Louisville, KY - My perspective/review of the show.

[1yesfan]

Well another YES show under my belt tonight. Just hit me tonight that this is the 25th year annv of me following YES. My very first two alums as a teen, YESSONGS and SECONDS OUT.
It was great meeting up with all the fellow Yesheads at the pizza joint. The chat and food was great.
Now for the venue. What an awesome place. Cozy with aremarkable design of this very old place. It was like walking back into the 1920's again.
The people at the show. In front of us was what seemed to be a VERY out of place black man about 65 or 70 years old. He was alone but was in his own way jamming along to the music. To the back left of us the typical loud ass DRUNKS but they were good most of the time. To the right of us across the isle was a lady that was seeing YES for the first time since the late 70's. She really moved me tonight when I looked over and saw her crying when they cranked into YIND. She clearly was moved by what she was hearing. Her reaction to the show alone was worth the price to get in for me. Her hubby had took her to the show for a wed annv.
Up front in the right corner by the stage was a teen guy dancing the WHOLE show. The over to the left up closer to the stage was a dude that looked to be in his 20's still dressed as if he was just dropped in from his white collar office job. Dress pants and a neatly pressed white dress shirt dancing, arms up in the air. Then later pops up the kid with a rather large mohawk up front head banging. With in the crowd were MANY young folks, 18-25. Not just a few but many I thought. That was nice to see.
The guy next to us at the beginning of the show yells out, look at them, they have a look alike keys player, referring to Rick W.. HA HA HA HA HA, I yelled at him and told him who it was. HA HA HA, Ironic he caught that but didn't realize Jon A. was not there.
To the show now. It did have a slow take off but got up to speed quickly. I was MOST IMPRESSED with BD'd singing. He stayed with in his self tonight and really sang the songs rather well. To me he was singing for HIS YES now. Instead of maybe in the past trying to sing for a JON'S Yes for what he thought we maybe wanted to hear. They all worked well together, changed up the songs it seemed to me better to work with BD's vocal range. For me I think I saw the NEW YES tonight. The last couple tours it seemed to me that they were trying to find that new groove, it was still damn good then but I think many were thinking how they would sound and they wondered how we thought how they would sound. Well tonight the crowd was into it like the old days. Loud, up and cheering a lot, standing O's, etc.
Chris was his usual good self, cranking it out like it was 1975 or 1984 or 2004. Steve was grooving and moving well. Alan the thunder machine as usual. Oliver laid back and banging out the tunes through the keys. It was funny to watch him watch himself on the screen playing.
Great show folks. If you get a chance to see them in the coming year I would say DO IT! It will be well worth you time and effort.

[YESOLA]

Good deal.

[KoniraThax]

Thanks, Tim.

[1yesfan]

I was happy to see so many young folks there. They indeed are learning about YES and are coming out to see them. Not all of them with the old parents but just there with friends.

[KoniraThax]

I was happy to see so many young folks there. They indeed are learning about YES and are coming out to see them. Not all of them with the old parents but just there with friends.

Aww, lucky. I tried to get a big group of my friends to go with me to Dallas but none of them came... only two of them and me and Elena. Sigh.

[YESOLA]

I was happy to see so many young folks there. They indeed are learning about YES and are coming out to see them. Not all of them with the old parents but just there with friends.

Right on, I am amazed a this phenomenon even at the smaller shows.

[1yesfan]

And they were not all just guys!!! ha ha ha Must be BD or Oliver. ha ha ha

[KoniraThax]

And they were not all just guys!!! ha ha ha Must be BD or Oliver. ha ha ha

It's Benoit, he's too sexy for that cowlick - too sexy for that cowlick.

Oliver is so charming, though. But he is a married man. :D

[True Believer]

Glad you enjoyed it, Tim!

[yesyadda]

You're quite the people-watcher, Tim. Neat review. :thumbs:

[deelovesyes]

Great review Tim.

[tidewater]

Just a word Tim: WOWWWW.And another one:THANKS:appl[1]::Wow:

[Pantherhawk Yes Fan]

There were a fairly large number of young (and I mean teenage) people at the Charlotte show as well. I only wished the Fillmore had seating, I'm too old to stand like that anymore!

[luvyesmusic]

YES still lives; still. I too notice of recent years it brings me joy to people-watch at the shows. Two groups in specific; the amount of happy young folks enjoying the music and shows, and of course, those YESheads who have missed the band for years for one reason or another. Glad you had a fun and enjoyable evening, Tim, and everyone else who decides to leave the comfort of their home and see the one band whose music has been so different and magnificent.

