Tsongas, Disc 1:Mind Drive Suite

[allpurechance]

After viewing, reviewing and re-re-reviewing this performance I have to say that much as I loved the acoustic set, much as the end of the show, Ritual, And You And I , the encores are all wonderful, great...

Disc 1 rules!!!!

And the best part(who knew!!!???Who the hell knew...)is the Mind Drive Suite, newly arranged and revamped for 2004 and beyond.

Nested neatly within is that fabulous South Side Of The Sky, and further, and primary in my mind, Turn Of The Century.

The raucous Yours Is No Disgrace that ends the 1st set ain't no slouch, either!And the opening duo of selections, Going For The One and Sweet Dreams are still surprisingly fine as hit - the - stage - running songs.

But that Turn Of The Century.In certain circumstances, certain headspaces, I become a blithering(even more so than usual!lol), dribbling, eye watering fool listening to this.This is the best version of this song that I know of.

Incredibly moving.

[Mind Driver]

I agree, with one exception: I was disappointed with the way they ended Mind Drive. They cut it off, probably for a live effect, and we didn't hear Rick's very low chords along with the "dripping water" from the original version at the end of the song. That ending on the studio version reminded me of early Yes.

[Terry Shea]

I agree, with one exception: I was disappointed with the way they ended Mind Drive. They cut it off, probably for a live effect, and we didn't hear Rick's very low chords along with the "dripping water" from the original version at the end of the song. That ending on the studio version reminded me of early Yes.Actually, I was glad they changed the ending. Rick's keyboard fill at the end of the studio version sounded cheesy and very out of place with the rest of the song to my ears.

[Terry Shea]

After viewing, reviewing and re-re-reviewing this performance I have to say that much as I loved the acoustic set, much as the end of the show, Ritual, And You And I , the encores are all wonderful, great...

Disc 1 rules!!!!

And the best part(who knew!!!???Who the hell knew...)is the Mind Drive Suite, newly arranged and revamped for 2004 and beyond.

Nested neatly within is that fabulous South Side Of The Sky, and further, and primary in my mind, Turn Of The Century.

The raucous Yours Is No Disgrace that ends the 1st set ain't no slouch, either!And the opening duo of selections, Going For The One and Sweet Dreams are still surprisingly fine as hit - the - stage - running songs.

But that Turn Of The Century.In certain circumstances, certain headspaces, I become a blithering(even more so than usual!lol), dribbling, eye watering fool listening to this.This is the best version of this song that I know of.

Incredibly moving.I agree 100%! The first disc is absolutely stunning and I have no idea how Steve, Rick and Chris can keep that middle section together on TOTC.

[Albedo]

Well you know I love the whole darn thing! I love the GFTO intro, it just blows me away.

[BlankReg]

I love the live ending to Mind Drive - a very YES-ish ending. Kinda reminded me - of all things - the live ending to "Hold On" from the 80s. My only beef is that in splitting up Mind Drive, they inexplicably cut the best jam of the song. I was bummed. But all the other aforementioned highlights made up for it.

[allpurechance]

I agree 100%! The first disc is absolutely stunning and I have no idea how Steve, Rick and Chris can keep that middle section together on TOTC.

Right!Right.

Amazing.I've seen Yes try this song live in ages past and that middle section can wind up sounding muddled, confused, the proverbial Yes trainwreck.

Not in 2004!Not at Tsongas!It is just so exquisite in there, amidst the heavier sections - South Side rocks so hard...this is just a great, great arrangement ...

...


Something else for which Yes seldom gets any props.Their arrangements and rearrangements of the material.Ok, I can think of some I disagreed with too, lol...but...

Over and over again I'm surprised and delighted(particularly more so recently) by how well they group their songs together...there are times when the effect upon those actually present, us, the audience, is delightfully devastating!

One last point about Turn Of The Century.The closing moments.Steve Howe chooses to play them on the electric guitar.Immediately upon first viewing I disagreed on principle with this choice.And, wrong again.We really should trust these musicians with their own material!Yet, the studio version ends on the acoustic, so that's what I mentally demanded.

However, Steve plays this section so delicately, so lovingly...

So beautifully.

And Yes, Art!Going For The One as an opener is entirely functional.Or was!lol...

Hit the stage running....!....

[Jackaranda]

I think Tsongas is great, start to finish. If we never get to see Yes again, then thank God we have this.

[allpurechance]

I think Tsongas is great, start to finish. If we never get to see Yes again, then thank God we have this.

Jack!I've said this very thing over and over again!

[YesJen357]

I think Tsongas is great, start to finish. If we never get to see Yes again, then thank God we have this.
Amen!
But lets hope not.