------------------------------------------------------- JULY 8, 2003 ------------------------------------------------------- Source: The Scotsman http://www.entertainment.scotsman.com/headlines_specific.cfm\?id=7463 Yes this is Spinal Tap, but with added pomposity Yes **** THE PLAYHOUSE, EDINBURGH By Fiona Shepherd No matter how much it is talked up, prog rock will never be fashionable. But no matter how much it is derided, prog rock will always be popular. For many, the appeal of grown men with flowing locks and capes, an armoury of oddly-shaped guitars and superfluous displays of technical musical virtuosity will never wane, and Yes are the daddies of the scene - more inventive, more pompous, more ridiculous and more incapable of splitting up than any of their peers. On Sunday night, they got a standing ovation for just turning up. Space cadet singer Jon Anderson, a man who can always feel the love in the room, looked like he had forgotten to change out of his pyjamas. Chris Squire was modelling the Regency dandy-meets-circus ringmaster look. Again. Rick Wakeman - back in the fold and probably the only member with any clue as to how preposterous they all look - sported a floor-sweeping coat. Almost immediately, he and guitarist Steve Howe, who had brought along his own bit of comfort carpet to stand on, were locked in a prog battle of wills, noodly guitar versus monolithic synthesiser. Anderson weighed in by imploring "don't kill all the trees". Even the hardcore fans looked bemused. But, with the exception of And You And I, Yes's own pastoral symphony, the first half was just a warm-up exercise for the Wagnerian celestial war to come. Anderson was first back on the field, with more havering about trees, followed by Wakeman's end-of-the-pier concerto for 20 keyboards. Heart Of The Sunrise and Long Distance Runaround were thrilling team efforts. Next, the big, camp, show-off bass solo, with Squire basking in the glow of two spotlights. Howe had his own spotlight too, even though he was just sitting on a stool, fantasising about his next supernoodle. So the world's only triple-necked bass had to come out for Awaken. Then Anderson called Squire's bluff with a triple-ringed tambourine (with streamers) and a mini-harp on a stand. Spinal Tap just doesn't do this sort of thing justice. All Good People, "a song in the key of peace and love" according to a straight-faced Anderson, was genuinely uplifting and, followed by the gargantuan crescendo of Roundabout, it was enough to seal the victory. They came, they progged, they conquered. Close Window YesInThePress.com For site comments, inquiries, corrections, or additions, contact yitp@yesservices.com