As we approach Aug which is the 40th anniversary of the very first YES gig, I thought I would at least share with you a little of the background on the song " I See You" which you can hear on this site.
"I See You" : Bill Bruford's probably embarrassed about that one. I imagine Bill didn't like the recorded version of the song because of the indulgence on my part. I don't think he ever really liked my guitar playing on that piece. But as far as the recording went, I feel it was the best version we got.
We did record several versions of "I See You", because the guitar solo was never planned - the length of it was never planned. So as you could imagine, I was begged to "please keep it short!" So the messy, slightly embarrassing bit in the middle of the song with just the drums and guitar, that's definitely improvised. And there were several versions of that, although no alternate takes ever survived, at least to my knowledge.
Bill and I played the whole tune live. Bill would follow me, and there would be an interaction between the two of us. We never used click tracks back then; Bill wouldn't have needed one. For him, the human metronome, it wasn't necessary - he would have laughed at the idea back then. Click tracks were used for TV commercials, and pop groups - YES was certainly not a pop group.
At any rate, I do like the vocals on "I See You". Obviously, Jon sang the lead vocal and first harmony. I would sing the third harmony, usually the lowest, the tenor. And Chris would sing the second, middle harmony. Everything was double tracked, and that was a wonder for us because we had never had the chance to do that before. That was very much in vogue at the time. I believe all of Jon's lead vocals were double tracked and he turned out to be very good at that. Jon could just whip them off. And I had been singing together since the SYN, so there was no problem there, although I'm sure Jon probably felt the background vocals could have been better.
As far as the idea of Chris or I singing lead vocals on any of the tracks - I wouldn't have done it, because I don't have a lead voice. Chris was later given a chance on a song that we never recorded in the studio, just on the BBC, called "For Everyone." He sang lead vocal on the middle section which actually wound up later on the third YES album, as the middle section to "Starship Trooper."
You know it still does sound good after nearly forty years.
Pete Banks June 15th 2008 "The Struggle Continues"
I figured I would answer a question I have been getting ever since I added the song "There No More". While thinking of my answer I thought I might start to write a little each month about one of the FLASH tracks, so to answer the emails, your CDs are not defective--the song does indeed just end, the reason for that is the album--as they used to be called in the ol' days--was only about 90% completed when we left for a tour of the United States.
"There No More" is the last track on our second FLASH album IN THE CAN. The album was once again produced by Derek Lawrence. While on that tour of America that tour was extended, Lawrence went in and mixed the album himself. So we get to the song "There No More" : I like that song, although it's unfinished, especially at the end with unnamed session singers. It's a highly unusual song, with a lot of whole tone scales, especially in the introduction. But then it comes into kind of a sweet melody with Colin singing. Then it goes back into kind of angular, jagged bits-which didn't really fit in with the vocals. Yet when you put them together it sounds okay. We really liked playing it live , although the audience was always a little puzzled.
With that song being unfinished the album was literally "IN THE CAN."
Original FLASH - IN THE CAN cover shown and other rare goodies.
Category: Music
Actually there has been a lot spinning around these days, there seems to be an up-and-coming tour of a band I once was in about 40 years ago. Jon and I have talked about this tour but at this time, no word about me being part of it. But my bags are packed and I am ready to go.
Had a very nice night out at the Half Moon thanks to my mate Gonzalo Carrera who shared the stage with his band dB-Infusion. What made this gig special to me was they were there to support my old friend JAN AKKERMAN. It was great to chat with Jan once again in person. We had chatted over the phone off and on but it has been over 30 years since we were face to face and as you all know Jan is on the "Two Sides of Peter Banks," still a CD in demand. The door is open for another Banks/Akkerman recording.
I have added two tracks--the first one is a FLASH LIVE track called "There No More" aka "Room With A View." It comes from a 1973 concert we did and is edited down from 18 minutes to 8 to allow it on MySpace. This is a sample track from a forthcoming CD called FLASH "In Public." We have had many offers for a JAPAN release but this is worth a wider release. So we shall see what comes.
Some of you might wonder about the album cover shown on that track. The story is that is the original LP cover. We left for the States and IN THE CAN really was unfinished so it was IN THE CAN. The cover was changed and the LP released while we were touring the States.
Second track is "Buda-NoPest." This is part of the Harmony In Diversity project I have and the tracks are being worked on and assembled by H.I.D bassist Nick Cottam, who has done an outstanding job and continues to work on this upcoming release.
Regards, Pete Banks "The Struggle Continues"
PS: I have a video I would like to upload but I am not sure I know how--can anyone tell me how to do this? Please email PeterBanks@PeterBanks.Net
If you think you have what it takes, Pete Banks wants to hear from YOU!
Diligence, tenacity, precision, a driven confidence, iconoclastic lateral thinking and er....stuff.
Pete Banks is looking to hear from musicians who like breaking rules, for his HARMONY IN DIVERSITY project. The gigs will be 80% improvised, no prisoners will be taken. If you're interested in playing between the lines, if you are in the London area I would like to hear from you.
Call today! 44-776-694-2372 (It was brought to my attention the number in the original post was had too many 4s, so sorry to the little ole lady who is getting calls from people saying they had what it takes).
As you can see "The Struggle Really Does Continue"
Pete Banks "The Struggle Continues" Plus check out the Empire Video Track of "Sky At Night" now for viewing on my page.
