Was Benoit David the best Yes could do? |
Post Reply | Page 123 4> |
Author | |
cstack3
Forum Senior Member VIP Member Joined: July 20 2009 Location: Tucson, AZ USA Status: Offline Points: 6753 |
Topic: Was Benoit David the best Yes could do? Posted: May 22 2011 at 19:02 |
Grumpy Old Chuck still at it!
I passed on seeing this version of Yes at the Chicago House of Blues for a number of reasons, but mostly because I'm not pleased with the vocal performances of Benoit David to date. Having watched hours of recent performances on Youtube, I'd say that the band itself is up to their old stuff (although a bit slower), but David's poor stage presence and difficulty with the material remains a turnoff. I've been fortunate to know a few Yes tribute bands & Yes clones (Starcastle) over the years, and finding a really good, contra-tenor lead vocalist should not have been that hard. For example, check out the performance of Jon Davison (formerly of the Yes trib "Roundabout," and presently with Glass Hammer). Was B. David the best Yes could have done? I think their future as an entity is pretty much riding on that lone decision. Now, "Fly From Here" may be a killer album, rendering all this moot....however, I think they could have found a better front-man and lead vocalist. Thoughts? Check this guy out! |
|
Horizons
Collaborator Honorary Collaborator Joined: January 20 2011 Location: Somewhere Else Status: Offline Points: 16952 |
Posted: May 22 2011 at 19:14 |
When i saw this version of yes at Janus Landing in Florida, i was very pleased with his performance.
He interacted with the band well, was happy, and played around with the acoustic alot.
And, in my opinion he does his job cloning Anderson's vocals.
|
|
American Khatru
Forum Senior Member Joined: March 28 2009 Location: New York Status: Offline Points: 732 |
Posted: May 22 2011 at 20:57 |
Hmm, I think I might be with you Cstack3 on Benoit. This music deserves a singer who amazes.
|
|
Why must my spell-checker continually underline the word "prog"? |
|
Slaughternalia
Forum Senior Member Joined: February 17 2011 Status: Offline Points: 901 |
Posted: May 23 2011 at 00:54 |
I like Benoit a lot more than that guy. Though I really don't care about a band that's nearly 40 years past their prime
|
|
cstack3
Forum Senior Member VIP Member Joined: July 20 2009 Location: Tucson, AZ USA Status: Offline Points: 6753 |
Posted: May 23 2011 at 02:29 |
Really? I'd be embarrassed to share a stage with the guy, based on this clip! It's footage like this that has kept me well-clear of Benoit David/Yes. His voice is sort-of reminiscent of Anderson. However, he pales compared to guys like Steve Carney from UK's Fragile and others I've met. I thought Davison's pitch was right on the money. Considering the grace & elegance that JA always brought to the stage, I'd have a hard time coughing up their asking price for tickets. I agree with American Khatru, Yes' music needs extraordinary talent at all levels, not just "good enough." Where Yes used to book the largest venues in Chicago, now they are playing bars and casinos. I'm not sure this was a smart move by Squire. Edited by cstack3 - May 23 2011 at 02:30 |
|
American Khatru
Forum Senior Member Joined: March 28 2009 Location: New York Status: Offline Points: 732 |
Posted: May 23 2011 at 06:11 |
(A bit o/t...) It is weird to me I have to say. I remember thinking - when I was a kid in the seventies and into all this stuff (a little kid, so we're talking albums and not concerts) - I remember almost the day (I know it was summer recess) that the shocking thought occurred to me that these musicians whose music I loved, the people in the photos, were all going to age, like I surely would, and be old men one day. Sure, I know, it's obvious, but it hit me like a ton of bricks that day. I tried in mind mind to picture an agéd Robert Plant, an agéd Ian or Jon Anderson (okay, well, picturing IA old was never all that difficult ). And I wondered what they would be doing with themselves, as I assumed, after music. I don't say this judgmentally, but the one thing I didn't picture was that they would still be out there playing; much less did I picture that if some people dropped out, for reasons from differences to getting that "gig in the sky", they would be replaced by young musicians and the band play on. I did not imagine this! I confess that, to my younger mind, the idea would have presented itself only as a nightmare. I can defend it as good just based on the fact that the music was and is indeed great. Compositions used to sustain themselves one way in past eras (say the European aristocratic times with classical music patronage and virtuosi); maybe this is the way classic rock (whether of prog stripe or some other) sustains itself into the future. Picture, for instance, 'Yes' without a single original member in 10 or so years. The thing may become: how to determine how an act is "official." If that's to work at all and continue, the musicians must be superlative, otherwise interest will wane. |
|
Why must my spell-checker continually underline the word "prog"? |
|
Epignosis
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator Joined: December 30 2007 Location: Raeford, NC Status: Offline Points: 32482 |
Posted: May 23 2011 at 06:33 |
They should have recruited James LaBrie.
