Author Archives: Miguel Falcão

New Pictures

“Alternate tune”… I dared to include on my channel this little tune for 8-string bass. This song is still, though vaguely, Yes-related as it was my contribution for the alt.music.yes CD called “Cyberian Khatru”, released in 2000. The bass tuning was inspired by Chris Squire’s Ranney 8-string, with a slight change on the top string:Continue reading “New Pictures”

The Remembering – High the Memory (ii)

For this half of the song I tried to find a somewhat mellower, yet distorted tone that would be closer to the unique bass sound of the original recording. This bassline is technically demanding and exhausting, but it’s a joy to play, with superb note choice, and great dynamics. In a word – intense. I’mContinue reading “The Remembering – High the Memory (ii)”

The Remembering – High the Memory (i)

I guess I’m trying to bring back songs that haven’t been played live by Yes for ages, and somehow present some visual performance from them for all Yes fans. The “forgotten” Remembering has always the song that I gave the least amont of listens from this album. Maybe because of that, when I started playingContinue reading “The Remembering – High the Memory (i)”

A Venture

Unlikely maybe, but there is something of a “hidden gem” about “A Venture”. It’s a song written by Jon Anderson from The Yes Album that hasn’t been played live like all the other songs on that record. The bassline begins very self-contained on the neck pickup, and then begins to come out of the shellContinue reading “A Venture”

Looking Around

In this clip I had to find the fine line between playing note by note and getting a natural feel. As a result there is some “ad-libbing” but I hope the feeling should compensate that :) “Looking Around” is one good example of how Chris Squire was inspired by elements of soul/R&B from the era:Continue reading “Looking Around”

Astral Traveller

Bassline for Time and a Word’s “Astral Traveller”. This one totally drives the whole song. Actually the whole album is very “bassy” thanks to a very generous mix (if all Yes albums were like that…!:) This song turned out to be more exhausting to play than I expected. After a good deal of takes, bothContinue reading “Astral Traveller”

Parallels

One of my all-time favourite bass lines and songs of Yes – Parallels, written by Chris Squire, from the album Going For The One. SETUP: Early 70’s Fender Jazz Bass, a brand new set of Blue Steels, Sansamp Bass Driver DI, GR3 “bass pro” ampeg SVT emulator. The sansamp settings make a huge difference butContinue reading “Parallels”

On the Silent Wings of Freedom

Note: A remastered version of this video, with better quality can be watched here. On the Silent Wings of Freedom was my first YES-bassline video, recorded, most appropriately, to celebrate Chris Squire’s 60th birthday. “onward, through the night”… of March 4th 2008, celebrating the 60th “ever opening flower” of Mr.Chris Squire. My 1st attempt onContinue reading “On the Silent Wings of Freedom”