Go YES, go YESfans!

[MikeYESfan]

Thanks..counting the days...

[soporjoe1]

nice write-up. Remained torn on going last night and finally opted not to due to the setlist rehash. (though the "An Evening With Yes" aspect of this tour is much more appealing to me than the joint Styx tour. Really wish the new album would get the theater treatment as far as the live setting goes and not what I am guessing will be the outdoor amphitheater shared bill setting.).

[Jackaranda]

Tim's right, lots of young people there, and many of them young women. I have to admit, when I saw these young girls up and dancing in front of me at a Yes show, and I'm talking a bunch of them...something's happening here folks. I haven't seen that since 90125.

[Mind Driver]

I was MOST IMPRESSED with BD'd singing. He stayed with in his self tonight and really sang the songs rather well. To me he was singing for HIS YES now. Instead of maybe in the past trying to sing for a JON'S Yes for what he thought we maybe wanted to hear. They all worked well together, changed up the songs it seemed to me better to work with BD's vocal range. For me I think I saw the NEW YES tonight.

I thought the same a couple of weeks back when I saw them in Chicago. They seemed a bit different.....not as much harmonizing. I'm not saying they were bad - just letting BD do his thing.

[desiderata]

Great review, Tim--I think people have to see the band as they are on this tour to understand why many of us are acting like there is something new is going on, because it IS. It's like they've all, individually and as a unit, found their groove. This is really a step up from the other tours. Not to say they weren't great on the previous outings, but wow, I felt like all the bugs have been worked out, and I didn't even realise how much better the band could get. They amazed me--I felt that real *magic*, that polish, that I felt at old Yes shows. I loved your description of the crowd, reminded me of our show the other night!

Look, we all know that Chris, Steve and Alan are all capable of transporting us to places that no else can--they are the BEST. But what people might not know till they see THIS Yes, right now, is that if you thought something was lacking before, it's not anymore! Benoit and Oliver are everything I could've hoped for them to be and more, they knocked my socks off! They have really grown into their roles and now they OWN them. I feel like I'm back being the "dreamer easy in the chair that really fits you"--I can just let go and let Yes take me away...they are a cohesive unit now and in control of where they're going.

I hope lots of folks go see the band on this tour--as another poster said, they have ushered in a new era of Yes, and they deserve to be judged right up there with all the other great line-ups. This one has arrived! If anyone has doubts, go see the band!

[Chefstarship]

Last night in Louisville was one of the best Yes concerts that I have been to. Benoit you are putting your own stamp on it. Just beautiful sir. Wow I`m a little pooped from the weekend, and my writing is a little incoherent at best anyway, but I had the best time last night danced , cried, everything in between. This morning Connie and I had breakfast at the Hampton, I finished first and went up for a shower. A man was milling around the buffet and Connie thought he looked familiar, he then carried his drink , fruit , and oatmeal and sat next to Connie,"good morning " he said and then it hit her. Oh gosh she said to herself you`re Steve Howe. She left her phone in the room and could not text me to hurry down so Steve had in fact picked the perfect lady to sit next to, a quiet respectful one who left him alone. Connie finished and they said good day to each other and that was that. She says he packs preserves in his man bag......apricot or orange marmalade she thinks.

[soporjoe1]

This morning Connie and I had breakfast at the Hampton, I finished first and went up for a shower. A man was milling around the buffet and Connie thought he looked familiar, he then carried his drink , fruit , and oatmeal and sat next to Connie,"good morning " he said and then it hit her. Oh gosh she said to herself you`re Steve Howe. She left her phone in the room and could not text me to hurry down so Steve had in fact picked the perfect lady to sit next to, a quiet respectful one who left him alone. Connie finished and they said good day to each other and that was that. She says he packs preserves in his man bag......apricot or orange marmalade she thinks.


that's a pretty great little story right there.

[kisscorky]

Enjoyed Louisville Show. Caught the only drum stick and pick thrown out!

[Mostly Harmless]

....I have to admit, when I saw these young girls up and dancing in front of me at a Yes show, and I'm talking a bunch of them...something's happening here folks......

Alright now, Jack. We don't need the details. ;)

[True Believer]

Enjoyed Louisville Show. Caught the only drum stick and pick thrown out!
Well, that's a cool first post! Lucky you.

