Yes

[Rick and Roll]

Review from the show in Virginia the other night. Vaxman has just seen them, Zvinki also, and Keith and Jim have written reviews also (please paste them here if you can find them, it would be fun to compare).

I've seen Yes with Rabin, on the Union tour, synphonic, and the last time two years ago when they concentrated on the longer tunes (Gates and Ritual etc). This is first time I've seen them just plain play a rocked out show. It was nice.

Started out with "Going For The One", always a good lead in tune. "All good people", while not needed for these ears, was a crowd favorite, so who am I to argue?

Next was "Sweet Dreams". Never heard it live, talk about an oldie but goodie! The propulsion of Squire and White were very evident on this one. A good lead into "South Side of the Sky", one of my very favorite songs. Squire dominates this one, and he is my main reason for seeing Yes. Always has been a special musician for me. That song rocked. There was a goon who would point alternately to Wakeman and Howe during the ending solo trade offs, although annoying, kind of amusing in a way.

"Close To The Edge" was next....always consistent, always incredible. I was satisfied up to this point. Then, a friend took me down into the front section, where I watched the rest of the show a LOT closer (maybe not quite Vax closer, but who has that kind of dough? ).

The acoustic set was very cool. they did some songs I really did not want to see full length (Roundabout, Owner, and Long-Distance). The honky-tonk Roundabout was funny, and really showed the talent and versatility of the band. On Owner, I never saw Howe so good doing NOTHING. And the Wakeman piano solo (replacing the Rabin solo) was great. Although they don't like the tune, at least they had fun with it. "Wonderous Stories" was a welcome addition to the acoustic set.

"Awaken" was masterful. That song for me defines the total Yes package. Anderson was so youthful on that song, belting out notes and dancing around. When I approach 60 I just want to be alive, much less doing that! "And You And I" continued on the Anderson portion, again in top notch vocal mode. He's unbelievable.

"Starship Trooper" is always a good closer. Another chance for Howe and Wakeman to solo, and Squire to carry the tune.

I think that was all of the songs. No Tales, no Tormato tunes (same lineup, thought they'd put one in) and no newer ones)"Footprints" would have been fun). But I'm not one to begrudge a band for their set list. I did yell "Free Bird" and "Freebird Suite" between songs, but that was mostly being goofy.

[Yesspaz]

What? They dropped Mind Drive?

[Rick and Roll]

That was a loss, but their songs are so long, and stuff like South Side had that 5 minute jam on the end...stuff adds up. I'd rather hear Footprints, cause Mind Drive is the same sone repeated...maybe 1/2 of it would be ok. The loss doesn't sting as much too cause I saw it last time.

The test for me is what did they play that they could have left out? In this case, I can't see anything. Yours Is No Disgrace was the surprise last time, couldn't see it added at the expense of another tune this time.

[roger]

thanks for the review, Rick. they're playing near here on Sept. 3, but I can't go...
I have yet to see them live... pretty sad, I know.

[moses]

Originally posted by Rick and Roll
I'd rather hear Footprints, cause Mind Drive is the same song repeated...maybe 1/2 of it would be ok.

At last! I was afraid to speak up, but Rick has given me boldness! (as Mind Drive plays again as I type) I always thought that Mind Drive would be a great 9-10 minute song but it's just boring having to sit through all 18:38 of it.

That's opposed to Tales, which would need about 2 minutes trimmed to all fit on one cd. I can't pick 2 notes that I would remove from that, much less 2 minutes.

[progdirjim(Admin)]

Originally posted by moses
At last! I was afraid to speak up, but Rick has given me boldness! (as Mind Drive plays again as I type) I always thought that Mind Drive would be a great 9-10 minute song but it's just boring having to sit through all 18:38 of it.

That's opposed to Tales, which would need about 2 minutes trimmed to all fit on one cd. I can't pick 2 notes that I would remove from that, much less 2 minutes.

If you need help trimming the bloated Tales, I volunteer. I think it would have made a great single album, rather than a double album. Half the length could have been a compelling CD; as it stands now I find it fairly long-winded...

