------------------------------------------------------- DECEMBER 6, 1980 ------------------------------------------------------- Source: Melody Maker Contributed by Tom O'Toole New Life, Old Yes By Steve Sutherland Jon Anderson Royal Albert Hall, London So this is Jon's idea of skipping the rut Yes worked themselves into and getting back to basics; an eight-piece band at the Albert Hall. Oh well, these superstars are all the same, but give the bloke credit -- at least he's trying. Trouble is, with two drummers thrashing away like one Bill Bruford, two guitarists swapping frantic Steve Howe leads, a couple of feeble Wakeman clones tickling the ivories, and a bassist pumping out those long reverberating Chris Squire chords, the New Life Band resemble nothing more than a poor man's Yes. Not that that's a bad thing because, in the absence of the real McCoy, the crowd were well pleased; but if only someone would snatch away his Tolkein (sic) and ply him with a shot or two of the Tamlas, Anderson could really start going places. He possesses a golden voice -- the purest this side of Smokey Robinson -- and it's sad that he continues to waste his talent plunging around in the soporific oceans of "Song Of Seven", "Wondrous Stories", or that turgid old chestnut "All Good People", when he hinted he can really kick ass with Buddy Holly's 'Every Day" and the storming Parkeresque encore "Heart Of The Matter" (surely the next single). With Dick Morrisey's sax given more free rein, he could well blow away all those lingering symptoms of cosmic constipation and slip on his dancing shoes, but it's early days yet and Anderson still lacks the confidence to ditch his tried and true whimsy for his funkier inclinations. So tonight's show reached a hesitant halfway stage, lacking the unquestionable grandeur of vintage Yes, but still a dam sight more spirited than anything they've churned out of late. Stick with it Jon. The idea's still a good one, it's just the execution that's letting you down. Close Window YesInThePress.com For site comments, inquiries, corrections, or additions, contact yitp@yesservices.com