[scrappinglib]

Thanks for the great post! I'm going on Friday in Hampton, NH, and am getting very psyched to see one of my favorite bands for the first time in a million years. During life BH&K (before husband and kids) I went to lots of concerts, clubs, etc. - there's nothing like live music to make me happy. Sure, YES has a couple of different people than the last time I saw them. Bands change over time, whether it's their lineup or their style, and I say go with the groove and keep an open mind and ear. I always expect to see a great show, and I've only been disappointed once. (Had the flu & spent the evening at the first aid station - "Really? Robert Plant was on stage? I must have been busy trying not to puke.":stretcher:

Vickie

[Jackaranda]

My review from another thread:

http://yesfans.com/showpost.php?p=2171050&postcount=10

[scrappinglib]

Jackaranda - thanks for your great review too! If I wasn't already psyched, your song specific comments would have done it. I can't wait to hear Close to the Edge live. During my first year of college, I ended up with a C in calculus because I was in the library listening room discovering YES instead of going to class (who schedules calc for 8am anyway?) Close to the Edge was eye, ear and mind-opening for me.

The only thing I'm worried about is the meet & greet - bad reviews of them on another thread. But I'll just keep in mind that a 2nd row seat, a pic with the band, a few autographs and a chance to say "thanks for the music" are worth the price.

Vickie

[desiderata]

Last night in Louisville was one of the best Yes concerts that I have been to. Benoit you are putting your own stamp on it. Just beautiful sir. Wow I`m a little pooped from the weekend, and my writing is a little incoherent at best anyway, but I had the best time last night danced , cried, everything in between. This morning Connie and I had breakfast at the Hampton, I finished first and went up for a shower. A man was milling around the buffet and Connie thought he looked familiar, he then carried his drink , fruit , and oatmeal and sat next to Connie,"good morning " he said and then it hit her. Oh gosh she said to herself you`re Steve Howe. She left her phone in the room and could not text me to hurry down so Steve had in fact picked the perfect lady to sit next to, a quiet respectful one who left him alone. Connie finished and they said good day to each other and that was that. She says he packs preserves in his man bag......apricot or orange marmalade she thinks.


Enjoyed Louisville Show. Caught the only drum stick and pick thrown out!

Sounds like some memorable experiences were had--thanks for sharing them with us! Super photos, too! :thumbs:


Thanks for the great post! I'm going on Friday in Hampton, NH, and am getting very psyched to see one of my favorite bands for the first time in a million years. During life BH&K (before husband and kids) I went to lots of concerts, clubs, etc. - there's nothing like live music to make me happy. Sure, YES has a couple of different people than the last time I saw them. Bands change over time, whether it's their lineup or their style, and I say go with the groove and keep an open mind and ear. I always expect to see a great show, and I've only been disappointed once. (Had the flu & spent the evening at the first aid station - "Really? Robert Plant was on stage? I must have been busy trying not to puke.":stretcher:

Vickie

That's a wonderful attitude, and I'm sure you'll have a great time on Friday--let us know how it went! :wavey:

[crotale2112]

the Yes bus moves on...


it goes round and round and round....

Rejoice forward out this feeling
The white eagle soars
Yesfans go round and round and round
Until the early winds of change

Yes's new light.... conquering timeless ease
Spread the harvest breeze
Let Yesfans hour of passion
Gently hold our heads on high with you

Gently hold our heads on high!

[Dramato]

Great review, Tim--I think people have to see the band as they are on this tour to understand why many of us are acting like there is something new is going on, because it IS. It's like they've all, individually and as a unit, found their groove. This is really a step up from the other tours. Not to say they weren't great on the previous outings, but wow, I felt like all the bugs have been worked out, and I didn't even realise how much better the band could get. They amazed me--I felt that real *magic*, that polish, that I felt at old Yes shows. I loved your description of the crowd, reminded me of our show the other night!

Look, we all know that Chris, Steve and Alan are all capable of transporting us to places that no else can--they are the BEST. But what people might not know till they see THIS Yes, right now, is that if you thought something was lacking before, it's not anymore! Benoit and Oliver are everything I could've hoped for them to be and more, they knocked my socks off! They have really grown into their roles and now they OWN them. I feel like I'm back being the "dreamer easy in the chair that really fits you"--I can just let go and let Yes take me away...they are a cohesive unit now and in control of where they're going.

I hope lots of folks go see the band on this tour--as another poster said, they have ushered in a new era of Yes, and they deserve to be judged right up there with all the other great line-ups. This one has arrived! If anyone has doubts, go see the band!

I agree with all the above (including "great review, Tim").

I may have been on the fence in '08, but now I'm on the bus in 2011.

[Laddr]

Thanks for the reviews.Hope they play Honolulu. Someday? Please?