Yes - Onward (Columbus, OH, Nov 12th 2008)

[BankersGal]

I was front and center having treated us for my birthday...this was a fantastic show.

[LadyHalemano]

I miss you Jon! Yes came to Florida last year w/Benoit David as the singer....the concert was Free in downtown Orlando...I didn't even attempt to go. If Jon was singing I would've paid $100 for my ticket & would've been amongst the first to purchase tickets!!! Jon Anderson Forever!!!

[superzapper]

If You can`t wait for your lead singer to get better then I don`t know how you can sleep at night . Theres nothing wrong with Jon now and the Album he made with Rick Wakeman in 2010 proves hes not too old to do this.Yes without Jon and Rick is a a travesty

[ELO1138]

@superzapper Hate to break it to you but Yes has made 12 albums without Rick Wakeman (and that's only the studio albums). So are all those albums "travesties"?

[derbystardom]

Jon Anderson is getting old unfortunately, and Benoit David is an excellent singer...honestly, he is probably the closest on this earth now to a Jon Anderson, nothing will be like Jon, just as nothing will be like Sean Connery, but, they forged ahead with the next best thing....if you want Yes to be the perpetual change, you will have to accept Benoit David...

[superzapper]

@derbystardom Hes not too old to sing . Buy the album he made with Rick Wakeman last year. this tour is all about the money . its bullshit

[parker11965]

Shambolic this bloke is destroying Anderson songs what a sad band they have become their like smokey now sad sad get Anderson back and sent that talent-less karaoke singer back to where he came from

[indigoblue4me]

If having 4 of the band members making an album couldn't use the band's name, then how can just 3 (and a half I guess) members call themselves "Yes"?

I love you Chris, but c'mon!

[indigoblue4me]

OK, so Jon was sick and they didn't want to cancel the show....but as a fan, if *I* had had tickets to see "YES" and Benoit David came out to sing, I would have been really upset.

Like I said, without Jon, they should not be allowed to call themselves "YES"

Benoit David was the singer of a "Yes" tribute band in Canada for years, but that still doesn't give him the right to "replace" Jon !!!

"Anderson Bruford, Wakeman, Howe" were not allowed to call themselves "Yes" and there were FOUR of them!

[indigoblue4me]

They weren't allowed 2 call themselves Yes if Chris wasn't there, so why are they allowed to call themselves Yes w/o Jon?

No Jon Anderson, no Yes for me! (don't care if it sounds OK or not).

The only reason this particular song can sorta make it is because of Chris's second voice, and the fact that Chris wrote this song.

Yes, this band has gone through more iterations than any other in the world probably, but some members just CANNOT be replaced !

BTW, I always thought that Tormato was great!

[jenduke63]

Better than a few nights ago.  Benoit, drink some tea! You;re fatigued. and zinc, take lots of zinc.

[BenoitDavidBlows]

Wow he rewrote the whole melody! Awesome!

[BrokenChair88]

With enough replacements, Yes could continue on for another hundred years. The way things are shaping up, I think it's going to happen. They're no longer the same band. It deeply disturbs me how they ruthlessly threw Jon Anderson overboard like that.

[holydiver73]

Can you beleive this guy? He's on stage with Jon's Bandmates singing Jon's Songs wearing Jon's stage clothes. Is he shagging Jon's wife too? Bastards

[holydiver73]

Benoit David is a poor man's Jon Anderson. Nowhere near as good as Jon and slightly out of tune at times. Not a strong voice at all. There are some similarities to Jon, but Jon always does it a helluva lot better. HEAR MY WORDS - NO JON, NO YES. It's that simple.

[geoffbarra]

Yes, we all loved Jon - but come on this guy IS good!

[Nessiefan]

I agree. Benjamin has good voice. But I miss Jon, there is no Yes without him.

[derbystardom]

I'm reading all of the comments saying that this is not Yes, or they miss Jon...but, I have yet to read a comment saying that Benoit sounds nothing like Jon, or worse than Jon...this guy sounds just like vintage Jon Anderson....Guys, honestly, Benoit sounds more like Jon Anderson, than Jon Anderson sounds like Jon Anderson....Benoit is perfect for Yes at this time, this present moment...

