I went to this show! I wrote about it on my blog at http://rheayes.blogspot.com/2007/10/yes-in-new-york-city-10291997.html

Speaking of the Mix....I am a veteran of over 150 Yes shows since 1969....The mix was as good as ever heard...At times I thought I was listening to Eddie Offord mixing the show. John Robbins "JR" (Audio Engineer) gets better with every show. Those who criticize him need to remember that he performs just like the band, and this is only the tenth show. Check him and the band out later in the tour and you will see and hear a great difference. JR is a real pro. Find him and say hello when you go to the show.

First of all the show was MUCH better than the Talk show was in '94. The setlist was considerably improved IMO, and the band seemed to me to put alot more energy and enthusiasem into the music. Jon made a few mistakes with the lyrics, but that's understandable considering how many songs he has to sing, and of course Yes lyrics, bless them,are not the most straightfoward. I LOVED it!!!I sang alot of the songs,(GREAT hearing SOON and RSOG) and Yes got a standing ovation from many of the fans. I wouldn't have missed it for the world.

The following observations collected in my head during the show:

**The last time I was at the Beacon was for Sylvian/Fripp four years ago...it's nice to see they've installed new, clean seating since then.

**Jon was in excellent voice throughout the concert...hit most if not all the notes...much improved from SLO and the studio tracks on KTA.

**Khoroshev played brilliantly and was extremely energetic during the entire show...he should be made an "official" member ASAP.

**Not as impressed with Sherwood...his voice seems out of place, but that may be because he's new and I'm not used to it yet. Did a good job with the Rabin solo from "Owner" (but was a bit loud in the mix).

**Speaking of the mix...does the sound guy set the levels and then walk away? How about riding them according to what instrument is being featured at any given time. I found the keys mixed way too low early on.

**"Open Your Eyes" is catchy (my girlfriend who doesn't like Yes would probably like this song) but it pales in comparison to "Children"...now that song (from KTA II) has the Yes sound that I love.

**Why am I always amazed at how good Steve Howe is? His acoustic mini-set was pure heaven!

**The set was a little too spartan for my taste...I can't begrudge them though, I'm sure it's cheaper and easier to put up and tear down. I found that the combination of light show and set took away from the "mystical" feel of certain older songs. Some rear projection of nature scenes (or whatever) might give the audience that "other worldly" feeling I think goes with songs like AYAI.

**There's nothing like drunken louts screaming unintelligably during the quiet moments...it adds so much to my enjoyment.

**Was surprised I didn't see a lot of the same old faces that I tend to see at "prog" events.

**Roger Dean signing autographs in the lobby was a pleasant surprise.