Aad de Groot

After the concert in Heerhugowaard (Holland) on 14 November, now i see the concert in Düsseldorf on Tuesday evening 8 December.
That not frequently happens, that i turn 2 to the same action go. But for this type of music, I have that as a fan of these progrockgroep, who it already 40 years perform, purely traditional music in their contemporary rockmusic to incorporate gladly.
It is also a challenge to this type of music, instrumental and vocal themes are very complex and intertwined and, therefore, is difficult to play, on its-pure manner bring.

The songs to play was the same as previous month in Heerhugowaard but for the difficult and complicated music of Yes makes that not. That is just like real classic music like at Bach, Stravinsky or Orff; that continues find you beautiful. In Philips music hall in Düsseldorf music came carry out much improves to its right (better acoustics) than the “gymnasticshall” (very bad acoustics) in Heerhugowaard. The players of the band played their music much better.

Unfortunately, it was regrettable that singer Jon Anderson because of (long-term) disease was not there. However, it was his role in a reasonable manner by the Canadian singer from Montreal, Benoit David.
In an almost full hall, we were able to enjoy free, therefore, how Steve Howe, Alan White, Chris Squire, Olivier Wakeman, Ohio (son of Rick Wakeman) and Benoit David their musical inspirations. The first number began as usual at the concerts is usually of Yes with the overture of the final leg of the "Firebird Suite" followed by “Siberian Khatru"
The Firebird Suite is written by the classical composer, Igor Stravinsky. The third number "I've Seen All Good people” came from their LP “The Yes Album" from 1971, which was the ultimate breakthrough for Yes as musical groups with world-class companies. After the firm “Tempus Fugit”, time for calm and sensitive “Onward".
The baroque-style “Astral Traveller”; a number of 1970 of the LP "Time and A Word” would be just as well played by a Symphony Orchestra.
Admittedly, if the number is a time belongs, with the same ease as hard rock, but that is certainly not. The music of Yes, even like classical music, do not lead to the after one or two times listening to find all wonderful.
After the quiet “And You and I”, with fine synthesizer-effects processing “Yours is no disgrace” of "the Yes Album".
Then Steve Howe, solo, (the master of the guitar. from classical to rock) with the acoustic guitar songs, lute "Surface Tension" / "Laughing With Larry” was impressive.
“Owner of a Lonely Heart”, a single number heart, from 1983 must be an anyone familiar sound.
Then the strong “South Side of the sky”, a number of the LP "Fragile" and then “Machine Messiah”; a number from 1979 of the LP Drama.
The bass party of Chris in “Heart or a Sunrise”, we should not only be seen. That bass guitar, you must also physically and enjoy! That "experience" the same is true for the other Yes-members, each with its own input.
After "Roundabout", in 1972, was a hit, as the borrower playing the number "Starship Trooper".

All in all I could see again on 2.5 an hour lasting concert, which I had not gladly missed.

Jens

So it was, after 5 years of waiting, my 8th or 9th concert.
And i was really impressed, how intense the sound of the band
was. I was impressed, that Steve Howes Guitar soundet a lot
more distorted than the last concerts, which gave the music
a more rockier style then the last concerts, i had the honor
to listen to. The last times i think his sound was a bit cleaner.
Oliver Wakeman fitted in nicely, and made a good job. He played
sounds, which covered the sound of the band, and he gave the
whole music a taste of symphonic sound. I liked it very much.
Benoit found his way into the set after a rough start, and
it was refreshing, seeing him celebrating Yes - music. Chris
Squire was pure fun, seeing him perform, and great listening
to his unice style of bass playing. Leaving me with Alan White
who did a fundamental job as the evenings rythm maker. And now
a little comment for those, who miss Jon and Rick - i think if
we are honest to ourself, the concert couldn´t have been better
with the classic line up. I agree with Rick, that YES needs to have a proper end, which fits to the status of the musicians and the music, they created, but plaing with tis vitality last night, perhaps it would be nice, if they perform and make music a little time longer.

Lou Lap

Great show!! I saw them also in Antwerp this tour so this time it was possible for me to see and hear the details more. The first two songs Benoit had to warm up his voice and after that he did a very good job, he sure has great dance and energy on stage. Chris was definitely the working horse and leader, what a fantastic bass player. In the end we stood at the stage and Chris gave us a one man show making it possible to shoot little videos and pictures, he was looking more times "into the lens", thank you all musicians and music of my life !!!!

Rainer

Having seen YES live for the first time in 1977 in the same location (and in lots of others since), this was a homecoming of sorts, but with two new family members. To replace Jon is a tough task, but Benoit, having lost his nervousness after the first couple of songs, did a very good job and seemed to have fun. Oliver on keys also did very good, you could always hear the Wakeman in his playing. Long may he continue, but he was mixed a bit weak in the overall sound. The 3 old guys did a tremendous job, I expected no less. Lots of surprises in the set list, and they should have played the whole of DRAMA, its one of my favourites. The sound in the hall got better during the concert, but the attending crowd was a just too lame. I mean: seats at a rock concert? Bring your caskets next time! Starting the encore, Chris made some remarks about "keep standing", and rightfully so. Overall: 8 out of 10 for this one, guys. Keep it up !