[shoansnoday]

@derbystardom thanks for acknowledging Benoit. I am a Yes fan from the 70's. Was listening to them since I was 6 years old. I liked Drama and I never saw Jon live but I did see Benoit and I was so glad I was able to see Yes!

[GaryNull]

Dr. Chris Squire

[TardisType30]

Almost Yes? not a bad Tribute Band though?

[MrDodstink]

Onward is great song from fantastic albumTormato.

[JIF882]

@MrDodstink Good to hear you say that. I like Tormato as much as Close To The Edge, Relayer, Tales, and Drama. Fragile is down below those because it is a short album.

[MauiBoyTrav]

Anderson is a way better singer than Benjamin. Benjamin has a nice sounding voice, but he is a follower. He doesn't have the power, ingenuity and creativity Jon Anderson gives us.

[mikapromotesobesity]

Yes is not Yes without peter banks. peter was the soul of Yes.

[mjw9363]

This Blows

[vascdan]

This guy did a good job singing, don't be such dicks.

[favorsham]

@vascdan Yes, he does a good job singing, but Benoit is still just imitating Jon, who originated the music, wrote the lyrics, and gave Yes its character. Jon is healthy, performing again, and sounding great, so why they don't invite him back is beyond me.

[charliefreak21]

These guys look awful. Anderson looks young, This sucks. 

[mikapromotesobesity]

@charliefreak21 anderson is a shit singer now and he also looks like shit. This is now Yes, get over it, bunch of babies. Go and buy jons and ricks shit album and delude yourself by thinking it is Yes.

[charliefreak21]

@mikapromotesobesity You have every right to enjoy Dildo Faggins - not an artist an imitator - if you want. I had rather hear the original or someone new that brings a new dynamic to the band instead of just an imitation. And suck my balls.

[mikapromotesobesity]

@charliefreak21 dildo faggins? is that a jon and rick song? This isn't the first time that jon has bailed. Yes continue, so get over it you big baby. These anderson zealots are idiots

[favorsham]

@mikapromotesobesity Anderson a shit singer now? Listen to some of the songs he posts on FB - they're great. As for his looks, all I can say is that he looks a lot better than Chris or Steve.

[mojo4404]

@charliefreak21 This isn't MTV microprocessed, overdubbed corporate American Idol mu$ak. This is music. And by the way, that's not Jon Anderson.

[charliefreak21]

It's not Yes without Jon. 

[MrIgorsher]

@charliefreak21 

[luismasironi]

uhhhgggg. Yes died? This is a Yes without soul and spirit.  Bonoit would be eliminate first in American Idol. Jon, please come back soon.

[jezmundberserker]

@luismasironi: Something tells me you wouldn't even qualify to tie Benoit's shoes on American Idol. You'd probably do worse than William Hung.

[ade1021]

Nowhere near as good as Jon, please invite him back soon. I will then go to see Yes again. This is not Yes.

[FALLENFORFISH]

the lead singer looks like bilbo baggins from lord of the rings.

[alcantara06]

This could've been Howe, Squire,Wakeman, David & White without using "YES". Howe is a great musician and yes wouldn't have been the same without him, but using a guy from a Yes tribute band to replace Jon it's lame.

[FALLENFORFISH]

had this at my wedding

[0002Alucard]

songs don't get better than this

[sirmarkthomas]

I saw an interview with Benoit David. Seems like a really good man and great voice. He basically said that he is in the band until Jon is healthy and ready to come back full force. I hope fans show him enough respect and support to help keep yes music relevant and strong in the present.

[fallof67]

@sirmarkthomas Jon has been touring since 2009 and Yes has been off the road since Jon has gotten better. ("May 15th 2009 Jon Anderson, Hi you YES fans out there, I realize that Chris Alan and Steve are touring as YES now, but I won't be up there singing, 'they' would rather carry on as they are in their version of YES...I do feel sad about it of course, but it's their choice"). Jon Anderson on Facebook

[yesiammark]

What happened to this band we once knew so well? Pathetic...bring back Jon...PLEASE!

[mikecosgrove]

Why didn't they have Trevor Horn go out with them again? This is the first singer they have had that didn't do a studio album with Yes so he is merely a fill in.

[TasmiaMallor]

I'm sorry.....that's wrong. Just plain wrong.

