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Jon's Harp

Rick and Debbie (Brian's Wife) 
courtesy of Brian

Burswood, 
Some say this was the best concert of the tour

`

Photo : Stephen Hill : 
http://www.freewebs.com/dancingdownunder/theyesexperience.htm

Brian Autographs in Melbourne YesFanz , preConcert

Roger Dean in Melbourne YesFanz , preConcert

Some of the YesFANZ crew with the Memorabilia display as a backdrop 

Photos (row up, above, below and right) : Stephen Hill : http://www.freewebs.com/dancingdownunder/theyesexperience.htm

Photo : Guy Nixon-Luke

Harry.

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First of all the fantastic YesFANZ party which was superbly organised by a dedicated, hardworking team headed up by Robert Forbes and Mark Hawes.

Roger Dean, along with Mario Millo and the original Sebastian Hardie were present for all of the event and the members of Yes joined in for a Q&A and Autograph session.

It was great to meet the guys, and also to meet other YesFANZ including a surprising number who travelled from New Zealand, Queensland and Adelaide for the event. The time went quickly before it was time for the show.

The Original line-up of Sebastion Hardie, with Mario Millo, Toivo Pilt and the Plavsic Brothers were a fantastic support, performing the full 20 minute suite of 'Four Moments'; 'Rosanna' and almost all of 'Openings' to a warmly receptive audience; many of whom would still have this 1970's vintage LP in a milk crate somewhere.

I say almost all of Openings because as Mario was nearing the searing climax to "Openings" the Yes Guitar Tech, decided it was time for people to look at him, rather than listen to classic prog rock for another 30 seconds, and he walked onstage and disconnected Mario's guitar cord, much to the disgust of the crowd, let alone the band. Unfortunately that was not the last influence the Guitar Tech was to have on the night.

Yes were fantastic; the highlights were many; Magnification worked superbly, with Rick amply covering for 56 instrumentalists; with a subtle segue into Don't Kill the Whale.

John's light-hearted intro to We Have Heaven led to a brilliant performance of South Side of the Sky highlighted by a searing MiniMoog/Guitar duel between Steve and Ric. This was probably the highlight of the night for me, among so many.

The only downsides of the night were noise/set-up issues again mainly influenced by the Guitar Tech. There were occasional feedback problems however the big thing was that there were ongoing buzz/noise problems whenever an acoustic guitar was touched, leading to And You And I being stopped to allow an instrument change, and Steve having to complete his acoustic set on an electric guitar. Also the drum machine used by John during Chris' Solo was switched on by Guitar Tech, but not switched off; leading to Steve apologising for the 'extra percussionist' during Long Distance Runaround.

These things didn't seriously detract from the overall experience. Rick's solo was spectacular, Chris and Alan tore apart White Fish/On The Silent Wings Of Freedom/Tempus Fugit and the band worked superbly. Awaken was a fantastic climax to the main part of the set; from with Rick's organ solo integrating superbly over the gentle harp. After the encores of Your Move/All Good People and Roundabout the crowd was left satisfied and begging for more; which is as it should be.

Overall a stunning experience, only let down by a minor, pot-bellied, irritant.

Thanks for coming to Australia guys; it was an experience worth waiting for.

Murray Almond

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This is a late review as I've only just returned to Perth from my Yes week-end experience.

Well................having read the previous reviews I won't cover old ground about the sound problems just to say that I thought Jon was a bit low in the mix and Chris was slightly overpowering compared to the rest. very disappointed with Steve's technical problems tonite but like a lot of people have mentioned..............."a pay back to his tech who pull the plug on the support act".

But for the show. I haven't seen Yes since Jan 72 at Bristol UK, I took my seat in great anticipation of a fantastic night. Whilst I enjoyed every second of the show (including cock-ups, crappy sound and the professional nature of the band to overcome these mishaps) I must say that i walked out of the hall with mixed emotions.

Having read previous reviews of other concerts around the world it seems to be a constant problem with the sound crew. I have seen calls for there sacking, calls that Yes deserve better from this area and now I can understand why. Whilst I enjoyed every minute of the show it was marred by some very annoying technical problems.

