Andy Greene - Rolling Stone - 2008-12-11

Thursday, January 27, 2022 7:58 PM

[Review by Andy Greene - Rolling Stone - 2008-12-11]

Hammerstein Ballroom, New York November 14th, 2008

YES

When these prog giants announced that they were touring with the lead singer from a Yes tribute band, Yes fans issued a response: "Nooo!" But those willing to see substitute frontman Benoit David heard him expertly mimic the impossibly high-pitched vocals of original singer Jon Anderson, who was sidelined with asthma. The change gave Yes a chance to play material Anderson had long vetoed, like 1980's "Machine Messiah," and old standbys such as "Siberian Khatru" sounded as majestic as ever, with great guitar work by Steve Howe. Meanwhile, a bitter Anderson wrote on his website, "This is not YES." Maybe so, but it's close enough.

buns3000

This was an excellent show. I was 5th row centre despite rocking up without a ticket. They were selling house seats when I got to the counter. Didn't know what to think with them having some new guy on vocals but Benoit was great, I thought. The band looked like they were really having a good time a this show. Have only seen them once before - in 2003 in Australia (the first tour in Australia since... ever?). Great overall mix/sound. Very pumping and loud. Many fans were going wild up the front around me - standing up and doing high fives, playing air guitar, etc. The crowd was really into it. And You And I got the biggest reaction of the night when the whole room stood and cheered for what seemed like ages at the end. Benoit seemed quite moved to get the approval of the fans. He was grinning all night and obviously loving it. Onward was a real treat for me and I think I might've actually teared up a bit in that one. Drama songs rocked also. It was all really tops except for Aliens. I think Aliens was even worse than I'd been led to believe it would be. I hope I never have to hear that song again. Let's be honest - that is not a good song. I would also love them to permanently retire OOALH. It seems wrong to make Steve keep playing that and it doesn't really fit with the set, IMHO. Don't really need to hear that one again. But that is just me. Oliver lacked his dad's flashiness but was perfectly up to it.
Overall, I really enjoyed this show - even more than I'd thought I would. If you are in two minds about going, I say definitely go. I think you have to take your chances to see these guys at this stage in any case... but they still got it.

STEVE FROM THE BRONX

SORRY SOUNSHASER. YOU GOT ME THAT TIME WITH ONWARD.FORGIVE ME FOR BL
ASTING YOUR REVIEWS.I WAS THERE IN 1077 AND 1978 SHOWS. I FORGET.PEACE OUT

Anon

The 'Unknown Howe Solo' was 'In the Course of the Day': [Link]

Soundchaser

STEVE FROM THE BRONX: YOU SAY THEY HAVEN'T PLAYED ONWARD IN 30 YEARS. THAT'S NOT CORRECT. THE ONLY TIME THEY PLAY ONWARD IN CONCERT WAS IN 1996, AT THE SAN LUIS OBISPO SHOWS. THEY NEVER PLAYED IT DURING THE TORMATO TOUR.

Soundchaser

Steve, you are correct. The heavy keyboard section during the I get up, I get Down section of Close to The Edge were very weak. No power. Igor and Tom Brislen were much better.

Steve

I was pleasantly surprised by the show. If you are on the fence about going, I would say it's worth it. I saw Yes 3 times in the late 70's and again on the Drama tour. I also saw the 35th anniversary show. I wouldn't say this was a good as any of those shows but it was close to the Dram tour. Benoit did an excellent job. He isn't Jon Anderson but he is extremely talented and did a great job considering. I do have a few complaints. Oliver Wakeman needs to spend a bit more time recreating the original keyboard sounds. The church organ in the center section of Close to the Edge was pretty lame. There were a few others that were pretty bland too. I also expect these guys to have better sound overall. The tickets aren't cheap and they've been playing long enough to get this right. Drums and bass were weak at times and the separation was what it should have been. I was dead center about 20 rows back so this isn't a venue issue. (I've also seen many other shows that had great sound here).

