----------------------------------------------------- AUGUST 22, 2002 ----------------------------------------------------- Source: Arizona Republic http://www.azcentral.com/ent/music/articles/0822yesreview.html Yes leaves out some favorites By Michael Senft When a band goes through several lineup changes, they invariably ignore large chunks of their catalog in concert. Take Wednesday's Yes show at Cricket Pavilion. The "Classic" lineup of the 70s -- singer Jon Anderson, bassist Chris Squire, guitarist Steve Howe, keyboardist Rick Wakeman and drummer Alan White - on tour together for the first time since 1979 (the quintet briefly reunited for a pair of shows in 1996) -- played a massive 3-hour set for a small but adoring crowd. Yet they ignored 20-plus years worth of history. Barely anything from the band's 80s or 90s albums was performed, probably due to the fact that neither Howe nor Wakeman had performed on much of that material. But then, most of the fans at Cricket weren't there to hear "Owner of A Lonely Heart." And Yes made up for ignoring its later material by digging deep into its catalog and dusting off some tunes that haven't been heard live since the Carter administration. Taking the stage to the familiar strains of Stravinsky's "Firebird Suite," Yes launched into a blazing version of "Siberian Khatru," a common show opener during the 70s. An extended workout on Simon and Garfunkel's "America" followed. Anderson's vocals soared, but some of the extended noodling detracted from the beautiful melody. After a tune from their latest album, "Magnification," the band reached deep into its back catalog for "We Have Heaven" and "South Side of the Sky," never performed live until this tour, 21 years after they were originally recorded. A brief classical guitar solo spotlighted Howe before the band took a brief intermission. Anderson opened the second set with a pair of solo tunes, before the wizard of the keyboards, Wakeman, got the crowd to its feet with his amazing technique. He was clearly enjoying himself, back in the band that made him a superstar after 23 years. Squire had an amusing anecdote after the band played "Don't Kill the Whale". Quipping, "That song was about a mammal, this one's about a fish," he launched into the blistering bass solo "Whitefish," which morphed into a bass and drum version of "Tempus Fugit" from 1980's "Drama" LP. The crowd roared as Anderson's harp was wheeled onstage, signaling the epic "Awaken," from 1977's "Going for the One". The beautiful interplay between harp and simulated church organ built to a soaring crescendo and marked an appropriate climax to the show. There was a brief moment of panic during the song, however, as the strap on Squire's triple-necked bass came undone, and he had to struggle to play his parts without dropping the enormous instrument. But no Yes concert would be complete without "Roundabout," and the band obliged for its first encore.  A lengthy workout on "Yours Is No Disgrace" closed the show, leaving the audience ecstatic and exhausted. Hopefully this reunion will be permanent, but after abortive attempts in the past, we'll have to wait and see. The response the five veteran prog-rockers received shows that they should continue. And hopefully they will play some of their later material on future outings as well. Setlist: Firebird Suite Siberian Khatru America In The Presence Of... We Have Heaven / South Side Of The Sky The Revealing Science Of God Howe Solo: The Ancient / The Little Galliard Anderson Solo: Happy Birthday / Show Me Wakeman Solo: Six Wives of Henry VIII / Wondrous Stories / And You and I Heart Of The Sunrise Magnification Don't Kill The Whale Squire Solo: Whitefish / Tempus Fugit Awaken Encore: Roundabout Yours is no Disgrace Close Window YesInThePress.com For site comments, problems, corrections, or additions, contact YesinthePress@aol.com