John Morrell

I took me at least 3 songs to start accepting this incarnation of Yes as Yes. On Siberian Khatru there was a palpable tension in the air as to how good David was going to be, and he was nervous, very understandable, he doesn´t have the seasoned experience of large,continental tours behind him yet,and what it takes to pace oneself for them. It took a couple of songs for him to relax vocally - But he was having a great time. He´s living the dream. My hats of to him; there are very few people on the planet who could, or would step into J Anderson´s place in Yes, and it requires tremendous courage and balls ( regardless of how high you have to sing )to take on that job,, and he gave us a sovereign performance. When he gets beyond his nerves, can pace himself, and finds his ´own´ voice, every song will shine. The difference between Onward and HOTS last night and recordings from the USA leg of the tour were marked. His voice is superb on these songs now.
Steve Howe was very much the musical director of the band, and a couple of times had to cue and slow down other members who were rushing. ie ISAGP. His guitar work has reached another level to where every solo is a little ( or large ) conversation with the audience. He has the continued knack of engaging people anew with twists and turns of phrasing in the ways a true master will challenge someone, not just to stay on their level, but to go beyond the ´known´into uncharted territory. His solo´s were stunningly crafted and free enough to have any musical mind smiling and laughing in delight. And, he does all this on a guitar that has practically no distortion. When he plays, he speaks clearly and directly.
Chris Squire is one of the Seven Wonders of the Bass world. Vocals were spot on, and he loves what he´s doing. He grooves so tight with Alan, that both can fly from Machine Messiah explosions to the whimsical arpeggios of Onward seamlessly. But I do have one complaint - having sub woofers for the Moog pedals facing the audience onstage, and his Bass rig, drowned out large portions of songs, and was , simply put, way too loud for the mix.
Alan has probably the hardest job of all, and paced himself very well throughout the show. But, he did look the tiredest of all at the end, and talking with him after the show he told me he had run out of steam a bit until he got a his second wind mid show.
Oliver was to quiet in the mix but handled all the parts well.
SSOTS was a moment for him to cut loose and it was a joy to see how two generations played this song. My real preference for the tour would have been Tom Brislin. He was a whizz and a great showman.
The setlist you all know already, SH two solo pieces were Vivaldi´s " winter " and " intersection blues " both played on his Line 6 Variax 700 ( he used lots of Line 6 gear ie´the foot controller, and amp up front and who knows what in the background )
After the show all the band took time for a chat and photos etc with the small band of die-hards who braved the cold, in hope of a moment with their heroes. Everyone except David came out and signed autographs and took photos ( he was " too tired " ) Understandable.
All in all a superb Yes show with the ´Grand Masters´ in full glory.
There will come a time when such experiences as tonight will no longer be.
I am truly grateful to have witnessed and been a part of the Yes adventure since the first album to last night.
john

ps: I met some great people last nigh , so a big hello to Daniel from Brazil, Mr Goullie ( ? ) who won the guitar on bfbs, and all he guys from YES FOCUS holland, it was a pleasure...

Juergen

Yes! It was an impressive show and I got much more than expected. Because the band decided not to play long pieces as usual, it gave space for e.g. "Astral Traveller" and some Drama stuff (frankly, not my favorites). I agree with most of the writers, that oliver did a quite uninspired job. It's ok to do his own style, but I missed very much the bombastic keyboard fundament in "And You And I". Benoit has a wonderful voice but had some technical difficulties at the beginning of the performance. His clear voice should have been given more volume, but it was overlaid by Chris' brutal bass sound (yes I know, that is Yes...). I was quite surprised by the reduced tempo of "Siberian Khatru" and "I've seen All Good People". I liked that very much, because it took back some of the hasty nature and gave the music more accuracy and deeper expression. Chris and Steve did a brilliant job and especially Steve facinated the audience with his unbelievable guitar play, always a superb pleasure to watch and listen.

I don't know, how long this old men will do future tours. But I'm sure, whenever they will perform it's worth to visit.

Thank You for this wonderful evening!

Manuel

Well, this was an excellent show. Too bad not more people were there to see YES. In my opinion better a Benoit in good shape than Jon in bad. Benoit was doing a good gig. Steve was really brilliant. Unbelievable a man honestly showing his age on stage can (still) play the guitar that way. And Chris also did a very good concert. Oliver is improving and I´m curious to hear more of him with YES in future. Alan also was in a good mood and really seemd to have fun. All in all: worth to see. YES always was a band with changing lineup, so why worry about what (and who) was. Hoping for more! Looking forward to seeing and hearing more of that lineup with new material. Well done, YES and crew.