9/1/16

Yes played a great show Sunday night. It was an honor getting to hear Drama in its entirety as well as sides 1 and 4 of Tales From Topographic Oceans. There was also a surprise appearance for "Tempus Fugit:" Trevor Horn. I was surprised that he could still sing that song as well as he did. He definitely didn't disappoint. There was a slight change in lineup shortly before the tour started, however. Since Alan White needed to undergo some physical therapy for back pain, he had to sit this tour out. Filling in for him for the time being is Jay Schellen. I couldn't help but compare this tour to the last one, which was quite sad to watch. On the last tour with Toto, Yes seemed to have lost the energy, presence, and drive that they had when Chris was still alive. I was afraid that that drive was lost completely due to the absence of Chris, but I decided to give them one more chance. I am very pleased to say that the Yes I saw Sunday night was a far more confident Yes than what I saw last year. I think playing entire albums really impacts their performance in a positive way. When they play full albums, they really seem excited about the show. To me a Yes concert (and really any concert) is supposed to be a positive, uplifting experience. I would hate to associate a Yes concert with bad memories, which is why I was ready to retire from going to Yes shows had this one been low-energy. Needless to say, I will be continuing to see them as long as they tour by themselves. I have seen them five times now, three times alone, and twice with another band. The two times I saw them with another band were very weak compared to the other three. Chris' death may have played a factor last year, but I think it was also because they couldn't be as creative with their set lists as they could when touring alone. As long as they continue to play alone and with confidence, I will be there. 

7.5/10

The 2016 Progressive Music Awards took place tonight in England. It was streamed live on Facebook so I was able to watch it in real time. Tonight's show seemed to be a lot more diverse than last year. It seemed like more attention was given to younger and lesser known bands. Last year's awards show was basically a love fest for Steven Wilson. I have a few new bands to look into now. As some of you may know, Jon Anderson was presented with the Prog God Award at the end of the evening by Rick Wakeman and Trevor Rabin. Trevor Horn even flew in from Santa Barbara to attend. Appropriate attention was given at the beginning of the evening to the many musicians who have died this year, including Keith Emerson and David Bowie. During Jon Anderson's speech, I couldn't help but imagine my friend Rachel Flowers up there one day accepting the Prog God award herself. She is more than deserving of that title, even now at 22 years old. Maybe, one day, we can both be in attendance at the Prog Awards.