Sherwood, Billy Citizen: In The Next Life

"Citizen: In The Next Life" is Billy Sherwood's second release in the Citizen series, which follows the concept that he started with the "Citizen" album released in November 2015. The songs describe the individual experiences in a journey through time and space of a character, "The Citizen" through his own eyes: from an appearance in the Berlin bunker as Adolf Hitler in the final days of WWII to the Impressionist painter Monet, then as Stephen Hawking exploring the depths of the mind and the universe, Wyatt Earp, the legendary sheriff of Tombstone, Christopher Columbus, Romeo Montecchi and Mata Hari, among other real and fictitious characters.
While for the first album Billy amassed an impressive list of guests, including the last recorded performance of original YES bass player Chris Squire, this time he wanted and managed to work on the concept on his own. The result is another splendid ride in human history, with an exceptional storyteller like Billy who is bringing us on a fascinating musical ride through the centuries. The album also includes an impersonation of the character "The Citizen" as Chris Squire. "Amazing Grace" is a famous bass solo that Chris used to do on stage and so it seemed a fitting tribute to him.
Billy Sherwood is current member of YES, handpicked by original founding member Chris Squire, before his untimely death in June 2015, to fill in for him. Billy started his career in the band Lodgic and then World Trade, with whom he released two albums. He joined YES for the first time as touring member on the "Talk" tour in 1994, before becoming a full time member from 1997 to 1999. He also recorded two albums with Chris Squire on the "Conspiracy" project and released six albums with CIRCA, the band he formed with another former YES member, Tony Kaye.