ABWH - Your Move / I've Seen All Good People (Shoreline Amphitheatre, Mountain View, CA 1989)

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For anyone new here, I should explain that ABWH is short for the name of a YES off-shoot group called Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, Howe, and I was the band’s drummer. We were around in the late 1980s to early 1990s. Not long. If you blinked, you missed it. Here, we’re performing a song that’s about 18 years old in 1989, from the Yes album. So, about half a century of popular music fashion has passed under the bridge since the music was invented and arranged. But, irrespective of fashion, we’ve got some quality here. How did we come by this music? By collective collaboration, is how: kicking ideas around in a basement somewhere in London.
There may be a lot of instrumental music instruction on the net, especially for drummers, but harder to come-by is useful help about collaboration with others. I was reminded of this with a recent Drumeo video of a drummer-led band walking us through a band rehearsal, and the various pathways the group’s embryonic composition might take as it grows under collaborative hands. The video showed the effects of dynamic and timbral changes as the drummer offered several options to the others in the group as to how the song might be approached and developed, from the perspective of his instrument.
This was great musical stuff. All participants were on board, willing to try stuff. The best options circulated around one or two people doing less or nothing; cutting back to see what were the essential components, without which the composition wouldn’t work. When you’ve located them - say, a bass part or a guitar rhythmic figure at a (perhaps) different tempo - you can carefully build on those solid foundations to enhance the mood that those elements seem to evoke.
If the ‘song’ has singing, all activity is typically slanted towards making the lyric and voice(s) work. They will need to be feather-bedded in the best possible sonics to project the intended meaning. Take for example, the brilliant ‘All Right Now’ by Free. Right from the top, the slashing guitar chords and vocal are married together as one, with big holes for the rhythmic sunlight to appear. But wait! There’s NO BASS. They’re saving it for a knock-out punch at the chorus. It then features in a little interlude with one of the most melodic bass lines in rock. This is the art of arrangement, somewhat in decline these days, but downgraded at your peril.
Anyway, what immediately strikes me here about ‘Your Move’ is the strength and clarity of the singing. In no small part, it’s like that because the supporting arrangement allows it to be. The timbral colour and fragility of Steve Howe’s Portuguese 12-string valachia, the dull heartbeat of the drumming; the tight backing vocals; all are designed to enhance the mood as the narrative unfolds.
Most of the bands I’ve been have either had no singing or large instrumental sections in between vocal passages, allowing tons of room for instrumentalists to bring whatever expertise they have to the cause. Since the vast majority of popular music has singing, it surprised we progressive rockers that our music of the 70s would gain any traction with the public at all. Surprised the heck out of Atlantic Records.
#billbruford #drummer #yes #paistecymbals #tamadrums #electronicdrumkit #earthworks #billbrufordsearthworks #billbrufordsearthworks

[@r0bbyinchins]

Man andersons voice is magic

[@gadgetcoder]

Jon Anderson, not Ian (Ian was from Jethro Tull)

[@thomasgoldthorpe508]

I really loved the ABWH performances. They were tight, true and yet had flourish that anything prog would make. Loved it, miss it.

[@tomhill9445]

I can't remember the last time I saw Steve Howe smile. Saw this tour in Seattle. Was my introduction to Tony Levin. He looked like Freddy Kruger with his Funk Fingers.

[@AudioAtmos]

Great write up in the Description section. This was a great lineup to see. I can’t believe it’s been over 30 years. Thanks Mr. Bruford for posting this little gem and especially for all your creative endeavors.

[@EscapeLimitations]

It was a great time wasnt it. Loved the show but thought it started at 8pm so qas a little late

[@Smakificator]

I did not miss it. Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe was my first introduction to Bill Bruford. What an intro it was. All of my fandom of that famous band of positivity came from this band and this LP. :D

[@spiffyg4939]

What an absolutely flawless performance and Bruford is the cherry on top. There’s not much better in life than to listen to and watch musicians of that caliber perform at their peak. Sad there’s no Chris Squire or it would be perfect.

[@brettmarlar4154]

Far and away one of the greatest Yes songs of all-time and space!!! A perfect way to end a show!

[@rayboreham2648]

Only thing missing that would have been the icing on this particular cake is the brilliant bass playing of the mighty Chris Squire. Oh, that's right, then it would have been called Yes!

[@klongyawseven9118]

Too bad that ABWH could not have lasted longer.....there was much potential there to do some more incredible and lasting music..

[@streetsofsimcity]

I for one am content with how much good music these boys produced and I bet they are too 😂

[@einarabelc5]

That's what Rick called Onion

[@einarabelc5]

Why don't you turn your head so satisfied so Jon gets on his way?

[@lusich94]

Qué buen comentario!! Opino lo mismo. Se frustó la posibilidad con el..."YES UNION" que comercialmente fue lo novedoso. Pero compositivamente la cosa se complicaba al haber "mas caciques que indios". No obstante quedó grabado el demo del segundo album de "ABWH".

