Rob P.

What an amazing show! Highlights for me were Don't Kill The Whale and South Side of the Sky. The best part was actually the day before. I was at Jillian's in Albany having lunch and Jon came in by himself and sat down and had lunch. I did walk over and said hello and thanked him for being a huge influence on my life. On my way out he was eating and smiled as I walked by so I said goodbye to him. He was such an amazing person IN PERSON. That made the show even more special.

Rob Adams

Great great show, already described quite accurately below. However, the above setlist is missing IN THE COURSE OF THE DAY, the first of Steve Howe's two solo numbers. This show's ROUNDABOUT was the full version, and it's been a while since I've heard them play it so incredibly. YOURS IS NO DISGRACE was a pleasant surprise, as I was expecting the show to end with ROUNDABOUT. Despite a bit of technical problems with Steve's guitar going suddenly quiet during the 'Disillusion' STARSHIP TROOPER was brilliantly played. Rick's solo was spectacular, incorporating bits from THE SIX WIVES OF HENRY VIII. Chris looked like he was having the time of his life.

Mikyesfan

Hi all, i've wanted to tell this story but i have not had a chance.

Rick reminds me with his update on the fall tour.

We were in Albany and had the time of our lives. Great Show, then hanging in the Hotel Bar with Chris & Alan. We had a Blast. the Next morning we waited to see the Band leave for Rochester.

Rick was down first, he went outside the Hotel and put his bag in a rented Ford Explorer. We talked to him and he was Very cordial, then Jon came down,he was in a Good mood and was also very [unusually ] friendly. [ when he is without Jane he is much cooler with the Fans] He puts his bag in the car and tells Rick he wants to drive! We waved goodbye and were laughing that Jon is Driving!

Well we saw the others, Chris & Alan get into another Explorer with a driver and off they went.

We got in our car and headed south on the New York State Thruway.

One Minute later i see the Explorer with Jon and Rick fly by us doin 80 Going the South which is the Wrong way...no shit..[They were supposed to go West] I then chased them and waved that they were Going the Wrong way. Rick had his Glasses on and he was lookin at a Map. They waved back at us acknowledging their mistake, and they proceeded to get off the exit to turn around. lol

A couple of days later We saw Jon leaving the Newark Venue at the stage door and I reminded him of his misadventure on the Thruway...I told him he needs a better co pilot. We both laughed.

Wish i was goin to VEGAS...

CLMoon

Oh Yes, what a performance
By DAVID MALACHOWSKI, Special to the Times Union

ALBANY -- With an air of grandeur and spectacle, classic rock band Yes offered a stunning display of musicianship and epic tunes at the Pepsi.

For the past few decades Yes has been no stranger to the Capital Region, but this visit featured the highly notable return of keyboardist Rick Wakeman, for the first time in almost 20 years. Many fans will argue about what was the definitive configuration of the band, but Wakeman's tenure might win the majority of votes (and was commercially a success as well) and not surprisingly, it was the tunes from this era that hit the hardest in the show.

The Pepsi show began in traditional Yes style; the lights dimmed during the faint strains of Stravinsky's "Firebird Suite," at the crescendo, the band appeared and slammed into a blistering take of "Siberian Khatru," which didn't take long to become airborne. It was the perfect place to start, as they incorporated nearly all of Yes' signature moves in one song.

Here master guitarist Steve Howe burned off his first dizzying solo of the night, his piercing sheet metal tone serpentined around Chris Squire's neo-barbaric bass line and Alan White's enormous back-beat. And prodigal son Wakeman was provided dazzling counterpoint with unparalleled technique, while Jon Anderson's angelic voice floated above all this musical mayhem, still as airy and innocent as ever -- a high pitched, carefully modulated voice unlike any in rock.

They all looked well and healthy, albeit a bit long-in-the-tooth, spryly moving about the stage during an urgent "Magnification" and "Don't Kill the Whale" (this band was politically correct way before its time). Anderson talked in new age tones about "the energy around us" before the enchanting "In the Presence Of," while "South Side of the Sky" ended with a wicked guitar/keyboard duel.

The 20 minutes-plus of "Close to the Edge" was simply stunning. Though rhythmically and harmonically complex, it still rocked, mainly because of White's intense groove.

The only problem was, there were precious few to witness this musical magic -- a mere 4,247.

Solo spots were done by all, from Howe's sparkling acoustic guitar segment, Wakeman's quasi-classical excursion, to Squire (especially fired up) who rolled up his sleeves before tossing out giant bass bombs during his mind-boggling solo "The Fish."

"Heart of the Sunrise," with its electric energy and sweeping movements, was staggering, as was the mystical and bigger than life "Awaken." "Roundabout" was a joyous celebration, while "Starship Trooper" just burned.

Surprisingly still valid, and undeniably inspiring, Yes was just magnificent. In a business where the value of instrumental prowess is quickly diminishing, for one night in Albany, the musician was king.

YES When: 7:30 p.m. MondayWhere: Pepsi Arena, South Pearl Street, AlbanyMusical highlights: Blistering "Siberian Khatru," stunning "Close to the Edge," intense "Heart of the Sunrise," celebratory "Roundabout."Length: 2 80-minute sets.The crowd: 4,247 diehard fans.

Dave B

Outstanding show. Second time this tour and seventh overall. Rick is back. Not as much of a solo as in the Radio City show, but still awesome on all accounts.

They played many, many great tunes but didn't do And You And I. I guess we can't have it all. Heart of the Sunrise was practically a religious experience with Roundabout and Starship Trooper to close.

Not a very big crowd. Many empty seats. I was able to move up pretty close. Scalped outside for 25 each for section 104. Not bad, but I was able to get to 4th row for the encores! Security was tight. The guy next to me(not me of course!) lit up a joint and security was on him in less than two minutes. Not like the Yes shows of old.

Good mix of young and old. Steve dedicated "The Clap" for those there under sixteen years old. Many long-time Yes fans as well as kids. Gotta love those dancing young ladies!

Overall good compared to Radio City. RC had the Wakeman solo, but they didn't play Roundabout(the only time they didn't play Roundabout). Would love to hear one or two of the Rabin songs, but I guess I'm not surprised. Wouldn't another Union tour be great!