Comments on: Yes – In the Present – Tour Dates http://www.retroblog.net/2008/09/29/yes-in-the-present-tour-dates/ I'm living in the past... Thu, 04 Mar 2010 17:26:17 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: John Sposato http://www.retroblog.net/2008/09/29/yes-in-the-present-tour-dates/comment-page-1/#comment-3128 John Sposato Sat, 16 Jan 2010 03:12:32 +0000 http://www.retroblog.net/?p=663#comment-3128 I'm trying to find a recording of the show I saw on 11/23/08. It is impossible. I'm going on the current leg on 2/2 in Poughkeepsie, NY. Hope somebody tapes that. I’m trying to find a recording of the show I saw on 11/23/08. It is impossible.
I’m going on the current leg on 2/2 in Poughkeepsie, NY. Hope somebody tapes that.

]]> By: Yes - In the Present tour dates canceled - Chris Squire | retroBlog http://www.retroblog.net/2008/09/29/yes-in-the-present-tour-dates/comment-page-1/#comment-638 Yes - In the Present tour dates canceled - Chris Squire | retroBlog Wed, 18 Feb 2009 14:15:37 +0000 http://www.retroblog.net/?p=663#comment-638 [...] news for west coast Yes fans looking forward to seeing the In the Present shows in February. Chris Squire apparently had a blood clot in his leg and had to go into surgery [...] [...] news for west coast Yes fans looking forward to seeing the In the Present shows in February. Chris Squire apparently had a blood clot in his leg and had to go into surgery [...]

]]> By: Paul http://www.retroblog.net/2008/09/29/yes-in-the-present-tour-dates/comment-page-1/#comment-635 Paul Sun, 21 Dec 2008 07:49:17 +0000 http://www.retroblog.net/?p=663#comment-635 I saw Yes in Atlanta on December 7th and loved it. Matter of fact, I loved it so much, I saw them in Hollywood, FL on the 17th. I've never done that before and I've been a fan of this group since 1975. I think I've seen them over 10 times since 1979. Benoit did a great job and he seemed like he was having fun. I think its true what someone said that Benoit and Oliver re-energized the band on this tour. Benoit seems to be channeling Jon Anderson. Its kind of weird. He really nailed it on CTTE at the end when he sings "Now that you find now that you're WHOLE!" The song selection was great. I got to hear songs that I've never heard them play live before like the Drama stuff and songs like Astral Traveller. They start the 2nd leg of their tour in February. I'm seriously considering going to another show. I just can't let go of this band! I saw Yes in Atlanta on December 7th and loved it. Matter of fact, I loved it so much, I saw them in Hollywood, FL on the 17th. I’ve never done that before and I’ve been a fan of this group since 1975. I think I’ve seen them over 10 times since 1979. Benoit did a great job and he seemed like he was having fun. I think its true what someone said that Benoit and Oliver re-energized the band on this tour. Benoit seems to be channeling Jon Anderson. Its kind of weird. He really nailed it on CTTE at the end when he sings “Now that you find now that you’re WHOLE!” The song selection was great. I got to hear songs that I’ve never heard them play live before like the Drama stuff and songs like Astral Traveller. They start the 2nd leg of their tour in February. I’m seriously considering going to another show. I just can’t let go of this band!

]]> By: Smedley Valet http://www.retroblog.net/2008/09/29/yes-in-the-present-tour-dates/comment-page-1/#comment-637 Smedley Valet Tue, 09 Dec 2008 15:53:49 +0000 http://www.retroblog.net/?p=663#comment-637 They played Owner of a Lonely Heart in Atlanta. The show was intimate and kickin'. Squire and Howe are the bomb! They also played "Astral traveler". Never heard that one live. They played Owner of a Lonely Heart in Atlanta. The show was intimate and kickin’. Squire and Howe are the bomb!

They also played “Astral traveler”. Never heard that one live.

