Paul Rijkens - iO Pages

Tuesday, May 21, 2024 3:49 PM

[GOOGLE TRANSLATE from original Dutch to English]:

YES

Musis Sacrum, Arnhem
May 17, 2024

There is a Facebook page with the telling title Yes Is Yes No Matter The Lineup. That's exactly how I feel about it too. Of course the period 1971-1979 is also my favorite (although the time with Trevor Rabin may also be there) and I understand the discussion about the legitimization of the current Yes, which no longer has an original band member, but for me it is important that this fantastic music is still being performed, and not by tribute bands but as much as possible by band members or ex-band members (Jon Anderson & The Band Geeks are also doing a great job). Steve Howe lived through that era, and Geoff Downes plus Billy Sherwood also have a long history with the band.

The formation visited Arnhem under the term The Classic Tales Of Yes Tour. Unfortunately, Relayer was not played, which was originally the plan, back then during corona times. After postponement comes adjustment, because now a kind of medley of Tales From Topographic Oceans was heard in which the four parts of that record came together.

Yes did justice to the music, although I missed the legendary Minimoog solo in The Revealing Science Of God. Perhaps Downes skipped it out of self-protection, because Rick Wakeman could play the solo better. Furthermore, there were no epics and they stuck to relatively short songs such as Machine Messiah, It Will Be A Good Day, I've Seen All Good People, Going For The One, Time And A Word, Don't Kill The Whale, Turn Of The Century and Cut From The Stars. Southside Of The Sky was again accompanied by a duet by Howe on guitar and Downes on synthesizer. Howe was in good form, which he proved with an excellent performance of America, which this time featured no singing. He is clearly the leader and conductor of the band these days.

Yes ended with Roundabout and Starship Trooper. Songs from the period with Trevor Rabin were not played. I experienced this as one of the best Yes concerts of the last twenty years. Drummer Jay Schellen is clearly feeling more and more comfortable. Funny that fans with young children also came. "We love the music," they said. I think that's a good sign: the band is rejuvenating, and so are its fans.



Text: Paul Rijkens
Photos: Menno von Brucken Fock