San Luis Obispo County Telegram-Tribune
Tuesday, March 5, 1996


Yes, they can still
rock out


REVIEW
By Adam St. James
Telegram-Tribune

 SAN LUIS OBISPO -
Progressive rock, art rock
-call it what you will-
it lived and breathed Mon-
day night at the Fremont
Theatre on Monterey
Street, a full 20 years after
being declared dead by the
Sex Pistols.
 In a grand reunion of
classic '70s rock superstars
the band Yes thrilled a rapt
audience of approximately
650 with a three-hour con-
cert that blurred the line
between rock and sympho-
ny.
 The concert was special
because it marked the re-
union of the fine musi-
cians many loyal fans con-
sider the ultimate of the
three-decade-old band's
several incarnations. Vo-
calist Jon Anderson, gui-
tarist Steve Howe, key-
boardist Rick Wakeman
bassist Chris Squire and
drummer Alan White
hadn't performed together
since the late '70s, with the
exception of an early '90s
tour that also featured
members of other Yes line-
ups.
 They came together at the
Fremont Monday for the
first of three concerts
being recorded for a future
album and video release
Anderson moved to the
Central Coast last sum-
mer, and the band has
been rehearsing in town
for several months. Loyal
fans traveled from across
the country to attend the
performances.
 Anderson, the group's
principal songwriter and
spiritual leader, sang with
his unique soprano voice
sounding as clear and bril-
liant as ever. Howe, clearly
second-in-command
staged a virtual clinic for
string players, switching
repeatedly between var-
ious electric and acoustic
guitars, pedal steel guitar,
and more exotic instru-
ments.
  The two led the five-member band
through album-faithful renditions of
often obscure material and the rare
radio-friendly Yes track. Casual fans
may have been left confused by songs
like "Siberian Khatru," "Close To The
Edge" and "Time And A Word," but
casual fans were in the minority.
Nearly every song was received with a
standing ovation.
  Lengthy solos -primarily by gui-
tarist Howe- and complex, syncopat-
ed rhythms, such as in the 18-minute
"Close To The Edge," showed the
band to be rehearsed and in control.
  Background vocals by Howe and
Squire blended harmoniously with
Anderson, especially on "I've Seen All
Good People," played early in the set.
Surprisingly, keyboardist Wakeman
kept largely in the background most
of the evening, his battery of electron-
ic keyboards serving mostly as pad-
ding for Howe's solos.
  Anderson, dressed all in white with
a flowing white linen coat appeared
at times almost priestly as he chatted
between songs, explaining some of the
band's origins and the meaning be-
hind some of his lyrics. At one point
in the show, after telling a humorous
tale of how he first met bassist Squire
he announced that it was Squire's
birthday, and the crowd joined him in
singing "Happy Birthday."
  The venue itself, the beautifully
restored Fremont Theatre, built in the
1940s, was the perfect setting for the
band's artsy music.
  Before leaving, Yes closed with
rousing versions of two of the band's

most well-known songs, "Rounda-
bout" and "Starship Trooper."
  Throughout the performance the
musicians showed no sign of having
lost the virtuosity that made mem so
popular two decades ago. Their tech-
nical mastery was matched, however
with just enough heartfelt emotion
and enthusiasm to make their fans'
long wait all worthwhile.

  Yes performs at the Fremont Theatre
again tonight and Wednesday night.
Both shows are sold out.