Yes Not 'Fragile' In Stellar Philly Area Performance: Review

GLENSIDE, PA — The names and the faces may have changed over the course of five decades, but the "magical music" of Yes remains the same.

The classic progressive group staged a two-show performance recently at the iconic Keswick Theatre, belting out the entire classic "Fragile" album, surprising with the encore of a Beatles song they never performed before, and dusting off some deep cuts, including three from "Tormato."

These Yes men these days are led by longtime guitarist virtuoso Steve Howe, who played on "Fragile" when it first appeared in 1971. He's joined by keyboardist Geoff Downes, who formed the supergroup Asia with Howe after becoming a Yes man on its "Drama" album in 1980. Downes also played with the new wave group The Buggles, best known for "Video Killed The Radio Star," the first video ever played on MTV.

Rounding out the group is lead singer Jon Davison, a dead ringer for former singer Jon Anderson, who told the audience that he loves playing the "magical music" of Yes. Bassist Billy Sherwood was personally chosen by the late great Chris Squire to replace him. Drummer Jay Schellen took the seat of the late Alan White.

The band represented most of the early Yes days with its setlist list, the exception being "Circles of Time" from the 2023 album, "Mirror to the Sky." The song keeps the mystical elements intact.

The night was divided into two sets: a batch of deep cuts, and then the entire "Fragile."

Only Yes could start a set with a track from the classic "Close to the Edge," a three-song 1972 album featuring the title cut, the hit "And You and I," and "Siberian Khatru," the tour's opening number.

The came three songs from the underrated "Tormato" album: "On the Silent Wings of Freedom," "Onward," and "Madrigal." All provided excellent showcases for each band member.

A section of "Relayer" rolled into "Soon," the soothing, atmospheric song that Davison handled with grace and flair. Crowd pleaser "Wonderous Stories" — also a minor hit — led into "Circles" before the band closed out the first set with the riveting and rocking "Tempus Fugit.

The second set was all about "Fragile," the album that took Yes to the stratosphere of success.

Playing the record is usually an amazing experience. Hearing "Fragile" in its entirety live is another.

This album probably represents the best of Yes, when everyone was firing on all cylinders.

"Roundabout" was the first single that broke the band to the top of the charts in the 1970s and is ranked as one of the Classic Rock songs of all time. Also standout are "South Side of the Sky," "Long Distance Runaround," and "Heart of the Sunrise," all classic Yes songs still popular on FM radio to this day.

But what makes "Fragile" are five solo spotlights.

Downes shined on keyboard Rick Wakeman's adaptation of "Cans and Brahms," an excerpt of the third movement of Symphony No. 4 in E minor by Johannes Brahms, with an electric piano used for the string section, grand piano for the woodwinds, organ for the brass, electric harpsichord for reeds, and synthesiser.

Then came Davison giving Anderson's "We Have Heaven" the vocal fireworks treatment it delivers on record. Schellen was showcased for the "Five per cent for Nothing," a 35-second snippet of drum clattering.

But it's the last two solo spots that really sparkle.

Howe's "Mood for A Day" is a stronger performance live than on record. Squire's solo track, "The Fish (Schindleria Praematurus)," is one of the best by a bassist ever, and Sherwood captures every note, making the bass sound so forceful and powerful.

Yes returned for two encores: "The Word" by the Beatles, and the classic "Starship Trooper," just another song in the Yesshow that captured the spirit of this band as a force for years to come.

(Photos Courtesy of Rob Templeton)