[@adrianrny]

Truly a magical combination of musicians. There is a lot of joy on that stage.

[@360captureit]

Love it. Oh Bill, if only you and Jon Anderson would work together again

[@gerardleveque3568]

That's the best version I have seen!

[@mallorga1965]

Another comment which distillates pure musical wisdom, Mr. Bruford. Much appreciated.

[@styles8007]

I personally believe this live version of All Good People is the best I've heard, period!! And I have seen Yes numerous times. And yes, I know this is ABWH, but in my eyes, this is still Yes 👏👍👍. Thank you for sharing this classic Yes track.

[@ИгорьГаврюченков]

Великолепный состав, улетная музыка и атмосфера... 🎶👍💪😀

[@nathelm]

Read a review of the Yes Album and he mentions Steve Howe's vocals in the beginning of this song that it was such a great addition to the lineup. I saw the 35th anniversary tour and sat in the wing on Howe's side and i could really hear him clearly, it was so cool.

[@progressivevalen]

They had 20 years of experience when they had this live but they allowed the ritmic guys to have a moment to shine here with their solos, you guys are great because of how humble you are :)

[@kathowed]

That's a pretty amazing performance! And joyous.

[@scottzappa9314]

Yes sir, great musical stuff. I think I remember hearing about this band back in the day.

[@lusich94]

😂😂😂👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@darrenrunning5415]

What i wouldn't give to have this concert released on Blu-ray in 5.1 surround sound, with comments by Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, Howe, and throw in Tony Levin.

[@EscapeLimitations]

I was lucky enough to be at this exact show. Great show

[@royleinfuss7222]

Thanks for posting Bill I hope you are happy and healthy

[@billstrohler]

ABWH was my introduction to Yes. A friend of mine did not like the cassette but know I was a Rush fan thought I might. I sure did and collected everything Yes up until that point and saw the ABWH tour that year. Thanks for the write ups. I don't know if you read the comments but I really appreciate this You Tube channel.

[@Patrickillian]

This one has the best solos from all the recordings that I listened from this song.

[@richpeltier9519]

That organ drop is my happy place. 🤘🧙‍♂️🤘

[@rickvenlo1362]

This upload is very fine in all aspects

[@rickshearer]

I was there! You can obviously hear and see why I thought it was an outstanding concert!

[@timothydillow3160]

"Great Music is a playground for brilliant minds, A place of inspiration for the creative, yet uninspired." td

[@sundog6820]

what in the mullet suit is going on top of wizard mountain 🖖🤟

[@modsl.i.l.e.2047]

Thank 😊 you BiLL! Who would know 🤔 that in the near future that there is going to be a "YES" UNION tour & that Chris, ALan, Trevor & Tony wiLL be joining you, and making it one beautifuL 😍 get together! 😀 Those were the days my friend. Take care for now and have a very nice day 🌞 Oh & don't forget Jon! cya...😎michaeL😎 ❤️🤍💙

[@oriza2]

great! Thank you Bill. Loved Yes since I was 15 in 1989.... Wonder who are the supporting players on keys, bass and strat????

[@AssociationAdmirer]

In the notes for the "Heart of the Sunrise" video, Bill identifies them as Julian Colbeck (additional keyboards), Milton McDonald (second guitar), and Jeff Berlin (bass). McDonald also played on ABWH's album, and Berlin was already known to Bill as a member of Bruford.

[@seldonsinq]

I’ve seen Yes so many times over the years and in retrospect this was the best concert that had Yes music. I got to see ABWH twice and feel very lucky.

[@milanhrabal6884]

Perfect!

[@rayboreham2648]

Superb write-up, Bill. Do you happen to know the link to that Drumeo video? I'd love to see it, as I'm sure would many others. Thanks in advance and for all the wonderful music. I didn't make this one but saw Yes and KC many times.

[@musicboy2003]

It’s hard to believe that I saw them perform this music 50 years ago on the Close to the Edge tour in 1973.

[@islandpalm148]

Jeff Berlin did a tremendous job for ABWH filling in on bass, given he had little to no rehearsal on these complicated tunes.

[@jchis9852]

Thanks for posting this Bill! I saw the show at the Garden State Arts Center in Holmdel, NJ. You had Tony Levin on bass that night, who was phenomenal. Thanks for the great night of memories! 👍🏻😎

[@markprincipe7440]

I was at same concert! What a show 💯👏👏👏

[@John.0z]

Thank you for posting these videos Bill. I attended an ABWH performance in Houston in 1989. Watching the video brings back to me what an enjoyable evening that was. The biggest difference between my memory of the night and this recording are the extra performers on stage.