I loved the set-list....sitting were I was 4th row 8 seats in I seem to be overpowered by the keyboards and bass. But through all the "agony" of the sound problems you had to admire Jon in particular for trying to keep this all "together". He used humour between songs, tried to control and signal to the "techs" to get the levels right for most of the night. It must be very disconcerting to him to have to devote his full attention to performing for the paying public and also trying to control the sound crew.

But having said all that after 31 yrs of no Yes this was still fantastic and I can tell you now, see the reviews of Sydney!!!!!. This was the night that we had waited for "all our lives".

Don't want to sound to negative so my highlights were.

Chris Squires Bass "solo". What a fantastic performance. he and Alan worked so "tightly" together it was just unbelievable. Jon's Solo was fantastic...must release this soon.

All in all. if you are a regular viewer of Yes shows I reckon you would have walked out of the hall slightly disappointed but as a fan of 30 plus years and not seeing them for 31 of those years I'd have to say that it was a performance that was enjoyed by virtually all of the 3,500 crowd.

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Have fun - Doug

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Anne Corris

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After witnessing the problems of the night before I arrived with my wife and two children (a first Yes show for all 3) a little unsure if I was going to be proven right with what I have always said about the group or there 'taunting" remarks to me of the past 20 odd years would come back to "haunt me"......Why should I have worried. The show was a fantastic success and the crowd responded accordingly. I have never seen so many standing ovations after each song. There was still a few sound "hiccups" in the first couple of pieces. I must also admit that I was scared "S**tless when Steve picked up his acoustic guitar for the night before.....why did I even considering worrying. It was ALL FIRST CLASS from the first note of the Firebird Suite to the last bar of Roundabout.

The highlights had to be for me,

Once again Chris and Alan's work together on Chris's "solo"
Steve Howe's acoustic set. After the disappointment of the previous night this was truly superb. he played out of his skin tonite and received the accolades form the fans that he deserves.

But the main highlight for me was "South side of the Sky". How that song ROCKS. It left me breathless and I never wanted it to end and this was followed very closely by "Awaken". I waited in anticipation of the previous nights "Awaken" and was left reasonably happy with the version, but in Sydney this song just about finished you off (it was the last of the night before the "encores"). I can't imagine a more beautiful song in the history of Progressive rock or at least Yes's history.

All in all a fantastic night out with Yes. I hope they looked at the overwhelming welcome they have received over these last two nights and will not leave it soooooooooooooooooo long to return.

As for some of the comments from the family.

Wife. It just reminded me how good the music of the early 70's really was ( I think she had a bit of a nostalgia trip)

16yr old daughter after Ricks solo............He's not too bad!!!!!!!!

12yr old daughter. I quiet enjoyed it (this was after the first number "Siberian Khatru" in which I thought I'd have to "tie her to the seat" to get her to stay.

One mention of the groups "kindness" to us YESFANZ.

We had organised pre concert parties to both shows. The group had indicted that they wouldn't be at the Melbourne party but would most certainly attend the Sydney party.

What a surprise we had. In Melbourne they came along for over 30 mins to do an Answer and Questions session and signing opportunities for the fanz

In Sydney it was virtually assured that the band would come along to our pre show party.........Unfortunately nearly 200 fanz turned up but no group. To their credit they (Yes touring party) organised (at short notice) a room at the groups hotel and we were invited to attend after the concept to meet and greet . they duly came along to the room and stood in different areas to sign anything that was put in their face and also were happy to have their photos taken with any fan who wished it.

I never got anything signed or took a photo opportunity (although one came my way with Rick) I was in such awe that after such a performance from still the worlds best band I was actually in the same room with these "gods of rock". I just hope that they have enjoyed there stay in oz and it has made them enough money to return in the next couple of years.

Long may they live and reign. Great artist, great people.......not to mention the great fanz who have supported this tour.

LONG LIVE YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

John McInerney 
(founding YesFANZ Member - John Looks after Member Services)

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After Melbourne, this concert was simply awesome. Glitches left behind - the band simply were on fire from the opening bars of Khatru. I could sense that this was going to be a special evening. I was at the Sydney concerts in 1973 - long remembered by fans as being absolutely superb - and Sydney 2003 was just as good. Sydney 1973 converted me to being a Yes fan, Sydney 2003 converted my wife who has tried to understand Yes music over the last 25 years without really 'getting' it - now she does!

