Geoff Dunn

This was my second journey to a Yesshow (the first being at The Forum in L.A. the week before) and it was truly a magical experience. While the concert was not quite as incredibly stunning as the L.A. show, it was still absolutely wonderful and there were other stars aligned to make 21st May 1991 a very memorable evening.

Being a writer for a music magazine in New Zealand, an interview with one of the band was arranged by the local representative of the Yes label. I was faxed a detailed message from the record company in the States, describing where to meet the tour manager (Rex King) before the show – I would receive a complimentary ticket and an interview would be possible before the band performed that night! I duly arrived at the Seattle Center Coliseum at the said time and made my way around to the backstage area. From where I was standing, I could plainly see the whole band around a large table, having a laugh and enjoying their dinner – quite a surreal sight! (I couldn’t quite tell who was eating vegetarian food). Unfortunately, the security guard promptly informed me that in no way was I getting through to the "restricted" area, despite my official fax, outlining the interview.

Bitterly disappointed, I made my way around to the ticket office in the hope that my details would be listed there, so I could at least get in to the show - but alas, they didn’t know anything about the arrangements either. I then stood around for a while at the gates (of delirium), feeling rather down and wondering what to do next. I’d traveled halfway around the globe to witness this show and there was no way I was going to miss it. By chance, I overheard the conversation of a group of people beside me as they spoke of someone called Alan and how they were looking forward to seeing him. An elderly lady was talking to a woman with a couple of children, and she said the name "Gigi". Suddenly, my years of studying Yes album liner notes paid off – this must be Alan White’s wife, children and mother-in-law! At an appropriate moment I shyly introduced myself and explained my predicament to Gigi. She read the fax and said something like "Oh dear, you better follow me"…

She led me through the building and left me to wait in a vacant area while she tracked down the road manager. I was thrilled enough to be inside the Coliseum now, but unbelievably there, right in front of me on a stand, was Chris Squire’s Rickenbacker bass!!! I didn’t even dare touch it, but stared in awe at the instrument that had been played by the greatest bass player on the planet, on all those amazing Yes albums that are so dear to my heart. (And no, I didn’t think for one second of running off with it – a sacrilege that would surely result in eternal damnation with an awful muzak soundtrack!) Anyway, Gigi soon returned with one of the Yes managers (I think the band members had one each for the ‘Union’ tour!) and he explained how sorry that this had happened, but the record company had not informed them. The bad news was that the interview would not happen, as the band was due on stage soon. The good news was "here are two tickets plus passes to meet Yes after the concert" ! I was overjoyed and am eternally grateful to Gigi for being so friendly, helpful and understanding – no wonder that Mr. White married her!

The show was amazing (of course). I could get my head around what was happening in "Yours Is No Disgrace" this second time, with Steve offering a typically brilliant lead break which led into Trevor’s powerful guitar histrionics. An extended "Rhythm of Love" rocked smoothly into "Shock To The System" and the show continued with classic Yessongs interspersed with popular, rock solid Rabin-era numbers. The set list remained exactly the same as L.A., but being such a huge stage production, it’s hardly surprising. The entire concert is still vivid in my mind – Squire’s stunning intro to "Heart of the Sunrise" and booming "Fish" solo which shook the C

nm2112

I had been waiting for this concert for what seemed like forever. I bought the tickets over two months before the highly anticipated day finally arrived. I left early in the morning and went and picked up my brother I really wanted him to see Yes in concert we share many musical interests. We arrived at the Seattle Center Coliseum early in the afternoon and just milled around the grounds. We decided to go to the back of the facility where the trucks were unloading. I noticed a Merdedes SUV pull up and stop behind the arena. Steve Howe was sitting in the front seat. He proceded to get out I waived and said "Hello Mr. Howe", he was very cordial waving back and acknowledging us. It was amazing seeing all 8 of them playing in the round. The most memorable moment of the evening was "Awaken" it just floored me the lighting was incredible it was absolutely magnificient. I wish I could bottle that feeling I had during that song, it was unbelievable beautiful as Jon Anderson would say.

david ryan

It was a wild time of my life, I had left my non native Fl. home [whew] and dirtydogged fromDC to the NW for 29$ !!! w/ an old girl-friend [ to become my wife in a few years] was guerilla camping in a converted military base surrounded by a beautiful maze of blooming Scotch broom . I saw accidently an add in a local paper for YES and that it was [nerarly[ all of the guys!!!! I spent nearly the last of my money for a pair of tickets and was blown away. My 2 previous experiences were w/ the 80's Yes of Drama and 90125 and they played none of the 'masterworks' if you will .

