEO: Well, get him back! My money’s is as good as theirs! Tell him I pay double what they offer him. We can’t let him go. Think of what the stock holders might say. What’s Yes without Trevor Raven? And by the way, where’s Trevor Horn? Chris: He’ll join us in a few days, sir. CEO: And the rest of the band? Chris: Doing just fine, sir. We’ve just created some great piece of music, called The enlightening path… , um… I mean Keep On Movin’ You Oiled Up Love Machine. CEO: That’s too long, abbreviate it to Love Machine, do you hear me? Chris: Loud and clear, sir. CEO: I can picture it before me (creates an imaginary billboard with his hands): Yes with their new hit single Love Machine. Splendid! Does it have any hit potential? Chris: Um, it’s 10 minutes long, so… CEO: Chris, what decade is this? Chris: The … double zero’s? CEO: Well, let’s call it like that, shall we. So… make music that sounds like double zero music! This isn’t the ‘70’s anymore, Chris! Chris: I know it isn’t, sir. CEO: I heard some of your big band have left. Do you miss someone, except your hit single writer? Chris: Um no, we’re even lucky to still have three keyboardists. CEO: Three keyboardists? Chris: Actually, four in a few days time, because Tony Kaye, the original keyboard player, is gonna drop by. CEO: Why do you need three or four keyboardplayers, Chris? Chris: That’s part of the Yes extravaganza. The fans love us for that! And they can get along well, so… CEO (shakes his head in disbelief): I hope one of them is Rick Wakeman? Chris: Yes, sir. CEO: Do the others contribute something substantial? Chris: Well, Geoff Downes is the greatest keyboard player Yes ever had. He actually listens to the others when he plays, and he thinks keyboards are part of the rhythm section. And Tony just pops in to do some rocking, CEO: And Patrick Moraz? Chris: Um, Patrick… (Silence; the CEO delivers an impatient drum roll with his fingers) Chris: Is just as good as Rick. Great virtuoso player. Adds some jazz… CEO: Jazz? You don’t need jazz on your album. Chris: You see, the thing is… CEO (suddenly stands up): I have to go. Another meeting. Nice to have spoken to you, Chris. At least I can talk with you. You’re the only one with sense. The others are just… (turns his face into a grimace) .. artists! Okay, and remember Chris: get Trevor Raven back, help the band to focus on a hit single, and get Moraz out of the band. He adds nothing substantial. Oh, and tell Rick Wakeman to wear a silver cape on stage. Chris: But sir! CEO: (Leaves the room in haste) I’ll call you. Take care. 2 PM, band meeting Jon: There’s something I gotta tell you. Someone’s trying to sabotage this project. You’ve all heard about the strange notes of the last few days… Patrick: But that’s just some joker, right? Strange coincidence that every day one person left, but surely nothing but a coincidence. Jon: I’m afraid not, Patrick. You see, this morning Chris got on the phone with Trevor Rabin. Chris: Um, yeah, the offer he got yesterday turned out to be fake. No Rick: So will he be coming back? Chris: I’m afraid not. He’ll stay where he is. He’s a bit fed up with how things are going right now. Oh, and another thing. I’ve just spoken on the phone with the CEO about the notes and about Trevor. Tomorrow we’ll get a private detective. To help us solve the rhyme thing which takes so much of our energy. 2.30 PM, rehearsal room The band is creating their second piece of music. Working title… depends on who you speak to. According to Jon it ought to be called: The uplifting energy of Hopi rites of passage. Chris suggested “Groove Movement” and Rick suggested: A curry and a tea will give us new energy. Whatever the title, the music’s really happening. 4.00 PM Tea time Chris takes Steve and Jon aside. Chris: What do you think of Patrick? Jon: He’ll be alright. Steve: I’m not so sure. When we go whoooosh with the band, he doesn’t come along with us. It’s like he does mush instead of wooooosh. Chris: Sorry to say, he’s not getting into the swing of things. The record company has its doubts too. Steve: Well, it was to be expected. Jon: Because? Chris (in a whisper): He’s… Swiss! Jon: So? Chris: Come on, think about it, how many good Swiss rock stars are there. Steve: Psychologically, he’s still a foreigner. Chris: I don’t think there’s a word for woooosh in the Swiss vocabulary, so to say. Jon: And what do you intend to do about it? Chris: Well… At the end of day, Patrick is leaving. The rest of the band eats in the cafeteria, some of them taking a more than copious meal, as if to compensate for their depressed mood. At the end of the meal, fortune cookies are being distributed. Chris opened his, and a note came out, saying: “Seven little proggers were making an exciting musical mix, Then one got the axe and suddenly they were six.” TO BE CONTINUED
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Posted By: Frasse
Date Posted: March 15 2007 at 08:12
| hehe, poor Patrick. |
Posted By: Angelo
Date Posted: March 18 2007 at 09:47
 ------------- http://www.iskcrocks.com" rel="nofollow - ISKC Rock Radio I stopped blogging and reviewing - so won't be handling requests. Promo's for ariplay can be sent to [email protected] |
Posted By: Moogtron III
Date Posted: March 18 2007 at 16:48
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Thanks once again for your kind comments! Here's the next part. Hope you'll like it.
Day 5 10 AM, control room, private investigations A private detective called inspector Cluedo drops by. Jon, Steve and Chris are giving him all the information they know about the false telephone call and the “10 little progger” rhymes. Inspector: This is all very streunge. Chris: So do you have any clue? Inspector: Wah’ll get this prehblem sol-ved in neu time. Steve: Excuse me? Jon: He says he’ll solve it in no time. He’s from French origin. Chris: But do you have any clue? Inspector: A cleu? Where? Chris: No, do you have a clue! Inspector: Well… it isn’t easy… Someone’s putting these swine tricks on yeu. It could be… Chris, Jon and Steve: Yes?? Inspector (smiles mysteriously from under his moustache): …A pink conspiracy! Chris: Pink? Steve: How do you mean, pink? Inspector: Well, yeuw kneuhw, those swines with the seufty pins and the spike bands and the terrible music. Steve: I think he means punk. Inspector: Yes, pink! That’s what I have been saying, you idiot! Now, about yeur guitar player that has been fah-yered. Steve: No, he got a false phone call. It was one of the keyboard players… Inspector (impatient): Yes I kneuw that, I kneuw that. You got to watch out, yeuw kneuw. Next time it can be a behm. After half an hour, where inspector Cluedo unfolded his theories that Alan performed the perfect crime with the chandelier in the library, Geoff with the knife in the dining room and Rick with a dagger in the billiard, eventually Steve, Jon and Chris gave up and asked the inspector kindly to leave. They decided to ask the record company to give them a better detective this time. They got another shock, because inspector Cluedo was never been sent by the record company. They wondered where he came from, but were unable to find the answer themselves. The record company promised to send a real detective the next day. In the mean time Jon was planning on doing some investigations himself. 2 PM, control room, Band meeting Jon: Tomorrow we’ll get a new detective. At this moment I would like to know some things from you. How do you experience this project, apart from the unrest that is being generated by our… joker. Is this a dream come true? This is what you really want to do? Nothing else at the moment? Alan: No, nothing else. Steve: No, nothing else. Jon (smiles): Great! Great! Steve: Except… Jon (frowning): Except?? Steve: Well, I’ve got this record with Paul Sutin, which is only for the health food stores, but for the rest… Oh yeah, and a reunion with Bodast. Chris: Yeah, as for me… making another solo album would have been nice as well… Or another cd with Billy Sherwood. Rick: A new Close To The Edge would be fantastic. But I do have some other projects… A solo album called 20.000 Leagues Under The Sea, a Wakeman With Wakeman - album with my son Adam, a new gospel album, a piano album, I’ve been asked to do a show called Rick Wakeman on ice, I have this talk show on tv… Alan (pensive): Maybe I could do another solo album… And I'm thinking about a project with Tony Kaye... Jon (dreamy): I suppose I could team up with Vangelis once again. Well… (Suddenly comes to his senses). No, this is crazy! Geoff, how about you? Geoff: There’s nothing else I’d like to do at the moment. Jon: Great! Come on, people, let’s go for it! This afternoon, we’ll move to the studio. To put down all the music we’ve got thus far. Four o’clock, studio 1. 4 PM, Studio 1 Rick and Steve enter the studio. Rick sees a room within the room. Rick (shocked): What’s that? Steve: It’s a bathroom. Rick: Yes, but what is it doing in our studio?? Steve: Well, Jon is much more at ease when he’s singing under the shower. So… Rick: So?? Steve: There’s a microphone for him in the bath tub. Rick: He’ll be singing his parts under the shower?? This band is completely crazy! Steve (smiles): Says the guy who once recorded his organ parts via a Swiss telephone line. Rick (shakes his head): Yes, I must be completely crazy myself to be in this band. 4.30 PM, roll call Jon: Chris is missing. Rick: The next one in line? This is hopeless! Jon: Without hope you cannot start the day, Rick. Rick: Starting the day at 4.30 PM? Jon: Forget about it. Let’s start playing anyway. Rick: I gotta go to the bathroom first. Not the one in the studio. 5 PM Steve: Rick didn’t come back from the toilet down the hall. Alan: He’s been there now for almost half an hour. You don’t think the joker…? Jon (angry): Great! Fabulous! Two down, four to go?? 5.30 PM Rick returns from the bathroom. His face is green. Rick: Must have been the beans I ate at noon. The bloody things went through me like a Ferrari! Jon (sighs): I’m glad you didn’t leave as well. Let’s call it a day. See you all tomorrow. With Chris, I hope. I fear the worst, though. Geoff: Jon, Steve, can I speak you in private? 5.35 PM, control room Geoff: Guys, I would like to leave the band. Jon: Why, Geoff, why?? Geoff: To be honest, I’m bored to death here. I’d like to play with After some fruitless discussions, Jon and Steve accept the fact that Geoff leaves. 6 PM, studio 1 Jon and Steve are mixing some fresh Yes music. The secretary, followed by two guitar players, heavily armed with Stratocasters and Secretary: Mr. Anderson? Jon: Yes? Secretary: Here’s a rock-o-gram for you, mr. Anderson. Jon: A rock-o-what? The two guitar players suddenly start to play and sing, in a style vaguely reminiscent of the Sex Pistols’ nice little tune called Pretty Vacant. “Six little proggers were keeping the music ali-i-i-i-i-i-ve! Then one was bored to death and suddenly they were f-i-i-i-i-ve!” After the savages had left the room, Steve and Jon were alone. Jon: I don’t understand! Steve: What? Jon: This crazy rhyme was about Geoff, no doubt, but we lost Chris as well. This time we lost two members instead of one. Steve: Maybe there’s a logic to it. Jon: What do you mean? Steve: Just a thought. Maybe it was Chris who sabotaged our band all the time… TO BE CONTINUED |
Posted By: Uroboros
Date Posted: March 18 2007 at 17:09
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It had to come to this sooner or later... I like the way the story often re-tells or at least brings to mind some real events in Yes' history. And yes, Chris had been acting a little strange indeed... he just might have been behind this... can't wait to find out. ------------- Tous les chemins qui s’ouvrent à moi ne mènent à rien si tu n’es plus là |
Posted By: Frasse
Date Posted: March 18 2007 at 17:35
Now it's getting really exciting!
