The 1990 SARM Demos were the earliest recorded demos from Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman and Howe for the upcoming tentative "Dialogue" project. Eventually, many of these songs would find their way to the Yes album "Union."

The SARM Demos are of great interest to Yes fans as they give the clearest indication of what might have been without the over-riding involvement of producer Jonathan Elias. It was Jonathan Elias who grew frustrated with both Wakeman and Howe, resulting in session musicians re-recording many of their parts.

The original demos were rough and the material poorly mixed. Jon's scratch vocals were difficult to hear and very low in the mix. I have adjusted the levels, but don't expect perfection as the source material is very raw.

TRACK LISTING
1. I Would Have Waited Forever
2. Shock to the System
3. Give and Take
4. Take the Water to the Mountain
5. Holding On
6. Silent Talking
7. Looking for the Words
8. Make Believe
9. Do it to Tell
10. Terms of Love

In 1999, Alan Parsons released "Time Machine," a concept album that mixed time travel and scientific soundbites to generally positive reviews.

This "Alternative Album" seeks to bring some of the music from this album, along with several tracks from other albums, into a more imaginative story based loosely on H.G. Wells' "The Time Machine," while incorporating songs that revisit themes from past Alan Parsons Project albums.

Long-time fans of the Alan Parsons Project will hopefully find a nostalgic trip through time as they listen to this album... let me know in the comments!

After 1983's album "Drastic Measures," Kansas lead singer John Elefante lent his talents to production, working on Sweet Comfort Band's "Perfect Timing" in 1984. This largely forgotten album had a CD release, but has never been remastered. I have remastered the tracks and have improved the sound significantly over the original CD release.

John Elefante can be heard clearly in the chorus of "Sing for the Melody."

TRACK LISTING:
Perfect Timing
Habit of Hate
You Led Me to Believe
Don't Bother Me Now
Computer Age
Sing for the Melody
Lookin' for the Answer
Envy and Jealousy
Never Should Have Left You
Neighborhood Kids

1983's "Drastic Measures" album was the second album to feature John Elefante as lead singer. The band was about to disintegrate, as Dave Hope and Kerry Livgren were looking to branch out on their own and violinist Robby Steinhardt failed to appear at the recording studio, effectively quitting.

In my opinion, "Drastic Measures" was a mixed bag. With only 9 songs, and only one clocking in at slightly longer than 6 minutes, the album felt incomplete. The first side of the album contained four songs, and the fourth song "Andi" was just terrible. My goal with this "alternative album" is to create a solid side one. Kicking off the album is "Perfect Lover," from the initial "The Best of Kansas" release. Also, I have replaced "Andi" with "Wasn't it Love." Both songs were penned by John Elefante. As a bonus track, I end the album with "Young and Innocent," an Elefante song created for the "St. Elmo's Fire" soundtrack. All songs have been remastered.

TRACK LIST:
Perfect Lover
Fight Fire with Fire
Everybody's My Friend
Mainstream
Wasn't it Love
Going Through the Motions
Get Rich
Don't Take Your Love Away
End of the Age
Incident on a Bridge
Young and Innocent

In the 1970's, Larry Norman was a prolific songwriter and released several fantastic albums, including "Only Visiting this Planet," "So Long Ago The Garden," and "In Another Land." I highly recommend owning all of those albums.

This unofficial album attempts to assemble a thematic work similar to those releases utilizing rare tracks recorded during that era, while including segues from the same time period. "This Way to Peace" contrasts the clear hope of the Gospel against fearmongering, dangerous cults, and violent protests that marred the American landscape of the late 1960's through mid-70's.

Track Listing:
A Love Like Yours
Blue Shoes White
Joyful Delta Day
Dreams on a Grey Afternoon
Peacepollutionrevolution
I Don't Believe
Looking for the Footprints
I Don't Wanna Lose You
Taking My Time
People in My Past
Strong Love, Strange Peace
What Goes Through Your Mind
Even if You Don't Believe

In 1983, ELO released their tenth studio album, "Secret Messages." Jeff Lynne set out, once again, to release a double-album, but CBS Records reigned him in and forced him to pare it down to a single disc.

