Just back from the show

[BamaToTheBone]

Very solid show, a few thoughts on the individual players, and then on the setlist.

Alan White - Flubbed a couple spots, but overall he was spot on. Good tempo on most songs, only a couple seemed slower. You could tell he got a bit overheated as he tore off his first shirt and played the rest of the night in a tank top just before Heart of the Sunrise.

Chris Squire - Very good energy, and was absolutely perfect the entire night. Didn't miss a note.

Steve Howe - Seemed very sluggish, and his solos were not the Steve Howe I remember. Severely dragged on Yours Is No Disgrace, and the solo for Owner of a Lonely Heart was horrific. Not sure what was wrong tonight, since I've heard good reviews of the other shows.

Benoit David - Voice was much better than I've heard reviewed, although he did crack a few times. Oddly enough, with the exception of Heart of the Sunrise, he seemed to do well on the more difficult songs like And You And I and then cracked on Owner. Just odd. He did very well, but I do miss Anderson, and not just for the voice. Yes needs a PT Barnum type ring leader, someone to bring in the five ring circus that is Yes, and Benoit just isn't it.

Geoff Downes - Saved him for last on purpose. Geoff played a great show tonight, and interacted with the crowd more than any other member of the band. I was very happy to see him do well. The solo in Roundabout wasn't quite Wakeman-esque, but it had his own flavor, and the energy was right for the song. No issues with Geoff Downes. I might be a Yuppet right here, but I'm a happy one.

As for the set list, Yours Is No Disgrace sounded weird, like the guitar was about a half a count to a full count slow compared to the rest of the band. Tempus Fugit was a little slow, but well played, And You And I was stunning. The best I've ever heard it played at any concert I've been at personally. Starship and Roundabout had great energy and filled the role they were meant to fill. I've Seen All Good People likewise, and this one had the audience standing and dancing. Except for me, since I don't dance. LOL Fly From Here was spot on, and very enjoyable. The first time Yes concert goer that I brought with me only commented after this song, and his comment was, "Nice!"

The atmosphere was very nice, especially after security made the father and son next to us put out their cigar and joint combo. As of one smell or the other wasn't nasty enough. It was in LA, also known to us Alabamians as Lower Alabama, which means it had the potential to be oppressively hot. Fortunately it was mild tonight, although you could tell at least Alan White was effected by the heat and humidity that is Alabama summer, and Styx and the opening act Shawn Alexander made mention of the heat. Los Angeles and Chicago heat is not Alabama heat, even if the temperature is the same. Overall it was a very good show, and my first time visitor said he would definitely pay to come see Yes again, which is a very good sign.

[David Crosby]

I've got to disagree with you in a few spots about the show. I thought it was brilliant, mindblowing, etc., but most of the few mistakes I heard came from Chris. Particularly in HOTS, there was a section where he got confused and simply stopped playing for a measure.

Steve, on the other hand, was immaculate. I was about 10 feet away from him for a good deal of the time, and he didn't miss a note. His solos for YIND and ST were ON FIRE, and he seemed to be having a good time. His solo on OOALH was very, very good, even though he looked like he was about to throw up for the entire song.

I did hear Benoit crack once on Tempus Fugit and once on Owner, but his stage presence was astounding and overall I was very pleased with his performance.

Geoff played a wrong chord or something during We Can Fly, but otherwise he was spot on, and he was great on the keytar.

Alan was good, albeit MUCH too slow on Tempus Fugit. Honestly, it must have been at least 12 bpm slower than the recording.

I forgot to mention Styx, but they put on a spectacular performance. I was very impressed.

Overall, great show, I had a lot of fun, danced and screamed my ass off, and confused a lot of people who found it very odd that a teenager knew every word to every Styx AND Yes song.

[kirk]

I've got to disagree with you in a few spots about the show. I thought it was brilliant, mindblowing, etc., but most of the few mistakes I heard came from Chris. Particularly in HOTS, there was a section where he got confused and simply stopped playing for a measure.

Steve, on the other hand, was immaculate. I was about 10 feet away from him for a good deal of the time, and he didn't miss a note. His solos for YIND and ST were ON FIRE, and he seemed to be having a good time. His solo on OOALH was very, very good, even though he looked like he was about to throw up for the entire song.

I did hear Benoit crack once on Tempus Fugit and once on Owner, but his stage presence was astounding and overall I was very pleased with his performance.

Geoff played a wrong chord or something during We Can Fly, but otherwise he was spot on, and he was great on the keytar.

Alan was good, albeit MUCH too slow on Tempus Fugit. Honestly, it must have been at least 12 bpm slower than the recording.

I forgot to mention Styx, but they put on a spectacular performance. I was very impressed.

Overall, great show, I had a lot of fun, danced and screamed my ass off, and confused a lot of people who found it very odd that a teenager knew every word to every Styx AND Yes song.

So, are you TRYING to die a virgin ? Is that it ? :razz:

[wolfehollow]

You guys are smokin something.

That was my worst yes experience.

Benoit cracked from the first song to the last. He pulled off some notes I thought he'd miss, but overall is out of his league.

Geoff doesn't know the music yet. Flubbed the famous intro to AYAI.

Steve is playing everything so slow I can actually play along with him.

Or is Alan slowing things down.

I love CS and he just seemed sluggish.

These are my HEROES and I love the new album (that song sounded great!)... but the vocals and tempos are killing me. They are my fathers age and telling my dad how to do anything is a moot point, but someone needs to sit them down and make them listen to Yessongs and see what a live band can do.

It pains me to write this, but I can't hide it any longer. What's the deal?

[Bluegrunt]

Heh heh. Three posts from people at the show, and different opinions in each one. :D Welcome to Yesfans!

[wolfehollow]

I have video that I will never show as to not hurt my favorite band.

They are smoking something! I wish I was...

[Bugeyes]

Heh heh. Three posts from people at the show, and different opinions in each one. :D Welcome to Yesfans!Seats matter...location, location, location.

I get to see them tomorrow! ...um, wait, I mean tonight, in Nashville, with the other YesHeads.

[rememberer]

Seats matter...location, location, location.

There's a particular place I can sit where Steve's OOALH solo sounds inspired? Man that Doppler Effect is amazin' :-)

Thanks for the reviews, folks, enjoyed reading them... And, I'm learning that I could go see an genuinely awesome show even if nobody else there sees it... I'm going!!!

[Altres]

I love the fact everyoner goes to the shows to write here about any "mistakes" made. LOL Does no one actually go and just listen to the songs anymore?

Brian

[kelly campbell]

I see a lot of positive posts, but are you saying that we should not report what we think is not good? Yes used to be great and they will never be that great again with this line up, their is just a different interpretation of the songs by different individuals and you have to factor in the fact that they are older. Does not make them bad musicians or bad people or the people who think that they are not great anymore bad...just the way it goes. However Anderson is the glue not just a voice.

[JohnnyD]

Just read this thread. So I can see that...

It was great / bad show where Steve was dire / great, Alan was tired / sharp, Chris made no / a few mistakes, Benoit nailed / flubbed his high notes and Geoff was spot on / bad. Thanks guys and I'm glad that's been cleared up.

:evil_lol:

[brufy]

I might be a Yuppet right here, but I'm a happy one.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VE95VGcKIF4/TYfx5fDQEPI/AAAAAAAAADY/hfrTYGegCYo/s1600/LeeChorus.jpg Good review and glad you enjoyed the show.

[happytheman]

I love the fact everyoner goes to the shows to write here about any "mistakes" made. LOL Does no one actually go and just listen to the songs anymore?

Brian
Good point!

[Altres]

Good point!
If you want to hear it all perfectly as it is on the album, stay home and listen to the album. If you want to see musicians playing "live", then put up with the odd F# instead of G. Simple. :D

Brian

[JohnnyD]

F# instead of G. Simple. :D

Brian

Hi! None of that fancy talk round here if you don't mind. :yikes:

[Altres]

Hi! None of that fancy talk round here if you don't mind. :yikes:
:dog:

[kennethb]

Fortunately family had scheduled vacation before tour was announced.

Set list was the same. General comments as previous the same, great show, though getting tired of the same songs.

Styx was very good. My son, niece and nephew were more impressed with Styx.

