Steven Shinder
Author of fantasy horror comedy novel Lemons Loom Like Rain, which is available on Amazon. You can also read excerpts at stevenshinder.com and check out facebook.com/StevenShinderStorytelling as I share writing-related topics of discussion.
'Tales from Topographic Oceans' - Fusions of Wonder
After Yes had a successful tour in support of Close to the Edge (well documented on the Yessongs live album and video and the Progeny box set), Jon Anderson (vocals), Steve Howe (guitar), Chris Squire (bass), Rick Wakeman (keyboards), and Alan White (drums) recorded an album that went a step further than Close to the Edge. Some might say that this next album went over the edge, but others (myself included) would call this a favorite Yes album and a great achievement in the history of the band.
Steven ShinderPublished 2 years ago in Beat
The Character I Really Want to See in 'Star Wars Resistance' Season 2
A trailer has finally dropped for the second season of the Disney XD animated show Star Wars Resistance, which is being advertised as the final season. The first season was somewhat of a slow burn, but it culminated in high-stakes events toward the end, pushing the characters in a direction that will be intriguing to see play out.
Steven ShinderPublished 2 years ago in Futurism
'Close to the Edge' - Taste the Fruit of Yes Recorded
Following Fragile and subsequent touring, the Yes lineup of Jon Anderson (vocals), Bill Bruford (drums), Steve Howe (guitar), Chris Squire (bass), and Rick Wakeman (keyboard) returned to the studio in 1972. For The New Age of Atlantic, they recorded a 10-and-a-half-minute cover of Simon & Garfunkel's "America" (previously over 16 minutes on The Yes Album tour, where it had a tiny bit of what would end up in "Roundabout").
Steven ShinderPublished 2 years ago in Beat
'Fragile'—Agile Yes Music
After The Yes Album (which was certified silver in the UK and platinum in the US) advanced Yes music, the band toured successfully, even playing shows in America for the first time. Following that tour, keyboardist Tony Kaye was asked to leave the band, and Chris Squire called Rick Wakeman of The Strawbs late at night to ask if he wanted to join the band. After speaking to Yes manager Brian Lane, Wakeman decided to play with Jon Anderson (vocals), Bill Bruford (drums), Steve Howe (guitar), and Chris Squire (bass), and the rest was history.
Steven ShinderPublished 2 years ago in Beat
Does 'Gotham' Prove That 'Batman' Can Work as a Live-Action Show?
Many people have compared the actors who have played Batman in live-action films. And just recently, fans have been debating whether or not Robert Pattinson is a good choice for Matt Reeves' The Batman. But one topic that has never really been debated is live-action Batman actors on television. The reason for this is that there has pretty much only been one: Adam West.
Steven ShinderPublished 2 years ago in Geeks
'The Yes Album' - A Venture Into Perpetual Change
For many Yes fans, The Yes Album is where much of what Yes is most known for really started. Part of that has to do with the recruitment of guitarist Steve Howe, who helped define their sound throughout the 1970s. He joined Jon Anderson (vocals), Bill Bruford (drums), Tony Kaye (keyboards), and Chris Squire (bass). And the songs were getting lengthier than before. Gone are the cover songs, a few of which they put on their first two albums. While the title The Yes Album is definitely an odd one given that it is their third album, perhaps it is deserving of that title if only for the fact that these tracks are all compositions solely by the members of Yes. The band wanted to move forward, and this album, the first of several produced by Eddy Offord (who was an engineer on Time and a Word) helped them reach more ears when it was released on February 19, 1971.
Steven ShinderPublished 2 years ago in Beat
DC Universe's 'Swamp Thing' Ends with 'Loose Ends'
Swamp Thing is the third live-action show on DC Universe, following the releases of Titans and Doom Patrol's first seasons. While those two shows take place in the same universe, Swamp Thing is kept more self-contained. While it may not be as great as Doom Patrol, it has been well-acted. Crystal Reed plays Abby Arcane, who witnessed tragedy in her past and investigates a virus in the swamp. She gets the help of scientist Alec Holland (Andy Bean), but then events result in the creation of Swamp Thing, whose human side is conveyed convincingly by Derek Mears. Even though the pacing was slow at times, the great acting makes it a shame that it got cancelled after the first episode premiered. DC Universe did release all ten episodes, and they advertised the last one as a series finale. But it does not feel like a series finale because it leaves loose ends, keeping fans wondering what could have been. This will be discussed in the spoiler section, which will be marked.
Steven ShinderPublished 2 years ago in Geeks
'Time and a Word' - Good Yes Music Then and Now
Yes' first album may not have made the biggest splash, but it showcased some of the adventurous drive that would remain within the band for years to come. Original members Jon Anderson (vocals), Peter Banks (guitar), Bill Bruford (drums), Tony Kaye (keyboard), and Chris Squire (bass) could have very well remained content and done another similar albu. And in some ways, Time and a Word is similar, even right down to having eight tracks, two of which are covers. But it was decided that an orchestra conducted by Tony Cox should be included, thus giving Yes' second album a different flavor. Released July 24, 1970 (just a day short of the one-year anniversary of the first album's release), Time and a Word showcased an early instance of the continuous evolution of Yes music.
Steven ShinderPublished 2 years ago in Beat