As the title implies, this album was to be full of hidden messages, including back-masking and disguised comments. There was nothing sinister in any of these hidden elements, but it was intended as a humorous response to untrue charges of hidden Satanic messages in an earlier song. Jeff Lynne repeatedly denied hiding anything nefarious in his music, but he started inserting non-controversial backward messages into his music as far back as "Fire on High" in 1975 with the phrase, "The music is reversible, but time is not. Turn back! Turn back! Turn back! Turn back!"

In 2018, a Double-Vinyl was released with a restored track-list as Jeff Lynne originally intended, EXCEPT for one song, "Beatles Forever." John Lennon was murdered on December 8, 1980. Jeff felt this song, composed not long after Lennon's death, was far too fawning. I have inserted it into its originally intended spot.

I have also included slightly longer versions of two songs versus what was released on vinyl. The space limitations of vinyl do not apply here, so you get to experience the songs as they were originally composed.

If you enjoy these videos, please hit like and leave a comment. I appreciate your interactions. I don't receive any compensation for my channel, but I do it out of a love of the source material.

TRACK LIST:
Secret Messages
Loser Gone Wild
Bluebird
Take Me On and On
Stranger
No Way Out
Beatles Forever
Letter from Spain
Danger Ahead
Four Little Diamonds
Train of Gold
Endless Lies
Buildings Have Eyes
Rock'n'Roll is King
Mandalay
Time After Time
After All
Hello My Old Friend
Welcome to the Show

In 1981, Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) released "Time," a concept album about a man from the 1980s who is taken to the year 2095. Throughout the story, he yearns for his lost love, seeing a future in which she no longer exists.

Drummer "Bev" Bevan indicated this was originally intended to be a double album. Several tracks recorded from this time period, some released as B-sides to singles, fit seamlessly into the album's storyline.

Many ELO fans, myself included, consider this to be one of our favorite ELO albums. There have been several fan attempts to restore the twin-album track-list. Building upon those prior efforts, I have thrown my own twist into this endeavor. All credit goes to Jeff Lynne.

TRACK LIST:
Prologue
Twilight
Yours Truly, 2095
Ticket to the Moon
That's the Way Life's Meant to Be
When Time Stood Still
Julie Don't Live Here Anymore
Second Time Around
Another Heart Breaks
Rain is Falling
From the End of the World
The Lights Go Down
Here is the News
21st Century Man
The Bouncer
Love Changes All
Time Transporter
Hold on Tight
Epilogue

In 1977, the late Larry Norman (formerly of People!) released "Streams of White Light Into Darkened Corners," an album that mocked the pseudo-spiritual music being released by bands and musicians who were anything but models of spirituality. Along with Larry's versions of songs like "Let it Be" and "Spirit in the Sky," there were faux "radio DJ spots" between the songs. This "alternative album" strips the DJ spots from the album and presents the songs as Larry does them. You still get his mocking inserts into some songs, like "I'm so bored" in "My Sweet Lord," but these are few and far between.

Track Listing:
Spirit in the Sky
Put Your Hand in the Hand
Bridge Over Troubled Water
Let it Be
Presence of the Lord
I Think He's Hiding
He Gives Us All His Love
Stranger in a Strange Land
Prince of Peace
Song for Adam
Shine a Light
The Road and the Sky
I am Waiting

In 1996, Yes released "Keys to Ascension," which combined studio tracks with new music. These demos were recorded prior to that release. The line-up was Jon Anderson (Vocals), Steve Howe (Guitars), Chris Squire (Bass), Rick Wakeman (Keyboards), and Alan White (Drums).

Track List:
Be the One
That, That is

After Yes recorded and toured 1987's "Big Generator" album, Jon Anderson departed and formed "Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe" with several former Yes band alumni. Jon had become "disillusioned" with the direction of the more commercial sound of the Rabin-era Yes lineup. In 1989, Trevor Rabin recorded the solo album "Can't Look Away," which featured drummer and Yes band-mate Alan White on certain tracks.

Meanwhile, Chris Squire began working with Billy Sherwood on new music. The original 90125 line-up, sans Jon Anderson, got together and started coming up with songs for a new Yes album. Rabin would handle most of the singing, with contributions by Chris and Billy. Billy Sherwood was at one point offered a larger role singing, but did not think it would go over with fans. Rabin sent three demos to Jon Anderson, hoping to convince him to sing on at least one. Jon was deep into working on the second ABWH album, but offered to lend his voice on the new Yes songs.