PETE BANKS INFUSES INFUSION - London Fans Witness Battle Of The Guitars
PETER BANKS INFUSES INFUSION
London Fans Witness Battle Of The Guitars
Peter Banks was in fighting form when he jousted with fellow guitar god John Etheridge alongside jazz-fusion group Db Infusion at London's 'Spice Of Life' venue on April 5th. Infusion plays intense Latin tinged instrumental arrangements such as 'Yo Yo' from their excellent album 'Dreamscape'. Etheridge was guesting with the band, which is led by guitarist Danny Berdichevsky. Peter Banks, seated in the audience, was invited to join in the fun.
Danny, together with keyboard virtuoso Gonzalo Carrera, Ollie Usiskin (drums) and Lakis Economou (bass), launched into a riveting set greeted by cheers from the hip crowd at the popular jazz venue. They reached a climax with a finger-cracking version of 'Flight Of The Bumble Bee.' Danny also played brilliant Spanish style acoustic guitar. However, the highlight of the evening came when Peter Banks took to the stage. 'More guitar solos!' he had bellowed, after an earlier exchange between a fired up Etheridge and combative Berdichevsky. The band laughed, but soon Peter was taking his place in the front line, checking his 'Pod' a miraculous device, which replaces all known PA technology. "I'll just be ten minutes setting up," he joked after bowing down deferentially to Mr. Etheridge.
Although Peter later claimed he didn't know the tune, the key or the arrangement, the founder member of Yes soon adapted to the band's format. He engaged in some brilliant exchanges with Danny and John in an exciting battle of the guitars. John was playing a hollow bodied Gibson 335 with subtle dexterity, while Peter favoured his bright salmon pink Ibanez Jem 777, a real eye catcher.
It was great to see the highly undervalued Mr. Banks thoroughly enjoying himself as he played with all his old Yes fire. Returning to his table near the band after an exhilarating set, he revealed that he and drummer Dave Wagstaff, also in the audience, planned a new Prog Rock group, together with Gonzalo. With that line up it could be the biggest group since Yes, ELP and King Crimson!
Footnotes: After the gig we congratulated the young drummer who played such great solos with Infusion. Only to discover the promising 'youngster' is aged 35…Peter would like to remind us that Infusion has 'nothing to do with tea making, whatsoever.'
Chris Welch
For complete review check out Chris's Corner http://www.repertoire.de/
BUDAPEST: YESTERDAYS - FLAMBOROUGH HEAD & HARMONY IN DIVERSITY: The Verdict:
Our warmest thanks go to all those responsible for the planning and execution of the event, that means the members of Yesterdays and Flamborough Head and particularly Eszter, Istvan and Joseph, whose efforts in the months up to the gig, during the event and after it, were the very reason it worked so well. The sound, lighting and stage technicians, and all the staff on Ship A38 did us all proud. Heart-felt thanks go out to Attila and Alexa at the Star Hotel for putting up with us!
(We salute you! )
On Sunday we boarded the Ship A38 on the River Danube in Budapest, and took to the stage alongside Flamborough Head and Yesterdays. A mini-Progfest!
This was an amazing weekend: Everyone we met was friendly, helpful and supportive. There was plenty of hard work but just as much laughter, and certainly as much talent!. Oh yes! there was also plenty of food!. Hotel accomodation was excellent. Good facilities: Well stocked bar, speedy elevators, clean showers, and of course channel '0' on Hungarian TV! (Pete will explain that one!)
As for playing on the Ship A38, that was an experience to remember, the stage being perfectly large enough for any band, and the audience area built to accomodate up to 600 people. The back-stage artists bar is the old ships engine room (engine and control gear still there!)
The three bands each gave their unique brand of music an airing:
With a non-stop display of musical craftmanship, YESTERDAYS kicked off with their weaving dynamics and powerful (enchanting) stage presence. This, I believe is a band you need to SEE as well as HEAR. They played material from their newly released album; 'MOONLIT GARDEN' (available from their website, and due for global release soon)
FLAMBOROUGH HEAD were next up, with their awesome power and subtle blends of unforgettable melodies. This was prog played straight down the line. Their sound had that 'uplifting' quality which they produce so naturally. Check out their album: 'TALES OF IMPERFECTION'
If these two bands were a hard act to follow, then it was probably wise that HARMONY IN DIVERSITYgot up on stage to improvise!! Obviously I can't be very objective about how we played, (see the Yesterdays link below for something more objective) but we did manage to pull a few interesting ideas out of the muddle of our collective minds, ideas which we are currently sifting through for the next album. I must make the confession that in an improv session recently, we took a trip down memory lane, with a version of a track from the 1973 'Two Sides of Peter Banks' and that did creep out during the set!!I think we then drifted into the 'Pink Panther' theme....Mmmmm strange things do happen!
FINALLY
All who took part in the event have made it clear how much they enjoyed themselves. Nick, Peter and I were no exeption. Indeed, it was a pleasure and a privelage to get to play alongside Flamborough Head and Yesterdays; a festival we all enjoyed, a venue we'll certainly remember, and people we'll never forget!
Nov 06: Pete was recently interviewed by Martin Hudson of Classic Rock Magazine. The piece will appear in the Jan 2007 issue.
Nov 06: Joe Geesin recently interviewed Pete along with Gonzalo Carrera on getreadytorock.com. You can read it online at getreadytorock.
Nov 06: The December issue No. 330 of Record Collector includes an article on Pete. You can order a copy from their site.
Aug 06: Guitar World's September issue has artcle written by Barry Cleveland in the No Guitarist Left Behind section. The back issue is available here.
