The summer of 2018 may well go down as the summer of Yes, as both versions (yes, there are two) celebrate 50 years of Yes music. In the midst of the Yes featuring Jon Anderson, Trevor Rabin and Rick Wakeman 2018 U.S. Summer tour, which included an intimate opener at the Whisky A Go Go in Hollywood, followed three nights later by a sold-out performance at the Greek Theatre right up the street, a DVD and Blu-ray Disc of the band from 2017 called Live At The Apollo provides a lasting souvenir of an unbeatable combo defying all odds and delivering superb musicianship and execution.
What this version of Yes is willing and able to do is tackle the music of the 80s and 90s, with special attention given to 1983’s 90125. Some of those who call themselves “True Yes fans” often dismiss the band’s output in the 80s, yet the success that came with it kept the name afloat and the cause sustained. On the DVD, they make a splashy entrance by opening with the instrumental “Cinema,” which won a Grammy in 1985 for Best Rock Instrumental. After Wakeman lets his fingers dance across the keys for a few bars, they cut through a crashing “Hold On” and whip out a sensational “Life Me Up” without too much trouble. “Rhythm Of Love” and “Changes” suspend disbelief, and “Owner Of A Lonely Heart” finds Rabin and Wakeman facing off before they wander up the aisles of the legendary Apollo for a spot of razzle dazzle.
For their 2018 shows, their choice of songs go deeper; in 2017, they stuck with the meat and potatoes tokens, especially when it came to the music of the 70s. “Perpetual Change” paves the way as Wakeman and Rabin chop up the opening chords and pave the runway for Anderson to ease into the melody and assure everyone in attendance that this is indeed the voice of Yes. “I’ve Seen All Good People,” “And You And I” and “Heart Of The Sunrise” are three more that drive the nail through the classic playlist. Rabin adequately fills those Howe gaps, and Lee Pomeroy’s respectful, proscribed turns on the bass and backing vocals makes you believe Chris Squire would have approved.
The 2018 tour in full swing, new songs slipping through the cracks (but not yet on the setlist), and Live At The Apollo retracing the steps Yes Featuring ARW took the year before — it leaves one to wonder what’s next. A new album seems all too obvious. More obscurities plucked from the depths of the catalog to keep the hardcores onboard. Down the line, Full albums could be uncovered, and maybe a reunion of the two factions could finish it all up. When two bands share a name and promote a milestone, just about anything seems possible.
~ Shawn Perry
