YES Gets Closer To The Edge: Music Review

GLENSIDE, PA—YES is not the type of band you see in concert to hear the hits.

This umpteenth version of the legendary progressive rock band would rather dip into its vast catalogue dating back to 1968 and play songs that only true fans can appreciate.

You’re always going to hear “Roundabout,” the classic that went to No. 13 on the charts in 1972 and basically broke the group in America. And then came “Close to the Edge” later that year, the group’s highest charting album at No. 3.

That’s what these Yesmen focused on. In celebration of the album’s 50th anniversary, YES played the three-song prog rock masterpiece in its entirety during two shows Friday and Saturday at the Keswick Theatre on its only stop in the Philadelphia area. The show kicked off the U.S. leg of its tour.

This version of the group is led by guitar virtuoso Steve Howe, who joined the group in 1971 for “The Yes Album.” That album drew as much of the spotlight with “Yours is No Disgrace” at the beginning and show closing classic “Starship Trooper” at the end. Howe tossed in his little acoustic ditty “Clap” alone on stage for good measure early in the show.

YES has always prided itself on creating song sections within their songs. That’s why albums like “Relayer” and “Close to the Edge” only feature three songs. But each sometimes lasts between 10-20 minutes.

The show was played in two sets besides the two encores: The “Close” album was spotlighted during the second set.

The first set featured “Disgrace” and “Clap” as mentioned, two new songs from last year’s “The Quest,” the always wonderful “Wonderous Stories,” an upbeat “No Opportunity Necessary, No Experience Needed” from its second album and an impressive set-closing take of “Heart of the Sunrise.”

What makes YES unique is starting off a show with an obscure track that’s dusted off from 44 years ago in “On the Silent Wings of Freedom,” from 1978’s “Tormato,” a clever album title and cool cover.

This isn’t the classic version of the band. While Howe commands the stage, gone are keyboard extraordinaire Rick Wakeman, drummer Alan White, bassist Chris Squire and lead singer Jon Anderson.

Squire, the band’s heart, died in 2015. White passed away in late May. Before the show started, a tribute to White was shown on screen. Keyboardist Geoff Downes doesn’t get the credit for working the keys. Remember though, he was a powerhouse with Howe in the 1980s supergroup Asia and also launched MTV with “Video Killed the Radio Star.”

Anderson, the group’s long-time vocalist, is a solo act these days, having performed the entire “Close” as well at the same venue in July.

But if you closed your eyes Friday night, you would think Anderson was right there on stage.

No, that’s Jon Davison, who sounds like a younger Anderson of the 1970s and can match the sounds and mannerisms of the legendary vocalist.

Bassist Billy Sherwood has Squire down perfectly. He even wears the cape. And while Jay Schellen can never match White, he hammers away at the kit, keeping in lock with Sherwood.

“Close to the Edge” was note perfect throughout. Howe was majestic in his riffing and finger picking, trading from electric to acoustic to even slide guitar for pieces.

The title song hummed along in its progressive chord changes on a dime, shifting from heavy bass and guitar to Davison’s soaring “I Get Up, I Get Down” section that repeated throughout the 18-minute song.

“And You and I” followed and that’s definitely a crowd pleaser. “Siberian Khatru” is more a straight-ahead rocker and the perfect song to bring the audience to its feet and close the second set.

YES has had a long history. This version kept that legacy intact.