Perhaps Yes will rub off.

The place was not very full and in fact by the end of Yes, the upper third of the venue was about empty.

It is always great to see Steve, Chris and Alan even if it is the same songs.

Benoit did a good job. I met Benoit in Biloxi a few years ago. He said he was not trying to replace Jon, but simply he like to be able to bring Yes music to the fans. And that he did that again tonight.

Still, Yes is still not at the level that it can be. Benoit is good, but the next level is being able to hear Awaken, Tales, Turn of the Century, Gates, and other songs we will not be able to see without Jon.



The previous /night's show was a country act that was sold out. But postponed due to weather.

Tonight the weather held out though there were some storms behind the stage that offered some lighting/additional light show. And Yes it was a comfortable evening, the band members surely felt how humid it was.

One other thing: During And You and I there was video of stars from space on the screen. A camera shot of Steve was placed on the screen while the stars were moving creating a sense of the Astral Traveler.

[chescorph]

If you want to hear it all perfectly as it is on the album, stay home and listen to the album. If you want to see musicians playing "live", then put up with the odd F# instead of G. Simple. :D

Brian

I think you are missing the point. People don't want to hear these songs as slow or slower than the studio versions.

[wolfehollow]

You apologists are selling them short by expecting less from masters of their craft. You don't slow down Paganini and still think it's impressive just because you played every note. You don't approximate a Rembrandt with crayons and call it a masterpiece. I don't go to Yes because they are "cute", like some 5 year old singing "Mary had a little lamb" out of tune. I go to hear brilliance and be amazed at the wonder that is YES!

I left during Owner... Without buying a hat. If you had any idea what that does to me as a HUGE fan... It's way different than a missed note or a bad night. If you want to be an apologist that expects less from the greatest band ever, go ahead, I used to be one too. I want you to disagree with me. It keeps that hope that they turn it around and bring something of the magic back.

I love the new album. I'm on my 7th listen.

[Enlighten]

You apologists are selling them short by expecting less from masters of their craft. You don't slow down Paganini and still think it's impressive just because you played every note. You don't approximate a Rembrandt with crayons and call it a masterpiece. I don't go to Yes because they are "cute", like some 5 year old singing "Mary had a little lamb" out of tune. I go to hear brilliance and be amazed at the wonder that is YES!



It really comes down to the different factions within the fanbase. Some want Yes to keep going no matter what. It doesn't matter if they play the same set, play it at slower tempos or play as a shadow of their former selves. They just want a Yes to exist, good, bad or otherwise. Others feel more like you do and want a Yes that is able to play the music that they created with the same spirit and passion that went into the original creations. I tend to put myself in the latter camp but I have to tell you, I'm less and less invested as I get older.

It's kind of a relief actually.

[desiderata]

I love the fact everyoner goes to the shows to write here about any "mistakes" made. LOL Does no one actually go and just listen to the songs anymore?

Brian


If you want to hear it all perfectly as it is on the album, stay home and listen to the album. If you want to see musicians playing "live", then put up with the odd F# instead of G. Simple. :D

Brian


Great posts! You'd be surprised how many people I've talked to at Yes shows who stay away from this site for that very reason--they just want to come to see Yes and enjoy it, not pick it apart--radical (and of course, very naive) concept, right? ;)

[rmig68]

It really comes down to the different factions within the fanbase. Some want Yes to keep going no matter what. It doesn't matter if they play the same set, play it at slower tempos or play as a shadow of their former selves. They just want a Yes to exist, good, bad or otherwise. Others feel more like you do and want a Yes that is able to play the music that they created with the same spirit and passion that went into the original creations. I tend to put myself in the latter camp but I have to tell you, I'm less and less invested as I get older.

It's kind of a relief actually.

I am a fusion of both. I want Yes to continue, but only if they can play and create exceptionally. If that means bringing in some young talent (as they always have) and specifically if that talent brings in their own unique voice (as they always have) and a degree of leadership and inspired playing/singing, then that'd be cool.

[rmig68]

Great posts! You'd be surprised how many people I've talked to at Yes shows who stay away from this site for that very reason--they just want to come to see Yes and enjoy it, not pick it apart--radical (and of course, very naive) concept, right? ;)

It's one thing to have some flubs, but if the night is hindered by excessive slow or sloppy play, then you should expect that people not be so joyous.

[Mostly Harmless]

It really comes down to the different factions within the fanbase. Some want Yes to keep going no matter what. It doesn't matter if they play the same set, play it at slower tempos or play as a shadow of their former selves. They just want a Yes to exist, good, bad or otherwise. Others feel more like you do and want a Yes that is able to play the music that they created with the same spirit and passion that went into the original creations. I tend to put myself in the latter camp but I have to tell you, I'm less and less invested as I get older.

It's kind of a relief actually.

Agreed! It's all about expectations. And a long as expectations differ, we'll continue to see very different reviews.

[wolfehollow]

I've just begun feeling that relief and it saddens me. I want there to be a YES, but I can't share this YES with anyone who doesn't realize how great they were at one time. We can watch this group and see all of SHs shredding and bouncing around in our minds eye... As we can with all of them. I don't think they can't do it. I just think they aren't and no one close to them has the balls to give it to them straight.

Who in the $&@" tells Steve or Chris how to play?? Not me.

(Not a Benoit basher and thought FFH was the best song they played last night.)

[wolfehollow]

You act as if I'm wrong in being disappointed. It KILLS me to witness that. It was a SAD moment in my life. I paid to see YES and I got a slow approximation. It wasn't like this a year ago in Biloxi. BD had some cracks, but nothing like last night. Uninspired until FFH... I can't watch that again. I put on some bootlegs from the early 2000s and rocked out on the way home. Oh, well. Please disagree with me and continue to support this incarnation.

Or we could demand a better live product?

[Enlighten]

I've just begun feeling that relief and it saddens me. I want there to be a YES, but I can't share this YES with anyone who doesn't realize how great they were at one time. We can watch this group and see all of SHs shredding and bouncing around in our minds eye... As we can with all of them. I don't think they can't do it. I just think they aren't and no one close to them has the balls to give it to them straight.

Who in the $&@" tells Steve or Chris how to play?? Not me.

(Not a Benoit basher and thought FFH was the best song they played last night.)

Well, to put it bluntly, as long as there's money on the table and it's profitable for Yes to tour and enough people show up to keep business going, Yes will keep going. Now of course they have to maintain some modicum of health but otherwise, it's going to be a go no matter the tempos, mistakes, setlist, etc. etc.

I agree with Marge. As fans, we have to deal with our own expectations because after all, we create them to begin with. If we deal with what is rather than what we wish it would be, it's a whole lot easier to just observe the drama (pun intended) and not let it ruin our day.

[wolfehollow]

Heres a bit of trivia for you.

http://www.vh1.com/events/a2n/contests/yes/

I (Silverwood) won that contest. Received a call from the VP of marketing on Thursday night telling me my group had won and to make arrangements to go to Atlanta. Got a call on Friday morning saying the tour was canceled and therefore the contest was also. Im a huge fan... this conversation pains me.

We were going to play all of "Give Love Each Day"...

[Sheerah]

Alan White - Flubbed a couple spots, but overall he was spot on. Good tempo on most songs, only a couple seemed slower. You could tell he got a bit overheated as he tore off his first shirt and played the rest of the night in a tank top just before Heart of the Sunrise.



Well, that's my money's worth right there!

[Enlighten]

Well, that's my money's worth right there!

Man you're easy.:winknudge

[Sheerah]

Check out my avatar Jay. The heart wants what the heart wants.

[kirk]

If you want to hear it all perfectly as it is on the album, stay home and listen to the album. If you want to see musicians playing "live", then put up with the odd F# instead of G. Simple. :D

Brian

Yeah, but you know the saturation factor of having heard Starship Trooper played
dozens of times, having it memorized note for note.

If it's played at a slower tempo than what's stored in memory, or bad notes are
hit, then it gets in the way of the flow, the just letting go and enjoying.
They stick out like a sore thumb.

One BIG reason to change up the playlist occassionally.

[luvyesmusic]

I left during Owner...

I wondered where you went. I just thought you were taking a leak. ;-)

[Enlighten]

Check out my avatar Jay. The heart wants what the heart wants.

