Michel Forest

Tuesday, May 21, 2024 6:24 PM

Almost 20 years later, it's both fun and bittersweet to remember this gig. Bittersweet, because in all likehood, this was the last Yes show I'll ever see, as I have no interest at all in the current band calling itself Yes. It was also the last time I saw my rock hero, Chris Squire, on stage.

This was my third show of that tour. I drove down from Montreal and attended the Lowell show in May, then saw them in Montreal in August and when I saw they were playing in Vermont, only a 90 minute drive from home and during Labor Day weekend, I decided to drive down once more to the USA. A little weekend trip to the wonderful state of Vermont was also an incentive.

The performance was ok, but it was obvious to me that the members of Yes were tired from the constant touring. The setlist was not as interesting as the other shows I'd seen earlier that year. Songs like Mind Drive and Turn of the Century were out, with America back in, not a switch that I welcomed. So I say that show was 7/10. I remember leaving the venue thinking that Yes was way overdue for a break and in the end, they went on a four year hiatus and resumed touring without Jon. I never went back to a Yes show after that.

Frank Houlihan

ALex, loved your review. Can't add a whole lot, other than to echo what a beautiful show it was. Kind of a rustic, modest setting, fair atmosphere. Did get cool as the evening came on.

Yes were as relaxed as the newspaper review said, and as good. They appeared very happy, despite what has transpired since. The last view I had of them was after taking their well deserved bows, departing the stage all smiles, Steve with a huge grin, shaking a set of maracas he had gotten from somewhere at us as they all disappeared back behind the curtain.

Personal highlights for me were many. A great Awaken wound up the set proper. Massive and wonderful. During the acoustic set, someone had the bright idea of sitting Steve Howe and Rick Wakeman at right angels to one another, nearly elbow to elbow. They traded licks in a little mini duel on Wonderous Stories. A pair of the finest musicians on the planet, with three more in attendance nearby.

Not a song was wasted. One of the great shows I've ever been to.

Thanks, Yes. Even all tehse years later.

john r.

i have seen some video of this show, and it was quite beautiful... check out www.myspace.com/earbender

Jelle Leistra (Netherlands)

Relayer, if you don't like the current Yes, why then are you going to concerts of them? It's still your own choise to go there, so if you don't like it, DON'T GO. Being a professional musician myself, I know that in time, music gets another place for you. Certainly in the beginning, the music can be very fresh, and you want the people to like it, so you really try your best to pursuade your audience of your music. But in time, lives go their ways, people change, as do their opinions and views about everything. So on music! I've seen Yes 4 times now, twice this tour and twice in 2003. I woudn't want to miss it for the world!! Please, BE GLAD THEY STILL PLAY!!!! Lots of bands are just sitting on their behinds, doing nothing anymore (Genesis for example), and Yes is still spreading it's music around...
Okay, I've had my say; Yes: THANK YOU for still playing, and hope seeing you next time!!

PeabodyMat

Burlington Free Press, Monday, Sep 6, 2004

REVIEW:
Yes delivers stunning performance at fair
By Paul Kaza | Free Press Correspondent

Concerts like this one simply don't come along very often. First of all, groups who have survived four decades rarely maintain the core original members. Secondly, the impact of the musical presentation frequently lies purely in nostalgia regardless of who is on stage. Finally, the treading of time can sadly often render veteran musicians less capable.

For the group Yes, who performed one of their 35th Aniversary Tour dates Saturday night at the Champlain Valley Fair, you could just say no to all three of those notions.

This was a performance of power and majesty, an exhibition of extraordinary musical skills set amidst an artist's fantasy of floating inflatable shapes and a dazzling display of lights. It was a gathering for Yes devotees, with perhaps a surprisingly high representation of fans in their 20 and 30s (as lead singer Jon Anderson pointed out in one song intro "Most of you weren't even born when we wrote this one.")

No matter. And it also mattered not that Anderson was mistaken when he said "We're very glad to be here, even if it took 35 years to get here." Quick Burlington music history trivia quiz: who headlined a double bill featuring the J. Geils Band as the opener in 1972? Hint: their eventual arrival onstage was delayed by nearly two hours when University of Vermont's Patrick Gymnasium had to be evacuated due to a bomb threat. The answer is Yes.

