CURRENT YES NEWS (September 10, 1996)

The new Yes album, "Keys To Ascension" has been delayed again. The new release date has been set for the end of October/beginning of November. The two CD package will feature artwork from Roger Dean and pictures from the San Luis Obispo shows. The track listing for the album includes:Siberian Khatru, The Revealing Science of God, America, Onward, Awaken, Roundabout, Starship Trooper, Be The One, That That Is. Although there has been no official word from the record company I think the likely reason for the delay is so it can come out in time for the holiday season (just in time for Christmas!).

YESSTORIES BOOK SIGNING!
There are two Yesstories book signings coming to Northern California in the near future. The first will be at Borders in Roseville on September the 25th and the second will also be at Borders in San Francisco on October the 2nd. Each book signing will have a discussion and a question and answer period with the author before he signs copies of the book. Please stop by if you are in the area and say hello!

AN OPEN LETTER FROM PETER BANKS
I'd like to take this chance to reply to all of the keyboardists who responded to my Notes From The Edge posting. Thank-you very much for your interest in my project and I will reply to everyone who sent me a tape. The problem is that there has been so many that I haven't had the time to get back to everyone. I promise to contact you all as soon as possible.

Best Wishes,

Peter Banks

Jeff Lefferts has created a Bill Bruford discography page at www.tohu-bohu.com/bruford.

Links to this page are starting to pop up all over -- we'll create a list soon, but be sure to visit Jeff's site, and visit our Credits page for other Yes-related links, including Notes from the Edge

. This site and the Yesstories book were mentioned on the radio recently -- and what's more, you can listen to the audio right here on the web!
The OnLine radio show, based in Victoria, BC, Canada, is now on the Internet. The discussion of www.yesstory.com and the book is exactly 3 minutes 40 seconds into the radio show. You need RealAudio to hear it. (You can fast forward to 3:40 easily with it, too.) Enjoy!
Yes's new album Keys To Ascension is getting its finishing touches in the studio. It will be a double album with seven songs taped from the recent live shows in San Luis Obispo and two new studio tracks (Roger Dean will be doing the cover). I haven't got the finished song list for the album, but would guess that "America," "Awaken," "Turn Of The Century," and "The Revealing Science Of God" are all strong candidates to be included as none of them have official live versions. I hear the band is pleased with the new material, the twenty-minute epic being quite a showcase for Steve and the "shorter" song (twelve minutes) having what it takes to be considered a "classic Yes song." Keys To Ascension and its companion live video tape are slated to be released in October (not at the end of July, as had been rumored. Release dates are, of course, subject to change). Do not expect a tour from the band until early 1997 (they hope to put out another studio album before going on tour).

Jon Anderson performed at a special benefit performance on Mother's Day in San Luis Obispo. He played a selection of solo material, Yes songs and Jon and Vangelis songs.

Rick Wakeman is currently touring the U.K. with his son Adam. The infamous Wakeman Christmas party for his Communication Centre fans will be held in May as it had to be rescheduled for a variety of reasons. Rick will be taking a holiday in August and plans to possibly to do some solo piano dates in the U.K. towards the end of the year as well as perform his Christmas piece "The Gospels."

Steve Howe has been producing and playing on the new Martin Taylor album. He is still considering a tour of Europe, possibly in the Fall.

Alan White has been conducting drum clinics in North America and the U.K.

RESPONSE TO "YESSTORIES"

So far the response to my book has been excellent and I would like to share some of the reviews and the fan responses:

"Fellow 1960s rock icons such as Led Zepplin and the Rolling Stones have done it, and now Yes becomes the subject of an "in their own words" compilation. The aim is to give the dedicated fan a healthy look at the band's creative processes. This approach suits Yes better than many pop acts, because, being SERIOUS ARTISTS, the Yes-men's rantings have been preserved more comprehensively. Whether you think Yes' music is pretenious, pomous schlock or a high-concept grafting of classical music sensibilities onto rock music's urgency, reading the book will likely confirm your beliefs: one member's likening of a Yes song to a hymn and several band members' lists of indispensable music (a little Hendrix, a little Stravinsky, a little Joni Mitchell, a little Leonard Bernstein, a lot of Keith Jarrett)reveal much about Yes' orientation and ambitions. A nice addition to any pop music library." Mike Tribby, BookList (6/1/96)

"What do members of Yes think about Jon Anderson's lack of formal musical training? What were the circumstances behind Trevor Horn and Geoff Downes joining the band for Drama? What did Chris Squire think about the Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman and Howe project?

Those and hundreds of other questions about one of progressive rock's most storied bands are answered in fascinating detail within this 161-page volume by Californian Tim Morse. The book comprises anecdotes from individual band members, who ruminate on everything from each other to dealing with a quater-century of celebrity status. It also includes their reflections on tracks from each of the group's albums, from the eponymous debut through Talk.

Yesstories:Yes In Their Own Words is loaded with inside information and is a must for any Yes fan. It just might be the most historically thorough document on any progressive rock band, period."
John Collinge, Progression Magazine

"This is the most important book based on Yes since the Hedges biography. Every Yes fan should own one. All Yes Information Subcribers are bound by law to buy one copy each! Nic Caciappo, Yes Information Service

"It's AMAZING!"
Roxi Cook, Yes News

THE FANS RESPOND: "The new book by Tim Morse collecting all of the quotes from the Yes members in a chronological fashion is a great idea! The book is only $15.00 and it has some new pictures as well."

"I picked up Yesstories the other day and read it this evening...very, very cool. It's about time somebody published a book like this. Highest praise to Tim Morse!"

"From cover to cover, this is a great book. I was especially interested in the band's opinions of each other. The quotations are arranged in a way that creates a sense of storytelling."

"It is one of those books that will be read again, not only because of it being a enjoyable read, but also as a new place to go for reference."

"I got my copy in the mail yesterday - it's great! Everyone's going to love it!

"I read your new book in ONE day while playing endless Yes videos in the background - what a blast!

Check back soon for more YES news!

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