Close to the Edge with Yes
© by Rochelle Jourdan
17 July 2K

Last week I could not believe what I was hearing on the radio announcement about the upcoming Yes concert; that they would be playing the Close to the Edge recording. I'm only 36 years old and the Close to the Edge "album" came out in 1972, when I was a mere 9 years of age, to see them perform it now was such a treat! Sure, my sister, who's six years older than I liked Yes back then but there was no way I would be able to go to a concert let alone "think of going to a concert" fortunately this changed when I was 13 and my mom became Vice Mayor with all the perks such as great seats to rock concerts for her kids! It's too bad MY kids who love concerts couldn't go to this show; they're 4 and 6 and have been raised on such greatness as Yes amongst many other classical rock bands of the 70's. In 1982, or thereabout, I was able to see the 90125 show that I enjoyed but it wasn't the same as the music they produced in 1972, which I find better. I was mesmerized when I saw Jon Anderson sing with Vangelis directly to me, we had perfect eye contact 10 feet in front of me at the Aquarius; a small bar in Seattle after Yes broke up sometime in the 80's. I so looked forward to this show that I would have never been able to see.

On 16 July, 2K, We entered SPAC, Saratoga Performing Arts Center in Saratoga Springs, NY on a full moon's evening to a fairly lax security check.  I was asked to open my "black hole" that some call a purse, pocket book or handbag.  He saw my cigarettes and some tissue amongst the endless vastness of approximately 10 pounds of mommy paraphernalia that I take with me always and sent me on my way, too afraid to reach in and rightly so.  Unlike days gone by, one is not allowed to bring in ANY outside food or beverage, sealed or otherwise; I left my beverages in the car but smuggled in my mini butterfingers, mints and hot tamale candies! They charge $3.00 for a bottle of water $3.50 for soda and $5.00 for premium beer that was sold ONLY in the "beer garden" which, during intermission after an incredible comeback by Kansas, who has taken much time to produce their latest recording of which I heard, sounds awesome, those few hundred people who chose beer were herded therein to be asked for ID, buy beer sold by 6 people in an unlit tent due to a blown fuse and were made to remain in the garden while they drank their beer.  Since Yes was just starting to play as I got my beer, I chugged it down and believe it was the quickest beer I ever drank in my life.

Getting back to our seats, we found the same difficulty in seeing the right side of the stage so I had the men next to us slide down to the seats that were not taken but were being heavily guarded by a woman who was a self proclaimed seat cop!  The seats were never reclaimed and the men were not harassed as I was earlier while sitting in front of her. We could see much better but never once saw a drummer, not to care, we were only 11 rows back, within perfect shot of moving eyes, mouths and fingers of the band member's bodies. Chris Squire who stands well over 6 foot tall looked good with his black baggy shirt, opened in a V, tied with a black sash over black spandex pants, donning black combat boots with yellow laces to complete the ensemble. I never thought I'd ever see a man in spandex again; who said the fashion is dead? Jon Anderson was sporting a flowing white outfit with a yellow sash that looked very much Indian, (like from India, not native American). Steve Howe has lost much of his hair and looked much like many a comfortable grandfather dressed in jeans and T-shirt.  Igor Khoroshev, their new Russian, keyboard player was dress in white that was just a shade brighter than his blonde hair. I believe Alan White was the drummer but never saw him hiding behind the stacks of speakers. Next time I will know which seats are better at this venue.

The music filled the air and I was able to sing with some of my favorite songs as loud as I liked without fear of anybody hearing me.  Chris Squire never brought out any of his flashy basses as he did back in the 80's and played his incredible licks on his old Rickenbacher bass while booming such confidence, strength and spirit in every note he struck, my body hummed from the vibrations he created.  Steve Howe, in his subdued presence smoothly fingered the crowds all time favorites to fill the air with beautiful sounds.  Igor kept up on keyboard with the band and I believe he's an asset to the band.  Jon Anderson, as before emanates such a pure existence of love.  He pointed out that SPIRIT is what truly matters and this is where the songs come from and are enjoyed with.  People sat down after each standing ovation and upon his command, we all rose to dance to one of the few dance tunes they perform.

The crowd was a mixture of young and old but since I was only 9 when Close to the Edge and Fragile came out, most fans of the time were much older than I.  I'm glad Yes could touch these peoples souls as they did mine, with so many people seeking such a positive message, it give me hope for our future as a Humanity! I feel overjoyed to have been able to participate in such a positive experience that one would never have thought could happen, (to see a band play a tour of music long past).  Long live the LOVE they share with the world and may it keep growing!