Evident from both performances, these guys are some of the best players in the business and are all still at the top of their game. It seems like Yes really shines brightest (and the fans are most satisfied) when playing deeper cuts like “Don’t Kill The Whale,” “South Side of the Sky,” “To Be Over” and the aforementioned “Awaken.” They are most certainly highlights of this DVD set.
The only times the shows sag a bit are during the Yes super-hits, which the band sometimes seem to sleepwalk through. On that note, here's hoping that we’ll get to see a Yes - Deep Cuts tour where the band abandons the usual must-play hits and treats longtime fans to rarer selections — Are you reading this, Yes? — when Anderson returns for their 41st year.
Until then, though, dig into the excellent 4 hours-plus footage of Yes - The Director’s Cut and send out your good vibes to Jon Anderson in regaining his health.
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.