Flame away...

Jim reaches for his asbestos suit....

[moses]

I apologize. I hijacked this thread and changed the topic completely. Back to your regularly scheduled Yes tour dates and concert discussions.

We can discuss YesBloat (is that the title of the new boxed set?) in another thread if you like.

[Yesspaz]

Bah, Mind Drive is perfect. The best part is the first 3 and last 3 minutes. As for Tales, I wouldn't touch "Ritual" or "The Ancient." "The Revealing.." is the one I think Rick Wakeman is referring to when he said parts of Tales were padded and "bled to death." IT maybe could've been an excellent 12-15 mintue piece, rather than a good 20 minutes. I can't make up my mind on "The Remembering." It's a tad repetitive, but if you really analyze the chordal structure and progression, they're slowly building tension to the "Surely, Surely, Ah AH!" moment, so it's not really "edit-able."

[zvinki]

This is a very sensitive spot for prog-lovers. Speaking for myself, this is what I love about prog: the development and exploration of musical ideas rather than the wam-bam approach of your typipcal rock. I wouldn't remove 1 second from any great prog epic including all of Yes.

I wouldn't remove a single note from this album. On the contrary I'd like it to be longer to extend the pleasure of listening to it. The Rhino remastered copy has a slightly different beginning to TRSOG and that just makes the track better. The increased tension before Jon's "Dawn of light......" entry.

I know that this is the Yes album that most fans have a problem with. To my ears it is their finest work. Spiritual Bliss.

"Ritual" is sheer heaven and, as Spaz says, the build up to 'Surely, surely' in "The Remembering" is unbelievable.

Sorry Wojtek but that's just the way it is.................

[Rick and Roll]

1) if Jim and Keith can find their older Yesposts (a name for the next conpilation?), the'd be great here.

2) Moses I don't mind the thread changing course, it happens on all of them.

3) Spaz, I'm not sure I said Tales was "padded and bled to death"....I hope that was someone else (possibly Rick Wakeman?)

4) "The Remembering High The Memory" is my favorite cut from Tales (probably no else's but that's the way it goes). That being said, you could chop off about 5 minutes of it.

To me, the test of a long tune is, "does it need to be that long"? Thank you Moses for saying at a mere earthling can give the mighty Moses the "boldness". Mind Drive's problem is that it's the exact same song repeated. It does have a nice keyboard lead towards the end, but then again Rush's "The Camera Eye" is the same - two parts the same with a guitar lead at the end.

Spock's Beard has trouble with very long songs because Neal tries to use every musical style when repeating the choruses. Some songs build towards the end, or they have many different parts (ala Tull's 2 epics).

Tales' songs, Gates, CTTE, and Brother of Mine build and develop - Mind Drive does not. I like the song, just think it's better suited for the 10 minute range.

[VAXman(Admin)]

Originally posted by roger
thanks for the review, Rick. they're playing near here on Sept. 3, but I can't go...
I have yet to see them live... pretty sad, I know.

Sept. 3 they are playing at the Grandstand of the Allentown Fairgrounds. Your location says you are Vermont. Where exactly are you?

I saw Yes at the Garden State Arts Center. A really good gig and a very different set from when I saw them with KeithieW, JamForte and RogorMortis in Braintree (UK). They seemed a bit tired and "off their feed" though at the GSAC. Steve Howe made a number of mistakes -- even with the mistakes, if I could play 10% as good as he, I'd be in heaven.

I will be taking my son Kristoffer to see Yes in Allentown. I saw many concerts there in my youth (when the hell was that again?). It is not the best venue for a band like Yes -- in fact, in their heyday, they would never have played there -- but it's close enough that I'll go to see them yet again and afford my son the opportunity as well.

I'd really love to see Ritual.

[Yesspaz]

Originally posted by Rick and Roll
3) Spaz, I'm not sure I said Tales was "padded and bled to death"....I hope that was someone else (possibly Rick Wakeman?)

Yeah, Rick Wakeman. Sorry about any confusion. I edited the original post.

[progdirjim(Admin)]

Originally posted by Rick and Roll
1) if Jim and Keith can find their older Yesposts (a name for the next conpilation?), the'd be great here.

I've copied my review and the rest of the thread here...

[roger]

Originally posted by VAXman
Sept. 3 they are playing at the Grandstand of the Allentown Fairgrounds. Your location says you are Vermont. Where exactly are you?

oy. I must have gotten the date wrong. maybe the 4th? yup. just checked it. it's the 4th. still can't go...

[dinosaur]

I used to listen to Tales on my commute in the car every so often. On those days I planned to take the long way home to hear every note, playing air guitar on my steering wheel. This would go on for days until I got tired of listening. It is one of the few pieces I have purposefully NOT listened to for long periods in order hear it again later--sorta fresh. I am with Kieth--Tales is Yes' finest (I would also add Relayer). I can't imagine why they should consider changing a thing. The last several minutes of Ritual are magical, where Howe is simply superhuman.

Sadly, I will not get the chance to see the boys on this tour.

[VAXman(Admin)]

I was fortunate to see YES 3 times on this round of touring. Braintree was very special having KeithieW, JamForte and Laxmi, and RogorMortis there with Martha (my wife) and myself to share the moment.

Martha and I had Platinum Tix for the gig at the Garden State Arts Center. I got my Tales T-shirt (which I've held for several years now with Roger Dean's sig) signed by the band. This is going to get framed as soon as I have a chance to dropped it off at the framing outlet. We also had out pictures taked with the band at this event. All in all, quite an enjoyable evening.

I took my son Kristoffer to see Yes and Dream THeater at the Allentown Fairground's Grandstand. I selected this venue only because I knew it well. I grew up the Lehigh Valley/Allentown area and thus, I was familiar with the venue. Haven't see a concert there since CSN with The Band. My son loved it... First time for him to see Yes and the first time he's see Mike Portnoy perform with DT. I'm only a bit disappointed that Howe didn't do a solo for him to experience.



Here are the set lists:

Braintree, UK, July 12:

1. Firebird Suite
2. Going for The One
3. Sweet Dreams
4. All Good People
5. Mind Drive
6. South Side of The Sky
7. Footprints - opening lines as a jam
8. Mind Drive - to conclusion
9. Yours Is No Disgrace
10. Steve Howe - Gloriana, Clap
11. Rick Wakeman - Six Wives
12. Long Distance Runaround
13. Chris Squire - The Fish, Silent Wings of Freedom
14. Owner of A Lonely Heart
15. Rhythm of Love
16. And You And I
17. Starship Trooper
18. Roundabout - Encore



Holmdel, NJ, August 27 (Garden State Arts Center)

1. Firebird Suite --
2. Going For The One
3. Dont kill The Whale
4. YourMove/All Good People
5. America
6. Close to the Edge
7. The Clap (Start of Acoustic set)
8. Long Distance Runaround
9. Wondrous Stories
10. Roundabout
11. Owner of a Lonely Heart (End Acoustic set)
12. And You and I
13. Awaken (End of Set)
14. Yours Is No Disgrace (Encore)


Allentown, PA, September 03 (Allentown Fairgrounds' Grandstand)

1. Firebird Suite
2. Going For The One
3. Sweet Dreams
4. Your Move / I've Seen All Good People
5. America
6. South Side Of The Sky
7. Don't Kill The Whale
8. Yours Is No Disgrace
9. And You And I
10. Awaken (end of set)
11. Starship Trooper (encore 1)
12. Roundabout (encore 2)



Also, here are some very special pix:

http://www.tmesis.com/bands_2004/yes/

[Rick and Roll]

Jon's putting "your move" on Martha!

Nice pictures vax, they make you look young.

[VAXman(Admin)]

Funny, Jon said, "Get Closer! Let me feel you!", to Martha.

I responded, "Just watch where you are feeling!"

Rick was laughing and looking at me when I said it... see #2.JPG

[Rick and Roll]

touch me! (sounds like the Who instead)

Zvinki's comment to me about Anderson being Michael Jackson is disproved now....otherwise he would want to "feel" Kris.