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Posted By: Angelo
Date Posted: March 18 2007 at 18:15
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Good one again - keep going!
------------- http://www.iskcrocks.com" rel="nofollow - ISKC Rock Radio I stopped blogging and reviewing - so won't be handling requests. Promo's for ariplay can be sent to [email protected] |
Posted By: Moogtron III
Date Posted: March 18 2007 at 19:12
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Uroboros: It's fun in particular to use old Yes-anecdotes in the story. All the Yes fans who know the history of the band find several nods and winks in the story, and I can see you're one of them! Yes is really a great band for a story like this, because this band is sometimes stranger than fiction Frasse: I was a little bit unsecure about if the people would like this part, with the "whodunnit" side of it. Thanks for you reply!
Angelo: Thank you! I will keep on going, but I think I will only be able to write a sequel next weekend.
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Posted By: Jeams Pfirp
Date Posted: March 18 2007 at 22:10
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hmm... -------------  
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Posted By: Moogtron III
Date Posted: March 26 2007 at 04:01
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For those who like it:
Day 6 10 AM, control room The new inspector, from Inspector: What have you discovered yet yourself? Jon, Steve, Rick, Alan: Nothing yet. Inspector: Amateurs. Have you taken fingerprints, talked with the personnel? Jon, Steve, Rick, Alan: Not yet. Inspector (frowning): Idiots. Haven’t you done anything at all?? Jon: Excuse me? We’ve done so much! We’ve made the most wonderful music! Inspector: Hmph, artists. Do you suspect someone? Jon: Well, our bass player has disappeared since yesterday. He’s often late, but always stayed, no matter how bad the music was. So… Inspector: Well, let’s see, does he have a motive for sabotaging the band? Jon: None that we can think of. The inspector left the band and started investigating. 10.30 AM, band meeting Jon: Right, bar nr. 22, note nr. 6. What do you think? Should the next note be an F or an F sharp? Steve: Maybe an F, maybe part of the Fsus-chord that I had in mind. Alan: Why not F major 7? Steve: Because of the chord after that. It’s F major. It wouldn’t work out. A plain F7 would do, but that wouldn’t help us to get to the chord after the next chord. Rick: Listen, do we have to talk about each note?? Jon (surprised): Well, of course! After all, we’re a democratic band, aren’t we? Now, all in favour of F for note nr. 6, put up the green cards that I gave to you. Alan: Abstention. Jon: Put up your white card then. Steve: No, the white card is for blank votes. Alan: What’s the difference with abstention? Steve: Couldn’t we work out a compromise before voting? This is all going a bit too fast. Rick: Fast?? This is all going nowhere! Couldn’t we just play the music? Improvise a bit? We’re not the House Of Commons, are we? Alan (smiles): But we are The House of Yes. Rick: This is too much! I’m off to the tearoom. I’ll join you later. (Rick walks away, gazing at his shoes) Jon (shakes his head): I’m worried about Rick. Steve: Yes, if he misses this meeting, he might be playing F major 7 after all. Imagine where that could lead us to? 2 PM, Studio 1 Jon: I just got a call from Trevor Horn. He’ll join us later this afternoon. He brings some James Brown horn samples. Says it will fit perfectly within the music. Rick: He hasn’t even heard the music. So why can he say that it fits perfectly? Alan: Well, maybe he’ll bring some songs of his own. Rick: Don’t trust him. He has a history of playing whole albums by himself! I know this much: I won’t let him play my keyboards. Alan: He can do bass though, since Chris left. Rick: By the way, Jon, when are you going to use the bathroom for your vocals? It just comes out of the studio and it stands there. Jon: Twenty-four before my love and I’ll… Sorry, I meant to say: just at the final recording sessions. Suddenly a funny noise is being heard from inside the studio - bathroom. Steve jumps up. Steve: There’s someone in the bathroom! Jon: Sounds like he’s armed too. I hear some kind of chainsaw. Steve: It’s moving! Or he’s moving! Rick (suddenly grins from ear to ear): No mystery about that. Steve: What do you mean? Rick: Guys, I think I solved your mystery, or at least part of the mystery. In the old days, what used to be Chris Squire’s nickname, do you remember that? Jon: His nickname? Wasn’t it… the fish? Rick: Correct. Now why did he get that nickname? Jon: I remember. Because of his marathon stinches in the b… You mean…? Rick (still grinning): No doubt about it. Steve: Could that really be true? Jon: There’s only one way to find out. (Jon knocks on the bathroom door). Jon: Chris? Schindleria Praematurus? Is that you? Chris: Huh?... Yeah, hold on a moment. Five minutes later, a clean but sleepy Chris Squire steps out of the bathroom. Jon: We’ve been worried, Chris! Chris: Well, you know, I saw the bath, and I thought, like, why shouldn’t I... you know… (Looking at his watch): Hey, wait a minute! I’m right on time! We had an agreement on playing at two o’clock in this studio! Jon: Yes, Chris, 24 hours ago… At the end everybody was happy that there was still a full Yes after all. Chris was still mumbling from time to time: “Well, I was almost ready”. But apart from that, the band was in a good mood. Alan: Great! This is the Going For The One, Keys To Ascension formation! Steve: The definitive Yes - members are still here. Jon: Yes, the Tales From Topographic Oceans group is still here! Rick: Don’t push your luck, The band decided to do some playing. They cut another track and at 4 PM Trevor Horn joined the band. After listening to the music he decided to put on his producer’s cap. Rick went away to the tearoom, where he had a date with a girl for whom he had fallen “hook, line and sinker”, as he called it, but not before he asked everyone to pay attention that Trevor wouldn’t touch his keyboards. They all decided to be back in the studio at 7 PM. Studio 1, 7 PM Rick enters the studio. Trevor Horn was already there. He sees 6 pairs of slippers in the studio, a hallstand with six bathrobes, a pile of newspapers and a bottle of sherry with glasses. Rick: Say, Trevor, what are you up to? What is all this stuff doing here? Do we have to share the room with the Rotary or what? Trevor: Ah, you mean the slippers and all? No, that’s all for you. You know (in a whisper) we’re doing bass tonight! Rick: Excuse me? Trevor: Well, Chris still has to catch up with the rest, but apart from that, he has a habit of… taking his time, you know? Rick: You mean… Trevor: What I mean is that you probably have to stay here ‘till six in the morning. Chris wants it all sorted out alright. You know Chris. So sit back and relax, you can take a bath as well if you wish. Take your time… Maybe we should build a sauna in the studio as well. Studio 1, 10.30 PM The band is helping out with Trevor’s production. Read: Chris is checking his bass parts, while Jon tries to read the Times, Steve the Daily Telegraph, Rick is reading… well, never mind. They try to read, but every 5 minutes or so, Chris starts the following discussion or variations on the following discussion: Chris: There seems to be a funny noise here. Jon, Steve, Alan and Rick: No, Chris, there isn’t! Chris: You don’t hear it? Then you must listen to it again. Rick: No! Jon: Okay, okay! There is a funny noise. Chris: So you did notice! Maybe we should play the whole thing over again. What do you think? Rick: I don’t think that’s necessary. Chris: Maybe you didn’t hear it right? Jon, Steve, Alan and Rick groan, and every time they grudgingly agree that the sound became better and better. At 11 PM, Rick answers his mobile phone. It turns out to be a girlfriend. Rick sneaks out for a date. Studio 1, 11.45 PM The night watch enters the room, to inform Jon that somebody’s on the phone for him. It’s Rick. Rick: Sorry Jon, I’m leaving. Jon: Rick, say it ain’t so! Why? Rick: Well, you were in the same room with me tonight, weren’t you? I don’t think you need a further explanation. Jon: That was only tonight, I’m sure. Rick: Jon, how many normal days did we have yet? Jon: I see what you mean, but… Rick: This time I made up my find. I want a peaceful life, if you know what I mean. Has our mysterious joker called yet? Jon: No, he hasn’t. I'm glad about that. Rick: One mustn't speak too soon. Jon, listen to this little verse I made: “Five little proggers were aiming for more and more and more, Then one thought: less is more, and he slipped out through the door.” Jon: Rick… was it you all the time?? You’re the joker? Rick (sighing): Goodnight Jon. TO BE CONTINUED |
Posted By: glass house
Date Posted: March 26 2007 at 04:28
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Great stuff!!