I was there w/ one wish to hear my all time favorite Yes composition, AWAKEN
And indeed i did. i had it somewhat spoiled as atouring yeshead informed me they were iondeed playing it.
It was excellent[although Rabin was superfluous] Anderson seemed to enjoy himself far more than 90125 - I know I did!! The whole concert was one of those amazing things , like when Tolkien's posthumous writings come out - something you never expect to happen that brings back to life a whole part of one that had been forgotten. Well it reconfirmed for me that miracles do happen.

The only low part of the Show was all of the Solo's, i would much rather have heard Gates or CttE or a bit of Tales, but it was worth all of it to see Awaken!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dave Ward

It's interesting that Kevin focussed on Long Distance Runaround. I remember The Fish, but have no recollection of LDR being played that night! What stands out to me is:

Seeing the band members simply walk out on stage during Firebird. A dignified entrance, without gimmicks or excessive showmanship. I respect that.

The first number, Yours Is No Disgrace, nearly turned my head into an exploded mass of grey matter! :-) It was WICKEDLY powerful, with each syncopated emphatic note in the intro being like a kick in the heard. AMAZING power and vitality in the band!

There was a break after "And You And I." I got up and left to buy a pretzel. And I'll be damned if I wasn't still standing in the line at concessions when I heard Bill & Alan start their drum duet. :-(

Before they played "I've Seen All Good People", Jon told the audience that Rick (Wakeman) had just bought some new microphones, and he'd appreciate it if we would help him test it by singing along nice and loud. The audience erupted with a massive cheer. I think we were left with the impression that they were recording the show for a live album, but it obviously never surfaced. I don't know whether they were actually recording, but Jon seemed to imply that they were.

"Lift Me Up" was also striking. I particularly remember seeing Bill Bruford standing and reaching up to play the rack of electronic drum pads during this song, while Alan played the regular drum kit.

Chris's solo was amazing, but the thing that remains in my memory is near the end when he hit a note and dropped *HARD* to one knee. I actually heard his knee hit the stage, and for an instant I was worried whether he was injured. Knees of steel, I guess.

Wakeman's solo was a particularly outstanding moment, as I never dreamed I'd hear him play a bit of The Six Wives live. When Trevor joined in, I was completely stunned. Who'da thought Trevor and Rick would team up? I never would have predicted it, and it was very cool to see. At that moment, it truly felt like a "Union" between the two distinct Yes groups.

But of the entire show, Awaken was the pinnacle for me, no question about it. It had always been my favorite Yessong, but I was certain they wouldn't play it; I had discounted the notion altogether beforehand. It was a wonderful shock when RIck played the opening to Awaken, and I have to admit I actually cried a few tears, I was so moved to hear that song. And when the steel "octopus arms" began moving, it was pure magic.

Kevin Hall

I'm reminded for some reason of a particular moment at the Union concert in Seattle on May 21, 1991. It was during the song "Long Distance Runaround" and at the point where the bass punches through between the verses and Squire pressed a controller with his right foot and I MEAN TO TELL YOU that bass line EXPLODED through all known matter in the universe. Hundreds of kidney stones were sonically eliminated that night. To get to the point, after one of these bass explosions I saw Wakeman and Bruford exchange looks and I could tell what they were thinking (Like there goes Squire absolutely Grandstanding the rest of us into oblivion) and I glanced at Squire just as he perceived the glance between Wakeman and Bruford and he had that classic look of "Bloody well fuck you too mates!" judging from the audience reaction at these bass blasts, the whole place was having a bassasim :~)