December, 2001
NOTES FROM A TOURING NUTCASE - PART 2
Here we are in sunny Cardiff, Wales. Last night’s show was surreal, the fans just had the best time. We played so good, like in a dream state. Some gigs are like that, we are all pretty tired, but the music carries us along. Doing 'Gates', knowing the crowd were so into it, sounded better than ever. As I usually say, ‘It's amazing that we can perform that work, some 25 years later, and there are people like you folks wanting to hear it, it truly is a wonderful piece to sing, and the band playing it, is something else.'
How very true that we are still in the world of refugees and warlords, sadly. Yet here we are on the way to Robin Hood country (Nottingham) to do a show tonight. The roadies on this tour, as always, have been greater than ever. Smiling faces everywhere. We’ve got five more shows. Time for a break.
Oh, I must tell you, when we were on our way to Sweden I was told our Conductor for the tour had jumped ship to get his nose fixed. His name was Wilhelm. He was having a couple of days off to do this, he just forgot to tell us. Anyway, this new guy comes for the next two gigs with a name I could never pronounce. And before the end of the second show, I turn around to wave at him before we start 'Ritual', and he was gone. I ask Alan, ‘what's the deal?’ Alan tells me, 'He's gone to catch his train'. Oh well, that's life on the road.
Tom Brislin our keyboard dude, has been really on form all the way thru' the tour, happy to see the world, and meet so many Yes fans. Good guy.
Had a fantastic last night in London with Janee, Damion, his girl Lizzie, my nephew Jason, Julian and crazy Eddie, his dog Shady, and old friend Francis. Lots of laughs in a Pub. We are already re-packing, well I' m typing, Janeeee's packing. Did I ever tell you how beautiful she is?????
I had my 10-minute moan the other day about the usual (‘why is there no promotion on our new album here in Europe? Seems like each town we visit they've forgotten to put 'Magnification’ in the stores…') All I get are blank faces from everyone at the record company. Chris came up with this 10-minute moan system, so every now and then we all get the chance to let off steam. It always turns out to be very silly, very Monty Python. Still, we believe in our band, we just want more people to get it, that's all. There's such wonderful music out there, that gets lost in the mix. Thank God for XM Radio, it's coming to a place near your heart soon. XM Radio is the beginning of the NEW WORLD ORDER... book now... don't delay... get XM Radio today...
We really miss watching the 49ers. They are doing too well this year. Roll on superbowl, you never know.
...LOVE...IS...SO...POWERFUL...
Nearly the end of the tour. Had the best of times in Cardiff, Glasgow, Nottingham, in Brighton. I met with my next older brother, Tony, loving , crazy 'dude' 'ying tong yiddle ey po, Lad'. Plus his kids Craig, groove guitarist, Sean his brother, hot drummer, they played a gig in Paris with my Debs' singing, and their wonderful sister Sharon. I hadn't seen her for years, and all their children. Times fly by. Lot's of smiles and hugs for everyone. Janeeee is just so happy to meet everyone. She sings to us everyday in the Happy Car, we have done lots of miles around Britain. It's a beautiful country. We have just a couple of gigs to go. Gonna go and work out for an hour. It feels so great to see my family, miss them already. Keep in touch with your families, love is everything.
I've started thinking about 2002. It's coming quickly. Let's hope peace comes soon. Let's have some UFO energy coming, 'wake us all up'. I just love the latest 'crop circles'. It seems (as I have always thought) music has a lot to do with them being here at this time in our evolvement. Please read as much as you can about the 'crop circles', and then move on to the Devic Kingdom. Thank God for the mysteries of life. Now is the perfect time to jump into the unknown,'musically' that is. I get this feeling there is a time for the New.
Disco is so big over here. Oh well... I did my dancin’ years ago, I'm learning a new dance, wait and see. The new orchestra from Belarus are truly good people, pretty quiet, but really loving playing with Yes. As I say, 'they don't speak much English, but they speak great music'.
Alan's lovely Mum will be coming to the show in Newcastle. What a love she is. Always fantastic to see her. She giggles a lot, and like Alan, gives off such a feeling of Love.
Here we are on the way to Newcastle City hall, a very famous place. Yes played there 33 years ago with the Who, Small Faces, Joe Cocker. What a lineup. Paul Silveira our intrepid tour manager... his cell phone rings constantly. He has a hole in his pants pocket today. Big Deal, he has a hole in his brain - OH, OH, well he just got it fixed - big things happen on Yes tours. So we are a bit late setting off. I think we will drive thru' the farm I used to work on as a kid. Can you believe it, a motorway right thru' the Big Meadow, where I used to chase the cows and make hay from cut grass, in the summer of my childhood. Janeee and me went to look at steam trains, from the ‘Planet’, the second EVER train, to modern Electric trains. I love the old steam trains.
We played in Sheffield last night, wonderful crowd. So what's happening in the world? If you put a matchbox on your table, think of the table as the world, then look at the matchbox... that's the amount of badness and craziness in the world. There is so much beauty and love and happiness, we just center in on the media bad things, and worst of all 'gossip'. Anyway it's time for me to send this…
I just met a guy with his two young kids outside the gig. They were so excited to see the show. Last show tomorrow, see my brother Stuart, his wife Marilyn and the whole gang from Accrington. Life is good. Home sweet home. Happy Christmas, and an amazing New Year to come - 2002 is going to be so wonderful.
Well at last we are on our way back home, 'flying home, going home…’. Last night's show was so cool. Manchester folks are just so into the band. Like all our fans, they help to make the evening grand. Funny things do happen. Alan's Mum lost her coat last night, and would you believe, she lost her coat at the last gig last year in London. It must be a 'White' sort of thing, him breaking his case, his Mom losing her coat. She is such a love energy.
Enjoy each day, and give love each day eh'? So much love.
Much love,
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| Jon & Janeee |