Alright, we should all pitch in and pay to get the Relayer snake detailed on your car. By the way, who's the guy wearing the "I love Sheila" T-shirt?
He looks a bit shady to me.

[wolfehollow]

I wondered where you went. I just thought you were taking a leak. ;-)

I came back with your beer, but you had already left... So I left also.

[luvyesmusic]

I came back with your beer, but you had already left... So I left also.

:lmao:

[billr]

Thought the show was great, yes fan since 73, and although not like back in the "day", i enjoyed it, 15 year old daughter and her friends had no idea what to expect, but after the show, their response? "awesome". anyway, not the yes of the past, there were some glitches yes, but ive never been to a live show where there weren't. take all the reviews, make your own opinion, mine? a very very good show.

[relayermoraz]

Well, my show experience was apparently a much more pleasant one than some of yours......

First thing: It was HOT last night, so I'd like to apologize to any of you whose show experience was made worse by my deplorable body odor. Or my "I wish I could dance like Benoit"/"Not Yuppets" sign, for that matter.

The merch table was very well-stocked. A great assortment of both Yes and Styx t-shirts and CDs. I got myself a new t-shirt and a signed copy of the new Mystery CD that I've been meaning to get. Drink prices were a bit steep at $4 a bottle, but what're you gonna do? The venue itself wasn't bad; some of the seats were a little rusty, but mine was perfectly fine (I was in section 102, Row U, for the record.). Security, however, was not fun, but I'll get to that later. Shane Alexander came out at about 7:30 and played a pretty good set of some neat acoustic music. He seemed like a decent singer and I was impressed with the sound he got out of his acoustic guitar. I may check out some of his other stuff later.

Styx came on at about 8:15. I enjoyed their "walk-on" song, which I think (and I could be completely wrong) was "One With Everything" from Cyclorama, which they played later on in the set (and was a highlight for me). I enjoyed their set a lot. Lawrence Gowan does a fantastic job singing and on the keyboard, and he spins around on that thing like it's nobody's business. I was really impressed with him and his theatrics, though I know he may be a bit much for some people. Overall, the band sounded fantastic, and they played a great setlist. I was more than happy with their performance, as was my little brother, who came to see them.

Yes came on around 9:40 or so to the overture to "Fly From Here." They went straight from that into "Tempus Fugit," which sounded the best I've ever heard it. Benoit and Chris nailed the harmonies, and it was great to hear Geoff back on the vocoder. The song wasn't as slow as I remembered it being played, either (though it probably was the slowest song in the setlist.) The band wasn't as tight as Styx at this point, but that's understandable, given how how it was and the fact that "Tempus Fugit" is a bit more difficult to play than "Blue Collar Man." I need to find out what that little motio-sensitive thingy Geoff uses is. "Yours is No Disgrace" was next; Alan did a drum intro that I'd never heard him do, but it worked, by gum. And Steve's solo in this song was, as my good friend/fellow concert attendee David Crosby said earlier in this thread "ON FIRE."

I was prepared for the worst with "Heart of the Sunrise," knowing how it's given Benoit troubles on this tour already, but DAMN, I think he may have missed only one note in the entire song, and it wasn't in the ending. Geoff's different organ patches on this one were surprising, but no less great. The one MAJOR issue it seemed the show had was Alan's not starting "All Good People." Steve turned around and looked at him after a few seconds with a WTF look on his face. Alan just sort of shrugged it off, though, and the band went on to play it very well. "We Can Fly" was FANTASTIC. The mix was spot-on, the harmonies were great, and Steve even took a little extended solo at the end.

Geoff did hit what sounded to me like an incorrect note at the beginning of "And You And I," but I'm not sure if that was a mistake or just his different interpretation of the song. The rest of the song was IMMACULATE, though. This was the first time I've ever seen Steve use his pedal steel live, and it blew me away. I'll be damned if anyone says the band didn't nail this song. "Owner of a Lonely Heart" sounded the best I'd ever heard it with Benoit, and I was so happy to hear Geoff actually use the original Fairlight CMI patches!

When Benoit said it was time for them to go, I was thinking "but you just got here!" Anyways, the band played Starship Trooper. And DAMN, all of the solos were phenomenal. Geoff's keytar solo was as fun as I expected it to be, and Steve's was awesome. Of course, the band came back on and played “Roundabout” (the full version), which sounded great.

In general, the sound mixing was better than I’d heard at the previous Yes concert, especially as far as the vocals were concerned. Security at the venue was a bit of a drag, though. I was brought back to my seat a few times and told that I’d held up my “I wish I could dance like Benoit”/”Not Yuppets” sign long enough and that I had to put it down. I don’t think any of the band members saw it as a result, which was a major disappointment for me.
After the show, I went to the mixing board and asked the sound man for the setlist. He proceeded to hand me Styx’s setlist and two copies of the bands’ itinerary. No Yes setlist, unfortunately, but I can live with that. The sound man was gracious enough to give my little brother a backstage pass that he couldn’t use (it was a working pass), but I’m sure he’ll treasure it nonetheless.

Speaking of my little brother, he went in a Styx fan, but, with the show Yes played tonight, I’m thinking I’ll see him come out as a Yes fan.

Only time will tell!

[kirk]

I need to find out what that little motio-sensitive thingy Geoff uses is.

Interesting...you know the Fairlight, but not the D-Beam controller ;)

http://www.roland.com/products/en/_support/faq.cfm?PRODUCT=V-SYNTH&iRcId=1831585&dsp=1

I have 2 of them, on the Fantom and V-Synth.

[daveyj68]

If you want to hear it all perfectly as it is on the album, stay home and listen to the album. If you want to see musicians playing "live", then put up with the odd F# instead of G. Simple. :D

Brian

Thanks! I have to agree, the main point for me of going to the show is to enjoy the music, not bemoan the fact that the band is no longer as good as they were in 1978. And consider how awful many supposedly great live rock bands actually are (Super Bowl half-times anyone) , compared to the slowed down version of Yes. Ok, so the tempo's are slower, and some of the energy is gone, but I'd rather have Benoit up there than Mick Jagger. =)

[billr]

Well, my show experience was apparently a much more pleasant one than some of yours......

First thing: It was HOT last night, so I'd like to apologize to any of you whose show experience was made worse by my deplorable body odor. Or my "I wish I could dance like Benoit"/"Not Yuppets" sign, for that matter.

The merch table was very well-stocked. A great assortment of both Yes and Styx t-shirts and CDs. I got myself a new t-shirt and a signed copy of the new Mystery CD that I've been meaning to get. Drink prices were a bit steep at $4 a bottle, but what're you gonna do? The venue itself wasn't bad; some of the seats were a little rusty, but mine was perfectly fine (I was in section 102, Row U, for the record.). Security, however, was not fun, but I'll get to that later. Shane Alexander came out at about 7:30 and played a pretty good set of some neat acoustic music. He seemed like a decent singer and I was impressed with the sound he got out of his acoustic guitar. I may check out some of his other stuff later.

Styx came on at about 8:15. I enjoyed their "walk-on" song, which I think (and I could be completely wrong) was "One With Everything" from Cyclorama, which they played later on in the set (and was a highlight for me). I enjoyed their set a lot. Lawrence Gowan does a fantastic job singing and on the keyboard, and he spins around on that thing like it's nobody's business. I was really impressed with him and his theatrics, though I know he may be a bit much for some people. Overall, the band sounded fantastic, and they played a great setlist. I was more than happy with their performance, as was my little brother, who came to see them.

Yes came on around 9:40 or so to the overture to "Fly From Here." They went straight from that into "Tempus Fugit," which sounded the best I've ever heard it. Benoit and Chris nailed the harmonies, and it was great to hear Geoff back on the vocoder. The song wasn't as slow as I remembered it being played, either (though it probably was the slowest song in the setlist.) The band wasn't as tight as Styx at this point, but that's understandable, given how how it was and the fact that "Tempus Fugit" is a bit more difficult to play than "Blue Collar Man." I need to find out what that little motio-sensitive thingy Geoff uses is. "Yours is No Disgrace" was next; Alan did a drum intro that I'd never heard him do, but it worked, by gum. And Steve's solo in this song was, as my good friend/fellow concert attendee David Crosby said earlier in this thread "ON FIRE."

