Colorado Mountain Girl and prozakcbluesman

Posting this nearly a year after seeing it... (hey, we've been busy!)

First I must say that I really liked the Charles Ives Center, what a cool place, lots of trees, a classy little pavillion, very intimate - however lawn seating is not as nice as being seated in reserve!

What a great show! I have seen every YES tour since 1984 (sorry Talk was not worth seeing!), but this was Colorado Mountain Girl's first YES show - what a way to start it all! To be able to see this band play Close to the Edge, Gates of Delirium, Perpetual Change, And You and I, Starship Trooper and Ritual all in the same night, and with an orchestra!!! I looked over to her during Gates of Delirium only to see a look of shock and amazement on Mountain Girl's face, which only brought a smile and a laugh for me. The sweet jazziness of Perpetual Change, the whole-earth, deep sea sounds of And You And I, the primal bass-drums workout during Ritual, the spaciness of Starship Trooper, the metallic strength and power of Gates of Delirium, the relgious experience that is Close to the Edge... All these pieces, so many emotions, so many moods, simply and truly a fan's wishes come true.

At the time, I said the only thing that could make this better would be to have Rick Wakeman re-join the band! Please see our posting for Columbia, MD 8/9/02!

Sharon Brown

Probably will be the first and last time I will see YES perform practically in my back yard. I actually live here in Danbury. Was so glad I went. As Matt says, Gates was wonderful. Sat midway into the center section with fellow YES friends thanks to Roy and Rhea.
My original ticket was close on Steve's side, but I chose to sit with friends instead. I agree that the venue was strange, but it has it's own uniqueness. The year before when the Moody Blues played there, as the band started to play, the bats rose from the top of the kiosak and flew off into the Sky. Always wonder what Jon would have said if they did that again. OH well.. fun show doubt that they will be back here soon, but it sure was fun.

Matthew S. Putzel

Ives Concert Park, on the campus of Western Connecticut State University, in Danbury, CT is easily the most unusual place I have ever seen Yes play. First of all, the parking was atrocious. College students were parking the cars, and they seemed to be completely unprepared for the amount of traffic. A stop and go mess ensued going up the hill that leads to the concert area. Finally, someone had the brilliant idea of opening up a lot by the O’Neil Center that for some reason they had closed off. Due to the traffic, we didn’t get to our seats until 20 minutes after the show was scheduled to start. Luckily, however, the band and the orchestra waited for us as they started as soon as my fiancé and I sat down. The stage was a gazebo, no kidding..with a moat around it, or what resembled a moat anyway. Woods surrounded the area. There were about 1500 seats in the reserved seating area, with the lawn seats all obstructed view. We were in the reserved seats dead center in front of Jon Anderson about nine rows back. However it seemed farther because of the moat that separated the stage (gazebo) from the fans. The show started around 6:20 PM, so it was broad daylight. When it did get dark, the regular Yes assortment of lights was nowhere to be found. The stage setup is probably used for a lot of college bands, so seeing Yes here was quite different from a couple days ago at the Oakdale. Seeing half the show in broad daylight was also very different. “Close to the Edge” was the opener as usual. Again, it was very strange to see them play in broad daylight with no lighting effects at all. Unlike the other two Connecticut stops, the orchestra was clearly heard throughout the entire set. The arrangements made for a completely different listening experience, that really worked. After “Long Distance Runaround,” Jon commented about how this venue reminded him of some of the places they played when they first started. “Don’t Go” was played with the usual commotion of people getting out of their seats to go to the bathroom and get refreshments. A highlight for me was “In the Presence of” which really flourished with the more audible orchestra. At one point near the end of the song, a flock of geese flew overhead which Jon thought was really cool. He jokingly said after the song that they planned it that way and they release geese every night at that same point of the song. “Gates of Delirium” rocked the forest, and keyboardist Tom Brislin’s animations during the song were quite amusing. One middle aged female violinist in the orchestra who was sitting right behind Tom gave him the strangest look during the battle section. The oboe players were really getting into it, rocking along with it. Either they were big Yes fans, or they thought it was just really cool. At any rate, it was a real strong performance. Steve Howe’s acoustic set featured what I think was Vivaldi’s “Winter” and “Clap.” Brislin once again was very animated during a strong rendition of “Perpetual Change.” “Starship Trooper” did not go over as well as it did at the

Oakdale but was fun none the less. I noticed a folded towel was placed on the stage right where Chris Squire would kneel during his bass solo. It’s funny to notice the little props that are necessary for each song, such as the megaphone for “Don’t Go.” The sun was setting by the time “And You and I” started, which was particularly strong due to the orchestrations. “Ritual” was fun as always, but lacked the strobe lighting effects that add to the experience during the drum section. The crowd was up and dancing for “I’ve Seen All Good People” and “Roundabout”. This was definitely an unusual venue to see Yes play, and quite an experience. If you get a chance to catch a major act at this venue, do it, just get there early so you don’t get caught in the parking mess.

Reviewed by Matthew S. Putzel

rabin105

I was waiting for this all day we went to theives anmd sood around for a while when guess who pulled up Alan White and Chris squire. I yelled out to them they waved but had to drive away to prepare for the show my mother got a picture of them but it hasn't turned out yet. then when we got in i went saw the stage from my veiw brislin had a korg organ and two synthasiesers. the show started with brislin and the members of the orchestra coming on stage this guy throws more life in the keys he was excited to be there and you could tell. the first song was close to the edge and it was great. Jon's voice in stellar condition and the venue was great a flock of birds flew by during the song. Jon joked saying how he planned that. then they played ldr oh my god it was terific brislin was dancing around He should be a member. then they played don't go and in the presence of They are terrific songs can't wait for the new ablum (whenever it comes out) thengod howe solo spot and starship trooper

as well as rituals and perpetual change. finishing of with all good people and round about. The only problem was the guy 3 seets behind me yelling some garbege about a.m. radio i wanted to yell at the guy to shut up but he was a druken idiot and might hvae started a riot. vthe show was magical and I love the orchestration and keyboard playing on Long distance runaround don't think there with an orchestra it will suck think this will be great they have Tom brislin and a great new sound it is great trused me