Concert Report: Yes

[الله أكبر]

Just got back from Yes featuring Asia at the Tower Theater in Upper Darby. HOLY FUCK.

I had no idea what to expect from Asia, but was über-glad to find out that it was all the original members...Carl Palmer killed it on the drums, Jon Wetton has some major pipes. The music was total schlock-rock, but nonetheless enjoyable. The best part of the set was when they covered "In the Court of the Crimson King" by King Crimson.

As for Yes, I also had no idea what to expect. Jon Anderson is apparently out of commission, but his replacement was really good. I didn't catch the dude's name, but he's from Canada, is very short, and sounds EXACTLY like Jon Anderson. Also, Oliver Wakeman, Rick's son, did a good job on the keyboards. They opened up with my favorite song, "Siberian Khatru," then played "I've Seen All Good People." All in all, they had a great setlist mixing their 70s proggy stuff with their 80s pop stuff. Lots of fat dudes in Hawaiian shirts were dancing in the aisles. They totally nailed "And You and I," and I was blown away when they closed the set with "Heart of the Sunrise" and then "Starship Trooper" as an encore. I don't know how old these guys are but they can really still rip.

[CadmiumYellow]

sounds fun ! the tower is awesome

[Shire Le Buff]

I was offered tickets to this show last night then I had to cancel because of work.

I AM SO ANGRY ABOUT EVERYTHING RIGHT NOW.

[Larry Flyntz]

"And You and I" and "Heart of the Sunrise" are my two favorite Yes songs - I wish I had been there!

[Violent Unrest in Allentown]

Ugh I wish I had gone. I'm glad you're still the prog nerd i've grown to love, Mits.

[Infinite Jerkgrinders]

Last night I saw Joe Bonamassa and Derek Trucks play at 'Hot August Blues' -- a festival at a park. The first show was so-so but unsurprisingly Derek Trucks was incredible. Impressively, the sound quality for the outdoor event was extremely well balanced and clear. Trucks put on a unique and powerful performance, his stage presence has increased since last I saw him, and he played a full 2 hours straight with little or no break, everywhere from texas roadhouse blues, to his own work off the new CD, a couple old favorite songs of mine, and one song where he took a holiday song and rehashed and reworked it into an extremely interesting and enjoyable jazz jam.

At one point he had Joe Bonamassa come out and play with him, and that particular song was completely awesome. Bonamassa is certainly an impressive virtuoso, but the songs played seemed to be a little too gaudy and flashy. When combined with the control and intent of the DTB, though, I think his musical creativity came through. The song was quite excellent.  One of the best parts of the festival was that most people were content to sit back along the hill, so I was able to get real close to the stage.  It was a strange festival however.  Most people were sitting on those folding chairs not moving at all, an odd amalgam of mostly middle age to older people, as well as some 30-something year old Bros. Reminded me of a concert I saw of Bela Fleck and the Flecktones where half the crowd was composed of like senior citizens dying in their seats, while college students stood and boogied.

Good stuff

[Shire Le Buff]

Philadelphia Folk Festival? I was there but didn't see Derek Trucks. The festival as a whole was pretty great though.

[Infinite Jerkgrinders]

Philadelphia Folk Festival? I was there but didn't see Derek Trucks. The festival as a whole was pretty great though.

No this was in Baltimore. Cockeysville to be precise.