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Posted By: Frasse
Date Posted: March 26 2007 at 10:44
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Posted By: Moogtron III
Date Posted: April 01 2007 at 18:02
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Thank you, Glass House and Frasse!
Here's part 7 of my story, for those who like it!
Day 7
9.30 AM, studio 1 Jon enters the studio, and suddenly sees that somebody put graffiti art on the studio bathroom. There were some messages to be read: “Our reason to be here”, “Always doors to lock away your dreams” and “After all don’t doubt your part” 10 AM, control room The inspector gives the first results of his investigations to the four remaining band members. Inspector: I’ve found no fingerprints yet, and no other marks that could help me solve the case. Not a clue from the graffiti either, except that the messages… They’re from one of your albums, isn’t it? Steve: Yes, they’re all quotations from the Relayer album. Chris: Even now I don’t have a clue what the words mean. Inspector: It might help us, though. Jon: But have you talked to Rick yet? I told you about his phone call from last night. He delivered me personally one of those crazy ten little progger rhymes. Inspector: Mr. Anderson, has mr. Wakeman made a confession to you? Jon: Not in so many words, but when I asked if he was the joker, he didn’t deny it. Inspector: This morning I had a phone call with mr. Wakeman myself, and he said he didn’t do it, that he wasn’t the joker. And I must tell you, I’m inclined to believe him. Jon: But still he delivered me one of those crazy rhymes! Inspector: Come on, mr. Anderson, you collected all those rhymes. Didn’t you notice that there was something different about mr. Wakeman’s rhyme? It didn’t end like the other rhymes. It should have ended with: “And suddenly they were four”, or “And then they were four”, but it didn’t. It ended with “door”. Jon: Meaning? Inspector: Meaning, that it could very well be that mr. Wakeman was just joking when he made the rhyme, a somewhat bitter joke, but that he wasn’t the joker, if you know what I mean. Steve: Still, it is strange that our usual joker didn’t deliver his usual rhyme afterwards. You’d think that if it wasn’t Rick, that it must have been someone who is very well acquainted with the band, and the present state of things. Now why didn’t the real joker deliver a rhyme? He must have known that Rick had left. Jon: It’s still the most likely thing that the joker is one of us, one of the remaining members of the band. Inspector: Because? Jon: Because the other band members, the ones that left the band, have also left the building! Inspector: Do you think? Jon: You’re not going to tell me that it isn’t so, are you?? Inspector: Let me respond with a question. Mr. Anderson, how many studios are there, in this building? Jon: One, I suppose? Steve: No, there are nine other, smaller studios, down the hall, around the corner. Inspector: And that’s making things not any easier. Jon: What are you trying to say? Inspector: Mr. Anderson, prepare yourself for a shock. (Unfolds a paper) Inspector: Take a look at the present studio schedule. Studio 1: Yes Studio 2: Bill Bruford’s Earthworks Studio 3: Flash Studio 4: Patrick Moraz Studio 5: The Buggles Studio 6: Vangelis Studio 7: - r e s e r v a t i o n – Studio 8: - Studio 9: - Studio 10: - Jon: I can’t believe this! Chris: Flash, isn’t that that Peter Banks’ old band? Steve: And The Buggles, that’s with Geoff Downes? Inspector: Absolutely correct! I’ve checked it out with Kitty, the secretary of this building. Nobody of your band has really left the building, at least not during the day time. Nobody except Trevor Rabin who’s still in the Jon: Really? And what about Vangelis? What is he doing here? Inspector: Like the others, recording an album. Jon: But why here? Inspector: Vangelis says, and they all say by the way, that it’s for the same reason as you guys, it’s a new studio here, a cheap studio, yet completely state-of-the-art. Jon: It’s so hard to believe. Inspector: I agree. Jon: But why did they all stay here, and why didn’t they talk to us? Inspector: Well, I don’t know that yet. Jon: Where’s Trevor Horn by the way? Inspector: He’s doing the Buggles’ album with Geoff. Jon: … 2 PM, studio 1 Band rehearsal. Jon (singing softly): Celestial dreamer, coming out of thin air Chris: Earth to Jon, come in Jon! Jon: Excuse me? Chris: We’ve already finished, and you’re still singing. Jon: Well, it was a short piece of music. Chris: It was not! I clocked at… (looking at the control panel) 3: 30! Jon: That is short, it’s like… a hit single! Chris: Just the way it was intended. Jon: We’re not a hit single band! Chris: You’ve got a hit single disease! Jon (sighs): Okay, okay, a hit single it shall be. Let’s try again. Alan, Steve and Chris play some hard rocking music. Jon starts singing. Jon: “The gentle river springs from the silent mountain, butterflies spreading their colourful wings…” Chris suddenly stops. The rest of the band follows. Chris: Jon, what is all this river – mountain stuff? Jon: Just some words that fit within the music. Chris: But we’re doing a heavy rock jam! Jon: Maybe you should play a little softer then. Chris: Maybe you should sing other words! Something with balls, not this airy-fairy nonsense. Jon (sighs): Well, I’ll try. 7 PM, studio 1 Alan, Chris and Steve return in the studio. They wait for Jon, but when they find out that he doesn’t show up, they start playing all the same. At 9 PM, when Jon still isn’t there, they discuss the situation, and Steve’s staring at the studio schedule. Suddenly he jumps up when he sees something has changed. Steve: Studio 6, Jon and Vangelis?? He holds up the paper and shakes his head in disbelief. Alan: Wait! There’s something written on the back. And at the back of the paper there was a little rhyme: “Four little proggers were playing heavy, But one liked “twee”, and then there were three.”
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Posted By: Frasse
Date Posted: April 01 2007 at 18:59
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Ah thanks. Some first class entertainment A relief from all those horrid Aprils Fools jokes.
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Posted By: Crazy Penguin
Date Posted: April 04 2007 at 13:18
High quality stuff  Have you written similar stories before? You're quite good at this.
------------- I'm a little penguin, short and fat. This is my flipper, this is my hat. |
Posted By: Firepuck
Date Posted: April 04 2007 at 14:34
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All bow to the great storyteller Moogtron III. This is top notch stuff!!! ------------- Kryten : "'Pub'? Ah yes, A meeting place where humans attempt to achieve advanced states of mental incompetence by the repeated consumption of fermented vegetable drinks." |
Posted By: Moogtron III
Date Posted: April 04 2007 at 16:52
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Thank you all!!
Crazy Penguin: I did write a short story (or dialogue) before, about Genesis reforming, when that was a hot item on PA, more than a year ago. It's called Genesis Worst Case Scenario, and there's no link on PA anymore (only items that are younger than one year are being stored on the site). If you're interested, I can send it to you by PM (and to anybody else who's interested).
Oh, and I also wrote a short dialogue about a scientific congress where some professors were exchanging theories about the homo symphonicus or homo progressus. I didn't save it, because I thought all old items were being stored by PA
 . That was my debut story and I'm not too proud of it, so maybe it's for the best that I lost it .Thanks everybody for the kind comments, I appreciate!
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Posted By: Firepuck
Date Posted: April 05 2007 at 10:06
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Moogtron III, was that the story about the Genesis Reunion First Rehearsal? I remember laughing out loud. I would love a copy! ------------- Kryten : "'Pub'? Ah yes, A meeting place where humans attempt to achieve advanced states of mental incompetence by the repeated consumption of fermented vegetable drinks." |
Posted By: Moogtron III
Date Posted: April 05 2007 at 10:20
Yes, it was. I'm glad you enjoyed it! It was much fun putting it together. I'll send you a copy right away.
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Posted By: Firepuck
Date Posted: April 05 2007 at 11:18
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Got it! Yes, that was the story I remember - very, very funny.
Thank you. ------------- Kryten : "'Pub'? Ah yes, A meeting place where humans attempt to achieve advanced states of mental incompetence by the repeated consumption of fermented vegetable drinks." |
Posted By: Moogtron III
Date Posted: April 05 2007 at 12:12
You're welcome!
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Posted By: Moogtron III
Date Posted: April 07 2007 at 08:04
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Hello everybody, here's part 8! Hope you enjoy it once again.
