Tim Morse

Q & A with the band members of Parallels:

1.  Why did you want to be in a Yes tribute band?

Jay: Yes has long been one of my favorite bands. Incredibly inspiring and certainly an influence in all of my musical endeavors. The opportunity to play in Parallels with like minded musicians — not to mention musicians capable of executing such unique and complex music — was a bit of a dream come true.

Brad: I was very fortunate to be able to simulate Jon Anderson's voice and hoped that at some point I could share this ability with other like minded souls.

Jim:  I've been a huge Yes fan since Fragile came out in 1971 and, as a drummer, a fan of both Bill Bruford and Alan White.  I've always loved Yes music: the intricacies, the melodies, the odd time signatures, the aspirational lyrics, and especially the soaring emotional crescendos.  Parallels was a great musical home for about ten years.  And even now, it's having a little resurgence after the discovery of some basic tracks we recorded back in 2007, which we polished up with the help and expertise of Craig Long at Paradise Studios.

Judy:  I wanted to be in a Yes tribute because the music that YES produced is pure magic. The messages conveyed and the power of the music behind the message speaks to my soul. THE musicians I had the privilege to sing with was also a major draw; so talented!

Chris: Steve Howe has been a huge influence on me since first hearing the Fragile record way back in the day. My early efforts to play his parts on the Yes stuff yielded lowly results. The songs and style did however shape my playing as I was exposed to things such as triads, natural harmonics and finger style picking. Fast forward a couple decades and my technical side caught up a bit. When asked to play with Parallels, it was a natural fit! Having seen the group a few times, I knew the caliber of the project would be right up my alley!

John: I love Yes (they are my favorite band) and always wanted to have the opportunity to perform their music live either as a vocalist or a keyboardist. I achieved that dream as the vocalist for Parallels.

Jason: I had been introduced to progressive rock a few years earlier, so had always gravitated towards that sound. I didn't really set out to join a Yes cover band, it was quite unexpected actually. I had answered an ad looking for players to jam on some "classic rock", if I remember correctly, and that turned out to be Ron (the first bass player in Parallels). Much to both of our surprise, we both were heavily into Yes, and it took off from there!

2.  Why release a CD of a tribute band?

Jim: This CD features two of the basic tracks (Awaken and Future Times/Rejoice) we recorded live as a band and have finished up with some overdubs and Craig's help.  It also has some of Tim's re-imaginings of Yes songs and his work in collaboration with Jon Anderson which, unfortunately, did not get an official release.  Altogether, the CD includes most of the members of Parallels who dedicated a lot of time to bring this music to life.  It's great to hear three of the singers who were with the band at different times.  Lastly, but importantly, it gives us another chance to thank our 'fans' - the people who came out regularly to support our live shows.  It was a joy and a privilege to share this music with other enthusiastic Yes fans.

3.  What are some of your favorite memories of being in the band?

Jay: Pulling off Awaken, Gates of Delirium, Close to the Edge, Heart of the Sunrise and Future Times. All in one show! Our last show with guitarist Jason Reed was a high point. December 2008 I believe. Also the rehearsals. Pulling this massive object out of the sand with our bare hands. At first each piece is daunting. Then you start to get a handle on it. Then you’re actually playing it and having fun in the process. Finally, the great bandmates and fans. Mostly people I didn’t know before, many lifelong friends now.

Jim: Interestingly, my favorite memories do not involve live performance.  Parallels gigs were great fun, but they were always logistically challenging and involved lots of other very generous people who worked very long hours for little or no pay.  (Actually, the gigs usually cost one or more of the band members money.)  And it was rare for all the members to be satisfied with their entire performance or not suffer some technical issue during the gig.  They were emotionally rewarding and stroked the band's egos, but required lots of work. More often, for me, it was very enjoyable - and sometimes thrilling - to be in a rehearsal room with a group of like-minded people attempting to recreate Yes music.  This music has great emotional power, and performing songs like Awaken (or And You And I, Close To The Edge, or The Gates of Delirium) is like going on a journey.  Each time you begin, it's like launching a little boat that will take a certain amount of time to complete its trip, and things will get VERY BIG before you're through!  It seemed like a great way to spend some time, like a a very unique hobby.  I can still recall the wild guitar and synth solos, and the bass pedals rattling the objects on the shelves in the garage.  And contrary to my expectations, I did get the occasional compliment from the neighbors who were involuntary participants in our Sunday afternoon concerts...!

Judy: My favorite memories of performing with Parallels begin with Tim Morse's 40th birthday show.  Seeing so many people who may not have otherwise been exposed to YES music, to see them truly appreciate and enjoy and FEEL what we offered that night, was priceless. Going to see Yes with my bandmates is also a treasured memory of mine. Our show for Tim Morse's album release at Harlow's was also a highlight. That show was one of our best! 

John: My favorite part of Parallels was being able to play this great music with 4 excellent musicians. Coming in as the vocalist, the music was so perfectly executed that if I closed my eyes it felt as if I was singing with Yes itself. It also challenged me as a vocalist to do justice to the those great songs. The Jean Runyon theater performance were definitely the highlight of my musical career.

Chris: Realizing that I could actually hang with this group musically was very satisfying. Even though the run was very short- it's still one of my favorite gigs to remember and reminisce.

Brad: To be able to perform this music is truly magical, but to share the stage with great people is even more fantastic, after all to share is the greatest gift.

Jason: My favorite memories are of hanging out with like-minded musicians, enjoying the rare and challenging music we were able to perform! Anytime a big piece came together, like Starship Trooper, Gates of Delirium, those were truly inspiring moments. I am thankful for all of them.  

4.  What are you up to these days?  Anything to do with music?

Jay: These days I’m back to lead guitar in my Rush tribute band, Rash. Like Squire’s bass, Alex’s guitar has always come somewhat naturally to me. And I’m too old for the egos and troubles of an original band. Not to mention yet another bunch of stellar and dedicated musicians and great people. I’m also playing bass occasionally with the brilliant fusion composer Dave Lynch. I get to try to be a jazz bassist! Jazz is the thing that really puts you in your place. Never something you “do,” but rather something you practice. Like being a doctor. Lifelong learning.

Judy:  Currently, I am singing in a 'deep track' classic rock cover band known as 'ACME Soundtracks'. I have written and recorded lyrics for some fellow musicians, as of late, and hope to get the opportunity to produce some of my own songs in the near future.

John:  I have released my own progressive rock album called The Everlasting Dawn. It is heavily influenced by the progressive rock greats of the 1970s. You can hear it at https://johnteves.hearnow.com/  .I performed all the instruments and vocals on the album as well as produced and engineered it. I am currently working on a follow up titled “The Vast Ocean of Being”. I am also working on classic rock album with two gentlemen I met with in the late 1970s on our local East Bay band scene. Tentatively called LLT, it consists of Johnny Lipka on lead vocals/guitar, Larry Litz on guitar, backing vocals and bass and myself on Lead vocals, keyboards, drums and bass.

Chris: Currently still doing the Tribute thing playing Rush music with R50 and Prince music with 1st Avenue Revue. Started to learn King Crimson's Discipline record for a project that ultimately was left unfulfilled. Perhaps in the future, another Yes Tribute will present itself in one form or another- I would like that a lot!

Brad: These days I spend all of my time with my 3 young children, they are my spiritual and musical inspiration for now. 

Jason: With two young children, I am plenty busy day to day, and I love it! Musically I have been trying to work on classical solo guitar, to what extent I can. Learning those Steve Howe pieces was a great introduction to that!