24 years, 4 months and 25 days ago Tuesday, June 27, 2000 Albuquerque, New Mexico Mesa Del Sol Amphitheatre 8,400 capacity
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John Horn My son and I just returned to Colorado after enjoying the "Chris Squire Bass Guitar Solo Concert with Band Accompaniment." It was glorious. Jon's voice is wonderful. Steve is often thrilling, often sloppy (sorry folks, that's just the way it is). He is so NOT into the non-guitar aspects of performance, that he resembles a UPS delivery man who has wondered on stage and is forced to play in public for the first time. He looks terrified, or bored, or even deeply unhappy. He barely opens his mouth during vocals. Of course, I'm an idiot fan in the 28th row so I know a lot less about what's going on there than many of you, and much less about it than the band. But Howe seems disconnected, sometimes even musically disconnected. White is solid. Very steady. Igor is, as others have said, really having fun. He's playing Patrick and Rick's original lines, and adding his own licks at just the right times. I would question his sounds at times, but during the battle section of "Gates" his sound was wonderful and VERY strong. Big fun! Squire absolutely commands the stage. He is running the show up there. In fact, he was pretty rough with Igor in one spot where Igor apparently missed the start of his keyboard solo near the end of "Starship Trooper." Squire would have never treated Wakeman, or even Moraz in that manner. But the details will have to wait until after a nap. I just returned home after a seven hour drive and, oddly, Yes are playing just 90 minutes north of my home tonight in Denver. Unfortunately, they're playing in a standing room only venue, and my son cannot go since the limit is age 16. So, I'm not going. Jonathan Dexter This was a true show for those of us who love the music of Yes. There was feeling, concentration, and precicion in every note played. No one was going through the motions. Jon sang the wrong opening phrase in Starship, which was kinda funny, and there were a few miscues between Igor Alan and the rest of the group on CTTE and Gates, but they played through them wih seasoned skill. Only those who know the songs well would be able to tell. Squire is playing better than ever. He continues to impress the bass playing masses. Steve was a little lower in the mix than normal, and he was having some guitar tech problems, but his work was stellar with tear jerking emotion. This was the most enjoyable Yesshow I have seen. Do not miss it. Fantastic! The most disappointing distractions of the evening were the fair weather fans, if they can be called fans. Who in there right mind would go to the beer tent during Gates, or talk loudly through every single song. There is much selfishness in our society today, and it shows itself in a total lack of respect for others. If you are not there to watch the show, please stay home, or at least in the beer tent. Kansas was great, but I could of done without the encore songs. Their sound was a bit shrill, but this is more of a PA problem. Both setlists were the same. A great night of music. Thank you Yes for the continued inspiration. |