An important element was the audience. Essentially it was so rapturous in its response the band clearly picked up on it and took themselves to another level. Jon commented on this during the show. The relationship between band and audience was truly organic with each driving the other on.

There are numerous highlights but for me Steve Howe shone. He is getting better as he gets older. The tempo may be slower but his timing and feel for each guitar is just mind boggling. His acoustic solo, so abruptly terminated by the sound glitches in Melbourne, was played consummately. 'To be over' was stunning with Clap not far behind. The prolonged standing ovation he received after his spot was amazing but absolutely appropriate. The others were excellent as well but I won't dwell on them.

I was absolutely ecstatic that Jon mentioned Robert Forbes on stage for his efforts to get the band back to Australia. This was extremely gratifying and well deserved.

It was a shame that Roger Dean didn't take up the bands offer to join them on stage for the encore as he is so much part of Yes culture and I'm sure he would have received a well justified ovation himself.

This band is simply improving with age. I suspect the 2004 tour will be incredible. I just hope we don't have to wait another 30 years.....

Brian Draper
(founding YesFANZ Member - Brian Looks after the Newsletters, publications, and general nice guy)

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What a difference a day makes. After the mixed bag of Melbourne, Sydney turned out to be an absolute ripper. Prior to the show start I'd had to taxi across town to liberate two mates from the arms of "The Toxteth" so a little drama to start the night. That turned out ok though and we made our seats to catch the Sebastian Hardie set. An excellent one it was too. Well done Mario and the lads.

As they finished and folks headed to the restrooms and bar a buzz started circulating that the break would only be ten minutes. Needless to say, I bypassed the bar queues and returned promptly to my seat five rows from the front, centre stage.
From that vantage point the sound and sight was superb. We'd truly landed in a sweet spot.
As the firebird reached its conclusion Yes came onstage to a rapturous reception, proceeding to promptly tear the place down with a blistering performance of Siberian Khatru. Howe was literally incendiary. If his fingers weren't bleeding after that solo then they must be made of an asbestos and steel hybrid!

And so the set proceeded as Yes delivered every song in the set with a fire and velocity that I have never witnessed before (not that my Yes concert experience is vast, mind you. I've only seen five shows in total). Two and a half hours passed in an avalanche of emotions and experiences served up by five of the best in the business. The camaraderie they exhibited on stage extended itself warmly around the 6500 in attendance and we were there with them. A great feeling.
Any niggling doubts after last night in Melbourne evaporated as the band tore through the set with an almost obscene confidence.

Every song was a highlight: The reverence and intense, respectful quiet afforded to Howe whilst he performed To be over was tension extended to the extreme. Many folks chose to clap along to 'Clap', as you'd expect; Xena2 was in the audience, as was Steve Howe's brother, Phillip (hey, didn't he film Yessongs?) and the chap at the soundboard confirmed that the show had been recorded. So....c'mon Yes Inc. Please release this show via Yesworld!

Another highlight that has to be mentioned was the absolutely stunning version of SSotS. Rick and Steve's battle at the end was easily twice as long as any boot version I've heard from the 2002/Full Circle tour. Steve was leaping around like a jack rabbit firing salvos at Rick and vice versa. Both ended the dual with huge grins on their faces.

Rather than go back through the set and do a song by song analysis I'll just repeat what I said earlier. Every song was a highlight.

Backstage after the show was a whole different vibe to the the night before with happy smiling band members more than willing to chat and pose for shots. There's nothing like knowing you've done a good job.
There's also *nothing* like a Yesshow

Paul Rogers
(founding YesFANZ Member - Paul is our New Zealand Representative, and mega yes head, and amazing artist)

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Robert Forbes
(founderer of YesFANZ - Bob is the man, the inspiration, and the visionary. of YesFANZ, and maybe Jon's next manager ?)

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The show was hastily arranged due to the Jakarta misfortunes (only 3 weeks promotion), so my fear of not getting a good response to the show was unfounded. The venue was very close to full(2300).