I was prepared for the worst with "Heart of the Sunrise," knowing how it's given Benoit troubles on this tour already, but DAMN, I think he may have missed only one note in the entire song, and it wasn't in the ending. Geoff's different organ patches on this one were surprising, but no less great. The one MAJOR issue it seemed the show had was Alan's not starting "All Good People." Steve turned around and looked at him after a few seconds with a WTF look on his face. Alan just sort of shrugged it off, though, and the band went on to play it very well. "We Can Fly" was FANTASTIC. The mix was spot-on, the harmonies were great, and Steve even took a little extended solo at the end.

Geoff did hit what sounded to me like an incorrect note at the beginning of "And You And I," but I'm not sure if that was a mistake or just his different interpretation of the song. The rest of the song was IMMACULATE, though. This was the first time I've ever seen Steve use his pedal steel live, and it blew me away. I'll be damned if anyone says the band didn't nail this song. "Owner of a Lonely Heart" sounded the best I'd ever heard it with Benoit, and I was so happy to hear Geoff actually use the original Fairlight CMI patches!

When Benoit said it was time for them to go, I was thinking "but you just got here!" Anyways, the band played Starship Trooper. And DAMN, all of the solos were phenomenal. Geoff's keytar solo was as fun as I expected it to be, and Steve's was awesome. Of course, the band came back on and played “Roundabout” (the full version), which sounded great.

In general, the sound mixing was better than I’d heard at the previous Yes concert, especially as far as the vocals were concerned. Security at the venue was a bit of a drag, though. I was brought back to my seat a few times and told that I’d held up my “I wish I could dance like Benoit”/”Not Yuppets” sign long enough and that I had to put it down. I don’t think any of the band members saw it as a result, which was a major disappointment for me.
After the show, I went to the mixing board and asked the sound man for the setlist. He proceeded to hand me Styx’s setlist and two copies of the bands’ itinerary. No Yes setlist, unfortunately, but I can live with that. The sound man was gracious enough to give my little brother a backstage pass that he couldn’t use (it was a working pass), but I’m sure he’ll treasure it nonetheless.

Speaking of my little brother, he went in a Styx fan, but, with the show Yes played tonight, I’m thinking I’ll see him come out as a Yes fan.

Only time will tell! pretty much spot on with what i saw and heard last night, glad your little brother is now a fan, my 15 year old daughter (an aspiring rock guitarist, can tear up zeppelin, heart, etc etc, but never Steve because in her words, "he's complicated" came away even more impressed and in awe. her friends who were saying things like oh ive hear roundabout and owner, were just stunned at the difference they sound live, any way, Yes made 3 new fans last night, glad you enjoyed it like we did

[PhillYes]

That's a nice review, thank you! You didn't happen to take note of the name of the outfit providing the sound, did you? If anybody actually posted that up before I totally missed it

[relayermoraz]

That's a nice review, thank you! You didn't happen to take note of the name of the outfit providing the sound, did you? If anybody actually posted that up before I totally missed it

No, sorry. But both of the bands were mixed very well, I thought.

[wolfehollow]

You guys are making me cry. You've given up and given in.

[JoEy YeS]

I can say from my 4 shows that Tempus and Yours Is No Disgrace were very slow at Holmdel, and were sped up moreso the remaining 3 shows i saw at Foxwoods, Jones Beach and Bethel Woods...I can also say that I noticed a few times, it seemed that Alan, Chris and Geoff were pushing some tempos and Steve was holding it back a bit...I don't know if it's an on-stage hearing issue, or if Steve was actually holding the tempos back a bit. Even if Steve was slowing things down a bit, it doesn't mean that he wasn't on fire...he was jumpin around and playing out of this world.

[JoEy YeS]

I can say from my 4 shows that Tempus and Yours Is No Disgrace were very slow at Holmdel, and were sped up moreso the remaining 3 shows i saw at Foxwoods, Jones Beach and Bethel Woods...I can also say that I noticed a few times, it seemed that Alan, Chris and Geoff were pushing some tempos and Steve was holding it back a bit...I don't know if it's an on-stage hearing issue, or if Steve was actually holding the tempos back a bit. Even if Steve was slowing things down a bit, it doesn't mean that he wasn't on fire...he was jumpin around and playing out of this world.

I said "a bit" way too many times!

[milestownyes]

They aren't young guys any more and I'm sure being road warriors is probably just about killing them off at times. I can't imagine being on tour constantly even at a younger age. I'm sure it gets brutal at times.

[Laddr]

Well, my show experience was apparently a much more pleasant one than some of yours......

First thing: It was HOT last night, so I'd like to apologize to any of you whose show experience was made worse by my deplorable body odor. Or my "I wish I could dance like Benoit"/"Not Yuppets" sign, for that matter.

The merch table was very well-stocked. A great assortment of both Yes and Styx t-shirts and CDs. I got myself a new t-shirt and a signed copy of the new Mystery CD that I've been meaning to get. Drink prices were a bit steep at $4 a bottle, but what're you gonna do? The venue itself wasn't bad; some of the seats were a little rusty, but mine was perfectly fine (I was in section 102, Row U, for the record.). Security, however, was not fun, but I'll get to that later. Shane Alexander came out at about 7:30 and played a pretty good set of some neat acoustic music. He seemed like a decent singer and I was impressed with the sound he got out of his acoustic guitar. I may check out some of his other stuff later.

Styx came on at about 8:15. I enjoyed their "walk-on" song, which I think (and I could be completely wrong) was "One With Everything" from Cyclorama, which they played later on in the set (and was a highlight for me). I enjoyed their set a lot. Lawrence Gowan does a fantastic job singing and on the keyboard, and he spins around on that thing like it's nobody's business. I was really impressed with him and his theatrics, though I know he may be a bit much for some people. Overall, the band sounded fantastic, and they played a great setlist. I was more than happy with their performance, as was my little brother, who came to see them.

Yes came on around 9:40 or so to the overture to "Fly From Here." They went straight from that into "Tempus Fugit," which sounded the best I've ever heard it. Benoit and Chris nailed the harmonies, and it was great to hear Geoff back on the vocoder. The song wasn't as slow as I remembered it being played, either (though it probably was the slowest song in the setlist.) The band wasn't as tight as Styx at this point, but that's understandable, given how how it was and the fact that "Tempus Fugit" is a bit more difficult to play than "Blue Collar Man." I need to find out what that little motio-sensitive thingy Geoff uses is. "Yours is No Disgrace" was next; Alan did a drum intro that I'd never heard him do, but it worked, by gum. And Steve's solo in this song was, as my good friend/fellow concert attendee David Crosby said earlier in this thread "ON FIRE."

I was prepared for the worst with "Heart of the Sunrise," knowing how it's given Benoit troubles on this tour already, but DAMN, I think he may have missed only one note in the entire song, and it wasn't in the ending. Geoff's different organ patches on this one were surprising, but no less great. The one MAJOR issue it seemed the show had was Alan's not starting "All Good People." Steve turned around and looked at him after a few seconds with a WTF look on his face. Alan just sort of shrugged it off, though, and the band went on to play it very well. "We Can Fly" was FANTASTIC. The mix was spot-on, the harmonies were great, and Steve even took a little extended solo at the end.

Geoff did hit what sounded to me like an incorrect note at the beginning of "And You And I," but I'm not sure if that was a mistake or just his different interpretation of the song. The rest of the song was IMMACULATE, though. This was the first time I've ever seen Steve use his pedal steel live, and it blew me away. I'll be damned if anyone says the band didn't nail this song. "Owner of a Lonely Heart" sounded the best I'd ever heard it with Benoit, and I was so happy to hear Geoff actually use the original Fairlight CMI patches!

When Benoit said it was time for them to go, I was thinking "but you just got here!" Anyways, the band played Starship Trooper. And DAMN, all of the solos were phenomenal. Geoff's keytar solo was as fun as I expected it to be, and Steve's was awesome. Of course, the band came back on and played “Roundabout” (the full version), which sounded great.

