Mathew Spivack

I'm 18 and Yes is one of my favorite bands (seconed only to Jethro Tull) and I had been trying to see them for the past year or so, and every time the show had been cancled. Of course I was exstatic when I learned I would get another chance. My tenacity paid off as this show was easily as good as the Tull 40th Aniversary show I saw at Red Rocks. This was my first Yes show and despite the lack of Jon I was very, Very pleased. I'd always been a fan of Chris Squire's bass work, but after seeing it live I started playing bass more seriously. I learned "Your Move/All Good People" within the week. The only downside to the show was the exclusion of "Close to the Edge" from the set. Otherwise a fantastic concert and tied for my favorite thus far. I hope to see many more.

David B

I am admittedly a Yes fan boy. So you will rarely hear me say anything negative about a show. My heroes are looking pretty old these days. And the pace of some of the songs was noticeably slower. I could have done without Roundabout and Owner. Having said that, I was very impressed with Benoit filling in for arguably the biggest shoes to fill for a rock singer. He sang with passion and simply nailed the parts that he needed to. The Drama tunes blew me away. I listened to them earlier in the day in anticipation and really wondered how they were going to pull those off. They did it. If anything they were the more technically well executed songs of the evening. How Squire sings those parts and plays them at the same time is beyond me.

From a different perspective, I treated my kids (13-14) and a few friends to the show. For each it was their first Yes show and they were not really familiar with the material and the effect on them afterwards was profound. Each commented that Howe was their favorite in spite how old he looked and 2 of them admitted they didn’t get what Yes was about previously and after seeing them perform live they have a whole new appreciation for the “art of music” and asked to borrow my Yes CD collection. So there you go, while we who have known them over the years can critically dissect their performance… others were simply blown away and are new fans. In all a very fun evening.

Jim & Lori & Kyle

Well, between tickets and t-shirts and beer, this was a $300 plus evening for my family. This was my 12th Yesshow (this was my wife's 5th and my son's 2nd), and while it wasn't the best ever show I've seen (that's the Union tour), this was an extremely entertaining program.

For me, the Drama songs and Astral Traveller were the whole point of attending. Asia was pretty good - I like the 1st album, and it was fun to see them play their short set - but, we were there for Yes, and they delivered. All three of us really enjoyed Benoit and Oliver - they both bring something different than their predecessors, but, it's easy to see them both as long term members. If anything, the Yes set was too short - I understand that Steve Howe isn't Superman, but, anything less than 2 and a half hours doesn't feel like a full Yesshow.

Overall, very enjoyable. I'd like to see Jon in the Captain's chair again, but, if he's gone for good, Benoit is a more than acceptable substitute. Thanks again, guys - how about not making us wait five years again for another visit?!?

Roger E

I was really skeptical about the new lead vocalist for Yes. I own every commercially available approved by the band Compact Disc in my music collection. I have seen Yes in its various forms beginning with the 90125 tour. Benoit David was Superb. You could not really tell the difference between Benoit David or Jon Anderson. I would like to see this current line up record a new album under the band name Yes without Jon Anderson. Benoit David had vibrancy and passion throughout his performance. A few more songs could have been added such as Yours Is No Disgrace and Changes just to name a few. Overall the show was Superb. Worth the money in my case $75.00. A wonderful trip down memory lane. That is what the music is all about. Memories of our youth.

Robert Rudman

Pre-text...I have been a yes fan since the tormato tour and seen them every tour since

The show at the paramount was exceptional and what I would expect out of yes regardless of the member line up

I was worried about all the nay-sayers reviews but that quickly went away from the opening of siberian khatru through out

Not being an asia fan I was happy to see that they performed well but I have never been inspired with their music, wettons voice was great and carl palmer was exceptional in regards to his drum solo

Yes blew the show wide open, benoit was great,and like many I would love to see Jon back and hope the band remains true to their roots..

But honestly folks, if you have the opportunity do not miss it! I saw the band on the first leg of their tour in asbury park new jersey and thought it was good, but they are definitely gelling and tempus fughit and especially machine messiah were awesome...

I found myslef many times throughout the evening saying that was worth the price of admision after every great song they did

Awesome, but would definitely rather see 3 hours of yes!! maybe next tour with Jon

your_host

review by Michael Behrenhausen and photos by Mark Osler at the Denver Post blog :

[Link]

Paul G.

