On the same day that the phrase “Yes We Can” became the United States’ official new governing philosophy, the premier progressive rock band of all time, Yes, kicked off their In The Present 40th Anniversary tour…with at least one big but.
Due to some respiratory health problems that have plagued long-time Yes vocalist and spiritual leader, Jon Anderson, the band has replaced him for this tour with Canadian Yes tribute band singer, Benoit David. And the smaller but is that keyboardist, Rick Wakeman, who has always been a little flighty anyway, has been replaced by his son, Oliver. The band is rounded out by Yes mainstays Steve Howe (guitar), Chris Squire (bass) and Alan White (drums).
Replacing Anderson has been more than controversial to Yes die-hards (including this writer) and even to Anderson himself, but reports from early In The Present gigs are very positive and Benoit David really does nail Anderson’s vocals perfectly (perhaps too perfectly). Even so, many fans still won’t be rushing out to buy Yes concert tickets until Anderson is back in the fold.
And to bide time until that happens, those skeptics can turn to Yes - The Director’s Cut from MVD Visual. Recorded during Yes’ 35th Anniversary Tour in 2003, it features two full-length concert performances from the band's classic line-up (Anderson, Wakeman, Howe, Squire, White) in Birmingham, England and at the Glastonbury Festival.
This DVD edition sets out to appease fans who were a little less than pleased with the editing, narration, and interview clips (during songs) of the original tour document, Yesspeak. And it succeeds greatly. There is a great venue vibe contrast from show to show, as the first DVD is indoors and the second is outdoors, at Glastonbury. And although the set lists are quite similar, fans will love the two equally-amazing takes of the 15-minute plus masterpiece epic, “Awaken,” from the 1977 album, Going For The One. This Yes fan certainly did.
Article comments
1 - franklyn
nice! best wishes to good jon.
2 - Jerry V.
I had the pleasure of seeing Yes at the Sovereign Performing Arts Center in Reading (PA) on November 18. Although the tour is titled In The Present, it really was more like In The Past. The set didn’t include a single song from anything but the 1960’s and 70’s (considered by many to be their Classic years, anyway). The show even opened with the Stravinsky Firebird segment so familiar to concertgoers from the early years.
Benoit David (referred to on another site as an Anderson Hobbit...he is somewhat small in stature) nailed Anderson’s vocals especially when hitting the many high notes that Jon either struggled to hit in recent years of dropped completely.
The concert was lengthy (with an intermission) which I’m sure satisfied all the Yes fans, including me. The set included everything you’d expect to hear from the 70’s including all of Close to the Edge and most of Fragile.
The stage set was sparse and looked like it could have been designed by Roger Dean. The white “clouds” more resembled pieces of the Sydney Opera House floating in the air.
If you haven't seen Yes for a while, I suggest checking out this concert as with two new members of the band, as Chris Squire referred to them, the “lads” aren’t getting any younger. (Steve Howe even got a tad testy with the audience on a few occasions.) Soon, I’m afraid Yes will be a mere parody of itself...a tribute band pretending to the band.