Yes Epics & Classics Featuring Jon Anderson and the Band Geeks / Westbury 2023 / 3CDR+1DVDR

Yes Epics & Classics Featuring Jon Anderson and the Band Geeks / Westbury 2023 / 3CDR+1DVDR / Amity
The Space at Westbury, Westbury, NY, USA 14th April 2023

 

Play sample :

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Jon Anderson teamed up with THE BAND GEEKS to launch a new tour limited to YES music. A superb live set that reports the latest tour is here.
This work contains two audience records for one show. It is a 4-disc set with the super-superb recording of “Westbury Performance on April 14, 2023” on DISC 1-3 and the front row video on DISC 4. It’s been a long time since I’ve reported on John’s solo activities, and this is the first time after the new corona pandemic. First of all, let’s organize the current situation after the restart with a schedule.

● 2021
・July 30-August 28: US #1 (12 performances)
● 2022
・ April 6-16: US #2 (5 performances)
・ July 7-August 6: US #3 (13 performances)
● 2023
・April 14-May 16: USA #4 (12 performances) ← Coco

This is the schedule for 2021-2023 that has been announced so far. The sequel to “OLIAS OF SUNHILLOW” is also a hot topic, but on stage, the inclination to YES music is accelerating. Following last year’s “Kiseki” 50th anniversary tour (#3 in the US), the all-song YES tour is being carried out this year as well. And THE BAND GEEKS, who are backing this time, are the house band of the internet program “THE BAND GEEK PODCAST” hosted by Richie Castellano of BLUE OYSTER CULT. At that time, it was limited to PODCAST, but now it has become very popular on Youtube with a group of classic rock masterpieces. There is also a YES number in the repertoire of THE BAND GEEKS, and John who saw it was impressed by the performance that was too similar to the original family, and this tour was realized. The Westbury performance of this work was also the first day of “US # 4” where the collaboration of interest appeared.

[3 CDs: Full recording of impact that can only be heard on the sound board directly connected to the desk] The main feature of this work that conveys such a show is a full live album with shocking sounds. This is another unbelievable super sound. Although it sucks in lively cheering and singing, the essential performance is a complete soundboard class. Even if I listen carefully with headphones, I can’t feel the hall noise at all, and if the core and details are transcendent, I can only think that the separate feeling, stereo feeling, and edge were recorded directly from the IEMs interception or the mixing desk. The microphone used (Sennheiser ME 104) is also open to the public, so it’s an audience. . . Should be. . . but. . .
I’ve come across recordings that make me wonder, “Where’s the audience in this?” Mankind in 2023 has finally become able to leave such sounds with spatial recordings…
A full show filled with YES music is drawn with that impeccable sound. In this work, the show is completely recorded with 3 CDs, but a super delicious bonus track is also added. In order to explain the contents, let’s organize the contents of the set here.

– Third album (4 songs)
・Yours Is No Disgrace / Perpetual Change / Starship Trooper / I’ve Seen All Good People
● Others (9 songs)
・70s: Heart Of The Sunrise/Roundabout/Close To The Edge/And You And I/Ritual (Nous Sommes Du Soleil)/Awaken/The Gates of Delirium（★）
・80s: Rhythm Of Love/Owner Of A Lonely Heart
*Note: “★” marks are bonus tracks from the Reading performance (April 23rd).

… and exactly “THE BEST of YES”. The 80’s “Rhythm Of Love” and “Owner Of A Lonely Heart” are also featured, but everything else is the essence of the 70’s prog. This is still a great piece of symphonic rock! is shown. The full show of the Westbury performance on the first day exceeds 2 hours and 20 minutes, but DISC 3 of this work also includes a bonus recording of “The Gates of Delirium” of Reading, the 4th performance. Actually, John sings this song for the first time in 22 years since “THE SYMPHONIC Tour” in 2001. With a full performance of more than 20 minutes, you can also enjoy a super sound that is comparable to the main Westbury recording.

[DVD: Ultra-special seat video that you can get stuck in the front row] Such a full live album alone is a miraculous masterpiece, but this work is far from over. It also includes a full video that allows you to witness the Westbury performance on the first day. Moreover, this is also a shocking front row shot! Although it is at a diagonal angle from the left side of the stage (the side of Andy Graziano on the guitar), there are no customers in front. The camera pit opens wide in front of you, and you can monopolize the stage as if you were watching a rehearsal without an audience.
However, the enthusiasm is definitely a concert live with an audience. John, the main character, seems to be having fun anyway, and shows off his angelic voice at the age of 78. Even though it’s over 2 hours long, the voice, tension and street may be the best in recent years. And THE BAND GEEKS that support such John are also wonderful. John also said, “It’s really like YES (of yesteryear)!” The playing ability and chorus are perfect, and they may exceed themselves in their heyday, such as the stability of the guitar. Especially the castellano of Banmas on the base. It roars a hard driving bass that Chris Squire has transferred, and the harmony is really beautiful.

Only Steve Howe knows the golden age of the original YES. Although I do not want to get involved in barren discussions such as “Which YES is real?” Now, John also launched a new project with plenty of authenticity. This work is a 4-disc set where you can fully enjoy such a remarkable full show with a live album of transcendental quality and front row shots. Please enjoy it to your heart’s content!

★ A 4-disc audience set with the super-superb recording of “Westbury Performance on April 14, 2023” on DISC 1-3 and the front row video on DISC 4. The main full recording has a transcendental quality where you can’t feel the hall noise at all, and if the core and details are transcendental, you can only think that the separate feeling, the stereo feeling, and the edge were recorded directly from the IEMs interception or the mixing desk. The video version also monopolized the stage with super zoom from the front row. It is an absolute work that you can fully experience the evening of YES music that is more authentic than the original.

Amity 718