"In The Present"

[just_bassics]

Well, the tour starts tomorrow and there seems to be a "calm before the storm" atmosphere, although there are a few rehearsal pics posted at yesworld:

http://www.yesworld.com/#

So I wanted to take this opportunity to wish them well as they embark and hopefully, provide us with a series of shows to take our minds off of the insanity that seems to invade our lives every fourth November. I was wondering what your favorite song is that you DON'T think they will be playing on tour. I would love to hear To Be Over, A Venture, Parallels, Release, Release or Machine Messiah... the list could be much, much longer

Also, as a reminder, we had discussed not posting a setlist, so if you hear anything about the tour set list and you must discuss it, please begin a new thread with a "spoilers" warning. I want to walk into the Columbus show and be totally surprised. Anyone lucky enough to meet up with a band member, get pictures! (You know who you are!!)

[ajish4]

Hey Jim,

I too am watching the calendar. I'm seeing the last scheduled show in December, to date.

I'm taking the kids to show them what REAL musicians can do live!

It's at the PERFECT time of year. I've already told the kids this is part of their Christmas. A nice dinner in a fancy Hotel, the show, an all nigher at the Hard Rock, and who knows what else might be in store?

My son INSISTS that the sound engineers SPED UP their recordings, boy is he in for a surprise! Ah, YOUTH.

[woodyng]

well i just purchased my ticket for the nashville show dec 10-thought i could stay away,esp since this is a 200 mile commute from memphis,but have to check it out. there are some concert clips on the yesworld site,i won't say what songs,but one of them was on your list..... i will be making this trek on my own,if anyone wants to meet there,let me know!

[just_bassics]

I know, Woody, I tried to watch a few of those clips with the sound off, but I still saw the song name, so I know one or two. They look good and I'm glad I only have to wait until Wednesday to see them. I will be going to the Columbus show alone, my nephew is joining me for the Cleveland show, since my wife doesn't want to stand for three hours

[johnallg]

http://media.hamiltonspectator.topscms. ... d0b736.flv

Save it to your hard drive.

They will be in Asbury Park the MARF weekend.... Too bad Chris and Steve couldn't pop in.

[just_bassics]

...simply a must see, IMHO!

[ajish4]

...simply a must see, IMHO!

AH, so I take it the show went well?

[woodyng]

excellent! glad to hear it you enjoyed it,jim. how were the recruits?

[just_bassics]

I enjoyed it mostly because Steve and Chris were so good. As a sound engineer and musician, I could always nit-pick the little things, but I won't here, because I want anyone going to the shows to see and judge for themselves. As for the "new recruits", I feel they did well, with some small exceptions, but when you consider whose shoes they were called on to fill, no small task, indeed.

The show probably had it's minor sound issues, as any band will face in these types of venues, and some minor miscues (all handled with grace) but as a whole, I left the show with a great natural buzz that's still going - I drove the three hours back to Pittsburgh in complete silence. Some Jon Anderson purists will be surprised, some will remain critical, but the Howe and Squire fans will get well more than they bargained for, as Steve and Chris were amazing. If you've seen Squire before, then you know what I mean, and Steve Howe was his old self, attacking the guitar and moving freely around the stage, clearly enjoying himself. The set list, which I still won't comment on, had more than a few very pleasant surprises, at least for me.

There was another incident, probably a first for a Yes concert, but I'll save that tale for a new thread!

[woodyng]

"There was another incident, probably a first for a Yes concert, " ----do tell,dancing in the audience,perhaps? (mental image of hundreds of yes fans doing "the locomotion".......)

[ajish4]

OH MAN,

THE WAIT IS KILLING ME.

I'm glad I don't know the set list, but it is getting harder and harder to try to avoid it on the net!

I've got the family in tow, and possibly a few of their friends as well, I love turning on the young in's to YES....it's so cool!

This one kid is a LP player, he's 17 and has NO IDEA what he is in store for! Shame he isn't a bassist!

[just_bassics]

My nephew accompanied me to last night's show at the Cleveland House of Blues. I don't think he was the same guy when he came out. He always knew that Yes were great, but we stood about fifteen feet in front of Chris Squire's SVT / Marshall cabinets, and there's just no describing that feeling! Steve, Chris and Oliver's playing changed his entire view on music. I think he stayed up all night after the show playing his guitar. We had a two hour drive back to Pittsburgh and all he could talk about was the show. He's also a huge Beatles fan, so I think meeting Alan White was a special treat.

I tip my hat to the Squires, Chris and Scotty, as their hospitality to me and my family at the Reading and Cleveland shows went far beyond any expectations! They also earned a new fan last night, to say the least!

A lot has been discussed about this tour on this and other sites, but the bottom line is this: Steve, Chris and Alan are out on tour, playing their music with passion. They have two very capable, competent and eager musicians on board to help out where Jon and Rick can't right now. Please get out and see them if you have the opportunity. If, at some point in the future, Jon and / or Rick are back in, go see those shows, too! As fans of Chris Squire and Yes, what else could you be waiting for?

[cheyenne]

A good friend of mine caught the show in Cincinnati last night. He took his son and had nothing but good reviews. He said Squire was in top form, and the whole band sounded great.

[ajish4]

A good friend of mine caught the show in Cincinnati last night. He took his son and had nothing but good reviews. He said Squire was in top form, and the whole band sounded great.

For the most part, I've ONLY heard great reviews.

Some of the folks on a major YES site, have been dissing the show ever since the announcement of Jon not touring with the band was made. MOST of them apparently from those who haven't even seen the show! Got me?

It's been darn near impossible to read much about the show without tripping on spoilers. I'm sorry to say, I've tripped on a few, but nothing earth shattering. I'm bringing the family for their BIG Christmas gift, and I'm one of those who doesn't want to know what I'm getting in advance! Sadly, my tickets are for the last show....the days are just CRAWLING past.

Did you guys see any goodies for sale? I'm hoping they have some goodies I can grab for under the tree!

[woodyng]

most all the reviews have been very positive-sounds like mr wakeman is taking some pressure off benoit.....and the set list has actually changed over the course of the first few weeks,esp.regarding steve's solo peices-i would love to hear some of the other things he has been playing,as opposed to "clap" or "mood"......one week to go! (nashville dec 10)...as far as folks dissing the new guys,i STILL see posts from people saying they prefer bill over alan......jeez louise.......