----------------------------------------------------- NOVEMBER 19, 2001 ----------------------------------------------------- Source: Estonian Progressive Rock http://home.uninet.ee/~mel/estprog/reviews/yes_tallinn.html Review: Yes, Saku Suurhall  Tallinn, Estonia 2 November 2001 By Mel Huang I had dreamed about seeing Yes in Estonia since the idea originally crept up during the last time they came by the area during the tour supporting the excellent CD "The Ladder." We discussed the idea with many, but it never came to fruition. So when the preliminary tour dates for this orchestra tour came out on the Yes website, I was flabbergasted to see Tallinn on the list. It was a dream come true. I immediately contacted friends back in Tallinn (I had moved away just a few months before) about the show. These were people who had dreamed of seeing Yes in Estonia for many more years than I, thus were even more excited than I. So we all arranged to make this event more than just a concert. To make it a truly an experience of magnification. I had arrived home in Tallinn two days before the concert, and the smile returned to my face as soon as I jumped on the Estonian Air flight at London's Gatwick Airport. Tallinn was as beautiful and unique as ever, even though I had arrived just before midnight. The next day -- Thursday -- was full of work-related meetings for me, but saw the enthusiasm for the concert all over. Large billboards of Jon, Chris, Steve and Alan were all over town. Sorry, you collectors, these were way too big for me to nick one. Little did I know the band was already enjoying the town, having arrived earlier from Moscow. I did get an email from my old friend Jaanus Nõgisto, the legendary guitarist of the kings of Estonian prog, Ruja. He told me that Yes was doing an interview and acoustic session on TV, and he was directing it! Lucky him! I did see this programme later, featuring an interview with Jon, Steve, and newcomer Tom Brislin. The interview was quite interesting with a bit of an edge, and Tom obviously enjoyed being involved in it. And as an extra bonus, Jon and Steve did a brilliant version of "Leaves of Green" for their fans. Wow! I didn't have many work-related meetings Friday afternoon; I got plenty of emails from people asking to change the meetings, since they were getting ready to go to the Yes show! It was more than a concert in Estonia, it was an event. Thanks to my good friend Artur, a few of us had backstage access before the gig. It was quite nice for me to see so many old friends while waiting for the band, friends like the aforementioned Jaanus Nõgisto, his Ruja bandmate Slava "SP Gulliver" Petchnikov, and composer-extraordinaire Erkki-Sven Tüür among others. However, we didn't manage to get our good buddy Matti back there -- sorry, Matti! My friend Tony Emmerson, prog journalist from London, was in heaven meeting with members of Yes and Ruja and In Spe, all for the first time! Though the meeting was short -- and sans Steve -- it was nice. Lots of photos (I promise to get them for the website soon!) and lots of autographing done. Not just Yes folks, but even the Ruja members! We soon went to take our places in the brand new Saku Suurhall (Saku Arena), opened just a week earlier with the Irish dance bit "Lord of the Dance" extravaganza. So this was the first "real" concert -- and it sure passed the test. Though I had to admit there were sound problems -- much of it from balancing the orchestra with the band -- the arena will surely be more than ready when it comes time to host Eurovision 2002! Excellent place! We had excellent seats -- front row centre! This was actually my third straight Yes show from the front row (the last two were in Edinburgh and London), but this one was so much better than any of the 13 Yes shows I've seen in the last decade. The show started pretty much on time with a fantastic orchestra entry. No Stravinsky, but it was quite an entry for the band as they proceeded already into the classic "Close to the Edge" -- to the shock and cheers of the thousands in the audience. What an excellent start! The track did seem a little slower than usual, but went by quite smoothly. The band seemed to be having a lot of fun, and though it was hard to hear Chris's vocals, it was a cracking version of the epic. The fans were delighted, following every little nuance in the song they've heard time and time again, even when it was essentially illegal during the Soviet days. The fans were ecstatic when the song came to an end, showing appreciation for such a fabulous opening. Many of them never saw the setlist, so it must have been quite a surprise. Then came a brief orchestral interlude -- then the band blazed through "Long Distance Runaround" in lightning speed. The short piece was indeed a bit out of place as some others have mentioned, but it was still another part of Yes classic stuff. In an interview earlier one of the band members joked about long and short songs, reminding the interviewer of the bits of Fragile such as the Bruford "Five Per Cent for Nothing" blip. But it was nevertheless a pleasure to see this classic performed…though we all missed the bass solo afterwards! Then came two new songs "Don't Go" and "In the Presence Of" that worked very well. The fans really liked the up-tempo "Don't Go" and the band seems happy that many of the fans already knew the song well. Then the playing of "In the Presence Of" -- destined to be a new Yes classic -- was one of the highlights of the show. Excellent playing, with the orchestra working into the piece fantastically, showed that the band still has what it takes to create modern epics. The fans showed their appreciation with a loud standing ovation. Perhaps this will give Yes some impetus to keep playing more new material. The band again shocked the audience by bringing back the 26-year old classic "Gates of Delirium" -- with keyboardist Tom Brislin doing an excellent job with the difficult keyboard parts. For me, as a bass player for nearly 15 years, it was a total pleasure to watch Chris up close playing a song that I've been toying around with for