Day 8 10 AM Jon was walking down the hallway, to studio 6, to record an album with Vangelis. Then suddenly he sees Bill Bruford standing in the doorway of studio 2. Bill was smiling, and was making gestures with his right hand at Jon, indicating that Jon should come closer. Bill: Jon, can I have a word with you in private? Meanwhile, in studio 3, Peter Banks and Patrick Moraz were sitting next to each other, but they were not alone in the room. Someone else had entered the studio, a man with grey hair and a black leather coat. He was taking his coat off. Peter: Welcome to the studio! Sit down. We need to have a serious discussion. Studio Geoff: So, you see, Trevor, in these circumstances I just had to do this. I hope you understand. Trevor: I do understand. It was a difficult band after all. It sounds a bit radical to me, and I certainly didn’t expect it from you, but I can see why you did it. And I respect what you did and still do, and I’ll keep my mouth shut about it. Studio 7, just a bit later. Someone knocked on the studio door. The door was being opened, by Rick Wakeman. Rick: Come in, Trevor. I’m glad you’re here. This time things are really going to happen. The time is ripe now! At the same time, in studio 1, Alan and Steve were having a conversation with the inspector. Inspector: Where’s mr. Squire? Alan: Still in bed. He had another party last night. Inspector: Well, I found some things out yesterday. I had a private conversation with mr. Wakeman, who had another visit at the tearoom yesterday. He accidentally met those people there, who were giving themselves out as Atlanteans a few days ago. This time, they weren’t wearing any folklore costumes, but they were in jeans and T-shirts. And they weren’t speaking in a strange language anymore, but they were speaking… let’s call it Cockney English. Rick had a… private conversation with them, putting some pressure on them to get some… answers. Mr. Wakeman’s quite strong actually, but that aside. It turned out that those “Atlanteans” were in fact students from a London theatre school, and both they and their manager were being hired by an anonymous person, who was giving them quite some money that they'd go to the Yes rehearsals to act the way they did. So your joker has been more active than you think. Steve: Incredible! Alan: Amazing! Now why would our joker have done that? Inspector: To disturb someone in the band, so he would eventually leave, no doubt. Alan: Rick! Does that bring us closer to solution of the mystery? Inspector: It does, actually, probably your joker has been more active than we thought beforehand, not only making rhymes, but carefully manipulating someone out of the band each day. When Rick couldn't be worked out with the Tales From Topographic Oceans, our joker took a girl, who tried to talk Rick out of the band the very same day. Steve: So that's what happened! It’s all very subtle. Inspector: Indeed so, and our joker must be more than a joker, he must have a strong resentment towards the band. Oh, and one more thing I found out: the studio phone has been tapped, as well as the one from your record company, which explains why your first inspector, mr. Cluedo, got here. No doubt he was some sort of actor as well. Alan: Do you have any clue of who could have done this? Inspector: Not yet, but I’m almost sure that it is one of you, I mean one of the Yes members. Some of you is trying to destroy the band. I don’t think Rick Wakeman, he has been the victim too much himself. I don't think Trevor Rabin did it either, since he was out of the building for a few days. He’s back now. Steve: He is?? Alan: What is he doing here? Inspector: Recording an album with Rick Wakeman. Rick and Trevor can get along very well, as you may know. Oh, we do have another clue, but it’s a tough one. It’s the graffiti that you found on the studio door. That may tell something about the motive of the joker. “Our reason to be here”. Now what could be the reason to be here? Steve (sighs) : Not much reason, so it seems, they’re all leaving Yes, one after the other. Inspector: Exactly, but they haven’t really left, have they? They’re still in the same building, actually looking for each others company! Alan: Really! But I still don’t understand. Inspector: Maybe the next quote will help. “Always doors to lock away your dreams”. Steve: Well, what doors do we have here? Alan (laughing wryly) : A lot of studio doors in the building. Inspector (with a serious face): You may be laughing at this, but in reality those doors may have done just that. Alan: What do you mean? Inspector: Locking away band members from each other, thats what I mean! That’s what happening right now! The studio doors are separating you from each other. Now why aren’t you all in the same room, dreaming a big dream, as on day one? Why aren't you making another Close To The Edge? It seems like that there are always doors to separate you from each other, right? Not only this week, but always since the mid- '70's! Steve and Alan were staring at the inspector in amazement. Inspector: Come on, gentlemen. Wasn’t that what your band leader, Jon Anderson, said? At least, that’s what he said that to me: the band was like, having dreams that would meet each other on a cosmic level. Alan (chuckles) : Well, you have been talking to Jon for sure! Inspector: Yes, but he's right in a way, isn't he? And then the last part: “After all, don’t doubt your part.” Alan: Meaning? Inspector: Well, just thinking out loud. You see, your dreams are being kept separate, by doors that are being carefully shut. But the parts themselves are worthwhile on their own. So even when you were a Yes band member who had to leave at a certain moment in time, because you were being kicked out or because you couldn't get along with the musical direction of the band: don’t look back in anger, in resentment, don’t doubt your part that you contributed to the band, even when the parts didn’t fit with the parts of the others. Even when the individual dreams couldn’t be put together, even if the union didn’t work out. Your life hasn’t failed, so to say. You tried. You really tried… Steve (shakes his head in disbelief): This all sounds too fantastic to be true. Inspector: Maybe you’re hitting the nail on the head with that. Steve: I don’t get it. Inspector: Can’t you see? Your band is too fantastic to be true. You all come together, then you split up, but you’re still… hanging around, never really leaving. That's what's been happening for the last 35 years in your band, right? You're still collaborating with each other in all different kinds of ways. Heck, even the side members come in every now and then! I wouldn’t be surprised if even the last remaining members of the band, who haven’t showed up yet, like Billy Sherwood and Tom Brislin, would drop by. Steve: And Tony Kaye… Inspector: Tony Kaye? Mr. Howe, Tony Kaye’s already here! Steve and Alan: … Meanwhile, in studio 3 Tony Kaye was having a heavy debate with Peter Banks and Patrick Moraz. Peter: Come on Tony, you know you were being kicked out back in 1971. Tony: No, it was my own personal decision to leave Yes. Peter: Tony, you got kicked out! Tony: No, it was in mutual consent. I wanted to do something else… they wanted to do something else… Peter: TONY, YOU GOT KICKED OUT!! Tony: Well, maybe… Peter: Leave the maybe. I got kicked out because I said what I thought, you got kicked out because you didn’t play synths enough, and were playing with one hand in the air, and … Tony: Well, I did play synths later, didn’t I? I just didn’t think they were reliable back then… Peter: You’re missing the point! Patrick: I got kicked out because some manager wanted Wakeman back instead of me. Peter: And Rick left because he was forced to do an album that was not what he liked. And so on, and so on... Tony: Well, but they got me back, didn’t they? For the Cinema / 90125 album. Patrick: They got all of us back. Peter (depressed): Oh, well, never mind. Let's leave it to that But are you in with the new Flash album? Tony: Well, no, Yes asked me to be on their album. Peter: That album isn’t working out right now. Come play with us. Tony: Who’s us? Patrick and you? Peter: Yes.
Patrick: That was the initial idea. But Peter, I really can’t do that. You see, I’ve been asked by Bill Bruford… Peter: What?? Patrick: ... To do another Bruford / Moraz album. I’m off now. Tony: Me too. Yes is counting in me. Peter: But wait! Tony and Patrick left the studio in haste, leaving a stupefied Peter Banks alone.
2 PM, studio 1 Alan: Chris still isn’t here. Steve: Well, you know what I’ll do? You know, Trevor Horn left the Buggles sessions this morning. Their album didn’t work out well. Geoff is now planning on doing another Alan: Okay. I’ll check the bathroom to see if Chris isn’t there. I won’t be fooled again. Meanwhile, in studio 2 Jon: I can’t believe that you did all that! And from day one on already! Bill: But you know… Jon: You did it for the best. Still, I’m really surprised! Well, I’m off to Vangelis now. Bill: Let’s keep in touch. 3 PM, studio 1 Alan: Let’s try some other song, shall we? Tony: Yes, maybe we could do it outside Yes, you know, this band we had in mind… You and I. Alan: Not at this moment. I’ll stick with Yes for the time being. Look, there’s Chris! Good morning, Chris. After Chris got over his hangover from his after-afterparty, Alan, Chris and Tony were playing together. Then suddenly Trevor Horn enters the room.
Trevor: Hi guys, you need some productional hand? I have the rest of the afternoon for you, if you wish. Tony (groans): That reminds me, I have to do some things for Peter Banks. See you, guys! Tony runs out of the studio. Alan: What’s wrong with him? Chris (taking Alan aside, in a whisper): He doesn’t like working with Trevor Horn. Tony and Trevor are like water and fire! Alan, Chris and Trevor keep on working ‘till 10 PM. Chris: Steve still isn’t back from Alan (laughs) : I think we lost him too Trevor: Hey, look what I see on the studio PC! It’s a message. I’ll read it to you: “Three little proggers were making a musical stew, then one got distracted, and suddenly they were two” Alan (sighs): Correction, we must have lost him, period! Chris: Yeah, and where will it end? TO BE CONTINUED
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Posted By: Firepuck
Date Posted: April 09 2007 at 11:27
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Oooh la la, how will it end?...
