Conversation with
Igor Khoroshev
from nfte #219
The following interview was conducted just before Igor departed for the 1999 Latin America Tour with Yes. We had a chance to go over a few items regarding Yes, his solo project PIANO WORKS, his new website, and his future plans:
BRYAN JENSEN: Now that the new Yes album is complete and the band is on the verge of yet another tour, can you tell us a little about the album as a whole?
IGOR KHOROSHEV: I think I've said it all on the record, you just have to listen to it, my friend. We know Yes music very well, CLOSE TO THE EDGE, RELAYER, TOPOGRAPHIC OCEAN and then came 90125 and BIG GENERATOR. Stylistically, Yes already have traveled to so many places, it was very interesting for me to see where Yes was going this time. And before I knew it we were playing together, sharing thoughts and ideas, working as a band. As a keyboard player I wanted to create new textures and fresh sounds for this album, yet I wanted to reflect on some good old days by incorporating some of the analog synthesizers into the picture. Listening to it back I actually like it. I wish Bruce let me play a bagpipe...(laughs)
BLJ: The keyboards being so prevalent in Yes music, I think Yes fans are anxious to find out how much you were involved in the writing process...
IK: As much as the rest of the musicians in the band. Everybody brought musical ideas to the table. Many ideas were written on the spot, it was very natural process for all of us, I think. We played and sang our hearts out. It was great!
BLJ: You were spotted singing backup on the '97-98 tour... did you contribute backing vocals to the new album?
IK: Certainly! Everyone did. Bruce sent us into a vocal booth one after another and we sang our parts. I must say though, when it comes to back up vocals Billy is the king, I have a lot of respect for his ability to find so many great vocal lines that complete the song in such a way, I swear to God if he had eight heads he would make a perfect choir.
BLJ: How did you get along with the other band members? Is there anyone in particular who inspired you along the way?
IK: We all got along very well and we worked very hard as a team. Working with Jon whose wild imagination is totally out of control was pretty inspiring, I must say. I never saw anybody writing lyrics so fast, Jon would sit down and in five minutes simply type in lyrics for "Homeworld" it was amazing to watch.
BLJ: Did working with Bruce Fairbairn influence the way you make music?
IK: Not only influenced the way I make music, He influenced the way I breathe. I learned a lot from Bruce. He was an awesome guy and great producer.
BLJ: Have you discussed what you might be playing on the 1999-2000 tour?
IK: "Awaken" is something I always wanted to do. I'm sure we'll play majority of the songs from THE LADDER, I remember somebody wanted to do "Perpetual Change", it's going to be a moving set, I think.
BLJ: Will you get to do a solo on this tour, like you did in 1997-98?
IK: It might happen, depending on the dynamics of the show, etc. I'm playing solos all night long anyway, why would you need to hear another one? But if you do, listen to my PIANO WORKS.
BLJ: The '97-98 tour covered a lot of ground, world wide. Is this tour expected to be as extensive?
IK: I don't think anybody knows at this point, I certainly do hope so. I love traveling and I love performing, as long as I'm home for Christmas playing my piano, I'm fine.
BLJ: Tell us about your solo album PIANO WORKS...
IK: PIANO WORKS is something I'm very proud of. I put a lot of thought into it. This album is based on my own perception of artworks by Kandinsky, Picasso, Klimt, Monet and Degas. Being an artist myself I have enormous appreciation for artists and their work. I always was fascinated by Kandinsky's art and specially by the painting "Blue Rider". The mood in this painting is so powerful that I felt compelled to interpret it. The outcome of many such interpretations is my PIANO WORKS.
BLJ: Do you have any other solo projects you're working on, or would like to work on?
IK: I'm always working! In fact I have a couple of projects under way and I feel very lucky to be friends with some of the most extraordinary musicians. I can't wait to finish these projects, so I can move on to even more unknown projects, it's never ending story.
BLJ: Do you plan on doing any live solo shows to support any of your solo projects?
IK: No, I'm focusing on how many keyboards I need to play "Awaken". I'm thinking about the future of this band. I dedicated myself, time and energy into making THE LADDER and now all I can think about is going on the road and playing this new album, especially, "New Language" and "Homeworld".
BLJ: Speaking of those keyboards, are there any changes to your equipment setup? Isn't that a B-3 you're playing in the "Homeworld" trailer video?
IK: I absolutely love playing a B-3 but I also love my roadie and there for I'll never bring my B-3 on the road. With the technology we have now, there's no need for a B-3 anyway. Unless my roadie does something stupid and pisses me off, then I'll bring two B-3s for him to carry.
BLJ: Do you still use Cakewalk software, and are you still working with them?
IK: No, lately I'm using analog multi track recorders, they are so much warmer. But I might switch back to digital in the future, you never know...
BLJ: How is the family doing? I understand you're quite the handyman/ gardener/pest control, expert around the home...
IK: Yep! My swimming pool is the cleanest in the world! My grass is the greenest and thank God I got a lot of it. And yes, I did kill all the ants in the neighborhood and I'm very proud of it.
BLJ: What are your long term plans?
IK: I don't want to confine myself with long term plans then I don't leave any chance for disappointment.
From Notes From the Edge #219
The entire contents of this interview are
Copyright © 2002, Bryan Jensen
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All photos © 2002 Robin Kauffman unless otherwise noted
© 2002 Notes from the Edge webmaster@nfte.org
