As nostalgically inclined as I am towards the generally more appealing sounds of the 70's, it was with much anticipation that I ripped the packaging of my newly acquired birthday present. Was I being too presumptuous to expect the same degree of delight and totality of entertainment as one who was privileged enough to see Yes performing live in their hey-day? Perhaps! Perhaps not, but it stands as a testament to the incredible ability of these musicians to still be able to deliver a riveting suite of old favourites and some newer material with as much enthusiasm as anyone half their age.
Following on from the immediate acceptance of their 1999 release, The Ladder which was hailed as a true return to their former glory, Yes embarked on a series of tours across America in 2000 that enabled them to perform at a number of House Of Blues clubs. Taking the best tracks from The Ladder and including many of their old classics including, "Roundabout", "Yours Is No Disgrace", And You & I" and "Perpetual Change", this DVD is packed with 16 awesome songs that simply exude brilliance in a 112 minute concert that must have been a delight for anyone to have been in attendance in such a small and intimate setting.
For all of the dirt that is heaped upon poor old Jon Anderson, I would consider it nigh on impossible to find another singer of any age to match the range, emotion, finesse and ability to perform these songs with exactly the same degree of credibility as many of us enjoyed when they were first recorded decades ago. As angelic a voice as Jon possesses, there can be no denying he still hits the highest notes with little effort. Despite his normal talking voice being very highly pitched compared to any normal singer's, I still stand in awe at a vocalist whose career has never been blemished due to the deterioration over time of his only true instrument. Like him or loathe him, no-one can hold a candle to the purity and charm of his voice.
Steve Howe, using an assortment of guitars, sounded as good as ever, hitting each note with convincing accuracy although I found much of his overall sound a little low in the mix. For all of his stunning ability, there was one particular section where Steve was seen to take a bow in a slightly goofy manner more befitting of a young and aspiring church soprano at his first recital. Nothing wrong here really, but it made me realize how truly humble the man must be to take a bow in such an apparently old fashioned manner, when in all reality; it is the people who should be showering him with immediate and unquestioned adulation and praise for every performance he makes. The man still remains a monster player of the highest calibre with more talent exhibited in three minutes of playing than most guitar Gods display in a 2 hour set.
Of all of the original members playing on the night however, it was Chris Squire whose performance amazed me the most. His bass runs through so many of their songs were so brilliantly executed as to make me appreciate the instrument far more than I normally do. Having been seriously disappointed with many other bassists work when performing live, it made a huge difference to the overall enjoyment and has given me further reason to obtain the CD version of his solo album, Fish Out Of Water to replace my aging vinyl copy.
Similarly, Alan White is still a great drummer and has not lost anything since his first appearance with the band many years ago. Despite Bill Bruford being my favourite drummer to have ever played with Yes, Alan's speed, variety of fills and overall dexterity are all great qualities that cannot be denied. If the song requires a solid but basic foundation from which the other musicians can contribute their respective pieces, then Allan's timing, power and choice of fill or triplet are always delivered with full precision and perfection. He is a great technician to watch and although probably no longer as powerful or maniacally inclined as many half his age, his contribution to the bands wall of sound still rings true every time he picks up the sticks.
Billy Sherwood on guitar and keyboardist, Igor Khoroshev, both being the more recent members to join the band also delivered solid performances with many songs played true to the originals in every perceptible way. While not as flashy as Rick Wakeman, Igor is a true professional and ripped through every song with an arsenal of instruments that would make any aspiring keyboard player highly envious.
If ever there was a band whose talents would come under scrutiny due to the aging nature of its members, then Yes must stand proud as one amazingly and privileged assortment of true professionals who have defied the trend. I just hope these guys have at least another decade together before hanging up their boots and queuing for the pension. The day that this band folds for the last time will be a sad day for us all.
Not having seen Yes perform live before, I am so pleased to have caught a glimpse of what capabilities these men possessed. The selection of songs, production, duration and overall enjoyment were top shelf and reinforces the reason they were and still remain one of my favourite bands to have ever caressed my ears. Despite this being a 2000 performance, which may have already been released in your country I ordered what I am lead to believe was an Australian pre-release copy in late 2003. If, however, you are able to track down either this or your own countries equivalent release then this would remain my highest recommendation for 2003. A true masterpiece!
Track Listing
1. Yours Is No Disgrace
2. Time & A Word
3. Homeworld (The Ladder)
4. Perpetual Change
5. Lightning Strikes
6. The Messenger
7. Ritual – Nous Sommes Du Soleil
8. And You & I
9. It Will Be A Good Day Today (The River)
10. Face To Face
11. Awaken
12. Your Move / I've Seen All Good People
13. Cinema
14. Owner Of A Lonely Heart
15. Roundabout.
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