------------------------------------------------ SEPTEMBER 3, 2001 ------------------------------------------------ Source: Albany, New York Times Union http://www.timesunion.com/ (abbreviated link text) Yes, these art-rockers still have it  By Greg Haymes, Staff writer  SARATOGA SPRINGS -- There's a world of difference between "classic rock'' and "classical rock,'' but British rock veterans Yes neatly bridged the gap at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center on Sunday night.  The latest of the band's many incarnations features vocalist Jon Anderson, bassist Chris Squire, guitarist Steve Howe and drummer Alan White as well as newcomer Tom Brislin on keyboards. But the real reason to have caught Yes on their current tour is that they're touring for the first time with a full symphony orchestra. Other bands from the Moody Blues to Metallica have tried to meld rock with orchestral backing with varying degrees of success. But Yes' music has always had a symphonic quality to it, and the presence of the orchestra greatly enhanced the sweeping scope of such favorites as the opening "Close to the Edge'' and the crowd-pleasing "Long Distance Runaround.'' The addition of the orchestra was most effective, however, on "And You And I'' and the 22-minute epic "Gates of Delirium,'' which started off as a blast of pseudo-Stravinsky-with-strobe-lights and ended with the pretty Anderson ballad, "Soon.'' Amazingly enough, Anderson's angelic voice is still intact, and he seemed to have no trouble hitting even the highest notes of tunes that he's sung for more than three decades. Howe is a monstrously versatile guitarist, who seamlessly switched from instrument to instrument throughout the night. During "And You And I,'' for example, he shifted from steel guitar to acoustic 12-string to electric guitar and back again. In fact, he was so busy switching instruments that at one point, a roadie had to run out onstage to step on a foot pedal for him. And Squire was the epitome of the thinking man's thundering bassist, especially during his solo during the sprawling 30-minute "Ritual.'' But, Chris, at 53 years old, don't you think it might be time to trade in the spandex tights for a real pair of pants? Please? Naturally, the fans roared their approval at the old classics like "Perpetual Change'' (the only nonorchestra piece of the night other than Howe's solo medley), "Starship Trooper,'' the show-closing "I've Seen All Good People'' and the encore of "Roundabout.'' But Yes wasn't content to entirely rest on their laurels. They offered two new tunes -- the poppish "Don't Go'' and the more typically progressive "In the Presence Of'' -- as a sneak preview of their upcoming album, "Magnification,'' due in stores next month. And the Yes juggernaut rolls on. CONCERT REVIEW: YES When: 7:30 p.m. Sunday Where: The Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Route 50, Saratoga Springs Musical highlights: "And You And I,'' "Long Distance Runaround'' and "Perpetual Change'' Length: Two hours and 45 minutes; no intermission Crowd: About 5,500 fans spanning several generations Close Window YesInThePress.com For site comments, problems, corrections, or additions, contact YesinthePress@aol.com