Keep up the great work Marcel, I will be looking forward to the next installment of the story.
(I'm guessing Professor Plum in the Library with the Candlestick!!!) ------------- Kryten : "'Pub'? Ah yes, A meeting place where humans attempt to achieve advanced states of mental incompetence by the repeated consumption of fermented vegetable drinks." |
Posted By: andu
Date Posted: April 09 2007 at 11:40
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I'm beginning to see some light here!
------------- "PA's own GI Joe!" 
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Posted By: tuxon
Date Posted: April 09 2007 at 17:03
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great story so far ------------- I'm always almost unlucky _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Id5ZcnjXSZaSMFMC Id5LM2q2jfqz3YxT |
Posted By: Picklebury
Date Posted: April 09 2007 at 17:42
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Brilliant. Great job, Moogtron.
------------- The Official Unofficial Krautrock Team: Earning Zappa88's ire since he posted that blasphemous review. |
Posted By: Angelo
Date Posted: April 10 2007 at 17:11
I'd love to have that Genesis story - and while you're at it, why don't you bundle this Yes story into a single file as well. I'm catching up after two weeks of not reading, but this is pure brilliance! ------------- http://www.iskcrocks.com" rel="nofollow - ISKC Rock Radio I stopped blogging and reviewing - so won't be handling requests. Promo's for ariplay can be sent to [email protected] |
Posted By: Moogtron III
Date Posted: April 11 2007 at 11:07
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Thank you all, once again! Very encouraging, your comments. Sometimes I think: is my story not too far out , but I think I have to have the prog attitude: just do what you think is right and put everything to the max. I'm really glad you like it, y'all!
The next part will be next weekend: I try to deliver a new part every week. Well, there are only a few parts to go, of course.
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Posted By: Angelo
Date Posted: April 14 2007 at 11:50
After that, you could start another one - I think bands like Pink Floyd, Gong, King Crimson offer enough opportunity for something good. And if you look for another topic than reunions, there's even more options. ------------- http://www.iskcrocks.com" rel="nofollow - ISKC Rock Radio I stopped blogging and reviewing - so won't be handling requests. Promo's for ariplay can be sent to [email protected] |
Posted By: Moogtron III
Date Posted: April 14 2007 at 16:07
Yeah, there's a lot to write about, thanks!
I'll post part 9 now. Hope you'll like it once again.
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Posted By: Moogtron III
Date Posted: April 14 2007 at 16:07
Day 9
11 AM, Studio 1Chris enters the studio with the inspector, and sees that Alan is sitting down on the floor, shaking his head. Then he looks at the bathroom door, and sees that there´s new graffiti on it. Chris: Oh no, not again! What does it say? Alan: “Nothing can come between us, you´re a brother of mine”. Chris: This time it´s not a quote from a Yes album. Alan: No, but… I have to say, it does sound familiar in some way or the other. Inspector: Well, I cannot judge that for sure, but I do see something else. This graffiti clearly has a different outlook than the earlier graffiti. Alan: You mean… that somebody else put on the new graffiti? Inspector: Indeed so. (Walking towards the bathroom door, touching the graffiti). And the paint´s still fresh. Chris: So maybe our guy is still nearby? Inspector: Maybe, but I don´t expect to find someone in the hall with a spray can in his hand. Our guy seems to be too subtle for that. Still, I´ll have another chat with the studio secretary right away. See if she saw someone. Chris: Okay, in the meantime we will continue recording some music. The inspector leaves the room, but three minutes later he enters the studio again. Inspector: Gentlemen, could you come out for a while? I think we have some kind of breakthrough. Chris and Alan come out of the studio, and next to the inspector they see Kitty, the studio secretary. She was crying. Inspector: Please, tell us what you saw, my dear. Studio secretary: I saw mr. Bill Bruford (sobbing) coming out of the studio with a spray can in his hands. Alan and Chris stare at each other, with their mouths falling open. Inspector: And did you see mr. Bruford act in some other suspicious manner these days, dear? Studio secretary: Yes (floods of tears coming out). I wish I didn´t have to say this! Mr. Bruford was always so nice to me. Inspector: Come on, child, it´s for the best. Now what else did you tell me a few minutes ago? Studio secretary (drying her tears): On the first day, when you all came to the same room, I heard some angry noise. It was mr. Bruford who was shouting, and he came out of the room, and he slammed the door. Suddenly he stopped, grabbed a note from his pocket and pushed it under the door. (Crying passionately again). And I promised him not to say anything! (Hitting the reception desk with her little fists). I promised! I promised! He said it was a joke and I shouldn’t say anything. The inspector puts an arm around her shoulders and whispers some comforting words to the studio secretary down, leading her away from Alan and Chris. After a few moments he returns to Alan and Chris. Chris: We finally got him! Inspector: Well, we don´t know that for sure. Alan: What do you mean? He was caught in the act! Inspector (nods): Yes, so it seems. It certainly is a breakthrough, but technically we do need to have a confession, gentlemen. Suddenly they see an angry Peter Banks opening the door from studio 3. Peter: Someone put graffiti in my studio! What kind of a studio is this, where everybody can just walk in and out?? Chris, Alan and the inspector enter Peter´s studio quickly. Alan: It´s the same message from our studio. “Nothing can come between us, you´re a brother of mine”. Suddenly they see the door from studio 2 swinging open. They see Bill Bruford coming out, with a spray can in his hands. He was smiling from ear to ear. Peter (angrily jumping up and down): Caught! Caught! Caught! Caught in the act! (looking at the inspector): Come on, what are you waiting for? Arrest him! He´s our joker, obviously! How much more proof do you need? Inspector (after staring in disbelief to Bill): Indeed, it seems that you have a lot to explain, mr. Bruford! Bill (still smiling): I´m more than happy to do so, sir. I invite you into my studio. Studio secretary: Mr. Bruford, can you forgive me? I told them about the note you pushed under the door. I feel horrible. Bill: No need to, Kitty. It had to come out someday. Bill closed the door behind the inspector and himself. Peter: I never trusted him. Alan: Well, I did! Chris: So did I. I didn’t expect this at all. Well, at least everything’s solved now. Peter (with a grin on his face) : Absolutely! Peter, Alan and Chris disappear to their respective studios. Alan and Chris are jamming and recording together, Alan playing both keyboards and drums (though not at the same time of course). After a few hours they stop. Alan: Well, what do you say? We have three songs already. Chris: All songs are about 3,5 minutes. With some hit potential as well. The record company will be pleased. Alan: Yes, but we do need some other instrumentalists. Maybe we should ask Tom Brislin and Billy Sherwood to our band? Chris: Yes, and maybe I can sing. Alan: Maybe Jon would like to help out? Chris: I don’t think so, but I can try. Alan: Hopefully the case is really solved now, and nobody tries to separate us from each other after all. Chris: Alan, nothing can some between us! Alan (jumps up): What did you just say?? … You said… the text from the graffiti… Chris: Come on, Alan, calm down! Don’t get paranoid. That was just a coincidence. I’m not the joker, really! You saw Bill coming out of the studio with a spray can in his hand! And you heard what Kitty said! Alan: Okay… I’m sorry… It’s just… it’s all so nerve wrecking. (A knock on the door). Alan: Come in! Jon enters the room. Jon: Just dropping by to see how you’re doing. Chris: Quite good, actually. And yourself? Jon: Not too good. Did you make some more music lately? Alan: Yes, and maybe you’d like to sing on it. Alan and Chris let Jon listen to their songs. Jon (with a grimace on his face): Did you do nothing more than just… pop songs? Chris: Well, actually… Jon: Sorry, guys, it’s your music, but I think you can do so much more. You are so talented! Why not write some real music? Chris: Jon, you really have a hit singles disease! Jon: Sorry guys, I will participate only of you are making Yes music. Chris: It is Yes music! We’re Yes! Jon: (Looking sadly). Well, yes and no. For me, it’s only Yes if it sounds like Yes. And this doesn’t sound like Yes. Good luck, guys. Jon leaves the room. Five minutes later, the inspector comes in the room. Inspector: I just came to say goodbye. It was nice cooperating with you. (Shakes hands with the other two). Bye now! Alan: Great! So everything’s alright now? Bill made a confession? Inspector: Well, yes and