In general, the sound mixing was better than I’d heard at the previous Yes concert, especially as far as the vocals were concerned. Security at the venue was a bit of a drag, though. I was brought back to my seat a few times and told that I’d held up my “I wish I could dance like Benoit”/”Not Yuppets” sign long enough and that I had to put it down. I don’t think any of the band members saw it as a result, which was a major disappointment for me.
After the show, I went to the mixing board and asked the sound man for the setlist. He proceeded to hand me Styx’s setlist and two copies of the bands’ itinerary. No Yes setlist, unfortunately, but I can live with that. The sound man was gracious enough to give my little brother a backstage pass that he couldn’t use (it was a working pass), but I’m sure he’ll treasure it nonetheless.

Speaking of my little brother, he went in a Styx fan, but, with the show Yes played tonight, I’m thinking I’ll see him come out as a Yes fan.

Only time will tell!

Thank You for the Review. This is what i WANT to hear. Satisfied fan and new fans ,too!

Just hope I can write one when they play Honolulu, someday.:band:

[Kevin Still]

Interesting...you know the Fairlight, but not the D-Beam controller ;)

http://www.roland.com/products/en/_support/faq.cfm?PRODUCT=V-SYNTH&iRcId=1831585&dsp=1

I have 2 of them, on the Fantom and V-Synth.

Neat-o!!!!

[yeskat]

They aren't young guys any more and I'm sure being road warriors is probably just about killing them off at times. I can't imagine being on tour constantly even at a younger age. I'm sure it gets brutal at times.

There you may have it in a nutshell! Some of our guys are pushing seventy! I am at least 10-15 years younger than they are and I know I couldn't keep up very well with that kind of schedule. We don't want to let them go away, we want them around forever and some of the fans are willing to keep them on stage no matter what. I don't think we have a clue about their health issues. Maybe they should just slow down the touring, do a few shows here and there, and stick with recording. They proved with the new album they can still crank out some fantastic creations. Don't know if that's profitable for them or not, but just a thought. I am like many fans, I want to always be able to look forward to my next YES concert, but at the same time I wouldn't want them killing themselves to keep me happy.:dunno:

[ragtime]

It really comes down to the different factions within the fanbase. Some want Yes to keep going no matter what. It doesn't matter if they play the same set, play it at slower tempos or play as a shadow of their former selves. They just want a Yes to exist, good, bad or otherwise. Others feel more like you do and want a Yes that is able to play the music that they created with the same spirit and passion that went into the original creations.

This goes right to heart of the constant debate and some of the divisiveness on Yesfans (and other sites). Some people are more emotionally attached to the band and its members and feel protective towards them when they are criticised in any way. Other people are more attached to the music (many Yes fans know by heart every note and nuance of the recorded works) and feel disappointed because they enjoy it less (or not at all) when the band don't deliver a performance that moves them artistically.

Some people support Yes like they support a sports team (to use Geoff D's analogy) - Manchester United or the Jets, for example - and feel a sense of loyalty and belonging no matter how they play. Bands aren't about that as far as I am concerned. For me it is the music pure and simple. I don't know these people, so feel no inclination to either adore (or disrepect them) on a personal level. I love most of the music they have created and I have derived great pleasure from their ability to perform it live with such energy and skill over the years and I would always prefer to hear it at its best, or at least at their best.

I wouldn't go near a Bob Dylan concert now but I still enjoy his songs, and even his recent recorded works. This issue didn't really rear its head for Yes until a gap opened up between the recorded Yes and live Yes. It's not as bad as the Dylan situation, but it does seem to be a semi-permanent reality now. It never used to be true, even if they had the occasional bad night somehwere. The gap has been underlined all the more because they have just released a pretty good studio album but are playing slow and ragged shows although reports do indicate they are getting better. They could close the gap again with the FFH tour proper, which would be great. But if they don't, the debate will no doubt continue. Neither side is "right", nor are the critics simply "being negative". They are just starting from different standpoints about what Yes means to them.

[billr]

well said Yeskat, about the age i mean, close to 52 myself, but as far as them doing fewer shows, noooooo, they were energetic as can be last night, loved it! (at there age) I might be in the minority, but i'm impressed what they still can do, wish i could!

[rememberer]

You guys are making me cry. You've given up and given in.

Dunno, you have a right to your point of view and your level of expectations and there is maybe even something to be accomplished with it. Geoff's even said in his blog something to the effect that they rely on feedback from the fans, I think. All of us, however, also have the responsibility to be realistic with our expectations. They're probably going to try their best up there but there may be some things they are just not going to do by popular demand, and there may be things they try that don't help or things that people have simply assumed they haven't already tried. At some point, us expecting 90 year olds to play like 20 year olds will be unrealistic no matter how many of us post that age is no excuse. Expecting them to whip out all of Tales to freshen up the setlist probably isn't going to be realistic either no matter how much I'd love to see that personally.

I don't know if I succeed at it but I like to think I try to keep a balanced view - I'm not someone who wants them to continue no matter what although they do forge ahead nonetheless, and I try to support them in their efforts as long as they continue doing that, and I try and understand if it's uphill battle. I long to hear obscure tracks performed live but I understand why the setlist is well populated with familiar staples instead. I could want to join you sometimes in wanting to hold their feet to the fire, especially since I often suspect that what's complained about at concerts may not be the fault of the performers and may be quite unnecessary, but I don't quite think anyone's saboteging quality control by having a good time at a show or not picking them to little bits following one that isn't perfect. I don't think there any guarantees that they can or will or should respond to every criticism no matter how responsive they may be to their fans.

I'd still like to know why some people aren't hearing Yes at their best, but I'd still like to know how many audience complaints have arisen purely out of technical difficulties before I have at the players, which is something that's pretty hard to do from here and especially without an equipment list and some wiring diagrams. I don't know if some of us should really want to give up our quest for excellence, but I think it may help to try to be as measured (whip 'em, not hang 'em) and as accurate (don't blame the fingers if it's a wire's fault) in our complaints as possible. I wanted to get on the bandwagon that was taking them to task for lack of rehearsals, but there were songs they could play in their sleep being mentioned, and newer material to the setlist that came out sounding like some of the best to me, so I really didn't feel comfortable there.

If declining tempos are to help avoid trainwrecks amid technical difficulties, that's something I can maybe understand. If all a band plays is 3 or 4 minutes songs, "take it from the top" doesn't seem very unreasonable if a song gets mangled; where exactly you take a 20-minute epic from if you botch it 8 minutes in, and who decides that how and when, and who gives the handsignals, may be another matter. That's something I say not as an apologist, but as someone who's dabbled with the idea of being a performing artist. I really do want to see striving for excellence instead of ticket sales being grounded by reports of bad performances, but I think I also want to pick and choose my battles carefully, starting with whether or not I think the band has actually stopped striving for excellence without a kick in the pants from us.

[kirk]

This goes right to heart of the constant debate and some of the divisiveness on Yesfans (and other sites). Some people are more emotionally attached to the band and its members and feel protective towards them when they are criticised in any way. Other people are more attached to the music (many Yes fans know by heart every note and nuance of the recorded works) and feel disappointed because they enjoy it less (or not at all) when the band don't deliver a performance that moves them artistically.

Some people support Yes like they support a sports team (to use Geoff D's analogy) - Manchester United or the Jets, for example - and feel a sense of loyalty and belonging no matter how they play. Bands aren't about that as far as I am concerned. For me it is the music pure and simple. I don't know these people, so feel no inclination to either adore (or disrepect them) on a personal level. I love most of the music they have created and I have derived great pleasure from their ability to perform it live with such energy and skill over the years and I would always prefer to hear it at its best, or at least at their best.

I wouldn't go near a Bob Dylan concert now but I still enjoy his songs, and even his recent recorded works. This issue didn't really rear its head for Yes until a gap opened up between the recorded Yes and live Yes. It's not as bad as the Dylan situation, but it does seem to be a semi-permanent reality now. It never used to be true, even if they had the occasional bad night somehwere. The gap has been underlined all the more because they have just released a pretty good studio album but are playing slow and ragged shows although reports do indicate they are getting better. They could close the gap again with the FFH tour proper, which would be great. But if they don't, the debate will no doubt continue. Neither side is "right", nor are the critics simply "being negative". They are just starting from different standpoints about what Yes means to them.

