I haven't seen YES in a while. The last time was with Benoît David. In all honesty, it was just hard for me to see YES without Jon Anderson, but I think Benoit did a respectable job.
This week I watched YES on cable with Jon Davison while Chris was still with us. I must admit, I was very impressed with him as a replacement much like what they did with "Journey" His pitch is excellent, and he comes across as having a genuine spirit and a true love of this music.... along with a gentle nature much like Jon Anderson. I just can't imagine a better fit for YES as a replacement singer for Jon Anderson.
That being said, I wonder about the future of YES.
This Hippodrome concert I think was 2014? It's respectable that Steve and Chris still wanted to bring live YES music to theaters across the land.
Downes does a good job also replicating Wakeman and Kaye for that matter.... however cold the keyboard palate feels.
I suppose few would argue that this already is quite a watered down version of YES. What about now without Chris? I have not seen Sherwood filling in for Chris, but I have heard he is doing quite a fine job.
But, where is this all leading? Could someone REALLY carbon copy Steve Howe's playing. He truly is the untouchable master of progressive rock guitar playing. Even as he ages, I can still really feel his playing inside YES music in spite of the obvious.
I know there was talk years ago about YES being an act that would or could transcend all of their lifetimes with new members much like a symphony might operate over the centuries.
I feel we are not far off this just being a really great tribute band with Steve sitting in as the elder statesman.
Should The Musical Box just inherit the name Genesis? Is there an argument for that?
Dark Star Orchestra for The Grateful Dead?
These are very good bands, and the argument that this music should not die is a respectable if not logical one.
Thoughts?
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