Rick Wakeman Shares His Thoughts on Steven Wilson's Classic Yes Remixes
Video Summary
Hold the phone, shred-heads! We just got a candid glimpse behind the mixing desk philosophy from a true titan, dropping a truth bomb about modern production. When quizzed about Steven Wilson's legendary remixing work on classic Yes albums, our speaker pulls no punches, flat-out stating, “I’m not a fan of remixes.”
This isn't just a casual dismissal; it’s a fierce defense of sonic integrity. He argues that original mixes are "a statement of the time," perfectly encapsulating the equipment and ethos of their era. Forget your 5.1, 7.2, or even 9.8 systems – which he hilariously likens to bewildering time signatures – for him, nothing beats the "great good old stereo." Why complicate things when we've got two ears? He champions the classic stereo sound, a purist's stand against the seemingly endless expansion of audio channels.
But here’s the money shot, the insight that resonates deep in the core of Truth In Shredding: a wry caution regarding "how guitar players mix keyboards." The punchline? "They don’t. They’ll put those back over there somewhere. Let's put the guitar up a little bit more." It’s a hilarious, yet profoundly accurate, jab at the guitarist’s innate inclination to put their instrument front and center. This isn't just about sound; it's about the eternal hierarchy within the mix, where the mighty six-string reigns supreme. A truly unfiltered take on audio production from a master!