Mike Joyce - Washington Post

Saturday, April 20, 2024 4:18 PM

Mike Joyce
Washington Post
August 7, 1989

No one ever accused Yes of traveling light. So when four former members of the British band-vocalist Jon Anderson, guitarist Steve Howe, keyboardist Rick Wakeman and drummer Bill Bruford, along with three other musicians-turned up at Merriweather Post Pavilion Saturday night, it came as no surprise to find enough equipment on stage to outfit several groups.

Still, the concert did begin with a light touch. Making his entrance from the lawn, Anderson strolled and crooned his way through the crowd before Howe and Wakeman took solo turns of their own. Playing both ragtimey and flamenco-tinged pieces on steel- and nylon-string guitars, Howe was particularly impressive. Later on, his jazz- and blues-flavored solos would help relieve Wakeman's art-rock proclivities, the reverberating sound of Bruford's electronic drum kit and the sameness of Anderson's choirboy tenor.

Not that the crowd found any of this objectionable. Songs from the quartet's new album, from the rhythmically engaging "Long Lost Brother of Mine" to the saccharine ballad "The Meeting," were all greeted with rapturous applause, though the loudest ovations were reserved for largely faithful and often rousing versions of Yes tunes, including "All Good People" and "Roundabout."

Scott Eden

I had a really good seat. Merriweather is an open pavillion. I remember Anderson got to the stage by way of the isle where I was sitting. I was suprised that Howe was not playing the guitar for the "Owner" opening. Bill and Tony's jam session was great. The entire band was hot; I really wish I had seen them during their prime. Howe is an absolutely amazing guitarist. The only dissappointment (major dissappointment) of the show was that Howe's guitar was mixed really low. As he's my favorite member, it really sucked.