Adam

Wednesday, November 15, 2017 1:00 AM

When it was announced that ARW would be coming to play Kansas City,I was delighted.I had missed them in St Louis,the previous tour,since I was without the transportation and sadly,I know no other Yes fans.
Though I had seen Yes three times previously,I had never seen them with Wakeman.The Union Tour came within 250 or so miles from me back in '91,but I did not even know this until many years later.
So,since I had missed seeing Jon,Rick and Trevor twice already,i told myself that there was no way I was going to miss this one!
The Kauffman Center is a very nice venue and usually does not get rock concerts.I think Ian Anderson played there a few years back.
I was glad that there was no opening act.
I had purposely avoided reading any reviews of any ARW shows,since I did not want to know the set list.
I thought they did quite a nice job of mixing classic Yes with "Yes West"material.I never thought I would hear these guys play Lift Me Up again.I was even more surprised when they did I Am Waiting.So much so,that I told the woman sitting next to me,"I never thought I'd hear this one again!"Meaning,I never thought it would be included in a Yes set list again.I could have done with out this one and would have preferred Final Eyes,City of Love,It Can Happen,or..well..
During OALH,both Trevor and Rick came out in to the audience,Trevor on one side with his guitar and Rick on the other side with his "keytar".
Jon sounded great!It was obvious that all five guys were enjoying themselves.
I think the highlight of the show was Awaken.While never a favorite of mine,this was just magic.It seemed like they even added more to it than the studio version.With the lights,Ricks soloing and Jon on harp,it was almost a religious experience.
Certainly one of the best shows I have ever seen.
Yes have performed in Kansas and Missouri many times before,but if I am correct,this was actually the first time that Jon and Trevor had been in Kansas City Missouri since the 90125 tour,way back in 1984.I think the last time Rick Wakeman was here,was when Yes played Kemper Arena or maybe it was Municipal Auditorium,in 1978,maybe 1979.But,I was just a little kid than and I think the only rock acts I knew were Alice Cooper and Kiss.