over a decade. He did it with such ease! I think it was only during this time that Chris recognided me from the stage -- the air-bass, I bet! That pushed the crowd into a frenzy, another standing ovation. I honestly never dreamed of ever seeing this track live (they didn't bring "Masterworks" to Europe), and it was such a total pleasure to see. I loved it. So did the other few thousand there in the arena. The crowd was still in a frenzy when it moved into the Steve Howe show, as he pulled off "Mood for a Day" and "Clap" traditionally. Both were played excellently, with the crowd much in the mood to clap! The band returned and "Starship Trooper" came next, which worked actually quite well with the orchestra in the final section. Steve was in fine form for this one especially, and it was a fun performance of this overplayed classic. Next the band pulled off one of the crowd favourites -- "And You And I" -- much better than usual. I remember for the last few tours I used to run to the loo during this song since I've seen it so many times it was boring. But this time it was quite energetic and emotional, and people all around me were singing along. It was the most beautiful version of this song I've ever seen, and even Chris's harmonica solo had a bit more juice to it than normal. And the fans -- showing how well they knew the material -- did not erupt into a frenzied standing ovation until the last acoustic guitar note came from Steve. After some traditional Jon Anderson vocal fun thanking people, the serious bit came down. He worked the crowd well in his introduction to yet another brain-blowing surprise. When he asked what "Ritual" was in Estonian, we all yelled "rituaal" in response! Another song I never thought I'd see, it was fantastic! Though there were some problems with timing, especially between Alan and the orchestra, it was such a spectacular piece of performance that I and everyone else was totally dazzled. The bass solo section was spectacular, and Chris came over towards me and screamed a few times -- just like back in Edinburgh! It was amazing the whole thing through, especially the aggression during the percussion section. The crowd was roaring by then, but quieted down to listen to the beautiful "Nous sommes du soleil" closing section. For me this was the emotional peak of the show. I remember when Jon was singing the line, "flying home…going home…" and I realised that I was finally home after almost a year. It was very revealing to me, and it really touched me. I learned a lot about myself that moment. Home is where you feel most happy, most comfortable. And I had indeed followed those lyrics when I came back to Tallinn. Wow… The main set ended with the obligatory "All Good People" though it was quite nice to see the normally subdued Estonian audience dance and sing with the band during this classic. They seemed to enjoy it very much as well, and smiled to no ends -- and Chris finished his pint of "brown liquid" at its end! The crowd roared as they walked off stage, stomping and clapping in a fashion I very rarely see in Estonians. It was totally amazing, all that energy. The band came back and surprised us with  "Owner of the Lonely Heart" -- which hadn't been played (we later learned they added it in Latvia a few nights back). The crowd sang along with the band during the chorus much to Jon's delight. He later expressed his joy at how the crowd sang along so much! He told the crowd to stay up and dance again, and they did during "Roundabout," the obligatory ender. It was played quite well and I'm glad to see Tom Brislin enjoying himself much during this track. The crowd was up and dancing and absolutely enjoying this end to a fabulous concert. It was an incredible performance by everyone involved. Jon Anderson was on fine form and was singing his heart out. He clearly enjoyed being in front of the enthusiastic audience. Alan White was a bit slow at points, but was generally okay. Steve Howe seemed to be enjoying the trip more than even Jon and was especially enthusiastic during some passages -- turning his guitar into a percussion instrument! Chris Squire was 101% on stage as he's been in the last few tours, plenty of energy and flare. Tom Brislin played quite well, but it really would have been better if (1) it was Igor, or (2) if it was one of the older ones like Rick, Patrick, Geoff or Tony, or even (3) if they gave him more of a chance to be integrated. Another ovation should be reserved for the European Festival Orchestra from Poland, who played with enthusiasm and much interest -- and they were the best looking orchestra I've seen in a long time (all women)! The conductor added some flare to the show, though the fact his back was against Alan's made the co-ordination more difficult. But a standing ovation to all on stage! Wow…I was knackered. It was such a fantastic show, it was hard to come down to Earth again. I then saw some of Estonian prog's best known folks around in the front part of the concert, such as Ruja's Rein Rannap and Igor Garshnek, Data's Tiit Aunaste, Mess's Ivar Sipra and Sven Grünberg, alongside many others. Everyone had a great time there in this biggest of prog gatherings of the year. I must say this was the best Yes concert I've ever attended. It was better than Edinburgh during the last tour when we had people climbing on us like it was a Pearl Jam show. Better than the Union tour in Mountain View where Bill Bruford walked off angrily, better than Sacramento when Trevor Rabin did an extended solo session to celebrate his becoming a U.S. citizen, better than the tambourine-throwing rendition of "All Good People" in Concord. Much better than the 900 people at the New York State Fair during the "Talk" tour. It was fantastic, especially with the reaction of the crowd. I was so happy to be home, and even happier to see one of my favourite bands of all time right there at home. I miss home very much, but the words of Jon still ring in my head at all hours. "Flying home…going home…" Close Window YesInThePress.com For site comments, problems, corrections, or additions, contact YesinthePress@aol.com