Soundchaser

STEVE FROM THE BRONX: YOU ARE FUNNY. DO YOU THINK I WOULD MISS THIS SHOW. COME ONNNNNNNNNN!!! I WAS WAS THERE 15TH ROW CENTER. I WAS THE GUY WHO YELLED "FOLLOWWWW" DURING STARSHIP TROOPER, AND "CALLLL" DURING AND YOU AND I. MAYBE YOU HEARD ME. I ALREADY POSTED REVIEWS HERE AS WURM AND THE REMEMBERING. AS I SAID BELOW, IN GENERAL, ON A SCALE OF 1-10 THE SHOW WAS AN 8. COMPARED TO THE 1970's SHOWS IT WAS A 0. STILL THIS WAS A MIRACLE TO SEE. SIBERIAN KHATRU WAS AWSOME. HOWE AND SQUIRE ARE IMMORTALS. A MIRACLE TO SEE PARALLELS, ASTRAL TRAVELER, MACHINE MESSIAH. AND YES STEVE FROM THE BRONX. I DROVE HOME BLASTING AWAKEN FROM 10/28/78 WEMBLEY WHILE I WENT THROUGH THE LINCOLN TUNNEL.

STEVE FROM THE BRONX

A VERY GOOD SHOW INDEED. I WENT WITH MY FRIEND DOMINIC WWO ALSO POSTED A REVIEW. IT WAS WONDERFUL TO SEE YES AGAIN AFTER A FOUR YEAR LAYOFF. THE FISH AND STEVE REALLY WAILED. ONWARD WAS GREAT SINCE THEY HAVE NOT PLAYED THAT IN 30 YEARS. ALSO TO SEE ASTRAL TRAVELER WAS ALSO A TREAT. FIRST TIME SEEING THAT ONE IN 41 SHOWS THAT I HAVE ATTENDED SINCE 1977. MISS YOU JON, BUT BENIOT DID A GREAT FILL IN JOB. MUUH BETTER THAN TREVOR BORE. HA HA. ALIENS WAS A COOL TUNE ALSO.
MACHINE MESSIAH WAS ALSO FINE TO ADD A TOUCH OF DRAMA.HYATS OFF TO YES FOR CARING ABOUT THE FANS FOR TOURING WITHOUT THE ANGEL.GREAT DEAL ALSO. I SCALPED A TICKET FOR 45 BUCKS.ANYONE SEE YOU NEXT TIME,BY THE WAY SOUNCHASER WHERE WERE YOU?.i GUESS AT HOME LISTENING TTO A BOOTLG LIKE USUAL. OR HAVE YOU GINEN UP ON YES LIKE I FIGURD YOU WOULD. SEE YOU NEXT TIME IN ABOUT 1OO,OOO LIGHT YEARS AWAY FROM TTHE SHOW YOU ATTEND. HA HA . PEACE OUT.

Wurm

Ray,
The fish wasn't cut short because of leaving out the Tempust Fugit part that they usually put in. Even without that it was shortened. No big deal, it was great to just see any of it. In general, on a scale of 1-10 the show was an 8. Compared to the 1970's shows it was a 0

Ray Carroll

P.S. I was VERY surprised they did "Owner Of A Lonely Heart" as it's not one of Steve's favorites, but he actually played the little quiet solo guitar bit perfectly for the first time. I always knew he could...he just didn't want to :)

Ray Carroll

OMG!! Now THAT was a yes show!!

It was a show for fans of Yes MUSIC, not fans of individual members. I loved the set list, especially hearing: "Tempus Fugit", "Machine Messiah", "Onward", "Astral Traveller" and "Parallels" after such a long absence. I was so happy I don't think the smile left my face the entire night.

So my question is did Jon really influence the set list THAT MUCH? These are the songs these guys want to play but he nixes? Unbelievable!!

As for the band, Steve was on FIRE!! He always gives a bit extra when playing New York City, but he was so into it and so animated I could hardly believe it!! Squire was amazing as always, and did a great job stepping up to sort of MC. (I've read complaints about the abbreviated version of "The Fish". Well, what do you expect? It usually contains a section of "Tempus Fugit", but it'd be dopey to keep that section in when they're already playing "Tempus Fugit" in its entirety.) Alan, as usual, was fantastic.

Then there were the two newbies. I wasn't worried about Oliver, he has the heritage after all. But I listened to him intently and he did a really great job. I was only a bit disappointed with his playing on "Machine Messiah". I had to chuckle because he came across as so stoic. He stood facing the audience with his hands clasped behind his back. It was quite humorous.

