August 29, 2001
British prog-rockers Yes still deliver

TORONTO -- Given I waited until 2001 to attend a Yes concert -- last night at the Molson Amphitheatre -- there was something comforting in the fact that at least three distinctive things seemingly haven't changed in the band's 33-year existence:

* Singer Jon Anderson's soaring choirboy tenor.

* Bassist Chris Squire's fondness for black spandex pants.

* And people outside the venue inhaling illegal substances.

One notable difference, however, was the impressive addition of a 30-member-plus orchestra, made up of Toronto players who had only just rehearsed with the veteran British prog-rockers yesterday afternoon.

"They're playing every note perfectly," gushed the sweet-dispositioned Anderson, 56, who could easily be a motivational speaker or the head of a commune if he wasn't a rock star.

Later he told the audience: "It's so powerful when you listen so intensely like you do. You can't quite believe it up here sometimes. It's wonderful."

There was also the virtuoso playing of professorial-looking guitar maestro Steve Howe, who at one point was left alone on the stage for two solo acoustic songs, much to the delight of fans.

Drummer Alan White and a touring keyboardist -- who probably wasn't even born when Yes formed in 1968 -- filled out the rest of the lineup that managed to draw of crowd of 7,500.

Truthfully, while I can only handle about three or four songs by this group, their epic, dense music is well-suited to the symphonic treatment.

In fact, the next Yes album, Magnification, which is due on Sept. 11, was recorded with a symphony.

The new record was represented last night by two songs -- Don't Go and In The Presence Of -- and if the positive shout-outs afterwards by some audience members were any indication, Yes will likely by back next summer, pounding away on their instruments, with the crowd soaking up every last note.

JAM! Rating: 3 out of 5 (More on Yes)