Still to start at the beginning. Not like the rest of the tour there was no support act. That's the way I like, although I still enjoyed Sebastian Hardie particularly in Sydney.

I was sitting with a couple of Yes friends, 1 had been to both shows on the tour the other only Melbourne. My highlights were,

The lights were lowered, the Firebird suite cranked up and the anticipation of my 3rd Yes show in 5 days was bubbling inside and it was finally sinking in that Yes were in my "adopted" hometown. As usual they went straight into SK and treated us to the best version on tour, Steve was into it right from the first note and he continued to rock for the rest of the night.

SOTS was just unbelievable. It really rocked for me in the previous two shows but this one was just fantastic. They really gave it everything Chris and Alan being so tight, Rick's piano was beautiful and his "dual" with Steve at the end of this number got a great reaction from the crowd.

The Solos, Steve Howe (To be Over, The Clap with a bit of Australia thrown in) absolutely fantastic. His sound is so crystal clear, flowing and clean. How this guy only made it to number 69 on that guitar poll is beyond me.

Jon - well that is the third time I have heard "Show Me". His voice tonite was even closer to an angel than it normally is.

Rick - fast and furious not to mention brilliant. I think he must of used every key on the 11 or so keyboards he had around him tonite.

LDR followed by "Whitefish" very nearly stole the show for me. The bass was so heavy and "twangy" (hope you know what I mean) It made my chest palpitate. Chris is the master of this instrument. he held the crowd in his hands for the full duration and just when they thought it had ended he "cranked" it up again. But would this be so spectacular if it wasn't for the rocking drums of Alan. I think not. Alan, the quiet man in the background, he is so very important to the Yes live sound.

Awaken.......what can I say about this classic. they nailed it big time. Steve's intro was flawless and exciting, Jon's voice.........sorry lost for words to describe it. If I ever get to here angels sing it wouldn't be as perfect as he was tonite. Then there was the harp/keyboard duet. This is always a highlight for me and Rick didn't pull any punches with this one. Close your eyes and melt away it just takes you to another place that is certainly not on this earth.

We had the usual encores and I must admit this was the most rocking version I have heard of Roundabout. I know a lot of people have been calling for this to be removed from the set-list but after tonite it proved to be a great closer.

So no technical problems, the group looked happy and contented. The one low point and I guess it is only minor was the crowd were very reserved. Jon tried hard to get them on their feet. I couldn't believe my eyes when after the standing ovation to get them back on stage half the people in the front 10 rows "sat down". Jon managed to get most of them back up but he had to work hard. It wasn't as if they weren't enjoying it. As they turned their backs and walked off for the final time I couldn't help but think this is probably the last time I will see them. I had just witness something very special that only Yes can give me. These guys are gods in the music world. They all have been blessed with exceptional individual talent and when combined provide us with the sort of experienced I had tonite. Thank you Yes. YESFANZ will be continuing to lobby for your return to our shores.

Note to all ozzie Yes fans. Jon gave us a bit of an insight into why they haven't been to Oz for soooooooooo long. Apparently the groups manager ripped off the local promoter in Adelaide and they were deemed "undesirable" by promoters and record companies in this country. (is this true or not?????).

Also if you haven't done it yet check out www.yesfanz.com and register. the more that join us the better chance we have of getting them back.

John McInerney 
(founding YesFANZ Member - John Looks after Member Services)

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Intro music as per Yessongs (Firebird Suite?)
Siberian Khatru
Magnification (?)
Don't Kill the Whale
New song (Sacred Ground?)
We have heaven
South Side of the Sky
And You & I
Steve Howe acoustic set incl The Clap
Break
Jon Anderson solo song dedicated to his wife (Lost in the power of love?)
Rick joined him towards the end and then did his solo bit incl 6 wives, etc
Heart of the Sunrise
Long Distance Runaround/The Fish (split by Chris/Alan duet incl
Tempus Fugit (I think) & Silent Wings of Freedom)
Awaken
Encores:
All Good People
Roundabout
Thoughts
Strange seeing this lot again after so long (last time was
the "Yuggles" tour!)

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Stephen Hill, N.Z.