[joeylugassy]

OMG! Crap! Sounds like karaoke. His voice sounds similar to Jon Andersen's but not quite. It's pitchy and most importantly IT'S NOT JON ANDERSEN! Jon is more than a voice! His energy and writing is 80% of what makes Yes.

What is it with these chicken-shit bands that think they can just get someone else?

I happen to have info that Jon is very hurt by this. Boycott Yes until they do right by Jon Andersen. I WOULD NEVER GO SEE THIS WANNA-BE YES BAND WITHOUT JON ANDERSEN!!

[zooropa2day]

Just not the same.

[TheFormby]

What a very sad end to the band I love most 8-((

Bring Jon back before its too late !

[maucat721]

Please don't get me wrong. I LOVE Jon's vocals. But, this song, for mr, has never been about the vocals. It is the musical background. And, I think it still rings true. Mellow.

[ePhilosopher9]

i'm at peace with that

[axe2grind911]

Gone is the mood setting intro, the flamenco like chord strum fillers, and the tasteful nuances he had in the '96 version, and instead back to the dreadfully monotonous "da da da, da da da" throughout the entire piece. Boring! like the original from Tormato (Steve's playing, not the song.) Anyway, so as not to slight him, again I will praise the KTA version as a true masterpiece of musicianship. But what's up with the regression, Steve?

[axe2grind911]

The question is not whether B.D. sounds like Jon on this, since it is a given that Jon could not do the tour. The real question is why did Steve go back to the shitty original electric arrangement on this tune when he completely polished it with perfection on acoustic in the '96 version for Keys to Ascension? It's like going back to driving a '69 VW beetle after driving a Mercedes. The KTA version was one of the BEST guitar arrangements and most beautiful Yes tunes ever!!!

[kettlezone]

I'm going to see Yes on Thursday - a friend of mine said she wouldn't go if it was Jon on vox - his voice is gone. By the way, I liked 'Drama' - where was Jon on that? I like 'Onward' from 'Tormato', but think it's an odd choice to be playing on this tour, somehow. For the record, I think Benoit David sounds good - looking forward to Thursday!

[freyamerlin]

I saw the concert last night.. and this song sounded A LOT BETTER!!!!!!!! I actually thought Benoit was pretty good... and I say.. cut the man some slack please! Anderson's voice wasn't that good anymore last time I saw them live.... and pls don't get me wrong.. I LOVE ANDERSON WITH ALL MY HEART!

[mattlove1]

Agreed. Yes without Anderson is like the Electric Light Orchestra without Roy Wood, Or The Beatles without Pete Best, No point in going on

[mus1cat]

As much as Anderson is the voice of Yes, I find it interesting that others like Trevor Rabin and Chris Squire have done justice to the band. When Yes did that album "Talk", the last one with Rabin, it was Rabin's voice that was the saving grace of one or two tunes. No offense but Anderson is not perfect and can't and shouldn't sing the wailing songs. His voice is geared for the softer side as is this guy Benoit. Still, this isn't Yes. Just the 3 on tour with filler two filler musicians.

[RichardMMPs]

That is shockingly bad!!! Jon must be laughing his elfin arse of at this bullshit! Chris/Alan/Steve ... by all means carry on but please drop the YES name ... you're destroying it!

[pschroeter1]

They didn't perform this song at the concert I saw. I would have been delighted to hear it again after an absence of 30 years, but somehow this performance feels like its at a much slower tempo.

[lummond]

That's modern Yes for you. Watch their Live at Montreaux DVD - particularly the intro to Siberian Khatru.

[NikolaiDubinin]

Agreed. Those three should call themselves CINEMA like they did in 1982 with T.RABIN before they asked ANDERSON to sing again.

[indigoblue4me]

@NikolaiDubinin I saw "Yes" w/o Jon in 1980 & was VERY upset that they could call themselves "Yes" w/o him...& they did NOT tell anyone that they were "Cinema" or anything to indicate that Jon was missing. [That was when the 2 guys from "The Buggles" were in "Yes"] Very disappointing to say the least, especially after having seen them several times before that, when they were still "Yes"

I have been a "Yes" fan from the very beginning, and a huge Jon Anderson fan (as if you couldn't tell LOL)

[keter1234]

This ain't YES... sorry.

