------------------------------------------------------- APRIL 17, 2004 ------------------------------------------------------- Source: Seattle Post-Intelligencer http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/pop/169438_yes17q.html Yes has no problem staying true to its vision By Bill White Yes is a band for those who take their rock seriously. Boasting the classic lineup of Jon Anderson (vocals), Steve Howe (guitar), Rick Wakeman (keyboards), Chris Squire (bass) and Alan White (drums), the British group celebrates its 35th anniversary with a tour that kicked off Thursday night at KeyArena. Beneath Roger Dean's $4 million set that suggested strange forms of sea life, the band performed nearly three hours of music stretching from "I've Seen All Good People," that memorable cross between T.S. Eliot and The Beach Boys from 1971's "Yes Album," to the tabla-driven "Nine Voices," a Sting-like hymn of global unity from 1999's "The Ladder." The attentive crowd, which filled only two-thirds of the Key, also was treated to such surprises as the last movement of 1997's "Mind Drive," on which Anderson played some drums and keyboards during the instrumental passages. A challenge in performing progressive rock is maintaining a consistent rock beat throughout complicated time changes. Yes meets this challenge by synchronizing the bass lines with fluid guitar parts, while rhythmic issues are addressed by the keyboards. Throughout the night, Wakeman operated his arsenal like a master helmsman, keeping the music on course throughout its many directions by leaping from one instrument to another. It was not until after intermission that the set, which at first seemed an amorphous abstraction, was fully realized. The aquatic blues and greens, which dominated the lighting scheme, gave the stage an eerie undersea glow. The band, which had come downstage to perform seven songs in an "unplugged" format, suggested a ghostly quintet of mermen at the bottom of the sea. This segment, featuring Wakeman on a baby grand piano, was highlighted by a shuffle version of "Roundabout," from 1972's "Fragile," and a new song, the emotive "Show Me." Anderson then took a foray into the audience for a rousing "Rhythm of Love." Although there were occasional problems with feedback, the sound was generally excellent, each note perfectly pitched and audible, making it a pleasure to follow the band's instrumental digressions. At the climax of many passages, dazzled audience members threw up their fists in spontaneous bursts of heightened appreciation. The band encored with the Beatles' "Every Little Thing," which appeared on the very first Yes album, and "Soon," a melancholic anthem enhanced by the mournful whine of Howe's pedal steel. It was a fitting conclusion to a voyage through 35 years of music that, through the dedicated pursuance of a unique vision, continues as one of the most enduring chapters in rock history. Close Window YesInThePress.com For site comments, inquiries, corrections, or additions, contact yitp@yesservices.com