Then there was Benoit David. He was AWESOME!! Yes, he sounds a LOT like Jon, but the good thing was he doesn't mimic Jon's live performances. He sings more like the record yet adds some of his own inflections and touches. He was amazing on "Onward" and they were all spectacular on "Starship Trooper". The only song I wasn't feeling it on from Benoit was "And You And I". Nobody can sing or emote on that song like Jon. But should this line up stay together awhile, he'll obviously become more comfortable singing these songs and will focus on emoting as well as performing.

I'd totally see them again (and I am, next week at Westbury). Except for the 2002-2004 shows with the classic line up, this was one of the BEST yes shows I've seen since 1979!!

MasterofSoul

First of all, thanks to Mike for meeting up with me for the show. And for introducing me to Malcolm, John G., Teresa and all the other from the group. It was an infinitely better show sharing it with you all. The second row is definitely the place to be. I won't be in the back again.

I've been going to shows since 1984 and this rates as a top 3 shows for me for 2 reasons. First of all, Tempus Fugit/Machine Messiah and secondly Benoit. Sadly, both of these reasons relate to the absence of Jon. I would emphasize that it was not the absence of Jon per se, but the decidedly lighter spirit of the group without him -- more buoyant and positive -- particularly STEVE (who actually jumped into the air during AYAI). Change is good and I think this lineup is, as part of the unfolding story of Yes, a positive development -- no matter what comes from it.

Benoit's voice is wonderful. Elastic and vibrant. Controlled. One difference I see between him and Jon is the level of "passion". There is passion in Jon's voice while singing these songs that Benoit doesn't exhibit currently. Perhaps because Benoit didn't write the songs. Beyond this, though, this experience was transcendent.

Another highlight for me was Onward. There's always a dearth of material from Tormato at Yes shows, and this was a treat. Finally, there were very strong renditions of CTTE and AYAI. Classics both and well-performed. These are part of the transporting process that make Yes shows special.

Finally, to Mike and other NY Yesfans -- Hope Asbury was a blast and see you at Westbury!

The Remembering

i've seen yes 48 times in 25 places since 1979. now saying that, i know this is not a forum, but, SLB, MRman214, loook you can say this was a great show. Howe was fantastic, not beyond amazing like in the 1970's, you can say it was an awsome show. You can say, which you didn't, that The solo at the end of Siberian khatru was amazing, though still 1,000,000 light years below the 1970 versions. What you can't say is that it may be the best you've seen Steve and Chris playing together or maybe as good as the 1973 show. no wayyyyyyy!!!! This show on a scale of 1 - 10 was an 8. The 1971-1979 shows were a 1,000,000,000,000. I've seen Chris do solos 100 times better. They cut the Fish Short, and the Gutair in Paralles was not loud enough in the mix. Still it was awsome!! to see. The gutiar Machine Messiah was nice and loud, probably the best of the night. They opened And You and I with the Cresendo, which they haven't done since 1979. Also, this was not the longest show of the tour. They did not do Heart of The Sunrise. The bottom line is that Howe and Squire are the greatest ever!!! From 1971 to infinity.

Christopher Boccalupo

I have to say, I was worried about some cheesy feel with Benoit Davod as he is a Tribute band singer....but it never came.

The band was great.


Seeing them do the tunes they did was very fun. The band seemed to have a renewed spirit , really enjoyed themselves up there.

Weedhopper

This band has always been very underrated and underappreciated by everyone except it's hardcore fans and even we can be critical at times. I have been to nearly every New York City area show since I jumped on board during the 1978 tour after the release of "Tormato" and including the "Drama" tour with Trevor Horn on vocals. Every member of the band has been absent at one time or another for various reasons but I have always managed to enjoy the albums and tours for what they were even though it wasnt always Jon, Steve, Chris, Alan and Rick. Like most fans I was shocked to find out that Jon had fallen ill and of course very concerned about his well-being. Frankly I was a bit surprised to hear that Yes would tour without him but of course I attended and I have to admit that after reading some of the reviews I was'nt really expecting much. I should know better by now. Don't forget that there were several of the greatest musicians in history standing on that stage as there are at every Yes show. I went there to be entertained and I did not leave the slightest bit disappointed with their performance. Make no mistake, these guys can still rock (may I remind you that Steve and Chris are over 60). I felt Benoit filled in admirably. I have never payed as much attention to the drums or keyboards but I felt Alan and Oliver did a sufficient job of keeping the rhythm without overplaying or getting in the way too much although Oliver certainly lacks experience. All in all I was pleasantly surprised. I never felt as if I was watching "Yes karaoke" as one person put it. I think most musicians tend to get up for New York shows but I just did'nt see any of what people are complaining about. I am delighted that these guys are still performing. Having said all that there is no replacing Jon. I wish him a speedy recovery and I hope when he is able he will rejoin the others for at least one final tour and hopefully many more.