This reviewer was there that night, but never saw Yes. The wait was simply interminable, and the transport vehicle back to Plainfield had an impatient driver. I wasn't about to miss this opportunity, 32 years later. And, while my expectations were high, one always worries that a band with players pushing into their 60s has a hard enough time when the music is easy (think Crosby, Stills Nash earlier this summer) but the music of Yes is exceptionally demanding. Could they pull it off?

The question was almost embarrasing to recall as the band immediately lit the stage up with "Going for the One," followed by "Sweet Dreams" and "All Good People." Jon Anderson's remarkably high voice has been the real signature for Yes, and it remains sweet and sublime as ever. But Anderson is accompanied by four musical masters whose respective instrumental prowess is nothing short of staggering. Steve Howe rotated between steel guitar, acoustic, several brands of conventional, and even a Brazilian variety. He was as impressive on a scorching rock solo as he was playing reflective acoustic licks.

Bassist Chris Squire carries about half dozen axes with him, including a triple necked bass used towards the end of the two hour performance. Rick Wakeman, the keyboard genius who has contributed mightily to the classically infused sound of Yes, is encircled by a bank of various electronic keyboards and also had a grand piano wheeled in mid-set. Alan White provides the percussion in a most dramatic fashion whether high volume intensity or playing brushes during the acoustic set.

Simon and Garfunkel's "America" was a compelling interlude, utilizing parts of the original arrangement but adding much greater crescendos. "Southside" brought Howe and Wakeman into a blinding "see if you can match or top this" solo duel. They finally just grinned at each other and let the singer come back to the mike. With such a high voltage start, you might think that an "acoustic" set would break the intensity. Far from it. In fact, this is what illustrates the sheer depth of this band's music. With White on a single snare, Wakeman on the grand piano, and Howe and Squire on acoustics, they broke out "Long Distance," "Runaround," and "Wondrous Stories." The crowd went absolutely beserk.

Many artists get tired of playing their hits the way you heard them on the radio over and over. When Anderson said

RELAYER

ALL YOU PEOPLE CAN WRITE THE MOST POSITIVE REVIEWS ON THIS WEB SITE, YESNET OR ANY OTHER PLACE YOU WANT. ALL I KNOW IS THIS ISN'T YES. IT'S 5 OLD GUYS NAMED ANDERSON, HOWE, SQUIRE, WAKEMAN,& WHITE TRYING TO PLAY YES MUSIC. FORGET ABOUT BOOTLEGS. ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS LISTEN TO YESSONGS TO SEE THIS ISN'T YES. I KNOW THEY CAN'T PLAY LIKE THAT ANYMORE, BUT THIS IS RIDICULAS. ALL GOOD PEOPLE HAD NOTHING. IT USE TO REALLY ROCK!!!!!!!!! CLOSE YOUR EYE AT THIS SHOW AND YOU'D THINK IT WAS IMPOSTERS UP THERE TRYING TO PLAY GOING FOR THE ONE. 1977 VERSIONS ARE RIP ROARING SICKNESS. THIS IS A BLAND HOLLOW YES. THESE VERSIONS ARE THE WORST YES HAS EVER DONE. I'VE SEEN THEM 45 TIMES IN 21 PLACES SO NOONE IS GONNA TELL ME NOTHING. OLD FARTS ON STAGE, OLD FARTS IN THE CROWD. THEY THINK THEY SAW A YES CONCERT, BUT WHAT THEY SAW WERE 5 GUYS THAT ARE SOOOOOOOO TIRED OF PLAYING THESE SONGS IT'S AMAZING THEY CAN GET THROUGH A SHOW WITHOUT STOPPING. YES WAS IN THEIR SOULS, SPRIT, & FABRIC. THEY WERE YES. WERE BEING THE OPERATIVE WORD. THE FIREBIRD SUITE WAS SOOOOO LOW, & AT THE SHOW I SAW AT PNC IN NEW JERSEY THE CHURPING BIRDS BEFORE CLOSE TO THE EDGE. WHAT CHURPING BIRDS, IT WAS SOOO LOW IT WAS EMBARRASSING. ANY FINALLY HOLY COW. I WATCHED THE INTRO TO CLOSE TO THE EDGE FROM QUEENS PARK 1975 AND THEN WATCH THEM NOW. IT LIKE COMPARING A SUPER SONIC ROCKET (1975) TO A BROKEN DOWN RACE HORSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Alexander Jones

My 3rd Yes concert.

