Yes
2008-11-09
Mohegan Sun Arena
Uncasville, CT

Chris Squire - bass, vocals, harmonica
Steve Howe - guitar, vocals
Alan White - drums, vocals
Benoit David - vocals, percussion, guitar
Oliver Wakeman - keyboards


A Kitty Lickin' Discs Production

Disc One
1. Firebird Suite (3:03)
2. Siberian Khatru (9:50)
3. I've Seen All Good People (7:15)
4. Heart Of The Sunrise (12:29)
5. Tempus Fugit (6:03)
6. Onward (5:20)
7. Astral Traveler (7:36)
8. Close To The Edge (20:11)
9. Parallels (7:11)

Disc Two
1. And You And I (12:14)
2. Corkscrew (3:50)
3. Sketches In The Sun (4:06)
4. Long Distance Runaround > (4:31)
5. The Fish > (3:47)
6. Aliens (Are Only Us From The Future) (6:05)
7. Machine Messiah (11:09)
8. Soon (6:49)
9. Starship Trooper (12:47)
10. Owner Of A Lonely Heart (5:57)
11. Roundabout (8:37)


Lineage: SP-CMC-2 > SP-SPSB-8 > Sony MZ-NH1 (Hi-SP mode) >
USB > Sony SonicStage 4.3> Wavelab 4.0 > CDWAV > FLAC Front End.
Location: Section 5, Row K, Seat 11

Recorded by: Relayer35


Comments: After hearing over 650 Yes concert recordings over the
years, and attending 33 different Yes shows, I am happy to be able to
present the first one that I've recorded myself (though there is
surely some debate as to whether this lineup is Yes or not). Despite
the controversy surrounding this tour, Mohegan Sun Arena was packed,
with people even up in the upper levels. Unfortunately, like so many
Connecticut venues, Mohegan Sun Arena has terrible acoustics, and I
thought the sound at the show sucked. I have never heard a great sounding
show from this venue. Everything was very boomy and echoey, like they are
playing in a large cave. (I wish they played at the Oakdale, which is
one of the few venues in the state that has excellent acoustics). I was
seated on the floor a few rows in front of the soundboard, dead center,
so it should have been sweet spot...maybe it was. That being said, I think
the recording sounds very good, and is a pretty accurate representation
of what I heard. I toned the boominess down, and raised the mids and highs
a bit, as well as the raising the overall volume level. The sound got
better a few songs in, which this recording reflects as well. There were
no real loud drunks near me, as the people sitting directly next to me
were all very quiet and attentive, so I definitely lucked out in that
respect. There is some overall crowd murmur throughout. All in all,
I'm very pleased with how this turned out. Interestingly enough, there was
an announcement over the PA before the show that photography and video
recording were prohibited, so does that mean Yes is completely okay with
audio recording now?

The performance was excellent, screw-ups were few, and the band seemed
really tight. I thought Benoit David sounded more like Trevor Horn than
Jon Anderson. He sang for both people very well, though there were a few
spots where his voice would break a little. Since I picked up the CD from
his band Mystery, It's obvious he does not sing Yes songs with his natural
voice, which may be tough for him to keep up on an extended tour. The
highlights for me were the two Drama songs, Astral Traveler and Parallels
(one of my all time favorite songs that I've finally been able to see performed
live). I liked the new Chris Squire song as well, and you will never hear
me complain about Close To The Edge. The crowd was very enthusiastic, and
Steve Howe especially was really animated on the stage. The lack of Jon
did not seem to damper anyone spirits at the show!

-- MP November 2009