]]> By: Marc http://www.retroblog.net/2008/09/29/yes-in-the-present-tour-dates/comment-page-1/#comment-636 Marc Sat, 06 Dec 2008 13:33:33 +0000 http://www.retroblog.net/?p=663#comment-636 I have seen this band on tour 3 times. Tales from Topographic Oceans, Relayer and Tormato. Relayer for me anyway has proven to be their best disk at least when translated to a live performance. When they have a line-up that showcases Steve Howe they are without a doubt the best on stage prog band. From this tour I have only seen the youtube videos and with some of them the quality isn't half bad. The "new" singer does a couple of things well. He sings the stuff from Fragile and Close to the Edge like it was 1972 all over again. No small feat. He also has made Siberian Khatru sound more dramatic than it ever has in previous performances and you can see the other players get a serious energy boost from this. They are not a recording act anymore so anything that improves performance is fabulous. That said only Jon Anderson can sing the signature And You and I but with everything else Benoit sounds great. What gives with the Drama songs? I always thought they sounded tinny and pop-y. Benoit absolutely saves them from what Trevor Horn originally did to them. At least they now sound like Yes songs despite the fact that Drama is their weakest stuff. Great music. Whoever get up there and do it justice should be listened to. I have seen this band on tour 3 times. Tales from Topographic Oceans, Relayer and Tormato. Relayer for me anyway has proven to be their best disk at least when translated to a live performance. When they have a line-up that showcases Steve Howe they are without a doubt the best on stage prog band. From this tour I have only seen the youtube videos and with some of them the quality isn’t half bad. The “new” singer does a couple of things well. He sings the stuff from Fragile and Close to the Edge like it was 1972 all over again. No small feat. He also has made Siberian Khatru sound more dramatic than it ever has in previous performances and you can see the other players get a serious energy boost from this. They are not a recording act anymore so anything that improves performance is fabulous. That said only Jon Anderson can sing the signature And You and I but with everything else Benoit sounds great. What gives with the Drama songs? I always thought they sounded tinny and pop-y. Benoit absolutely saves them from what Trevor Horn originally did to them. At least they now sound like Yes songs despite the fact that Drama is their weakest stuff.

Great music. Whoever get up there and do it justice should be listened to.

]]> By: Patrick Lattanzio http://www.retroblog.net/2008/09/29/yes-in-the-present-tour-dates/comment-page-1/#comment-634 Patrick Lattanzio Wed, 19 Nov 2008 13:52:47 +0000 http://www.retroblog.net/?p=663#comment-634 I saw this lineup last night in Reading, PA. It was the best I've seen Yes since their Tormato tour in the round. They absolutely miss Anderson but the guy filling in was beyond adequate. He did tend to "groove" a bit too over the top but as far as vocals, at times he was dead on, at least enough to thoroughly enjoy the music. The setlist was remarkable. I'd have to believe if Jon were touring with them it would have looked nothing like this what with so many predominately penned Squire efforts like Onward, Tempus Fugit, Parallels, and Machine Messiah just to mention a few. That's what made this show so special for me - hearing different music that they typically wouldn't play. Oh and they left off Owner of a Lonely Heart, praise God. I saw them on TV over the weekend playing it and it was just awful. Made me wonder if I was truly excited to be going to this show. However they delivered above and beyond and as never before. Sure the classic three have aged and aren't in their prime anymore but as far as the live magic goes for Yes, it is most definitely still there. I saw this lineup last night in Reading, PA. It was the best I’ve seen Yes since their Tormato tour in the round. They absolutely miss Anderson but the guy filling in was beyond adequate. He did tend to “groove” a bit too over the top but as far as vocals, at times he was dead on, at least enough to thoroughly enjoy the music. The setlist was remarkable. I’d have to believe if Jon were touring with them it would have looked nothing like this what with so many predominately penned Squire efforts like Onward, Tempus Fugit, Parallels, and Machine Messiah just to mention a few. That’s what made this show so special for me – hearing different music that they typically wouldn’t play. Oh and they left off Owner of a Lonely Heart, praise God. I saw them on TV over the weekend playing it and it was just awful. Made me wonder if I was truly excited to be going to this show. However they delivered above and beyond and as never before. Sure the classic three have aged and aren’t in their prime anymore but as far as the live magic goes for Yes, it is most definitely still there.

]]> By: Kpingvin http://www.retroblog.net/2008/09/29/yes-in-the-present-tour-dates/comment-page-1/#comment-627 Kpingvin Mon, 17 Nov 2008 18:10:51 +0000 http://www.retroblog.net/?p=663#comment-627 What a shame they don't come to Europe! What a shame they don’t come to Europe!