[cpinto72]

Sorry doesnt do it for me in this song..

[DevilsAndAirwaves]

You think it's great to take your kids to see them? What about if your kid could be IN Yes?

Isn't it odd that it seems okay if a person's kid replaces them in a band, but not someone else?

[RICKOBEAR]

sorry, but something about this just doesn't mesh vocally. :(

[shoans]

i am going to see them next week. I DIDN'T GET TO SEE THEM IN 1976!! I WAS 11 and MISSED IT!!! they canceled last year, but I get to see them next Tuesday July 7th and I am going to sing along with Benoit David as if I were a child again.

[mlmr11]

Amen brother ...

Someone has to carry the torch as the inevitable is realized.

I saw them last week and let me tell you ...I sang along with Benoit and didn't miss a beat!

Yes music is much larger than the band

It will not die!

[beboar]

Come back Jon!!!

[RICKOBEAR]

i agree!! this guy has a nice voice, but it will never equal Anderson!

[napalmpotter]

horrible- for David

[ipermetro]

Sembra una puntata della "Corrida - dilettanti allo sbaraglio" col maestro Pregadio. Tristezza infinita per chi ha amato i gloriosi Yes...

[noldotar]

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHH!! Dai, secondo me sei troppo duro. Comunque sì, Jon è difficile da rimpiazzare

[beboar]

Sono veramente d'accordo con te. Recentemente ho assistito ad un concerto solista di Jon Anderson e sono sempre piu' convinto che nessuno lo puo' rimpiazzare. La sua voce e' unica ed inimitabile.

[campo84748]

If i wanted to pay 200$ to see a COVER BAND i would do so. Thats what YES has become. Without Jon YES is No.

[theGermexican]

Remember Drama. I thought that album was good.

[souswee]

This is like The Dead without Jerry Garcia, David seems to be a nice guy and sings well,but without Jon it just isn't Yes, it's another cover band.

[bluejfk]

I thought they became just a cover band after they lost Bruford and Kaye... I Guess the Moody Blues are now just a cover band since the flautist wears a skirt. (They do miss Ray Thomas' Deep Tenor on the backing vocals though.)

Puhlease, Benoit is doing just fine. There are some songs he hits and some that he does not own yet. Jon's voice was really rough in the 2004 concert i went to.

I am just glad I can take my kids and share the music that I love.

[RICKOBEAR]

you have your point, but i still say nobody will ever replace Anderson.

[vivelavidarocka]

I agree. BUT don't call it Yes. And yes I know, Allan, Steve and Chris have all the right to use the name. BUT until Benoit doesn't have any work recorded, he still feels like he's just a "temporary replacement" and the name YES feels cheated. My opinion.

[dingoDAD]

Great to hear this tune brought back. Benoit David amazes me...I have to give him a mountain of props....but it's not the same.

[luismasironi]

Benoit is a man, but Jon is an Angel. That is the diference. I met Jon in Caracas about 15 years in an interview and it is really an angel.

[nornorofbogart]

Benoit is terrible. I miss Jon Anderson so much.

[spdskte]

Poor guy has some pretty big shoes to fill.

[titanenano]

Jon we miss you!!!!!

[LostGentlemen]

one of my most favourite yes songs - such an underrated song

and Benoit is doin great!

[danielsylvain]

Benoît is doing even better than expected.

Thanks to Chris for this line up..

Steve is on fire and Alan is still holding the beat well.....In the present is the best thing that happened to Yesfans in 5 years,,

[bluesplayerfrombirth]

Jon is NOT DEAD!!!! All is not lost. He will be back.

[astacus]

I miss him so much :( it's not the real Yes without him

[mucouspizza]

In 50 years Yes will continue, franchised by the original members. Time to get over your bias. This guy is a decent singer.

[bluesplayerfrombirth]

Jon has a sweeter voice. If i order filet mignon don't serve me chopped meat.

[vivelavidarocka]

lol...LOL

[Dukered21]

Benoit is no chopped meat! Jon is maybe like a good Shiraz red wine, but Benoit is a fine Zinfandel, i like them both!!

[SibKat]

Unfair comparison...