no. But everything’s okay. You don’t need to worry. Alan: Did you arrest him? Inspector: Um… no! Alan: I don’t understand. Inspector: I can’t say anything more. I’m sorry. I got my orders. Chris: You got your orders? But we hired you! Inspector: Um, no, actually you didn’t. The record company did. If you need some more information, ask the CEO of your record company. The inspector leaves the room. Chris: I’ll do that immediately! (Takes his mobile phone and dials a number). Yes, Chris Squire here! Did I hear rightly from the inspector that everything’s been solved. CEO: Yes, yes. You don’t need to worry. Just worry about the music. You do have music, don’t you? Chris (angrily): Yes, yes, you don’t need to worry! Just worry about us. We got three hit singles. It will be a smash. CEO: Three hit singles? Chris, and the rest? Chris: What rest? Well, we will write some more songs. CEO: Some epics please. The Yes audience loves that! Chris: But you said we should do hit singles! CEO: Really, Chris, sometimes I get the impression that you don’t understand me at all. Chris (still angry): I confess that I don’t sir. CEO: You need hit singles of course, as I said, to get public attention, first things first, but apart from that you also need some epics, for the long term fans. You know what? Talk to Jon, and talk to Bill. Bright chap, that Bill! Chris: You don’t know how bright he is. CEO: I do, Chris, but do you? Get Jon and Bill, and Steve and Rick if possible. Chris: They left the band. CEO: I know that! I know everything. Chris: Do you know then by any chance if our joker has been identified? CEO: Why, yes! Chris: Who is he then? CEO: Can’t tell you, sorry. Chris: I am the manager of this band! CEO: The keeper of the flame, aren’t you? Chris: Yes, at least I never left. Nor did Alan. CEO (laughs): But some people left you. Chris: Yes, many! But that’s not my fault! CEO: Chris, listen carefully to me. Everything’s under control, you don’t need to worry. You know that I built up this record company? And it’s a big one, isn’t it? And did you know that I even built up a soccer team in Chris (sarcastically): And you can build a fashion house, so that his wife can go over the catwalk. Okay, you obviously don’t want to tell us more. But tell me this, is Yes still in the hands of Alan and me? CEO: Yes will rise from the ashes, like the Chris: And all I know is that our joker can still separate Alan and me from each other! CEO: You gotta go with the flow, Chris. I’m telling you, Yes will survive. It always did! Don’t worry. Bye now! Chris stares at his shoes. Alan: And? Chris: I think he and the inspector got bribed. Alan, we have to watch out real carefully today! The danger’s not gone! Alan: And what if the CEO is the joker? Chris: All I know is that we should stay close to each other. Chris and Alan stay together, eat together, practice together, and try not to panic. 3 PM Chris and Alan are walking down the hallway towards their studio. Suddenly they see Roger Dean coming by. Alan: Hi, Roger! How did you know we’re here? Are you coming to do some artwork for our new album? Roger: Um no, I’ve been asked by Jon and Bill. I’ll meet them in the cafeteria. See you! Chris and Alan stare at each other. Chris: Bill… and Jon? Alan: I’m gonna find out. Wait for me in the studio. Five minutes later, Alan runs down the hallway, and enters studio 1. Alan (panting): Chris… Chris! Chris: What’s up? Alan: Chris: Jon? Alan: After talks with Jon and a still smiling Bill they find out that that is only too true, and that ABWH also wants to have the big studio, studio 1. Jon: After all, we are four and you are two. Chris: Yes, but we are Yes. You left! Alan: We could cooperate. Chris: No! We are Yes. They left! And one more thing, don’t use the Yes name for your project! Jon: We are the true Yes! Chris: No, we are! I know the law. Jon: And I know your music and it doesn’t sound like Yes! Chris (to Bill): And why didn’t you get arrested?? Bill: What for? You can wash away the paint. Besides, it gives all our studios a nice look. Jon: Yes, and the graffiti is so inspiring! Bill did it in all the studios, to remind us that we are all brothers! Bill (laughs) : Yes, first time I understood a Yes lyric. Jon: I’m glad he used that powerful Yes line. Chris: It wasn’t from a Yes album! Bill: It was from the only Yes album you didn’t hear enough: the Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe album. Chris: You’re the joker, Bill! You don’t fool us! Bill (laughs): Well, I am a joker from time to time, yes. The rest of the afternoon, Yes studio 1 and Yes studio 2 (that’s where ABWH gathered) played their own different versions of Yes music. But there was even a third Yes about to happen, in studio 3. Alan was walking down the hallway and saw that the door of studio 3 wasn’t closed. He was having a look. Peter: Okay, what they can do, we can do. And even better! Geoff: Well, I don’t know. Peter: Yes, yes! You had a big hand in Drama, I wrote a lot for the first two albums, Patrick wrote a lot for Awaken, for which he didn’t get enough credit, and Trevor wrote most of the 90125 album! Patrick: But we’re two guitar players and two keyboardists! Peter: We could use session musicians. Come on, let’s give it a try! Banks Moraz Rabin Downes. BMRD! Why not? Trevor Rabin: Sorry, I’m off to do another movie soundtrack. Downes: I’m going to do another Trevor: Well, I don’t know… Alan returns to Chris to tell the news. Meanwhile Geoff and Trevor leave studio 3. Peter and Patrick as well, and they are walking down the hallway, They listen to the music coming out of studio 2. Peter: Well, ABWH in full action. Patrick: Yes, and it doesn’t sound bad, to be honest. Peter: Wait, do you hear the guitar? Patrick: That must be Steve? Peter: No, they use a tape with my guitar parts! They’re using my parts!! Patrick: And it’s upfront in the mix as well. Maybe I made a mistake by acting the way I did? Peter: No, Patrick, you did the right thing. You did us all a favour. Don’t try to fix it. A tear was running down on one of Peter’s cheeks. Peter: At last they’re using my parts! Meanwhile, in studio 1 Chris: I’m getting pretty much depressed by now. Shall we have some fun tonight? Alan: Yes, and it’s best to leave the studio. In case there’s still a joker around. Chris: Yes, we should go. Have some dinner together. Alan: And shall we go to the ice rink tonight? Chris: Great idea! 8 PM, ice rink Alan and Chris are having fun on the ice rink. They were having a little chat during the skating. Alan: Well, we sure needed that, didn’t we? Chris: Yes! I’m feeling much better now. Alan: Me too! I think from now on everything will be going better. We’ll just hire some session musicians and ignore ABWH, BMRD and whatever combination we’ll encounter. Chris: Yes! Suddenly a man is skating very fast towards Chris and Alan. Chris: Watch out, Alan! Alan tries to skate away, but too late. The skater hits Alan’s ankle with one of his skates, and Alan falls. Chris tries to get him up. A bearded man approaches. Bearded man: I’m a doctor. Just let me help. Alan: Ouch! Bearded man: I’m afraid he has broken his ankle. Chris: No, that can’t be true! Bearded man: I’ll call the hospital immediately. Take care. (The bearded man shakes Chris’ hands and runs away very fast. Chris, who was wearing gloves, suddenly finds out that the bearded stranger had put a note in his hand. Chris read it out loud.) “Two little proggers were having lots of fun, then one got injured, and suddenly there was only one!" Chris: No… no… no!!! Alan (groaning): Chris! Chris: Yes? Alan: You’re… on your own now… Chris! TO BE CONTINUED |
Posted By: Angelo
Date Posted: April 14 2007 at 16:38
Ouch..... Great once again, Marcel! ------------- http://www.iskcrocks.com" rel="nofollow - ISKC Rock Radio I stopped blogging and reviewing - so won't be handling requests. Promo's for ariplay can be sent to [email protected] |
Posted By: Moogtron III
Date Posted: April 14 2007 at 16:39
Thanks, Angelo!
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Posted By: Crazy Penguin
Date Posted: April 16 2007 at 07:03
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Sorry for not answering... Just haven't had the time to come here. Of course I'd like to se the Genesis stuff :D
------------- I'm a little penguin, short and fat. This is my flipper, this is my hat. |
Posted By: Moogtron III
Date Posted: April 16 2007 at 07:13
No need to say sorry. I also don't have a lot of time at the moment. I'll send the Genesis story to you also, right away.
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Posted By: Frasse
Date Posted: April 16 2007 at 17:50
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Wow, only one episode left.
Hey Moogtron, It would've been nice if you could send that Genesis story to me too.
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Posted By: Moogtron III
Date Posted: April 17 2007 at 03:41
I think I'll cut the episodes in two, though. One for the last progger to resign (sorry Chris) and one epilogue. To raise the tension a bit. And... because I don't have much time this week to write the end that I have in my head
I will send the Genesis episode to you, Frasse.
