Benoit David has left Yes...says Squire

Epignosis wrote: twosteves wrote: I've heard it all in IMO Sherwood is very second rate ---I mean he was given the keys to the kingdom and he came up with Open your eyes--- and was in to a few songs on the Ladder--but it is another album I rarely listen to even though it has some good Howe leads---but I'm a listener who rarely revisits any of the Rabin period although I have all of it---so to each their own---Yes for me is best when it has really exceptional talent---and no dead weight--but I am probably in the minority on this. I think what your earlier post is ignoring is context.  Yes could have come up with an album in the mid-90s and it still would have been terrible.  Lots of "classic" bands were doing awful things in the 80s and 90s.  Sherwood was incidental.  He's a very good musician and vocalist.

Edited by dennismoore - February 22 2012 at 09:24

twosteves wrote: I've heard it all in IMO Sherwood is very second rate ---I mean he was given the keys to the kingdom and he came up with Open your eyes--- and was in to a few songs on the Ladder--but it is another album I rarely listen to even though it has some good Howe leads---but I'm a listener who rarely revisits any of the Rabin period although I have all of it---so to each their own---Yes for me is best when it has really exceptional talent---and no dead weight--but I am probably in the minority on this.

I think what your earlier post is ignoring is context.  Yes could have come up with an album in the mid-90s and it still would have been terrible.  Lots of "classic" bands were doing awful things in the 80s and 90s.  Sherwood was incidental.  He's a very good musician and vocalist.

I guess the best "replacements" the band has been able to get have been Patrick Moraz, and even Trevor Rabin (even though Howe was better in my book, and surely just about everyone in the forum), Rabin was indeed a creative force in the band (for better or worse), and gave them new fuel. Well, the best replacements if we don' consider Howe and Wakeman as replacements themselves (which, as a matter of fact, they were).

Still, Yes indeed needs some first class new musician/composer into the band... a future prog legen. Anything less than that won't get Yes back to their legendary status.

On the other hand, I'm still waiting (and hoping) for the new project between Anderson, Wakeman, Rabin. I'm hoping this could give us something worthy of Yes too (it would be great if Wakeman would take and be given room to compose himself... for I really love many of his prog albums... and he's done a few very enjoyable ones last decade - "Out There" was an easy 5 star for me). And, somehow I feel Wakeman and Rabin may be able to work very well together... if Rabin comits himself to prog instead of pop.

Dellinger wrote: I'm beginning to think the one person who should leave Yes is Squire himself. What's the point of getting new recruits if they won't last long enough to make any worthy contributions?

lazland wrote: Moogtron III wrote: Epignosis wrote: Does Yes have a communication problem?   One would certainly think so, yes  Certainly Squire seems to. I despair of him. That is, though, a nicely considered piece by David, which shows him in a very positive light.

David takes it all very well, yes. Good man

Moogtron III wrote: Epignosis wrote: Does Yes have a communication problem?   One would certainly think so, yes

One need only look at the bands name to find out.

Does Yes have a communication problem?  

From Benoit David :-

Dear YES fans,
As you all know, the final three shows of last year's European tour
were cancelled due to my ill health. On my return to Canada, I was advised
to cease touring, for the foreseeable future, in order to avoid further
damage to my voice. Following this extremely disappointing diagnosis, I had no
alternative but to inform my fellow band members that I was unable to
confirm my availability for, at least, the forthcoming concerts in New
Zealand, Australia and Japan.
Although there was no alternative, I did so with a heavy heart as I
felt that I was letting everyone down especially those who have supported me since
I had the privilege of becoming the band's vocalist in 2008. The band
members were all very understanding and asked if I would mind being
replaced for the April shows - I immediately agreed that this would be
the best way forward and gave them my blessing. I was then pleased to
learn that Jon Davison would be my replacement as he is an accomplished
musician with a fine voice.
I subsequently learnt, from a band member's interview, that I had
officially left Yes and that my departure was permanent. As this is the
situation, everyone should know that I will be eternally grateful for the
opportunity I was given and very proud to have contributed to more than 200 concerts
and to the 'Fly From Here' and 'In The Present Live From Lyon' albums. I
would also like to express my appreciation for the support I was given by
each member of the band, the fantastic crew, the management and everyone
else involved during my time as vocalist in the band. Finally, to the fans
who have applauded my efforts and to those I have had the pleasure of
meeting -
many thanks, my best wishes and please continue with your support of
one of the world's greatest bands - YES.
Although I need to take it easy for a while, I fully intend to
continue with my music career. In late summer of 2011, I added vocals to Mystery's
forthcoming album 'The World Is A Game' - which is at the final stages
of mixing and will be available in the near future. This is my third
collaboration with Michel St-Pere, and Mystery, following 2007's 'Beneath the Veil
of Winter's Face' and 2010's 'One Among The Living'.
So I guess I will, hopefully, see you somewhere down the road…

Blessings,
Benoit David
17th February 2012


Classy real classy


Edited by Nogbad_The_Bad - February 18 2012 at 11:01

lazland wrote: Nice little blog, although I personally think he is being a little bit polite when he describes the live performance of David as "creditable". I need to revisit Glass Hammer's work, but I have to say that I am becoming extremely tired of all of these comings & goings in Yes. It's more like Dallas & Dynasty than a classic prog band, if truth be told.