A lengthy drive up from Albany NY, starting at 3:13 pm for a 7 pm curtain. Heading into the mountains on 87 the sky turns grey and I realize I'm severely underdressed in shorts & a T-shirt. Keep blasting my Yesmix, which I haven't used in years, to get a vibe going.

I'm into uncharted personal territory here, only having visited Brattleboro and Bennington in my neighbor state previously. The somewhat circuitous route I'd hastily chosen leads to a toll ferry...something else I'd read about but never experienced! A little nerve-wracking (I'm not comfortable anywhere but land) and long, 20 min. +, but I make the opposite shore.

Arrive in perfect time, about 20 of. The show took place in the context of a state fair, which was pretty exciting if a bit Spinal Tap-ish (yup, they were near the bottom of the marquee and I believe the previous night's entertainment was ZZ Top. The big attraction had been Travis Tritt (?), I believe, and the stage was in the area usually reserved for tractor pulls, which probably draw only a few less punters.) Well, the guys don't seem to mind, nor do I care where I go to see my favorite band! Ignoring the many burger and fried dough stands (I hadn't eaten) I made a beeline for the box office.

Kudos to the fellow who sold me my ticket (an undisclosed lower price, closer to the band than I'd ever been.) He'd taken a few too many hits of something early in life, but I wish I got his name...he left before the encore, like most such guys do. So, if you're out there (and I can still smell you anyway) thanks!

Attendance was predictably sparse; the looming grandstand was empty around the top and edges, and only the central section down on the dirt was full (to capacity therein, nonetheless.) Flimsy folding chairs were set up on the dirt in onerously close rows, just begging to be kicked over. Left me longing for Middletown NY in 1989, where I'd stood throughout. After pre-gig niceties I took my place between Mr. Too Many Hits and a youngish child who seemed to be missing only a Game Boy.

The set actually looks BETTER than any of these pictures indicate. The primary crab-nebula inflatable was motorized, which I had forgotten, although it never extended to full enclosure around Jon which photos from the 1st leg indicate. The bulkiest of the inflatables, behind Steve's rig, had suffered from the rigors of travel and needed a paint job, but nothing else looked particularly tatty. Come Firebird, everyone stood...only to sit down again as soon as the playing began, en masse. I don't get that, but I guess it's county fair etiquette? basically, stand to applaud & for the announcements...oh well, I'm a tall guy so nothing would have bugged me either way.

Squire and Wakeman looked better than I'd seen them in years. Possibly because he'd shaved for his most recent Yes campaign, Rick appeared healthy and customarily relaxed. He was, in addistion, the most heavily amped throughout beyond Alan, blowing away Steve for the 1st two numbers, but I was prepared for this from reviews and tapes of the 1st leg, and in fact the mix was quite good throughout. Squire looked thinner (really) with long hair and a sort of Victorian "Dr. Who," outfit, notable also for his trademark enormous hands.

I was off to the left center, so got a pretty full dose of the stack for that side, and it was the clearest sound at a Yesshow so far for me. Not the most brilliant outdoor mix ever or anything (that would be U2 Zoo TV in 1992) but eminently serviceable, and unlike Masterworks 2000, LOUD...not Metallica loud, but not the Ladder tour either. (Wish I'd seen that...)

As the Fender Steel was wheeled out on its gurney, I became excited; the setlist would be traditional for the tour, instead of leading off with CTTE. The absence of Dream Theater, as noted on YesWorld, had built up some hidden expectations that they might return to a longer setli

Matt Jarvis

Very nice show and beautiful stage colors. Jon Anderson's voice was in top form. The only disapointment for me was that they left out Starship Trooper which they had been playing in some previous shows. I thought they would encore with Starship. All and all it was a magical night with these master musicians. It took them 35 years to reach Vermont. I hope they make the trip again soon....

Bruno Lussier

Second time I see Yes on this tour... but no pictures this time...

No words.. it was perfect. The guys were in shape.. and the music is still alive.. Thank you.


here's the setlist :

Firebird Suite
Going For The One
Sweet Dreams
I've Seen All Good People
America
South Side Of The Sky
- acoustic set -
Clap
Long Distance Runaround
Wonderous Stories
Roundabout
Owner Of A Lonely Heart
- end of acoustic set -
Yours Is No Disgrace
And You And I
Awaken

encore :
Every Little Thing