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Posted By: Moogtron III
Date Posted: April 19 2007 at 16:12
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Finally, the last part! Yes, I’ve committed to write the last part of this tragi-comic progressive thriller. It’s here, right before your very eyes. Hope you have been thrilled thus far, otherwise this piece will go into history as the first progressive ‘borer’. Okay, but here you are, the last part. The plot thickens, the mystery resolves, the mask falls down, the mist disappears, drum rolls… Well, you get the idea. Oh well, let’s get on with it, shall we? Day 10 10 AM Chris visits Alan in the hospital, after his nasty ‘accident’ from the day before. Chris: I brought you some fruit. Alan: Oh, you shouldn’t have. How’s Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe doing? Chris: Not very well. They stopped recording together. They miss some ingredients. Alan: Us… Chris: They’d never admit, but yeah, I think so. Us, and Trevor Rabin. It’s not the first time. Alan: Well, who did it anyway? All this, I mean… my ankle and everything that happened before. Who’s the… well, we cannot call him a joker anymore, now, can we? Who is he? Chris: I don’t know for sure. Alan: I’d say most of the actions before did have some kind of humour. I would have said Bill or Rick. They have that wry sense of humour, Bill especially. But since yesterday, I’d say one of the persons who really had quite negative experiences towards Yes. And that could have been more people, and maybe other people, than Bill and Rick. Chris: But who would hate Yes so much that he would do such a thing like on the ice rink yesterday? Oh well, I do have some suspicion. People like Peter and Patrick. Still, all the tracks lead towards Bill. He has been caught by the tail. Alan: Chris, do me a favour and continue with Yes. Even if it was you on your own. Don’t let the joker win! Chris: I will. 2 PM The press had heard that Yes was recording a new album as a ten-piece. To their surprise they found out that everybody, except Alan White who was in the hospital, was recording in their own studio. They decided to visit all the members in their respective studios, beginning with Chris Squire. But Chris hadn’t returned from his lunch break. So they decided to start with Bill. Studio 2: Bill Bruford Interviewer: Bill, how do you feel now? Bill (aloof): Fine, thank you, and yourself? Interviewer: I have one question that has been on the tip of my tongue for quite a while. Bill (grudgingly): I know, I know, the famous question that everyone asks: why did you leave Yes? Interviewer (a little bit unsecure): I thought I was the first one to ask. Bill: The first one? Over 100 billion have been served. It’s the most famous thing I ever did. It’s not about my music at all, it’s always: why did you leave Yes? Why did you leave Yes? Virtually everybody asks me that since 1972. Interviewer: I think there is a little misunderstanding. Bill: Is there? Interviewer: What I meant was: why did you leave Yes 9 days ago? Bill: Ah, now I see, sorry! That’s a different thing. Interviewer: Okay! Bill (pensive): Wait a minute… no, it isn’t. Interviewer: I don’t understand? Bill: I left Yes for exactly the same reasons as in 1972! History repeats. Interviewer: Because? Bill: Basically I left because (his mouth falls open) I didn’t want… history to repeat! Studio 3: Peter Banks Interviewer: Your history with Yes didn’t last long, did it? Peter: It could have lasted longer, but the band fell apart… as it would have by itself if there wasn’t a joker. Only just faster, much faster. It’s a natural decay process that has been accelerated. Interviewer: And now? Peter: Look at us. All in separate studios. Not working on some big dream. Actually really unable to work together, really. There’s always something that separates us. The energy is there. It just is reallocated in the strangest ways. Sometimes in an even violent way. We, as musicians, are uncompromising. But this chapter has to come to an end, as soon as possible. Interviewer: And the future? Peter: I’m going home tomorrow. I still have to do one more thing to do today, to end things properly. Interviewer: You mean your solo album? Peter: No, I’ll end that later. Interviewer: Do you see a place for yourself in Yes in the future? Peter: No, though since a few days… I’ve seen an open door. Interviewer: Really? Peter: And it closed, violently. A big bang! Interviewer: Sorry to hear that. Peter (tear in his eyes): You can say that again. Studio 4: Patrick Moraz Interviewer: So how were your days with Yes this time? Patrick: Just like the old days. A big dream with golden opportunities. Interviewer: And then? Patrick: You are left without dreams, without credits, without money, and you think: did this really happen? Interviewer: Do you see a place for yourself in Yes in the future? Patrick: Then things have to change first. Interviewer: Like what? Patrick: The famous Yes democracy should also be working for the keyboard players. Studio 5: Trevor Rabin Interviewer: What are you doing these days? Trevor: Another soundtrack. Oh, and Yes’ CEO asked me for some songs for Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe, because that didn’t work out too well. Interviewer: So will you? Trevor: There’s one technical problem. Interviewer: And that is? Trevor: There’s no ABWH anymore. Studio 6: Geoff Downes Interviewer: How’s everything going, Geoff? Geoff: It went well, but I left Yes, and all my band members afterwards have left me afterwards. Trevor Horn, Steve Howe. No more Buggles, no more Interviewer: So what will you do next? Geoff: I’m going to talk about an Interviewer: And Steve Howe? Geoff: If he wants to. Studio 7: Rick Wakeman Rick: No questions about Yes please. Interviewer: Yes, but… Rick: Yes?? Interviewer: No, well… I wanted to ask about Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe. Rick: Interviewer: Rick: Interviewer: So is there an end to… Rick: Yes? Interviewer: Yes! Rick: I have a feeling that there could be a Yes, way into the 21st century, like the London Philharmonic Orchestra… Interviewer: With or without you? Rick: Well, theoretically spoken with me. But anybody could be the fly in the ointment. As someone was, this time. Some joker… Studio 8: Steve Howe Interviewer: Steve, what do you think of everything that happened? Steve: Everything? What do you mean, everything? Has something happened? Interviewer: Well, Yes falling apart, the ABWH attempt that failed… Steve: Oh, that! Well, my guitar parts were all right. Studio 9: Jon Anderson Interviewer: How are you doing, Jon? Jon: Fine! I have this great dreams lately. About a team that really could win the Olympics. My team, the Yes team. Interviewer: Where is your team, Jon? Jon: Look around you, in all those studios! Interviewer: Not much of a team, though, is it? Jon: Not at this moment, though, but believe me, that will change. Interviewer: When? Jon: Singing: “Soon, oh soon…” (Laughing out loud). Interviewer: I don’t see much reason for optimism right now. Jon: I see more than you see. Interviewer: Like what? Jon: Have you talked to Bill? He’s a genius! Interviewer: Bill? The Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe project failed… Jon (smiling): And so did Yes as a whole. But it’s all phases… Interviewer: I don’t understand. Jon: More has been happening behind the scenes than you think. Nothing can come between us, they are brothers of mine! Studio 1, Chris finally arrived Interviewer: You’re late for the interview, mr. Squire. Chris: Well, I was almost ready. Interviewer: Unfortunately we can’t stay any longer. One question though: is this the end of Yes? Chris: Yes will never end. Not as long as… Interviewer: As? Chris: As I’m here. Interviewer: You’re alone now. Chris: We’ve had that before. Well, almost, anyway. I’ll continue with the Yes album myself. Starting today. Interviewer: Thank you, mr. Squire. The interviewer walks away, leaving Chris alone. Chris (mumbling): Or the day after tomorrow. I’m not in a rush… In the hall the sound of a rattling fax machine can be heard in the distance. Chris (yawning): Or maybe I should a week rest… oh well. Maybe go on a holiday first (yawns again). Well, there’s time enough… time enough… ( Starts to nod, and finally falls asleep). Out of the fax machine comes a paper. It comes unnoticed by anyone, but here’s what was printed on it: “One little progger was all by himself at the end of the day, then he went into hibernation, and then they were all away.” THE END Well, almost anyway. I owe you… an epilogue. Some written confessions, and a little dialogue afterwards. Confession of a joker “Well, that’s how they call me anyway. I could have left things the way they were. because the band would fall apart after all. But I wanted it to end, faster than automatically it would have done. And I wanted some creative input after all, after many years of frustration: a heritage of being a part of the band. I got the idea on day 1, when Bill walked away in anger. He pushed a little note under the door with the progger rhyme. Great idea, and I thought: why don’t I use that? Obviously it was just a joke of Bill, but I wanted to use it anyway. The suspicion would be on Bill, not on me! No one ever discovered all the eavesdropping equipment I installed in the control room, studio 1 etcetera. Together with some phones that were being tapped, it was easy to get the information I needed. Day 2… No one would expect that a Peter Banks solo would have been replaced by a guitar part with a real chain saw! But that’s exactly what I did! No one suspected something. I had to act a little theatrical on that day. Patrick… Poor Patrick… I wished I hadn’t done it. Well, all I had to do is give the CEO an anonymous telephone call, by some fund raiser (me in reality) who was only willing to invest if Rick was the keyboard player, and Patrick was being dumped. The CEO believed it. Still, in the case of Patrick, I wished I shouldn’t have done that. The idea that he was “Swiss”, well, I expected history to repeat. And it did! Trevor Rabin: how could I get him away? He was frustrated from day 1. But I had to give him an attractive alternative. A soundtrack to a I never expected Rick to stay after the fake Atlanteans that I sent. Actually, I played the manager of those Atlanteans myself. Heavily disguised of course. Jon was too enthusiastic to notice that it was me. But Rick has turned wiser during the years. So I had to use a weak spot to get him out after all: the opposite sex. I sent a beautiful girl who should say to Rick that he should leave the band, that it wouldn’t work out. The girl was really interested in his solo albums! That did the trick. Rick left after all. Geoff… was he ever really in it? I must confess I had no idea how to get him away. I was lucky this time. He left by himself, out of boredom. All I had to do was write another rhyme. Jon… had left the band earlier. He follows his dreams. With Yes, with Vangelis, with ABWH, solo… All I had to do was present him a dream. I got Vangelis in the studio, at a time when Jon had a bad mood. Piece of cake. Alan… would never have left. Always was faithful to Chris. I had to be violent for one time. Actually hired something for the job, to hit him on the ankle. I hired both a skater and a fake doctor. I never believed I could be so violent, that I organised that! But that afternoon my adrenalin was on a high, when I heard that ABWH was using one of my parts. At last! But I felt so frustrated. Patrick and I had been asked for ABWH, and Patrick had said, on my behalf, earlier that day, that we weren’t interested. Patrick felt sorry when he