Drove 700 miles from North Carolina back to my hometown for the show. Hadn't seen the band since the Union tour way back when. Had fallen somewhat out of touch with Yes music for many of the years in between, as real world adult responsibilities pushed music (an old passion of mine)onto the "backburner of life". When I found on the Yes website that they were playing in Niagara Falls something inside told me that this was something I needed to go and see. So I called up an old buddy, got tickets, and made the 12 hour trek back home.
As for the show, the seats were awful,we ended up standing, but the band sounded fantasic. I felt transported back to the time of my life when Yes music was almost a daily ritual for me. At one point of the show, possibly during "Awaken", my buddy shouted in my ear, "No band has ever been able to do this". And he was absolutely right. I floated away to the place that only Yes music can take me to for that whole 2 hour show. I wondered how I had ever drifted away.

Well.... I would like to tell you all about my ultimate YES concert! When I heard YES was coming I check for tickets on-line and found 4th row tickets for $75 dollars each!. Being the father of 2 young children, money being tight and the fact I spent $10 dollars to see them on the Tormato Tour in Chicago June 10, 1978, I couldn't come up with the cash. I begged the wife, who has some concerts connects, to see what she could do about getting some tickets. Two weeks before the show, she told me she got tickets, but didn't know where they were. Met our friend at the bar within walking distance on a beautiful night ( NO parking cost!). Third row seats right in front of Rick! The people sitting next to us were students from my wife school, who waited on Jon during lunch that day. Jon had also given them after show meet and greet. I told them about my 25 year love affair of the band, one of the girls who was in a disco band called White Chocolate decided to give me her pass. I was overwhelmed! Free tickets and a meet and greet! I bought one of the awesome tour programs ($15) and went to meet the band. Jon and Steve made a quick exit, but I was able to talk to Alan, Chris and Rick, who all were very engaging and signed my program. On the way out a guy was selling bootleg shirts for $10! Bought one and headed to the Holiday Inn were the guys were staying to try to get to more sigs. Saw Rick in Denny's and he was a cordial gentleman in conversation. How ironice that YES once opened for Black Sabbath and now Rick's son is their drummer. I feel very lucky to have been able to experience this show and honored to have meet some of the greatest muscian I have ever listened to. Their live performance was as crisp and clean as I remember back in the 70's. To hear SSOTS, GFTO and CTTE for the first time live was awaesome! Awaken, the bluesy Roundabout were mind etching. The experience was incredible and as the words have held oh so true........ I'll be around about, the words will make you out and out, I'll spend the day your way......

Great Show Last Night - met the band after the show - real down to earth guys espcially Alan and Rick - Sound and lights were 1st rate - Venue was not great - too small - couldn't fit the entire set into the place. Great set list. Loved the new version of Roundabout. Thanks guys for comming!

WOW!!

What clarity.....they sounded great tonite.....kudos to the sound men.

This was my 16th yes show.....and i keep saying that everyone gets better and better......no exception tonite. The guys seemed very loose and in a jokeing mood as was witnessed early when steve's portuguese guitar failed at the beginning of all good people.....to pass the time while steve waited for a new guitar.......jon started juggling these round blue (I dont know what they were) things.....to a rick wakeman version of circus music.......that was funny...they adlibbed like pros. then during their acoustic set....chris started to tell a story about the next song when rick pulled out a newspaper and jokeingly started to browse thru it. which brought chris to quip "you can tell rick is board with this story.....he's heard it before."

My only bitch was the venue itself....there is no incline whatsoever to this place which made for somewhat bad veiwing....and the seats were banded together so that everyone was on top of each other.....very uncomfortable, but my buddy took care of that.....he broke the bands off each side of our chairs before the seatholders got there and spread them out.....but other than that.....a very very good evening.......cant wait for the next one at syracuse.