Helluva post there, doode :appl[1]:

[David Crosby]

I don't believe that I'm settling for anything when I say that the band I saw onstage last night was nothing short of fantastic. AYAI gave me shivers the likes of which I've never experienced. My parents, both much more Styx fans than Yes fans, were blown away by the performance, in particular by Steve's playing. Some drunk guy dancing in the aisle seemed to be having a great time, too, but I'm not quite sure he even knew what band was playing. I feel sorry for those of you who apparently didn't see the same great show that I did. Better luck next time.

[wolfhound]

I'm glad people came away with different impressions. It makes me believe they did okay.

Yes has always had rough nights. That happened in the 70s. They'd sound great -better than any band I'd ever heard - but still moments when things went wrong.

And as great of an album as Tales is - and how much I enjoyed that tour - there were people wandering around the concert hall talking, partying, and seeming to have lost interest in the music by the end of The Remembering. lol.

Don't give up, folks. :-))

[Jackaranda]

I love the fact everyoner goes to the shows to write here about any "mistakes" made. LOL Does no one actually go and just listen to the songs anymore?

Brian

Yeah I've noticed this also. I prefer not to pick apart the songs but just enjoy the show. The guys are in their 60's (at least three of them anyway) for God's sake. They aren't gonna play like they did in 1973.

[Progmessiah8]

I think I was born at just the right time (1997). Earlier today, my godfather was telling me that by the time his daughter is my age, these musicians may be retired or, God forbid, dead. I think I discovered progressive rock at just the right time when I was 13 years old and could understand it well, appreciate it, and even get to hear the songs performed live by those classic artists. That's a gift to me and a very special opportunity I have.

These musicians, especially those in Yes and Pink Floyd, are really important parts of my life and I care a great deal about them and what they've accomplished. Getting to see people like Roger Waters and Yes is a blessing, and a wonderful privilege that I have. When I go backstage with my dad to meet Yes at the Greek Theatre, i want them to know that I wanted to be there 100%. I know that they've noticed older fans bringing their kids to their concerts but you never know what the story is, like whether they were dragged there or they want to be there for real

[kelly campbell]

You act as if I'm wrong in being disappointed. It KILLS me to witness that. It was a SAD moment in my life. I paid to see YES and I got a slow approximation. It wasn't like this a year ago in Biloxi. BD had some cracks, but nothing like last night. Uninspired until FFH... I can't watch that again. I put on some bootlegs from the early 2000s and rocked out on the way home. Oh, well. Please disagree with me and continue to support this incarnation.

Or we could demand a better live product?

I agree we need to speak out, it will never change otherwise.

[kelly campbell]

Well that depends....I would not BD singing the stones songs, I would still rather have Mick and I am not a huge fan of the stones but the original is till better than a replacement.

[wolfehollow]

Some of you making excuses about wiring and technical difficulties obviously aren't performers. I make a very solid living playing music, and maybe you don't give a $&@", but I am approaching this from that angle. With that said...

I could play half of those songs last night with muffled ears just watching the fingers of steve or the sticks of Alan. Technical difficulties are for babies. Do your job. The show goes on. I don't think they would ever use that excuse short of a bolt of lightning striking Alans sweatband on his head.

I agree with what you guys are saying. They are old. They can't play like they used to. We are paying ~$60 to see a memory of a band that used to be great. We shouldn't expect them to wow us, we should be happy with what we get. I'm not sure why I expected YES to blow me away like they always have. I should have gone in with a delicate understanding that all good things come to an end and that 60 year old musicians are just a step away from washed up...

That's what you guys think?? Bull$&@"! Steve Howe! Remember who you are! CS! Remember who you are!! Alan!! Aaaaaaghhh!!! Maybe I'm delusional... or delirious.

[Micah68]

Very well put Enlighten

[Dont Kill the Whale]

I'm glad people came away with different impressions. It makes me believe they did okay.

Yes has always had rough nights. That happened in the 70s. They'd sound great -better than any band I'd ever heard - but still moments when things went wrong.

And as great of an album as Tales is - and how much I enjoyed that tour - there were people wandering around the concert hall talking, partying, and seeming to have lost interest in the music by the end of The Remembering. lol.

Don't give up, folks. :-))

someone on here at some point questioned the importance of credentials ("i saw Yes the first live gig they did after Steve joined the band" or "i've touched Rick Wakeman's cape") but if you were at the Tales tour that is good enough for me. :) The first album I ever bought was Fragile (was 13 years old, 1976) and 2nd was Relayer, 3rd was Tales, 4th & 5th the Yes Album and Close to The Edge -- all by my 14th birthday. I remember when the my first real love and then live-in girl-friend broke my Tales Album 1 cause I played it so much and I think she didn't get it :-). She was more a Led Zep, Lynyrd Skynyrd type -- though she woo'ed me by playing Mood for a Day for me in her bedroom on an acoustic (we were 16 then). :headset:

unfortunately i never caught Yes live till 1998, but saw them again several times since and the Ladder tour in an auditorium was probably most memorable. (98 was good but the sound guys had Chris so loud it drowned out everything including Steve's guitar in the Revealing Science of God -- not cool. :aaa[1]:

I will see them this coming Tuesday night, and hope they substitute Machine Messiah, Into the Lens, more FFH, On the Silent Wings of Freedom, South Side of the Sky, or SOMETHING for Owner... Maybe they could get Styx to do Owner :git[1]: and give us some other cookie to nibble on... :yesbird:

anywhew, thanks for your post, sorry i just drank some coffee and got to rambling... :talky:

[JWLIVING]

Hello darlings. I'm about 40+ hrs. removed from THE SHOW & I am still energized from the experience & elated that YES IS NOT DEAD! Reading posts leading up to Fri. nite's performance had me fearful of YES' demise & self-destruction. I feared I was going to "the death of YES". Apparently a resurrected YES showed up and delivered an exciting & enjoyable performance of some of their most performed show songs.
First of all, the venue was fabulous, the staff was accommodating & tolerant, the crowd was AGELESS & had a great attitude for a YES crowd (not subdued but excited) with many youngsters (I sat next to a 1st timer 20yr. old Sean) & beautiful people of all ages.
STYX won me over as I had never before enjoyed them live. STYX performance was outstanding, exciting, visually compelling & personable. Their singing, instrumentations & execution reminded me of YES in past years. I will recommend them & try 2 see STYX again. The "new" (1999) keyboard player/singer Lawrence Gowan was fabulous & he is indeed an asset as a later member to join STYX. Tommy Shaw & the rest were proficient, had high energy, excited & "hamming it up" all nite was the rule for the show. Loved it--great nite for rock & roll! I give STYX performance a grade of A.
Now for YES: Good energy opening up with TF--tempo is OK. Right away I sense that Chris Squire, Steve Howe & especially Alan White have come to play 2nite. They are in sync. YIND is tight & has good syncopation. The "jamming" part with Steve & Chris was fresh to be so old (1971) & fun to watch & I enjoyed the live performance. I was surprised when they started HOTS & wondered how Benoit would do. He struggled some as his "falsetto" voice was nervous & I could feel his concern. Amazingly, the performance was an early highlight of the evening as Benoit nailed the high "C" note & turned away from the audience throwing his hands upwards in celebration. HOTS is one of my favorites & I never cease to enjoy YES live performance of this classic. ISAGP (out of order?) was fun as we danced & sang in the aisle. FFH was crisp--no faux pas detected, enjoyable presentation as well. OOALH was performed very well. I thought Trevor Rabin was up there until the guitar solo--I am not a fan of Steve's solo interpretation--I am sure he does not like the song. I would have rather heard "Does It Really Happen?" or SSOTS but its their only #1 song ever (1983).
AYAI was a spiritual triumph--THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE EVENING! As one earlier replier stated "maybe their best performance of AYAI ever". I agree. I feel like Benoit David relaxed, abandoning the "falsetto", singing in his natural voice, allowing himself to deliver an inspired & confident rendition of the timeless masterpiece. Maybe Benoit "arrived" during this moment.
OK--Starship Trooper: have I forgotten one? I sensed some loss of energy happening. Was it me? Probably this is the time during the show that I would have been so loaded that I would not notice, but I am sober & clean of "you know" for 24+ yrs. now--still enjoyed this show as much as any ever. I missed "you-know-who" on this one (not Jon Anderson always missed) & did not enjoy Geoff Downes solo performance on the "thingee"--he was proficient otherwise. Encore Roundabout--never a favorite but acceptably performed. I was spent from the whole experience of the day--a flat tire in Mobile before the tunnel turned out well enough but a long day for old-timers anyway.
Concluding, Steve Howe is the star of the evening--a deliberate presentation--the man is an applied genius performer. Together with Chris Squire & especially a mostly solid & inspired effort from a renewed Alan White made the rhythm section up to YES standards (the best). Geoff Downes is a welcome "new" returnee & a respectable performance & stage presence throughout the evening. His experience shows. Benoit David may have "arrived" during this show. Benoit should continue to be himself. To Benoit: "You ALREADY have EVERYTHING you need" (quoting my painting instructor watermedia artist/teacher M.Douglas Walton).
I may have been "that drunk guy" dancing in the aisle between Section 102 &101. I was not "drunk on wine" but "filled with the spirit". The dancing & raising of the hands was from taking in "some kind" of high energy from HOTS & AYAI. As far as "tempo & mistakes", my take is that even when YES has delivered a show that was "in the zone" (too many to name) a few errors & glitches were present. I ENJOYED THIS SHOW IN THE PRESENT!
I grade YES performance for this evening a B.
Thanks & blessings to all current & previous members of YES--all living still--a miracle. Thanks to EVERYONE that contributes to these shows happening--especially the crews, technicians, producers & ALL US FANS TOO. Bless & protect all on their tour journey. I hope we meet again. Peace. Love. Spirit. BLESS THE EARTH. JWMoss