saw my reaction, but I told him that it was for the best. And got pretty violent at the end of the day! Chris… keeper of the flame, but with him on it’s own, it’s really a pilot flame, isn’t it? A pilot light. After all, he never did a second solo album. Never. He needs a band, or Billy Sherwood, or White and Page, or Rabin, or someone else, to work with. So after the interviewer left I sent my fax, from a distance. I knew Chris would get into hibernation. And that’s all, and I, Peter Banks, thought I had to elaborate in the way described above, to get the Yes thing out of my memory, as fast as possible! Surely, I could have left the building, but I knew that sooner or later Yes would be knocking on my door again. I had to stop this band once and for all! I wished I could get this whole thing behind, using my creativity for the band for the last time, by playing… “the joker”. Still, I feel sorry. For the first time in my life. Because ABWH were using my parts. How on earth is that possible, after all these years? Oh well, no use crying over spilled milk…” A tear rolls down his cheeks once again. ************************************************************* Second testimony “Ten little proggers… were doing something they should never have done. Write another Close To The Edge. I had a funny feeling before I came. For myself I thought of the analogy of the Ten Little Niggers thing, by Agatha Christie. As a joke, I made a note, where I was more or less the judge, who was grinning over Bruford’s leaving after day 1, and would do so day after day, until no one left. So I wrote the first rhyme as a joke. Never thought that I would be irritated on day 1 already. I left in anger, slammed the door of the rehearsal room, put my hand into my right pocket to get my car keys… and felt the note I wrote. I immediately pushed it under the door, and asked Kitty, the studio secretary, not to say anything. They should feel uncomfortable for a while! When I walked to the car, though, I felt my anger disappear, and I though I acted too impulsive, and walked back, and decided to hang around a bit, hire studio 2, recording for Earthworks, seeing form a small distance how things would work out. I asked the other drop outs to do the same thing in the days to come. Except for Peter, who hired a studio out of own initiative. I was really astonished that someone elaborated on my “10 little proggers” joke. I knew it had to be someone of the band. But who? I decided to do some detective work, and a few days ago I found out that it was Peter Banks. I decided to begin some counter action. I asked Jon, who was having a bad time, and who was walking down the hall, to join me. We talked it over, and as a sort of counter action we decided to get ABWH together again. The others didn’t know about Peter! I talked to the CEO though, really convincing him that Yes was more than hit singles, and asked him to get the inspector out. Because, the best way to get the band back together was, paradoxically, to help the joker. Yes could only rise like a phoenix from the ashes if the phoenix would die first! As ABWH we used some Banks tapes and left the door open. I heard from Patrick that Peter’s reaction was… more than we could hope for. He had really risen to the bait. I did get Banks nervous by putting my own graffiti in the studio’s. It was My aim was not to be negative towards Peter, though, but to put another Yes together. Not to write another Close To The Edge, but to write something innovative, progressive, something new and fresh. Everynody of the band knows now about Peter, and none of us is angry with Peter, not even the CEO, not even Alan! Most of us feel a bit sorry for Peter, because he is a very skilled guitar player, and he should have had his place in Yes. After all these years. Oh, by the way, we let Peter believe that ABWH really collapsed. In fact, it never did! We were just waiting for Peter to cool his anger. And it’s a new day now.” Jon’s diary “It’s a new day, with new chances. The old has died, the new begins. You cannot start a day without hope. And even when Yes had died, the phoenix rises from the ashes. Sooner than you think…” ********************************************************************* EPILOGUE It was night. Peter Banks couldn’t help himself. Tears were rolling down his cheek. Peter: There was an open door after all… I should have conquered my pride! Oh well, tomorrow I’ll work on my solo album after all. Peter went too bed, and fell asleep quite quickly. Suddenly the phone rang. Peter answered it. Peter: Peter Banks here. Chris: Hi, it’s Chris. Peter: Chris who? Chris: Chris Squire. Peter: Ah yeah? Do you know what time it is?? Chris: Hold on a minute… Two minutes later… Chris: Yeah, it’s a quarter to three. Peter: No! No! Do you realise what time it is? Chris: Well… Peter: Look, I want to work on my solo album tomorrow. Besides, I’m not Rick Wakeman. Chris: Rick Wakeman? Um… Well, anyway, we’re having a change of personnel, ABWH got together, and asked Trevor and me, and Patrick, and Geoff. Well, Alan’s still at the hospital. He can only come after a few months. As for me, at first, I wanted to have a reunion of The Syn… Peter: That would’ve never worked out. Quarrels al the time. Chris: I thought the same thing, so we were having this dream, and we thought we might as well do it all together. Peter: What’s that dream? Chris: To get Yes together, and write another Close To The Edge. Peter: … Chris: Peter, are you still there? Peter: Incredible, but I am…Yeah, love to… Count me in…. I like to be involved. Chris: Yeah, I thought you might… Peter: Well… I’m back… In the same room as Chris, Bill was watching tv, with a big smile on his face. The tv was broadcasting parts of the interviews that were being held earlier that day with the Yes members. At that moment, Rick was saying on the tv: “I have a feeling that there could be a Yes, way into the 21st century, like the London Philharmonic Orchestra…” Bill (grinning): He’s nobody’s fool, is he?
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Posted By: Angelo
Date Posted: April 19 2007 at 16:37
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Great ending..............................................................................................................................
------------- http://www.iskcrocks.com" rel="nofollow - ISKC Rock Radio I stopped blogging and reviewing - so won't be handling requests. Promo's for ariplay can be sent to [email protected] |
Posted By: progismylife
Date Posted: April 19 2007 at 16:48
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Just read all ten. Brilliant, I love it.
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Posted By: Uroboros
Date Posted: April 19 2007 at 17:50
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Wonderful work. Thank you for the constant entertainment over the past few weeks. I checked this thread daily to see when you added a new act, and it was always a great pleasure to read on.
The ending is very nicely done and very suprising (to me at least) - I didn't expect there would be so many nuances and secret actions behind the scenes. And somehow you managed to make each character seem plausible; they all behaved like one would expect from their real selves (as we've come to know them from their actual biographies).
Steve was kind of left to fall out of the story towards the end, but then again he doesn't seem to be the kind of guy who cares much about intrigues. I'm glad Bill eventually got an important role in the story and that he was the one to actually outwit the joker by pulling the right strings until the end, when he closes the circle.
Thanks again and if you have any new ideas and time to elaborate on them, please share. ------------- Tous les chemins qui s’ouvrent à moi ne mènent à rien si tu n’es plus là |
Posted By: Moogtron III
Date Posted: April 20 2007 at 03:40
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Thanks again, everybody, for the kind comments!
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Posted By: Firepuck
Date Posted: April 20 2007 at 12:19
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Marcel, thank you for providing a great story. I enjoyed it immensely right from the beginning through to the end.
I have a group of friends I grew up with who all are big Yes fans, most of us have seen Yes 4 or 5 times. Although I have encouraged all of them to visit this website none have become members, nor do they visit anymore - not their cup of tea I guess.
I would love to present them with your story (in 10 parts of course). It would be credited to Moogtron III. Would this be OK with you?
By the way, if you do a google search on "Moogtron III" the only return is your ProgArchives Collaborator Profile - cool! ------------- Kryten : "'Pub'? Ah yes, A meeting place where humans attempt to achieve advanced states of mental incompetence by the repeated consumption of fermented vegetable drinks." |
Posted By: Frasse
Date Posted: April 20 2007 at 12:32
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Nice, who would have expected Peter. (or maybe...) I'm not that big Yes fan and don't know everything about their history so some jokes may have eluded me but it surely was one of this springs highlights and I always waited patiently for the next part. (As Uruboros, I've checked the site almost everyday - sometimes it was the only reason for logging in at PA - except for the last week when I was away.)
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Posted By: Moogtron III
Date Posted: April 21 2007 at 03:52
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Posted By: Moogtron III
Date Posted: April 21 2007 at 03:59
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Posted By: andu
Date Posted: April 21 2007 at 06:08
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THANK YOU! It's been fun and educative.  What do you have next, for us? ------------- "PA's own GI Joe!"
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Posted By: Moogtron III
Date Posted: April 21 2007 at 08:31
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Posted By: moreitsythanyou
Date Posted: April 22 2007 at 21:12
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Extremely impressive story!
I enjoyed it completely ------------- <font color=white>butts, lol[/COLOR] |
Posted By: Moogtron III
Date Posted: April 23 2007 at 03:02
Great, thanks
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Posted By: Firepuck
Date Posted: April 23 2007 at 10:01
I've sent off part 1 and will follow each week with another installment. I will let you know how it is received (in around 10 or 11 weeks!). ------------- Kryten : "'Pub'? Ah yes, A meeting place where humans attempt to achieve advanced states of mental incompetence by the repeated consumption of fermented vegetable drinks." |
Posted By: Moogtron III
Date Posted: April 23 2007 at 10:16
Thanks! I'd really like to know.
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Posted By: cuncuna
Date Posted: April 23 2007 at 16:15
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Bill: I tell you what we really should call it. Anything but Close To Edge ! We could call it As Far Away From The Edge As Possible.
That's my favourite part. Great story. ------------- ¡Beware of the Bee! |
Posted By: Moogtron III
Date Posted: April 23 2007 at 16:24
Thanks very much!
I from my part like to read your own creative thread as well (Ask Cuncuna) and had to grin a lot of times because of your answers. What you don't know: I broke my head already to find a good question to ask you. Haven't succeeded yet.
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