------------------------------------------------------- APRIL 17, 2004 ------------------------------------------------------- Source: Seattle Times http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/artsentertainment/2001905411_yes17.html After 35 years, Yes rocks on with powerful musicianship By Patrick MacDonald Yes was the definition of progressive rock in the 1970s. A musicians' band that emphasized artistry, the U.K. band brought the pomp and sweep of orchestral music to rock. With mostly nonsensical lyrics open to interpretation, interspersed with inspirational sound bites, it was perfect drug-trip music in the heyday of LSD. Reunited with its classic lineup of vocalist Jon Anderson, guitarist Steve Howe, keyboardist Rick Wakeman, drummer Alan White and bassist Chris Squire, Yes opened its 35th anniversary tour Thursday night before about 5,000 fans at KeyArena. With no opening act, Yes played two hour-long sets, separated by an intermission. As to be expected in a notable reunion tour, the band played its most familiar and popular songs, including "I've Seen All Good People," "Yours Is No Disgrace," "Long Distance Runaround," "Time Is Time," and a slower, reworked "Roundabout." Surprisingly, they didn't play their biggest smash, and only No. 1 hit, "Owner of a Lonely Heart." The musicianship was as powerful as ever, especially on the part of Howe and Wakeman. Their "dueling" trade-offs in "South Side of the Sky" were show highlights. But Yes has always had a tendency toward overindulgence, and there were extended stretches of sameness that got boring, especially during the extremely long version of "Ritual" which ended the main set, before the short encore. The song's drawn-out instrumental sections included a long drum solo that, despite the undeniable talent of White, was boring. Concert review Yes, Thursday night at KeyArena, Seattle Center. Anderson's helium vocals sounded the same as always, and he was a gracious and funny host. When not singing, he retreated to the back and played a small group of percussion instruments. The show opened with "Going for the One" and continued with "Sweet Dreams," but the first song that animated the crowd, and got everybody on their feet, was a note-for-note recreation of "I've Seen All Good People," which had solemn moments with churchlike organ, contrasted by hard-rocking passages. "Mind Drive" was a centerpiece of the first set. The second half included "Wondrous Stories," "Nine Voices," "Show Me" and "Rhythm of Love." The encore was made up of The Beatles' "Every Little Thing," from the debut "Yes" album, released in 1969, followed by "Soon." Roger Dean, who designed many of the album covers for Yes, created three huge, movable inflatables with feather, claw and crustacean themes, which hovered above the stage. But they were not nearly as interesting as the phastasmagorical album-cover images. Close Window YesInThePress.com For site comments, inquiries, corrections, or additions, contact yitp@yesservices.com