mrman214

Last night was wonderful. I saw the original Drama tour way back when. I'm not a big fan of Drama but last night changed my mind a little. Temup Fugit & Machene Massiah were great. The whole night was. There was one big flub in the middle of Long Distance Runaround but stuff happens. David Benoit was great & energetic but I still missed Jon's "magic". He has a very strong voice & sounds a bit like Jon. Good choice guys!

I don't know if it was the room or something new he was trying but, Chris's sound was possbly the best I ever heard from him & he was on! The bass sounded crisp & clear I heard every note. The bass is probably the hardest instrument to make sound good live. It can be muttled at times.

Clost to The Edge is a masterpiece! Parellels sounded great.

I'd still likke to hear more Relayer, Tales & Going for the One.

Looking forward to more in the coming months & years.

ZEN

AS BEING A YESHEAD FOR 31 YRS...YESTERDAY WAS AN AWESOME NIGHT....1ST,ME AND MY BRO GOT UPGRADED TO BETTER SEATS..THE 14TH ROW..THE ATMOSPHERE OF OTHER YESHEADS JUST GETTING TOGETHER WAS LIKE 1 BIG HAPPY FAMILY REUNION. STEVE HOWE AND CHRIS SQUIRE CAN DEFINTELY ROCK ...AND THE NEW KIDS WERE AWESOME AS WELL...ANYWHERE YOU SAT WAS A GOOD SEAT.THE ACOUSTICS WERE PRETTY GOOD AND DEFINTELY LOVED THE STAGE SET UP WITH THE LIGHTS..THE MUSIC OF YES WILL LIVE ON FOREVER...JON GET BETTER REAL SOON..!!!

SLB

i don't care if this is really "yes" or not-- they were spectacular. ive seen every tour since 1973, and this ranks with the best of them. certainly the best setlist they've played in many years-- never expected to hear astral traveller, onward, tempus fugit and machine messiah, the entire close to the edge album, a new song, a new solo rag from steve, old faves (long distance/the fish, your move, roundabout). the set closing starship trooper featured the most amazing interplay between howe and squire i've ever heard. benoit david is a subtly great frontman, and managed to erase all thoughts of jon anderson (unbelievably) for me after the first number. yes, he sounds a lot like jon, but his persona is more energetic, likeable and he does do some different things with the phrasing; he's more than an imitator, and, after all, it would be weird to hear this music with a singer who didn't sound like jon. oliver wakeman changed most of the keyboard parts, and again, one would rather have his dad in the seat, but the kid can play and it's nice to see a new generation. obviously the band knew they had something to prove, and proved it last night-- no skimping on stage set, sound, lights, and the longest set yet on the tour (about 2 1/2 hours). they remain imho, one of the best live bands in rock history, and to see them in such a small venue was an amazing privilege. "in the present" is the perfect name for the tour-- that's where i was last night!

dominic del vecchio

me and dirt had the time of our lives (both from the bronx, says the sound chaser sitting next to me)
2nd row dead center (though dirt being the knucklehead that he is stayed in his seat way back in the orch.until i went back and grabbed him to come up with me to the 2nd row.) mood for a day, from right in front of steven howe was UNBELIEVABLE....got the pix, from the camera, (I gotta nikon camera...love to take a photograph)
{paul simon of course,after dylan,is the greatest songwriter in this hemisphere, then comes neil young and bruce springsteen}

rambling on......according to dirt, shouldn't ramble on, like the zepplin song {mi chimo uno chichiarone, according to the 'torn tongue', the dialect of gallo matese, a town an hour's walk south of naples, but now I digress...

all you girls, call me anytime, and get the real deal LIVE at
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