Review Tuesday: YES and Asia at the CapitalOne Theater in Westbury

After the big YES reunion of the 1990s, I have tried to catch the band on every tour when they stop by New York. Last year they were planning something big for their 40th anniversary. Yup, did you realize that Yes has been around that long? But the unimaginable occurred - singer Jon Anderson suffered a collapsed lung and the tour was cancelled. Then word got out that Yes hired a dude named Benoit who was able to hit all the notes to be Jon's "understudy" but not an official replacement. In addition, on keyboards would be Oliver Wakeman, the son of Rick. The first time the band came through with that line-up, the ticket prices were insane. About double usual ticket price to see them. I couldn't justify over $200 for tixx in the rafters with an obstructed view of the stage. I didn't want to, but had to pass on my favorite band. But about a week and a half ago I read about Yes performing 10 miles from my house in a much smaller venue for very attractive ticket prices. I jumped on the chance.

The opening act was ASIA. Since Asia first hit the scene, the band has seen many line-up changes, but for this show it was all the original guys. They played one new song, covers from King Crimson (former band of the bassist / singer), one ELP song (since Carl Palmer is on drums), Video Killed the Radio Star (Geoff Downes was in the Buggles, then Yes, then Asia) and three songs from the first two Asia albums including their biggest hit "The Heat of the Moment" to close out their set. Keep in mind, Steve Howe was one of the founding members of Asia and took on the guitars that night.

After a brief intermission Yes took the stage. By the way, that was a round stage in the center of the theater that spun so every seat was indeed a great seat. The band line up:

• Chris Squire: Bass
• Alan White: Drums
• Steve Howe: Guitars
• Oliver Wakeman: Keyboards
• Benoit David: Vocals

And the set list:

1. Firebird Suite
2. Siberian Khatru
3. I've Seen All Good People
4. Tempus Fugit
5. Astral Traveler (featuring a drum solo)
6. And You And I
7. Guitar Solo
8. Owner of a Lonely Heart
9. Into the Lens
10. Roundabout
11. Heart of the Sunrise
12. Starship Trooper

Much that I hoped for, and didn't hope for came true. I finally got to see Yes perform some songs from the album, Drama, the two best ones in fact. I don't know what Steve Howe did with his sounds, but it was so full and fat sounding that he sounded amazing for Owner of a Lonely Heart. The did Roundabout as it was on the album Fragile. New keyboardist Oliver was a chip off the old block and did an amazing job playing. He reminded me a lot of his father from the mid 1970s. Chris Squire was his usual dead perfect self. I was a little concerned about Alan White. After his drum solo he looked rather ill on stage. I noticed him fake playing part of Into the Lens and goofed a measure in Heart of the Sunrise. As a musician who has played on stage, I knew it. The looks from the other members to Alan then amongst themselves. The all-telling onstage evil-eye. Plus I felt the mistake being a drummer myself. But both were relatively minor. I think I was most surprised with new singer Benoit David. He could hit all of Jon's notes perfectly, was able to play guitar or percussion while singing, and actually kinda looked like a young Jon Anderson.

Rick Wakeman once said that he felt that YES was an entity that would go on forever with new talented musicians taking over for previous generations and incarnations. Seeing the youth of Oliver and Benoit joining the seasoned veterans: Howe, Squire, White; and doing it well proved Rick's point. I wouldn't mind seeing this same lineup for an upcoming masterworks tour. They can handle it for sure!