I will surmise that the members of Yes realized that without Jon Anderson at least appearing on a track or two of a new album, the record would be completely dismissed by fans and sales would suffer. As good as Rabin's "Can't Look Away" is musically, it did not break any sales figures or produce sufficient buzz in spite of the success of 90125 or Big Generator. In the end, a decision was made to marry these new Yes songs with several of the ABWH songs, resulting in the album "Union." A major tour ensued and the album certified gold, in spite of mixed reviews by the critics.

Yes fans identify the band at this time in the following terms: Yes-East (Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, Howe) and Yes-West (Rabin, Chris Squire, Tony Kaye, Alan White, and Jon Anderson, when he wanted to be there). This project attempts to give a glimpse into the possible sound of a third "Yes West" album, had "Union" never occurred. None of these songs are the final versions that appeared on "Union," apart from "Saving My Heart." As Trevor Rabin had just previously released a solo album, there was not as much new material compared to that which was produced by ABWH at this point.

Track Listing:
Miracle of Life
Love Conquers All
Saving My Heart
Let Go
Lift Me Up
Say Goodbye

In 1988, Yes alumni Jon Anderson, Bill Bruford, Rick Wakeman, and Steve Howe worked together to release "Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe" (ABWH). They were unable to use the name "Yes" as that was the property of Chris Squire and associated with the band lineup that produced 90125 and "Big Generator."

While working on a second ABWH album (tentatively named "Dialogue"), the opportunity to take some of the new tracks and combine them with those created by the current Yes band members arose and resulted in the album "Union" (1991). On paper, this all sounded great, but behind the scenes, there were creative differences between Jon Anderson and Steve Howe. This resulted in many of the ABWH songs being re-recorded with stand-in musicians, completely replacing the work of Howe and Wakeman on various tracks.

This "Alternative" album is an attempt to speculate on what a finished "ABWH: Dialogue" recording would have resembled (I have used the spelling "Dialog" for this title). Where possible, I have used fully-developed extended tracks while avoiding the earliest under-developed demos. None of these tracks are the final versions of what was ultimately released on "Union." All tracks have been remastered.

TRACK LIST:
I Would Have Waited Forever
Shock to the System
Masquerade
She Walks
Shot in the Dark
Without Hope You Cannot Start the Day
Give and Take
Dangerous
Angkor Wat
Look in the Light of What You're Searching For
Silent Talking
Holding On
Evensong
Take the Water to the Mountain
Mountain Exit

When Steven Wilson began remastering the album Fragile, he discovered a partial song, "All Fighters Past" on one of the reels. The earliest part of the song had been recorded over, but he remastered what remained. Elements of this song would be repurposed in other Yes songs, but not at this tempo. Interestingly, an extended version of "A Venture" was uncovered from "The Yes Album" material, and that had a somewhat abrupt ending. So, taking these two songs (one with an abrupt end and another with an abrupt beginning), I put them together and liked the results. I hope you will as well!

These demos were created sometime between 1979 and 1982. They were largely abandoned, although Flower Child (Never Done Before) had previously begun as a Yes song during the infamous failed "Paris Sessions." Working with the only sources available, I have attempted to remaster these as best as possible.

Secrets of the Past 0:00
Instrumental 3:18
Inside Your Eyes 4:55
Your Message 7:24
Feel Your Love Flow 9:27
Flower Child (Never Done Before) 11:26
Carnival 13:49

"The Wall," as a concept album, grew out of Roger Waters' own problems, infidelities, and frustrations in life. This "wall" represented a psychological barrier that isolated him from meaningful relationships and resulted in a growing hatred of his own fans, exemplified in his own life where he spat on a particularly rowdy "fan." The loss of his own father in World War II played a part in the story. When Bob Ezrin was brought in to produce the album, Waters had already come up with more than three albums-worth of material. Ezrin brought the needed focus to the project and produced a fantastic double-album, resulting in some of their biggest commercial hits in "Another Brick in the Wall, Part 2" and "Comfortably Numb."