[David Crosby]

I may have been "that drunk guy" dancing in the aisle between Section 102 &101. I was not "drunk on wine" but "filled with the spirit". The dancing & raising of the hands was from taking in "some kind" of high energy from HOTS & AYAI.

Were you the guy who told us not to listen to the security guy and dance in the aisle anyway? Because if you are that guy, then we are best friends. Or if you were the guy wearing the Rush shirt also dancing in that area, but I thought he got kicked out.

[billr]

bottom line, there aging, heck, i'm aging, but it was a fun very great show, if they get slower as they get older, so be it, they still rock with the best of them, enjoy it while you can, my daughter and her friends would tell all the naysayers, they kicked butt, (3 new yes fans, by the way) her boyfriend got a call from his mother, he told me after he said, "yes front row, talk to you later) true new yes fan, by the way his parents are great friends, and laughed about it

[chescorph]

Am listening to this show. The David vocals on Heart of the Sunrise are almost perfect.
I also believe that I have not heard Squire sing as often or as well since, well, the Drama tour.

[chescorph]

Wow, I would encourage folks to download this show ASAP. HUGE improvement from the start of the tour, best show I have heard so far. Howe does some runs on Wurm that I have never heard him do.

[wolfehollow]

I guess I'm going crazy!

[JWLIVING]

Wow, I would encourage folks to download this show ASAP. HUGE improvement from the start of the tour, best show I have heard so far. Howe does some runs on Wurm that I have never heard him do.

How & where do you go to download it? I'm a newbie to the site.

[rememberer]

Some of you making excuses about wiring and technical difficulties obviously aren't performers. I make a very solid living playing music, and maybe you don't give a $&@", but I am approaching this from that angle. With that said...

Okay, what do you make of opening night, when in addition to Benoit's difficulties, Chris vocals were going out of tune? Does that not maybe suggest to you singers who can't hear themselves properly? There was also detail of technical difficulties, purportedly from the soundman, forwarded here.


I could play half of those songs last night with muffled ears just watching the fingers of steve or the sticks of Alan.

If you'd been up the stage, you might not have had the luxury of spending the evening watching them like you do from the audience. I ain't paying good money to watch 'em spend the whole show with their heads on sideways, lol.


Technical difficulties are for babies.

Bands everywhere will be delighted to know they can hock their monitors now that you have enlightened us that they're like teething rings and training wheels, lol.

Dunno, I'm listening to the recording of this... So far, an uncomfortably slow Tempus Fugit followed by a YIND with the keys too low in the mix but Steve sounding incredibly fluid, followed by a great and impressive HOTS. I haven't heard anyone yet that needs to remember who they are or retire. Benoit, just as the taper describes, is a paradox - he nails this, that, this here, falls apart here, and nails that over there. I even heard him lose it in a quieter passage where you wouldn't think he's overpowered by the band and having to strain, but maybe the strain carries over, I dunno. It isn't that he can't carry a tune and it isn't that he can't sing, obviously.


How & where do you go to download it? I'm a newbie to the site.

Dime-A-Dozen, if you happen to be a member or can land a membership. There'll be a link in the Yes Torrents Thread in the Trading Room. I'll see what I can do about getting a copy up in the near future that you can download directly too, that'll be in the Yes Download Links thread in the Trading Room if I can manage it soon. Doesn't take long to get one uploaded but I'll be having to juggle that with a ton of other tasks at the minute.

[wolfehollow]

I'm downloading also. I used to be you and make up silly reasons why they sound like they've lost 5 steps. The last show with Jon and Rick in Tampa a few years back was the best show I've seen. I am not a Benoit hater. I'm an apologist that has run out of apologies.

I'll listen again.

As for technical difficulties...

Any band that pays that much for a sound crew, etc... and blames them for their inadequacies is bush league. Sound isn't rocket science anymore. This isn't the 70's. Humongous advances have been made and the system they are using is great. You're telling me these guys haven't figured out how to sing in tune regardless of technical difficulties over their 45 year career? There are so many little tricks of the trade... Use an in-ear if you can't hear. No one sings out of tune on purpose, I'll give you that. Baseball players don't strike out because their bats are having technical difficulties.

There is no reason a harmonica should drown out a classic SH acoustic section from AYAI... etc.

I think there was a section where Benoits mic wasn't on?

Learn the key parts and turn them up!

Musicians communicating on stage should not be a big deal. They don't have to have their backs turned to see and communicate. As for Benoit, the main thing that denotes a pro from a semipro is their paycheck and their consistency. He does not have the 40 years of experience the other guys have and it shows.

As for Steve... This hurts... When he is waving at Alan to slow down YIND so that he can play his SIGNATURE lick at Wolfehollow speed, it makes him look scared. Scared!!??? This is SH! Why shouldn't he be able to fly around the stage with those goofy mouth moves while shredding my face with his lighting fast riffs?

CS is having fun with the slower tempos by putting in extra little sixteenth notes here and there trying to fill the massive sound hole that's been created by the slower tempos.

Poor Geoff had the camera on his hands when he made the goof in AYAI. Caught that moment of confusion on my iPhone. At least his tech is swapping out his charts for him. I do love his keys on FFH however... They may be my favorite thing on the album.

I'll listen again. I want to be wrong, but I take my YES very seriously and I refuse to dumb them down in my mind.

[wolfehollow]

nope... YIND verse is what it sounds like when a singer is struggling. DisgrAAaaaaace? Is he sick? Listening to FFH... rough high notes. RADAR???

Keys sound much louder on this recording than where I was sitting. "We can fly" from CS is louder than the BD chorus words... Disappearrrrrrrrrrrr.

YIND wasnt as slow as I remember, maybe I was too excited and they were less excited than I. Ill give SH some slack after this re-listen. My focus is now on BD, whom I had zero problem with until Fri night. This would be unacceptable if it were JA. Is it nick-picking to expect a certain level from the greatest band in the WORLD!!!

Tempos of YIND:
on original album- ~146 BPM
1970 sounding out on Youtube- ~143
1991 Union tour- ~144
Friday night- ~134

10-12 BPM slower?

[kirk]

I guess I'm going crazy!

You're a musician, right ? Welcome to the club.

[wolfehollow]

Yes. I thought we made up a large group of their fan-base. I see now that its the 11 year olds that "might need to check them out more" that we are interested in pleasing... I thought I was a young fan. Who cares about pleasing the, "multiple copy owning diehards of every record and greatest hits/box-set, that preordered FFH, that own guitars similar to the band, know every lick and word in my sleep, even some birthdays!"

Wait... I am crazy. Sorry for caring that much. Maybe if I weren't such a die-hard fan, I wouldn't have been disappointed.