|
|
Anthony H.
Prog Reviewer Joined: April 11 2010 Location: Virginia Status: Offline Points: 6088 |
Posted: May 23 2011 at 06:40 |
Considering that The Flower Kings are on hiatus, Hasse Froberg would have been perfect.
|
|
|
|
rdtprog
Special Collaborator Heavy, RPI, Symph, JR/F Canterbury Teams Joined: April 04 2009 Location: Mtl, QC Status: Offline Points: 5134 |
Posted: May 23 2011 at 06:47 |
Sean Filkins would have been a good replacement. But on the other hand, i don't think he would have made is first brillant solo album. I am ok with Benoit David, maybe it's not the perfect voice and personnality, but i pay more attention to the music, so it's not a big factor for me, and i don't think his singing ruin the music.
|
|
Icarium
Forum Senior Member VIP Member Joined: March 21 2008 Location: Tigerstaden Status: Offline Points: 34050 |
Posted: May 23 2011 at 06:54 |
Roger Hodgson was asked once
|
|
|
|
Roland113
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator Joined: March 30 2008 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Status: Offline Points: 3841 |
Posted: May 23 2011 at 08:43 |
Personally, I prefer David Benoit.
I'm just sayin' |
|
-------someone please tell him to delete this line, he looks like a noob-------
I don't have an unnatural obsession with Disney Princesses, I have a fourteen year old daughter and coping mechanisms. |
|
Equality 7-2521
Forum Senior Member Joined: August 11 2005 Location: Philly Status: Offline Points: 15783 |
Posted: May 23 2011 at 10:01 |
His name is Benoit. Discussion over.
|
|
"One had to be a Newton to notice that the moon is falling, when everyone sees that it doesn't fall. "
|
|
cstack3
Forum Senior Member VIP Member Joined: July 20 2009 Location: Tucson, AZ USA Status: Offline Points: 6753 |
Posted: May 23 2011 at 11:06 |
Benoit David is correct, NOT David Benoit! I admit, it's confusing. Discussion over? Hah!! I take no pleasure in watching one of the most influential bands in prog history deteriorating in this manner. Where Yes used to play the largest venues, now they are booking gigs at casinos. The tour with Styx (and, weirdly, a band called "Toy") gives them as much credibility as a reunion of REO Speedwagon. So '70s. I see no reason why they could not have jumped off into a much more progressive direction, rather than doing a "Yes-mania" cover band thing. Thanks for suggesting some excellent vocalists, I also thought that a woman would have been very progressive. Annie Haslam's version of "Turn of the Century" is stunning, and the band Magenta does a very nice treatment of "Wondrous Stories". Of course, Squire would try to couple with a singer as gorgeous as Christina Booth!! All things considered, I can think of at least a dozen other vocalists I'd rather pay money to see play with Yes than Benoit David. The upcoming CD should be interesting....perhaps I will eat my words, but I bet not. |
|
Equality 7-2521
Forum Senior Member Joined: August 11 2005 Location: Philly Status: Offline Points: 15783 |
Posted: May 23 2011 at 11:12 |
Why are people still posting when the discussion is over?
|
|
"One had to be a Newton to notice that the moon is falling, when everyone sees that it doesn't fall. "
|
|
rushfan4
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator Joined: May 22 2007 Location: Michigan, U.S. Status: Offline Points: 65938 |
Posted: May 23 2011 at 11:14 |
This was my review of their show from a couple of years ago, when they were sort of touring as In The Present instead of as Yes. http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=53661&KW=Yes&PID=3052978#3052978 I see that was during my phase of mistyping TFTO as TOTO.