A movie was always in Roger Waters' mind, and while the project was fraught with in-fighting and controversy, it contained many memorable visual elements and additional musical cues not contained in the album.

This "alternative album" is provided as insight into a bigger picture of Roger Waters' original vision. Clocking in at 2 hours and 21 minutes, this version is far longer than the album (1 hour, 20 minutes) and the movie (1 hour, 35 minutes).

As with all my projects, my aim is not to "replace" or denigrate the official release, but expand and enhance the experience for those of us who have practically memorized the original source material. Hearing expanded selections and abandoned pieces in context will hopefully breathe fresh insight into a familiar classic.

Recorded around the time of Supertramp's commercial behemoth "Breakfast in America," Roger Hodgson had a series of songs with a fair degree of polish that never made it onto that album. Utilizing these unfinished tracks as a basis, and drawing inspiration from Roger's "Fool's Overture" where he tied a series of unfinished "ideas" into a greater whole, I present to you "The Lost Overture."

1974 marked Supertramp's commercial breakthrough with the album "Crime of the Century." Between 1972-1974, Roger Hodgson and Rick Davies wrote many songs that would wind up on this and future albums, along with some songs that would be lost to history. This album is a collection of demos that led up to Supertramp's breakthrough success.

Supertramp formed in 1969, but did not achieve success until 1974's "Crime of the Century" album.

This unofficial compilation album culls what I believe are the best tracks from the first two albums ("Supertramp" and "Indelibly Stamped") and adds several other early songs for an enjoyable exploration of origins of the band prior to commercial success.

Based loosely upon Ray Bradbury's "The Martian Chronicles," this rock opera incorporates music by Yes and Yes band members. The songs chart the exploration and settlement of Mars, mankind's eventual turn to war and near-extinction, and the aftermath.

This is NOT an official album, so don't go looking for it to purchase.

PART 1: "The Tower Suite," as the first rocket takes off and journeys to Mars...
PART 2: "The Settlers Suite," as humanity makes its way to Mars, establishing colonies...
PART 3: "The Arsia Mons Suite," as life on Mars begins to reflect the lives that they escaped on Earth...
PART 4: "The Coming of War Suite," as humanity turns to war, unable to get along with itself...
PART 5: "Aftermath and Epilogue," as the lonely survivors of humanity must rebuild from the ashes. One day, man may travel back in time in an effort to warn humanity about it's future. Perhaps they will be mistaken as aliens...

Following the departure of Steve Walsh, the original lead singer of KANSAS, John Elefante became lead singer from 1981-1984. During this period, they had several hits, including "Play the Game Tonight" and "Fight Fire with Fire." KANSAS then disbanded before reforming with a new line-up in 1986 with Steve Walsh returning to helm lead vocals. By 2014, Steve Walsh had retired from his role in KANSAS, so the band contacted John Elefante to gauge his interest in returning to the band. John decided against returning to KANSAS.

This collection of songs feature John Elefante as lead vocalist and all have that distinctive KANSAS sound. It provides a glimpse into what KANSAS could have been if Elefante returned. Enjoy "That Which Wasn't but Might Have Been."

TRACK LISTING:
The Intelligence Theory
One Out of One
One Day Down by the Lake
Song Du'jour
Stronger Now
This is How the Story Goes

Following the death of John Bonham of Led Zeppelin and the (temporary) break-up of Yes, members of both groups collaborated on several songs/demos. Chris Squire and Alan White of Yes worked with Jimmy Page, and later Jon Anderson would produce two songs with John Paul Jones. Presented together here, enjoy Yes Zeppelin!

1) Mind Drive
2) Silver Train
3) Can You See
4) Fortune Hunter
5) Christie
6) Telephone Secrets

Jon Anderson, Trevor Rabin, and Rick Wakeman teamed up and toured, performing live Yes music. At one point, they began working on an album, but that album was never completed or released. One song was presented to a radio station and played. I have remastered that track and present it here.

The following demos and tracks feature KANSAS lead vocalist Steve Walsh prior to his formation of his own band "Streets." These vary in quality, but showcase Steve's fantastic voice during the height of his career...