Long time Yes fan here. Haven't missed a tour since Relayer; I've seen this band so many times I've lost count and have enjoyed each and everty tour. Weakest tour IMO was Talk but that's a whole other story.

I was as open-minded as ever going into this show. I absolutely loved Drama w/o Jon & Rick and who can say anything in regards to the killer ABWH? So I was up for this with 3 key players and the son of another...

Benoit did a fine job. He's no Jon Anderson for sure and given his young age, he didn't seem to quite "fit" as it was, but his vocals were adequate and his stage antics were amusing. He definitely gave his whole self into the music and songs and for that he earns an A+.

As previously mentioned, Oliver neither knocked my sox off or hurt the band in any way. He stayed to the studio recorded notes which was fine by me; certainly does resemble his Father something fierce... throw a few wrinkles and a cape there and it's the old man.

All in all an enjoyable evening but I fear Yes is near the end. Personally [again IMO] Jon would have added more to an already aging band and enhanced this show. I absolutely loved hearing Astral Traveler and the Drama material. AYAI was performed very nicely as was the all-time classic Starship Trooper.

Bottom line. No issues. The tour was fun and having Asia open actually made it worth it. Hearing the Crimson tune alone did it for me and HOTM definitely took me back to the 80's. In fact, VKTRS was a lot of fun and you clearly see Downes was enjoying himself. I actually said hello to him in the lobby during the intermission where he was ordering drinks. Who knows why he was really there, maybe they didn't have his usual backstage, but I suspect not.

Peace to all Yes fans. Giant kudos to the ever energetic Howe. The guy knocks me out every time. I hope he tours solo in "his years".

The strength regains us in between our time.
The strength regains us in between our time.

Jim Rollner

This was the 12th time I've seen Yes, and while I certainly missed Jon Anderson, I admit that I was pretty excited to see the 'Drama' songs. In fact, I told my wife that the two 'Drama' songs + 'Astral Traveller' were worth the price of admission for me.

The performance was generally pretty solid, with one somewhat major caveat - Alan White seems to have lost quite a bit in the five year layoff since I last saw him. His fills were half-hearted and/or unimaginative, and he seemed to be struggling just to keep up the already slowed down tempo that he was playing. From where we sat, Alan looked to be playing the bare minimum necessary to get through the songs, which is too bad, as he's always been one of my favorite drummers. I guess age is finally starting to catch up with him.

Benoit David and Oliver Wakeman proved to be fine stand-ins - while I've been happy to have Rick back in the band the last few tours, his enthusiasm seemed to be lacking (especially by '04) and he apparently wouldn't have played the 'Drama' material, so Oliver is a welcome sub. Benoit sounds close enough to Jon without sounding exactly the same, which makes for a fresh approach to the old warhorses. I only heard one or two bad notes in the whole show from him, so that tells me he's getting better with more experience. In fact, the biggest complaint I'd offer about the show was its relative brevity - an hour forty is perfect for most bands, but, when it comes to Yes, I can't help but feel letdown when we don't hear at least one epic, and any Yesshow less than two and a half hours long doesn't really feel like a Yesshow.

But, on the plus side, at least I didn't have to sit through 'Whitefish' again! :)

My wife and son also attended - this was my wife's fifth show and my son's second. My son enjoyed the show immensely - he told me afterward that he thought it was the perfect 'starter' show for someone like him, who isn't intimately familiar with every note the band has ever played. My wife had a similar reaction, so perhaps this tour is best enjoyed by those who either want to hear the 'Drama' material (why don't they do a tour where they play the whole album?) or are content to get the hits.

I certainly enjoyed it, but, I think they're going to need to either write some new material or play some previously unheard stuff to get me excited to go again.

joel gash

awesome show loved it all....8th time with yes and was not dissapointed at all shook steves hand since i was a lucky front row ticket holder

John Seetch

Asia Setlist:

Wildest Dreams
Only Time Will Tell
An Extraordinary Life
Video Killed The Radio Star
In The Court Of The Crimson King
The Smile Has Left Your Eyes
Don't Cry
Fanfare For The Common Man
Sole Survivor
Heat Of The Moment