[paul vaughan]

give up like i have

[wolfehollow]

NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! I "fought" against "you" guys for years!!! I am an apologist! ...but I'm losing.

[JWLIVING]

Were you the guy who told us not to listen to the security guy and dance in the aisle anyway? Because if you are that guy, then we are best friends. Or if you were the guy wearing the Rush shirt also dancing in that area, but I thought he got kicked out.

I was the 50+ yr.old brown hair end of Row T seat 1 in aisle of Sec. 102 by the 6 ft.+ tall blond kid in the green concert T-shirt. I had a button up purple & white print shirt & light khaki shorts. I stood most of the night, danced a trance like dance with my arms raised slowly waving back & forth taking in the energy & drank a couple of Pepsis. I don't recall interacting with anybody about "not to listen to the security guy" but could have. Where you the group of guys with the "wish I could dance like Benoit" sign? I had the best time at a concert since Aug. 1991 at Cynthia Woods Pavillion at the Woodlands, TX. for YES Union Tour. Aug. 2002 there was good too with Jon & Rick. Still can't believe it was last time to see YES classic lineup together. 2nd half of that show (Aug. 2002) YES were "in the zone". I think they got there on AYAI Fri. nite.

[paul vaughan]

NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! I "fought" against "you" guys for years!!! I am an apologist! ...but I'm losing.not me

[Fred K]

Perhaps the reason for the wide ranging reviews of the shows has more to do with the experience of the reviewer and less with justification or agenda?? The band I saw last week was nowhere close to meeting the expectations I have for the band. Geoff might consider me a Yuppet for stating this but I have seen them 200+ times and dozens of time solo and in various ensembles other than Yes....I openly disagree with the "pass" these guys are getting for this half baked tour. Live Nation is not the blame..Styx being polished is not to blame...the truth is they are not prepared and hard to imagine but not into it..They should stop trying to cash in on the catalog..Be Buggles..It's OK Drama was a cool album..Splice in the FFH album which is really impressive and you can cover the missing , gaping hole in the middle of the band..A setlist with a couple of sprinkled in classic hits..maybe a Going for the One or something from the first album would be more than enough to fill the setlist.Close with a new wrinkle or really old cover like Purple Haze or I'm Down..and perhaps you could get by with David ...roll the dice and support the new album. Stop pretending all is well there is no way to hide the facts..this tour is not making many happy and the truth is the magic is simply not there..

[International]

I get them in Detroit. I don't care, I am there for the party, I have seen them do it right a couple hundred of times! Nothing is as good as it used to be, my friend just bought a Marshall amp and it quit the first night, reason, the output jack is so cheap that when you turn up the amp, the vibration makes the connector come out! Soda Pop cans are so thin that when I drive & turn a corner too fast, they bend.</SPAN>

Music is made by pretty people now as is most opportunities. We all go ah..... Isn’t that so good. Well, were all sell-outs really, everyday, which is why music sucks now, on our watch!</SPAN>

Your world, you made it & YES played it!</SPAN>

As long As they tour, I am there, and as long as you don’t have your camera- phone in my face, I don’t care!</SPAN>

[JWLIVING]

Perhaps the reason for the wide ranging reviews of the shows has more to do with the experience of the reviewer and less with justification or agenda?? The band I saw last week was nowhere close to meeting the expectations I have for the band. Geoff might consider me a Yuppet for stating this but I have seen them 200+ times and dozens of time solo and in various ensembles other than Yes....I openly disagree with the "pass" these guys are getting for this half baked tour. Live Nation is not the blame..Styx being polished is not to blame...the truth is they are not prepared and hard to imagine but not into it..They should stop trying to cash in on the catalog..Be Buggles..It's OK Drama was a cool album..Splice in the FFH album which is really impressive and you can cover the missing , gaping hole in the middle of the band..A setlist with a couple of sprinkled in classic hits..maybe a Going for the One or something from the first album would be more than enough to fill the setlist.Close with a new wrinkle or really old cover like Purple Haze or I'm Down..and perhaps you could get by with David ...roll the dice and support the new album. Stop pretending all is well there is no way to hide the facts..this tour is not making many happy and the truth is the magic is simply not there..

Which show did you see on this tour? Fri. nite at Amphitheater at the Wharf Orange Beach AL. was not without some magic. See my review: WIND, HOTS, FFH, ISAGP & especially AYAI. They are never going to be the YES of 1977. My glass is half full.

[relayermoraz]

Where you the group of guys with the "wish I could dance like Benoit" sign?

That was me and fellow forum member "apieceofeight23." I hope we didn't block your view with it!

(Though, at one point David Crosby, some friends, and I were all together as a group and dancing, before the security guard made us go back to our seats.)

[OldRelayer]

I haven't seen Yes since 2004 and there was quite a difference from the first shows I saw in the early 70's and that show, even then with Jon and with Rick they were slowing down. You know, I am retired now, I don't want to be I would rather do what I love to do and get paid for it but they made me retire and it was the best move for them and for me as much as I hate not going to work every day. So I can understand that the core members of Yes don't want to quit and I am sure they love what they do even if they don't do it as well as they once did. It just might be time to hang up the old electric and pick up the acoustic and play around the house for your own pleasure, that is what I do, not that I was ever as good as these guys. I had plenty of opportunities to play with bands but it just wasn't right for me and I was smart enough to know it. Frankly I would be so bored playing Roundabout for the 5000th time and yet that is what some people want to hear, I like Roundabout but I like things from Magnification as well and wish toward the end they did more Ladder and Mag. I would have thought they would have had new energy with a new album, I remember when Yes played the whole album when it was new and that included TFTO. Actually they didn't do the whole TFTO totally at every stop but they did in Boston where I saw it. That album took a lot of flack but I loved it and live it was great. Even Relayer wasn't liked by all, in fact the guy who initially introduced me to Yes never went to another show and I am not sure he ever bought another Yes album. AS a amateur musician I marveled at what they did and could pull it off so beautifully in Concert. As bad as we might think they are today, I wonder if many modern bands could do as well even in their 20's never mind in your mid sixties. But some people just stay to long at the fair, I am sorry to say Yes might be one of them. Even the great Pavarotti the very last time I saw him he was terrible and soon after that he died, I sure wish I didn't have that bad show to remember him by. I can't believe that Pavarotti or Yes need the money that badly. Most people seem to like the new album even if they hated the show, to me the album doesn't sound like Yes, its not bad it just isn't the band that I once loved.

BTW, is anyone else having trouble getting email notification to threads that you post and ask for it?

Keep the temp fast,
Barry

[chescorph]

I think a well-mixed sound would go a long way toward improving opinions, why can't they get a fuller sound after 2 weeks?

[rememberer]

I would have thought they would have had new energy with a new album, I remember when Yes played the whole album when it was new and that included TFTO. Actually they didn't do the whole TFTO totally at every stop but they did in Boston where I saw it. That album took a lot of flack but I loved it and live it was great.

Good to see you around again. You're right, they didn't play a full TFTO through the whole tour but I think they did try valliantly clear through February of 1974, I think you must have gotten to see one of the last full performances? Lucky you, what I wouldn't give to see 60 seconds of pro-shot footage from that tour. What a sight that must have been, insanely long sleeves flowing and all.


AS a amateur musician I marveled at what they did and could pull it off so beautifully in Concert. As bad as we might think they are today, I wonder if many modern bands could do as well even in their 20's never mind in your mid sixties.

Now that you mention it, I don't think my favorite Yes accomplishment, Relayer, always came off perfectly in places live, I've gotten the impression that Patrick stuggled with parts of it or with his pile of gear sometimes. I have the same sentiment, I've said that a lot - you know, you can do anything in the studio, but to go out and do that live, wow! - but I guess maybe I admire the aspiration to try to accomplish all that live as much as anything. It's what a tall order it is that makes it more impressive when it goes right, and less disappointing when it doesn't.

[yeskat]

Well I have been sitting here reading these posts for a long time now and I must say that I am really stoked about these young people in their teens and twenties who have such an appreciation for YES, and good music! As long as YES wants to get on stage and perform, slowing down or not, I will attend their show when they come around my area. What they can play in their 60's many bands couldn't in their 20's.
Long live YES and all good prog!:beerchugr: