Best Live Show You Have Been To? "Yes" for Me

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    The best live concert I have been to was the band Yes. Even though I knew next to nothing about their music before this show. If you don't know, Yes is a "progressive" rock band that was big in the 1970's. Progressive rock is more complex and sometimes has lengthy songs, odd-time signatures, and some improv. You might recognize the song "Roundabout" or "I've Seen All Good People." These were Yes's biggest songs and my least favorites. The show was at Boston Garden on December 11th, 1974. This was before the venue became the Fleet Center and now TD Garden. 

    One of the things that made this show so special was that the stage was in the center of the floor. Most people got a great view of the band, even though I was only thirteen at the time. How did that happen?

    I just found out while writing this that Yes has released a double CD of this show (in April 2024). You can only find it on Amazon, though. I don't see that you'll be able to stream or download it, so you better jump on it. There is only one CD left on Amazon as of this writing. Amazon, "Yes" at Boston Garden, 1974. 

     Yes was performing with Rick Wakeman, the keyboard player in and out of the band. He was sooooo good. I don't like keyboards much, so you have to be phenomenal for me to acknowledge you. Steve Howe, the guitarist, was magical. He is so unique. Steve doesn't bend notes much, that's for sure. He likes to play odd scales in odd ways. It's just him. Lots of legato techniques. Jon Anderson's voice was so clear and cut well. He has a higher voice that cuts through all the other instruments. Frankly, every member of this band was on top of their game. Chris Squire also cut through the music with his Rickenbacker bass. Squire was a massive part of their sound. The sound engineers at the show did a fantastic job, that is for sure. The lighting was great, too. These people always need more credit! For a band I was totally unfamiliar with (other than the two songs mentioned above), It was the best show I've ever seen live. Go figure.

    I won't bore you by explaining the songs they played. If you know them, you know them. If you don't, please check out Yessongs and see if you like them. They just don't play stuff like this anymore. As I said, bands had way more creative freedom back in the 70's.

    Check it out on Spotify: Yessongs. This is their best album, as far as I am concerned. Not only is it live, but it has all their great songs on one album. Yessongs came out in 1973.

Artwork by Roger Dean, 1973

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