TRACK LISTING
1. Gun Runner (this is not the Kansas demo version, nor is it the version that appeared with Streets)
2. Call Out Your Name (an abandoned demo)
3. Trojan War Cry (another abandoned demo)
4. Another Slant (a Kansas demo from the time of recording "Point of Know Return")
5. You Think You've Got it Made (rare live performance of a "Schemer-Dreamer" track by Kansas)
6. Mask of the Great Deceiver (rare live performance of this Livgren "Seeds of Change" track by Kansas)
7. How Can You Live (Steve's only vocal performance on Kerry Livgren's "Seeds of Change" solo album)
8. Narnia (Walsh's vocals on Steve Hackett's "Please Don't Touch" solo album)
9. Racing in A (Walsh's other vocal performance from "Please Don't Touch")
10. Every Step of the Way (from Steve Walsh's solo album "Schemer-Dreamer")

In 1985, Yes began recording their follow-up to their hugely successful "90125" album, but creative differences led to the departure of Trevor Horn as producer. The album, later completed and released in 1987, would go on to reach platinum and spawn two hit singles with "Love will find a way" and "Rhythm of Love."

This album is a compilation of earlier demos that would result in the album "Big Generator." Enjoy them as a window into the creative process.

If I did ANYTHING correct with this album, it's in producing an album cover that is NIGHT AND DAY better than the HORRENDOUS "Big Generator" album cover. I rank that cover as one of my all-time least favorite album covers, along with Yes' Talk album cover... So go ahead, THANK ME for making a better album cover than Yes created. ;)

TRACK LISTING
Rhythm of Love
Big Generator (Engage)
Shoot High, Aim Low
Almost Like Love
Love Will Find a Way
Final Eyes
Big Generator (Accelerate)
I'm Running
Holy Lamb

In 1991, after more than a decade of collaboration, Jon Anderson of Yes and Vangelis released their "final" album, "Page of Life." The 12 tracks were actually recorded 5 years prior in 1986 during sessions in Athens and Rome. Then, in 1998, an alternate US version was released. This version was missing some of the songs on the 1991 release, but had a new track, "Change We Must," as well as extended versions of some of the tracks. Finally, in 2013, a third version was released with ANOTHER new song, "Sing with Your Eyes." Interestingly, it was discovered there were additional songs and extended tracks that were never released on any of these versions of "Page of Life."

Sadly, Vangelis passed away on May 17, 2022. "Book of Life" is an attempt to create a "Magnum Opus" of Material from the 1986 "Page of Life" sessions, utilizing the tracks from the official releases (extended versions when available) as well as demos, B-Sides, and other rarities to create a fitting tribute to one of the greatest collaborative teams in music history. The result is a whopping hour and 47 minutes of material.

TRACK LISTING
1. Wisdom Chain Overture
2. Page of Life
3. Money
4. Jazzy Box
5. Garden of Senses
6. Is it Love?
7. Anyone Can Light a Candle
8. Sing With Your Eyes
9. So Long Ago, So Clear
10. Open Up
11. Change We Must
12. Shine for Me
13. Genevieve
14. Song is
15. Be a Good Friend of Mine
16. Say What You Will
17. The Arms of Love
18. Wisdom Chain (Reprise)
19. Journey to Ixtlan
20. Little Guitar
21. Let's Pretend

Of all the great progressive rock bands, the Strawbs is one of the least known in the USA. With one of the longest recording careers spanning from the 1960's to the present, my goal is to expose you to this incredible band by giving you some of their most proggy, bombastic, and experimental songs. The Strawbs began as the band for Sandy Denny, who would go on to join "Fairport Convention" in 1968. She would later sing on "The Battle for Evermore" on Led Zepplin IV (none of her songs are featured here). Rick Wakeman would join the Strawbs for two albums before joining Yes (none of his songs are featured here either). Wakeman's departure angered Dave Cousins, resulting in the song "Tomorrow." That song IS featured here. Dave's singing voice is typically best when he's angry or creepy, and to some degree the prog era Strawbs music resembles Peter Gabriel-era Genesis vocally. Give it a chance and tell me what you think in the comment section!

TRACK LISTING:
Ghosts
Deadly Nightshade
Hero and Heroine
Midnight Sun
Evergreen
Down by the Sea
The Life Auction
Tomorrow
The Promised Land
Tears and Pavan
New World
Time and Life