Linn Drum Machine News Today

Near the end of 1982 and into mid-1983, the working trio of Chris Squire, Trevor Rabin and Alan White – in time, the heart of the born-again British progressive rock pioneers YES – were a band with no name and no record contract. And the 90125 album was still over the next rainbow. But at least, with multi-instrumentalist Rabin now on frets and keys, they had a stronger mission plus a cluster of promising songs.

How does the most popular band in rock music history both close out their recording history and celebrate their iconic legacy at the same time? Well, in early November, The Beatles accomplished both by releasing their last new recording, “Now and Then,” and reissuing their ever popular catalog compilation albums, The Beatles 1962-1966 and The Beatles 1967-1970—known informally as the “Red” and “Blue” albums (Apple/Capitol/UMe), augmented with dozens of new tracks and completely rem...

That first impression was a stunner. There were the grunge-y, arena-rock power chords, the cracking drum rolls and the glitzy, sampled horn accents at the ends of those hanging sustains. And then, the sudden appearance of Jon Anderson’s singular, near-angelic, alto tenor. “Move yourself/You always live your life/Never thinking of the future. . .”, he sang, his voice spiking out of the radio.

Ever hear of Art Wood? Probably not, even though he's appeared on thousands of songs.