July, 2002
YES 2002 TOUR - PART 2
Kharma is a word I rarely use. Very powerful stuff, Kharma. But
here we are in Seattle, named after the great Chief Seattle, a wonderful
human being with amazing courage, and truly Universal words.
We rehearsed in a heaven-sent studio and enjoy each other more than ever. To play music in this format is very 'dreamlike'. We’ve done this all before, which is true of course, but here we are in 2002 - the Kharma is good. The show will work.
We did a gig in the Jimi Hendrix place, E.M.P., a great experience for everyone there. The folks who work there are so wonderful, and Yes were treated like royalty. Thanks Paul for building such a special home for music, there should be one in every city all over the world.
My honey Janeeeee, has been doing the Ya Ya sisterhood thing with GiGi (Alan’s lovely wife), and her friends.
I didn't realise Seattle is a waterway city, lakes everywhere, plus Mountains and things. Alan came over the other day with his boat, a sort of infamous boat that he's talked about for years, yet it hasn’t been seen by anyone that I know! I called it 'The Mystery". But there it was, a fine boat, all sparkly and groovy, baby. We went for lunch in the Seattle sunshine. Oh, the Bald Eagle, I cannot tell you the feeling when we saw one just over our heads the other day. Janeee and I always start clapping when we see events like that, so thankful... they are so majestic.
Robin, Janeee's great friend from L.A. came up for the weekend, and they danced the night away side-stage, having the best time at the E.M.P. show. It's been a good stay here, good food, good energy, our crew are all in fine form. We've all known each other for so many years, it's a brotherhood, it's good Kharma for YES, and all who sail with her.
Well, last night went very good. It was a rehearsal with fans in the theater, downtown Kirkland, such a trip, stopping a song halfway through to remember lyrics, or a missed drum part, etc. Rick was having a lot of fun at my expense, ‘cos whatever I said on stage, he had another meaning in his (vaudeville) way of thinking, most of it 'rude'. Chris kept saying toward the end that he was off to an Indian restaurant, could we 'get on with it'. Alan grinning most of the night, he couldn't hear anything, but happy anyway, early days. Steve sat down in the middle of the stage on a chair, and played his 'classical' stuff, everyone loved it, and Janeee sitting in front, looking so 'beautiful' as ever. All in all it was an education for everyone, we should do more of them, very loose and good natured. OK, our first show tonight, I will let you know how it goes…
Well that was quick, one minute we are in Seattle, the next minute we are in the mountains. The first gig went great, we survived. Sometimes 'first' gigs are a blur, but for some reason, the Seattle show was just wonderful. YesFans really step up to the plate for us. This tour will be fine, on and on we go. Konokti, in the mountains, in and around the 'lake'...very hot, and very warm and friendly fans, we get together in the afternon, with a couple of hundred folks, answer questions, laugh a lot, under the shade of the trees, it's a good time. Gig was fun, very hot, but by the end everyone was having the best time. Kharma is good these days. We are doing 'South Side of the Sky', very good now, no silly things yet. But eh! It's just the beginning!
OK, I spoke too soon. Chris got his stage shirt stolen. ‘Alert the media!' The police came and chased the 'gig' chef down the road, but he didn't take it. The police didn't like his cooking we think. Alan’s case is broke again, yes it's the same damn case he had in Europe. Will this guy ever learn? NO... Oh, Chris rang up Trevor Rabin, 'cos he had a shirt just the same as Chris's some 10 years ago. I think Chris loves that shirt, anyway Trev', bless him, is going to send it to Chris 'Pronto’.
We’ve just spent 4 hours at the airport trying to get on our plane to Denver, we could have walked there by now. Oh, for 'time travel'! Janeee and I are working out 'fast walking ' our way across America. Sorry, Janeee is running, I walk fast… anyway, enjoy the moment, that's all we have.
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