Maybe they're not «at your service»... ;-)

[alancorday]

Benoit is amazing performer, but Anderson is conected with yes..so is Rick Wakeman...but whole effect is very good.

[sentient02970]

I'm very impressed by Benoit...he seems to really hit the notes well and has a real feel for the song. Honestly I had my doubts but I'm totally blown away.

[SiberianMan2u]

I thought Benoit sounded great when I saw Yes in Atlanta and Hollywood, FL. You really shouldn't go by a lousing sounding video on youtube.

[Kamama62]

I have a soft spot for this song. My husband and I had our first wedding (handfasting actually) dance to this song, and it's always been a favorite of mine.

Saw the Chicago show Dec 3rd and it was a good show IMHO.

[froy2]

going to the show tomorrow

Steve needs the right guitar

[croke66]

i think he used a les paul for the recording on the tormato lp.

[vivelavidarocka]

It's good but not the same....I miss Jon.

[hminkema]

We all miss John. Including the people who appreciate Benoit's fine contribution to the band. I guess that without Benoit, we would also have missed Chris, Steve, and Alan. There wouldn't be any live Yes music in this world.

It needn't be 'the same' to be good music, and for Yes to be made up of fine musicians.

And what is 'the same', actually? We all get older. Yes 2009, maybe including Jon again, won't be 'the same' as Yes 1991 or Yes 1973.

Let's just enjoy the music coming our way. :-)

[vivelavidarocka]

YES hminkema. But still.... Benoit isn't the original singer of YES. It's good, and I liked it when I saw them here in NYC , but somehow, in the back of my mind, there was something telling me that it wasn't the same, and like you said anything is "the same", and that's what makes me sad, that my favourite band will never be the same....Peace.

[SimonHawes100]

i understand Chris Squire wrote this song for his first wife Nikki and his daughters - she must be shocked the way it sounds today, it's sounds awful!

[crs194]

Strangely, Benoit looks like Jon's dad here.

[ledzeplad]

His dad!!!...LOL......seriously though he looks looks like a young john wetton

[maurillion]

could be...

but there's no doubt that squire looks like ray connif !!!!!!!

[tatertotphenomenon]

OMG! i saw this show in L.I.! after, chris's wife (chris squire-bassist) got us backstage... i met oliver wakeman (keyboards) alan white (drums) and chirs squire (bass-he has HUGE hands lol) but sadly steve and bonoit weren't there. but i met steve and jon before, both awesome. but i never met rick

:( but i still think its awesome and my 'rents danced to this at their wedding :)))))

[bozzque]

This new guy was good but, to be frank, I missed Jon. Fortunately, I got 'Namah' last week, the new album on which Jon sings 'Sadness of Flowing'. Jon is the number one !!!

[JohnnyGoliath]

Wow! It's SO great hearing the guys playing this again. One of Chris's finest gems.

...I remember hearing the guys playing this 'In The Round' in LA, back in '78 and '79.

Fanfrickentastic!

Earl Grey

[lovemusicsomuch]

omg ricardomt, u got a kickass camera. THANK U so much for uploading this. Benoit's special request, that's so cute :D I'm glad they finally played this one after so long. AND HOW AWESOME WAS THAT STAGE, SERIOUSLY?? great scenery & lights, wonderful. I was @ Hammerstein Ballroom, NYC, fri nov 14 w/ my mom, section 102, row D, seats 7 & 8. still dreaming about it. WHAT CAMERA DID U USE??

[ricardomt]

Thanks! I used a Sanyo Xacti HD1000, full HD digital camera. Shot in 720p and then converted to the YouTube format. The camera mic is also quite good comparing to other cameras I've used in the past! Highly recommended!

[jme1]

Anderson in his prime? This guy is not even as good as Trevor Horn. Listen to how the pitch wavers during the extended notes.

[roomserviceband]

a bit pitchy, no?

[floydrocker]

I saw this same show in Hamilton, Ontario and his vocals blew me away! It was like seeing Jon Anderson in his prime, he hit every note. The only thing lacking is Jon's little monologues in between songs that kind of add to the concert, but this guy does the dances. I like it.

[isadog77]

I was fortunate to be there and grateful to see it again

[mangueira7]

ahhh que beleza! so nice... thanks again...

[liminha69]

beautiful, realy beautiful!

thks a lot!!!