]]> By: Paul Yuellig http://www.retroblog.net/2008/09/29/yes-in-the-present-tour-dates/comment-page-1/#comment-629 Paul Yuellig Fri, 14 Nov 2008 02:54:01 +0000 http://www.retroblog.net/?p=663#comment-629 Yes has already done their best work. That may be wrong but, in most cases, it's the artists in their younger years who do their finest work. So, let this tour go on. Even Chris Squire, who is an egotistical personality is not without his love for Jon. It's better that they go ahead and play...that's what they were born to do. Tell a fish not to swim...it's the same as telling the greatest composition band in rock and roll (not to mention some of the most original-sounding and accomplished musicians, ever) to stop playing. That's why they're doing this, it's not for the money. Yes has already done their best work. That may be wrong but, in most cases, it’s the artists in their younger years who do their finest work. So, let this tour go on. Even Chris Squire, who is an egotistical personality is not without his love for Jon. It’s better that they go ahead and play…that’s what they were born to do. Tell a fish not to swim…it’s the same as telling the greatest composition band in rock and roll (not to mention some of the most original-sounding and accomplished musicians, ever) to stop playing. That’s why they’re doing this, it’s not for the money.

]]> By: Bob http://www.retroblog.net/2008/09/29/yes-in-the-present-tour-dates/comment-page-1/#comment-630 Bob Tue, 11 Nov 2008 22:24:49 +0000 http://www.retroblog.net/?p=663#comment-630 I saw them Sunday night at Mohegan Sun in CT. The show was excellent. Steve especially was in top form. (I heard he had to deal with some hecklers at the Hampton show. WTF?? On Sunday he reminded the world that nobody knows their way up and down the neck of a guitar like he does. ) Benoit David did a fine job covering for Jon. The similarity in their voices is uncanny. Certainly no singer can replace Jon's stage presence. Jon carries the soul and essence of the Yes message--that positive, affirmative spirit that goes way beyond "peace, love & grooviness"--and that was missing from the show. But don't skip the show for that reason. Go see them, and savor what the other members do to try to make up for Jon's absence. I went with two first-timers (I've lost track myself--12x+ since '75), and they both had a great time. One said he though the presence of Benoit and Oliver (who, btw, was also just fine, as expected) gave the band some youthful energy, and that Alan, Steve and Chris seemed more energetic than he had expected, perhaps influenced by the new guys. It's kind of sad and ironic that a band that has created so much uplifting and hopeful music has had to deal with so much animosity from within. Maybe it's a ying and yang thing. All I can say is I'm so glad I didn't skip this show. In fact I'm going to try to catch them in again in NYC on Friday. Jon--please take care of yourself and get back on stage as soon as your health allows. Don't begrudge the other guys their decision to go on tour without you. Bird gotta fly, fish gotta swim, musician gotta play--that's the way it is. I hope to see you all together again someday. I saw them Sunday night at Mohegan Sun in CT. The show was excellent. Steve especially was in top form. (I heard he had to deal with some hecklers at the Hampton show. WTF?? On Sunday he reminded the world that nobody knows their way up and down the neck of a guitar like he does. ) Benoit David did a fine job covering for Jon. The similarity in their voices is uncanny. Certainly no singer can replace Jon’s stage presence. Jon carries the soul and essence of the Yes message–that positive, affirmative spirit that goes way beyond “peace, love & grooviness”–and that was missing from the show. But don’t skip the show for that reason. Go see them, and savor what the other members do to try to make up for Jon’s absence. I went with two first-timers (I’ve lost track myself–12x+ since ‘75), and they both had a great time. One said he though the presence of Benoit and Oliver (who, btw, was also just fine, as expected) gave the band some youthful energy, and that Alan, Steve and Chris seemed more energetic than he had expected, perhaps influenced by the new guys. It’s kind of sad and ironic that a band that has created so much uplifting and hopeful music has had to deal with so much animosity from within. Maybe it’s a ying and yang thing. All I can say is I’m so glad I didn’t skip this show. In fact I’m going to try to catch them in again in NYC on Friday. Jon–please take care of yourself and get back on stage as soon as your health allows. Don’t begrudge the other guys their decision to go on tour without you. Bird gotta fly, fish gotta swim, musician gotta play–that’s the way it is. I hope to see you all together again someday.

]]> By: upcoming Wetton Downes dates | retroBlog http://www.retroblog.net/2008/09/29/yes-in-the-present-tour-dates/comment-page-1/#comment-631 upcoming Wetton Downes dates | retroBlog Sat, 25 Oct 2008 01:09:08 +0000 http://www.retroblog.net/?p=663#comment-631 [...] use the time to record a followup album. That way, the momentum isn’t lost. Instead, we have Howe touring as “Yes” without Jon Anderson and Wetton/Downes releasing material that most likely could have been material for another Asia [...] [...] use the time to record a followup album. That way, the momentum isn’t lost. Instead, we have Howe touring as “Yes” without Jon Anderson and Wetton/Downes releasing material that most likely could have been material for another Asia [...]

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