[@einarabelc5]

When in doubt, roll!! Sometime ago someone praised putting a hi hat cymbal set in front as a great innovative thing for 2023. Of course, I referred them to somewhere around here 😊

[@richpeltier9519]

Ive seen so many great shows at this venue: Aerosmith, Skynard, Allman Bros, Lolapalooza, a couple Ozzfests and more Dead shows than i can remember. This night was magic. It stands out in my memory more clearly than most of my experiences at Shoreline. Every time Mr. Bruford shares another of these videos to KZbin, it brings it all back that much more clearly. Thank you sir and to the other performers and all the crew that went into making that tour happen and that night so special. 🤘🧙‍♂️🤘 Rich the Ancient Metal Beast

[@bluemoon6180]

Big Thank of south of France Forever young .. ✨

[@AssociationAdmirer]

Quite a performance. The handling of "Your Move" didn't impress me (it sounds a bit mechanical, and Howe's vocals don't match Anderson's the way Squire's did), but you guys took off with "All Good People" so powerfully that it floored me. Every one of the solos just bubbles over with fluid expression and enthusiasm.

[@ikkenhisatsu7170]

Great video - I saw the tour at Mud Island in Memphis (It was SOOO freaking hot that night!). It's the only video I've found that shines a spotlight on the backing players, which is a nice touch. Would've been nice to see a little of Jeff Berlin, though.

[@simonal1989]

Rick's keyboard sound at 7:30 is very Keith Emerson like

[@72pffkk24]

Thanks, I listened and now I cannot unhear it. 😂

[@WakadooPlaypen]

I was there, great show, but Im still mad at you for retiring!

[@eliivillaq5583]

MERCI mister Bill

[@bugeanuflorin1531]

Masterpiece, Master Bill Bruford.

[@BasicDrumming]

Great video.

[@RadagastBrown420]

Yes isn't merely progressive music 🎵. It is psychedelic, life affirming hippie music and it is progressive and melodic. And no one is better than Jon Anderson, Bill, Steve Howe, Wakeman and just about everyone who ever played with those guys ( you know the other 15+ guys I mean).

[@johnpaynter452]

Magical

[@davedillon1372]

Chris was ALWAYS A DOMINANT PART. HE LAUGHED AT THE CINEMA>'YES' of a Lonely Hearts moneymaking era & seemed to have the 'tude of ’So? Have at it!' (re ABWH) Meanwhile, Anderson was kept at bay while Squire,et al put the 'Owner' stuff together before J.A. could have done TOO much misdirection to its musicality. Look at the interviews for that era of YES & see? He's been laughing to the bank as he noted how much more $ was made w/him in more control that wasn't just equal shares even though they both had to get Anderson for the voice.

[@moonman6199]

👍👍👍 😊 ✨

[@g.e.5723]

It is a shame that the "A" and the "H" cannot perform together. I read where they each have much love and respect for each other, but "H" says we "just cannot work together". This version lacks only one element, and we know whom that is. RIP Chris.

[@rjmacf0015]

A moment in history where the reinterpretation by 3/5 of the original recording group is as good as (not better) than the original....although for me the acoustic drums should have been supplemented by the Simmons pads rather than supplanted them. Not important however as the drummer is still there. More significant perhaps and truly remarkable is that Jon Anderson can still sing this well in 2023.

[@darelsmith2825]

All We are saying is give Peace a Chance.

[@claudiojusto3527]

Bruford es un reloj!

[@yp77738yp77739]

Wasn’t that Yes? I’m 99.999% sure I’m right.

[@Atom-56]

Well, we all thought it was, at the time, except Chris Sqiure had got the Yes name with his band.

[@c.a.t.732]

Without Chris Squire's bass playing to kick it into gear, the song never really takes off. It's like a big 747 rolling down the runway without leaving the ground.

[@monicadonnelly4991]

Kind of at the top of their game here. Too bad there’s no Squire

[@kingslaphappy1533]

Um…where the heck is Chris Squire?

[@Atom-56]

He was hanging with the other Yes guys, Alan White, Tony Kaye and Trevor Rabin, waiting for Jon to come back and sing.

[@stereoroid]

Fort Wakeman still as impregnable as ever, I see!

[@marcolin2249]

xcuse me, what's the difference with Yes?

[@freaksileny]

Everything is played flawlessly, the vocals are perfect, but the electronic drums are a step backwards sonically. Moreover, they are poorly mixed with the other instruments. I think it's pretty terrible.

[@otisspunkmeyer9339]

Bill Bruford surely one of the best technical drummers ever but with Yes I always preferred Alan

[@ElOpa1]

Que boludez que esta alineación no se pueda llamar Yes

[@jeffd3573]

great drummer playing unfortunate sounding fake drums

[@writer125]

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

[@KingBeevr]

The greatest chess song ever? I think so.♟️

[@Atom-56]

I think Jon should write a sequel, called Check Mate.