Topographic Drama — Live Across America was recorded over 12 concerts from February 2017. For this record, this incarnation of Yes — guitarist Steve Howe, keyboardist Geoff Downes, bassist Billy Sherwood, singer Jon Davison, drummer Alan White and second drummer Jay Schellen) — performed their 1980 album Drama in its entirety, plus sides one and four from 1973’s Tales From Topographic Oceans. They also threw in a couple of concert staples to keep the fans happy. All the songs are recreated with precision care.
“Machine Messiah” is a spectacular start with Howe’s heavy riffing. His power chords are equally enticing, swinging and slicing through “Does It Really Happen.” Sherwood shines on this one as well, getting a sly lead bass moment at the tail end. He and Howe also shred on “I Am A Camera.” Surely one misses the nuances of Jon Anderson and Chris Squire’s vocal harmonies, but both Davison and Sherwood fill in more than adequately. Of course, for the Drama material, Davison is actually singing the lead vocal parts of Trevor Horn, not Anderson. Horn and his fellow Buggle band mate Geoff Downes came in for the Drama record and tour replacing Anderson and keyboardist Rick Wakeman. Davison’s soft inflection also serves “And You And I.”
When they get to Tales From Topographic Oceans, “The Revealing Science Of God” and “Ritual” give way to Howe’s subtle atmospheric guitar touches and Downes’ opportunity to prove him worthy of steeping into Wakeman’s shoes. Needless to say, Tales From Topographic Oceans is one of the most complex pieces of the whole Yes catalog and its not to be played or listened to lightly. Altogether, Topographic Drama — Live Across America is one of those instances one needs take things for what they are and not for what fans wish for. Ideally, we’d all like to see the classic Yes lineup of Anderson, Wakeman, Howe, White and the late Chris Squire together. But there is no denying how great these 13 songs are performed, no matter who might or might not be part of
Yes.
~ Ralph Greco, Jr.
