Recorded during Yes’ 2019 run with Asia, John Lodge, and Carl Palmer, The Royal Affair Tour, Live From Las Vegas is a 10-song live album featuring the present lineup of Yes comprising guitarist Steve Howe , drummer Alan White, keyboardist Geoff Downes, singer Jon Davison, and bassist Billy Sherwood. Drummer Jay Schellen also sits in on several songs.
The band opens with their cover of Richie Haven’s “No Opportunity Necessary, No Experience Needed,” which appeared on the band’s second album, 1970’s A Time And A Word. They fall into “Tempus Fugit,” featuring Downes’ keyboard flourishes he made famous on the Drama record. They move through classics like “I’ve Seen All Good People,” (slightly lackluster here), “Siberian Khatru,” the ubiquitous “Roundabout,” and “Starship Trooper.”
There’s a rare performance of Paul Simon’s “America,” quite a jaunty version, in fact. Howe is showcased, as he is on many of the tunes. The band also takes on John Lennon’s “Imagine,” with the Moody Blues’ John Lodge sharing the vocals with Davison. This is an obvious nod to Alan White, who played on the original studio recording with Lennon.
The version of “Onward,” from 1978’s Tormato album, is an especially poignant inclusion. Written by the band’s late bassist Chris Squire, its original studio recording is a unique mix of Jon Anderson and Squire’s vocal harmonies, anchored by the latter’s singular bass work. Neither man is on the live disc, of course, but Davison handles the vocal adequately, and Howe’s trilling is as spot-on as it is on the original.
The Royal Affair Tour, Live From Las Vegas is a fairly comprehensive representation of the band’s varied setlist from the tour, despite the glaring omission of the epic, 20-plus-minute “Gates Of Delirium” (those who saw the shows may be mildly disappointed). Nevertheless, for fans missing live music during the worldwide lockdown, this release suitably fills the void. Hopefully Yes, like other concert acts, can pick up from where they left off in 2021.
~ Ralph Greco, Jr.
