Jon Anderson & Rick Wakeman - Awaken - Oct. 23, 2011

[JDChicago]

Its not that Jons voice just sings the words....They embody the words.

What an amazing reminder of Johns amazing voice and spirit .

Both still amazingly beautiful..

[vinvin1234]

Jon sounds terrific. So glad he's feeling better. Honestly...name two people who can transport you to another realm all by themselves. They bless the music world.

[prry45]

I was there, thanks for bringing this out to us, it was truly a wonderful show, I felt really blessed to be there in "the presence of"...

[YesFanDon]

I still get goosebumps watching this. Don't you?

[sandygort]

I've always believed Jon had the best, most unique, and widest quality voice range of any rock vocalists I ever heard. As I understand it he nearly died of respitory issues in 2008 and yet after that and all these years he can still do THIS. He's amazing, as is Rick. No way Yes is a better group without these two, even if the keyboardist now is Rick's son.

GREAT POST!!!!!!

[TheColininla]

@sandygort I agree with your sentiments, Sandy, but Rick's son was ejected from the group prior to last summer's touring and is only briefly represented on the new album. The fan base continues to decrease as YES squanders their once-impressive reputation.

[sandygort]

@TheColininla Thanks for the update. I had obviously gotten out of touch. Not only did I not know Rick's son (Oliver?) was gone I didn't know they had a new album. I did some searching this afternoon and saw where Downes is back as keyboardist. Is that correct? If so that's not a bad group but I still just can't think of Yes as Yes without Jon.

[TheColininla]

@sandygort Yes, Rick's son's name is Oliver. And yes, Downes is currently their keyboardist. As for the 'not bad' part. Hang around YouTube a while and search for Yes, 2011. You can make up your own mind. To my way of thinking, as a fan since the first release in 1969, it truly isn't YES without Jon. He was their heart and soul. They're now an echo of what once was.

[sandygort]

@TheColininla Actually I had seen some YouTube videos of the band with this Benoit guy, and Oliver (couldn't remember which son) from 2010 or early last year. That's one reason I didn't know about his departure, Downes return, and the new album. I didn't really care for what I saw and heard. I go back with Yes to early the 70's and I agree with you. In their prime they will always be in my mind the best ever, regardless of where they go from here.

[oddboxTopper]

The soul of the performance shines through...

Even though this video is less than perfect, one can feel the intensity.

Thank you for capturing this.

I hope a proper DVD of the concert tour is made.

This is great.

[YesFanDon]

@oddboxTopper Thanks for your comments; I agree on all counts! - Don

[nakedrat]

That was most excellent! Thanks for capturing it.

[YesFanDon]

@nakedrat Thanks for watching!

[chris72572]

Jon Anderson sounds amazing. wish they had a full on band. but this does work...

[jcast18k]

omg I didnt know jon voice still sounds this good!

[AuralSynth]

I just saw them a couple of days ago and I'm still on that "high." They were wonderful. Rick was funny as usual, even though the jokes are getting old, and Jon sang amazing. He's back with his God-voice!

Thank you for filming and posting.

[jyuzynko]

I was in contact with Rick this past summer, and he told me they were doing this... thank you so much for posting this!!!! I was unable to make the show....So much for Grumpy Old Men, eh?

[jyuzynko]

I was in contact with Rick this past summer, and he told me they were doing this... thank you so much for posting this!!!! I was unable to make the show....

[TroySchaeffers]

I was blessed to see Jon and Rick's performance in Albany, what more can be said to these ageless stalwarts? I am humbled and forever grateful to live in an age when their music is still performed. I will add this performance of Awaken was slightly different in its arrangement and improvisination. Albany may have been slightly closer to the original masterpiece, but lovely. I enjoyed Jon's sharing how this song was created over a phone line while the band rehearsed and recorded in Montreaux

[DreamerEasy831]

Amazing version, thank you!



[evanknsm]

Jon Anderson is singing as excellent as before. Fantastic!



[raymeakins]

Amazing

[flashandthepan]

Thank you Soooooooo much for recording and posting this!

[tsettimo]

Here is the heart and soul of Yes.

If you've been watching the Chris Squire Band playing recently and have wondered where the heart and soul has gone from their music, look no further. Here it is.

[ricky4001cs]

You don't need Yes to be YES. It is a philosophy of quality in the art of living music.

[refmannc]

Freakin' Awesome!



[dolfinpt]

SO COOL! thanks! Awaken is my all time fav! Jon & Rick my favs- going to Buffalo show tonight! WooHoo!

[KLezlie]

Lovely!

[SibKat]

This sounds so low and quite different in the key of D instead of E.