I've not decided yet whether or not I am going to see them play with the Dennis DeYoung-less Styx yet or not.
|
|
|
|
richardh
Prog Reviewer Joined: February 18 2004 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 26161 |
Posted: May 23 2011 at 11:24 |
I wish Yes would take Jon Davison. Might make Glass Hammer listenable again.
|
|
cstack3
Forum Senior Member VIP Member Joined: July 20 2009 Location: Tucson, AZ USA Status: Offline Points: 6753 |
Posted: May 23 2011 at 11:38 |
That's hilarious! I'm not that familiar with Glass Hammer, and the guy has some pipes from the "Roundabout" bit posted on YouTube, but strong contra-tenors can be obnoxious! Terry Lutrell from Starcastle was like that (I knew the guy). Are you familiar with the trib "Fragile" in the UK? They do a very nice treatment of Yes' catalog including "Tales"! Very nice chaps. I think this is a very valid discussion to continue, since (a) it is controversial within the family of Yes fans and prog community, (b) the financial future of Yes and, perhaps, prog in general may hinge on the decision to part ways with a wildly popular vocalist for a gamble on an unknown, and (c) there is a plethora of talent available who could have been chosen. For a forum that posts arcane competitions such as "ELP or Yes?" I think this is worth discussing at a high level. When Yes gambled with the "Drama" lineup, I don't think that worked out well for them, commercially. This is an interesting process to watch unfold.
|
|
lazland
Prog Reviewer Joined: October 28 2008 Location: Wales Status: Offline Points: 13249 |
Posted: May 23 2011 at 11:57 |
You were right to open a discussion, and you are right about Benoit David - yes, they could have done a lot better, or, more to the point, they could have retired the great group gracefully and left us with some remarkable memories.
|
|
Enhance your life. Get down to www.lazland.org
|
|
cstack3
Forum Senior Member VIP Member Joined: July 20 2009 Location: Tucson, AZ USA Status: Offline Points: 6753 |
Posted: May 23 2011 at 12:14 |
Thank you! I would have agreed with retiring the band gracefully with the decision of Jon Anderson to forego the brutal touring that Yes undergoes. All of those gents are getting up there, it must be a grind. The decision to drag this out rather mystifies me.....was it the need for cash? Squire's side projects never work out (Conspiracy with Billy Sherwood for one), and Howe already has a good side-gig with Asia if he wants. Granted, the musicality of the band remains at a high level, although many have pointed out that the tempo of the music suffers due to age (presumably) of the artists. I avoid the present Yes since I have such wonderful memories of the 35th Anniversary tour, when they sold out the largest venue in Chicago (Allstate Arena) and put on one of the best performances I'd ever seen! They hammed it up with a honky-tonk version of "Roundabout," the laughs were frequent and genuine, and the band truly seemed to appreciate one another. We'll see what "Fly From Here" is like, meanwhile I'm enjoying the Youtube footage of Jon Anderson's acoustic tour! Looking forward to that show in August. Notice how Jon drops a hint about the possibility of a future "Olias" performance? |
|
ghost_of_morphy
Prog Reviewer Joined: March 08 2007 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 2755 |
Posted: May 23 2011 at 15:04 |
Benoit does an excellent job for what he is supposed to do, which is mimic JA.
|
|
|
|
Post Reply | Page 123 4> |
Forum Jump | Forum Permissions You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot create polls in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum |