Venue:
Nottingham Royal Concert Hall
Date: 21/03/2017
I was a huge fan of Yes from their early days right up to Relayer, when we went our separate ways. There were three reasons for this separation; they started to get a bit more commercial, I moved to London and discovered punk, and they stopped the Roger Dean album covers. I still enjoy their early music, however, and have kept half an eye (and ear) on what they’ve been doing over the years.
I never felt that the recent/current incarnation of Yes reflected the band I remember, particularly because Jon Anderson was no longer with them. I try and avoid seeing bands that I remember fondly from their prime, because I know I will probably be disappointed. But when ARW announced a tour I thought that it would be worth a look to see how two of the key early players were shaping up.
I was disappointed. Inevitable, I suppose, as they played a lot of the stuff I loved, but some later tracks, particularly those from the Trevor Rabin Yes albums. The big plus for me was hearing Jon Anderson’s voice again. It’s almost as good as it was in his prime and he hit all the high notes with no problem (particularly on Heart of the Sunrise, which was superb). Most of the audience clearly disagreed with me as the applause was ecstatic at the end. Oh, and there was a drum solo and two bass solos.
The audience:
About 90% of the audience were men. The majority of these were middle-aged, with very little hair, wearing black Yes tour t-shirts and most of them were clearly strangers to the gym (rather like yours truly, in fact). Most women in the audience seemed to be Yes fans, although one, the current Mrs W who came to keep me company, hated it (this makes up for the times I have been dragged to see Bob Dylan play with his back to the audience). I saw nobody under 40.
It made me think..
I thought the drum solo had disappeared long ago. If I never hear another drum solo I will die a happier man.
Good one Handsome.
Curious that someone who didn’t make it to Going for the One should make a point of seeing a third of the band with the wrong guitarist – bit like hating Genesis after Steve Hackett bailed, then rushing to watch Mike and the Mechanics?
How odd that deapite neither the bass player or drummer deserving a mention in the billing, both should get solos. Maybe Jon needs the rest.
I was at the gig. I enjoyed it – Rick Wakeman’s keyboards raised the performance hugely; those retro synth sounds are priceless, and poor Geoff Downes can’t touch him. Trevor Rabin is OK on the stunt guitar, but suffers from not being Steve Howe. No Chris, of course, and he did bring an immense sound and presence, but the bassist for ARW I though pretty good, and took it in a new direction whilst playing due homage. What is there to say about Jon Anderson that hasn’t be said? An irritatingly fey New Age hippie – but he still has his voice, and we go along with his lyrical nonsense. These days, just going to a gig which isn’t a disappointment suffices me, as Yes have lost their pace and snap, which ARW haven’t. Shame they didn’t do “Endless Dream” from “Talk” as a Yes-West epic, but no fan can ever really grumble about “Awaken”.
A live album is coming in September, although I would have preferred some new stuff rather than yet another run through of the best of Yes, much as I love those songs.
Live at the Apollo Tracklist
Intro/Cinema/Perpetual Change
Hold On
I’ve Seen All Good People
Lift Me Up
And You & I
Rhythm of Love
Heart of the Sunrise
Changes
Long Distance Runaround/The Fish
Awaken
Make It Easy/Owner of a Lonely Heart
Roundabout
Cheers for the review, Mr H.P.W. Nice one.
“The Fish” without the mighty Chris Squire? It doesn’t seem right, somehow…