PaulRochester

Saturday, May 31, 2025 8:31 PM

49 years ago! I was a senior in high school and now I’m a senior citizen! What a bizarre triple bill of a concert! Ace (with Paul Carrack!) was touring in support the “Five a Side” album - their debut. “How Long” (a number 3 hit). Unfortunately for Ace, less than 1% (perhaps hyperbolic) of the Tucson Civic Center audience came to see Ace. Still, an historically and musically significant period, as Ace were at the early edge of the “New Wave” of British rock music.
Many, many fellow concertgoers were instead in attendance to see Johnny Winter. I have been to dozens of concerts over the years, and I don’t know if I ever heard a louder electric guitar than Winter played. It was simply painful. The rumor of the evening was that the second guitarist on stage was Rick Derringer (recently deceased). I still don’t know.
Yes did not disappoint. Jon Anderson’s voice was utter (and young) perfection. The show began with the final few moments of Stravinsky’s Firebird. Gutsy choice of an opener to live up to! But when you’ve got Close to the Edge (full performance), I’ve Seen All Good People, And You and I, and Roundabout in your back pocket, why not?! This was their first tour with Patrick Moraz replacing Rick Wakeman. Ouch. Yes completely emphatically answered the bell of the new era with Relayer. Simply wow. Sound Chaser is a profound and powerful change in sound and style. The band performed all three tracks from the album; all works of timeless beauty.
Apparently the show we cut short due to Tucson’s curfew laws. Yes, really. This was Tucson - police helicopters on patrol night and day.
Soon, oh, soon the light
Ours to shape for all time, ours the right
The sun will lead us
Our reason to be here
Peace

Kireviewer

Yes did not play Ritual because they ran up against Tucson's curfew.
Near the end of the concert, Jon Anderson strapped on a guitar and then looked offstage, where he was talking to someone. He took off the guitar and it was apparent that the group was changing what they were going to play.

In any case, Ritual did not get played that night. They may have played something shorter in its place. I can't remember.

Also, I could have sworn that Anderson played something from the Olias album(which had not been released yet). It included Anderson playing the harp synchronized to a laser light show. It was one of the most stunning effects I have ever seen in a concert (and I have seen Pink Floyd 6 times).

Ace was just horrible.